Document Document Title
US07790435B2 Chemical induction in quiescence in bacteria
Quiescence is induced in cells using indole compounds. Expression continues from extra-chromosomal vectors within the cells during quiescence, while chromosomal expression is suppressed. The cells may be used as factories for the production of large amounts of polypeptides of interest, particularly polypeptides which normally have an adverse effect on cell viability or growth. Expression from an extra-chromosomal vector of interest may be monitored, in view of the reduced background expression from the chromosome. Vector copy number may be amplified. Cell cycles may be synchronized.
US07790431B2 Methods and materials for the production of shikimic acid
Novel enzymes and novel enzymatic pathways for the pyruvate-based synthesis of shikimate or at least one intermediate thereto or derivative thereof, nucleic acids encoding the enzymes, cells transformed therewith, and kits containing said enzymes, cells, or nucleic acid. A KDPGal aldolase is used to perform condensation of pyruvate with D-erythrose 4-phosphate to form 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP); a 3-dehydroquinate synthase is used to convert the DAHP to 3-dehydroquinate (DHQ); DHQ dehydratase can then convert DHQ to the key shikimate intermediate, 3-dehydroshikimate.
US07790429B2 Robust multi-enzyme preparation for the synthesis of fatty acid alkyl esters
A process for the preparation of short-chain alkyl esters of fatty acids, preferably fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) in solvent-free system is disclosed. In particular, the process comprises (a) providing a fatty acid source, (b) stepwise adding a short-chain free alcohol, preferably methanol, or any other alcohol donor, to said fatty acid source in the presence of a lipase preparation and (c) allowing the reaction to proceed under suitable conditions, until said fatty acid source triglycerides are converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The lipase preparation comprises at least two lipases. The two lipases being separately or jointly immobilized on a suitable support and wherein at least one of the lipases has increased affinity for partial glycerides and at least one of the lipases is sn-1,3 positional specific.
US07790428B2 Essential fungal polypeptide, CaYDR341c, and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides essential fungal polynucleotides and their encoded polypeptides, homologues thereof and their uses. Additionally, the invention provides methods for the identification of essential polynucleotides and fungal strains which may be used for drug screening.
US07790424B2 L-methionine producing microorganism and method of producing L-methionine using the microorganism
Disclosed herein are a method of preparing an L-methionine production strain by overexpressing proteins involved in L-methionine biosynthesis in an L-threonine production strain, a strain prepared by the method, and a method of producing L-methionine using the strain.
US07790421B2 Peptide acceptor ligation methods
Described herein are methods and reagents for the ligation of a peptide acceptor to an RNA, as well as the RNA-peptide acceptor products.
US07790420B2 Method for determining protein solubility
The present invention relates to methods of screening for expression of a soluble candidate protein within an expression library of candidate proteins. The method involves fusing each candidate protein in the library to a peptide substrate and identifying cells that express soluble candidate protein by detecting enzymatic modification of the peptide substrate.
US07790419B2 Antiviral vectors
A viral vector production system is provided which system comprises: (i) a viral genome comprising at least one first nucleotide sequence encoding a gene product capable of binding to and effecting the cleavage, directly or indirectly, of a second nucleotide sequence, or transcription product thereof, encoding a viral polypeptide required for the assembly of viral particles; (ii) a third nucleotide sequence encoding said viral polypeptide required for the assembly of the viral genome into viral particles, which third nucleotide sequence has a different nucleotide sequence to the second nucleotide sequence such that said third nucleotide sequence, or transcription product thereof, is resistant to cleavage directed by said gene product. The viral vector production system may be used to produce viral particles for use in treating or preventing viral infection.
US07790418B2 Isothermal amplification of nucleic acids on a solid support
Methods for isothermal amplification of nucleic acid by the means of a solid support are disclosed. These methods are useful for applications needing high throughput, in particular nucleic acid sequencing.
US07790416B2 Mutant E. coli strain with increased succinic acid production
The invention relates to a mutant strain of bacteria, which either lacks or contains mutant genes for several key metabolic enzymes, and which produces high amounts of succinic acid under anaerobic conditions.
US07790410B2 Method and apparatus for determining hemocompatibility
Provided herein are techniques for screening materials for hemocompatibility. Hemocompatible materials may be advantageous when incorporated into devices that may come into direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Such techniques take advantage of conformational changes in fibrinogen when adsorbed onto certain materials. As a result of conformational changes, the fibrinogen has altered responsiveness to cleavage by thrombin. Accordingly, the products of thrombin cleavage of fibrinogen may be assessed to determine the hemocompatibility of a material.
US07790407B2 Targeting of SALL4 for the treatment and diagnosis of proliferative disorders associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
The present invention discloses nucleic acids, proteins, and antibodies for SALL4 (including isoforms SALL4A, SALL4B, and SALL4C), a zinc finger transcriptional factor. Further, methods are disclosed which demonstrate that constitutive expression of SALL4 increases leukemogenic potential in cells of model animal systems. Moreover, constitutive expression of select isoforms (e.g., SALL4B) in transgenic mice demonstrate that these animals develop myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-like signs and symptoms, including subsequent acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is transplantable. The disclosure also provides methods for identifying and purifying embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, cancer stem cells, including leukemia stem cells, methods for identifying substances which bind to and/or modulate SALL4, methods for diagnosing MDS in a subject, and methods of treating a subject presenting MDS.
US07790406B2 Grating-based sensor combining label-free binding detection and fluorescence amplification and readout system for sensor
A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. Various applications for the biosensors are described, including cell-based assays for assessing the effect of drug compounds on cell function. A biosensor embodiment optimized for a luminescent response at two different wavelengths is also described. Such luminescent response could be produced by fluorescence (either native or from an attached fluorophore), phosphorescence, chemi-luminescence, or other luminescence technology. Two different luminescence technologies could be combined on the same biosensor chip.
US07790403B2 Methods for predicting preganancy outcome in a subject by hCG assay
The present invention provides a method of predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by determining the amount of an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of hCG in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated molecular isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated hCG in a sample. The present invention additionally provides an antibody which specifically binds to an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of human chorionic gonadotropin. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.
US07790402B2 Fetuin-A as a biomarker for multiple sclerosis
Biomarkers are disclosed that facilitate the mechanisms associated with central nervous system disease worsening or activity, specifically multiple sclerosis. Methods are also disclosed for identification of biomarkers associated with disease worsening or activity in multiple sclerosis.
US07790396B1 Methods and compositions for the treatment of psychotic disorders through the identification of the SULT4A1-1 haplotype
Methods and compositions relate to genetic markers of psychotic disorders, e.g., schizophrenia (SZ), are provided. For example, in certain aspects methods for determinations of a SULT4A1-1 haplotype are described. Furthermore, the invention provides methods and compositions involving treatment of psychotic disorders using the haplotype status.
US07790388B2 Nucleic acid amplification method
A nucleic acid amplification method, and probes for use within the method are described.
US07790376B2 Heparanase specific molecular probes and their use in research and medical applications
Heparanase specific molecular probes which can be used for detection of the presence, absence or level of heparanase expression and methods of utilizing same are provided.
US07790373B2 Clean-up beads
The present invention provides a material for separating an analyte from an undesired constituent, which material comprises a solid phase and a coating, wherein the solid phase is capable of binding the undesired constituent, and wherein the coating covers the exposed surface of the solid phase to an extent that any binding of the solid phase to the analyte is impeded. A method for preparing the material, and uses of the material for separating an analyte from an undesired constituent are also provided.
US07790369B2 Method for producing polymers
The invention relates to a method for producing polymers, in particular synthetic nucleic acid double strands of optional sequence, comprising the steps: (a) providing a support having a surface area which contains a plurality of individual reaction areas, (b) location-resolved synthesizing nucleic acid fragments each having different base sequences in several of the individual reaction areas, and (c) detaching the nucleic acid fragments from individual reaction areas.
US07790362B2 Controlled platelet activation to monitor therapy of ADP antagonists
A method is provided of determining whether an individual has reduced ability to form platelet thrombi. An ADP platelet activator and one or platelet inhibitors are provided. At least one of the platelet inhibitors is Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). An alternate signal transduction pathway is produced. A final concentration of ADP is 2 to 35 μM and a final concentration of PGE1 is 2 to 30 nM, preferably 20 to 25 nM.
US07790360B2 Methods of forming multiple lines
Some embodiments include formation of polymer spacers along sacrificial material, removal of the sacrificial material, and utilization of the polymer spacers as masks during fabrication of integrated circuitry. The polymer spacer masks may, for example, be utilized to pattern flash gates of a flash memory array. In some embodiments, the polymer is simultaneously formed across large sacrificial structures and small sacrificial structures. The polymer is thicker across the large sacrificial structures than across the small sacrificial structures, and such difference in thickness is utilized to fabricate high density structures and low-density structures with a single photomask.
US07790357B2 Method of forming fine pattern of semiconductor device
A method for forming a fine pattern of a semiconductor device includes forming a first photoresist pattern over a semiconductor substrate including an underlying layer. A cross-linking layer is formed on the sidewall of the first photoresist pattern. The first photoresist pattern is removed to form a fine pattern including a silicon polymer. A second photoresist pattern is formed that is coupled to the fine pattern. The underlying layer is etched using the fine pattern and the second photoresist pattern as an etching mask. As a result, the fine pattern has a smaller size than a minimum pitch.
US07790353B2 Multidirectional photoreactive absorption method
A method for enhancing photoreactive absorption in a specified volume element of a photoreactive composition. In one embodiment, the method includes: providing a photoreactive composition: providing a source of light (preferably, a pulsed laser) sufficient for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons by the photoreactive composition, the light source having a beam capable of being divided: dividing the light beam into a plurality of equal path length exposure beams: and focusing the exposure beams in a substantially non-counter propagating manner at a single volume element of the photoreactive composition simultaneously to react at least a portion of the photoreactive composition. In another embodiment, a method includes: providing a photoreactive composition capable of photoreactive absorption: and exposing the photoreactive composition to laser light from a plurality of substantially non-counter propagating directions simultaneously, wherein the light overlaps in time and space at a predetermined focus spot.
US07790348B2 Decomposable resin composition and flexographic printing plate precursor using the same
A decomposable resin composition containing a metathesis catalyst and a polymer compound.
US07790347B2 Multi-photon reacted articles with inorganic particles and method for fabricating structures
A three-dimensional shaped structure is prepared from a multi-photon reactive composition including: (a) at least one reactive species; (b) a multi-photon photoinitiator system; and (c) a plurality of substantially inorganic particles, wherein the particles have an average particle size of less than about 10 microns in diameter.
US07790341B2 Laser mask and method of crystallization using the same
Provided is a method for crystallizing using a laser mask for selectively crystallizing active regions without a laser shot mark, including: providing an array substrate in which N×M active regions are defined; positioning a laser mask having first and second blocks over the substrate, wherein the first and second blocks have first and second mask patterns, respectively, and the second mask pattern is a reverse pattern of the first mask pattern; irradiating a first laser beam onto the active regions through the first block; and irradiating a second laser beam onto the active regions through the second block.
US07790339B2 Photomask blank
A photomask blank has a light-shielding film composed of a single layer of a material containing a transition metal, silicon and nitrogen or a plurality of layers that include at least one layer made of a material containing a transition metal, silicon and nitrogen, and has one or more chrome-based material film. The high transition metal content ensures electrical conductivity, preventing charge-up in the photomask production process, and also provides sufficient chemical stability to cleaning in photomask production. The light-shielding film has a good resistance to dry etching of the chrome-based material film in the presence of chlorine and oxygen, thus ensuring a high processing accuracy.
US07790337B2 Photomask, pattern formation method using the same and mask data creation method
A principal pattern made of a plurality of isolated transparent portions is formed in a light-shielding portion disposed on a transparent substrate having a transparent property against exposing light. The principal pattern includes a first principal pattern and a second principal pattern adjacent to each other at a given distance, and a first auxiliary pattern made of a phase shifter portion for transmitting the exposing light in an opposite phase to the exposing light passing through the transparent portion is formed between the first principal pattern and the second principal pattern.
US07790334B2 Method for photomask plasma etching using a protected mask
A method for etching chromium and forming a photomask is provided. In one embodiment, a method for etching chromium includes providing a film stack in a processing chamber having a chromium layer, patterning a photoresist layer on the film stack, depositing a conformal protective layer on the patterned photoresist layer, etching the conformal protective layer to expose a chromium layer through the patterned photoresist layer, and etching the chromium layer. The methods for etching chromium of the present invention are particularly suitable for fabricating photomasks.
US07790327B2 Reinfored matrix for molten carbonate fuel cell and method for preparing the same
Provided is a reinforced matrix for molten carbonate fuel cell, wherein a mechanical strength of the matrix is increased by adding a reinforcing agent having a low melting point.
US07790325B2 Valve having valve element displaced by at least one of a movement of a diaphragm and a movement of an actuator, and fuel cell using the valve
A valve and a fuel cell using the same are provided, the valve having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flow path communicating therebetween, a valve element provided in the flow path, a diaphragm which is disposed so as to separate the inside from the outside of the flow path and which is to be deformed by the difference in pressure between the inside and the outside of the flow path, a valve shaft connecting between the valve element and the diaphragm, and an actuator provided for the diaphragm. In the valve described above, the valve element is displaced by at least one movement of the diaphragm and the actuator to open and close the valve. Accordingly, the valve has a simple structure which can be easily miniaturized and which is unlikely to be degraded even when a corrosive fluid flows through the valve.
US07790324B2 Separator plate and fuel cell
The invention relates to a separator plate for use in a fuel cell and to a fuel cell. The separator plate has: a passage groove group including a plurality of gas passage grooves 35 formed so as to extend in serpentine form; and a communicating groove 33 configured to provide fluid communication between adjacent portions of the gas passage grooves. Various separator plates have heretofore been disclosed in public by many documents and the blockage of the gas passage grooves caused by condensed water droplets formed therein is deemed to be properly prevented. However, the inventors think that those separator plates have a critical oversight in the behavior of a gas-liquid two phase fluid including a reaction gas and condensed water. That is, the condensed water is likely to concentrate in the vicinity of the gas passage grooves located in the downstream side of such separator plates and therefore these separator plates are liable to blockage. The invention intends to overcome the above problem by making the communicating groove 33 shallower than the gas passage grooves.
US07790321B2 Separator for use in high-energy batteries and method for the production thereof
The present invention relates to electrical separators, especially for use in lithium high energy batteries, and to a process for making them.Separators for use in lithium high energy batteries have to have a very low weight and a very low thickness. It has been found that, surprisingly, such separators having a weight of less than 50 g/m2 and a thickness of less than 35 μm are preparable by applying a ceramic coating to a polymeric web less than 30 μm in thickness, these separators being very useful in lithium high energy batteries when pyrogenic oxides of the elements Al, Si and/or Zr are used as a particulate pore-forming component.
US07790318B2 Positive active material for lithium secondary battery and method of preparing same
Disclosed in a positive active material for a lithium secondary battery including a compound represented by formula 1 and having a 10% to 70% ratio of diffracted intensity of diffraction lines in 2θ=53° (104 plane) with respect to diffracted intensity of diffraction lines in the vicinity of 2θ=22° (003 plane) in X-ray diffraction patterns using a CoKα-ray, LixCoO2-yAy  (1) wherein, x is from 0.90 to 1.04, y is from 0 to 0.5, and A is selected from the group consisting of F, S and P.
US07790317B1 Silver vanadium oxide-fluoride material useful as a battery cathode
Metal oxide-fluoride material including silver, vanadium, oxygen and fluorine, such as Ag4V2O6F2, is made and useful as a cathode for a battery. The material is made by subjecting silver oxide, vanadium oxide, and aqueous solution of HF to superambient temperature in a pressure vessel.
US07790316B2 Silicon composite particles, preparation thereof, and negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell
Silicon composite particles are prepared by sintering primary fine particles of silicon, silicon alloy or silicon oxide together with an organosilicon compound. Sintering of the organosilicon compound results in a silicon-base inorganic compound which serves as a binder. Each particle has the structure that silicon or silicon alloy fine particles are dispersed in the silicon-base inorganic compound binder, and voids are present within the particle.
US07790314B2 Sulfonated polymer composition for forming fuel cell electrodes
A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is described. The materials for the membrane electrode assembly are formed from sulfonated polymers. A polymer dispersion ink containing the sulfonated polymer and a mixture of solvents is used to form the electrodes on the exchange membrane. The dispersion ink allows for the electrodes to be formed directly on the exchange membrane without significantly dissolving the exchange membrane.
US07790313B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly having a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator between the positive and negative electrodes is provided. The secondary battery further comprises a case for containing the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly connected to the case. The cap assembly comprises positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, respectively. Lead connectors are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrode plates and the positive and negative terminals. A support is connected to each end of the electrode assembly and surrounds the lead connectors. The supports are adapted to fit between the electrode assembly and the case.
US07790308B2 Manganese oxide composite electrodes for lithium batteries
An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor thereof a lithium metal oxide with the formula x{zLi2MnO3.(1−z)LiM′O2}.(1−x)LiMn2−yMyO4 for 0
US07790300B2 R-Fe-B based thin film magnet and method for preparation thereof
An R—Fe—B based thin film magnet including an R—Fe—B based alloy which contains 28 to 45 percent by mass of R element (where R represents at least one type of rare-earth lanthanide elements) and which is physically formed into a film, wherein the R—Fe—B based alloy has a composite texture composed of R2Fe14B crystals having a crystal grain diameter of 0.5 to 30 μm and R-element-rich grain boundary phases present at boundaries between the crystals. The magnetization characteristics of the thin film magnet are improved. The R—Fe—B based thin film magnet can be prepared by heating to 700° C. to 1,200° C. during physical film formation or/and the following heat treatment, so as to grow crystal grains and form R-element-rich grain boundary phases.
US07790290B2 Intermediate film of laminated safety glass with antiglare function and novel neodymium compound
The present invention provides an intermediate film for use in laminated glass, comprising a resin composition containing polyvinyl butyral, a plasticizer and a neodymium compound having compatibility in both the plasticizer and a plasticized resin, where the neodymium compound is a neodymium salt of a polyvalent ester of a dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acid wherein one carboxyl group is not esterified. The intermediate film is useful in producing a laminated glass.
US07790287B2 Light-scattering sheet having high light transmission and improved antistatic properties
A solid sheet comprising transparent polycarbonate matrix, particles of a transparent polymer and an antistatic agent is disclosed. Characterized in that the refractive index of said matrix differs from that of said polymer, the sheet is suitable in making diffuser plate in flat screens.
US07790286B2 External modification of composite organic inorganic nanoclusters
Modified and functionalized metallic nanoclusters capable of providing an enhanced Raman signal from an organic Raman-active molecule incorporated therein are provided. For example, modifications include coatings and layers, such as adsorption layers, metal coatings, silica coatings, and organic layers. The nanoclusters are generally referred to as COINs (composite organic inorganic nanoparticles) and are capable of acting as sensitive reporters for analyte detection. A metal that enhances the Raman signal from the organic Raman-active compound is inherent in the nanocluster. A variety of organic Raman-active compounds and mixtures of compounds can be incorporated into the nanocluster.
US07790282B2 Self-crimping fully drawn high bulky yarns and method of producing thereof
Self-crimping fully drawn high bulk yarns comprising fiber forming bicomponent filaments comprising two polymers having different crystallizability or differential orientation or combination thereof is disclosed herein. Further the present invention discloses a method for producing the self-crimping fully drawn high bulk yarns by single and two-stage process. The invention also discloses the fabric comprising the self-crimping fully drawn high bulk yarns.
US07790278B2 System for delivery of fibers into concrete
The present invention provides for twisted and rectangular dice forms of sheeted fibrous materials and a process for making the dice forms. Specifically, the invention teaches the use of dice forms and sheet materials in construction and cementitious materials.
US07790271B2 Dielectric ceramic composition, ceramic substrate, and method for producing the same
A dielectric ceramic composition includes about 10% to about 40% by weight of BaO, about 20% to about 65% by weight of SiO2, about 6% to about 40% by weight of Al2O3, about 1% to about 15% by weight of B2O3, about 0.3% to about 3% by weight of Cr2O3, and about 1% to about 40% by weight of ZrO2. A multilayer ceramic substrate has a laminated structure including an inner layer portion and outer layer portions that have a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than that of the inner layer portion. The use of the dielectric ceramic composition for the outer layer portions enables the ceramic to be resistant to erosion caused by a plating liquid used for plating external conductive films, thus maintaining good adhesiveness between the external conductive films and the outer layer portions.
US07790265B2 Surface-energy gradient on a fluid-impervious surface and method of its creation using a mixed monolayer film
A surface energy gradient on a fluid-impervious surface and method of its creation comprising the steps of a) Exposing a base surface having a proximal and a distal portion to a first solution comprising at least one molecule of the formula X-J-M1 wherein X and M1 represent separate functional groups and J represents a spacer moiety that, together, are able to promote formation from solution of a self-assembled monolayer for sufficient time to form a monolayer surface having a uniform surface energy on the base surface. b) Removing a portion of the monolayer of (a) such that a portion of the base surface is again fully or partially exposed. (c) Exposing the portion of the base surface from (b) to at least one other molecule including a functional group having a different surface energy from that of the functional group removed in(b) such that a surface energy gradient from a proximal location to a distal location is formed.
US07790261B2 Splice seam
A splice seam for joining various sections of fabric together is disclosed, wherein the fabric sections are initially delaminated into their constituent plies. The plies associated with each fabric section are then interleaved with each other, and bonded together. The amount of surface area between each interleaved plies can be adjusted as so as to achieve a desired level of load carrying strength between the fabric sections. Additionally, the splice seam may utilize an external and/or internal seam tape to increase the strength of the resultant seam.
US07790254B2 System and method of reinforcing diverter switches
A reinforced diverter switch is molded with a flange having a reinforcing material embedded therein. A shaft of a diverter switch is wrapped with a reinforcing material. The shaft of the diverter switch may be wrapped by first removing a portion of the epoxy resin to expose a conductor of the diverter switch, machining a portion of the epoxy resin, and then filament winding the reinforcing material over the portion of the epoxy resin machined.
US07790251B2 Cut resistant paper and paper articles and method for making same
The specification discloses a method for making a paper material having a reduced tendency to cut human skin. The method includes providing a papermaking furnish containing cellulosic fibers and from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt % by weight dry basis expandable microspheres, forming a paperboard web from the papermaking furnish, drying the web, and calendaring the web to a caliper of from about 11.0 to about 18.0 mils and a density ranging from about 7.0 to about 12.0 lb/3000 ft2/mil. Papers formed according to the method and articles formed therefrom are also disclosed.
US07790249B2 Stretched cellulose ester film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display employing the same
A stretched cellulose ester film produced by stretching after film forming employing a cellulose ester including a polyester polyol obtained from (a) a glycol having an average carbon atom number of 2 to 3.5 and (b) a dibasic or an anhydrous dibasic acid having an average carbon number of 4 to 5.5, wherein the stretched cellulose ester film exhibits retardation value Ro in the range of 30 to 200 nm, and a retardation value Rt in the range of 70 to 400 nm, Ro and Rt are each defined by specific Formulas (1) and (2).
US07790247B2 Liquid-crystalline medium
Disclosed are a liquid-crystalline medium, which contains one or more compounds of formula I their use for electro-optical purposes, to displays containing this medium, and to novel LC compounds for use in LC media and displays.
US07790243B2 Method for producing large-diameter 3D carbon nano-onion structures at room temperature
A method includes imparting energy to a target in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at room temperature to provide a substrate facing the target with a carbonaceous coating that includes nested carbon structures.
US07790237B2 Multilayer films for package applications and method for making same
A multilayer film formed by a solution process. The multilayer film includes a plurality of basic film structures positioned in contiguous overlying relationship to form a common multilayer film. Each of the plurality of basic film structures includes one of: a first two-layer structure with a first layer including either a polymer material or an organic material and a second layer including a functionalized inorganic material; a second two-layer structure with a first layer including either a polymer material or an organic material and a second layer including either a polymer binder and/or an organic binder; and a three layer structure with a first layer including either a polymer material or an organic material, a second layer including a functionalized inorganic material, and a third layer including one of a polymer binder and/or an organic binder.
US07790236B2 Coating composition
The invention relates to a high gloss car wash-resistant coating composition comprising an epoxy-functional binder and a cross-linker reactive with the epoxy groups of the binder and a method to prepare such a car wash-resistant coating. The invention further relates to the use of said coating composition, as a pigment-free top coat or a clear coat, in the finishing and refinishing of articles, for example motorcycles, cars, trains, buses, trucks, and aeroplanes. The coating composition after curing forms a coating having an initial gloss of at least 81 GU and a loss of gloss (LoG) of less than 0.25, the loss of gloss being determined by the formula (I) LoG =(1−e(A/X)/(1+eK)+(1−eD*ΔTg)  (I) wherein K=B*(Tgonset−C) In formula I A=−8.03, B=−0.21, C=328 and D=−0.00304.X reflects the cross-link density parameter in kPa/K, Tgonset the onset temperature of the Tg transition in K and ΔTg the width of the glass transition temperature in K, all three parameters determined in a dynamic mechanical thermal analysis test (hereinafter “DMTA”) at 11 Hz and a heating rate of 5° C./min.
US07790233B2 Method for the formation of a coating of metal oxides on an electrically-conductive substrate, resultant activated cathode and use thereof for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkaline metal chlorides
The invention relates to a process for the formation of a coating of metal oxides comprising at least one precious metal from Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the elements, optionally in combination with titanium and/or zirconium, on an electrically conductive substrate made of steel or of iron, which consists in applying a sole solution of acetylacetonate(s) of the said metal(s) dissolved in a (plurality of) solvent(s) which specifically dissolve(s) each metal acetylacetonate; and in then drying and calcining the coated substrate. The invention also relates to an activated cathode obtained from the electrically conductive substrate coated with metal oxides and to its use in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal chlorides.
US07790232B2 SOL-GEL process for the preparation of vitreous films possessing high adhesion properties and stable colloidal solutions
Process for the preparation and the deposition of vitreous films on substrates comprising: the dissolution of one or more metal alkoxides in aprotic solvent, the hydrolysis of the resulting solution, the eventual removal of the formed alcohol, the deposition of the resulting sol on the substrate surface of interest and the final drying of the film.
US07790230B2 Metal chloride seeded growth of electronic and optical materials
A method of deposition by: depositing a metal halide on a substrate; providing a vapor that forms a material by way of chemical vapor deposition; heating the metal halide to a temperature at or above the melting point of the metal halide and at or below the melting point of the material; and contacting the metal halide with the vapor to cause growth on the substrate of a solid solution of the metal halide in the material. The metal is a rare earth metal or a transition metal.
US07790228B2 Method for high-efficiency synthesis of carbon nanostructure
Developed is high-efficiency synthesis method and apparatus capable of promoting the initial growth of carbon nanostructure by eliminating the initial fluctuation time and rising time in raw gas flow quantity.A high-efficiency synthesis method of carbon nanostructure according to the present invention is a high-efficiency synthesis method of carbon nanostructure, the method comprising: bringing raw material gas and a catalyst into contact with each other under reactive conditions so as to produce a carbon nanostructure, wherein: the initiation of contact of the raw material gas with the catalyst is carried out instantaneously. Reaction conditions such as temperature and raw material gas concentration are set so as to meet those for catalyst growth, and under the reaction conditions, the initiation of contact of raw material gas G with catalyst 6 is carried out instantaneously. Consequently, the initial growth of carbon nanostructure is positively carried out, and the height growth and thickness growth thereof can be effected in high efficiency. Further, high-density growth and short-time high-speed growth can be realized. The catalyst includes any forms of catalyst such as catalyst substrate, catalyst structure, catalyst powders and catalyst pellet. It is especially preferred to employ a system wherein the feed and interruption of the raw material gas G are intermittently controlled by means of an electromagnetic three-way valve 24.
US07790226B2 Pyrolyzed thin film carbon
A method of making carbon thin films comprises depositing a catalyst on a substrate, depositing a hydrocarbon in contact with the catalyst and pyrolyzing the hydrocarbon. A method of controlling a carbon thin film density comprises etching a cavity into a substrate, depositing a hydrocarbon into the cavity, and pyrolyzing the hydrocarbon while in the cavity to form a carbon thin film. Controlling a carbon thin film density is achieved by changing the volume of the cavity. Methods of making carbon containing patterned structures are also provided. Carbon thin films and carbon containing patterned structures can be used in NEMS, MEMS, liquid chromatography, and sensor devices.
US07790224B2 Method for sinter coating
A method for sinter coating a work-piece is disclosed, the work-piece having at least two sections of different surface-related heat capacities. The method includes a first step of pre-heating the work-piece to a first temperature that is higher than a fusion temperature of a sinter coating material. The method also includes a step of rapidly heating of the work-piece to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature. However, the rapid heating step is halted before the temperature of the work-piece section with the greater surface-related heat capacity matches the second temperature. The work-piece then has a subsequent step of application of the sinter material to the work-piece. The step of shock heating of the work-piece is preceded by a step of pre-heating the work-piece under conditions which, with continuing effect on the work-piece, bring the work-piece under conditions which, with continuing effect on the work-piece, bring the work-piece to a second temperature between the fusion temperature of the sinter material and the first temperature.
US07790223B2 Recording medium for ink and method for producing the same
The invention provides a recording medium for ink having an ink absorbing ability capable of absorbing ink of a large amount at a high speed, showing an excellent color forming ability and capable of suppressing an image deterioration by a dye displacement which tends to appear particularly in an image storage under a high humidity condition, and an image deterioration caused by light when a printed image is displayed, and showing an excellent stability with time of the printed image, and a method for producing such recording medium for ink.The invention also provides a recording medium for ink having at least one layer laminated on a substrate and including an ink receiving layer containing alumina hydrate as an outermost layer, in which a surface of the substrate at least on the side of the ink receiving layer is subjected to a cationizing treatment, further having an undercoat layer on the side of such cationizing treatment to obtain cations in a predetermined distribution, and having an outermost ink receiving layer laminated on said undercoat layer, and a producing method for such recording medium for ink.
US07790221B2 Sol-gel fabrication of thin-film electrolyte in an oxygen generator
An electrochemical cell that receives an inlet stream of air and produces an outlet stream of a high oxygen concentration of gas. The cell is made up of a plurality of layers and preferably a porous electrolyte comprised of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) that allows only oxygen ions to pass therethrough and which is covered on its sides with electrodes comprised of lanthanum strontium manganate (LSM) which in turn are coated with a layer of platinum to aid in the even distribution of the electrical current. An electrical current is passed through the electrodes to produce a voltage difference therebetween. The layers of YSZ and LSM are formed by a sol-gel process.
US07790216B2 Method for producing a zirconia-layered orthopedic implant component
A method for producing a zirconia-layered orthopedic implant component includes depositing zirconium onto the orthopedic implant component, thereby forming a zirconium-layered component, and converting at least a portion of the zirconium into a substantially monoclinic zirconia surface layer unaccompanied by a substantial underlying α-phase. A method for producing a zirconia-layered orthopedic implant component includes depositing zirconium onto the orthopedic implant component by ion bombardment and deposition in a vacuum to form a zirconium-layered component including an intermix zone at least 1000 Å thick and a zirconium layer about 3-5 μm thick, and heat treating the zirconium-layered component at a temperature of about 500-600° C. in an atmosphere containing oxygen.
US07790213B2 Pizza pan and method of using same
The present invention is a pan for cooking pizza dough and method of using same. The pan consists of a first pan mountable below a second pan. The first pan has a flat bottom and a plurality of fingers projecting upwards from the bottom. The second pan having a flat bottom provided with a plurality of apertures dimensioned and configured to receive the fingers of the first pan. The first and second pans have mounting elements for releasably mounting the second pan on top of the first pan. The apertures of the second pan and the fingers of the first pan are dimensioned and arranged such that the fingers of the first pan project through the apertures of the second pan when the second pan is mounted on top of the first pan. The pans can be used to cook pizza dough by first spreading the pizza dough into the second pan and then mounting the second pan to the first pan such that the fingers of the first pan project through the apertures of the second pan and into the pizza dough. The pizza dough can then be cooked by placing the pans and pizza dough in an oven.
US07790212B2 Method of processing porkhide dog chews
The present invention provides a method of processing porkhide dog chews. The method includes the step of first subjecting pigskin rawhide to defatting and depilation treatment. Then the rawhide is split to obtain a first, a second, a third and a fourth layer of rawhide material. The rawhide material undergoes defatting, rinsing, and sun-drying to produce a finished hide product. The hide product is smoked to achieve objectives of dying and flavoring to result in a finished porkhide dog chew product.
US07790207B2 Colour reduction in canola protein isolate
In the recovery of canola protein isolates from canola oil seeds steps are taken to inhibit the formation of coloring components and to reduce the presence of materials tending to form coloring components, to obtain a lighter and less yellow canola protein isolate.
US07790205B2 Synergistic compositions that treat or inhibit pathological conditions associated with inflammatory response
A natural formulation of compounds that would to modulate inflammation is disclosed. The formulation would also inhibit expression of COX-2, inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins selectively in target cells, and inhibit inflammatory response selectively in target cells. The compositions containing at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops. Other embodiments relate to combinations of components, including at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops, tryptanthrin and conjugates thereof, rosemary, an extract or compound derived from rosemary, a triterpene species, or a diterpene lactone or derivatives or conjugates thereof.
US07790203B2 Composition and regimen for the treatment of herpes simplex virus, herpes zoster, and herpes genitalia epidermal herpetic lesions
A composition and treatment regimen for the amelioration of epidermal herpetic lesions caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) symptoms, Herpes Zoster, and Herpes Genitalia. The treatment includes a regimen of oral administration of a composition including from about 15 to 50 mg of zinc sulfate, from about 5 to 20 mg of magnesium sulfate, from about 15 to 60 mg of thiamin, from about 10 to 30 mg of riboflavin, from about 4 mg to 12 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride, from about 300 to 1000 mg of ascorbic acid, from about 90 to 300 mg of niacin, and from about 20 to 70 mg of pantothenic acid. The composition and regimen may optionally include an efficacious amount of an amino acid, and preferably about 500 mg of lysine.
US07790201B2 Granular sustained release preparation and production thereof
There is disclosed a novel sustained release granular resin-pharmaceutical composition comprising an ion exchange resin complexed with a pharmaceutical material wherein said complex is embedded into and on the surface of a diffusion barrier material. There is also disclosed a novel process for preparing the granulated complex wherein an aqueous granulating vehicle is employed to form the complex and the granulated product, thereby avoiding the use of coatings and large amounts of organic solvents in the process.
US07790199B2 Modified release dosage forms of skeletal muscle relaxants
A unit dosage form, such as a capsule or the like, for delivering a skeletal muscle relaxant, such as cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, into the body in an extended or sustained release fashion comprising one or more populations of drug-containing particles (beads, pellets, granules, etc.) is disclosed. At least one bead population exhibits a pre-designed sustained release profile. Such a drug delivery system is designed for once-daily oral administration to maintain an adequate plasma concentration—time profile, thereby providing relief of muscle spasm associated with painful musculoskeletal conditions over a 24 hour period.
US07790193B2 Use of alginate matrices to control cell growth
Methods of inhibiting proliferation of a plurality of proliferating cells are disclosed. Methods of inhibiting cell overgrowth on compositions that are in an animal's body are disclosed. Methods of inhibiting cell overgrowth on a device that is in an animal's body are disclosed. Devices that have on their exterior surface an alginate matrix that comprises Strontium are disclosed. Compositions comprising an alginate body and alginate sheets that each comprise a single layer of cells coating the exterior surface of the alginate body are disclosed. Methods of preparing an artificial tissue are disclosed. Devices comprising cells encapsulated within an alginate matrix and/or maintained as a monolayer on an alginate body, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Methods of coating compositions and devices are disclosed.
US07790191B2 Cosmetic composition
A cosmetic composition comprising a polysiloxane copolymer comprising a repeating unit (A) having at least one anionic group, a repeating unit (B) having at least one linear or branched alkyl group having 8 to 64 carbon atoms, and a polysiloxane repeating unit (D), said repeating units (A), (B), and (D) being bonded with one another via diisocyanate residue represented by the following formula (1) wherein X is a divalent hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon groups, aliphatic hydrocarbon groups, and alicyclic hydrocarbon groups. Cosmetics comprising the composition maintains their effects for a prolonged period of time.
US07790190B2 Aqueous emulsions of lipophile solubilized with vitamin E TPGS and linoleic acid
Disclosed herein is an aqueous emulsion. The lipid phase of the emulsion includes a blend of a therapeutically effective concentration of a lipophile, a concentration of Vitamin E TPGS, and a concentration of linoleic acid. The presence of linoleic acid increases the solubilizing affect of Vitamin E TPGS on the lipophile and thus reduces the amount of Vitamin E TPGS that would otherwise be required in the aqueous emulsion.
US07790189B2 Immunostimulating agents
Disclosed is a new type of immunostimulating agent including an immunostimulating oligonucleotide complexed with a carrier which is safe and has a high transfection effect. The carrier complexed with the immunostimulating oligonucleotide to form the immunostimulating agent is a polysaccharide having β-1,3-bonds (preferably β-1,3-glucan such as schizophyllan). A preferred example of the immunostimulating oligonucleotide is one containing an unmethylated CpG motif. The polysaccharide for use is preferably modified with nucleic acid-binding functional group and/or cell membrane-affinitive functional group.
US07790184B2 Cytochrome c synthesis inhibitors
The invention provides methods for identifying a compound that inhibits cytochrome c synthesis. This invention further provides a method for the high throughput screening of compounds that inhibit cytochrome c synthesis.
US07790183B2 Combination of antimicrobial agents and bacterial interference to coat medical devices
This invention relates to a method for coating a medical device comprising the steps of applying to at least a portion of the surface of said medical device, an antimicrobial coating layer and a non-pathogenic bacterial coating layer, wherein the antimicrobial and non-pathogenic bacterial coating layers inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacterial and fungal organisms. The non-pathogenic bacterium used in the bacterial coating layer is resistant to the antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, the non-pathogenic bacterium layer includes at least one of the following: viable whole cells, non-viable whole cells, or cellular structures or extracts. The antimicrobial agent and non-pathogenic bacterium are used to develop a kit comprising these compositions in one container or in separate containers. The kit is used to coat a catheter prior to implantation in a mammal.
US07790175B2 Strain of turkey tail mushroom, extract from the same, and use of the same
The present invention provides a new strain of turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor (L.: Fr.) Pilat) having excellent biological activities (Accession number: FERM BP-10633). The strain is excellent in platelet aggregation inhibitory effect, chemokine gene expression inhibitory effect, antimutagenic effect, antitumor effect, antihypertensive effect, and immunomodulatory effect. The effect of the strain is enhanced synergistically by combining with microalgae and other basidiomycetes. The turkey tail mushroom of the present invention has high safety, and a possibility that a side effect is caused because of long-term continuous use is very low. Thus, it is useful for food/drink, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or the like, the objective of which is the prevention and improvement in inflammation, allergy, tumor, and other diseases. The turkey tail mushroom strain of the present invention has very high hyphal growth property and very high physiological functions compared with conventional strains; therefore, it can be used stably.
US07790171B1 Antiviral peptides obtained from the tryptophan-rich hydrophobic cluster of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase
The invention is drawn to a novel class of drugs directed against HIV, comprising a peptide or analog comprising a decapeptide, said decapeptide containing (from N-terminus to the C-terminus) a basic amino acid in position 1, an acidic amino acid in positions 2 and 5, and a tryptophan in positions 4, 7, and 8, and to a method of treatment of HIV infections, in particular multidrug-resistant HIV infections.
US07790167B2 Methods and compositions for enhancing immune response and for the production of in vitro Mabs
The methods and compositions of the present invention are directed to enhancing an immune response and increasing vaccine efficacy through the simultaneous or sequential targeting of specific immune system components. More particularly, specific immune components, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B cells and T cells, are individually activated by component-specific immunostimulating agents. One such component-specific immunostimulating agent is an antigen-specific, species-specific monoclonal antibody. The invention is also directed to a method for the in vitro production of the antigen-specific, species-specific monoclonal antibodies which relies upon the in vitro conversion of blood-borne immune cells, such as macrophages and lymphocytes. Vaccine efficacy is enhanced by the administration of compositions containing component-specific immunostimulating agents and other elements, such as antigens or carrier particles, such as colloidal methods, such as gold.
US07790162B2 Compositions and uses thereof for identifying and targeting provasopressin-expressing cancer cells
The present invention discloses antibodies, antigen binding fragments, peptides and peptidomimetics immunoreactive with provasopressin and compositions thereof, methods of phenotyping tissue samples, methods of treating cancer, and kits for phenotyping test biopsy samples and bodily fluids for breast cancer, small cell lung cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, and atypical ductal hyperplasia.
US07790161B2 GDF-9/BMP-15 modulators for the treatment of bone disorders
The invention provides methods for treating or preventing bone degenerative disorders. The disorders treated or prevented include, for example, osteopenia, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, osteomyeloma, osteodystrophy, Paget's disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, and bone degenerative disorders associated with chronic renal disease, hyperparathyroidism, and long-term use of corticosteroids. The disclosed therapeutic methods include administering to a mammal an inhibitor of GDF-9 or BMP-15 in an amount effective to: (1) treat or prevent a bone degenerative disorder; (2) slow bone deterioration; (3) restore lost bone; (4) stimulate new bone formation; and/or (5) maintain bone mass and/or bone quality. The invention also provides methods for administering a GDF-9 agonist or a BMP-15 agonist to treat a bone disorder characterized by increased bone density or mass.
US07790157B2 Methods of modulating CARK protein activity
The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated CARK nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing CARK nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a CARK gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated CARK proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-CARK antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07790155B2 Calbindin-D28K protection against glucocorticoid induced cell death
The present invention provides novel compositions containing a calbindin-D28k therapeutic element, which is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, and may be administered for the prevention of an abnormal apoptosis response in cells. In particular the compositions and methods of the present invention may be used for the prevention or induction of apoptosis in such cells types as osteoblasts and osteocytes. Specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for the prevention of diseases associated with glucocorticoid induced cell death. Specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention may be useful in the prevention of glucocorticoid induced cell death in osteoblasts and the treatment of such conditions as glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis.
US07790154B2 Duplexed parvovirus vectors
The present invention provides duplexed parvovirus vector genomes that are capable under appropriate conditions of forming a double-stranded molecule by intrastrand base-pairing. Also provided are duplexed parvovirus particles comprising the vector genome. Further disclosed are templates and methods for producing the duplexed vector genomes and duplexed parvovirus particles of the invention. Methods of administering these reagents to a cell or subject are also described. Preferably, the parvovirus capsid is an AAV capsid. It is further preferred that the vector genome comprises AAV terminal repeat sequences.
US07790153B2 Method of treating rheumatoid arthritis using orally administered type one interferons
The present invention provides a method of treating auto-immune diseases in an animal comprising the step of orally administering a type one interferon to said animal. Also provided is a method of reducing inflammation associated with an auto-immune disease in an animal comprising the step of orally administering a type one interferon to said animal. Further provided is a method of decreasing the levels of a cytokine in an individual having multiple sclerosis, comprising the step of orally administering a type one interferon to said individual, wherein said cytokine is selected from the group consisting of TGF-β, IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ and the inflammatory soluble serum marker ICAM-1. In addition, the present invention provides a method of decreasing the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in at-risk populations, comprising the step of orally administering INF-α to individuals of said at-risk population.
US07790151B1 Strain of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for controlling subterranean termites
Alates of the Formosan subterranean termite (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, collected after swarming in 2002 died within 48 hrs, and the cadavers were visibly infected with a fungus. Fungi were picked from the cadavers, transferred to media and ultimately isolated to purity. A single fungal isolate, C4-B, taxonomically identified as Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff), was found to cause rapid mortality of FST alates. This is the first report of a biological control agent for termite alates. Strain C4-B was more lethal to both alates and workers when compared to M. anisopliae strain ESC1, marketed as the termite biocontrol agent BioBlast®. 100% of FST alates exposed to C4-B spores (106 spores/μl) were killed in 3 days. Field studies where C4-B spores were dispersed on grassy lawns resulted in 100% mortality of alates by day 5.
US07790149B2 Hair treatment compositions
The invention provides a rinse off hair treatment composition comprising a salt. The composition is for lengthening and straightening hair.
US07790145B2 Respiratory dispersion for metered dose inhalers
A respiratory dispersion is provided for the pulmonary delivery of at least two bioactive agents. The dispersion comprises a propellant suspension medium having dispersed therein a plurality of perforated microstructures, wherein the two bioactive agents are incorporated into individual perforated microstructures.
US07790140B2 Compositions for delivery of therapeutics and other materials, and methods of making and using the same
In part, the present invention is directed to biocompatible compositions comprising a carrier with a first metal binding domain, a metal ion, an active agent with second metal binding domain and optionally a protective chain covalently attached to the polymeric carrier.
US07790137B2 Metal telluride nanocrystals and synthesis thereof
A process for synthesizing a metal telluride is provided that includes the dissolution of a metal precursor in a solvent containing a ligand to form a metal-ligand complex soluble in the solvent. The metal-ligand complex is then reacted with a telluride-containing reagent to form metal telluride domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers. NaHTe represents a well-suited telluride reagent. A composition is provided that includes a plurality of metal telluride crystalline domains (PbTe)1-x-y(SnTe)x(Bi2Te3)y  (I) having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive where x is between 0 and 1 inclusive and y is between 0 and 1 inclusive with the proviso that x+y is less than or equal to 1. Each of the metal telluride crystalline domains has a surface passivated with a saccharide moiety or a polydentate carboxylate. A densified mass having a density of greater than 95% of the theoretical density includes a plurality of lead telluride, tin telluride, bismuth telluride, or a combination thereof of domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive that have been subjected to hot isotactic pressing.
US07790131B2 High-surface precipitation silica acids
The present invention relates to a highly dispersible silica which has a high surface area, a process to manufacture the aforesaid silica and its use as a tire filler for utility vehicles, motor cycles and high speed vehicles.
US07790130B2 Wide mesoporous alumina composites having trimodal pore structure
Wide mesoporous alumina composites are produced by an “in situ reaction” route comprising agglomeration of an alumina powder that is capable of rehydration together with a second reactive powder such as carbonate. In one method of production, the powders are fed to a rotating forming device that is continuously sprayed with liquid under conditions to form particulates. The discharging beads are then subjected to curing and thermal activation to produce the final catalyst or adsorbent. The alumina participates in a pore altering process involving the carbonate component upon formation of hydroxycarbonate intermediates such as Dawsonite. Large fraction of the pore volume of the final product consists of wide mesopores in the 15-50 nanometers range. The alumina composites exhibit a characteristic trimodal pore structure that includes also small micro-meso pores and macropores larger than 200 nanometers.
US07790127B1 NOx emission control system for hydrocarbon fueled power source
A method of reducing NOx in a lean burn engine exhaust stream from a hydrocarbon burning engine may be first passing the exhaust stream over a thrifted diesel oxidation catalyst that substantially completes the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) to carbon dioxide and water. Next, separate additions of ozone and ammonia or urea may be introduced to the exhaust gas stream upstream of the catalytic reduction reactor at temperatures below 250 degrees Celsius. The additions of ozone and ammonia or urea modify the exhaust gas composition to improve the performance of NOx reduction catalysts in the catalytic reduction reactor. At temperatures above 250 degrees, the ozone addition may be reduced or eliminated, while the ammonia addition can be controlled as a function of the amount of NOx in the exhaust stream and the temperature of the catalytic reduction reactor.
US07790126B2 Method for purifying waste gases of a glass melting process, particularly for glasses for LCD display
The invention is directed to a method for cleaning exhaust gases of a glass melting process. The raw material for production of the glass is charged to the glass furnace and molten glass is removed from the glass furnace. The exhaust gases of the glass melting process are freed of the pollutant components in a moving bed reactor system on a catalytically active adsorbent and/or absorbent. Catalyst damaging pollutant components are bound by absorption and the particulate components are adhesively removed. Catalytic removal of nitrogen is performed in the layer area adjacent to the immediate oncoming flow area of the catalyst damaging pollutant components. Other pollutant components that do not damage the catalyst, such as dioxins and furans, are removed by absorption in the layer area.
US07790117B2 Filter vial
A filter vial and piston are provided where the vial has a cylindrical wall with a closed bottom and open top and with the hollow, tubular piston therein. The piston has a distal end covered by a cup having a proximal cup seal extending outward to engage the walls of the vial to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. The distal end of the piston has a piston flange extending outwardly and located adjacent a recess in the piston so the cup forms a snap fit over the piston flange and extends into the recess. The piston flange causes the cup to bulge sufficiently outward to form a fluid tight seal with the vial during use. A filter is placed in the bottom of the cup.
US07790114B2 Reagent-containing assembly
A reagent-containing assembly comprising: a reagent-accommodating section comprising an opening sealed by a seal member; and a seal-opening section comprising a breaking portion for breaking the seal member, and a suction hole configured to provide access to the reagent-accommodating section; wherein the reagent-accommodating section and the seal-opening section are configured for detachable engagement with each other is disclosed.
US07790107B2 Sample image obtaining apparatus, sample image obtaining system, and method for obtaining sample image
The present invention is to present a sample image obtaining system that can manage a smear slide easily and perform the operation from the preparation of a smear slide to imaging efficiently. The sample image obtaining system comprises: a sample smearing means for smearing a sample on a slide glass; an identification information reading means for reading identification information of the sample smeared on the slide glass, the slide glass having the identification information; a sample image obtaining means for obtaining an image of the sample smeared on the slide glass; a storing means for storing the image obtained by the sample image obtaining means and the identification information read by the identification information reading means; and a slide glass transferring means for transferring the sample smeared slide glass from the sample smearing means to the sample image obtaining means.
US07790105B2 Sterilization challenge specimen holder
A sterilization challenge specimen holder is used with a test indicator to challenge sterilization on a consistent basis. The holder includes a body having an internal chamber region and a sleeve positionable within the internal chamber. A cap is sealable on the holder and a plug is positioned in the body. The plug has a wall having a spiral formed groove therein in communication with the internal chamber region. An opening in the holder provides for a flow path for communication between the environs and the internal chamber, and another opening(s) provides for a second flow path for communication between the internal chamber and the inner chamber of the sleeve. An indicator tube carries a biological indicator and has openings therein.
US07790102B2 Method for preparing a medical solution for the manufacture of a medicament for peritoneal dialysis
Method for preparing a medical solution, comprising the steps of a) providing a solution comprising one or more acetylated or deacetylated amino sugar/sugars in at least one compartment of a container at a pH from 2.5 to 5.0, and b) terminal sterilization of said at least one compartment and the contents therein, is disclosed, as well as a solution used for preparing the medical solution, a container containing said solution, and use of said solution for the manufacture of a medicament for peritoneal dialysis.
US07790100B2 Annealing rack
Disclosed is an annealing frame, especially for conveying molded aluminum parts during a heat treatment process. The invention is characterized in that said annealing frame comprises at least one annealing frame element (1) that is provided with at least one annealing basket (13) which can be placed therein and can be adapted to the annealing material. Annealing material having the most different shapes can be accommodated in a non-tipping and slip-proof manner in said annealing basket (13) while being conveyed during the thermal treatment process.
US07790097B2 Method and device for blow forming containers
The method and device are used to blow form containers. A preform is elongated by means of an elongation bar after thermal conditioning inside a blow mould and is moulded into a container under the effect of the blow pressure. Initially, a first blow pressure provided by a low pressure supply is used, followed by a higher pressure provided by a high pressure supply (43). The blow air is supplied via at least one blow pressure valve and at least one part of the high pressure blow air is fed into the low pressure supply after the container has been formed. The reintroduction of blow air into the low pressure supply is controlled by means of a return valve (47) which is mounted parallel to the blow pressure valve. An outlet of the return valve is connected to the low pressure supply.
US07790096B2 Thermal management system for a removable build chamber for use with a laser sintering system
A thermal management system is provided to control the preheating and cool down of a removable build chamber in a laser sintering system. A thermal management station controls preheating of a removable build chamber to heat the chamber to a temperature at or near the operating temperature of the laser sintering system. After insertion into the laser sintering system and completion of a build the thermal management station controls the cool down of the part cake within the removable build chamber after the chamber has been removed from the laser sintering system.
US07790095B2 Methods for making oxidation resistant polymeric material
The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.
US07790094B2 Injection molding process, apparatus and material for forming cured-in-place gaskets
The present invention relates to a process for forming a cured-in-place gasket by liquid injection molding. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low pressure and room temperature process for forming a cured-in-place gasket by liquid injection molding.
US07790091B2 Device and method for producing objects molded from paste-like molded materials, and production mold
The invention relates to a device and a method for producing objects, for example lipsticks, that are molded from paste-like materials, while using an elastic mold part (28), into which the paste-like material is introduced by means of a filling device, is hardened, and from which the at least largely hardened object is removed by a removing device while said mold part is elastically stretched. It is provided a dimensionally stable housing element (12) for housing said mold part, wherein said housing element is held inside a stationary or moveable support of said device, wherein said mold part (28) is placed in a housing space of said housing element at least during the filling and removal process, andwherein said housing space can be enlarged for removing the object and/or a thin fluid layer is placed between said mold part and said housing element, which is removable from said housing element for the removal process. Such a production mold prevents/limits the stretching of said mold part during filling and consequently the production tolerances of the end product. The invention also relates to a production mold for such a device.
US07790088B2 Fire resistance for optically transparent thermoplastics
A fire retardant, transparent panel and method of making the panel, that is especially well suited for use on mobile platforms, and particularly on aircrafts. The panel is a composite of a transparent matrix and a plurality of fire-retardant nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have a diameter less than the visible spectrum of light, and in one form between about 0.1 nm to about 400 nm in diameter. The nanoparticles may be arranged randomly or in predetermined patterns within the matrix during manufacturing of the panel. The panel is lightweight, transparent and yet highly fire retardant.
US07790087B2 Apparatus for the fabrication of a lipstick lead with two components
Molding apparatus (1) for molding of materials consisting of at least two components, in particular for molding lipstick leads with at least one mold (2) in which the material to be molded may be poured and with a core (3) which may be inserted into and extracted out of the at least one mold (2), wherein the at least one core (3) has a modifiable outer surface, as well as a corresponding method.
US07790082B2 Process for the production of a panel of composite material with stiffening strips and panel thus obtained
A process for the production of a panel of composite material with stiffening strips, in which a mold is draped with at least one first ply of fibers pre-impregnated with resin, there is emplaced at desired positions on said ply at least one stiffening strip, the stiffening strip as well as at least a portion of the remaining surface of the first ply is covered with at least one second ply of fibers pre-impregnated with resin, then a bladder is placed to cover the above elements, the assembly is then placed under vacuum and then in an autoclave to polymerize the resin. Before emplacement of the stiffening strip and/or of the second ply (4), there is interposed at least one layer (5) of a non-adherent material between at least one portion of the surface of the stiffening strip and one and/or the other of the plies.
US07790077B2 Pressurized tooling for injection molding and method of using
The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for injection molding polymer articles that reduces deposition of additives on the apparatus. Specifically, pressurizing of the mold cavity with a pressurized gas reduces the deposition of low molecular weight additives on the apparatus. Embodiments of the invention also include an apparatus for injection molding polymer articles comprising at least one pressurized gas inlet for introducing a pressurized gas into the mold cavity.
US07790064B2 Polycrystalline aluminum thin film and optical recording medium
A polycrystalline aluminum thin film is made of polycrystals of an alloy of aluminum. The polycrystalline aluminum thin film includes a first additive which is distributed with even concentration over an inside of each crystal grain and an interface of the crystal grain and a second additive which is distributed with higher concentration in the interface of the crystal grain than in the inside of the crystal grain.
US07790063B2 Mixed conductive power and use thereof
There are disclosed a highly packed, mixed conductive powder with a relative packing density of at least 68%, a process for producing the same, a conductive paste using the mixed conductive powder and a process for producing the same, as well as a sheet and a sheet with attached film using the mixed conductive powder. This mixed conductive powder comprises substantially monodispersed conductive scale-like particles (A1) and conductive substantially spherical particles (B1). Or, this mixed conductive powder comprises substantially monodispersed, conductive, substantially spherical particles (A2) and conductive substantially spherical particles (B2) with a smaller particle diameter than that of the substantially spherical particles (A2).
US07790062B2 Composition for electron emission source, electron emission source formed from the composition and electron emission device including the electron emission source
A composition for forming an electron emission source includes a polymer comprising a carbon-based material; a vehicle; and a unit of formula (1) below: wherein A1 is a single bond, or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkylene group; and Z1 and Z2 are each hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an —NR1R2 group, a part of a styrene group resin, or a part of a novolac resin, and R1 and R2 are each hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C6-C30 aryl group. An electron emission source may be formed from the composition for forming an electron emission source, and an electron emission device and an electron emission display device may include the electron emission source. When the composition is used to form an electron emission source, the printability of the composition is improved and thus repeated printings can be carried out. Also, the developing properties are improved, so that an electron emission device having fine patterns can be obtained.
US07790061B2 Directed assembly of three-dimensional structures with micron-scale features
The invention provides polyelectrolyte inks comprising a solvent, a cationic polyelectrolyte, dissolved in the solvent, and an anionic polyelectrolyte, dissolved in the solvent. The concentration of at least one of the polyelectrolytes in the solvent is in a semidilute regime.
US07790059B2 Staged hydrocarbon/steam reformer apparatus and method
A staged steam hydrocarbon reformer is disclosed having a chamber within which convectively heated reformer stages are enclosed. The reformer stages are tubes containing steam reforming catalyst. The stages are in serial fluid communication with one another through mixing vessels positioned between each stage. The first reforming stage is fed a mixture of steam and a gaseous hydrocarbon. Partially reformed gases having increased hydrogen concentration are produced at each stage and are mixed with additional gaseous hydrocarbon and optionally steam in the mixing vessels. Collection and distribution manifolds provide fluid communication between the reformer stages and the mixing vessels. A method is also disclosed in which partially reformed gases from a preceding stage are mixed with gaseous hydrocarbon and steam having a lower steam to carbon ratio than the fresh feed to the previous stage.
US07790057B2 Electroluminescent polymers and use thereof
The present invention relates to electroluminescent polymers which contain structural units of the formula (1) and to the use thereof. The polymers according to the invention exhibit improved efficiency and a longer lifetime, in particular on use in polymeric organic light-emitting diodes.
US07790056B2 Coding system for value documents
The invention relates to a composition for a coding forming at least part of a coding system having a luminescent basic substance and at least one luminescent additive, the composition of the coding being formed by the presence or absence of a luminescent additive and/or the type of additives and/or the number of additives.
US07790054B2 Antifreeze concentrate and coolant compositions and preparation thereof
An antifreeze composition having improved thermal stability is provided. In one embodiment, the antifreeze concentrate composition comprises from 50 to 99 wt. % of a glycol-based freezing point depressant selected from the group of: alkylene glycols, glycol monoethers, glycerins, and mixtures thereof; 0.01 to 10 wt. % of at least one of a 2-ethylhexanoic acid, isononanoic acid and 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid; and 0.01 to 5 wt. % of at least one of octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, neodecanoic acid, benzoic acid, 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-terbutylbenzoic acid, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the composition is employed as a concentrate in admixture with 10 to 90 wt. % water.
US07790046B2 Method of texturing
A method of texturing a surface of a magnetic hard disk substrate includes the steps of rotating the magnetic hard disk substrate, supplying polishing slurry on the surface of the substrate, and pressing a polishing tape on the substrate surface and running the polishing tape. The polishing slurry includes abrading particles of monocrystalline diamond that are cluster particles with corners having diameters in the range of 1-10 nm, dispersed in a dispersant such as water and a water-based aqueous solution. The cluster particles are tasseled assemblies of crystalline particles with no directionality.
US07790045B1 Formation of close-packed sphere arrays in V-shaped grooves
The present invention relates to the self-assembly of a spherical-morphology block copolymer into V-shaped grooves of a substrate. Although spherical morphology block copolymers typically form a body-centered cubic system (bcc) sphere array in bulk, the V-shaped grooves promote the formation of a face-centered cubic system (fcc) sphere array that is well ordered. In one embodiment, the (111) planes of the fcc sphere array are parallel to the angled side walls of the V-shaped groove. The (100) plane of the fcc sphere array is parallel to the top surface of the substrate, and may show a square symmetry among adjacent spheres. This square symmetry is unlike the hexagonal symmetry seen in monolayers of spherical domains and is a useful geometry for lithography applications, especially those used in semiconductor applications.
US07790043B2 Systems and methods for handling air and/or flushing fluids in a fluid circuit
Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.
US07790040B2 Continuous isocratic affinity chromatography
The present invention provides devices and methods for micro-scale simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB) for continuous preparation of analytic quantities of highly pure fractions of target molecules. The present apparatus and method of the invention is adapted in a preferred embodiment to separations by affinity chromatography involving three discontinuous liquid flow loops. An alternative embodiment of affinity chromatography utilizes standard SMB operating under isocratic conditions.
US07790039B2 Tangential flow filtration devices and methods for stem cell enrichment
The present invention provides methods for enriching a heterogenous mixture of bone marrow or blood constituents for stem cells by removal of non-stem cell constituents comprising separation of the non-stem cell constituents using a tangential flow filtration device.
US07790038B2 Ion exchange porous resins for solid phase extraction and chromatography
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to porous resins for solid phase extractions. The resins feature at least one hydrophobic component, at least one hydrophilic component and at least one ion exchange functional group. The resins exhibit superior wetting and ion exchange performance.
US07790037B2 Separation of compounds using tagging moieties including varying numbers of repeat units
A method of separating compounds, includes: a. tagging at least a first organic compound with a first tagging moiety to result in a first tagged compound; b. tagging at least a second organic compound with a second tagging moiety different from the first tagging moiety to result in a second tagged compound, the first tagging moiety and the second tagging moiety including at least one of a common repeat unit, but having a different number of the repeat units therein, the greater the number of repeat units, the greater the polarity of the tagging moiety; and c. separating the first tagged compound from a mixture including at least the second tagged compound using a chromatographic separation technique based upon differences in the number of repeat units between the first tagging moiety and the second tagging moiety.
US07790036B2 Rapid expanded solvent extraction
The present disclosure provides for a method of rapid expanded solvent extraction of biopolymers, such as rubber, from plant materials, such as guayule, using an expanded hexane solvent. As is illustrated herein, the use of the expanded hexane solvent results in a markedly more efficient and rapid extraction process over other supercritical carbon dioxide extraction systems, including those systems using a hexane cosolvent.
US07790034B2 Apparatus and method for treating FGD blowdown or similar liquids
A process has steps of one or more of aerobic treatment to remove COD and nitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to denitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to remove selenium and anaerobic treatment to remove heavy metals and sulphur. The process may be used to treat, for example, FGD blow down water. The process may further include one or more of (a) membrane separation of the waste stream upstream of the anoxic digestion to remove selenium, (b) dilution upstream of the biological treatment step, (c) physical/chemical pretreatment upstream of the biological processes or dilution step to remove TSS and soften the waste stream, or (d) ammonia stripping upstream of the biological treatment steps or dilutions step. These processes may be provided in a variety of suspended growth or fixed film reactors, for example a membrane bioreactor or a fixed film reactor having a GAC bed. Processes for biological treatment of inorganic compounds in a fixed medium reactor is described including steps of one or more of maintaining desired ORP levels, optionally by controlling nutrient addition, and removing solids or gas bubbles from the medium bed.
US07790033B1 Surface water treatment using flocculation and associated methods
A method and system for removing pollutants from water are provided. The system includes at least one settling basin having shallow and deep areas. Coagulants can be added to bring pollutants down to the bottom surface of the basin. During dry periods, the deep areas retain a level of water therein, and the flocs that have settled on the bottom of the shallow areas will dry out, and can be tilled into the soil until re-flooding.
US07790031B2 Use of Cunninghamella elegans lendner in methods for treating industrial wastewaters containing dyes
Use of a fungal biomass for treating industrial wastewaters containing at least one dye, wherein: i. the fungal biomass contains at least the fungal species Cunninghamella elegans Lendner; ii. the fungal biomass absorbs the at least one dye, so as to obtain wastewater that is basically free of the at least one dye.
US07790028B1 Systems, methods, and devices relating to a cellularized nephron unit
The present invention relates to bioartificial devices and systems that mimic kidney or nephron function and methods of making them.
US07790023B1 Adjustable floating weir apparatus
The apparatus of this invention consists of a float assembly, constrained in its vertical movement by a perforated riser. The riser is surrounded by a flexible, bellows conduit which will allow the float assembly to move up and down the vertically disposed riser. The float assembly supports a weir collar designed to allow multiple weir orifice openings of different sizes. The flexible, bellows conduit is watertight, and prevents water from entering the riser below the float assembly that is buoyed just below the surface of the liquid basin. The riser is connected to an outlet that discharges the liquid from the liquid basin.
US07790022B2 Water filter and treatment system and component
A water treatment system comprising a separable water treatment component and a host water treatment apparatus is described. The component is useable in the host apparatus, and has an electronic circuit which is adapted to co-operate with an electronic circuit in the host apparatus. In typical operation, the electronic circuit of the component includes at least a data tag, and the presence of the data tag is identified by the electronic circuit of the host apparatus upon correct fitment and/or installation of the component, which creates a two-way communication protocol. The host apparatus can then upload relevant data from the data tag, etc., and the component's circuit can download the relevant information from the host apparatus. The present invention provides the benefits of electrical co-operation and data tagging.
US07790021B2 Removal of sulfur-containing compounds from liquid hydrocarbon streams
An improved method for desulfurizing a fuel stream such as a diesel stream is disclosed which includes generation of a sulfone oil, the desulfurization of the sulfone oil and the recycling of the resulting biphenyl-rich stream and ultra-low sulfur diesel streams. The method includes combining a thiophene-rich diesel stream with an oxidant to oxidize the thiophenes to sulfones to provide a sulfone-rich diesel stream. Sulfone oil is extracted from the sulfone-rich diesel stream to provide sulfone oil and a first low-sulfur diesel stream The low-sulfur diesel stream is recycled. The sulfone-rich oil stream is combined with an aqueous oxidant-containing stream, such as caustic stream, which oxidizes the sulfones to biphenyls and forms sulfite to provide a second low-sulfur diesel stream.
US07790016B2 Integrated electrolytic-electrodialytic apparatus and process for recovering metals from metal ion-containing waste streams
An apparatus and method for the electrolytic and electrodialytic removal of metal ions from wastewater in a single cell. A battery of cells, each of which consists of a cathode, anode, anion exchange membrane and cation exchange membrane, is used. The battery of cells may be used in both batch and continuous processes, and is capable of reducing metal ion concentration from thousand ppm to few ppm. It can be used to concentrate dilute acids as a by-product.
US07790008B2 Electrophoresis chip and electrophoresis unit having the same
In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.
US07790005B2 Electrode and method for making electrode
Disclosed is a gas permeable electrode comprising an electrocatalyst which is permeable to a reactant or reaction product, the electrocatalyst comprising particulate boron-doped diamond. There is also disclosed a method of making an electrocatalyst which is permeable to a reactant or reaction product, the method comprising the step of forming an electrocatalyst comprising particulate boron-doped diamond.
US07789999B2 Thermal decomposition treatment system of flammable waste and method for treating the waste using the system
Described is a thermal decomposition treatment system and method of using the thermal decomposition treatment system wherein flammable waste is inputted into a trash burner which is shielded from air or gas and the waste is thermally decomposed and carbonized. The thermal decomposition treatment chamber includes a plurality of heating tubes wherein the flammable waste is inputted into the chambers while hot air is passed through the heating tubes which indirectly heats the flammable waste in an anaerobic environment the resulting gases are purified, recovered and reused.
US07789998B2 Press fabric seam area
A pinseam press fabric is smoothed in the area of the seam by depositing polyurethane particles having a size of about 1 to 500 micrometers across the seam of the felt defined by the ends of the fabric. The polyurethane particles are drawn into the seam end by the application of a vacuum. Once the particles are deposited, the fabric is heated so that the polyurethane particles melt to form a polymeric matrix.
US07789991B1 Lag control
A method for etching features in a silicon oxide based dielectric layer over a substrate, comprising performing an etch cycle. A lag etch partially etching features in the silicon oxide based dielectric layer is performed, comprising providing a lag etchant gas, forming a plasma from the lag etchant gas, and etching the etch layer with the lag etchant gas, so that smaller features are etched slower than wider features. A reverse lag etch further etching the features in the silicon oxide based dielectric layer is performed comprising providing a reverse lag etchant gas, which is different from the lag etchant gas and is more polymerizing than the lag etchant gas, forming a plasma from the reverse lag etchant gas, and etching the silicon oxide based dielectric layer with the plasma formed from the reverse lag etchant gas, so that smaller features are etched faster than wider features.
US07789990B2 Silane functional adhesive composition and method of bonding a window to a substrate without a primer
The invention is an adhesive composition comprising one or more polymers having a flexible backbone and silane moieties capable of silanol condensation; one or more hydrophobic silanes having one or more hydrocarbyloxy groups and one or more hydrocarbyl groups; one or more catalysts for the reaction of silane moieties with active hydrogen containing compounds. Preferably, the adhesive composition further comprises one or more heat stabilizers and/or light stabilizers. In another embodiment, the invention is a method of bonding a window to a coated substrate, such as a window in a vehicle, which comprises applying to the window or the coated substrate an adhesive as described; contacting the window with the coated substrate wherein the adhesive is located between the window and the substrate; and allowing the adhesive to cure.
US07789989B2 Method for manufacturing rigid-flexible printed circuit board
A method for manufacturing a rigid-flexible printed circuit boards includes following steps. Firstly, a flexible substrate is provided. Secondly, at least one slit is defined in the flexible substrate. Thirdly, a rigid substrate having a structure corresponding to the flexible substrate is provided. Fourthly, the flexible substrate is laminated to the rigid substrate to obtain a laminated substrate. Fifthly, part of the rigid substrate is removed. Sixthly, the laminated substrate is cut along an imaginary boundary line to remove waste portion of the laminated substrate. Thus, a rigid-flexible printed circuit board is obtained.
US07789987B2 Method of manufacturing resin hollow body using a blow molding die assembly
To provide a method of manufacturing a resin hollow molded body wherein, predetermined parts can be simply attached when attaching them in the inside of the blow molded hollow body; and the resin hollow molded body, such as a vehicle fuel tank containing a volatile liquid inside thereof, has a good barrier property against a gas component.There is provided a method for obtaining a product of a hollow molded body characterized in that: a thermoplastic resin parison 6, extruded to a tubular state, is expanded by blow molding; then dies 2, 4 are once divided to assemble predetermined parts 32, 34 inside of the hollow molded body; and the surfaces of the divided dies are joined again.
US07789984B2 Method for supplying pyrotechnic material slurry
A method for supplying a pyrotechnic material slurry to a container, includes, taking out a pyrotechnic material slurry, stored inside a storage container, from the bottom portion of the storage container or a vicinity thereof, sealing the exposed surface of the pyrotechnic material slurry with a sealing material, and maintaining the sealed state of the pyrotechnic material slurry in the process of supplying the pyrotechnic material slurry to the container.
US07789980B2 Preparation of ammonium dinitroamide (ADN) crystals, ADN crystals and energetic composites containing them
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of novel ammonium dinitroamide (ADN) crystals and to said novel ADN crystals. Said novel crystals have an original morphology factor, namely a low shape factor. They are obtained in the presence of at least one crystal habit modifier.
US07789972B2 Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
A substrate processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a substrate holding mechanism for holding a substrate and rotating the held substrate; a process liquid supply mechanism for supplying a process liquid to the substrate; a process liquid acquisition section arranged so as to enclose the substrate holding mechanism and having an acquisition port for acquiring the process liquid scattered by the rotation of the substrate; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the process liquid acquisition section and the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism; and a control mechanism for controlling, when the process liquid scattered by the rotation of the substrate is acquired in the acquisition port, a relative position between the substrate and the acquisition port such that the scattered process liquid is acquired in the acquisition port on the basis of predetermined substrate process condition.
US07789969B2 Methods and apparatus for cleaning chamber components
In a first aspect, a method for cleaning a semiconductor fabrication chamber component having an orifice is provided. The method includes (A) placing the component into a bath having a cleaning solution; (B) flowing a fluid into the orifice thereby maintaining at least a first portion of the orifice free from cleaning solution while the cleaning solution cleans the component; and (C) withdrawing the fluid from the orifice such that cleaning solution enters into the first portion of the orifice and cleans the first portion of the orifice. Numerous other aspects are also provided.
US07789966B2 Method for cleaning the pipes of a heat exchanger by use of an abrasive and device suitable for this method
A method and device for cleaning pipes of a heat exchanger includes placing a throttle-free jet nozzle against an end of a pipe. The throttle-free jet nozzle has an outlet opening of a same size or slightly smaller than an inner cross-sectional area of the pipe. A stream of air containing an abrasive is blown through the pipe for cleaning the pipe.
US07789960B2 Clay plaster
A clay plaster formulation and application. The clay plaster is a mixture of various clays, and aggregate. This plaster is both functional and decorative and is for use on new and existing construction.
US07789956B2 Method for producing bituminous compositions
This invention relates to bituminous compositions and methods of producing the same. More particularly, the invention relates to the production of bituminous compositions formulated with performance-graded bitumen-containing solvent-free bitumen emulsions which exhibit controllable, temperature-dependent interfacial rheology. When employed in paving applications, these bituminous compositions develop adhesive strength and load-bearing strength properties at rates comparable to traditional hot mix paving compositions and at rates faster than traditional cold mix paving compositions.
US07789950B2 Air dryer with oil removal filter
An air dryer, used in a compressed air system, includes an oil coalescing element for agglomerating oil in compressed air passing through the oil coalescing element in a first direction during a charging cycle and passing through the oil coalescing element in a second direction during a purging cycle. A drying material, which is downstream of the oil coalescing element during the charging cycle and upstream of the oil coalescing element during the purging cycle, reduces moisture in the compressed air during the charging cycle.
US07789945B2 Maintaining low carbon monoxide levels in product carbon dioxide
A process for maintaining a low carbon monoxide content in a carbon dioxide product that is made in a synthesis gas purification process is disclosed. More particularly, the invention involves an improved process in which a portion of a loaded solvent is sent through a carbon dioxide absorber instead of to a series of carbon dioxide flash drums.
US07789941B2 Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same
Hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems, hydrogen purification membranes, hydrogen purification devices, fuel processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen purification devices, and methods for operating the same. In some embodiments, operation of the fuel processing system is initiated by heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing system to at least a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature. In some embodiments, an electric heater is utilized to perform this initial heating. In some embodiments, use of the electric heater is discontinued after startup, and a burner or other combustion-based heating assembly combusts a fuel to heat at least the hydrogen producing region, such as due to the reforming region utilizing an endothermic catalytic reaction to produce hydrogen gas.
US07789940B2 Lithographic projection apparatus, purge gas supply system and gas purging method
A lithographic projection apparatus (1) includes a support configured to support a patterning device (MA), the patterning device configured to pattern the projection beam according to a desired pattern. The apparatus has a substrate (W) table configure to hold a substrate, a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The apparatus also has a purge gas supply system (100) configured to provide a purge gas near a surface of a component of the lithographic projection apparatus. The purge gas supply system (100) includes a purge gas mixture generator (120) configured to generate a purge gas mixture which includes at least one purging gas and moisture. The purge gas mixture generator has a moisturizer (150) configured to add the moisture to the purge gas and a purge gas mixture outlet (130) connected to the purge gas mixture generator (120) configured to supply the purge gas mixture near the surface.
US07789937B2 System and method for recovering ice-clad machinery and equipment
Ice-clad machinery and equipment in very cold environments are made more easily recoverable by enclosing the machinery and equipment in an environmentally contained area and introducing desiccant dehumidified air into the contained area to lower the vapor pressure in fostering a “sublimation” process conversion from the solid state of the ice to a gaseous state which can be exhausted without first going through any intermediate liquid state.
US07789936B2 Methods and systems for removing copper from ferrous scrap
Methods and systems for removing copper from ferrous scrap are described. Some amounts of copper in ferrous scrap are removed by oxidation and subsequent mechanical impact of the oxidized scrap. Further removal of copper from the solid scrap can be achieved by fluxing the copper oxide below the melting point of ferrous scrap using CaO—SiO2—B2O3— and Na2O—SiO2—B2O3-based slags. Using the invention, copper can be removed from ferrous scrap in a natural, cost-effective, and environmental-friendly manner.
US07789935B2 Photochemical synthesis of metallic nanoparticles for ink applications
A method of forming an ink, including photochemically producing stabilized metallic nanoparticles and formulating the nanoparticles into an ink.
US07789931B2 Organic recycling with metal addition
The invention is directed to methods for producing a granular nitrogen fertilizer from an organic material comprising adding a metallic salt to said organic material to form a slurry. Preferably the organic material comprises dewatered biosolids and contains water from a scrubber. Metallic salts that can be used comprise a salt of iron, zinc, or a mixture thereof. Preferred iron salts comprises ferric sulfate or ferric oxide, and preferred zinc salts comprises zinc sulfate or zinc oxide. Preferably, the metallic salt is mixed with an acid such as sulfuric acid to form an acidified metal salt. Slurry pH ranges from approximately 2-2.5. The acidified metal salt is added to the organic material in sufficient quantity to lower viscosity of the slurry such that the resulting fluid does not hinder fluid flow during operation. When the metallic salt comprises acidified ferric sulfate or ferrous sulfate, sufficient iron can be present to produce a fertilizer product with 0.1 weight percent to 10 weight percent iron sulfate calculated on a dry weight basis. The invention is also directed to fertilizer products made by the methods of the invention. Preferred products are granules and the metallic salt increases product hardness. Fertilizer granules preferably contain metal that is bioavailable to a plant when used as a fertilizer. Solubility of the metal of the product in water is enhanced, and the product is low staining.
US07789928B2 Forced air duct end filter assembly
A filter assembly for mounting over an opening at an end of a forced air system duct, such as a cold air return. The filter assembly is designed to replace an existing louvered grill covering. The filter assembly is dimensioned which substantially retains the shape and appearance of the conventional duct grill being replaced. The filter assembly includes a filter frame having a perforated back wall, horizontal and vertical walls extending forwardly from the periphery of the perforated back wall defining an open front end and a filter receiving space between the perforated back wall and the open end. A rectangular grill having a peripheral flange extending rearwardly therefrom. The rectangular filter frame being received interiorly of the peripheral flange. A filter element being removably seated within the filter receiving space and being sandwiched between the perforated back wall and the grill causing the entire surface of the filter element to substantially contact the perforated back wall.
US07789926B2 Axial flow filter element
In a filter housing (100) for at least one axial flow filter element (70) capable of receiving axial flow between its end faces and having at least one continuous sealing collar on its outer circumference which can be pressed against a sealing flange (17) on the housing, a plurality of filter elements (70) can be inserted side by side into cutouts (19) of a common clamping frame element (30). Each of the sealing collars rests on the clamping frame element (30) which is plane parallel to the at least one sealing flange (17) and displaceable toward the sealing flange (17) by a clamping device (50).
US07789924B2 Filter system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle
A filter system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle has a housing with a top housing part and a bottom housing part. A filter element is arranged inside the housing. An unfiltered air connector is connected to the housing. A clean air connector is connected to the housing The top housing part has a support grate embedded in foam material. The support grate and the foam material are configured such that bending of the top housing part in a direction of the bottom housing part is ensured when a load is applied.
US07789922B1 Cyclonic chamber for air filtration devices
A cyclonic chamber for use in air filtration devices. The chamber includes an apex opposite a base with sidewalls extending therebetween. The cyclonic chamber is preferably parabolic in cross-section or tubular with a hemi-spherical cap. The base contains an outflow passage and a conical filter extending therefrom. An inflow passage is provided proximate the apex. The inflow and outflow passages are parallel but not aligned. The chamber interior is smooth. The smooth interior and offset relationship of the inflow and outflow passages causes air to take a cyclonic path between the inflow passage and the filter. Debris in the airstream is pushed outward—away from the filter—by centripetal force. Eddies form proximate the base. Debris escapes the airstream there, where it either remains or, depending upon the chamber's orientation relative to gravity, falls back into the airflow where it is again directed away from the filter.
US07789920B2 Supercritical process, reactor and system for hydrogen production
A reactor, system and method for producing hydrogen features a reactor containing a heating stream channel and a hydrogen channel with a reaction channel positioned there between. A heat transfer sheet separates the heating stream channel and the reaction channel and a porous support plate separates the reaction channel and the hydrogen channel. A membrane constructed from palladium, vanadium, copper or alloys thereof covers the porous support plate. The heating stream channel receives a heating stream so that heat is provided to the reaction channel through the heat transfer sheet. A catalyst is positioned in the reaction channel and the reaction channel receives a reaction stream including a mixture of supercritical water and a hydrocarbon fuel so that hydrogen is produced in the reaction channel and is passed through the membrane into the hydrogen channel. The hydrogen separation may alternatively be accomplished in a separator device distinct from the reactor via either a membrane or pressure swing adsorption.
US07789918B2 Lubricity improving additive composition for low sulfur diesel fuel
The present invention relates to a additive composition for use as lubricity improver for low sulphur diesel, comprising c) 0.1-10% by weight of ester derivative derived from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL esters) of formula (I); f) 0.1-10% by weight of ester derivative derived from cashew nut shell liquid of formula (II); g) 50-95% by weight of free fatty acid of the formula RCOOH in which R represents an alkyl/alkenyl group with 12 to 24 carbon atoms. h) 1-30% by weight of synthetic esters derived by esterifying tri, tetra, penta hydric alcohols with carboxylic acids such as lauric, palmitic, linoleic, ricinoleic etc.
US07789915B2 Stent for implantation
A stent is made from a coiled wire and is very smooth along its length and as well its ends. The stent is thus highly atraumatic to patients, and because of its smooth surfaces, it presents a surface to which it is difficult for microbes to cling. The stent may be used in a minimally invasive procedure, such as for a ureteral stent, and may also be used percutaneously. Similar stents may be used in other body areas, such as in draining the biliary tract, the gastro-intestinal tract, hepatic procedures, and in vascular procedures as well.
US07789911B2 Prosthesis and method of manufacturing a prosthesis
A human prosthesis, in particularly a human mammary prosthesis, is disclosed which includes a resilient shell at least partly filled with a fluid filler material and having at least one resilient layer and at least one layer being substantially non-permeable with respect to at least the filler material of the shell, and with the filler material being fluid based.
US07789907B2 Intraluminar perforated radially expandable drug delivery prosthesis and a method for the production thereof
A radially expandable prosthesis for implantation in a lumen comprises a tubular wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The tubular wall is provided with cuts to form solid struts which have a thickness and which enables the prosthesis to expand. The solid struts have reservoirs made therethrough in the form of perforating holes for containing a therapeutic agent. The perforating holes each have an inner opening and an outer opening of substantially the same size. The prosthesis, including said perforating holes, has a smooth electrochemically polished surface.
US07789906B2 Metal structure compatible with MRI imaging, and method of manufacturing such a structure
The present invention relates to tubular radially expansible metal structures, having an abluminal wall, a luminal wall and a radial wall thickness therebetween with struts defining through-apertures in the wall, the structure further defining a plurality of expansible rings arranged adjacent one another along the longitudinal axis of the structure, each of the rings defining at least one bridge strut, and adjacent rings being linked by a bridge extending between adjacent bridge struts on adjacent rings. The bridges, a plurality of which are distributed throughout the length of the tubular structure and are configured and arranged to divide the tubular structure into axially spaced and electrically insulated sections, advantageously exhibit reduced electrical conductivity throughout their wall thickness. The present invention relates furthermore to a method of manufacturing such a tubular structure, as well as a method of visualizing a bodily lumen supported by such a tubular structure deployed therein.
US07789903B2 Stent-graft with adjustable length
A stent-graft comprising a stent and a graft having a supported portion lining or covering at least a portion of the stent, and an unsupported portion extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the stent. The stent-graft may have a length corresponding to at least a mean standard length from a standard incision point to a distal-most portion of a standard lumen into which the distal end of the stent is adapted to be deployed, with the unsupported portion of the graft extending beyond the mean standard length by an amount equal to at least two, if not three or more, standard deviations of the mean standard length. A method for deploying the stent-graft comprises making an incision in a wall of the lumen, introducing and deploying the stent-graft in the lumen so that the proximal end extends beyond the incision, and attaching the graft to a lumen by anastamosis.
US07789891B2 External activation of vaso-occlusive implants
A vaso-occlusive device is introduced in a cavity of a patient's vasculature, such as an aneurysm, after which an external energy source, such as a MRI machine is activated to heat the vaso-occlusive device to assist in forming a thrombus or embolism within the treatment site, to release and/or activate a diagnostic or therapeutic agent carried by the vaso-occlusive device, and/or to fuse together portions of the vaso-occlusive device to help stabilize the device in a three-dimensional shape.
US07789890B2 Harness and balloon catheter assembly and method for use in anastomosis procedures
Disclosed is an instrument, assembly, and method for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy. The instrument comprises a tube assembly having an end effector assembly operably supported thereby, where the end effector assembly includes a harness adapted to receive a balloon portion of a balloon catheter assembly.
US07789889B2 Apparatus and method for producing a reinforced surgical staple line
An apparatus for use with a surgical stapler to provide a reinforced surgical staple line. The apparatus includes an applicator that carries a first and second bioimplantable material connected by a hinge. An applicator clip may be provided to releasably secure the first and second bioimplantable material onto the applicator.
US07789882B2 Electrosurgical forceps with composite material tips
An electrosurgical forceps has at least the tip of one blade member formed of a composite material having aligned elongated particles of nickel interspersed in a matrix of silver particles. The tip can be provided as a tip member attached, such as by brazing, to the body of the blade member, or the entire blade member can be formed of the silver/nickel composite material. In another embodiment, the tip or blade member is formed of a dispersion strengthened silver or copper composite material.
US07789879B2 System for plasma-mediated thermo-electrical surgery
An apparatus and method for cutting a material including conducting and non-conducting materials such as biological tissue, cellulose or plastic while the material is submerged in a conductive liquid medium. The apparatus has a cutting electrode with an elongate cutting portion having an aspect ratio (length to width) of 1 or more and a return electrode. The two electrodes are immersed in the conductive medium and a voltage is applied between them to heat the medium, thus producing a vapor cavity around the elongate cutting portion and ionizing a gas inside the vapor cavity to produce a plasma. The voltage applied between the electrodes is modulated in pulses having a modulation format selected to minimize the size of the vapor cavity, its rate of formation and heat diffusion into the material while the latter is cut with an edge of the elongate cutting portion. The modulation format includes pulses ranging in duration from 10 μs to 10 ms, as well as minipulses and micropulses, as necessary. The apparatus and method of invention allow the user to perform efficient thermal ablation and electrosurgical procedures in particular at power levels as low as 10 mW with minimal thermal and cavitation damage.
US07789876B2 Method and apparatus for positioning a catheter relative to an anatomical junction
An electrode catheter is introduced into a vein or other hollow anatomical structure, and is positioned at a treatment site within the structure. The end of the catheter is positioned near a junction formed in the structure. This junction can be the sapheno-femoral junction. The position of the catheter near the junction is determined based on a signal from a device associated with the catheter within the structure. A fiber optic filament which emits light is used with the catheter or a guide wire over which the catheter is advanced. The light is visible externally from the patient. The light dims and may no longer externally visible at the sapheno-femoral junction where the catheter moves past the deep fascia and toward the deep venous system. The position of the catheter can be determined based on this external observation. The position of the catheter can also be determined based on measured parameters such as temperature or flow rate within the structure, and the measured changes in one or more of these parameters as the catheter nears the junction. The hollow anatomical structure can be compressed for this procedure. The position of the catheter can also be determined mechanically by including a hook-shaped tip on the catheter or guide wire which would physically engage the junction.
US07789875B2 Surgical instruments
A medical system comprises a rigid support configured for being affixed relative to a patient table, a carriage assembly configured for being removably mounted to the rigid support, a surgical instrument mounted to the carriage assembly, the surgical instrument carrying a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, and a drive unit configured for being coupled to the surgical instrument to control the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom.
US07789874B2 Support assembly for robotic catheter system
A support assembly for supporting a remotely controlled instrument driver in a selectable orientation relative to an operating table, the assembly comprising including a base removably attachable to the operating table, an actuator assembly coupled to the base, the actuator assembly including an actuator and a brake that is electronically activated to allow rotation of a first extension member about a first axis substantially orthogonal to the operating table. A second extension member is coupled to the first extension member via an interface assembly operatively controlled by the actuator to selectively allow rotation of the second extension member about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, and about a third axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis.
US07789873B2 Urinary catheter assembly
A urinary catheter assembly that can reduce the need for a user to handle the urinary catheter directly, thereby reducing the likelihood of a urinary tract infection and making the catching process less messy. In one aspect, a urinary catheter apparatus and methods for voiding a human's bladder and enabling a human patient to void his or her bladder are provided.
US07789872B2 Tissue transplantation method and apparatus
A system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a cannula interconnected to a washing reservoir by a flexible conduit. The washing reservoir has an outlet that is connected to the inlet of a tissue collection reservoir. Washed tissue can be removed from the washing reservoir by tipping or otherwise causing the outlet of the washing reservoir to be covered by washed tissue. Tissue collected in the tissue collection reservoir can be readied for injection into a body by removing an inner or filter chamber from an outer chamber and blocking holes in the body of the inner chamber to use the inner chamber as part of a syringe.
US07789869B2 Method for detection of unfastening or removal of absorbent article from the body
A method for detecting and conveying an alarm signal, when an absorbent article is unfastened or, completely removed from the body of the wearer. The method is intended to be used in parallel with a method for detecting wetness in the absorbent article and further relates to an integrated detection-and-alarm method for detecting unfastening and/or wetness in an absorbent article. A system for detecting and conveying an alarm signal when an absorbent article is unfastened or removed from the body of the wearer and/or when the article is wet. The system includes (a) and absorbent article having at least one absorbent layer, the object to be displaced, such as a fastening system, one or more sensoring devices, one or more transmitting devices, and (b) a remote receiver. Furthermore, the system relates to the use of the system in the care of children and adults suffering from incontinence and/or psychological illnesses.
US07789865B2 Breast cup with an internal vacuum chamber for a hands-free breast pump
A portable, hands-free and user friendly breast pump for facilitating breast-feeding, incorporates a dome-shaped housing having a servomotor mechanism; a hat-shaped flange having a chamber portion, a brim portion and an outlet, the chamber portion being formed so as to be placed over a nipple on a breast so as to define a chamber between the flange and the breast, and the brim portion being formed to surround the nipple and thereby form a suction seal therebetween; and a one-way venting element formed to operatively communicate with the chamber so as to vent pumped milk from the chamber via the outlet. The housing, the flange and the venting element are connected into an integral device held against the breast and underneath clothing so as to keep the integral device hidden. Breast milk is collected via a plastic collection bag that connects directly with the pump underneath clothing such that the milk is isolated from any contaminants in the air and may be easily stored immediately after being collected.
US07789863B2 Needle protecting device comprising a releaseably blocked needle protector
A needle protecting device on or for an injection apparatus comprising an injection needle with a needle tip and a needle base beyond which the injection needle protrudes, the needle protecting device including a needle protector moveable from an exposing position in which the needle tip is exposed to a protective position in which it overlaps the needle tip, a first blocking mechanism connected to or formed in one piece with one of the needle protector or the needle base, and a second blocking mechanism connected to or formed in one piece with the other of the needle protector or the needle base, wherein, when the needle protector is in the protective position, the blocking mechanisms are engaged with each other preventing the needle protector from moving into the exposing position, and wherein the engagement may be non-destructively released and/or restored.
US07789861B2 Pleated trocar seal
A trocar seal comprising an elastomeric membrane having an opening adapted to receive a surgical instrument. The membrane is configured with a plurality of pleats circumscribing the opening and extending laterally from opening. The pleats comprise a plurality of pleat walls increasing in height as the pleats extend laterally from the opening. In one embodiment, the pleats are conically arranged.
US07789856B2 Injection aid and stability disk for syringe or insulin pen
An injection aid for a syringe includes a disk with a central orifice and a flange. The flange is located on the top of the disk, and surrounds the central orifice. The outlet end or needle hub of a syringe or insulin pen fits in the flange, with the syringe needle extending through the orifice, thereby securing the disk to the syringe. The bottom surface of the disk is generally flat. The bottom surface of the disk makes contact with the skin when the needle is inserted to the proper depth. In other words, the needle lies perpendicular to the disk and is arranged to project past the disk's flat bottom surface by a set, pre-determined length. When the disk is pressed flat against a patient's skin, the needle is at the proper depth for the substance being injected.
US07789854B2 Medical treatment kit and methods of use thereof
A medical treatment kit and methods of use thereof is provided. The kit includes a container, two or more chambers within the container, an antiseptic agent disposed in one of the chambers, a cleansing agent disposed in a separate chamber and an applicator. The agents are not contacted until immediate use of the kit is required. The medical treatment kit is used to administer an antiseptic shampoo or other medical composition to a patient with an open wound or injury. The kit is designed to be simple to use in an emergency situation. The kit is also designed to deliver medical compositions that are at the peak of potency.
US07789849B2 Automated dialysis pumping system using stepper motor
A peritoneal dialysis system includes: (i) an enclosure; (ii) a stepper motor housed by the enclosure; (iii) a pump head in operable communication with the stepper motor; and (iv) a disposable unit including at least one flexible membrane attached to a rigid piece, the enclosure configured to receive the disposable unit such that the stepper motor can move the pump head towards and away from the flexible membrane to cause, (a) the flexible membrane to move outwardly with respect to the rigid piece as the pump head is moved away from the disposable unit, and (b) the flexible membrane to move inwardly with respect to the rigid piece as the pump head is moved away from the disposable unit.
US07789847B2 Methods and apparatus for leukoreduction of red blood cells
A method and apparatus for red blood collection and filtration is provided wherein a red blood cell collection assembly provides for leukoreduction filtration concurrent with or soon after the red blood cell separation and collection procedure. Such procedures involve filtering the separated red blood cells in a diluted state after and/or prior to flushing the filter with storage solution. Storage solution may thus be passed through the leukoreduction filter before, with and/or after the RBCs have been filtered therethrough. The red blood cell collection, filtration and storage assembly is preferably preconnected to a blood component separation disposable assembly, including, for example, a centrifuge vessel and a blood removal/return assembly for removing blood from a donor, passing the blood to the centrifuge vessel for separation of the blood into components for collection and providing for filtration of the separated red blood cell component.
US07789836B2 System, method, and kit for positioning a monitor transducer on a patient
An improved patient monitoring system is described herein. In particular, the present invention provides an improved system, method, and kit for positioning and removably mounting, often repeatedly, a monitor transducer on a patient, for example, an external fetal monitor used during pregnancy and childbirth labor. The improved system of the present invention avoids many of the disadvantages of conventional monitoring systems in that it maintains transducer position during patient movement, allows the position of the transducer to be changed without repositioning the patient, allows for simple and expeditious adjustment so as to maximize signal quality without causing patient discomfort, eliminates the need for a belt circumferentially disposed about the patient's abdomen, and can be applied to a wide array of body types, including patients having round abdomens. The system, method, and kit of the present invention is not only both efficient and effective but also economical.
US07789832B2 Ultrasound system and method for controlling steering angles of scan lines
An ultrasound system comprises: a probe having a transducer array of n transducer elements for transmitting ultrasound signals, said n transducer elements being associated with respective scan lines; a steering angle calculating unit for calculating steering angles of the scan lines by using series determined by a relation between the steering angles of at least two scan lines; and a control unit for controlling transmission of the ultrasound signals such that the ultrasound signals can be focused along the scan lines based on the calculated steering angles of the scan lines.
US07789829B2 Sensor system for determining the concentration of glucose in blood
The sensor system comprises an implantable sensor and a user device associated with it. A sensitive liquid is enclosed in the sensor, into which glucose can penetrate. The viscosity of the mixture of sensitive liquid and glucose is measured. The user device, which controls the measurement and its evaluation, is a portable device worn externally on the skin. The viscosity is measured based on the rotation of a measuring element driven by a driving magnet, both disposed in the sensor. The rotation of the measuring element is analyzed based on its decay behavior following switch-off of the driving magnet. In a second embodiment, the viscosity is measured based on the oscillatory behavior of an oscillating element excited to oscillate by a magnet, both disposed in the sensor. The oscillatory behavior is analyzed based on the decay behavior of the oscillating element following switch-off of the magnet.
US07789822B2 Endoscopic therapeutic instrument, endoscope, and endoscopic therapeutic system
An endoscopic therapeutic instrument has a therapeutic section, a flexible transmission member which transmits operating driving forces to the therapeutic section by moving forwardly and reversely, and a sheath section in which the transmission member can move forwardly and reversely. A proximal side of this transmission member is connected to an operating tube section, and the therapeutic section is driven by forward and backward movements of the operating tube section. An endoscope having a channel into which the endoscopic therapeutic instrument is insertable, contains a mechanism for driving the sheath section and a mechanism for driving the operating tube section. The endoscope controls these mechanisms to cooperate with each other in controlling the endoscopic therapeutic instrument operations.
US07789820B2 Apparatus and method for providing continuous access to an isolation space while maintaining isolation
An isolation container includes an isolation space for receiving an object and maintains the isolation space substantially isolated while providing for continuous access to, and maneuverability within, the isolation space through one or more access ports. An air management system re-circulates air through the isolation space to create a negative or positive pressure within the space, and is operable to filter, and optionally adjust the temperature and humidity of, the re-circulating air. In an embodiment of the isolation container configured for transporting a patient in the isolation space, a communications system is also coupled to the isolation space to provide for audio, video or other data communications between the patient and a communications device external to the isolation container.
US07789818B2 Rotary part
A rotary part, in particular a spreader roller for a web-processing machine has a supporting core with a longitudinal axis, said supporting core being mounted at its two longitudinal ends, and having an elastically flexible outer sleeve which surrounds the supporting core in its circumferential direction and extends, in at least some sections, between the two longitudinal ends of the supporting core. The outer sleeve on the supporting core is non-displaceably mounted on at least one bearing and that the outer sleeve is mounted on at least one displacing point at a distance from the bearing so as to be displaceable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting core in order for the curvature of the outer sleeve to be adjustable.
US07789815B2 Chest expander
Provided is a chest expander including: a head having a spring installation part at which a spring is installed and arm connection parts installed at both sides of the spring installation part; a pair of arms pivotally coupled with the arm connection parts of the head at their upper ends; a spring member vertically installed at the spring installation part of the head, and converting movement of the pair of arms approached toward each other into a resilient force generated by compressing or extending the spring to vertically transmit the resilient force to the arms; a pair of links having first ends connected to each arm and second ends extending between the arms; and a spring operation part having a link connection part connected to the second ends of the links and compressing or extending the spring member using power added and transmitted to the link connection part through the links by the movement of the arms.
US07789814B1 Device for hanging weights to an elongated bar member
A compact device for attaching weights to an elongated rod. One embodiment of the device comprises a tubular member and two arms attached to the tubular member. The tubular member can be slid onto the end of the elongated rod. Each of the two arms has a plurality of hook-shaped openings. Each pair of the corresponding hook-shaped openings defines a pocket for receipt of a bar member, such as the handle of a dumbbell. One device can be attached to each end of the elongated rod for supporting a plurality of dumbbells on each end thereof to thereby convert pairs of dumbbells into a barbell. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US07789813B2 Dumbbell and adaptor with securable incremental weight plate feature
A dumbbell having weight plates onto which magnetically coupled incremental weight plates can be securely mounted comprises a bar, weights at the end regions of the bar, means for retaining the weight plates at the respective ends to define a handle region therebetween, and a sleeve of generally annular cross-section securely mounted about the bar at least one end region axially outward from the weight plate, said sleeve member having (a) a hub portion for accommodating the through-opening of a weight plate, and (b) a flange portion of greater exterior dimension than the hub portion and having at least one magnetically-responsive region for magnetically securing an incremental weight to the dumbbell when said incremental weight plate is mounted about said hub region. In accordance with the invention, an adaptor to convert conventional dumbbells to utilize magnetically-coupled incremental weight plates comprises elements (a) and (b) above.
US07789807B1 Folding mechanism of a treadmill
A folding mechanism of a treadmill having a base frame with a rear support frame at the bottom thereof. The rear support frame is supported by the pneumatic cylinder. In folding the treadmill upward or downward, the rear support frame can be pushed by the pneumatic cylinder such that the base frame is easily brought in an upright storage position or in a horizontal operation position. Moreover, the rear end of the rear support frame is provided with universal ground-touching rollers that may be locked in place or unlocked for a practical movement of the treadmill and an easy change in direction.
US07789800B1 Methods and systems for controlling an exercise apparatus using a USB compatible portable remote device
A portable system retrieves one or more exercise programs from a remote communication system that provides motivational content for a user exercising upon an exercise mechanism. The exercise program further includes at least one control signal that controls one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism. The portable system includes a control device configured to retrieve the exercise program and deliver the motivational content to the user by way of an audio delivery device, while delivering the control signals to the exercise mechanism. A sensor communicates with the control device and tracks one or more measurable parameters of the user during the user's performance of the exercise program. Data representative of the one or more measurable parameters can be delivered to the control device for delivery to the remote communication system.
US07789795B2 Method for controlling a vehicle powertrain having step ratio gearing and a continuously variable transmission to achieve optimum engine fuel economy
A method is disclosed for controlling overall transmission ratios in a vehicle powertrain with an engine, fixed multiple-ratio gearing and infinitely variable ratio components. For a given vehicle speed and for a given vehicle traction wheel horsepower, the fixed multiple-ratio gearing and the infinitely variable ratio components are controlled to operate with an overall ratio that will permit the engine to operate with optimum efficiency.
US07789794B2 Method and system for controlling a propulsion system of an alternatively powered vehicle
Inverters of a hybrid electric vehicle are cooled by a coolant. Expected temperature differences between the inverters and the coolant are determined based on vehicle parameters. Actual temperature differences between the inverters and the coolant are compared to the expected temperature differences. A maximum output torque is reduced if the actual temperature differences exceed the expected temperature differences.
US07789792B2 Multi-speed transmission
A transmission having input and output shafts, gearsets (RS1-RS4), shafts (1-8) and elements (A-E). Carriers of gearsets (RS4, RS3) are respectively connected to the input and the output forming shafts (1, 2). Sun gears of gearsets (RS1, RS4) are coupled forming shaft (3). The ring gear and a carrier respectively of gearsets (RS1, RS2) form shafts (4, 8). Ring gears of gearsets (RS2, RS4) respectively couple sun gears of gearsets (RS3, RS2) forming shafts (5, 7). A carrier of gearset (RS1) and a ring gear of gearset (RS3) are connected forming shaft (6). In the power flow, elements (A, B) are respectively arranged between shafts (3, 4) and a transmission housing, element (C) between shafts (5, 1), element (D) between shafts (8, 2) or (8, 6), and element (E) between two of shafts (5, 7, 8).
US07789788B2 Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brake arranged within a transmission housing.
US07789786B2 Differential device
An embodiment of a differential device of the present invention comprises a pair of side gears and a pair of pinion gears housed inside a differential case, with the pinion gears supported by a pinion shaft fixed to the differential case at axial end sections thereof so as to be capable of sliding freely thereabout. Lubricating oil channels are provided that pass through each of the end sections of the pinion shaft in the axial direction thereof. One end of each lubricating oil channel opens to the exterior of the differential case at a shaft-end corner section of the pinion shaft corresponding to an upstream side thereof in a direction of rotation of the differential case, and another end opens to a sliding surface of the pinion shaft with respect to one of the pinion gears. The differential device also comprises a mechanism for providing lubricating oil to the lubricating oil channels upon rotation of the differential case.
US07789784B2 Steering device
In a steering device (200), a first motor (34a) operates in accordance with a steering operation of a steering handle (12), a first steering shaft (52) steers one of the pair of wheels (58), and a first conversion unit converts a rotation of a first rotor (31 a) as a rotation element of the first motor (31a) into an axial-direction movement of the first steering shaft (52). A second motor (34b) operates in accordance with the steering operation of the steering handle (12), a second steering shaft (53) is separated from the first steering shaft (52) and steers the other of the pair of wheels (58), and a second conversion unit converts a rotation of a second rotor (31b) as a rotation element of the second motor (34b) into an axial-direction movement of the second steering shaft (53). A coupling unit (60) couples the first rotor (31a) and the second rotor (31b) together and cancels the coupling of the first rotor (31a) and the second rotor (31b).
US07789781B2 Timing belt structure with corner groove
The timing belt and a coupling structure of the same are disclosed, in which a stress focused at a corner portion decreases by forming an optimum shaped groove at a corner portion of a timing belt, so that it is possible to largely increase a fatigue life span of a timing belt and a durability of a timing belt. In addition, noises and vibrations can be minimized by forming a through hole at a threaded surface of a timing belt or a threaded portion of a sprocket. In the timing belt, which has threads at a belt body, there is provided an improved timing belt comprising a groove formed at a corner portion in which the threads and the belt body contact with each other.
US07789778B2 Hockey stick
A hockey stick having a composite blade and a shaft is disclosed. The composite blade includes a heel section that is recessed relative to the front and back faces of the blade. The recessed heel section is configured to be received by a hockey stick shaft or an adapter member configured to connect the blade to the shaft. The composite blade preferably comprise a foam inner core overlaid preferably with substantially continuous fibers disposed in a matrix material and may include an internal bridge structure extending from one side of the blade to the other. The blade may also be preferably comprised of a core comprising non-continuous fibers disposed within a matrix material. In another aspect, processes for manufacturing the previously described hockey stick blade(s) are described.
US07789777B2 Sports equipment handle
An embodiment of the invention provides a sports equipment handle, such as a lacrosse stick handle, that includes a hollow tubular lacrosse stick shaft, a wall of the shaft defining a cavity extending around the shaft in a direction perpendicular to the shaft axis, and a pre-molded latitudinal rib disposed in the cavity, wherein a dimension of the rib is slightly larger than a corresponding dimension of the cavity such that the rib is compressed within the cavity. The shaft can also define a slot substantially parallel to the shaft axis, with a longitudinal rib disposed in the slot. The ribs can be specially located and structured to provide the shaft with structural and tactile features that correspond to and accommodate the way in which a player moves his hands along the shaft and grips the shaft, to enhance the player's control of the shaft when performing various skills.
US07789774B2 Golf club head having a displaced crown portion
A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
US07789770B1 Lightweight tensioning assembly
This invention presents an apparatus for force adjustment within a golf shaft. The apparatus includes load member and a force adjuster and parts for coupling the apparatus to a golf shaft. A lightweight design for the load member is introduced and a method of assembling the apparatus into the golf club shaft is described.
US07789769B2 Golf club
Golf club 2 has shaft 6, head 4, inner member 8 and cap 10. The head 4 has hosel member 22, and this hosel member 22 screw member 26 formed on the outer peripheral face thereof, and hosel hole 28. The cap 10 has screw member 40 formed on the inner peripheral face thereof, and internal extending portion 44 that extends more inwards than this screw member 40. The screw member 26 of this cap 10 and the screw member 40 of the hosel member 22 are bound by thread connection. The inner member 8 has shaft channel 46, and engaging face 50. The shaft 6 is stuck to the shaft channel 46. Engagement of the engaging face 50 with the internal extending portion 44 controls upward displacement of the inner member 8 with respect to the hosel hole 28.
US07789762B2 Child motion device
A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. The device also has a drive system that drives a swing assembly. The swing assembly can include a pair of swing arms having proximal ends and distal ends. The distal ends support a child seat assembly. The distance between the distal ends relative to the distance between proximal ends is adjustable, thereby adjusting at least one motion characteristic of the device. The adjustable motion characteristics can include a gliding motion and a swinging motion.
US07789760B2 Gaming machine and a method of lighting the same
A gaming machine includes a cabinet having a glass panel, a player interaction device disposed in the cabinet for determining a winning outcome of the game, and a light emitting device, such as, EL wire, sheet, and the like, extends about the periphery of the glass panel and/or behind the glass panel. A plurality of reels are disposed inside the cabinet and are rotatable about an axis with each reel having an outer surface and a reel strip mounted thereto and a plurality of symbols defined on the reel strip and exposed to the glass panel. At least one pay line is spaced from each of the reels. The pay line is illuminated independent from and in alternating mode with the symbols in response to the winning outcome of the game.
US07789758B2 Video game with simulated evolution
A video game that provides a player game play experience that simulates an evolution process is disclosed. In each stage of the evolution process, the player can create game content that is uploaded to a server. Other players' game content can also be downloaded into the player's game. In an embodiment of the present invention, the player-defined content can be automatically uploaded to a server, where it can be automatically downloaded to players' games in accordance with criteria such as heuristics that are relevant to the game, player preferences, rankings, community preferences and combinations thereof.
US07789754B2 Card game based on results from a sporting event
One or more inputs, such as one or more cards from a deck of cards, to a card game are determined from one or more event results from a sporting event. A result of the card game is based at least on the one or more determined inputs.
US07789752B2 Gaming system including slot machines and gaming control method thereof
A gaming system comprises: one or more slot machines each of which includes a controller for controlling a basic game, and each of which has a function whereby, in the case that a “BONUS” symbol combination has come to a stop along an active pay line in the basic game, a second game start signal is transmitted; a second gaming device which is a separate device from the slot machines, and which has a function of executing a roulette game; and an image capturing device having a function of capturing an image of the second gaming device upon receipt of a predetermined image capturing signal, and a function of transmitting the image data. Furthermore, the gaming system includes a central controller which is communicably connected to the slot machines, the second gaming device, and the image capturing device. The central controller transmits an image capturing signal to the image capturing device upon receipt of the second game start signal. Upon receipt of the image data thus captured, the central controller transmits the image data to the slot machines at which the players play the second game.
US07789751B2 Gaming device having wild indicators
A gaming device having wild indicator symbols associated with symbols displayed within a display device on a set of reels. The wild indicator symbols may also be associated with a card or plurality of cards within a display device. A processor determines whether the wild indicators will be associated with the symbols or cards and also determines if the wild indicators will be activated. If the wild indicators are activated, the processor transforms those symbols or cards associated with the wild indicators into wild symbols or wild cards.
US07789750B2 Method of playing a slot machine game with matching symbol combinations
The present invention includes a variety of methods for wagering upon one or more positions of a symbol matrix and issuing awards based upon the number of symbols in the symbol matrix matching each of the symbols displayed in the wagered upon symbol positions. In a preferred embodiment, players may wager upon any number of the available symbol positions and collect awards for matching each symbol appearing in a wagered upon symbol position with 2 or more other symbols in the symbol matrix.
US07789749B2 Gaming device having perceived skill
A gaming device wherein a player's skill at an action or event determines or appears to determine the player's success or failure. In reality, a database of information stores a number of successful results, and the game selects an award for each successful result. The action or event involves skill in real life, which requires the player to estimate the time an action will require and/or requires the player to aim at an object or estimate the direction necessary to successfully produce a result. The game can employ software adapted to determine if a player's aim or timing is successful. The game can alternatively randomly determine the player's success. The game displays the player's attempt or action on the screen depicting success or failure and awards gaming device credits or multipliers for successful results.
US07789747B2 Gaming device having a re-triggering symbol bonus scheme with a bonus symbol accumulator
A gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein an accumulator accumulates bonus re-triggering symbols until a pre-determined number of bonus re-triggering symbols are obtained by the player in the bonus game. The accumulated bonus re-triggering symbols are preferably the same symbol. In one embodiment, the bonus re-triggering symbols in the bonus game are the same symbol as the bonus triggering symbols in the primary game. In another embodiment, the bonus re-triggering symbols in the bonus game are different symbols than the bonus trigger symbols in the primary game. The bonus scheme of the present invention is preferably employed in conjunction with one or more other re-trigger bonus schemes. In another embodiment, the accumulator is employed as a bonus re-triggering event in the bonus game.
US07789745B2 Products and processes for applying conditions to a lottery entry
Products and processes are disclosed for receiving a lottery record associated with a sale of a lottery ticket. The lottery record includes a plurality of lottery numbers, and a condition for creating at least one entry that includes the lottery numbers in a lottery drawing. It is determined if the condition is satisfied. The at least one entry in the lottery drawing is created only if the condition satisfied.
US07789744B2 Gaming machine with special award feature
The present invention provides a method and apparatus of utilizing symbol markers that, when included in a winning outcome, present an additional award to the player during operation of a slot machine. A symbol marker may be varied in type, frequency, associated award, and quantity. A symbol marker may trigger different award types based on its visual appearance or frequency within a winning combination. Awards can be credits, multipliers, bonus game triggers, and free spins, among others. The order of placement of a symbol marker can be random or defined. The winning outcome that includes a symbol marker can be based on the game's winning outcome definition or on a predetermined location or locations.
US07789742B1 Smart golf club multiplayer system for the internet
A system that wirelessly integrates actual golf equipment with a computer and the internet to allow players remotely located from one another to play a competitive simulated game of golf. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing techniques. The system includes smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing device, all containing circuits and contact or motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry, thereby wirelessly communicate game performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer displays player information and visually simulates and controls a golf game between two players, via the internet, having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. Standard golf clubs may be retrofitted with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such clubs into “smart clubs” for use with the system. The system employs specially developed computer software to process player performance data, control game play, communicate game information between players, generate and control visual simulations and display player performance information.
US07789740B2 Crawlspace air apparatus
A crawlspace encapsulation system for encapsulating a crawlspace of a building. The system includes a substantially impermeable barrier layer disposed in the crawlspace and isolating at least a portion of the crawlspace from an outside atmosphere and an air circulation system located in the isolated portion.
US07789739B2 Shackle with pivot feature
A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.
US07789735B2 Device for machining a strip or plate-shaped metal workpiece
The invention relates to a device for machining a strip or plate-shaped metal workpiece, which comprises at least one conveying device which is provided with machining elements. The conveying device guides the machining elements at an angle and/or in a transversal manner in relation to the direction of advancement of the workpiece in the region of the workpiece which is to be machined in an at least approximately linear manner. The machining elements are embodied as abrasive paper and support elements are arranged between said abrasive paper.
US07789734B2 Multi-orifice fluid jet to enable efficient, high precision micromachining
A fluid jet based micromachining device and method include a workpiece, and fluid jets directing synchronized forces at the workpiece so as to converge forces at a dynamic contact zone on the workpiece and provide mechanical support to the workpiece during periods of contact with the fluid jets.
US07789732B2 Superabrasive tool
A tool for use in an abrasive machining process has a body extending along a central longitudinal axis from a first end to a tip end. An abrasive material is located on the tip end. A central recess is formed in the tip end.
US07789729B1 Toy shotgun
A toy gun is provided with ejecting shells and a smoking chamber. Each ejecting shell has a spring and a recess and is placed into a barrel chamber. The chamber has a post, which compresses the spring when the shell is placed into the chamber. When the hinge is opened, the spring decompresses ejecting the shell from the chamber. The smoke generating assembly is provided with a pump, an oil tank, a heating element, a switch, a visual indicator, and an automatic shutoff. When the switch is actuated, the heating element heats the oil, such that it transforms into a smoke vapor. Upon opening the hinge, the hinge actuates the pump, connected to the tank, which pumps smoke vapor out of the tank through an opening in the post such that smoke appears in the chamber.
US07789727B2 Novelty device having elastomeric protrusions with sound producing terminations
A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric material. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. Sounding elements are disposed within the interior space of at least some of the secondary objects. The sounding elements are free moving and produce noise within said secondary objects when said novelty device is manually shaken.
US07789721B1 Electrical connector and method of making same
An electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes a socket housing and a plurality of socket contacts disposed within the socket housing. Each of the plurality of socket contacts comprises a body and at least two members extending from the body towards a pin-receiving end and separated by longitudinal slots. Each of the members has a tapered cross-section thicker towards an end adjacent to the body than towards a distal end through which the socket contact receives a mating pin.
US07789713B2 Connector jack with reduced host PCB footprint, assembly thereof and fabrication method of the same
A connector jack with reduced host PCB footprint and an assembly of the same are provided. The provided connector jack is constructed based on a housing defining at least a front face with a plug receiving cavity on the surface thereof and with a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the cavity, and a bottom face having a recess area on the surface thereof and adapted for mounting on a circuit board. In the present invention, at least a portion of the housing is made of a transparent or translucent material so that the status indicators located within the recess will be visible through the transparent portion of the front face of the jack housing, and the recess area occupies a substantial portion of the bottom face and allows to place additional components on the circuit board at least partially within the recess area.
US07789712B1 Audio jack connector
An audio jack connector includes a dielectric housing and a plurality of contacts received in the dielectric housing. The dielectric housing defines an insertion hole therein for an audio plug inserted into. One of the contacts is located at a rear of the dielectric housing and includes a bottom plate, a first fixed plate and a second fixed plate respectively extended upward from two opposite ends of the bottom plate. A contact protuberance is protruded towards the second fixed plate from a portion of the first fixed plate. A flexible plate is extended from the second fixed plate to be located between the first and second fixed plates. The flexible plate defines a contact convex protruded towards the first fixed plate at a free end thereof. The contact protuberance and the contact convex are both projected into the insertion hole for contacting with the audio plug.
US07789706B2 Terminal shield and electrical connector with a terminal shield
An electrical connector has an insulative housing, a plurality of first terminals, a plurality of second terminals and a terminal shield. The first and second terminals are mounted in the insulative housing and each terminal has a soldering segment. The terminal shield substantially shields the soldering segments of the second terminals and prevents electromagnetic interference so that transmitting high frequency signals on the second terminals is stable.
US07789701B2 Panel mountable connector assembly
A connector assembly adapted for mounting to a panel having a cutout includes a connector having a body including sides defining a perimeter configured to fit within the cutout. The connector includes a flange extending outward from one of the sides of the body, and the flange is configured to engage a front surface of the panel to define a stop against the panel when the connector is in a mated position. The connector is configured to be one of either front loaded through the cutout from a front of the panel to the mated position or rear loaded through the cutout from a rear of the panel to the mated position.
US07789700B2 Cable connector with a flat cable and a printed circuit board
A cable connector includes a flat cable having a plurality of first electric conductive sections formed on a first end and a plurality of second electric conductive sections formed on a second end thereof. A circuit board is electrically connected to the first end of the flat cable. The circuit board has a plurality of first conductive sections and a plurality of second conductive sections respectively formed thereon. The plurality of first conductive sections is electrically connected to the plurality of first electric conductive sections of the flat cable. The plurality of first conductive sections and the plurality of second conductive sections are electrically connected to each other via a displacement circuit disposed in the circuit board.
US07789696B2 Waterproof case for electrical apparatus
A drawing part of a cable 3 in a waterproof case for an electrical apparatus is sealed. On an outer circumferential part of the cable 3, a first bushing member 2a and a second bushing member 2b are formed by injection molding to be spaced with respect to each other. A box part 35 of the waterproof case is located between the first busing member 2a and the second bushing member 2b. After locating the cable 3 in the waterproof case, a filling material 40, such as epoxy resin or urethane resin, is filled into the inside of the box part 35.
US07789693B2 Socket assembly with easily assembled loading mechanism
A socket assembly for electrically connecting an IC package to a printed circuit board, comprises an insulative housing, at least two retainers mounted on the printed circuit board and a loading plate. The insulative housing defines a receiving space for the IC package. The retainers are mounted on the printed circuit board and located on two sides of the insulative housing, and the retainer has a latching portion with a latching slot. The loading plate is mounted above the insulative housing and has two opposite lateral portions retained in the latching slot of the retainer, respectively, to retain the loading plate.
US07789692B2 Card edge connector
A card edge connector comprises an insulating housing comprising a receptacle provided with a plurality of terminals therein and a pair of support arms disposed at opposite ends of the insulating housing. Each of the support arms comprises a flexible portion having a distal free end. The flexible portion comprises a latch element configured for establishing a latching engagement with the card module and a resistance provider applying a relievable resistant upward force to an improperly inserted card module and causing the flexible portion to deflect while an unusually large force is applied thereto.
US07789691B2 Chip card retaining mechanism and printed circuit board module incorporating same
A chip card retaining mechanism includes a first holding frame, a second holding frame and a circuitry. The first holding frame includes a latching portion and a connecting board. The latching portion defines a first receiving room for receiving a first chip card. The second holding frame is attached to the connecting board of the first holding frame, and is perpendicular to the latching portion of the first holding frame. The second holding frame defines a second receiving room for receiving a second chip card. The circuitry is formed on the connecting board and the latching portion. The first chip card is electronically connected to the second chip card via the circuitry.
US07789690B1 Connector assembly having multi-stage latching sequence
A connector assembly includes a housing, a power supply contact, an interlock circuit contact, a lever subassembly and a lever latch. The lever subassembly is pivotally coupled to the housing and includes a handle and a gripping end that engages the mating connector to move the housing relative to the mating connector when the handle is rotated. The handle is rotated to sequentially decouple the interlock circuit contact from the mating interlock contact prior to unmating the power supply contact from the mating power contact. The lever latch is coupled with the housing and prevents unmating of the power supply contact from the mating power contact before separation of the interlock circuit contact and the mating interlock contact before the power supply contact is decoupled from the mating power contact and after the interlock circuit contact is decoupled from the mating interlock contact by blocking rotation of the lever subassembly.
US07789688B2 Connector
The present invention provides a connector that has high contact reliability and versatility enabling the reliable electric connection of flexible printed boards with a spread in thickness and flexible printed boards with different thicknesses. In this connector, a wider portion of a connection terminal fixed to a base is lifted with a control lever in which rotatable shafts extending coaxially from end surfaces on both sides are rotatably supported on the base. In particular, bearing grooves extending in the vertical direction are provided at a pair of support clasps that are attached to respective end surfaces on both sides of the base. The rotary shafts of the control lever are mated with, and supported by, the bearing grooves rotatably and slidably in the vertical direction.
US07789687B2 Lamp socket, backlight assembly having the same and display device having the same
A lamp socket includes a socket housing and a plurality of power supply members. The socket housing has a plurality of connecting holes extended in a vertical direction. The power supply members are disposed in the connecting holes, respectively, and each of the power supply members includes a plurality of lamp connecting parts and an inverter connecting part. The lamp connecting parts are protruded from an upper surface of the socket housing and include first and second portions facing each other. The inverter connecting part is integrally formed with the lamp connecting parts, and is protruded from a lower surface of the socket housing.
US07789684B2 5PinProAudio SSW1
Generally, camera have two channels—one and two. A channel is used by hardwiring the output to a particular channel. The Switch allows the cameraman to switch between channel one and two without hardwiring the equipment.
US07789679B2 Cable assembly with dustproof cover module
A cable assembly, comprises at least one connector defining a mating portion; a cable electrically connected to the connector; and a dustproof cover module attached to the cable. The dustproof cover module comprises at least one dustproof cover for covering the mating portion of the connector and a carrier comprising a base portion having at least one receiving room therein and a tie extending from a rear surface of the base portion. The dustproof cover is received into the receiving room, the tie engages with the base portion to make the carrier surrounding the cable and holding the dustproof cover positioned in the base portion of the carrier.
US07789677B2 Electrical connector having low board mounting profile
An electrical connector (1), which is adapted for mounting to a circuit board (5), has a mounting foot (21) with a top mounting surface (211), an elongated base portion (23) protruded outwardly from said top mounting surface (211) and fitting members (4) set on the top mounting surface (211). In assembly, the top mounting surface (211) is face to the back of the circuit board (5), and the whole mounting foot (21) is left below the circuit board (5), which can minimize the mounting profile of the connector (1) effectively.
US07789676B2 Electrical connector with electrically shielded terminals
An electrical connector includes a housing and a lead frame held by the housing. The lead frame includes a terminal extending along a length between a mating end portion and a mounting end portion. The terminal is at least partially surrounded by a dielectric core extending a length along at least a portion of the length of the terminal. The dielectric core is metallized such that the core is at least partially surrounded by an electrically conductive shell.
US07789675B2 Power connector having an improved internal printed circuit board
A power connector (100) has a mating plug (10) having a number of contacts (110), an internal printed circuit board (30) mounted to the mating plug and located in one transverse direction perpendicular to the pluggable direction, a cable (20) connected to the internal circuit board, and outer barrel (50) enclosing the mating plug and the cable. The internal printed circuit board defines a conductive area (31). The cable provides a connecting section (24) connecting with the conductive area of the internal printed circuit board and extending through the internal printed circuit board to connect with the contact of the mating plug.
US07789674B2 Molded card edge connector for attachment with a printed circuit board
An edge connector suitable for attachment with a printed circuit board. The edge connector comprises a body composed of a plastic resin, the body defining a first end that is configured to operably attach to a portion of a printed circuit board and a second end configured to operably connect to a slot in a host device and a plurality of conductive traces and contact pads defined on a portion of a surface of the body, the traces being configured to electrically connect with corresponding traces defined on the printed circuit board.
US07789672B2 Socket with position clumps
A socket adapted for electrically connecting a semiconductor package to a printed circuit board, comprises an insulating body and a plurality of position clump. The insulating body has a plurality of sidewalls, which define a plurality of assembling slots. The position clumps are movably assembled to the assembling slots of the insulating housing, each of the position clump has a position block and a spring member disposed between the position block and the insulating housing, the position block has a supporting face for supporting the IC package and is able to downwardly move toward the mating face of insulating housing.
US07789670B2 Planar connector
The present invention provides a very thin planar connector having 2 mm or smaller pitch interval at the lattice area and 0.5 mm or smaller thickness of the lattice area, giving excellent performance in the whole performances such as moldability, flatness, warp-deformation, and heat resistance. A planar connector having a lattice structure within an outer frame is molded by using (C) a resin composition prepared by compounding (A) a liquid-crystalline polymer with (B) a fibrous filler, while the relation between the compounding quantity and the weight-average length of (B) the fibrous filler is controlled to a specified range.
US07789668B1 Connector assemblies and systems including flexible circuits
An electrical connector assembly for electrically coupling primary and secondary circuit boards together. The secondary circuit board is held proximate to the primary circuit board and has a first contact array of board contacts thereon. The electrical connector assembly includes a circuit assembly having a second contact array of mating contacts configured to mate with the first contact array and a flexible circuit that electrically couples the second contact array to the primary circuit board. The electrical connector assembly also includes an alignment feature that is configured to engage the secondary circuit board. Also, the electrical connector assembly includes a coupling mechanism that is configured to move the alignment feature and the second contact array between a retracted position, in which the second contact array is located remotely from the first contact array, and an engaged position, in which the first and second contact arrays engage one another.
US07789666B2 Training door
A reusable ballistic door for use in the training of individuals such as police officers and military personnel. The door may be formed to have different weak spots, requiring different techniques to enter the door. The door may be quickly and inexpensively rebuilt for subsequent training. A reusable training door may also be used inside of a shoot house to provide realistic training scenarios.
US07789665B2 Educational aid for vocabulary and recognition of form spatial structure and word enigma straws
Disclosed are educational straws having an end portion of a defined shape and the name of said shape displayed on the exterior body of the straw thereby instilling a cognitive recognition of a sequence of letters associated with the shape which will enhance vocabulary, spelling and object spatial recognition for a plurality of defined shapes.
US07789664B1 Capture of a planned vertical dimension of occlusion to facilitate simultaneous restoration of both maxillary and mandibular arches using implants
Apparatus and method enabling implant supported dental prostheses to be fabricated for reconstruction of both maxillary and mandibular arches from a procedure requiring only one surgery. At least three pairs of reference points in the maxillary arch and in the mandibular arch are connected by adjustable members which are subsequently fixed in length and in mutual orientation to enable necessary impressions and casts to be made. The adjustable members engage anchoring members such as ball headed screws which are fixed to the maxillary and mandibular anatomy. Subsequently fabricated mechanical models of the patient anatomy, such as impressions and casts, capture critical geometric relationships from the adjustable members and their associated anchoring members, thereby enabling both maxillary and mandibular implant mountable prostheses to be fabricated from information gathered during only one surgical session.
US07789663B2 Process for the retraction of sulcus
The invention relates to a process of retraction of sulcus, comprising the steps of: applying a silicone material onto and/or at the vicinity of the boundary of a tooth and adjacent sulcus, which silicone material expands during or after its curing reaction; applying a cap onto said tooth, thereby forming a chamber over said silicone material, wherein said chamber comprises as its walls the tooth, the cap and an outer section of said sulcus; whereby said chamber allows for the silicone material to expand into the crevice between sulcus and tooth. Said cap is at least partially filled with a plastically deformable material when applied onto said tooth in step; and/or said cap is deformable, especially under biting pressure.
US07789662B2 Dental masking product for teeth and gum
Covering composition for isolating tooth material to be treated and producing a shield for the surrounding gums and/or adjacent teeth from dental treatment means which cross-links in a self-curing manner at an ambient temperature in the mouth interior and produces an elastomeric material.
US07789661B2 Light emitting diode light source
Light Emitting Diode Light Sources for Dental Curing are disclosed. Some embodiments of the invention include structures such as Light Emitting Diode Array(s), heat sink, heat dissipation, heat pipe, and control circuitry are disclosed.
US07789660B2 Furnace alignment system
A pusher furnace includes furnace sections having respective susceptors, a slide rail extending through the furnace sections for sliding pusher plates thereon and an alignment assembly for aligning the susceptors and slide rails of adjacent furnace sections. A support structure spaces the susceptors from insulation therebelow to protect the insulation from degradation from contact with the susceptors. The susceptors are slidably mounted on the support structure to accommodate thermal expansion and shrinkage of the susceptor. The upstream end of the slide rails have beveled upper edges to help prevent the pusher plates from catching thereon. The upstream ends are also laterally tapered to reduce the degree of force encountered should a pusher plate catch thereon. Adjacent insulation members have expansion joints filled with a refractory felt. The susceptors slidably and sealingly engage exhaust ports to allow for thermal expansion and shrinkage of the susceptor without damaging the exhaust port.
US07789655B2 Device for blow molding containers
The invention relates to a device for blow molding containers. Initially, pre-forms, which are made of a thermoplastic material, are tempered and, subsequently, transformed into containers inside a blow form using the effects of a pressurized medium. Said blow form which is made up of at least two blow molding segments is held in place by mold supports of a blowing station. A bottom part is used in addition to the blow molding segments. Both the mold supports (19, 20) and the bottom part (7) are arranged in such a way that they can be mechanically positioned. The mold supports and the bottom part are permanently coupled to each other via a common mechanical drive unit (43).
US07789654B2 Soap holding device having design imprinter
A soap holding device includes a base member having a first grid pattern with a plurality of apertures and a co-mating cover member having the capability of being lowered telescopically downwardly into the base member as a soap bar becomes smaller with use. The cover member also includes a second grid pattern with a plurality of apertures and an imprinting portion for imprinting designs onto the soap bar after every use when the cover member exerts pressure thereon to produce the capability of better skin exfoliation and deep cleansing.
US07789652B2 Fresnel lens angular segment manufacturing apparatus and method
A roller extruder for manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments from raw plastic, the roller extruder having a blank roller and a die roller positioned a desired roller clearance from the blank roller, the die roller having two peripheral lens dies with an angular displacement between the lens dies increasing linearly from a die junction at the inside roller edge to approximately three hundred sixty degrees at the outside roller edge, and the die roller having peripheral Fresnel facet dies.
US07789651B2 Presnel lens angular segment manufacturing apparatus and method
A roller extruder for manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments from raw plastic, the roller extruder having a blank roller and a die roller positioned a desired roller clearance from the blank roller, the die roller having two peripheral lens dies with an angular displacement between the lens dies increasing linearly from a die junction at the inside roller edge to approximately one hundred eighty degrees at the outside roller edge, and the die roller having peripheral Fresnel facet dies.
US07789649B2 Device for extruding hollow strands
Device for extruding hollow strands from thermoplastic material, with an extruder head, having a mandrel, and a calibrating device, for making a dimensional change while production is in progress, and with a radially adjustable inlet, at least one Ranque vortex chamber being formed in the mandrel, the cooling air outlet of which chamber leads into a cooling tube, which extends as an axial extension of the mandrel through the inlet of the calibrating device and has a cooling air outlet opening out into the calibrating device. This device achieves the object of providing a device with which effective interior cooling is achieved in calibrating devices designed for making a dimensional change while operation is in progress.
US07789647B2 Processing apparatus and method
A processing apparatus for transferring a relief pattern on a mold to a resist on a substrate through a compression of the mold against the resist, and an irradiation of light for exposing the resist onto the resist includes a mold chuck for holding the mold and for compressing the mold against the resist, and a deformation reducing part for reducing a deformation of the mold when the mold chuck applies a compression force to the mold.
US07789646B2 Spacer mold and methods therefor
A hip spacer mold forming a spacer with a spacer stem connected to a spacer head has a stem portion for forming a spacer stem. The hip spacer mold also has a plurality of interchangeable head modules configured for alternatively forming spacer heads of a plurality of different predetermined sizes. The head modules are configured to be disposed adjacent the stem portion.
US07789644B2 Apparatus for forming a wave chip product
Thin snack chips having a curved or wave shape are obtained by forming, shaping or curling baked chips into a curved or wave configuration before they become too cold and rigid so as to result in breakage during forming. The essentially flat, malleable baked chips, still hot from baking in an oven may be continuously transported on a conveyer belt into a nip or gap formed between the conveyer belt and a rotating forming roller to curve or curl the malleable baked chips around the roller. The malleable baked chips are subjected to a guided curtain of air to cool and set the chips in a curved or wave configuration and to remove or blow the curved or wave chips off of the rotating forming roller onto the conveyor belt.
US07789643B2 In situ pipe repair controller and system
A control apparatus used in conjunction with tools and devices such as electrical power supplies, fluid pumps and vacuums for in situ repair of pipes. A method for controlling in situ repair of pipe using electrical power sources, fluid and pressure sources and flexible heat and inflation bladder installing thermal responsive repair materials and applying the repair material to the interior wall surface. The apparatus controls the inflation of the repair tool inserted into a pipe and the amount and rate of fluid pressure and maintenance of a selected pressure. The apparatus may also control the evacuation of the fluid from the bladder of the repair tool. The device controls the heating of the tool used in the installation of the repair material. The invention also teaches a method for controlled inflation and expansion of the bladder carrying the repair material to the area of the pipe to be repaired and heating the material at a rate and to a temperature to facilitate optimum curing or installation of the thermally responsive repair material. The invention also teaches the detachment of the repair material and removal of the repair tool. The method further includes the procedures necessary to complete the installation of these materials.
US07789639B2 Piston pump
A piston pump is proposed, having a pump housing, in which housing a pump piston is guided axially movably, so that upon an actuation of the pump piston, a fluid is pumped from an intake side to a compression side, via a pump chamber bordering on the pump piston, the compression side being provided with an outlet valve, which is preceded by a damping element.
US07789638B2 Pump for providing three modes of pumping
A pump includes a base and a cylinder installed on the base. The base defines a pumping channel. The cylinder defines a first chamber and a second chamber with a diameter different from that of the first chamber. The first and second chambers are in communication with the pumping channel. A first check valve only allows air to travel into the pumping channel from the first chamber. A second check valve allows air to travel into the pumping channel from the second chamber. A first piston is movable in the first chamber. A second piston is movable in the second chamber. A control device prevents the venting of air from the chambers in a first mode, vents air from the second chamber without traveling through the pumping channel in a second mode, and vents air from the first chamber without traveling through the pumping channel in a third mode.
US07789633B2 Automatically deformable nozzle regulator for use in a venturi pump
The automatically deformable nozzle regulator described herein is for use in a venturi pump. The automatically deformable nozzle regulator automatically adjusts its output area as needed to provide an increased suction force at a venturi pump inlet. The nozzle regulator includes an outer tubular cylinder and an inner tubular cylinder, concentrically arranged, and an inlet section join the two cylinders at one end. The nozzle regulator is constructed of a flexible material, such that when a constricting force is applied an output area of the nozzle regulator is decreased. Fluid backpressure at the nozzle regulator caused by obstructions at the pump inlet or the head at the outlet cause backpressure and the resultant constricting force. Because the nozzle is deformable, the output area is reduced, thereby increasing suction force at the inlet to remove the obstruction and increased velocity at the outlet to increase the head at the outlet.
US07789625B2 Turbine airfoil with enhanced cooling
An airfoil for a turbine of a gas turbine engine is provided comprising an outer wall structure defining at least one inner cavity adapted to receive a cooling fluid. The wall structure comprises at least one cooling fluid path circuit communicating with the at least one inner cavity. The cooling fluid path circuit comprises: at least one metering opening extending from an inner surface of the wall structure such that the metering opening communicates with the at least one inner cavity; at least one intermediate diffusion region communicating with the metering opening; an intermediate metering opening positioned downstream from the intermediate diffusion region and communicating with the intermediate diffusion region; and, an end diffusion region positioned downstream from the intermediate metering opening for communicating with the intermediate metering opening and extending to an exit in an outer surface of the wall structure.
US07789618B2 Systems for moisture removal in steam turbine engines
A system in a steam turbine for removing water droplets from the flowpath of a steam turbine that may include a groove for collecting water droplets, and a plurality of moisture removal holes originating within the groove. The groove may run in a circumferential manner around an outer sidewall of the steam turbine, be axially positioned upstream and in close proximity to the leading edge of a nozzle, and have a gradual slope at a leading edge and a steep wall at a trailing edge. The moisture removal holes may be a channel through the outer sidewall through which the water droplets that collect in the groove may flow.
US07789616B2 Rotor mechanism of centrifugal compressor
A rotor mechanism of a centrifugal compressor connectable to a power output device and configured to block leakage of lubricants and to recycle lubricants to an oil sump is provided, which includes a rotary shaft with a rolling bearing and a screw nut, a bearing housing for receiving the rolling bearing, and a bearing plate connected to the bearing housing. The screw nut has a surface provided with an oil throw seal, and the bearing housing. As the bearing plate is provided with an oil channel in contact with the oil-returning hole and either one of the bearing housing and the bearing plate is provided with a first labyrinth seal in contact with the screw nut, lubricants leaking out of the rolling bearing is allowed to go to the oil sump via the oil channel and oil-returning hole. The oil slinger thus blocks the lubricants from leaking out of the first labyrinth seal.
US07789615B2 Apparatus for combining or separating disk pairs simultaneously
A manufacturing apparatus and associated method for handling disks disposed in merged pairs in a carrier is provided, wherein spacings between adjacent pairs of the disks are greater than spacings between disks forming each pair. The apparatus includes a first disk contacting surface defining a first cavity that is sized to receivingly engage a selected one of the pairs of disks. A second disk contacting surface defines second and third cavities that are sized to receivingly engage individual disks of the selected pair of disks, wherein disks that are operably engaged in the cavities are spatially separated more adjacent the second disk contacting surface than at the first disk contacting surface.
US07789613B1 Bucket loader for small tractors and all terrain vehicles
A control apparatus for a bucket loader allows a single linear actuator to provide multiple operative functions for the bucket loader. A selector link is pivotally mounted on the back plate of loader bucket to selectively connect the back plate to the base portion of the linear actuator so that the extendable portion powers a pivoting of the bucket shell to dump material from the bucket, or connect the back plate to the extendable portion of the linear actuator to power the vertical movement of the back plate. A chain interconnects the extendable portion of the linear actuator and the pivotable bucket shell to power the pivoting of the bucket shell when the selector link is connected to the base portion. The bucket shell can be mechanically locked into an open position to allow the back plate to be utilized as a push blade.
US07789608B2 Laminated nut with tension indicator
A laminated nut with a visual indicator indicating if the nut is in a fully tightened state. The nut includes a plurality of conical disc springs enclosed in a cage. In one embodiment, a visual indicator extends axially from the upper surface of the outermost disc spring. In one embodiment, the visual indicator is retracted into the cage when the disc springs flatten as the nut is tightened. In one embodiment, the visual indicator aligns with a reference point on the cage when the nut is fully tightened. In one embodiment, the visual indicator is made more apparent by marking the visual indicator with a contrasting color.
US07789600B2 Tip dresser
A tip dresser 1 dresses electrode tips 4, 5. The tip dresser 1 is rotated around a rotation axis and includes a holder 2 configured to be rotated around a rotation axis and to have concave tapers 2c, 2d, which make the rotation axis a center, on both faces of the holder 2; and a cutter 3 configured to be fixed to the holder 2 and to be protruded to sides of the electrode tips 4, 5 from the tapers 2c, 2d only at portions of the cutter 3 more inside than outer diameters D1, D2 of the electrode tips 4, 5.
US07789599B2 Drill
A drill including a columnar body that is rotated about an axis, a cutting edge that is formed at the tip end of the body, and a thinning edge that is formed continuously with the cutting edge close to the axis of the body, by having a thinning at the tip end of the body. The thinning edge is formed such that a rake angle of the thinning edge relative to the axis of the body changes depending on a location of the thinning edge, where the rake angle of the thinning edge close to the cutting edge is a positive angle larger than that close to the axis of the body.
US07789584B2 Vehicle rear end adapter assembly
An adapter assembly for securing a rear end cover to an automobile differential housing. The adapter assembly includes an annular-shaped plate having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a thickness in a direction transverse to the inner and outer diameters, and at least two and preferably three sets of holes. A first set of holes is through the thickness of the plate and countersunk, and a second set of holes is threaded. The optional third set of holes also extend through the thickness of the plate. The assembly further includes at least two and preferably three sets of bolts. A first set of bolts is configured and sized to be received in the first set of holes so that their heads are entirely received in the countersink and their shafts protrude from the plate. A second set of bolts is configured and sized to be threaded into the second set of holes. The optional third set of bolts is configured and sized to be received in and extend entirely through the third set of holes so that their shafts protrude from the plate.
US07789580B2 Ergonomic pen with convex device for index finger exerting force thereon
An ergonomic pen having a convex device for an index finger exerting force thereon includes a first indentation proximate a tip thereof, a second indentation besides the first indentation, and an elongate member between the first and second indentations. The elongate member has a convex top surface. The first indentation is adapted to be urged by the muscle opposing the finger nail of the thumb, the second indentation is adapted to be urged by the muscle opposing the finger nail of the middle finger, and the elongate member is adapted to be urged by the muscle opposing the finger nail of the index finger, respectively, with the wrist being disposed in a relatively relaxed position in writing. Easy, labor saving writing can be effected.
US07789578B2 System for book printing and assembly using a pre-bound page block
A printing apparatus configured to print on the pages of a block of printable pages that are pre-bound by a binding along a binding-edge of each page. The pages of the block are arranged in two interconnected stacks that are joined by the flexible binding. Printing is performed on the top surfaces of each of the stacks, and then a top page is redeployed from one stack to the other. During the redeployment process, the page is turned, thereby revealing an unprinted side of the page. Since the height of each of the stacks changes each time a page is redeployed, the printing apparatus includes two height-adjustable stack support tables each associated with a corresponding one of the two stacks. The support tables are configured to adjust their height so as to maintain the planar relationship of the top surfaces of each of the stacks. After printing, the printed pages are removed separated from the unprinted pages. A book-cover is then attached to the printed pages to complete the book.
US07789574B2 Camera mount
A camera mount securely attaches to a variety of mounting surfaces and holds a motion activated camera in a desired position. The camera mount permits the camera mount to positioned as desired on the mounting the mounting bracket which has a camera plate pivotally attached thereto.
US07789573B2 Optoelectronic module
An optoelectronic module having an optoelectronic device with a contact conductor and a connection carrier with a connection area. The contact conductor is electrically conductively and/or thermally conductively connected to the connection area. A local, delimited heating region is formed on the contact conductor or the connection carrier has a cutout, which is at least partly covered by the contact conductor. A method which enables simplified and reliable production of an optoelectronic module is also described.
US07789570B2 Tapered roller bearing
A tapered roller bearing has an increased load capacity and has a decreased maximum face pressure on the raceway surfaces without lowering the rigidity of the cage. The tapered roller bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, multiple tapered rollers rollably disposed between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3, and a cage for holding the tapered rollers at predetermined circumferential intervals, wherein the roller coefficient γ thereof is larger than 0.94. Herein, γ=(the number of the rollers×the average diameter of the rollers)/(π×PCD).
US07789569B2 Rolling bearing and cage for rolling bearing
A cage includes a cage body in an annular shape which is formed with a plurality of pockets for receiving rolling elements, an oil containing member in an annular shape which is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the cage body and formed of material capable of impregnating lubricating oil, and an applying member for applying the lubricating oil in the oil containing member to an inner ring.
US07789565B2 Fluid dynamic bearing apparatus
A smooth surface of a shaft member is divided from an outer circumferential surface by a step so that its axial length dimension becomes shorter than the axial length dimension of a hydrodynamic groove region formed on the inner circumferential surface of a bearing sleeve, whereby the hydrodynamic groove regions excluding lower portions of a land between hydrodynamic grooves oppose the smooth surface.
US07789564B2 Linear roller bearing
A linear rolling bearing, which has a guide carriage that is mounted by rolling bearings on a guide rail, and which has a scraper arranged at least one end side of the guide carriage for scraping foreign objects such as chips, dust and cooling liquids from the guide rail. The scraper is in scraping contact, by its scraping system, preferably by a sealing lip or sealing edge, with the guide rail. The scraper has a first stop for abutment against the guide rail, with the abutment of the first stop indicating an impermissible position of the scraper on the guide rail.
US07789563B2 Valve gear
A bag evacuation valve mechanism which can be used with suction devices having suction nozzles of different diameters and does not damage tightly closed bag stacked thereon to form a flat and stable shape of packing. A suction connector attached to the outer surface of a bag having a hole formed therein, and having a vent formed in its center has a generally flat shape, and a valve base on the inner surface of the bag has a recessed shape in cross-section. Such a valve mechanism can be used with suction devices having different nozzle diameters by placing the nozzle in contact with the suction connector to covering its vent, and as it has no projection on the outer side of a tightly closed bag, it does not damage any other, for example, tightly closed bag stacked on its outside or placed adjacent to it.
US07789558B2 Thermal sensing circuit using bandgap voltage reference generators without trimming circuitry
Methods, systems and thermal sensing apparatus are provided that use bandgap voltage reference generators that do not use trimming circuitry. Further, circuits, systems, and methods in accordance with the present invention are provided that do not use large amounts of chip real estate and do not require a separate thermal sensing element.
US07789557B2 Superconducting radiometry apparatus
A superconducting radiometry apparatus has a micro-calorie meter that detects an energy of a radiant ray as a temperature change. A signal detection mechanism detects an electric current flowing to the micro-calorie meter. A heat addition device adds a quantity of heat to the micro-calorie meter. A peak value monitor measures, in synchronization with the addition of the quantity of heat to the micro-calorie meter, a peak value of an output voltage corresponding to an output signal from the signal detection mechanism. An energy correction device corrects, on the basis of an output from the peak value monitor, an energy value so as to become a peak value corresponding to the quantity of heat added to the micro-calorie meter.
US07789556B2 Thermally compensated dual-probe fluorescence decay rate temperature sensor and method of use
The present invention provides a dual-probe thermally compensated fluorescence decay rate temperature sensor capable of measuring the true temperature of a sample surface and its associated method of use.
US07789550B2 Method of combining materials
A method for combining materials (such as impregnating materials with functional materials) uses a combination of supercritical fluid technology and polymer melt processing technology. The functional material is soluble in a near supercritical or supercritical fluid, which dissolves in the matrix/bulk material during melt processing. Controlling the processing conditions facilitates a change of state for the fluid, which results in the precipitation of the functional material in the bulk material. The impregnated bulk material may be shaped using conventional polymer based processing techniques such as extrusion and injection moulding.
US07789548B2 Optical diffusion module having convex and concave portions arranged in a two dimensional array
An optical diffusion structure includes an optical diffusion structure comprising a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions. Each convex portion is adjacent to a plurality of concave portions and each concave portion is adjacent to a plurality of convex portions. The convex portions, the concave portions and each junction of the convex and concave portions have a curvature different from 0. The optical diffusion structure further includes a diffusion plate having a first surface, wherein the optical diffusion structure is formed on the first surface, and the convex portions are arranged in a two dimensional array along a first direction and a second direction, and the concave portions are arranged in a two dimensional array along a third direction and a fourth direction.
US07789541B2 Method and system for lamp temperature control in optical metrology
A method and system are provided for lamp temperature control for optical metrology. Precise control of the lamp temperature provides the improved signal-to-noise ratios required for accurately determining the profile of nanometer sized structures using optical metrology.
US07789537B2 LED
An LED (10) includes a chip with a light-emitting surface (140) and an encapsulation on the chip. The encapsulation has a light output surface (110) facing the light-emitting surface of the chip and has a convex surface (112) surrounding a concave surface (114). A portion of light (30) emitted by the light-emitting surface is refracted divergently via the concave surface to a predetermined area above and around the concave surface, and another portion of light (40) emitted by the light-emitting surface is refracted convergently via the convex surface to the predetermined area.
US07789535B2 Light source device with high heat-dissipation efficiency
A light source device includes a circuit board, a solid state lighting element, and a hollow cylindrical metal reflector. The circuit board has a circuit layer formed thereon. The solid state lighting element is placed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit layer. The hollow cylindrical metal reflector is placed on the circuit board and insulated from the circuit layer. An inner surface of the reflector surrounds the solid state lighting element to reflect and direct light from the solid state lighting element towards an opposite side of the reflector to the solid state lighting element.
US07789533B2 Lamp support linearly and anguarly adjustable about orthohonal directions
A light fixture comprising a lamp assembly including a socket and a light source extending along a light fixture axial direction from one side of the socket. The light source is placed in a reflector such that light emitted by the light source is reflected by the reflector in the axial direction. The socket is supported by an inner ring which is supported by a middle ring and the middle ring is supporting by an outer ring. The inner ring is tiltable about a first axis that is orthogonal to the axial direction for tilting the light source, the middle ring is tiltable about a second axis that is orthogonal to both the axial direction and the first axis for tilting the inner ring, and the middle ring being movable with respect to the outer ring in the axial direction.
US07789528B2 Outdoor LED lamp having a protective cover
An outdoor LED lamp includes an LED lamp and a cover mounted on the LED lamp and covering a heat sink of the LED lamp therein. The LED lamp includes a bracket, the heat sink mounted on a top side of the bracket, and a plurality of LED modules mounted on a bottom surface of the heat sink. The cover is a bended metal sheet. The cover includes a covering portion located over a top of the heat sink and a baffling portion extending slantwise downwardly from an end of the covering portion. Height of the covering portion is decreased from a central portion to opposite lateral portions of the covering portion. Slits are defined in the covering portion. Downwardly opened slots are defined in the baffling portion. The cover is used for preventing snow, leaves or dust from accumulating on the heat sink.
US07789527B2 Backlight device and color liquid crystal display
Disclosed is a backlight device which is used for a color liquid crystal display and includes a light source and a backlight housing (23). The light source includes a red light emitting diode (21R), radiating red light, having a peak wavelength λpr such that 625 nm≦λpr≦685 nm, a green light emitting diode (21G), radiating green light, having a peak wavelength λpg such that 505 nm≦λpg≦540 nm, and a blue light emitting diode (21B), radiating blue light, having a peak wavelength λpb such that 420 nm≦λpb≦465 nm. The backlight housing mixes the red light, the green light and the blue light, radiated from the light source, to generate white light. A light emission intensity is adjusted so that a half value width of a spectrum of the red light, a half value width of a spectrum of the green light and a half value width of a spectrum of the blue light are such that 20 nm≦hwr≦25 nm, 30 nm≦hwg≦40 nm and 25 nm≦hwb≦30 nm, respectively.
US07789523B2 Receptacle positioned rechargeable flashlight
A plug-in rechargeable flashlight that may be inserted into a conventional cigarette lighter or battery power source receptacle found in an automobile, airplane, boat or other vehicle. The flashlight has light emitting diodes as the primary light source located on the end of the flashlight which is insertable into the power receptacle concealing the light source. When the flashlight is plugged into the receptacle the primary light source is extinguished. The flashlight is further provided with an electrical output connection at the opposite end of the primary light source allowing the flashlight to serve as a replacement socket for the power receptacle consumed by the flashlight. The replacement socket provides an electrical connection for receipt of additional powered accessories, or limited in use to pre-selected items such as a USB port, AC port, backlighting, and so forth. The ports may be further isolated such as having a removable USB port that allows use of the powered receptacle in the normal manner or modified for use with USB ports by insertion of the removable USB port.
US07789522B2 Lighting device with a wallwash reflector assembly
A wallwash reflector assembly includes a downlight body mounted within a wallwash body, the wallwash body being of multi-piece construction including an active body having an upper wallwash reflector for illuminating a first portion of a wall and a wallside body having a lower wallwash reflector for illuminating for a second portion of the wall. The upper and lower wallwash reflectors are optically optimized to provide a smooth, imperceptible transition between the illumination provided to the wall by the upper wallwash reflector and the illumination provided to the wall by the lower wallwash reflector.
US07789519B2 Illuminated display window for LED and/or LC displays
A display window is particularly suited for LED and/or LC displays. The display window includes a lighting device and a microstructure for illuminating the display window. The microstructure is disposed on the side of the display window facing the display.
US07789518B2 Imaging system and projection apparatus having light beam modulation module
An imaging system suitable for projecting an image beam provided by a light valve unto a screen is provided. The imaging system includes a projection lens and a light beam modulation module. The projection lens is disposed on an optical path of the image beam, so as to project the image beam unto the screen. The light beam modulation module comprising a fixed light shutter and a movable light shutter is disposed between the projection lens and the light valve. The fixed light shutter is disposed on the optical path of the image beam so as to shield off a portion of the circumferential light of the image beam. The movable light shutter is suitable for moving into the optical path of the image beam to shield off another portion of the circumferential light of the image beam.
US07789510B2 System and method for improving the peripheral vision of a subject
Systems and methods for improving the peripheral vision of a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method, which may be embodied on a system, for improving peripheral vision of a subject using a visual marker on a display screen, the method includes, displaying a peripheral target on the display screen, the peripheral target having a visually discernable characteristic and determining whether the subject is able to correctly identify the peripheral target displayed on the display screen using the peripheral vision. The visual marker is intended for viewing using central vision of the subject and the peripheral target is intended for identification using the peripheral vision of the subject.
US07789507B2 Facilitating release of silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses
This invention includes methods and systems for processing hydrogel biomedical devices, such as ophthalmic lenses using polyethylene glycol to facilitate release of the devices from a mold part.
US07789505B2 Roll for charging belt for inkjet recording and inkjet recording apparatus
The present invention provides a roll for charging a belt for inkjet recording, in which the roll has a surface layer including a fluororesin and having a nip resistance of 104 to 108 Ω at 23° C. and 55% RH formed on a roll having an underlayer formed on the outer peripheral surface of a metal core material, and an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with the roll for charging a belt for inkjet recording.
US07789503B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
The image forming apparatus, comprises: a plurality of ejection heads which eject liquid containing, a first ultraviolet curing initiator having spectral absorption characteristics at least in a first wavelength range, a second ultraviolet curing initiator which has spectral absorption characteristics at least in a second wavelength range being on a shorter wavelength side from the first wavelength range and has no spectral absorption characteristics in the first wavelength range, an ultraviolet-polymerizable compound, and a coloring material, onto a medium; a semi-curing device which radiates, at least once, ultraviolet light having at least a wavelength which is in the first wavelength range and which is on a longer wavelength side from the second wavelength range, onto dots formed by the liquid ejected from the ejection heads onto the medium; an intermediate processing device which performs intermediate processing of an image formed on the medium by the dots; and a main curing device which radiates ultraviolet light having at least a wavelength in the second wavelength range, onto the image which has undergone intermediate processing by the intermediate processing device.
US07789493B2 Method for manufacturing piezoelectric ink-jet printhead
A piezoelectric ink-jet printhead and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein the piezoelectric ink-jet printhead is formed by stacking three monocrystalline silicon substrates on one another and adhering them to one another. The three substrates include an upper substrate, through which an ink supply hole is formed and a pressure chamber is formed on a bottom surface thereof; an intermediate substrate, in which an ink reservoir and a damper are formed; and a lower substrate, in which a nozzle is formed. A piezoelectric actuator is monolithically formed on the upper substrate. A restrictor, which connects the ink reservoir to the pressure chamber in flow communication, may be formed on the upper substrate or intermediate substrate.
US07789491B2 Inkjet head and method of manufacturing inkjet head
In a method of manufacturing an inkjet head having head chip 1, including driving walls 13 composed of piezoelectric element and channels 14 arranged alongside alternatively, an outlet port and an inlet port provided on front and rear surfaces respectively for each channel, and driving electrode 15 to apply drive voltage to driving wall 13 formed inside the channel, jets ink in channel 14 from a nozzle by causing shear deformation to driving wall 13 by applying voltage to electrode 15, wherein the groove is cut on the rear surface of the head chip across a channel array substantially parallel so as to cut away a portion of the driving walls 13 to a predetermined depth.
US07789489B2 Print head and image forming apparatus including the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a print head that is usable in a horizontal printer, that is small in size, that is superior in mass production, that can easily perform discharge control, that is excellent in reliability, and that is excellent in practicality to be writable in a state in which a recording medium is not bent. The print head has a discharge control unit. The discharge control unit includes a heating mechanism and a discharge portion. The heating mechanism includes a heat generation portion provided with a heat generation body and a driver IC that controls heat generation of the heat generation body. The discharge portion includes a discharge electrode disposed in accordance with the heat generation body. In the discharge control unit, the heat generation portion and the discharge portion are insulated from each other.
US07789488B2 Flexible wiring board and liquid discharge head
In an ink jet recording head including a flexible wiring board, the flexible wiring board has a thickness reduction part formed by reducing a film thickness of a part of the base film. The thickness reduction part is configured to alleviate stress applied to inner leads by a base film in the periphery of a device hole, so as to avoid the failure of bonding or the like caused by the inner leads of the flexible wiring board, on which a recording element substrate is installed.
US07789485B2 Printhead assembly having laminated ink and air distribution structure
A printhead assembly is provided having a pagewidth inkjet printhead and an ink distribution system. The ink distribution system has a longitudinal distribution housing having ducts extending longitudinally therealong which each correspond to a different ink, a longitudinal cover cooperating with the housing and having ink inlet ports which each correspond to, and are in fluid communication with, one of the ducts and being, and a laminated ink distribution structure fixed to the housing for distributing ink from the ducts to the printhead. The distribution structure includes multiple layers positioned one upon another with at least one of the layers having ink holes therethrough. Each ink hole conveys ink from one of the ducts en route to the printhead. At least some of the layers has an array of aligned air holes therethrough.
US07789483B2 Carriage driving unit and image recording apparatus
A carriage driving unit comprises a carriage, an timing belt, an timing belt, which is jointed to the carriage, looped around between a driving pulley attached to a driving shaft of a motor and a driven pulley attached to a driven shaft, a frame for rotatably supporting said driving shaft in a cantilever manner and a regulating projection for regulating the timing belt from displacing in a direction closer to said frame with respect to said driving pulley.
US07789468B2 Bit holder usable in bit blocks having either of a cylindrical or non-locking taper bore
A bit holder for use in a bit assembly in road milling, mining and trenching equipment has a hollow generally cylindrical shank and first and second elongate slots positioned in spaced axial relation through the shank. The first slot extends along the shank to the distal end thereof. The second slot may be altered in length and/or shape to fine tune the outward radial force the shank exerts against the bore of a bit block into which it is inserted.
US07789464B2 Fitting for a vehicle seat
The invention relates to a fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, more particularly for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) that is in geared connection with the first fitting part (11), an eccentric (27a, 27b; 127; 327) that is rotatably mounted on the fitting parts (11, 12), for driving a rolling movement of the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12), a driver (21) for driving the eccentric (27a, 27b; 127; 327) and a brake for locking the fitting (10) against torque introduced at the output side in the rest state, with at least one wrap-spring brake (44) being provided as the brake, and the brake being acted upon by the driver (21) and the eccentric (27a, 27b; 127; 327).
US07789462B2 Child restraint lower anchorage for a motor vehicle seat
The invention is a lower anchorage system to be used with a child restraint in a motor vehicle. The lower anchorage system has a trim assembly that attaches to an anchorage bar that in turn is affixed to an anchorage support. The trim assembly includes a trim apparatus that fits within an anchorage box. Both the anchorage box and the trim apparatus engage to the anchorage bar.
US07789455B2 Deformable pull cup arrangement and method of assembly
A pull cup in a vehicle door is fitted to a door trim panel substrate and is connected to the door inner sheet metal panel of the vehicle door by way of a bracket or by one of a pair of inner and outer support brackets. The pull cup is provided with a bending initiator feature which is positioned a trigger area formed in the door trim panel substrate. In the event that a horizontal force is applied to the vehicle door, the vehicle inward movement of the door inner sheet metal panel causes the pull cup to be pushed upward. The bending initiator feature pushes on the trigger area causing the door trim panel substrate to buckle, thus substantially preventing vehicle inward movement of the door trim panel substrate during the impact event. The bending initiator feature also reduces the lateral stiffness of the door trim sub-system.
US07789453B2 Trailer keel
A trailer fairing for reducing aerodynamic drag from trailer landing gear and/or wheel assembly is disclosed. The fairing may be directly connected to the forward facing structural supports of the landing gear, and an air tank may be located between the fairing and the cargo storage area. A single fairing may be used to reduce the drag from both the trailer landing gear and wheel assembly. The fairing may include a tapered front section and/or a rear section. The fairing may have rounded, oval, angled, and/or tapered sections. A plurality of fairings may also be used.
US07789451B2 Window screen for vehicles
A ventilation device for use with vehicle windows is provided. This device includes an adjustable frame mountable within a vehicle window; an insert mountable within the frame; and an adapter, wherein adapter is attachable to the frame and further includes a plurality of score lines formed therein for facilitating changing the dimensions of the adapter, if necessary, based on the dimensions of the window opening in which the device is being used.
US07789450B2 Vehicle window assembly
A flush-flush horizontal vehicle window assembly is provided that includes a sliding panel with guide pins, formed with a load-bearing shoulder, on sliding panel corners, and a frame defining a window opening. The frame is attached to two fixed panels. Upper/lower tracks are attached above/below the window opening. Each track has a leading and a trailing guide path formed through a surface of the respective tracks, where the pins partially project into the guide paths and where load-bearing shoulder surfaces smoothly and reliably slide on the track surfaces. Each leading guide path is “S” shaped and each trailing guide path is shaped in a perpendicular manner at one end, which causes the sliding panel to smoothly enter and seal the window opening in a flush manner. An aesthetically pleasing flush-flush slider results when the sliding panel is in the plane of the window opening and further in the plane of the outer vehicle body panel.
US07789448B1 Retractable tarp support system
A retractable tarp support system for supporting a container covering is provided. The tarp support system comprises two halves and each half has a plurality of bows attached to a container that extend inwardly toward the center of the container. The bows are pivotally joined together by a crossbar extending along the end of the bars. A positioning device attached to one of the bows allows the tarp support system to move from an inwardly extended position outward to a retracted position near the sides of the container.
US07789442B2 Disc gripping device
A disc gripping device is configured for gripping a disc by inserting at least three gripping members into a center hole of a disc and expanding at least one of the gripping members in a radial direction to push an inner circumferential face of the center hole. The at least three gripping members include a first gripping member having a disc contacting face for contacting the inner circumferential face of the center hole, a length of the disc contacting face being greater than a thickness of the inner circumferential face of the center hole; a second gripping member having a disc contacting face for contacting the inner circumferential face of the center hole, a length of the disc contacting face being equal to or smaller than the thickness of the inner circumferential face of the center hole, and a third gripping member having a disc contacting face for contacting the inner circumferential face of the center hole.
US07789440B2 Motor vehicle door lock
Vehicle door latch, in which the catch comprises a casing made of sound-proofing material, the casing containing a buffer pocket, situated behind the primary position in clockwise direction and the buffer pocket being stretched around up to the area of the primary position, forming an overtravel stop cooperating with the pawl.
US07789436B2 Collar for joining two pipes comprising one respective connecting neck
A sleeve for joining two pipes (4, 5), each configured with an end flange (2, 3), comprises a base plate (6) with a pipe receiving aperture (7) that is open on one side and is designed to receive a first pipe (4), two side walls (9, 10), and two cover plates (11, 12) between which a second pipe (5) can be interposed. Also present is a spring arm (13), which is connected to one side wall (10) and extends in the direction of the opposite side wall (9) and is able to pivot resiliently toward and away from the base plate (6) within a flexion zone (15). Configured on the spring arm (13) are an engaging claw (16) that extends in the direction of the base plate (6) and is configured to engage in a locking recess (17) introduced into at least one end flange, and a releasing element that extends away from the base plate (6). The pipes can thus be disconnected with relative ease.
US07789435B2 Beveled insert for facilitating coupling pipes
An annular beveled insert for enhancing the insertion of a plain end of a pipe into a mating belled end of a pipe, the insert including an annular main body portion having a substantially flat surface and a beveled opposed surface. The annular main body portion has inner and outer diameters approximately equal to inner and outer diameters, respectively, of the plain end of the pipe. An outwardly directed flange extends from the annular main body portion around a periphery and has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the plain end of the pipe. The flange is sufficiently flexible so that it bends into an angle of approximately ninety degrees with the flat surface of the annular main body portion and aids the main body portion in masking the plain end of the pipe as it passes through the annular gasket.
US07789432B2 Lockable and positionable swivel fitting
A coupling that can be easily and repeatedly rotationally adjusted after assembly and/or installation. The coupling can comprise a male part insertable into a female part to a first position whereat the male part is rotationally locked with respect to the female part. Upon further insertion of the male part into the female part to a second position, the male part is rotationally unlocked from the female part and the male part then can be rotated relative to the female part. Once rotational adjustment is complete, the male part can be returned to the locked position to rotationally lock the coupling.
US07789430B2 Easel pad
An easel pad having a ledge for supporting an instrument, such as a marker, or a separate smaller notepad in the cover of the easel pad.
US07789427B2 Chassis frame of a motor vehicle
A chassis frame (10) uses channels as right and left side rails (12, 14). A lower “clam” (22) has a horizontal bottom wall (26L) that bridges the side rails and is disposed against bottom flanges (20R, 20L) of the side rail channels and vertical side flanges (28L, 30L) that extend from opposite sides of the bottom wall upward and against a face of a respective one of vertical walls (16R, 16L) of the channels that is exterior to the interior of the respective channel. An upper “clam” (24) is a mirror image of the lower “clam” and fits over the side rails. Spacer structure (30, 31, 38A, 38B, 40A, 40B) is disposed between and in abutment with the side rail channels and between and in abutment with the “clams” in inwardly spaced relation to the side rail channels. Fasteners (48, 50, 56, 62) fasten various parts together to complete the cross member that is formed by the “clams” and the spacer structure.
US07789426B2 Trailer stabilizing device and method of using same
An apparatus for stabilizing a stationary trailer with an adjustable length leg member. The apparatus comprises a ground engaging base plate which is attached to the end of the adjustable length leg member and has attachment means for one or more stabilizing members. The first end of the stabilizing member attaches to the ground engaging base plate and the second end of the stabilizing member attaches to an attachment member depending from the trailer. The attachment member is adapted to slidably receive the second end of the stabilizing member and comprises locking means for engaging the stabilizing member and locking the stabilizing member with respect to the attachment member.
US07789419B2 Vehicle seat assembly with two-part, clipped air bag guide retainer
In at least certain embodiments, the vehicle seat assembly comprises an air bag guide including a first inner panel, a second inner panel, and an outer panel, with each of the panels being made of flexible material and having forward and rearward extremities, and a rigid plastic connector assembly for releasably securing the first and second inner panels to each other adjacent the air bag assembly, with the rigid connector comprising at least two releasably connected members, and with at least one of the connected members having at least one stop for inhibiting relative lateral movement of the connected members.
US07789409B2 Aerodynamic fork mast structure
A front fork for a bicycle having an upwardly extending mast of an aerodynamic teardrop shape to which a handlebar may readily be attached.
US07789408B2 Suspension arrangement for rear castered wheels on a work machine
A suspension arrangement for a work machine includes a frame and a rear axle rigidly carried by and substantially immovable relative to the frame. The suspension arrangement includes a caster wheel assembly having a shaft, a wheel arm, a suspension and a caster wheel. The shaft is pivotably couplable with an outboard end of the rear axle. The caster wheel is coupled with a lower end of the wheel arm. The suspension is in the form of a torsion spring including an outer tube, an inner member, and a plurality of elastomeric members interposed between the outer tube and the inner member. The outer tube is coupled with the shaft, and the inner member is coupled with an upper end of the wheel arm.
US07789405B2 Linkage-type air suspension system
A linkage-type air suspension system for supporting either a front steer axle or a rear drive axle includes a lower structure assembly which combines the lower control rods, a transverse rod and a stabilizer control system which functions as a single structure. The transverse control system includes a pair of lower beams which have one end thereof pivotally connected to mounting brackets secured to the frame members of the vehicle by pivot bearings. The other ends of the lower beams are pivotally connected to axle and wheel supports. A transverse control is secured to and extends between the lower beams.
US07789403B2 Vanity cart with mirror
A lightweight vanity cart with a mirror mounted on the top that can pivot from a closed to an open position. The mirror can be illuminated with a light strip. The vanity cart provides receptacles, drawers and racks for organizing and storing hair styling tools and personal care items, including cosmetics, hair styling products, lotions, cleansers, applicators, brushes, etc. The vanity cart, which is mounted on wheels, is easily moved from place to place. It provides electrical receptacles for plugging in the cords of electrical styling tools. A master power cord, which supplies electricity to the receptacles, is plugged into a wall receptacle.
US07789398B2 Hydraulic system for a vehicle suspension
A hydraulic system for a vehicle suspension for a vehicle, the vehicle including a vehicle body and at least two forward and two rearward wheel assemblies, the vehicle suspension including front and rear resilient vehicle support means between the vehicle body and the wheel assemblies for resiliently supporting the vehicle above the wheel assemblies, the hydraulic system including: at least two front (11, 12) and two rear (13, 14) wheel rams respectively located between the wheel assemblies and the vehicle body, each ram (11 to 14) including at least a compression chamber (45 to 48) and a rebound chamber (49 to 52); wherein the compression chamber (45, 46) and rebound chamber (49, 50) of each said front wheel ram (11, 12) is in fluid communication with the rebound chamber (47, 48) and compression chamber (51, 52) respectively of a diagonally opposed said rear wheel ram (13, 14) to respectively provide two fluid circuits, each fluid circuit providing a front and back compression volume therein, the front compression volume of each said fluid circuit being in fluid communication with the back compression volume of the other said fluid conduit, and wherein damping means (53 to 56, 71, 72) are provided for damping fluid flow within each compression volume and between the front and back compression volumes such that suspension parameters provided by the hydraulic system, including roll stiffness, roll damping, pitch damping and heave damping, can be independently tuned from each other.
US07789391B2 Cube insertion game
A game comprises a frame and 82 cubical playing pieces, or playing cubes, 81 of which cubes are removably retained in the frame. For playing purposes, the playing cubes are divided into 3 groups: 27 scoring cubes, 54 blank cubes, and 1 pilot cube. During play cubes are inserted into the frame, forcing another cube to be ejected from the opposite side of the frame. A score is tallied for a player when a scoring cube is ejected from the frame.
US07789390B2 Virtual goal for a game table
A game table for playing a game with a gamepiece includes a playing surface and the gamepiece is movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces. A first endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and has a first wall length. A second endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and is located on an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall. A first goal, comprised of at least one proximity sensor, is located along the first endwall and has a first goal length. The first goal length is adjustable.
US07789389B2 Media dispenser and method for rejecting media
A media dispenser has a delivery module for feeding media, a stacking module for stacking the media, which are fed through the delivery module, on a stacking plate, and a delivery clamp module for clamping the media stacked on the stacking module and delivering the clamped media to the customer, and for feeding the media, which the customer did not take out, to the stacking plate. A path through which the media clamped by the delivery clamp module are fed to a reject box is opened by moving the stacking plate of the stacking module. The method comprises the steps of returning the media onto the stacking plate by a clamp assembly, opening a reject slot by allowing a driving plate to be moved by a driving source and the stacking plate to be moved together with the driving plate, and dropping the media as the clamp assembly unclamps the media through the opened reject slot.
US07789386B2 Sheet transporting apparatus
A sheet transporting apparatus that can realize a jam disposal mechanism with simple structure and that can achieve size reduction has a manual operation unit that is fitted coaxially with a roller shaft of an upstream-side transport roller or with a roller shaft of a downstream-side transport roller and that, when rotated in a state where drive motors are stationary, makes the upstream-side transport roller shaft and the downstream-side transport roller shaft rotate.
US07789379B2 Solid surface clamp
A solid surface clamp is provided. The solid surface clamp has a top jaw and a bottom jaw. A connecting rod is attached to one of the jaws, and slideably extends through the other jaw. Alignment surfaces may be incorporated into the jaws to assist in accurately positioning the material to be laminated. A compression device is connected to the portion of the connecting rod that extends through the jaw. A shroud shields the compression device, thereby protecting the compression device from contamination by the laminating adhesive. An elongated stiffening member may be used to apply the clamping force over a longer surface, allowing for greater spacing between clamps and extended regions of even clamping pressure.
US07789377B2 Fence post cap assembly
A fence post cap assembly is provided, the assembly comprises a first cap member designed to attach onto a fence post; a second cap member having a circumference larger than the first cap member, the second cap member is designed to fit over the first cap member, the second cap member having at least two apertures; and a loop member having a rounded portion leading to two arms with opposing ends, during an installed position, each of the ends are designed to fit within the apertures of the second cap member while the second cap member is placed over the first cap member thereby locking the loop member and the second cap member onto the first cap member.
US07789368B2 Seat slide locking device for a vehicle
A seat slide device for a vehicle capable of preventing generation of noise includes lower rails, upper rails, lock mechanisms, release levers, and stoppers. Each lock mechanism includes a plurality of lock holes provided on the lower rail and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail and a lock lever provided on the upper rail to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail for engagement with and disengagement from the lock holes. Further, each release lever pivots the lock lever to release the engagement of the lock holes with the lock lever, and each stopper restricts the position at which the release lever remains separated from the lock lever. At least contact portions of the release lever with the lock lever and the stopper are provided with a coating layer made of a resin.
US07789367B2 Tilt angle adjusting device with a shaft and a moment transmission member, and projector including the device
A tilt angle adjusting device has a shaft configured to be fixed to a bottom surface of a housing at least one end, and a moment transmission member connected to the shaft. The moment transmission member allows relative rotation between the shaft and the moment transmission member when a moment equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied about an axis of the shaft from the housing, and restricts the relative rotation when the moment is released. The moment transmission member includes a leg configured to be placed on a surface on which the housing is installed. The leg is provided with part of a bearing to support the shaft. The moment transmission member also includes a plate member to press an outer peripheral surface of the shaft. The plate member forms the rest of the bearing.
US07789362B2 Stand for image display device
A stand for an image display device includes a supporting member that can support an image display device, a rear base is rotatably connected to the supporting member, and a front base that is connected to the rear base. The front base is rotatable with respect to the rear base in the same direction as the rear base is rotatable with respect to the supporting member such that the front base is foldable to a rear side of the image display device.
US07789357B2 Rotationally fixed releasable connection between a functional component and a connecting part
In a releasable rotationally fixed mechanical connection between a functional part and a connecting part of which one is provided with a receiver neck and the other with an insertion element adapted to be snugly received in the receiver neck, an intermediate wedge member provided with slightly conical outer surface areas is disposed on the insertion element for reception in the receiver neck which has cooperating inner surfaces with which the wedge member is pressed into firm engagement by a collar disposed on the insertion element which is threaded onto the receiver neck.
US07789353B2 Rotohammer support and actuation device
A device for the support and linear movement of a rotohammer. The device includes an elongated shaft, pole or rail having a first end, and a second end, the latter proximate to an object to be drilled and having a longitudinal axis. An L-shaped bracket is provided having a first leg slidably mounted on the elongated shaft, pole or rail along its longitudinal axis and a second leg projecting perpendicularly from the first leg, the L-shaped bracket being sized to receive and support the rotohammer. A handle is pivotable on the elongated shaft, pole or rail and a linkage bridging the handle and L-shaped bracket is movable by movement of the handle such that in moving the handle from a first at rest position to a second position, the L-shaped bracket is caused to move along the elongated shaft, pole or rail toward its second end for extending the rotohammer in the direction of the object to be drilled.
US07789350B2 Cable management apparatus
A cable management apparatus (CMA) is attached to a slide assembly. The slide assembly includes a stationary rail secured to an electronic equipment rack and a slidable rail slidably engaged with the stationary rail, the CMA includes a pair of holding arms, a connecting member, a first mounting assembly, and a second mounting assembly. The connecting member is capable of foldably connecting the two holding arms. The first mounting assembly includes a first mounting bracket and a first locking member attached to the first mounting bracket. The second mounting assembly includes a second mounting bracket and a second locking member attached to the second mounting bracket. The first mounting bracket is pivotally engaged with one of the holding arms and capable of being retained to the slidable rail by the first locking member. The second mounting bracket is pivotally engaged with the other holding arm and capable of being retained to the stationary rail by the second locking member.
US07789347B2 Device for articulating a door of a nacelle of an aircraft and nacelle provided with said articulation device
An articulation device connects a door (46) of an aircraft nacelle (30), the nacelle (30) including an external wall called a fairing including at least one opening (44) adapted to be closed by at least the door (46). The articulation device includes at least one arm (56) connected by a first pivotal axle (58) to the nacelle (30) and by a second pivotal axle (60) to the door (46), the two pivotal axles (58, 60) being substantially parallel.
US07789346B2 Cabin air supply apparatus with filtered air
A method and apparatus for distributing air. The apparatus includes an air distribution vent that distributes air into a compartment, wherein the distribution of air into the compartment causes compartment air from the compartment to be drawn from the compartment. The apparatus also includes a contaminant removal system, wherein compartment air drawn from the compartment is processed to remove contaminants before being distributed back into the compartment by the air distribution vent.
US07789338B2 Winding rod for winding reels of weblike material, and machine that uses said rod
The rod (A) for winding reels of weblike material includes a cylindrical surface for winding of the weblike material, on which members (P) for engagement of an initial portion of the weblike material to be wound.
US07789335B2 Drag system for a reel
A drag system for a spinning reel comprised of a spool assembly 10, a drag washer assembly 12, and a drag knob assembly 14 that interact to create specific drag performance characteristics.
US07789334B2 Shredding machine and shredding method
In order to finely crush a shredable object, two rotational shafts for supporting cutting blades are provided in parallel in the transverse direction inside a shredder main body. The cutting blades that are provided with a plurality of cutting portions protruding from outer peripheral thereof are disposed in the shaft direction of the two rotational shafts so that these cutting portions engage with each other. A throw-in port for a shredable object is provided in one end portion of the rotational shafts in an upper portion of the shredder main body in the shaft direction. A discharge port for the shredable object is provided in the other end portion of the rotational shafts in a lower portion of this shredder main body in the shaft direction. Transverse feeding members for forwarding the shredable object that is thrown into the throw-in port and crushed by the cutting blades, to a discharge port side is provided and, thereby shredding the shredable object for a plurality of times inside the shredder main body.
US07789332B2 Method for controlling oxygen when separating minerals from a slurry
The invention relates to a method for controlling the partial pressure of oxygen when mutually separating minerals in the different process steps of the separation process. In order to control the partial pressure of oxygen, the gases fed in the different process steps are recirculated in an essentially closed gas circulation created around the equipment used in the different process steps, so that the gas recirculation is controlled by measuring the potential of the slurry containing valuable minerals.
US07789326B2 Handheld showerhead with mode control and method of selecting a handheld showerhead mode
A handheld showerhead with a showerhead portion and a handle portion. The showerhead portion may include at least two fluid channels. The handle portion may be operatively associated with the shower portion. The handle portion may include at least one fluid inlet or fluid passage. The handle portion may further include a movable mode selector. Movement of the mode selector may selectively place the fluid inlet or fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the two fluid channels in the showerhead portion.
US07789322B2 Fuel injection valve
A fuel injection valve includes a main body having a nozzle hole and a compression chamber. The main body accommodates a compression unit for pressurizing fuel accumulated in the compression chamber. The fuel injection valve further includes a valve element being axially movable in the main body. The valve element includes a valve portion and a pressure-receiving portion. The valve portion is movable in an opening direction to open the nozzle hole in response to pressure of fuel being pressurized by the compression unit and applied to the pressure-receiving portion. A regulating unit is provided in the compression chamber for regulating movement of the valve element with respect to the opening direction.
US07789321B2 Wireless sprinkler control
The present invention provides a system and method to control the flow duration and the flow rate of each individual sprinkler head wirelessly in each zone of an automatic sprinkler system. The system comprises a plurality of sensors, preferably wireless, to control the sprinkler heads, either directly or through a controller. The system enables precise control over irrigation times for the areas covered by each sprinkler head. The system also enables each sprinkler head to control its on/off and duration decisions based on receiving data from a sensor within an irrigation zone of an automatic sprinkler system.
US07789318B2 Wall mounted domestic combined heat and power appliance
A wall mounted domestic combined heat and power appliance comprising housing (1) containing a prime mover to generate electrical power and heat output. At least one bracket (2) at each side of the housing mounts the housing to a wall (W). Each bracket comprises a main body which is elongate in a vertical direction and has a L-shape cross section. Each extremity of the L-shape cross section has an enlarged portion (22, 23), a first (23) of which provides a spacer between the main body and the housing, and a second (22) of which provides a spacer between the main body and the wall.
US07789315B2 Securing RFID encoded content contained in RFID tags that are embedded in optical media based upon a spin rate of the optical media
The present invention discloses a solution for protecting RFID encoded content based upon a spin rate of a media within which an RFID tag containing the content is embedded. The solution can include a step of securing tag encoded content stored on an RFID tag embedded in an optical media. A spin rate the optical media can be determined. The tag encoded content can be selectively unprotected when the detected spin rate is approximately equal to a previously established rate or is between a previously established range of values. The spin rate can be based upon a rotational velocity of the optical media and/or a rotational acceleration of the optical media.
US07789313B2 Fully simultaneous information on variations in status for an object with a dual interface
An intelligent portable object has a dual interface and is equipped with a chip and is suitable for communicating with at least one electronic data transmission terminal via a contact interface according to standard ISO7816.3 and likewise without contact via a contactless interface and according to another contactless standard; a transition causing a variation of at least one status for the object. At least one information step, for example in real time, of the chip restituting variations in status, with at least a logical phase forming a supply controller, which ensure a configuration/information allowing a fully simultaneous functioning of applications resorting to the contact and/or contactless interface.
US07789310B2 Media identification
A media includes a set of adjacent edges of material and a segment along only a portion of the set of edges. The segment has a first identifiable end and a second identifiable end.
US07789309B2 Automatic digital video-imaging based code symbol reading system employing illumination and imaging subsystems controlled within a control loop maintained as long as a code symbol has not been successfully read and the object is detected in the field of view of the system
An automatic digital video-imaging based code symbol reading system for use in point of sale (POS) environments, employing automatic object motion detection and illumination control, and digital video-imaging based code symbol reading techniques, which ensures the reliable reading of code symbols graphically represented in digital images, in high-throughput point-of-sale and other environments, while providing the versatility required to accommodate the different ways in which operators present objects for code symbol reading at POS environments.
US07789305B2 System and method of voting via an interactive television system
Disclosed are a system and method of voting via an interactive television system. In a particular embodiment, the method includes identifying data embedded within video content sent to a set-top box device via an access network of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system, the data indicating a voting event related to the video content. The method also includes sending data related to a voting indicator to the set-top box device, wherein the voting indicator includes a selectable indicator of an option to cast a vote related to the video content. The method also includes determining whether payment information is required in order to accept a vote related to the video content. The method also includes sending data related to a voting interface to the set-top box device and receiving a voting selection from the set-top box device.
US07789292B2 Box flap locking system with sift-proof bottom
An octagonal shaped foldable box having a flap locking system. The foldable box includes: eight sidewall sections; a pair of opposing locking flaps extending from two of the eight sidewall sections, each opposing locking flap having a generally trapezoidal shaped tab cut therein for locking a first opposed locking flap with a second opposed locking flap; and a pair of opposing interior flaps, wherein each opposing interior flap extends from three of the eight sidewall sections, and wherein each opposing interior flap includes a first and a second flap edge, and each flap edge includes a fold-over region for forming a sealed corner with two sidewall sections.
US07789285B2 Solder printing process to reduce void formation in a microvia
In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises filling a microvia formed in a bond pad with solder paste comprising solder balls of the first size; and coating the bond pad with solder paste comprising solder balls of the second size, wherein the second size is greater than the first size.
US07789284B2 Electronic component mounting apparatus and electronic component mounting method
There is provided an electronic component mounting apparatus including: a component holder which holds an electronic component; a pressing unit which applies pressure to the held electronic component through the component holder; and an ultrasonic transducer which applies ultrasonic vibration to the held electronic component through the component holder. The component holder includes a horn at one end of which is mounted the ultrasonic transducer and a holding tool which is fixed to the other end of the horn by using bolts and holds the electronic component. The horn has a surface A1 and a surface A2 at the other end and the holding tool has a surface B1 in intimate contact with the surface A1 and a surface B2 in intimate contact with the surface A2.
US07789282B2 Nailer device
A nailer device has a housing containing a motor and a striking device arranged in a compact manner. A transmission mechanism is mounted in the housing for translating the rotating motions of the motor into the periodic impact motions upon the striking device. The transmission mechanism includes an impact assembly which imparts the periodic impact motions upon the striking device.
US07789280B1 Semi-automatic apparatus for affixing anti-theft device to an article
A semi-automatic machine for affixing an anti-theft device, such as an EAS marker, to an article of clothing or the like. The anti-theft device is of the type made up of two elements that are to be snapped together through the article of clothing. Each of the two kinds of elements is stored in a respective vibrating bowl and transferred to an assembly station by a respective vibrating conveyor. One of the two elements is positioned on a working surface at the assembly station. The second element is taken up by a snap-connection mechanism. A laser provides a reference mark at the working surface so that an operator can precisely position a desired part of the article of clothing for receiving the anti-theft device. After the article is positioned in accordance with the reference mark, the snap-connection mechanism is actuated to insert the second element into the first element through the article of clothing.
US07789275B2 Pump assembly with continuous tube
A noncontainer pressurizing pump sprayer includes a body, which defines a chamber. A piston is positioned within the container and is coupled to a shaft. The piston divides the chamber into an upper section and a lower section. An inlet valve is positioned on the body and permits flow of fluid into the lower section but restricts flow out of the lower section. The shaft of the piston is coupled to a handle. A spray nozzle includes an actuator that is coupled to a control valve and a discharge outlet that is in fluid communication with the lower section of the chamber. In one embodiment, a tube extends continuously from a point upstream of the control valve to a point downstream of the control valve. In another embodiment, a tube is coupled to the piston and extends through the handle. In another embodiment, the tube extends continuously from the spray nozzle and is coupled to the piston.
US07789273B2 Component mixing method, apparatus and system
A mixing device and method for mixing at least one first ingredient and at least one second ingredient. The device includes a body which has a wall defining a cavity. A first inlet communicates with the cavity for introducing the first ingredient and a second inlet communicates with the cavity for introducing the second ingredient. An outlet is provided in communication with the cavity receiving the mixed first and second ingredient which have been mixed in the cavity. The ingredients are mixed by introducing one ingredient as a stream and the second ingredient as a forcefully introduced stream. An area upstream of the ingredients is provided for mixing ingredients. Once mixed the ingredients must flow through the body before reaching the outlet. The device can be in the form of a kit for retrofitting on existing devices such as beverage dispensers.
US07789272B2 Device for storing and dispensing liquid
A disc-shaped device for storing and dispensing perfume has a plurality of compartments for storing different perfumes. Each compartment has an aperture through an outer circumferential wall of the device through which the perfume is released from the compartment. Each aperture contains a stem extending through the aperture and a larger diameter stem flange portion located inside each compartment which seals against the inner side of the outer circumferential wall. The stem is biased radially outwardly by resilient bands so that the stem flange is held sealed against the inner side of the outer circumferential wall. Pushing on the stem against the bias of the resilient bands opens the aperture so that perfume is released from the compartment.
US07789270B2 Chemical reaction cartridge and method using same
A chemical reaction cartridge enabling chemical reaction to be stably and safely carried out therein, and a method of using the same are provided. A chemical reaction cartridge is provided with a substrate, and an elastic member 2 overlaid on the substrate. A recess of a predetermined shape, depressed toward the top surface of the elastic member is formed in the back surface of the elastic member. The recess creates space between the substrate, and the elastic member, thereby making up a well, for holding the main ingredient of the epoxy adhesive, a flow path communicating with the well, a well for holding a curing agent for the epoxy adhesive, a flow path communicating with the well, a mixing part for mixing the main ingredient with the curing agent, and a discharge path for discharging a mixture. While the chemical reaction cartridge is not in use as yet, the flow paths, and the discharge path are closed, so that the wells are, in effect, in a hermetically sealed condition. The mixing part is made up of a plurality of flow paths intersecting each other. The respective starting ends of the flow paths are each linked with the flow path, or the flow path, and the respective terminals of the flow paths are linked with the discharge path. The terminal of the discharge path communicates with the outside via an end face of the cartridge.
US07789266B2 Method and device for singulating ophthalmic lenses
The present invention relates to a method and a device for singulating ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses. The method and the device are suitable for integration into an automated production of ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses.
US07789264B2 No-spill drinking cup apparatus
An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. An initially blocked opening in a flexible material moves up along a protruding member until the opening is unblocked, so as to allow fluid flow.
US07789256B2 Multipurpose bulk container
A container has door openings at opposite ends for dedicated loading from the discharge of a waste compactor at a door on a vertical hinge axis and unloading by tilt dumping through a swinging panel on a horizontal axis. A removable lid encompasses a substantial portion of the top. The container has standard intermodal fittings. The container can be loaded while on a compaction-reinforcement chassis with a structure that bears against the dumping side door to resist compactor forces. The container is reinforced notwithstanding the plural doors, including at a header and sill at the loading end, a rigid upper frame at traversing between the sides at the hinge for the dumping end, and by a container base including transverse fork-truck tine receptacles. The container is not limited to the specialized reception of compactor slugs and is also useful as a general purpose bulk container.
US07789254B2 Snap-top closure device
A tamper-evident, re-closable container is disclosed, comprising a container body, having a neck portion with a cammed projection, and a mouth rimmed by a lip and a closure having a top portion with a groove to rotatably engage and seal against the lip of the container, and a bottom portion having a contour formed therein to rest under the cammed projection. A breakable tamper-evident section circumferentially connects the top portion of the container to the bottom portion of the container and connecting means connects the top portion to the bottom portion. Rotation of the closure around the mouth of the container causes the cammed projection to force the bottom portion downwardly to break the tamper-evident section. A tamper-evident closure is also described for use with a re-closable container, having a top portion that can be rotated around a mouth of the container to cause a tamper-evident section to break.
US07789249B1 Award racks
An award rack includes a strip of material. The strip of material includes an offset portion formed on each end. A fastener opening is formed through each offset portion. A substantial middle portion is created between the two offset portions. The award rack is attached to a flat surface with fasteners. A second embodiment of the award rack includes a strip of material, a pair of strap holders and a pair of straps. The pair of strap holders are attached to the strip of material and a pair of strap holders retain the pair of straps. A third embodiment of the award rack preferably includes a shelf, a first rack, a second and at least one figurine. The third embodiment of the award rack is preferably formed from a single plate. A fourth embodiment of the award rack includes at least two bar hangers and at least one notched bar.
US07789246B1 Biological sample collector
A biological sample collector is adapted to a collect several biological samples in a plurality of filter wells. A biological sample collector may comprise a manifold plate for mounting a filter plate thereon, the filter plate having a plurality of filter wells therein; a hollow slider for engaging and positioning a tube that slides therethrough; and a slide case within which the hollow slider travels to allow the tube to be aligned with a selected filter well of the plurality of filter wells, wherein when the tube is aligned with the selected filter well, the tube is pushed through the hollow slider and into the selected filter well to sealingly engage the selected filter well and to allow the tube to deposit a biological sample onto a filter in the bottom of the selected filter well. The biological sample collector may be portable.
US07789243B2 Method for adjusting a bank note processing machine
In a bank note processing machine, a method of adjusting the threshold values associated with whether a particular note is fit or unfit for circulation is provided. The starting point is that at least one bank note fit for circulation is selected, at least one bank note unfit for circulation is selected, and the selected bank notes are processed by the bank note processing machine. The data of at least one sensor are stored, and at least one threshold value for the at least one sensor is defined by evaluating the stored data of the at least one sensor.
US07789227B2 Storage and mixing device
A handheld storage and mixing device is disclosed. The device can include first and second separate containers each defining a distinct internal cavity. The first container can be movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the second container between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cavities can be substantially sealed from one another. In the second position, a first gas forming ingredient in one of the cavities can mix with a second gas forming ingredient in the other cavity to form a gas, such as chlorine dioxide gas. The device can have one or more filtered openings to allow gas generated by mixing the first and second gas forming ingredients to escape into the ambient environment.
US07789223B2 Interconnecting contact lens package
A contact lens package has a body with a lens receptacle therein covered by a hinged lid. The lid is offset on the body such that a ledge is formed by the base and an overhang by the lid. The ledge has a plurality of upstanding lugs that insert into mating receptacles formed in the overhang of an adjacent contact lens package, permitting the ganging of packages together for functional and aesthetic reasons.
US07789222B2 Proofer
An endless dough conveyor 16 is provided with a resin endless toothed belt 18 instead of a metal chain. A toothed pulley 22 around which the endless toothed belt is wound is also made of resin. A rail 64 is disposed adjacent to a horizontal path of the belt, and a roller 46 attached to the belt is adapted to roll on the rail. At least two induction motors are provided for driving the endless toothed belt. The induction motors are supplied with electric power from a single inverter 35. At least a pulley is provided with a detecting unit 80. The detecting unit 80 detects a state in which teeth of the endless toothed belt climb onto that of the pulley, thereby predicting breakage of the belt. Thus, it is possible to prevent contamination of dough in a proofer.
US07789221B2 Living-hinge conveyor belt
A conveyor belt having rodless, living hinges and a method for making such a belt. One version of the belt has spaced apart belt modules joined by tension members spanning the gaps between consecutive modules. The tension members bend in the gaps to allow the belt to articulate. Resilient fillers encapsulate the tension members and, together with top surfaces of the modules, form a generally continuous article-contacting belt surface. The belt may be made by molding the rigid belt modules and the resilient fillers onto an arrangement of elongated tension members.
US07789209B2 Friction plate and wet-type multi-plate clutch
The present invention provides a friction plate having a friction surface formed by adhering a friction material to a substantially annular core plate and wherein the friction surface is provided with an oil passage communicated with inner and outer peripheral edges of the friction plate, a first oil groove having an opening portion opened to the inner peripheral edge of the friction plate and an end portion terminating at a position between the inner and outer peripheral edges, and a second first oil groove having an opening portion opened to the outer peripheral edge of the friction plate and an end portion terminating at a position between the inner and outer peripheral edges.
US07789203B2 Lubricating device and lubrication apparatus comprising said device
The invention relates to a lubricating device, particularly for use in an apparatus which is used to lubricate mobile lubrication points e.g. on a rotating belt or chain belt. A lubricant discharge body of a lubricating head, which when lubricant is conveyed by a feed pump into a dosing chamber which is separated from the lubricant discharge channel, is placed in a front standby position and, counter to the effect of a restoring force, is moved into a locking and lubricant release position wherein the link between the pump and the dosing chamber is blocked by a reversing piston and the dosing chamber is fluidically connected to the lubricant discharge channel and a predefined volume of lubricant can be pumped out of the dosing chamber into the lubricant discharge channel. The lubricant discharge body cooperates with a reversing piston in such a way that the feed pump is fluidic ally connected to the dosing chamber of a dosing piston/cylinder arrangement via an annular area of the reversing piston when the lubricant discharge body is located in a front standby position, and such that the dosing chamber is fluidically connected to the lubricant discharge channel via the angular area when the lubricant discharge body is placed in a retracted position in which the lubricant is released. The reversing piston blocks the fluidic connection between the feed pump and the dosing chamber such that the amount of lubricant provided for discharge can be pumped out of the dosing chamber in the direction of the annular area by a dosing piston which is impinged upon by the feed pump.
US07789198B2 Shoulder saddle for carrying a stepladder
A shoulder saddle for carrying a stepladder of the type having opposed, channel-shaped, side rails with spaced steps extending therebetween. A saddle block has a length no greater than the spacing between steps of the ladder and a width greater than the width of the ladder steps and has a top surface with a pair of spaced slots extending lengthwise therealong for receipt of the rail flanges. The bottom surface of the block is concave in lengthwise cross-section and has a layer of cushion material attached thereto. Relatively flat front and back portions are formed on the bottom surface beyond the concave cross-section to facilitate attachment of the cushion material.
US07789196B2 Sound-absorbing material, production method for sound-absorbing material, and sound-absorbing structure
Disclosed is a sound-absorbing material, which has a flow resistivity R of 3.3×104 N·s/m4 or more, a Young's modulus E of 1.2×103 to 2.0×104 N/m2, and a loss factor δ of 0.12 or less. The sound-absorbing material of the present invention can enhance a sound absorption capability in a wide range of a low/intermediate-frequency region to a high-frequency region at a higher level as compared with conventional sound-absorbing materials.
US07789194B2 Acoustic attenuation chamber
A silencer for a CPAP device comprises a housing assembly defining a flow path passing therethrough and including at least one of an inlet chamber, an acoustic chamber and a blower chamber. Each of the chambers has an inlet and an outlet for fluid communication therebetween. The silencer includes a combination of reactive components, resonators and dissipative elements disposed within the inlet, acoustic and blower chambers. The reactive component may be configured as a compliant-walled reactive tube. The resonator may be configured as a perforated plate defining a cavity volume. The dissipative element may comprise porous material substantially occupying the cavity volume bounded by the perforated plate in the chamber walls.
US07789192B2 Loudspeaker port handle
A ported or bass-reflex loudspeaker includes one or more ports incorporated into the loudspeaker cabinet without corresponding increase in cabinet dimensions. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished by integrating the one or more ports into one or more corresponding side panels of the loudspeaker cabinet. In another embodiment, the port(s) may also (or instead) be incorporated into a rear panel of the subject loudspeaker. In another embodiment, the one or more ports may be integrated with and function as handles for gripping and/or transporting the loudspeaker.
US07789187B2 Push handle with pivotable handle post
A patient support apparatus comprises a frame, a patient support coupled to the frame, a push handle coupled to the frame and having a handle post, and at least one user input coupled to the handle post. The handle post is movable between a first position presenting the at least one user input to a caregiver standing at an end of the frame and a second position presenting the at least one user input to a caregiver standing alongside the frame.
US07789182B2 Air power energy transformation to electrical energy for hybrid electric vehicle applications
A vehicle having one or more small vehicle-mounted electricity generating wind turbines located within an area of wind recirculation. The electricity generated is used to recharge vehicle batteries, partially power an auxiliary electric propulsion motor, or supply vehicle parasitic loads.
US07789181B1 Operating a plug-in air-hybrid vehicle
A vehicle system includes an engine that can operate as a compressor, as an air motor and an internal-combustion engine. It also includes short-term and long-term air-storage reservoirs filled with compressed air. During braking, the engine slows down the vehicle by pumping compressed air into the short-term storage. That air is later used for vehicle propulsion. The engine uses the recovered braking energy whenever possible, but when the compressed air in the short-term storage is exhausted; it switches to the long-term storage and continues to operate with compressed-air assist. The amount of compressed air in the long-term storage is such that it is sufficient for a typical day of driving. An on-board electrically-driven compressor, using an outside source of electric power, charges the long-term storage during overnight parking. In this way, electric power from an electric grid is indirectly used for vehicle propulsion. If the compressed air in both reservoirs is exhausted, the engine switches to internal-combustion.
US07789176B2 Electric vehicle thermal management system
An efficient thermal management system (100) that utilizes a single heat exchanger (133) is provided. A refrigeration subsystem (103) cools the heat exchanger (133). A first coolant loop (139) in thermal communication with the heat exchanger (133) is used to cool the energy storage system (137). A second coolant loop (151) corresponding to the HVAC subsystem (107) is also in thermal communication with the heat exchanger (133). Preferably a third coolant loop (109) corresponding to the drive motor cooling subsystem (101) is coupleable to the HVAC coolant loop (151), thus providing an efficient means of providing heat to the HVAC subsystem (107).
US07789173B2 Hydraulically driven vehicle
A hydraulically driven vehicle is disclosed which is moved or turned by driving left and right hydraulic transmissions with one engine and driving left and right drive wheels with these hydraulic transmissions. The vehicle includes a gear-shifting mechanism for converting the actions of an operator and transmitting the result to the hydraulic transmissions, which mechanism is comprised of a first swinging member that is swung by a vehicle speed cable, and left and right second swinging members that are placed on the first swinging member, that are swung by left and right steering cables, and that push and pull push-pull rods.
US07789172B2 Tapered bearing assembly cover plate and well drilling equipment comprising same
A bearing assembly for a well drilling head has an outer barrel, an inner barrel, bearing units and a cover plate. The outer barrel has an upper end portion, a lower end portion and a central bore extending therebetween. The inner barrel is at least partially disposed within the central bore of the outer barrel. The bearing units are coupled between the barrels for providing concentric alignment of the barrels and allowing rotation therebetween. The cover plate is non-rotatably attached to the upper end portion of the outer barrel. An upper end portion of the inner barrel is exposed within a central opening of the cover plate. An outside edge portion of an upper surface of the cover plate encompassing the central opening is downwardly angled with respect to a central axis of the cover plate.
US07789168B2 Vibration reduction apparatus for power tool and power tool incorporating such apparatus
The disclosure describes a handle assembly for a power tool that includes attachment means for attaching the assembly to a housing of a power tool. The handle means is adapted to be held by a user of the power tool and the handle means is mounted to the attachment means and is capable of limited movement relative to the housing of the power tool. The vibration damping means acts between said housing and said handle means. The vibration damping means can also comprise elastomeric material. The attachment means can be mounted in use to the housing via a bolt on one of the attachment means and the housing passing through a respective aperture in the other of said attachment means and the housing. At least some of the elastomeric material is arranged in use between at least one said bolt and a corresponding said aperture. The handle means can be pivotable and/or slidable relative to said attachment means. The vibration damping means can comprise at least one spring (e.g., compression/spring or torsion spring).
US07789161B2 Apparatus for interconnecting and sealing between fixed and rotating conduits and methods of installing same
A seal assembly, for sealing between a stationary conduit and a rotating conduit, comprises an upper gland assembly, a washpipe, and a lower gland assembly. The upper gland assembly is operable to engage the stationary conduit. A washpipe partially disposed within the upper gland assembly. An upper seal member is disposed within the upper gland assembly around a periphery of the washpipe. An upper packing ring is engaged with the upper gland assembly so as to compress the upper seal member into sealing engagement with the washpipe. A lower gland assembly is disposed about the washpipe and operable to engage the rotating conduit. A lower seal member is disposed within the lower gland assembly and is compressed into sealing engagement with the washpipe by a lower packing ring that is engaged with the lower gland assembly. The engagement of the packing rings with their respective gland assemblies is independent of the engagement of the gland assemblies and the conduits.
US07789159B1 Methods to de-sulfate saline streams
Methods are disclosed to de-sulfate saline streams such as seawater, brine from seawater desalination plants, and the like. The disclosed methods can also co-produce de-ionized water and inorganic materials from such de-sulfated saline streams.
US07789158B2 Flow control system having a downhole check valve selectively operable from a surface of a well
A flow control system includes a pump positioned in a well to remove liquid from the well. A check valve is positioned in the well and includes an open position and a closed position. The check valve in the open position allows gas from a producing formation of the well to flow past the check valve, while the check valve in the closed position substantially reduces gas flow at the pump from the producing formation. A compressed gas source is in fluid communication with the well to provide compressed gas to move the check valve to the closed position.
US07789155B2 Coiled tubing well intervention system and method
An apparatus having a modular support frame with a top deck. The top deck has a passage therein. A tower is mounted on the top deck. A moveable plate and a track are positioned within the passage. The movable plate is slidingly attached to the track. A support rotary table is disposed within the modular support frame and suspends jointed tubulars. A coiled tubing injector head interface plate is operatively attached to the movable plate, and positioned over the first aperture of the movable plate. The first aperture is positioned over the well in a first position. A rotary table is positioned over the well in a second position. Well intervention work is conducted with the coiled tubing and jointed tubulars.
US07789152B2 Plug protection system and method
Disclosed herein is a downhole plug protection system. The system includes, a tubular having perforations in a perforated portion, a screen in fluidic communication with the tubular, a ring in sealable communication with the tubular and attached to the screen the ring having an extended portion positioned radially outwardly of the perforated portion, and a float shoe in fluidic communication with the perforations positionable downhole of the perforated portion.
US07789147B2 Method of stimulating oil and gas wells using deformable proppants
A method of fracturing using deformable proppants minimizes proppant pack damage, without compromising the fracturing fluid's proppant transport properties during pumping, by use of deformable proppants. Selection of proppant is dependent upon the mechanical properties of the formation rock. The strength of the deformable proppant is dependent upon the modulus of the formation rock being treated such that the proppant is capable of providing, at the very least, a minimum level of conductivity in in-situ stress environments. The maximum elastic modulus of the deformable proppant is less than the minimum modulus of the formation rock which is being treated. The method is particularly applicable in fracturing operations of subterranean reservoirs such as those comprised primarily of coal, chalk, limestone, dolomite, shale, siltstone, diatomite, etc.
US07789144B2 Methods for recovering oil from an oil reservoir
There is a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a reservoir. The method has the step of a) introducing a flooding fluid into the reservoir and b) extracting the oil through a wellbore at a location different than the point of introduction of the flooding fluid into the reservoir. The flooding fluid has water and an amount of one or more non-polymeric viscoelastic surfactants sufficient to provide an interfacial surface tension of about 1 mNm or less and a viscosity of about 10 cps or more. The one or more surfactants is selected from the group of one or more cationic surfactants, one or more zwitterionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof.
US07789143B2 Methods for recovering oil from an oil reservoir
There is a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a reservoir. The method has the step of a) introducing a flooding fluid into the reservoir and b) extracting the oil through a wellbore at a location different than the point of introduction of the flooding fluid into the reservoir. The flooding fluid has water and an amount of one or more non-polymeric viscoelastic surfactants sufficient to provide an interfacial surface tension of about 1 mNm or less and a viscosity of about 10 cps or more. The one or more surfactants is selected from the group of one or more cationic surfactants, one or more zwitterionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof.
US07789141B2 Oil recovery enhancement method
The current invention provides an improved method of increasing well yield and enhancing oil production. The method comprises the steps of lowering a vibroacoustic downhole emitter into a well down to a production layer depth and performing acoustic impact on the formation. The impact is implemented by a multiple frequency signal containing at least two simple harmonic components whose frequencies and amplitudes meet the resonance overlapping condition.
US07789140B2 System and method for radially expanding and plastically deforming a wellbore casing
A system for radially expanding an expandable tubular within a wellbore to form a wellbore casing. In some embodiments, the system includes a support member insertable within and displaceable relative to the expandable tubular, an expansion cone coupled to the support member, a tubular sleeve translatably disposed about the support member, an annular chamber between the tubular sleeve and the expandable tubular, and a tubular piston disposed in the annular chamber, the tubular piston dividing the annular chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The support member has a tubular body with an axial flowbore, a first radial passage, and a second radial passage. The tubular sleeve has a third and a fourth radial passage. The flowbore is in fluid communication with the first chamber when the first and third radial passages are aligned, and with the second chamber when the second and fourth radial passages are aligned.
US07789138B2 Well casing straddle assembly
A well casing assembly comprises a length of line having two packer/seal assemblies at the upper end thereof and two packer/seal assemblies at the lower end thereof. The lower end packer/seal assemblies are inverted relative to the upper end packer/seal assemblies. By appropriate design of the setting elements of the packer/seal assemblies, each is selected to have a different setting force. Accordingly, when the tool is set by longitudinal compression thereof, the packer/seal assemblies set in a pre-determined sequence. The packer/seal assemblies are preferably of the type in which an annular slip is expanded by means of a swage. Variations in the setting force may be obtained by variations in material characteristics and/or thickness or by variations in the swage ramp angle, or by any other suitable means.
US07789137B2 Non-metallic mandrel and element system
A non-metallic element system is provided as part of a downhole tool that can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. In another aspect, a mandrel is formed of a non-metallic polymeric composite material. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a support ring having one or more wedges, an expansion ring, and a sealing member positioned with the expansion ring.
US07789133B2 Erosion resistant frac head
An erosion resistant frac head with a convergence chamber, an expansion chamber and a mixing chamber provides improved resistance to erosion caused by abrasive frac fluids pumped through the frac head. A bottom leg of the erosion resistant frac head may be replaced in the field by field hands. Top entry ports of the frac head may also be replaced in the field by field hands.
US07789130B2 System air fans in integrated control apparatus
A system air fans integrated control apparatus for a computer system which has a plurality of heat sources and a plurality of air fans corresponding to the heat sources includes a plurality of detection units to detect the heat sources and output a plurality of temperature alteration parameter signals, a signal integration and determination circuit to receive and interpret the temperature alteration parameter signals to determine a rotation speed regulation signal, and an air fan driving circuit which is linked to the signal integration and determination circuit and an external driving power source. Upon receiving the rotation speed regulation signal the driving power of the external driving power source to the air fans is regulated synchronously. Thereby multiple heat sources are detected at the same time and multiple air fans are integrated to perform heat dissipating to reduce accumulating heat in the system environment.
US07789129B1 User-operated air-flow enhancing device for improving heat distribution from an existing baseboard radiator and associated method
A user-operated air-flow regulating device includes a radiator enhancer and an enhancer extension situated adjacent to existing radiator fins of an existing baseboard radiator and oriented at an end-to-end pattern. The device further includes a mechanism for directing and displacing ambient air along a first travel path into respective cavities of the radiator enhancer and the enhancer extension. The enhancer extension includes an elongated fan and a coupling attached to one end thereof. Such a coupling is removably conjoined to a portion of the ambient air directing and displacing mechanism such that the ambient air is separately directed along the first travel path and thereafter displaced along the second travel path in each of the radiator enhancer and enhancer extension respectively. The user-operated air-flow regulating device further includes a mechanism for channeling the ambient air along a third travel path leading obliquely away from the second travel path.
US07789125B2 Extended impingement cooling device and method
An extended impingement cooling structure to cool outside an air supply plenum comprises an inner wall; an impingement sheet; a series of supports to maintain the inner wall in spaced relation to the impingement sheet, and a baffle supported between the inner wall and the impingement sheet. The baffle has a collector plenum area that receives impingement cooling air from the air supply plenum and a channel in fluid communication with the collector plenum and extending outside the air supply plenum with openings to allow impingement cooling air to pass therethrough and having a series of lands extending into the channel wherein the lands are located in proximity to impingement cooling air outlets in the inner wall.
US07789122B2 Combined awning device and winding roller for a number of canvases
A winding roller for winding and unwinding a corner projected canvas and a rectangular canvas in such a state that the canvases overlap is supported via a bearing and a slider for attaching a projected corner canvas to the winding roller and making the canvas freely slidable is incorporated. The front bar for the rectangular canvas is supported by a foldable arm in such a manner so as to be freely translatable and the front bar for the projected corner canvas is formed in the front bar for the rectangular canvas in such a manner so as to be freely slidable. Thus, the projected corner canvas and the rectangular canvas, which are wound around the winding roller in such a state that the canvases overlap are unwound so as to spread, and the spread projected corner canvas slides transversely along the winding roller and the front bar of the rectangular canvas, and thus, extends to the outside of a building which includes a corner space portion of a projected corner portion. The projected corner canvas which extends into the corner space portion transversely slides to the rear along the winding roller and the front bar of the rectangular canvas while remaining in a spread state, and after that, the projected corner canvas and the rectangular canvas are wound around the winding roller in such a state that the canvases overlap.
US07789119B2 Runflat tire
A pneumatic runflat tire including at least one sidewall insert, the at least one sidewall insert including a heterogenous rubber compound comprising first rubber and second rubber composition phases, wherein the second rubber phase is further vulcanizable.
US07789109B2 Expansible and collapsible pre-conditioned air supply hose conduit
An expansible and collapsible tubular conduit, which is especially adapted for use in supplying pre-conditioned air to an aircraft while the aircraft is located upon the ground and is being serviced, comprises a plurality of annular fabric membranes which are connected to the opposite sides of a plurality of annular structural dividers or frame members in a continuously repetitive alternating manner. The structural combination or assembly comprising the fabric membranes and the structural dividers or frame members renders the tubular conduit readily expansible and contractible in the form of a spring or accordion so as to be capable of being easily and rapidly deployed and stowed, as well as to be capable of being stored in a relatively compact state or mode.
US07789107B2 Fluid transport in monolithic structures
A modular insert and monolithic structure is disclosed where the inserts are embedded in a slot in the monolithic structure to allow MSM components to be mounted directly to the planar surface of the monolithic structure.
US07789103B2 Dense phase induction system and method
A dense phase induction system and method includes an induction valve assembly configured and oriented to establish and maintain efficient transfer and induction of granular material. The induction valve assembly includes arcuate geometry to facilitate the flow of granular material from a granular supply to a dense phase distribution system.
US07789101B2 Oxygen supply system having a central flow control
A Regulator-Oxygen (ROX) Unit for regulating oxygen flow in an emergency oxygen distribution system in passenger aircraft initially allows unregulated surge of oxygen to purge ambient air from the system. After sufficient pressure is achieved in the system, the ROX unit regulates oxygen flow mechanically with a diaphragm engaging a regulator valve that responds to the pressure of the oxygen under the diaphragm to reduce the flow of oxygen through the ROX unit, which accounts for altitude changes by communicating the inlet pressure to the chamber above the diaphragm. A bleed exit allows the oxygen to escape to the ambient air. One or more aneroid valves serve to adjust the amount of oxygen allowed to exit through the bleed exit, allowing less oxygen to escape with increasing altitude. An increase in pressure above the diaphragm allows more oxygen to flow through the regulator valve.
US07789100B2 Connection apparatus and method
A connection apparatus. The apparatus comprises a wing mandrel having a first check valve disposed within an inner bore of the wing mandrel, a thread mandrel abutting the wing mandrel, with the thread mandrel having outer threads and a second check valve disposed within an inner bore of the thread mandrel. The apparatus further comprises a latch dog carrier disposed about the wing mandrel and the thread mandrel, with the latch dog carrier having a plurality of dogs, wherein the dogs having an inner portion with threads and an outer portion with outer ribs. The apparatus further contains a shell partially disposed about the latch dog carrier, with the shell having inner ribs, and wherein the inner ribs of the shell engage the outer ribs of the dogs. The apparatus further comprises a hydraulic port configured to deliver hydraulic fluid to the latch dog carrier so that the shell moves relative to the latch dog carrier in order to disconnect. A method of releasing a union is also disclosed.
US07789097B1 Tailgator/sunshade protective cover
A portable sunshade used in conjunction with and supported by a vehicle. The sunshade has a lightweight protective fabric cover engaged by a up to five flexible poles. The protective cover rear is magnetically attached to the vehicle. The protective cover front terminates in two fabric legs, which are engaged by an elongated, flexible pole inserted through the legs and the front of the protective cover. The leg bottoms are engaged by a footing or a stake driven into the ground. Removable sidings may also be attached to the protective cover for enclosing the area beneath the protective cover. The portable is easily assembled and disassembled.
US07789096B1 Fully automatic collapsible and multi-foldable umbrella
A fully automatic collapsible and multi-foldable umbrella includes an umbrella rib, an upper nest, a lower nest, a middle rod and a compression spring disposed between the upper and lower nests or a tension spring disposed on the umbrella rib. The middle rod has upper and lower internal plugs. A fastener fastening an external tube of the middle rod is disposed in the upper internal plug so that the middle rod may extend to open the umbrella. The umbrella further includes first and second pull wires. The first pull wire has one end coupled to the lower internal plug and the other end connected to the upper nest after the wire wraps around pulleys on the upper and lower nests. The second pull wire has an upper end connected to the fastener and a lower end connected to a runner on a handle so that the runner drives the fastener.
US07789090B2 Fingernail polish removing device
A fingernail polish removing device including a motor having an upwardly extending drive shaft. A drum is positioned above the motor and having an opening in the bottom thereof for receiving the drive shaft. A carriage is positioned within the drum and is secured to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. A sponge is supported for rotation by the carriage. The sponge has a circular band positioned around the drive shaft and a plurality of teeth pointing inwardly from the circular band toward the drive shaft. A handrest is positioned atop the drive shaft for supporting the hand of a user while her fingernails are extended downwardly into the drum and are engaged with the teeth. A wiper is secured to the to the drum and has a wiper bar disposed between the circular band and the drive shaft for sequentially compressing the teeth as the sponge is rotated by the carriage so as to squeeze dirty cleaning solution from the sponge for collection in the bottom of the drum.
US07789086B2 Medical displaceable contouring mechanism
One aspect relates to reducing a pressure differential across one or more supporting surfaces of a body surface of an individual at least partially by displacing at least one displaceable contouring unit to at least partially conform to one or more contours of the body surface of the individual. Certain aspects can relate to stabilizing at least the one or more supporting surfaces of the body surface of the individual at least partially with at least one of the at least one displaceable contouring unit Other aspects can relate to relatively displacing at least one displaceable contouring unit with respect to a medical device portion based at least in part on a contour of an individual to support at least a portion of the individual while limiting pressure applied to the individual.
US07789085B2 Presentation arrangement for an oxygen mask or a pull flag
A presentation arrangement for presenting an oxygen mask or pull flag including an inflatable lever wherein for presenting the oxygen mask or pull flag at a preset first location, the inflatable lever is inflated such that the oxygen mask or pull flag is located at the first location.
US07789083B2 Intra/extra thoracic system for ameliorating a symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A system to alleviate a symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a lung of a patient by providing a ventilation bypass pathway which allows air to exit the lung via the bronchus or trachea. The system includes a conduit connected by an airway connection device to an artificial opening through a wall of a region of a trachea and a bronchus external to the lung. The other end of the conduit is connected by a lung connection device to an artificial opening through a visceral membrane of the lung. An access fitting is connected to the conduit between the first end of the conduit and the second end of the conduit and allows intermittent access to the lumen from outside the patient.
US07789079B2 Enclosed rocker arm cover assembly having internal multi-coil mounting plate
An improved rocker arm cover assembly having an upper coil chamber that is enclosed and a lower rocker arm chamber that includes special seal and flange members to isolate it from the engine head. The fully enclosed upper coil chamber includes a mounting plate on which a plurality of coils is mounted. A fully isolated, dual function, oil fill/PCV valve, conduit is provided through the upper chamber to permit adding lubrication oil or permitting exhaust of crankcase vapors without contaminating the coils. Several variations of coils and coil mounting brackets are disclosed.
US07789078B2 Ignition coil device for internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine ignition coil device has an annular seal rubber at its lower side coil. An annular projection is provided on a part of the seal rubber and is pressed against the inner diameter surface of a plug hole. An air path is formed in part of a coil case by mounting the seal rubber into a groove, enabling inside and outside portions of the plug hole to communicate. A gas-permeable thin film resin member is bonded to an inlet of the air path.
US07789072B2 Fuel injection circuit with selectable peak injection currents
A charging circuit for a fuel injection coil enables the controller to selectively add a pulse of increased amplitude to the beginning of an injection current pulse. Optionally, the controller can also select one of a plurality of amplitudes for the pulse and control the duration of the pulse.
US07789070B2 In-line electro-mechanical modulating device to modulate fuel flow in fuel rails to reduce noise
Systems and methods for a direct injection fuel system of an engine to mitigate engine noise are provided. An example includes a modulating device located in the fuel delivery system, where the device is modulated responsive to operation of direct injection fuel injectors in order to reduce noise generated by the injectors.
US07789061B2 Engine output takeout device
Engine output takeout device includes: a first crank gear mounted on a first crankshaft; a second crank gear mounted on a second crankshaft; a ring gear surrounding the first and second crank gears and having inner teeth meshing with the first crank gear; and an idler gear rotatably mounted coaxially on the first crankshaft via bearings and meshing at its one position with the second crank gear and at its other position with the inner teeth of the ring gear, the first crank gear and the idler gear both meshing with a same inner tooth of the ring gear at any given time.
US07789058B2 Mixture distribution device for a combustion engine and combustion engine provided with such a mixture distribution device
A mixture distribution device (1) for a combustion engine comprises a first mixture inlet (3), multiple first mixture outlets (4) and a first branch guiding structure (6). The mixture distribution device further comprises a second mixture distribution device (21) comprising a second mixture inlet (23), as well as multiple second mixture outlets (24) and a second branch guiding structure (26). An air/fuel mixture supplied to the first mixture inlet (3) is divided into a first fraction (7) and a second fraction (27) which is not collected and is collected, respectively, by the second mixture distribution device.
US07789055B2 Connection between an elastomeric element and a further element and method for producing such connection
A connection between an elastomer part and a component involves the component, at the connection site to the elastomer part, being provided with a U-shaped groove which has an undercut and which the elastomer part engages positively.
US07789051B2 Variable valve actuating apparatus for internal combustion engine
A variable valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuating mechanism to vary an actual valve operating characteristic of the engine. A controller sets a target valve operating characteristic in accordance with a crank angle position of the engine before a start of the engine, and delivers a changeover control signal to the valve actuating mechanism to control the actual valve operating characteristic to the target valve operating characteristic before an end of a cranking operation of the engine.
US07789049B2 Variable capacity water pump via electromagnetic control
A variable flow coolant pump for an engine of a motor vehicle comprises a pump housing defining a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for providing flow of coolant through the housing. An impeller is rotationally supported in the fluid chamber between the inlet and the outlet for pumping coolant through the housing. An engine driven shaft is disposed within the housing for supporting the impeller and rotating the impeller about a longitudinal axis. An electromagnetic field generator selectively produces a magnetic field that moves the impeller axially along the shaft between a first position and a second position which selectively changes the amount of coolant flow through the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.
US07789045B1 Flipping pet chew toy
A flipping pet toy is provided having a first bore and a second bore parallelly disposed to the first bore. A series of ribs interstitial spaces there between are concentrically disposed about a central axis of the bores. A thin and laterally elongated body member forms a resilient, thin walled body circumscribing the bores such that said thin wall is capable of generating a resilient, springing action.
US07789041B1 Interactive pet feeding and watering bowl
An interactive pet feeding and watering bowl which defines a food or watering containing dish. A voice module is recordable to record audible messages for the pet. The module is removably contained in a compartment in the bowl. A sensor, such as a proximity sensor, detects entry into the bowl when an animal is feeding or drinking which activates a voice module. Preferably the bowl is shaped to direct the animal to approach the bowl from the front.
US07789040B2 Jelly/jam bird feeder
A bird feeder includes a cradle for attachment to a jar of jelly or jam, and one or more perches that are disposed near the opening of the jar when the cradle is attached to the jar so a bird may light on a perch and feed from the jar. The bird feeder may include a flower portion with a circular opening for attracting birds, and may also include one or more connector loops for hanging the bird feeder with the attached jar. The perches may be straight, curved, U-shaped or any other suitable configuration.
US07789037B2 Device for the production of thin powder layers, in particular at high temperatures, during a method involving the use of a laser on a material
The invention relates to a device serving both to lay thin layers of powder and to compact them, the device being suitable for being located inside an apparatus containing a powder or powder mixture while it is subjected to the action of a laser. The device comprises a circular cylinder (12) provided with a longitudinal groove (15) formed in an outside surface of the cylinder (12). The cylinder also has a surface (12a) adapted to compact the powder that has been deposited on a deposition zone. By moving the cylinder in rotation and translation, the powder is brought to and deposited on a tray, on which the powder is then compacted by rotating the cylinder in the opposite direction. The invention enables very thin layers of ceramic or metallic powder to be laid in accurate and uniform manner inside a sealed thermal enclosure at a temperature lying between ambient temperature and about 1200° C.
US07789036B2 Compact glazing machine
A glazing machine includes a pressure roller and a printing roller, and the glaze is supplied and fills the gap between the pressure roller and the printing roller. A support roller is located beneath the printing roller and rotates in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the printing roller. A poster moves through a gap between the printing roller and the support roller so that the glaze is spread on the poster. A blowing unit has a nozzle which blows air flow toward the printing roller to separate the printing roller and the poster. A suction roller is located beside the support roller and sucks the poster after being glazed. A plurality of guide plates are located beside the suction roller such that a front edge of the poster is movably located on the guide plates.
US07789032B1 Boat thruster apparatus and method
A thruster mounted to the transom of a boat and aligned to provide a lateral thrust for maneuvering the boat at low speeds. The thruster comprises a central housing having a propeller therein, and two extension members extending oppositely outwardly from end openings of the housing. The extension members each have a lower perimeter portion located below the water line of the boat and arranged to prevent ambient air from being entrained into the water that goes through the central thruster section.
US07789031B2 Vessel including automatic ballast system using tubes
A double-hulled vessel has a ballast draft line previously set at an empty state thereof. The double-hulled vessel of the present invention comprises an outer shell formed on bottom and side portions of the vessel; an inner shell formed on bottom and side portions of the vessel within the outer shell; an air tube positioned between the inner and outer shells; and a seawater tube positioned between the inner and outer shells, wherein seawater holes are formed in the outer shell to be connected to the seawater tube, the seawater tube is capable of containing seawater to substantially fill a space between the inner and outer shells extending from the bottom portion of the vessel up to the ballast draft line of the side portion of the vessel when the vessel is not loaded with cargo, and the air tube is capable of containing air to substantially fill the space between the inner and outer shells of the bottom and side portions of the vessel when the vessel is loaded with cargo.
US07789024B2 Thermoformed platform having a communications device
An apparatus has a communications device associated therewith. In another aspect of the present invention, a pallet is made from thermoformed polymeric sheets with an attached communications device. A further aspect of the present invention provides a radio frequency identification device attached to an apparatus. In still another aspect of the present invention, a communications device is incorporated into one or more sheets of a pallet or other container prior to forming. Methods of making and using a thermoformed pallet and container, having a communications device, are also provided.
US07789023B2 Auto rack railcar with end closure
An auto rack rail road car has a main deck and upper deck. It is provided with a door for controlling access thereto. The door is a radial arm door, and has a ladder mounted thereon by which personnel can ascend the second deck when the door is open. A second ladder is mounted to the first deck so that when the door is open the second ladder is positioned to co-operate with the first ladder. The arcuate path of the door is free from overhanging obstructions. The door also has internal and external weld-free stiffeners member for enhancing the rigidity thereof. A roller mounted to the door permits the door to be moved between open and closed positions. The door may further include a lock. A guide member protruding from the door co-operates with a groove in the main deck which slidingly guides the door as it moves between open and closed positions to control access to the car.
US07789014B2 Device for producing a hot drink
A device for producing a hot drink, said device comprising an appliance unit which is arranged in a receiving cavity while the device is in use, and a residual water recipient which is arranged in the appliance unit while the device is in use.
US07789009B1 Omni indexing mount primarily for attaching a noise suppressor or other auxiliary device to a firearm
An apparatus and method for easily, and reliably attaching a noise suppressor or other auxiliary device to a standard A2 flash compensator typically located at the muzzle end of a firearm barrel and for easily, and reliably removing the noise suppressor or other auxiliary device there from through the novel ideal of providing an apparatus which consistently indexes a noise suppressor on the wrench flats of a standard A2 flash hider.
US07789001B2 Core reduction method and apparatus
Apparatus and processes for producing paper roll products with spaced core sections. A core substrate is arranged on a mandrel, and then divided into a plurality of core sections. The core sections are then separated from each other on the mandrel to form gaps between the core sections. Paper web material can then be wound onto the separated core sections to form a log of rolls. The log is then cut into final paper roll products.
US07788999B2 Brake mechanism for power equipment
Woodworking machines are disclosed having cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a brake mechanism having one or more braking components adapted to engage and stop the cutting tool in response to the detection of a dangerous condition.
US07788997B2 Magnetic device for holding and driving bits and fasteners
A tool is provided for slidably receiving, magnetically holding, and mechanically engaging fasteners, tool bits, and nuts. The tool comprises one or more magnetic annuluses in stacked relation to each other. The tool defines an inner periphery that matches the shape of the fastener, bit, or nut. The tool further comprises an outer periphery adapted to be grasped by a hand or a tool so that a mechanical torque applied to the outer periphery of the annulus, which results in a mechanical torque applied to the fastener, bit, or nut.
US07788991B2 Brake system development tool having a mechanism for setting different pedal ratios
A brake system development tool (10) providing adjustment of pedal ratio in a brake pedal mechanism without having to disassemble the mechanism and replace parts. A positioning mechanism carried by the pedal arm (20) positions the pedal arm and the brake pedal pivot shaft (16) relative to the pushrod shaft (18) to set the distance between the axis of the brake pedal pivot shaft and the axis of the pushrod shaft.
US07788988B2 Drive assemblies
A drive assembly for providing two outputs from a motor to actuators or the like has a first drive shaft connected with the motor via a torque limiter and a reduction gear. A high efficiency spur gear also connects the motor with a second, parallel drive shaft via a second torque limiter and a reduction gear. The two drive shafts are also interconnected by a low efficiency gear provided by worm pinions on the shafts and a worm gear wheel engaging both pinions, which only transfers load between the drive outputs if there is uneven torsional loading in excess of the settings of the torque limiters.
US07788986B2 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.
US07788984B2 Platform balance
The present disclosure is directed to a platform balance that is suitable for transmitting forces and moments in a plurality of directions. The platform balance is adapted to support a test specimen, such as a large vehicle, in a test environment such as a wind tunnel. The platform balance includes a frame support and at least three spaced-apart transducers coupled to the frame support. Each of the transducers is sensitive about two orthogonal sensed axes. The transducers cooperate to provide signals indicative of forces and moments with respect to at least two orthogonal axes. Each transducer includes a transducer body having a support coupled to a sensor body along an axis of compliance. The sensor body is adapted to deflect about the two orthogonal sensed axes where the sensed axes are mutually orthogonal to the axis of compliance.
US07788983B2 Sensor arrangement
A sensor arrangement is arranged to detect at least one position of a displaceable component in a fluid device, which fluid device comprises a wall enclosing a cavity, in which cavity the component is displaced by pressurized fluid selectively applied to the component. The sensor arrangement includes a magnetic sensor mounted outside the wall and a first sensor element that is connected to the magnetic sensor and extends through the wall and a predetermined distance into the cavity. The magnetic sensor is arranged to detect the position of at least one predetermined second sensor element located on the displaceable component by sensing a change in magnetic flux induced in the first sensor element by the second sensor element.
US07788981B2 Pressure measurement device and system, and method for manufacturing and using the same
The present invention discloses a pressure measurement device comprising: a substrate that includes at least one pressure sensing module and at least one fluid-conductive channel, wherein each channel has a first aperture and a second aperture. The substrate is flexible such that the pressure measurement device is conformably adjustable onto an object's surface. The first aperture is located on the substrate such that when the substrate is suitably adjusted onto the object's surface, the first aperture is open to the exterior of the object's surface. The pressure sensors module is operatively connected to at least one of the second apertures, such that the at least one pressure sensing module is generally being subjected to the pressure being present at the first aperture.
US07788979B2 Monolithic antenna excited acoustic transduction device
A Monolithic Antenna Excited Acoustic Transduction (MAEAT) device is fabricated by photolithographically depositing a metallic antenna on one side of a piezoelectric crystal substrate.
US07788978B2 Support member of vibrator
The present invention provides, in a physical quantity measuring system using a vibrator, a supporting structure of a vibrator for reducing the zero-point temperature drift of detection signal. It is provided a supporting member for supporting a vibrator with bonding wires. The supporting member has a supporting plate with an opening formed therein to be positioned direct under a vibrator, and a bonding wire comprising a bonding end to be bonded with the vibrator, a fixed portion fixed on the supporting plate and a bent portion direct under the opening. A distance “L1” between the bent portion and a position where the bonding wire starts to protrude from the supporting plate is 10 percent or more of a distance “L2” of the bent portion and the bonding end.
US07788977B2 Physical quantity sensor
A physical quantity sensor comprises a sensor circuit that converts an externally applied physical quantity to an electrical signal and outputs a detection signal; an adjustment circuit that adjusts the detection signal, which is received from the sensor circuit, to a predetermined signal; and an output circuit that forms an output signal from the signal of the adjustment circuit wherein the sensor circuit and the output circuit are driven by a common power supply voltage. The adjustment circuit comprises a pulse generation circuit that generates a pulse modulation signal based on the power supply voltage; and an amplifier circuit that amplifies the detection signal, which is received from the sensor circuit, with a gain made variable by the pulse modulation signal, wherein the detection sensitivity of the output signal is made variable according to the power supply voltage. This configuration enables the amplifier circuit, provided in the adjustment circuit, to output a sensor output that has high linearity characteristics and, as a result, implements a physical quantity sensor with highly accurate sensor detection sensitivity and allows the physical quantity sensor to have good detection-sensitivity ratiometrics characteristics, high linearity, and desired-characteristic detection sensitivity.
US07788972B2 Method of downhole characterization of formation fluids, measurement controller for downhole characterization of formation fluids, and apparatus for downhole characterization of formation fluids
A method of downhole characterization of formation fluids is provided. The method includes: estimating a rough value of the bubble point pressure of the formation fluids; depressurizing the formation fluids at a first speed to a certain pressure which is a predetermined value higher than the estimated rough value while the formation fluids are isolated in a portion of the flowline; and depressurizing the isolated fluids at a second speed which is slower than the first speed in order to measure a precise value of the bubble point pressure.
US07788970B2 Wireless sensor probe
A wireless sensor probe for use in environmental monitoring and control includes a separable probe body and sensor mast. The probe body includes a void configured to house the sensor mast including one or more sensor devices for sensing a soil property surrounding the probe body when the probe body is inserted partially into the ground. The probe body includes a probe top part for encapsulating the probe body and the sensor mast. The sensor mast is inserted into the probe body to form the sensor probe. In another embodiment, a wireless sensor probe includes a housing containing one or more sensor devices. The probe further includes a collar situated near a top portion of the housing being used to anchor the housing to the top of the ground and a gasket formed on the outside perimeter of the housing for securing the housing in the ground.
US07788969B2 Combination contaminant size and nature sensing system and method for diagnosing contamination issues in fluids
Systems and methods used to monitor a fluid where it is important to know the size, concentration and nature of particulates in the fluid. For example, the systems and method can be used to diagnose contamination issues in fluids such as fuel, lubrication, power transfer, heat exchange or other fluids in fluid systems, for example diesel engines or hydraulic systems, where contaminant particles in the fluids are of concern.
US07788968B2 System and method for self-verification of safe storage within hermetically sealed containers
A system to first verify an adequate degree of hermeticity of a hermetic container in providing safe storage of a commodity by retaining sufficient hermeticity in a closed container and if satisfactory, loading a commodity in the container to self-verify the continued safe storage of the commodity by retaining sufficient hermeticity to protect the commodity from the effects of at least one of oxygen, humidity, insects and microflora in a hermetic container on the commodity therein. The hermetic container has at least one self-verifying component for measuring a parameter internal to the container, during and after manufacture, before and after placement of a commodity therein, and for providing the measurement externally to the container.
US07788965B2 Portable friction testing device
A portable device for measuring friction, especially friction between tire treads and road surfaces is disclosed. The portable friction tester is shaped as an equilateral triangle providing three points of contact for samples in the road surface.
US07788964B2 Method and device for calibrating a weighing system of a blast furnace top hopper
A method for calibrating a weighing system of a blast furnace top hopper and a corresponding weighing system are disclosed. The method comprises the step of using at least one actuator for exerting a vertical net force with a certain magnitude onto the hopper, so as to simulate a certain weight of charge material in the hopper; and the step of determining the magnitude of the vertical net force. According to the invention, the method further comprises the step of determining the magnitude of a pressure exerting a lifting force onto said hopper and the step of using the determined magnitude of the vertical net force and the determined magnitude of the pressure to establish calibration data for the weighing system.
US07788963B2 System and method for calibrating a determination of partial pressure of one or more gaseous analytes
One aspect of the invention relates to a system adapted to calibrate a determination of information related to one or more gaseous analytes in a body of gas being delivered to an objective by a gas source. In one embodiment the system comprises a partial pressure sensor, a total pressure monitor, a partial pressure module, and a calibration module. The partial pressure sensor generates an output signal related to the partial pressure of the one or more gaseous analytes in the body of gas. The total pressure monitor determines the total pressure of the body of gas. The partial pressure module determines the partial pressure of the one or more gaseous analytes in the body of gas according to a partial pressure function, wherein the partial pressure function describes the partial pressure of the one or more gaseous analytes in the body of gas as a function of the output signal generated by the partial pressure sensor. The calibration module that calibrates the partial pressure module by determining the partial pressure function.
US07788962B2 Hydraulic tool
A hand-held hydraulic tool including a hydraulic drive system comprising a pump; and a user control system for at least partially controlling operation of the hydraulic tool. The user control system includes a first user control at a first location having a first pump activation control switch and a first hydraulic drive system drain control switch, and a second user control at a second location having a second pump activation control switch and a second hydraulic drive system drain control switch. The hydraulic tool is adapted to be controlled by a user at either of the first or the second locations.
US07788959B2 Method of producing ultra thin wall metallic tube by cold drawing process
In a method of producing an ultra thin wall metallic tube by a cold drawing process in which a drawing machine is used, a wall thickness of the metallic tube is reduced to perform drawing while a tube-wall centerline diameter of a tube material is expanded, using a solid die which gradually increases in diameter from its engaging inlet side toward its work-ending outlet side and a plug or a tapered mandrel bar which gradually increases in diameter over a corresponding distance from the engaging inlet side of the solid die toward the work-ending outlet side of the solid die, whereby the wall thickness can dramatically be reduced.
US07788953B1 Double faced weft-knit textile article
A double face, weft-knit textile garment. The garment includes: a first face having a printed portion; and a second face having a printed portion, wherein the fabric density of the fabric forming the garment is greater than about 5 oz. per square yard, thereby substantially preventing grin through from at least one printed portion to the opposite face. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of openings are formed in both faces for breathability. In addition, the garment may further include at least one body anchor for facilitating attachment of the garment to the wearer.
US07788945B2 Air conditioner, heat source unit, and air conditioner updating method
An air conditioner is configured by appropriating existing refrigerant pipes of an existing air conditioner to update indoor units and an outdoor unit of a refrigerant circuit of the existing air conditioner. The air conditioner is disposed with an updated refrigerant circuit and a mixer disposed in the updated refrigerant circuit. The updated refrigerant circuit is filled with working refrigerant and refrigerating machine oil that include an acid trapping agent that detoxifies acid components remaining in the refrigerant pipes. The mixer mixes the acid components with the acid trapping agent during refrigeration cycle operation of the updated refrigerant circuit.
US07788944B2 Process and apparatus to cool harvest grapes
The invention relates to a process and apparatus to cool harvest grapes, the grapes being transported from a harvest reception vessel (1) to a press (5) or to a maceration vessel (23), characterized in that the grapes are charged with carbon dioxide during transport to the press (5) and/or during transport to the maceration vessel (23). As a result a flavor improvement of the wine is achieved.
US07788942B2 Helium management control system
A helium management control system for controlling the helium refrigerant supply from a common manifold supplies a plurality of cryogenic refrigerators with an appropriate helium supply. The system employs a plurality of sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply to deliver an appropriate refrigerant supply to each of the cryogenic refrigerators depending on the computed aggregate cooling demand of all of the cryogenic refrigerators. An appropriate supply of helium is distributed to each cryopump by sensing excess and sparse helium refrigerant and redistributing refrigerant accordingly. If the total refrigeration supply exceeds the total refrigerant demand, or consumption, excess refrigerant is directed to cryogenic refrigerators which can utilize the excess helium to complete a current cooling function more quickly. Similarly, if the total refrigeration demand exceeds the total refrigeration supply, the refrigerant supply to some or all of the cryogenic refrigerators will be reduced accordingly so that detrimental or slowing effects are minimized based upon the current cooling function.
US07788938B2 Method and device for regulating a coolant circuit of a vehicle air conditioning system
The invention relates to a method for regulating a coolant circuit (2) of a vehicle air conditioning system (4). According to said method, a target value (SW(VT)) for an evaporator temperature (VT) is predetermined in a base control circuit. Said value is used to determine a control value (U) for controlling the evaporator temperature (VT) by means of an evaporator temperature regulator (16). Said control value is also fed to a ventilator fan controller (26).
US07788935B2 Automatic defogging system of vehicle and control method thereof
An automatic defogging system of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an input unit used for receiving a directly sensed window relative humidity value from a defogging sensor so as to directly sense a humidity generation degree in a window; a controller which controls operations of an air conditioning system programmed as a type of a logic that is selectively and phasedly controllable depending on the sensed relative humidity and; an output unit that is a selection mode of the air conditioning system that can be controlled by the controller. Accordingly, an automatic defogging system of a vehicle and a control method thereof automatically removes fog or frost on an inner surface of a window while maintaining comfortable conditions inside a vehicle.
US07788934B2 Control device for an auger type ice making machine
A control device for an auger type ice making machine according to the present invention includes a driver circuit that drives a geared motor for rotating an auger; a voltage detector that detects an input voltage applied to the geared motor; a current detector that detects a motor current flowing in the geared motor; and a control circuit in which a plurality of current threshold values that differ according to the input voltage are set in advance, the control circuit controlling the driver circuit so as to stop the geared motor when a value of the motor current detected by the current detector exceeds a current threshold value that corresponds to the value of the input voltage detected by the voltage detector.
US07788931B2 Air-bleed gas turbine
An air-bleed gas turbine includes a compressor; a combustor; a turbine; and an air bleed portion by which compressed air, which is supplied from the compressor to a circular space that surrounds the combustor, is partially supplied to a device outside the air-bleed gas turbine. The air bleed portion includes an air bleed passage that is communicated with an air bleed port which is connected to the device outside the air-bleed gas turbine, and a communication passage that is communicated with the circular space. The air bleed passage is communicated with the circular space through the communication passage. The flow passage area of the communication passage is increased as the distance from the air bleed port increases in the circumferential direction of the circular space.
US07788928B2 Annular combustion chamber of a turbomachine
Annular combustion chamber of a turbomachine is provided. The combustion chamber includes an inner wall, an outer wall, a chamber bottom disposed between the walls in the upstream region of the chamber, and two attachment flanges disposed downstream of the chamber bottom and respectively enabling the walls to be attached to other parts of the turbomachine. Each wall is divided into several adjacent sectors and each sector is attached to the chamber bottom and to one of the attachment flanges. Advantageously, the adjacent sectors overlap at their lateral edges and there exists a degree of radial play between two adjacent sectors. In addition, the lateral edges of the sectors are inclined circumferentially relative to the principal axis of the combustion chamber.
US07788926B2 Resonator device at junction of combustor and combustion chamber
One or more Helmholtz-type resonators (270) is/are provided at the junction (260) of a combustor (220) and a combustion chamber (240) of a gas turbine engine (100). In one embodiment, adjacent Helmholtz-type resonators (290, 291, 292), which may be separated by respective baffles (285), have different volumes that help provide for damping different undesired combustion-generated acoustic pressure waves. In some embodiments, a structural member (435) may be provided between adjacent Helmholtz-type resonators (425, 426, 427, 428) at the junction. At least one of the plurality of Helmholtz-type resonators comprises one or more inlet openings (480), and one or more exit openings (482). Embodiments (370, 425-429) are described in which Helmholtz-type resonators provided at the junction are enlarged in size using various approaches. The positioning at the junction, upstream of the space (242) in which combustion occurs, and providing a plurality of differently sized resonators, provides for improved flexibility and resonator damping efficiencies.
US07788925B2 Vehicle power supply system
The vehicle power generation system, which is mounted on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine as a travel drive power source, and a cooling device for cooling the internal combustion engine by use of coolant containing one of alcohol and ether, includes a fuel cell generating electric energy by electrochemical reaction between one of alcohol and ether as fuel and oxidant in the fuel cell, and a fuel supply device operating to supply one of alcohol and ether contained in the coolant to the fuel cell.
US07788922B2 System and method for model based boost control of turbo-charged engines
A system and method for controlling boost pressure in various turbo-charged engine configurations as well as variable geometry turbine (VGT) arrangements includes an electronic controller programmed to receive a predetermined desired boost pressure PBoostdes. A desired pressure delta ΔPWGdes across a waste-gate valve is determined using the desired boost pressure PBoostdes. A control signal is generated for controlling the waste-gate valve so as to achieve the desired pressure delta ΔPWGdes. In boost pressure and vacuum pneumatically-actuated waste-gate valve arrangements, the respective solenoid duty cycles are obtained through use of various data structures. Where a waste-gate valve position is controlled by an electrical motor, the valve position is determined using a data structure as a function of desired waste-gate valve flow at sonic standard conditions.
US07788921B2 Shape memory alloy actuator
To provide a shape memory alloy actuator using a shape memory alloy that mechanically restrains a moving body in position to prevent oscillation, the actuator has a moving body pushing member adapted to be capable of abutting to the moving body, a bias spring for the moving body pushing member that exerts an external force on the moving body pushing member in the direction opposite to the direction of change in the shape of a shape memory wire caused by heating, a bias spring for the moving body that exerts an external force on the moving body in the direction same as the direction of change, a first stopper that restricts the movement of the moving body to a predetermined position upon cooling. One end of the shape memory wire is fixed, the other end is mechanically linked with the moving body pushing member. The moving body pushing member and the moving body are moved by deformation caused by heating, and the moving body and the moving body pushing member are separated, when the moving body is stopped at the position of the first stopper.
US07788920B2 Hydraulic pump with control system
A hydraulic motor is driven by a fixed displacement, three stage gear-type pump. The three equal displacement sections provide 3 equally-stepped flows so that the hydraulic motor can have three speeds. Valving and controls are provided for remote on-the-fly shifting of the speeds, automatic pump unloading in neutral, and adjustable maximum pressure. A closed loop system permits use of a relatively small reservoir. The contamination tolerance of the system is greater than that of variable displacement piston-type pumps typically used. Direct recirculation of hydraulic fluid is provided for unused speeds to permit hydraulic fluid to recirculate in the pump without doing work. A unique control circuit is provided to control the first speed valve in conjunction with a logic cartridge which controls hydraulic motor direction to permit fluid flow to the hydraulic motor to be stopped when coming to neutral without slamming the hydraulic motor and rotating drill pipe to a stop. The first speed valve also acts as a relief valve to provide a mechanism for adjusting maximum system pressure.
US07788918B2 Hydraulic circuit for actuation of a hydraulic working cylinder
A hydraulic circuit for actuation of a hydraulic working cylinder (1) having a one-sided piston rod (1a), comprising a reversible pump (4) whereby both sides of said pump are connected via a supply line (5) and a first two-way valve (6) to the tank (7) containing hydraulic medium and through releasable control check valves (8) to the working cylinder (1). Both sides of the arrangement are further connected respectively to a hydraulic closeable valve (21, 31) through a discharge line (20, 30) and also to the tank (7) through a replenishing suction line (22, 32) having a corresponding suction valve (9). Each of said hydraulic closeable valves (21, 31) is controlled by the pump (4) through a second two-way valve (4).The discharge line (20 or 30) of one side of the working cylinder (1) is connected to the respective discharge line (30 or 20) and/or replenishing suction line (32 or 22) at the opposite side of the working cylinder (1), whereby the connected lines are connected to the tank (7) through an arrangement (13) comprising a check valve (14) blocking in the direction of the tank (7) and well as a pressurizing valve (15) opening in the direction of the tank (7) to ensure through simple means the complete filling of the system with hydraulic medium even during manual operation.
US07788911B2 Adsorbed substance accumulation reduction for exhaust treatment equipment
A system, method and computer operable code is disclosed for reducing HC and liquid accumulation in an exhaust gas treatment system. A timer is used to monitor the amount of time the system spends in either absorption mode or desorption mode. If the exhaust gas temperature at the inlet of a oxidation catalyst device is below an absorption threshold, the timer is instructed to count up. If the exhaust gas temperature is above a desorption threshold, the timer is instructed to count down. At a predetermined timer threshold value, the engine is instructed to enter a thermal management mode operable to reduce accumulation of HC and liquid in the exhaust gas management system.
US07788905B2 Fuel fractionation method and fuel fractionation apparatus for internal combustion engine
A fuel fractionation method which can suitably control a state of a fuel at a time of fractionating the fuel in an internal combustion engine, which includes the steps of applying an operation for promoting a fractionation of a fuel of an engine to a fractionation passage while making the fuel flow to the fractionation passage, thereby fractionating the fuel into a gas phase fuel and a liquid phase fuel within the fractionation passage, conducting the fractionated gas phase fuel and the fractionated liquid phase fuel to a branch point of the fractionation passage, and separating the gas phase fuel and the liquid phase fuel to a gas phase passage and a liquid phase passage, respectively due to gravity.
US07788899B2 Fixed nozzle thrust augmentation system
A thrust augmentation system for a mixed exhaust turbofan engine comprises an augmentation duct, a combustion system and a fixed area exhaust nozzle. The augmentation duct receives primary and secondary air of the turbofan engine and is positioned co-axially with an exhaust case of the turbofan engine. The combustion system increases the thrust produced by the mixed exhaust of the turbofan. The fixed area exhaust nozzle has a throat area larger than that which would maximize the non-augmented thrust.
US07788898B2 Variable coupling of turbofan engine spools via open differential gear set or simple planetary gear set for improved power extraction and engine operability, with torque coupling for added flexibility
A system for transferring mechanical torque variably between a plurality of rotating machines in a turbofan engine. Two devices are used, where the first device relies upon magnetic properties of a planetary magnetic gearbox to couple the magnetic machines. The second device is used to variably control the torque transfer between the magnetic machines. The system couples rotating shafts rotating at differing speeds within a turbofan engine for controllably transferring power. To transfer power in the system, a fixed gear ratio is obtained by coupling the relatively high- and low-speed engine shafts to an epicyclic magnetic gearbox.
US07788897B2 Low emissions combustion apparatus and method
Clean combustion and equilibration equipment and methods are provided to progressively deliver, combust and equilibrate mixtures of fuel, oxidant and aqueous diluent in a plurality of combustion regions and in one or more equilibration regions to further progress oxidation of products of incomplete combustion, in a manner that sustains combustion while controlling temperatures and residence times sufficiently to reduce CO and NOx emissions to below 25 ppmvd, and preferably to below 3 ppmvd at 15% O2.
US07788896B2 Screw shaft turbine compressor
A screw shaft turbine compressor comprising (i) a compressor section, (ii) a turbine section, (iii) a combustion section coupling to the compressor section and the turbine section, and (iv) a grooved shaft. The grooved shaft in one embodiment extends from a portion of the compressor section, through the combustion section, and to a portion of the turbine section.
US07788895B2 Flashback-detecting equipment, flashback-detecting method and gas turbine
When a temperature of cooling steam being measured by a temperature-measuring device 13 in one combustor 2-x among combustors 2-1 through 2-8 is confirmed to be higher than a temperature of a predetermined time before by a predetermined value and temperatures of cooling steams being measured by temperature-measuring devices 13 in combustors 2-y and 2-z being adjacent to the combustor 2-x on both sides are confirmed to be lower than a temperature of a predetermined time before by a predetermined value, an occurrence of a flashback is detected in the combustor 2-x.
US07788892B2 User interface and control for cutting reel system
A user interface and control system for adjusting the reel of a cutting reel unit includes a frame supported by at least one support element that is supported on, and is movable along, the ground. The system also includes a cutting reel, a bedknife, first and second actuators, a controller, and an operator input station, all carried on the frame. The reel and bedknife define a cutting line therebetween. The first actuator is adjustable to set a clearance between the reel and the bedknife. The second actuator is operatively connected between the frame and the bedknife to adjust the elevation of the cutting line to set a height-of-cut of the cutting reel. The controller is signal-connected to the first and second actuators, to adjust the actuators. The operator input station is signal-connected to the controller, the operator input station including a keypad portion and a display portion, wherein the clearance and the height-of-cut are indicated on the display portion and the clearance and the height-of-cut can be selectively changed via the controller by operator input to the keypad portion.
US07788886B2 Apparatus and method for loading containers with bags
An apparatus for loading containers with bags, wherein the apparatus is provided with a feed conveyor assembly, a loading unit, and a control designed for, each time, forming a layer of bags in the loading unit, which layer has dimensions substantially corresponding to the bottom dimensions of a container to be filled, and wherein the control is designed such that, each time, the loading unit places a wholly formed layer in the container to be filled. In the method, the bags are oriented in a feed conveyor assembly and placed from the feed conveyor assembly onto a bottom of a holder of a loading unit, wherein, subsequently, when the whole bottom of the holder of the loading unit has been filled with bags, this holder is lowered into a container to be filled and the bottom is released when the bottom of the holder is just above the bottom of the container to be filled or a layer of bags present in this container.
US07788883B2 Custom packaging solution for arbitrary objects
A method of producing a custom packaging system for arbitrary objects. A first image of an object to be packaged is received via an electronic user interface. Information relating to the material properties of the object may be received as well via the interface. A three dimensional size for the object is determined. At least one package for the object is automatically selected. Based on the material properties, a packing material type is automatically determined. Based upon the size and the selected package, a packing material amount is determined. Further printing options are permitted.
US07788881B2 Case erector
A case erector is configured to open folded cases. In one example, the case erector includes a planar bearing surface. A semi-circular channel is defined in the planar bearing surface about a center point. Additionally, a notch is located so that the planar bearing surface does not extend to the center point of the semi-circular channel. A plate is in contact with the planar bearing surface. The plate has at least one flange sized for travel within the semi-circular channel so that the plate rotates against the planar bearing surface in a circular manner about the center point. A notch is defined in the plate so that the plate does not extend to the center point of the semi-circular channel. An arm is connected to the plate so that the plate and the arm rotate together with respect to the planar bearing surface. In operation, a folded edge of a folded case is positioned at the center point. One or two arms, moved by plates rotating on bearing surfaces, attach to and open the folded case.
US07788879B2 Methods and apparatus for assembling strong, lightweight thermal panel and insulated building structure
A structural panel for a building structure includes first and second stud members each including a neck. Openings and venturi bridges are formed in the neck. At least one flange is attached to the neck. A foam panel extends between the studs. The openings in the neck limit the heat transferred from the stud to the edge of the foam panel. The venturi bridges in the neck also limit the transfer of heat from the neck to the edge of the foam panel.
US07788878B1 Device and method for bracing a wall structure
A boot assembly for securing a bracing strap to a wall in a light steel frame building. The boot assembly includes an elongated channel-shaped strap connector and a stud connector. The stud connector is adapted such that a stud may be connected thereto. The strap connector includes a seat for receiving a base of the stud connector and a pair of stops. One or more stops is disposed on each of two end portions of the strap connector. Each stop includes a stop surface to abut a portion of the base and to prevent or limit fore-and-aft movement of the base relative to the strap connector. The strap connector is adapted to be secured with the stud connector and a track, included in the wall, to an underlying support. The strap connector includes a flange adapted such that an end portion of a bracing strap can be connected thereto.
US07788877B2 Basement sump system and method
A sump system for use in basement waterproofing systems. A sump liner may be generally rectangular in geometry, and may include two side elements with apertures to exchange groundwater while blocking debris. An adjustable inlet may be provided in another side element to fluidly connect other elements of a basement waterproofing system to the sump liner. The sump liner may further include a base configured to provide a built-in stand for a sump pump. The pump stand may contain a lip with notches to allow debris to fall and collect in a trough around a periphery of the base. The base may further provide an underside cavity for accommodating an obstruction in the floor of a sump hole. A removable lid may facilitate access to the sump liner interior, and may contain a break-away feature to accommodate discharge piping, as well as a groove to lodge a pump power cord. The sump liner may be strategically oriented within the sump hole to protect the basement foundation from erosion.
US07788875B2 Trim system clip for island ceiling
An edge trim system for suspended island ceilings in which a one-piece clip couples standard grid tees to standard wall molding. The clip is arranged to snap onto the grid tees where the ceiling boundary is along a line of the grid and to be screw fastened onto a tee where the ceiling boundary is other than along the grid. The clip is arranged to snap into and retain the molding in place without fasteners.
US07788873B2 Gable end brace
A connector and method of using the connector for making a structural connection between two structural members joined at an angle. The connector is bent in the field to allow the connector to be used in both left-hand and right-hand connections. The connector is preferably formed from metal with an integral gusset at the longitudinal line of juncture. The connector is preferably attached to the structural members by a plurality of fasteners. The gusset reinforces the connection against forces acting perpendicular to the longitudinal line of juncture and the plurality of fasteners reinforce the connection against angular displacement of the structural members perpendicular to the longitudinal line of juncture.
US07788872B2 Seismic main beam connection
In a suspended ceiling for earthquake prone locations, a line of seismic main beam connections of the invention between main beams separates the ceiling into segments that move independently of each other during a quake, to limit a build-up in ceiling momentum. A slotted fishplate in the connection is set to keep the beam ends stable about a gap before a quake, and slidably connected about the gap during a quake.
US07788870B1 Method and roofing strip for retarding moss, fungi, and algae growth on roofs
A method for inhibiting growths on shingled roofs, one or more of the strips installed along shingle courses. The strips are preferably formed of copper and have an upper portion formed with a pattern of through holes along the length of the strip and pattern of dimples extending along a lower portion of the length of the strips to increase the duration and extent of contact of rain or dew with the copper metal to increase the release of cupric ions effective in inhibiting growths on the roof.
US07788869B2 Slidable panel clip assembly for use with roof or wall panels
A clip assembly secures standing seam skylight or roofing panels to substrates and allows for a full range of movements by the panels while eliminating or reducing frictional noises. The clip assembly may also be used with wall panel systems. The clip assembly includes a first clip member and a second clip member each having an upright member and an upper flange member and a lower flange member extending therefrom. The assembly further includes a gap formed between the upright member of the first clip member and the upright member of the second clip member. In one aspect the clip assembly includes a base which allows the assembly to slide.
US07788868B2 Device and method to provide air circulation space proximate to insulation material
Insulation spacer devices, methods and related construction techniques are provided. An exemplary device may include a body having a plurality of openings defining an openwork, to allow the passage of air therethrough when placed in contact with insulation material. The device may further include a plurality of spacer struts and/or spacing depressions fixedly attached to the body. The struts may be configured to maintain a predetermined distance between a first side of the insulation material and a building surface. The body and struts act together to define and maintain a space between the first side of the insulation material and the building surface, for example, for ventilation. The building surface can be the bottom face of a roof, an insulated attic floor, wall sheathing or a soundproofed demising wall, for example. The spacer device can be capable of being transported and stored together with, or as a separate item from, the insulation material, and can also be stored in nested layers. The device can also be stored in rolled form. The openwork of the device can additionally or alternatively include a sheet of Entangled net filaments or other similar material.