| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07858540B2 |
Environmentally resistant ballistic composite based on a nitrile rubber binder
Ballistic resistant fabrics and articles that retain superior ballistic resistance performance after exposure to liquids such as sea water and organic solvents, such as gasoline and other petroleum-based products. The fabrics are formed from high performance fibers coated with a nitrile rubber binder polymer having an acrylonitrile content of from about 15 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, and are optionally coated with a binder that is a blend of a nitrile rubber and a fluorine-containing material. |
| US07858536B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectrics formed on the semiconductor substrate and including a silicon oxide film containing a metallic element, the silicon oxide film containing the metallic element including a first region near a lower surface thereof, a second region near an upper surface thereof, and a third region between the first and second regions, the metallic element contained in the silicon oxide film having a density distribution in a thickness direction of the silicon oxide film, a peak of the density distribution existing in the third region, and an electrode formed on the gate dielectrics. |
| US07858531B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor structure comprising a field effect transistor having a stressed channel region
A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises providing a semiconductor substrate comprising at least one transistor element. An etch stop layer is formed over the transistor element. A stressed first dielectric layer is formed over the etch stop layer. A protective layer adapted to reduce an intrusion of moisture into the first dielectric layer is formed over the first dielectric layer. At least one electrical connection to the transistor element is formed. At least a portion of the protective layer remains over the first dielectric layer after completion of the formation of the at least one electrical connection. |
| US07858530B2 |
Processing method for wafer and processing apparatus therefor
A processing method for a wafer includes: preparing a wafer which has a device region having plural devices formed on a surface of the wafer; and a peripheral reinforcing portion which is integrally formed around the device region and has a projection projecting outwardly on a rear surface of the wafer. The processing method further includes: removing at least the projection of the peripheral reinforcing portion of the wafer; and transferring the wafer after the removing. In the removing, while the wafer is held on a holding table such that the rear surface of the wafer is exposed and the surface of the wafer closely contacts the holding table, at least the projection of the peripheral reinforcing portion is removed. After the removing of at least the projection, while the wafer is held on the holding table, a holding tape is applied to the rear surface of the wafer and the holding tape is supported by a frame. In the transferring, the wafer having the holding tape applied thereon is separated together with the frame from the holding table and is transferred together with the frame. |
| US07858529B2 |
Treatment method of semiconductor, method for manufacturing MOS, and MOS structure
The method of the present invention includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a recess; performing a pre-cleaning step on the semiconductor substrate; and performing a first reduction step, a lateral etching step and a second reduction step on the semiconductor substrate. The MOS structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate, a pair of recesses with beak sections extending to and under the gate structure, and a strain material filling the recess. The recess inside the semiconductor substrate processed by the method including the lateral etching step forms a beak section. |
| US07858526B2 |
Method of patterning gate electrodes by reducing sidewall angles of a mask layer
By performing an anisotropic resist modification prior to the actual resist trimming process, the profile of the end portions of the resist features may be significantly enhanced, for instance by providing substantially vertical sidewall portions. Consequently, an overlap of gate electrodes with the respective isolation structures may be obtained, while nevertheless the probability for a short circuit between opposing end portions of the gate electrodes may be significantly reduced, thereby providing the potential for further scaling down device dimensions. |
| US07858525B2 |
Fluorine-free precursors and methods for the deposition of conformal conductive films for nanointerconnect seed and fill
A method including introducing a fluorine-free organometallic precursor in the presence of a substrate; and forming a conductive layer including a moiety of the organometallic precursor on the substrate according to an atomic layer or chemical vapor deposition process. A method including forming an opening through a dielectric layer to a contact point; introducing a fluorine-free copper film precursor and a co-reactant; and forming a copper-containing seed layer in the opening. A system including a computer including a microprocessor electrically coupled to a printed circuit board, the microprocessor including conductive interconnect structures formed from fluorine-free organometallic precursor. |
| US07858523B2 |
Unsymmetrical ligand sources, reduced symmetry metal-containing compounds, and systems and methods including same
The present invention provides metal-containing compounds that include at least one β-diketiminate ligand, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the metal-containing compounds are homoleptic complexes that include unsymmetrical β-diketiminate ligands. In other embodiments, the metal-containing compounds are heteroleptic complexes including at least one β-diketiminate ligand. The compounds can be used to deposit metal-containing layers using vapor deposition methods. Vapor deposition systems including the compounds are also provided. Sources for β-diketiminate ligands are also provided. |
| US07858522B2 |
Method for reducing carbon monoxide poisoning in a thin film deposition system
A method for introducing a precursor vapor to a process chamber configured for forming a thin film on a substrate is described. The method includes transporting a process gas containing metal precursor vapor and a CO delivery gas to a process chamber, and introducing a CO saturation gas to the precursor vapor in the process chamber and optionally adjusting the spatial distribution of the CO saturation gas addition in order to affect improvements to the properties of the deposited film. |
| US07858521B2 |
Fabrication for electroplating thick metal pads
A method of electroplating includes forming a seed region to be electroplated on a first portion of a substrate, forming a ground plane on a second portion of a substrate, electrically isolating the ground plane from the seed region, electroplating the region, wherein electroplating includes causing the ground plane and the region to make electrical connection, and then removing the ground plane region on the second portion of the substrate, but not removing the electrical isolation. This creates a structure having a substrate, a passivation layer on the substrate, and at least one electroplated, metal region on the substrate such that there is contiguous contact between the metal region and the passivation layer. And, after an additional flip-chip assembly to a bond pad/heat sinking chip, results in a device having a bond pad chip having bond pads, solder beads formed on the bond pads, and a component connected to the bond pads by the solder beads. Wherein, the component has a substrate, a passivation layer on the substrate, and at least one electroplated, metal region on the substrate such that there is contiguous contact between the metal region and the passivation layer. |
| US07858515B2 |
Method for forming metal line in semiconductor device
A method for forming a metal line in a semiconductor device may include forming a silicon (Si) monolayer as an etching prevention layer over an exposed portion of a lower metal layer and sidewalls of an upper metal layer, middle metal layer, and the entire surface of curved photoresist patterns. |
| US07858514B2 |
Integrated circuit, intermediate structure and a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure
In a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure, a carbon containing mask is fabricated over a dielectric layer. The mask exposes the surface of the dielectric layer at least partly in a region between two adjacent conducting lines. A contact hole is etched into the dielectric layer in the region between the two adjacent conducting lines. |
| US07858513B2 |
Fabrication of self-aligned via holes in polymer thin films
A low-cost and efficient process produces self-aligned vias in dielectric polymer films that provides electrical connection between a top conductor and a bottom conductor. The process is achieved by printing conductive posts on the first patterned conductive layer, followed by the deposition of an unpatterned layer dielectric, followed by the deposition of a second patterned conductive layer. The vias are formed during the flash annealing of the post after the dielectric is deposited, but before the second conductive layer is deposited. In this process, the post material is annealed with a flash of light, resulting in a release of energy which removes the dielectric on the top of the post. |
| US07858509B2 |
High-dielectric film substrate processing method
A disclosed substrate processing method in a single wafer substrate processing device including a first process position for introducing nitrogen atoms to a high-dielectric film and a second process position for performing heat treatment on the high-dielectric film includes: successively conveying plural substrates to be processed to the first process position and the second process position one by one; and successively performing the introduction of nitrogen atoms and the heat treatment on the high-dielectric film on the substrates to be processed, wherein the treatment on the substrate to be processed is started within 30 seconds at the second process position after the process at the first position. |
| US07858497B2 |
Stacked device manufacturing method
A stacked device manufacturing method including a kerf forming step of forming a kerf on the front side of each of plural wafers along each street, the kerf having a depth corresponding to a predetermined finished thickness of each wafer, a first stacking step of stacking a first one of the wafers and a second one of the wafers in such a manner that the front side of the second wafer is opposed to the front side of the first wafer and that the electrodes of the second wafer are respectively bonded to the electrodes of the first wafer, a first back grinding step of grinding the back side of the second wafer to expose each kerf of the second wafer to the back side of the second wafer, a second stacking step of stacking a third one of the wafers to the second wafer in such a manner that the front side of the third wafer is opposed to the back side of the second wafer and that the electrodes of the third wafer are respectively bonded to the electrodes of the second wafer, and a second back grinding step of grinding the back side of the third wafer to expose each kerf of the third wafer to the back side of the third wafer. |
| US07858495B2 |
Method for manufacturing SOI substrate
A method for manufacturing an SOI substrate is provided in which adhesiveness between a single crystal semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor substrate is improved; bonding defects are reduced; and sufficient bonding strength is provided in a bonding step and also in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor device. An insulating film including halogen is formed on a single crystal semiconductor substrate side in which an embrittlement layer is formed. The insulating film including halogen undergoes a plasma treatment. The insulating film including halogen and a face of a semiconductor substrate are bonded so as to face each other. A thermal treatment is performed to split the single crystal semiconductor substrate along the embrittlement layer, thereby separating the single crystal semiconductor substrate into a single crystal semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor substrate to which a single crystal semiconductor layer is bonded. The single crystal semiconductor layer bonded to the semiconductor substrate undergoes a planarization treatment. |
| US07858494B2 |
Laminated substrate manufacturing method and laminated substrate manufactured by the method
Adhesion of particles due to static buildup during a laminated substrate manufacturing process is constrained, so as to reduce generation of a void or a blister in a lamination step and improve yield. A laminate 13 is formed by superimposing a first semiconductor substrate 11, which is to be an active layer, on a second semiconductor substrate 12, which is to be a supporting substrate, via an oxide film 11a. Electric resistance of either or both of the first and second semiconductor substrates 11 and 12 before superimposition is 0.005-0.2 Ωcm. |
| US07858493B2 |
Cleaving edge-emitting lasers from a wafer cell
In one example embodiment, a process for cleaving a wafer cell includes several acts. First a wafer cell is affixed to an adhesive film. Next, the adhesive film is stretched substantially uniformly. Then, the adhesive film is further stretched in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a predetermined reference direction. Next, the wafer cell is scribed to form a notch that is oriented substantially parallel to the predetermined reference direction. Finally, the wafer cell is cleaved at a location substantially along the notch. |
| US07858491B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
This invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. A P well for a cell junction may be formed by performing an ion implantation process employing a zero tilt condition. Stress caused by collision between a dopant and a Si lattice within a semiconductor substrate may be minimized and, therefore stress remaining within the semiconductor substrate may be minimized. Accordingly, Number Of Program (NOP) fail by disturbance caused by stress remaining within a channel junction may be reduced. Further, a broad doping profile may be formed at the interface of trenches by using BF2 as the dopant when the P well is formed. A fluorine getter layer may be formed on an oxide film of the trench sidewalls and may be used as a boron diffusion barrier. Although a Spin On Dielectric (SOD) insulating layer may be used as an isolation layer, loss of boron (B) may be prevented. Accordingly, an additional ion implantation process for compensating for lost boron (B) may be omitted and a NOP disturbance characteristic may be improved. |
| US07858485B2 |
Structure and method for manufacturing trench capacitance
A deep trench (DT) capacitor comprises a trench in a silicon layer, a buried plate surrounding the trench, a dielectric layer lining the trench, and a node conductor in the trench. The top surface of the poly node is higher than the surface of the silicon layer, so that it is high enough to ensure that a nitride liner used as a CMP etch stop for STI oxide surrounding a top portion of the poly node will be higher than the STI oxide, so that the nitride liner can be removed prior to forming a silicide contact on top of the poly node. |
| US07858483B2 |
Method for fabricating capacitor of semiconductor device
A method for forming a capacitor of a semiconductor device includes forming a first insulation layer having a storage node plug on a semiconductor substrate; forming an etch stop layer and a second insulation layer sequentially on the substrate having the first insulation layer; forming a hole exposing a portion of the storage node plug by selectively etching the second insulation layer by using the etch stop layer; recessing a portion of the storage node plug exposed by the hole; forming a barrier metal layer on a surface of the recessed storage node plug; forming a storage node electrode connected to the storage node plug through the barrier metal layer in the hole; and forming a dielectric layer and a metal layer for a plate electrode sequentially on the storage node electrode. |
| US07858477B2 |
Forming a buried bit line in a bulb-shaped trench
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a bulb-type trench separated from a surrounding gate and forming a buried bit line in the bulb-type trench, thereby preventing electric short of a word line and the buried bit line. A semiconductor device includes a vertical pillar formed over a semiconductor substrate, a surrounding gate formed outside the vertical pillar, and a buried bit line separated from the surrounding gate. |
| US07858475B2 |
Method for manufacturing a vertical transistor that includes a super junction structure
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes: forming multiple trenches on a semiconductor substrate; forming a second conductive type semiconductor film in each trench to provide a first column with the substrate between two trenches and a second column with the second conductive type semiconductor film in the trench, the first and second columns alternately repeated along with a predetermined direction; thinning a second side of the substrate; and increasing an impurity concentration in a thinned second side so that a first conductive type layer is provided. The impurity concentration of the first conductive type layer is higher than the first column. The first column provides a drift layer so that a vertical type first-conductive-type channel transistor is formed. |
| US07858473B2 |
Flash memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A flash memory device having a spacer of a gate region formed in an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) structure and a source/drain region formed using the ONO structure. The outermost oxide in the ONO structure is removed and an interlayer insulating film is formed to ensure sufficient space between the gate regions. Thus, it is possible to prevent a void from being generated in the interlayer insulating film and prevent a word line from being electrically connected to a drain contact for forming a bit line. |
| US07858470B2 |
Memory device and fabrication thereof
A semiconductor memory device. A trench capacitor disposed at a lower portion of a trench in a substrate, in which the trench capacitor comprises a filling electrode layer and a collar dielectric layer surrounding the filling electrode layer. The top of the collar dielectric layer is lower than top surface level of the filling electrode layer. A vertical transistor is disposed at the upper portion of the trench, comprising a doped region disposed in a portion of the trench adjacent to the trench. A buried conductive layer interposed between the vertical transistor and the trench capacitor, wherein the cross section of the buried conductive layer is H shaped. The trench capacitor and the doping region of vertical transistor are electrically connected through the H shaped buried conductive layer. |
| US07858469B1 |
Method for forming a trigger device for ESD protection circuit
The present invention is a trigger device useful, for example, in triggering an SCR in an ESD protection circuit. Illustratively, an NMOS trigger device comprises a gate and heavily doped P and N regions in a P-well on opposite sides of the gate. A first N type source/drain extension and a first P-type pocket region extend from the P region toward the N region with the pocket region located under the source/drain extension and extending under the gate. A second N-type source/drain extension and a second P-type pocket region extend from the N region toward the P region with the pocket region located under the source/drain extension and extending under the gate. Preferably, the gate itself is heavily doped so that one half of the gate on the side adjacent the heavily doped P region is also heavily doped with dopants of P-type conductivity and the other half of the gate on the side adjacent the heavily doped N region is also heavily doped with dopants of N-type conductivity. Doping the gate increases the threshold voltage by about one Volt due to an increase in the work function on the source side of the gate. |
| US07858467B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes forming, on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, an isolation trench including sidewall parts and a bottom part, or a stepped structure including a first planar part, a second planar part, and a step part located at a boundary between the first planar part and the second planar part, and supplying oxidizing ions or nitriding ions contained in plasma generated by a microwave, a radio-frequency wave, or electron cyclotron resonance to the sidewall parts and the bottom part of the isolation trench or the first and second planar parts and the step part of the stepped structure by applying a predetermined voltage to the semiconductor substrate, to perform anisotropic oxidation or anisotropic nitridation of the sidewall parts and the bottom part of the isolation trench or the first and second planar parts and the step part of the stepped structure. |
| US07858464B2 |
Methods of manufacturing non-volatile memory devices having insulating layers treated using neutral beam irradiation
Methods of manufacturing non-volatile memory devices that can reduce or prevent loss of charges stored in a charge storage layer and/or that can improve charge storage capacity by neutral beam irradiation of an insulating layer are disclosed. The methods include forming a tunneling insulating layer on a substrate, forming a charge storage layer on the tunneling insulating layer, forming a blocking insulating layer on the charge storage layer, irradiating the blocking insulating layer and/or the tunneling insulating layer with a neutral beam, and forming a gate conductive layer on the blocking insulating layer. |
| US07858460B2 |
Passivation of wide band-gap based semiconductor devices with hydrogen-free sputtered nitrides
A passivated semiconductor structure and associated method are disclosed. The structure includes a silicon carbide substrate or layer; an oxidation layer on the silicon carbide substrate for lowering the interface density between the silicon carbide substrate and the thermal oxidation layer; a first sputtered non-stoichiometric silicon nitride layer on the thermal oxidation layer for reducing parasitic capacitance and minimizing device trapping; a second sputtered non-stoichiometric silicon nitride layer on the first layer for positioning subsequent passivation layers further from the substrate without encapsulating the structure; a sputtered stoichiometric silicon nitride layer on the second sputtered layer for encapsulating the structure and for enhancing the hydrogen barrier properties of the passivation layers; and a chemical vapor deposited environmental barrier layer of stoichiometric silicon nitride for step coverage and crack prevention on the encapsulant layer. |
| US07858455B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device and a display device each including a thin film transistor which has excellent electric characteristics and high reliability, with high mass productivity. In a display device which includes a channel-etch inversely-staggered thin film transistor in which a microcrystalline semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, the microcrystalline semiconductor layer is formed of a stacked layer of a microcrystalline semiconductor film which is formed by a deposition method and can be a nucleus of crystal growth and an amorphous semiconductor film; a conductive film and a semiconductor film which forms a source region and a drain region and to which an impurity imparting one conductivity is added are formed over the amorphous semiconductor film; and the conductive film is irradiated with laser light. The amorphous semiconductor film over the microcrystalline semiconductor film is crystallized by the laser light, and the microcrystalline semiconductor layer including the microcrystalline semiconductor film formed by a deposition method can be formed. |
| US07858453B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and display device utilizing solution ejector
A step of forming wiring using first solution ejection means for ejecting a conductive material, a step of forming a resist mask on the wiring using second solution ejection means, and a step of etching the wiring using an atmospheric-pressure plasma device having linear plasma generation means or an atmospheric-pressure plasma device having a plurality of linearly-arranged plasma-generation-means using the resist mask as a mask are included. |
| US07858448B2 |
Method of forming support structures for semiconductor devices
Support structures for semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, the support structures include a plurality of support members that is formed in a substantially annular shape beneath a wire bond region. The central region inside the substantially annular shape of the plurality of support members may be used to route functional conductive lines for making electrical contact to active areas of the semiconductor device. Dummy support structures may optionally be formed between the functional conductive lines. The support structures may be formed in one or more conductive line layers and semiconductive material layers of a semiconductor device. In other embodiments, support members are not formed in an annular shape, and are formed in insulating layers that do not comprise low dielectric constant (k) materials. |
| US07858443B2 |
Leadless integrated circuit package having standoff contacts and die attach pad
A leadless integrated circuit (IC) package comprising an IC chip mounted on a die attach pad and a plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to the IC chip. The IC chip, the electrical contacts, and the die attach pad are all covered with a molding material, with portions of the electrical contacts and die attach pad protruding from a bottom surface of the molding material. |
| US07858442B2 |
Leaded stacked packages having elevated die paddle
A semiconductor package includes a leadframe, an elevated die paddle disposed above the leadframe, a first die attached to a lower surface of the elevated die paddle to support the first die within the semiconductor package, and a second die attached to the first die. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor package includes providing a leadframe having a lower lead and an elevated die paddle structure, attaching a first die to the elevated die paddle structure with a die adhesive (DA) for supporting the first die within the semiconductor package, and wire bonding the first die to the lower lead. |
| US07858441B2 |
Semiconductor package with semiconductor core structure and method of forming same
A semiconductor device is made by providing a temporary carrier for supporting the semiconductor device. An integrated passive device (IPD) structure is formed over the temporary carrier. The IPD structure includes an inductor, resistor, and capacitor. Conductive posts are mounted to the IPD structure, and first semiconductor die is mounted to the IPD structure. A wafer molding compound is deposited over the conductive posts and the first semiconductor die. A core structure is mounted to the conductive posts over the first semiconductor die. The core structure includes a semiconductor material. Conductive through silicon vias (TSVs) are formed in the core structure. A redistribution layer (RDL) is formed over the core structure. A second semiconductor die is mounted over the semiconductor device. The second semiconductor die is electrically connected to the core structure. |
| US07858438B2 |
Semiconductor device, chip package and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device has a chip, a first bump electrode, a conductive wire and a second bump electrode. The chip has at least one contact pad, and the first bump electrode is formed on the contact pad. The conductive wire is disposed on an active surface of the chip and electrically connected to the first bump electrode. The second bump electrode is formed on the conductive wire, and the second bump electrode is not disposed over any contact pad of the chip. In addition, a method for packaging a chip and an IC package are also disclosed. |
| US07858437B2 |
Method for manufacturing a substrate with cavity
An aspect of the present invention features a method for manufacturing a substrate having a cavity. The method can comprises: (a) forming an upper layer circuit on an upper seed layer; (b) laminating a dry film on a portion of the upper seed layer where a cavity is to be formed; (c) fabricating an upper outer layer by forming an insulation layer on top of the upper seed layer and on top and sides of the upper layer circuit; (d) stacking the upper outer layer on one side of a core layer where an internal circuit is formed; (e) removing the upper seed layer; and (f) forming the cavity by removing the dry film. The method for manufacturing a substrate with a cavity according to the present invention can reduce the total thickness of the substrate while the thickness of an insulation layer remains the same, by forming the insulation layer on sides of an external circuit. |
| US07858436B2 |
Semiconductor device, its manufacture method and template substrate
The semiconductor device has: a ZnO-containing substrate containing Li; a zinc silicate layer formed above the ZnO-containing substrate; and a semiconductor layer epitaxially grown relative to the ZnO-containing substrate via the zinc silicate layer. |
| US07858434B2 |
Organic thin film transistor substrate and method of manufacturing the same
An organic thin film transistor substrate includes a substrate, a gate line on a surface of the substrate, a gate insulating layer insulating on the gate line, a data line on the gate insulating layer, an organic thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, the organic thin film transistor including an organic semiconductor layer, a bank-insulating layer positioned at least in part on the data line, the bank-insulating layer including a wall portion which defines a pixel area, and a pixel electrode formed in the pixel area. |
| US07858431B2 |
Method of manufacturing photoelectric conversion device
A fragile layer is formed in a region at a depth of less than 1000 nm from one surface of a single crystal semiconductor substrate, and a first impurity semiconductor layer and a first electrode are formed at the one surface side. After bonding the first electrode and a supporting substrate, the single crystal semiconductor substrate is separated using the fragile layer or the vicinity as a separation plane, thereby forming a first single crystal semiconductor layer over the supporting substrate. An amorphous semiconductor layer is formed on the first single crystal semiconductor layer, and a second single crystal semiconductor layer is formed by heat treatment for solid phase growth of the amorphous semiconductor layer. A second impurity semiconductor layer having a conductivity type opposite to that of the first impurity semiconductor layer and a second electrode are formed over the second single crystal semiconductor layer. |
| US07858430B2 |
Method for making a photovoltaic cell comprising contact regions doped through a lamina
In aspects of the present invention, a method is disclosed to form a lamina having opposing first and second surfaces. Heavily doped contact regions extend from the first surface to the second surface. Generally the lamina is formed by affixing a semiconductor donor body to a receiver element, then cleaving the lamina from the semiconductor donor body wherein the lamina remains affixed to the receiver element. In the present invention, the heavily doped contact regions are formed by doping the semiconductor donor body before cleaving of the lamina. A photovoltaic cell comprising the lamina is then fabricated. By forming the heavily doped contact regions before bonding to the receiver element and cleaving, post-bonding high-temperature steps can be avoided, which may be advantageous. |
| US07858427B2 |
Crystalline silicon solar cells on low purity substrate
A method is provided for making a crystalline silicon solar cell on a low purity substrate by depositing p+-p-n+, or n+-n-p+ layers of amorphous silicon, depending on the type of wafer, on a crystalline silicon substrate, such as an upgraded metallurgical grade silicon substrate, with substrate vias of varying diameters formed thereon, annealing the stack of amorphous silicon layers to cause solid phase epitaxial crystallization, and metallizing the substrate assembly using standard metallization techniques. One embodiment of the present invention provides depositing a passivation layer onto the third deposited silicon layer subsequent to the crystallization. Another embodiment provides depositing a passivation layer on the back side of the substrate subsequent to crystallization and punching selected regions at the substrate vias prior to back metallization. |
| US07858426B2 |
Method of texturing solar cell and method of manufacturing solar cell
Methods of texturing and manufacturing a solar cell are provided. The method of texturing the solar includes texturing a surface of a substrate of the solar cell using a wet etchant, and the wet etchant includes a surfactant. |
| US07858423B2 |
MEMS based RF components with vertical motion and parallel-plate structure and manufacture thereof using standard CMOS technologies
A process of manufacturing parallel-plate microstructures by integrating the microstructures in a chip using a CMOS process is provided. A MEMS variable capacitor, a tunable band-pass filter, tunable matching networks, and capacitive RF-MEME switches all having vertically movable components and are integrated into a chip. |
| US07858420B2 |
Microelectronic imaging units and methods of manufacturing microelectronic imaging units
Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a plurality of singulated imaging dies to a support member. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a plurality of stand-offs on corresponding imaging dies before and/or after the imaging dies are singulated and electrically connecting the external contacts of the imaging dies to corresponding terminals on the support member. The individual stand-offs include a portion between adjacent external contacts. |
| US07858418B2 |
Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Herein disclosed a method of manufacturing a light emitting device, including the steps of: (A) sequentially forming a first compound semiconductor layer of a first conduction type, an active layer, and a second compound semiconductor layer of a second conduction type different from said first conduction type, over a substrate; and (B) exposing a part of said first compound semiconductor layer, forming a first electrode over said exposed part of said first compound semiconductor layer and forming a second electrode over said second compound semiconductor layer, wherein said method further includes, subsequent to said step (B), the step of: (C) covering at least said exposed part of said first compound semiconductor layer, an exposed part of said active layer, an exposed part of said second compound semiconductor layer, and a part of said second electrode with an SOG layer. |
| US07858417B2 |
Dielectric VCSEL gain guide
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser having a dielectric gain guide. The gain guide may provide current confinement, device isolation and possibly optical confinement. The first mirror and an active region may be grown. A pattern may be placed on or near the active region. A dielectric material may be deposited on the pattern and the pattern may be removed resulting in a gain guide. Then a top mirror may be grown on the gain guide. This structure with the dielectric gain guide may have specific characteristics and/or additional features. |
| US07858410B2 |
Surface emitting semiconductor laser, its manufacturing method, and manufacturing method of electron device
A surface emitting semiconductor laser which can perform laser oscillation in a single peak beam like that in a single lateral mode and a manufacturing method which can easily manufacture such a laser at a high yield are provided. When a surface emitting semiconductor laser having a post type mesa structure is formed on an n-type semiconductor substrate, a mesa portion is formed and up to a p-side electrode and an n-side electrode are formed. Thereafter, a voltage is applied across the p-side and n-side electrodes and the laser is subjected to a steam atmosphere while extracting output light, thereby forming an Al oxide layer onto a p-type AlwGa1-wAs layer as a top layer of a p-type DBR layer and forming refractive index distribution like that of a concave lens. |
| US07858408B2 |
LED with phosphor tile and overmolded phosphor in lens
Overmolded lenses and certain fabrication techniques are described for LED structures. In one embodiment, thin YAG phosphor plates are formed and affixed over blue LEDs mounted on a submount wafer. A clear lens is then molded over each LED structure during a single molding process. The LEDs are then separated from the wafer. The molded lens may include red phosphor to generate a warmer white light. In another embodiment, the phosphor plates are first temporarily mounted on a backplate, and a lens containing a red phosphor is molded over the phosphor plates. The plates with overmolded lenses are removed from the backplate and affixed to the top of an energizing LED. A clear lens is then molded over each LED structure. The shape of the molded phosphor-loaded lenses may be designed to improve the color vs. angle uniformity. Multiple dies may be encapsulated by a single lens. In another embodiment, a prefabricated collimating lens is glued to the flat top of an overmolded lens. |
| US07858406B2 |
Semiconductor device test structures and methods
Semiconductor device test structures and methods are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a test structure includes a feed line disposed in a first conductive material layer, and a stress line disposed in the first conductive material layer proximate the feed line yet spaced apart from the feed line. The stress line is coupled to the feed line by a conductive feature disposed in at least one second conductive material layer proximate the first conductive material layer. |
| US07858400B2 |
Method of manufacturing magnetic field detector
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a magnetic field detector having various structures that can be used as a high-density magnetic biosensor. An embodiment of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a magnetic field detector including a magnetoresistive element using a magnetic bead detecting thin film. The method includes: preparing a substrate; depositing the thin film on an upper surface of the substrate; and etching the thin film to form a ring-shaped magnetoresistive element. |
| US07858389B2 |
Selection of non-small-cell lung cancer patients for treatment with monoclonal antibody drugs targeting EGFR pathway
Methods using mass spectral data analysis and a classification algorithm provide an ability to determine whether a non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient is likely to benefit from a monoclonal antibody drug targeting an epidermal growth factor receptor pathway. A mass spectrum is obtained from a sample (e.g. blood sample) from the patient. One or more predefined pre-processing steps are performed on the mass spectrum. Values of selected features in the spectrum at one or more predefined m/z ranges are obtained after the pre-processing steps have been performed. Such values are used in a classification algorithm using a training set comprising class-labeled spectra produced from samples from other patients to identify the patient as being likely to benefit from treatment with the drug. |
| US07858387B2 |
Method of scanning a sample plate surface mask in an area adjacent to a conductive area using matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry
A method of scanning a sample plate surface mask in an area adjacent to a conductive area using mass spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a sample plate including a mask applied with a rough surface to the electrically conductive surface to produce a sample site comprising a central portion formed from the electrically conductive surface and a marginal portion of the mask, preparing an analyte comprising mixing a biomolecule with an organic solvent, an aqueous solution, and a matrix selected from the group of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid and3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid; applying the analyte to the sample site; forming at least one crystal of the analyte in an area on the mask adjacent to the conductive area, and scanning the area on the mask adjacent to the conductive area with a laser beam. |
| US07858382B2 |
Sensing apparatus having rotating optical assembly
An apparatus for optical sensing of samples includes an optical source, an optical assembly being rotatable about an axis, a sample holder, and a detector. The optical assembly rotates, allowing the sensing apparatus to sense results from plural locations on a sample without moving the sample. Moving the sample in a linear direction while rotating the optical assembly allows sensing of an entire sample containing multiple test sites, such as a biochip. An optical assembly containing mirrors to direct light from the optical source to the sample is provided. Preferably, light enters the optical assembly along the axis of rotation. Sensing methods consistent with the invention are also described. |
| US07858381B2 |
Process for preparing high-purity, halogen-free o-phthaladehyde
Improved process for preparing high-purity, halogen-free o-phthalaldehyde, in which a) tetrahalo-o-xylene is hydrolyzed at a temperature of 155-160° C. and a pressure of from 2 to 5 bar, where appropriate in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst, to o-phthalaldehyde, which b) is converted in an acidic alcoholic solution at a temperature of from 0 to the reflux temperature into the corresponding dialkoxyphthalane and, subsequently, c) an acetal cleavage is effected by acid hydrolysis at a pH >1.5 to pH 7, resulting in high-purity, halogen-free o-phthalaldehyde. |
| US07858379B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining the concentration of iodine-containing organic compounds in an aqueous solution
A method for determining the amount of a known iodine-containing organic compound in an aqueous solution. The method comprises electrochemically reducing the known iodine-containing organic compound in an aqueous medium to release iodide anions, chemically oxidizing the iodide anions to produce molecular iodine, and measuring the amount of molecular iodine. The known iodine-containing organic compound is preferably an aryl iodide, such as Iothalamate. Other preferred iodine-containing organic compounds include various glomerular filtration rate (GFR) marker compounds in plasma or urine samples, as useful in the measurement of GFR for an animal. The electrochemical reduction of the known iodine-containing organic compound is preferably performed in an electrochemical cell including a working electrode separated from a counter electrode by a cation exchange membrane. The working electrode most preferably includes bismuth and the counter electrode most preferably includes platinum. |
| US07858376B2 |
Ninhydrin and ionic liquid reagent mixture and method for the visualization of amino acids and peptides
The invention relates to a method and reagent mixture for the staining and thus visualization of amino acids, peptides and similar compounds, in particular after separation by means of thin-layer chromatography. The staining is carried out using ninhydrin for the detection of amino acids, peptides or proteins in combination with at least one ionic liquid. |
| US07858374B2 |
Method and device for reducing positron emitting isotope labeled carbon dioxide to positron emitter isotope labeled carbon monoxide via metal oxide
A method and device for reducing positron emitter isotope labeled CO2 to positron emitter isotope labeled CO generally includes introducing a volume of positron emitter isotope labeled CO2 into a first heated reaction vessel comprising a metal oxide, such as Iron (II) Oxide such that the CO2 is reduced to CO upon contact with the Iron (II) Oxide. The volume is then transferred to a second reaction vessel to remove any un-reacted CO2, preferably, via a soda-lime trap. The volume is then transferred to a target, e.g., a storage vessel or subject. The CO2 includes one of [11C] or [15O]. The first reaction vessel is, preferably, heated to a temperature of between 900 and 1000° C., and more preferably, to between 925 and 975° C., and even more preferably, to approximately 950° C. Preferably, the Iron (II) Oxide powdered and has a particle size of about −10 mesh. |
| US07858373B2 |
Chemical markers
A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon, a biodiesel fuel or an ethanol fuel, by adding an organic marker compound. |
| US07858367B2 |
Viral vectors and methods for producing and using the same
A recombinant hybrid virus which includes: (a) a deleted adenovirus vector genome having the adenovirus 5′ and 3′ cis-elements for viral replication and encapsidation and a deletion in an adenovirus genomic region selected from the polymerase region and/or the preterminal protein region, wherein the deletion essentially prevents the expression of a functional polymerase and/or preterminal protein from the deleted region and the hybrid virus does not otherwise express a functional polymerase protein; and (b) a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector genome flanked by the adenovirus vector genome sequences of (a), wherein the recombinant AAV vector genome includes an AAV packaging sequence and a heterologous nucleic acid sequence, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid sequence is flanked by 5′ and 3′ AAV inverted terminal repeats. |
| US07858366B2 |
Integrated airborne substance collection and detection system
An integrated collection and detection system is configured to monitor the ambient air for specific particles, such as toxins and pathogens. An air collector captures airborne particles and outputs a fluid sample including the captured particles in a fluid solution. The collection and detection system includes a control module configured to control the processing of the fluid sample such that detection of one or more types of particles is fully automated within the integrated system. The types of particles to be processed and detected include, but are not limited to, cells, bacteria, viruses, nucleic acids, toxins, and other pathogens. If one or more specific types of particles are detected, a system alarm is triggered. The system alarm triggers a local audio/visual alarm and/or is transmitted over a communications network to either a local or central monitoring location. More than one collection and detection system can be coupled to the network and monitored by the central monitoring location. |
| US07858364B2 |
Apparatus and method for polymer synthesis using arrays
The invention concerns a polymer synthesis apparatus (20) for building a polymer chain including a head assembly (21) having an array of nozzles (22) with each nozzle coupled to a reservoir (23) of liquid reagent (24), and a base assembly (25) having an array of reaction wells (26). A transport mechanism (27) aligns the reaction wells (26) and selected nozzles (22) for deposition of the liquid reagent (24) into selected reaction wells (26). A sliding seal (30) is positioned between the head assembly (21) and the base assembly (25) to form a common chamber (31) enclosing both the reaction well (26) and the nozzles (22) therein. |
| US07858362B2 |
Method of using endophytic fungi to decontaminate and decompose human and animal wastes
A method of treating human and/or animal waste products comprising contacting the waste products with an effective amount of Fusarium culmorum and Muscodor albus, together with a buffering agent and starch. The treatment process covered by the present invention can be employed in connection with pit toilets, portal a toilets, disposable waste bags, or any other environment in which the treatment of human and/or animal wastes is desired. Both the Fusarium culmorum and the Muscodor albus can be stored on infested seed grains, including, but not limited to, barley, rye, rice, wheat, mustard and grass. A method or preparing Fusarium culmorum for use in the treatment of human and/or animal wastes. An isolated culture of Fusarium culmorum. A composition comprising the same four elements used in the treatment process. A method for controlling the pH of a mixture of human liquid and sold wastes. |
| US07858361B2 |
Transformed Saccharomyces cerevisiae and method for mass-production of LK8 protein using the same
The present invention relates to a method for preparing LK8 protein, more precisely, a method for mass-production of LK8 protein using Saccharomyces cerevisiae transformed by a gene coding LK8 protein having angiogenesis inhibiting activity. The transformed strain of the present invention and production processes of LK8 protein are expected to contribute greatly to the commercialization of LK8 protein as a novel angiogenesis inhibitor. |
| US07858355B2 |
Dimeric glycerol dehydratases
The invention concerns a method for preparing 1,3-propanediol from a carbon-containing substance, said method comprising a step which consists in culturing a recombinant micro-organism not producing coenzyme B12 in the absence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors. The invention also concerns a nucleic acid coding for a glycerol dehydratase whereof the catalytic activity is independent of the presence of coenzyme B12 or one of its precursors and a nucleic acid coding for a 1,3-propanol dehydrogenase intervening in the synthesis of 1,3-propanediol. The invention further concerns recombinant vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acids and the polypeptides coded by the latter. |
| US07858348B2 |
N-acetyl-(R,S)-beta-amino acid acylase gene
The present invention provides genes that encode the N-acetyl-(R,S)-β-amino acid acylases. The N-acetyl-(R,S)-β-amino acid acylases were isolated and purified from bacterial cells and the nucleotide sequences were determined. A host, such as Escherichia coli, was used to construct a high-expression system for these genes. The N-acetyl-(R)-β-amino acid acylase produced by Burkholderia sp. AJ110349 (FERM BP-10366) includes, for example, the protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ. ID. NO. 8. The gene encoding this enzyme includes, for example, the DNA having the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ. ID. NO. 7. The N-acetyl-(S)-β-amino acid acylase produced by Burkholderia sp. AJ110349 (FERM BP-10366) includes, for example, the protein having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ. ID. NO. 10. The gene encoding this enzyme includes, for example, the DNA having the nucleotide sequence shown inshown in SEQ. ID. NO. 9. The N-acetyl-(R)-β-amino acid acylase produced by Variovorax sp. AJ110348 (FERM BP-10367) includes, for example, the protein comprised of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ. ID. NO. 12. The gene encoding this enzyme includes, for example, the DNA having the nucleotide sequence shown inshown in SEQ. ID. NO. 11. |
| US07858345B2 |
Immunogenic Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae polypeptides
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae polypeptides and nucleic acids, as well as nucleic acid expression vectors and host cells containing nucleic acid vectors are provided. In addition, compositions containing M. hyopneumoniae polypeptides and nucleic acids are provided for use in methods of treating swine to prevent enzootic pneumonia. Furthermore, the invention provides diagnostic tests for the detecting of M. hyopneumoniae infection in swine herds. |
| US07858342B2 |
Apparatus for arbitrary peptide synthesis
Methods, apparatus, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to biologically assembling and/or synthesizing peptides and/or proteins are disclosed. |
| US07858336B1 |
Process and composition for the manufacture of a microbial-based product
Processes to produce microorganisms that can be incorporated into a microbial-based product that results in high viable cell yields and shelf-stable products are disclosed. These microbial-based products are useful for inhibiting pathogenic growth and as a food additive. A preferred microorganism is the lactic acid producing bacteria, Lactobacillus amylovorus M35. In one embodiment, the process comprises inoculating a lactobacillus fermentation medium with M35 cells, harvesting the M35 cells at mid to late log phase, concentrating the M35 cells, and preserving the M35 cells at a concentration of at least 5×109 cfu/ml. |
| US07858335B2 |
Microorganisms and assays for the identification of antibiotics
The present invention features methods for the identification of compounds and compositions useful as antibiotics and antibacterial agents. In particular, the invention features methods for the identification of modulators of a previously unidentified target protein, termed CoaX. High-throughput assay systems are featured as well as assay kits for the identification of CoaX modulators. Also featured are coaX nucleic acid molecules and purified CoaX proteins, as well as recombinant vectors and microorganisms including the gene, coaX. |
| US07858329B2 |
Antibody tools for the diagnostic use in the medical therapy with inhibitors of histone deacetylases
The invention relates to a method for determining whether a treatment of a disorder with an HDAC inhibitor is to be started/continued or not comprising determining the level of histone acetylation in the sample by use of an antibody capable of binding to acetylated histone, and classifying the disorder as to be treated with an HDAC inhibitor when the level of histone acetylation is significantly lower than that of a reference sample. The invention further relates to the diagnostic and prognostic use of specific antibodies and cell lines producing them. |
| US07858323B2 |
Phage microarray profiling of the humoral response to disease
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnostics, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for phage microarray profiling of cancer (e.g., prostate, lung, or breast cancer). The present invention further provides novel markers useful for the diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of cancers. |
| US07858318B2 |
Methods and compositions for vitamin K epoxide reductase
The present invention provides a method of identifying a human subject having increased or decreased sensitivity to warfarin, comprising detecting in the subject the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the VKOR gene, wherein the single nucleotide polymorphism is correlated with increased or decreased sensitivity to warfarin, thereby identifying the subject having increased or decreased sensitivity to warfarin. |
| US07858310B2 |
Sequences diagnostic for shrimp pathogens
Primers have been isolated that are diagnostic for the detection of the taura syndrome virus (TSV). The primers are based on a new portion of the TSV genome and may be used in primer directed amplification or nucleic acid hybridization assay methods. |
| US07858301B2 |
Method of probe design for nucleic acid analysis by multiplexed hybridization
Disclosed is an analysis method useful in multiplexed hybridization-mediated analysis of polymorphisms, i.e., wherein a labeled nucleic acid of interest (“target”) interacts with two or more pairs of immobilized degenerate capture probes. In one embodiment, one member of each pair has a sequence that is complementary to the normal (“wild-type”) sequence in a designated location of the target, while the other member of each pair has a sequence that is complementary to an anticipated variant (“mutant” or “polymorph”) sequence in that location of the target. These methods permit selection of two or more probe pairs such that, for each pair of probes interacting with a given target strand, interaction of the target with a preferred member of the probe pair is optimized. Also interpreting results obtained by multiplexed hybridization of the target to two or more pairs of probes under conditions permitting competitive hybridization is disclosed. |
| US07858298B1 |
Methods of inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection through the administration of CCR5 chemokine receptor antagonists
This invention provides methods for inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells which comprise contacting CD4+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4+ cells is inhibited. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting HIV-1 infection of CD4+ cells which comprise contacting CD4+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4+ cells is inhibited, thereby inhibiting the HIV-1 infection. This invention provides non-chemokine agents capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising an amount of the non-chemokine agent capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells effective to prevent fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
| US07858297B2 |
Chemokine-binding protein and methods of use
Described herein are chemokine-binding domains of THAP-family polypeptides and pharmaceutical compositions which include a polypeptide comprising a chemokine-binding domain of a THAP-family polypeptide. Also disclosed are methods of binding chemokines, inhibiting the activity of chemokines, detecting chemokines, and reducing the symptoms associated with a chemokine mediated or influenced condition by contacting the chemokine with an agent that includes a polypeptide comprising a chemokine binding domain of a THAP-family polypeptide. |
| US07858294B2 |
Method to restore hydrophobicity in dielectric films and materials
Silica dielectric films, whether nanoporous foamed silica dielectrics or nonporous silica dielectrics are readily damaged by fabrication methods and reagents that reduce or remove hydrophobic properties from the dielectric surface. The invention provides for methods of imparting hydrophobic properties to such damaged silica dielectric films present on a substrate. The invention also provides plasma-based methods for imparting hydrophobicity to both new and damaged silica dielectric films. Semiconductor devices prepared by the inventive processes are also provided. |
| US07858293B2 |
Method for double imaging a developable anti-reflective coating
A method for double patterning a thin film on a substrate is described. The method includes forming the thin film to be patterned on the substrate, forming a developable anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the thin film, and forming a layer of photo-resist on the ARC layer. Thereafter, the layer of photo-resist and the ARC layer are double imaged, and developed. Once the layer of photo-resist is optionally removed, a double patterned ARC layer remains for etching the underlying thin film. |
| US07858290B2 |
Information recording medium and method for manufacturing the same
An information recording medium includes a substrate and an information layer formed on the substrate. The information layer includes a recording layer whose phase can be changed between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase by irradiation with a laser beam or application of electric energy; a Cr-containing layer including at least Cr and O, arranged in contact with a first surface of the recording layer; and a Ga-containing layer including at least Ga and O, arranged in contact with a second surface of the recording layer. |
| US07858284B2 |
Liquid developer and image forming apparatus
A liquid developer includes an insulation liquid, toner particles dispersed in the insulation liquid, which at least a part of the surface of each of the toner particles contains a rosin resin and a dispersant improving dispersibility of the toner particles in the insulation liquid, which the dispersant is consisted of a material having a predetermined amine value. The liquid developer described above has superior positive charge property of toner particles and which has superior dispersibility of the toner particles for a long period of time. Further, an image forming apparatus that can suitably use such a liquid developer is also provided. |
| US07858274B2 |
Method for manufacturing color filter
In the present invention, a provision of a method for manufacturing a color filter capable of forming a highly sophisticated pattern, to be formed easily at a low cost is desired. The present invention achieves the above mentioned object by providing a method for manufacturing a color filter comprising: (1) forming a light shielding part on a transparent base material; (2) forming a wettability changeable layer which the wettability changes by the function of a photocatalyst, on the surface of the transparent base material on the side with the light shielding part formed; (3) placing the photocatalyst containing layer of the photocatalyst containing layer side substrate which is the photocatalyst containing layer containing a photocatalyst formed on the base member, and the wettability changeable layer with a gap of 200 μm or less, and irradiating an energy from a predetermined direction to form a pixel part forming part comprising a lyophilic area where the contact angle to a liquid is lowered compared with the state before the energy irradiation to the wettability changeable layer, in a pattern; and (4) coloring the pixel part forming part by the ink jet method so as to form a pixel part. |
| US07858272B2 |
Exposure mask and method for fabricating thin-film transistor
An exposure mask includes a transparent substrate; a first pattern portion formed on the transparent substrate using at least one light-shielding pattern having a predetermined shape; and a translucent layer which is formed at a section including a first pattern region having the first pattern portion, which allows exposure light to pass therethrough, and which has a transmittance greater than that of the light-shielding pattern. |
| US07858270B2 |
Method for etching using a multi-layer mask
A method of dry developing a multi-layer mask on a substrate is described. The method comprises forming the multi-layer mask on the substrate, wherein the multi-layer mask comprises a lithographic layer overlying a second mask layer. A feature pattern is then formed in the lithographic layer using a lithographic process, wherein the feature pattern comprises a first critical dimension (CD). Thereafter, the feature pattern is transferred from the lithographic layer to the second mask layer using a dry plasma etching process, wherein the dry plasma etching process comprises introducing a process gas, forming plasma from the process gas, and exposing the substrate to the plasma. During the pattern transfer, the first CD in the lithographic layer is reduced to a second CD in the silicon-containing layer. |
| US07858269B2 |
Structure and method for sub-resolution dummy clear shapes for improved gate dimensional control
A mask system for use by a lithographic system to project an image of a circuit design. The design includes at least one large feature and at least one nearby small feature. The mask comprises one or more shapes on a mask to project an image of the nearby small feature and, on the same mask or on a different mask, an opaque shape to project an image of the large feature. The opaque shape includes in a field thereof at least one dummy clear shape of size and configuration insufficient to be resolved. Light from the lithographic projection system may be projected through the opaque shape and the dummy clear shape to resolve an image of the large circuit feature on a resist layer of a wafer without resolving the clear shape on the resist layer, while simultaneously increasing optical flare on the resolved large circuit feature image. |
| US07858267B2 |
Fuel cell electrode, fuel cell, and manufacturing methods thereof
A fuel cell electrode which can improve the catalyst utilization rate by having the catalyst component supported at a high density and high dispersion is provided. An aqueous solution containing chloroplatinic acid and aniline is prepared. For an electrode diffusion layer, a carbon paper is soaked in a Teflon® dispersion solution and then dried. One side of the electrode diffusion layer is placed in contact with the liquid surface of the solution, and a counter-electrode made of graphite is provided in the solution. A constant electrical current is applied between them, with the electrode diffusion layer side as the positive electrode. As a result, aniline is oxidatively polymerized by electrochemical means, and a uniform layer of platinum-containing polyaniline is formed on the electrode diffusion layer surface. The platinum in the polyaniline is reduced, and this is washed with pure water and dried to make the electrode. Two of these electrodes, with the catalytic layer of the platinum-containing polyaniline on the inside, are placed against both sides of Nafion® to create a small fuel cell. |
| US07858262B2 |
Fuel cell comprising a plurality of individual cells connected in series by current collectors
Adjacent individual cells of a fuel cell are connected in series by intermediate connecting parts. Each connecting part is formed by a branch made from an electrically conducting material and extending the first current collector of a cell perpendicularly and connected to the second current collector of the adjacent cell. Each first current collector is moreover formed by an electrically insulating porous matrix incorporating said electrically conducting material, and the first current collectors of two adjacent cells are separated by an area of electrically insulating porous material, said electrically insulating porous material being identical to that forming the porous matrix of said first current collectors. Series connection between the individual cells of such a fuel cell is thereby easy and quick to implement. |
| US07858260B2 |
Polymer electrolyte membrane and method of producing the same
A polymer electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell and a method of producing a polymer electrolyte membrane. The method includes preparing a phosphate monomer solution by dissolving an initiator and a phosphate monomer containing at least one phosphoric acid group and at least one unsaturated bond in a solvent, impregnating a porous polymer matrix with the phosphate monomer solution, polymerizing the impregnated phosphate monomer, and impregnating the result of polymerization with a phosphoric acid. |
| US07858258B2 |
Cascaded fuel cell stack operation with anode gas recirculation
A device and method to regulate humidification in a cascaded fuel cell stack. The cascaded fuel cell stack includes individual fuel cells placed together in multiple groups. A recirculation loop is fluidly coupled to an anode flowpath to permit the recirculation of hydrogen or a related fuel. A controller and one or more sensors and flow manipulation devices cooperate with one another to selectively increase or decrease the flow of reactant in the recirculation loop in order to manage water levels in one or more of the anode, cathode or electrolyte layer disposed between the anode and cathode. |
| US07858255B2 |
Rapid light-off catalytic combustor for fuel cell vehicle
A catalytic combustion unit for a fuel cell system is provided. The catalytic combustion unit includes a reactor having a porous medium with a catalyst deposited thereon. The reactor is disposed adjacent a heat exchanger and adapted to receive an air stream and a hydrogen stream. The reactor is further adapted to promote an exothermic reaction and modulate a temperature of a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell system and method employing the catalytic combustion unit are also provided. |
| US07858254B2 |
Electrochemical energy generating apparatus and method of driving the same
An electrochemical energy generating apparatus with which the crossover of a fuel can be suppressed and a method of driving the apparatus are disclosed. The electrochemical energy generating apparatus (e.g., a fuel cell system) includes an electrochemical device (fuel cell) which has an electrolyte membrane 6 clamped between opposed electrodes and which generates electrochemical energy by a reaction of an alcohol with water at one (fuel electrode) of the electrodes and a fuel evaporating section by which a fuel including said alcohol and substantially not containing water is supplied in a gaseous state to the side of the one of the electrodes of the electrochemical device. The method of driving the electrochemical energy generating apparatus 1 includes supplying the fuel in the gaseous state to the one of the electrodes by the fuel evaporating section. |
| US07858250B2 |
Methods of removing contaminants from a fuel cell electrode
A method of optimizing a waveform of an electrical current applied to an electrode of an electrochemical device that consists of at least two electrodes separaged by an electrolyte that includes the steps of: applying an electrical current to an electrode of a device; determining a waveform of the voltage or the current of the electrical current; representing the waveform by a mathematical expression or numbers taking measurements of output voltage, current or power of the device associated with the application of the electrical current; and varying the shape and frequency of the waveform to optimize the output voltage, current or power of the device and thereby determine an optimized waveform of the electrical current to be applied to the electrode of the device. |
| US07858245B2 |
Methods of using integrated fuel processor apparatus and enclosure
An integrated fuel processor apparatus and enclosure for converting hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas. The integrated apparatus includes a fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich reformate that contains water and a combustible gas component. The fuel processor is enclosed in a gas impermeable enclosure that has a collection vessel for receiving water separated from the reformate stream. Methods for manufacturing an apparatus for separating water from a reformate stream for safe disposal and methods for separating water from a reformate stream for safe disposal are disclosed. |
| US07858243B2 |
Influential fuel cell systems including effective cathodes and use with remediation efforts
Embodiments may include efficient fuel cell systems including an anode, a cathode, a lead-containing cathode catalyst, at least one proton exchange connector, and perhaps even an external circuit between the anode and the cathode. Other embodiments may include enhanced degradation of contaminants in environmental media such as perhaps petroleum hydrocarbon in groundwater with microbial fuel cells and the like. |
| US07858242B2 |
Electrolytic solution for an electrochemical capacitor and an electrochemical capacitor using the same
There is provided an electrolytic solution which may significantly improve performance deterioration with time of an electrochemical capacitor. There is provided an electrolytic solution, comprising an electrolyte salt (A) shown as the following formula (1). In the formula, “R1,” “R2,” and “R3” independently represent an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 3, “R4” and “R5” independently represent hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 3, and “X−” represents a counterpart anion. |
| US07858239B2 |
Negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, process for producing the same, negative electrode, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, which is best suited for large current I/O non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries represented by those for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which are unlikely to be influenced by the deterioration of battery characteristics due to water, and a production process thereof are provided.The negative electrode material having at least one exothermic peak in the range of not lower than 650° C. and lower than 700° C., and at least one exothermic peak in the range of not lower than 700° C. and lower than 760° C., in differential thermal analysis measured under an air flow. The production process of the negative electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries is characterized by carbonizing a negative electrode material precursor having an oxygen content of not less than 5% by weight and less than 10% by weight, under an inert gas flow at a rate of not more than 120 ml/g·h, under a pressure of normal pressure to 10 kPa, at a temperature higher than 1100° C. and lower than 1500° C. |
| US07858232B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that has a high electrical capacity and exhibits excellent cycle characteristics even when the battery is rapidly charged and discharged at a large current includes: a positive electrode capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing Li; a negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes an alloying material that is capable of electrochemically absorbing and desorbing Li, and includes an A phase composed mainly of Si and a B phase including an intermetallic compound of at least one transition metal element and Si. The transition metal element is selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Ni, Cu, and Fe. At least one of the A phase and the B phase includes a microcrystalline or amorphous region. The weight percent of the A phase relative to the total weight of the A phase and the B phase is greater than 40% and not greater than 95%. |
| US07858229B2 |
Cell-module cartridge, cell-module including the cell-module cartridge, and battery module including the cell-module
Disclosed herein are a cell module cartridge including a cartridge body constructed in a rectangular structure in which a plate-shaped secondary battery cell is mounted to the cartridge body, the cartridge body being open at the top thereof, and a top cover mounted to the open top of the cartridge body while the battery cell is mounted to the cartridge body, wherein the cartridge body is provided at the bottom thereof with a plurality of through-holes, the cartridge body is provided at one side of the upper and lower ends of each side wall thereof with a coupling protrusion and a coupling groove, and the cartridge body is provided at the front thereof with a coupling part, to which an additional member for mounting an electrode terminal connecting member is coupled in an assembly fashion, such that the electrode terminal connecting member is stably connected to the corresponding electrode terminal of the corresponding battery cell, and a middle- or large-sized battery module including the same. |
| US07858227B2 |
Lithium secondary battery
A lithium secondary battery having an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. A case receives the electrode assembly and a cap assembly is coupled to the case to seal the case. The cap assembly includes a cap plate adapted to permit the insertion of electrolyte into the case, the cap plate including at least one recess. An insulation case located between the electrode assembly and the cap assembly is formed with at least one protrusion on an exterior-facing surface. The protrusion is adapted to be coupled to the recess to integrate the insulation case and the cap plate. |
| US07858226B2 |
Battery including a fluid manager mounted external to cell
A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve. |
| US07858224B2 |
Battery module having an improved unit battery assembly coupling structure
A battery module is provided. The battery module includes a battery body having a plurality of unit cells arranged in series and having a respective barrier disposed between adjacent unit cells. End plates are disposed on opposite outermost sides of the battery body. A fixing unit fixes together the end plates and the battery body by enclosing an outer circumference of an assembly of the end plates and the battery body. |
| US07858223B2 |
Electrochemical device component with protected alkali metal electrode
Disclosed are ionically conductive composites for protection of active metal anodes and methods for their fabrication. The composites may be incorporated in active metal negative electrode (anode) structures and battery cells. In accordance with the invention, the properties of different ionic conductors are combined in a composite material that has the desired properties of high overall ionic conductivity and chemical stability towards the anode, the cathode and ambient conditions encountered in battery manufacturing. The composite is capable of protecting an active metal anode from deleterious reaction with other battery components or ambient conditions while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to facilitate manufacture and/or enhance performance of a battery cell in which the composite is incorporated. |
| US07858220B2 |
Battery array for cooling battery modules with cooling air
A battery array cools battery modules (1) by flowing cooling air through a holder case (2) housing three or more levels of battery modules (1). The holder case (2) has a pair of opposing sidewalls (4) that are closed off by an inlet panel (5) on the inlet side and an outlet panel (6) on the outlet side to form an enclosed chamber (7) that houses battery modules (1). The inlet panel (5) has cooling air intakes (8) opened on both sides. The outlet panel (6) has an exhaust opening (9) at its central region to exhaust cooling air. Opposing sidewalls (4) have projections (10) between adjacent battery modules (1), and the protrusion height of the inner surfaces of those projections (10) increases from upstream to downstream in the cooling air flow. |
| US07858219B2 |
Locking mechanism of battery pack
A locking mechanism of a battery pack A is provided with a hook 14 which can be locked to a mounting part B of an object equipment such as an electric tool in a state slid with respect to the mounting part, and operation parts 16 for releasing the lock which are linked to the hook 14, on a case which contains a battery. The hook 14 is urged to move upward by an elastic body in a direction of being locked to the mounting part B.The operation parts 16 are arranged in both side parts of the case within such a range that they can be grasped with a single hand from both sides of a backward end in the sliding direction of the case. When the operation parts 16 are operated from the both sides, the lock between the hook 14 and the mounting part B is released against the urge by the elastic body. |
| US07858217B1 |
Top sealing plate, battery using the top sealing plate, and method of manufacturing the battery
A top sealing plate used for a battery includes a filter, a cap, and a valve body. The filter has a valve hole and upper opening; the cap has a convex portion and a flange portion disposed around the convex portion; the opening end of the upper opening of the filter has a bend portion; and the outer periphery end of the flange portion of the cap and the bend portion are caulked and joined to each other. The caulked portion includes both states of contact, that is, a strong contact portion and a weak contact portion, between the surface of the outer periphery end of the flange portion and the bend portion. By this configuration, the electric contact resistance between the cap and the filter will be greatly reduced. In addition, the contact resistance is stabilized at a low level. Further, the internal resistance of the battery is lowered, thereby improving the battery performance. |
| US07858215B2 |
Electrolyte composition, solid electrolyte membrane, solid polymer fuel cell and manufacturing method for solid electrolyte membrane
A method for manufacturing a solid electrolyte membrane made from an electrolyte composition that shows low methanol cross-over and exhibits high proton conductivity. The method includes applying an electrolyte composition including an organic solvent and a perfluorocyclobutane-containing polymer having a specific structure onto a substrate, and then removing the solvent. High proton conductivity is provided by sulfonic acid groups connected to the benzene rings. Reduction of methanol crossover is realized by introduction of a rigid structure with aromatic rings, or a combination of a rigid structure with aromatic rings and a three-dimensional cross-linked structure. |
| US07858209B2 |
Fluorene-based compound and organo-electroluminescent device using the same
Provided herein are fluorene-based compounds including a fluorene or a spirofluorene structure at both terminals and a spacer including one or more atoms between the both terminals. The invention further provides an organo-electroluminescent device having an organic layer in which the fluorene-based compound is introduced. The fluorene-based compound can be readily manufactured using dry and wet processes, and the organo-electroluminescent device using the same has excellent properties in color purity, internal and external efficiency, and thermal, optical and electric stability. |
| US07858206B2 |
Transparent conductor, transparent electrode, solar cell, light emitting device and display panel
With regard to a substrate for a transparent electrode and transparent conductive thin film each having transparency and conductivity, a transparent metal material and transparent electrode are provided which are capable of being stably supplied and are composed of raw materials with superior chemical resistance. When a metal oxide layer (12) composed of an anatase type crystal structure is provided on a substrate (11) to constitute the metal oxide layer (12) by M:TiO2, low resistivity is achieved while internal transmittance is maintained. M:TiO2 obtained by substituting other atoms (Nb, Ta, Mo, As, Sb, or W) for Ti of the anatase type TiO2 enable maintenance of transparency and remarkably improvement of electric conductivity. |
| US07858203B2 |
Furan polymer impregnated wood
A furan polymer impregnated wood which comprises wood impregnated with a polymerizable furfuryl alcohol monomer mixture containing at least water and furfuryl alcohol, and an initiator selected from the group consisting of anhydrides, acids and combinations thereof is described. For longer storage life, the mixture contains a stabilizer selected from sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, phosphates and water-soluble lignin derivatives such as calcium and ammonium salts of lignosulfonic acids, and combinations thereof. A method for preparing a furan impregnated wood and uses thereof is also described. |
| US07858202B2 |
Composite bodies having a polyacetal portion and a thermoplastic vulcanized elastomer portion, processes for making the same, articles including such bodies and uses therefor
Composite bodies, processes for making them, and their uses are disclosed, the composite bodies comprising a polyacetal portion and a modified thermoplastic vulcanizate portion bonded together, wherein the modified thermoplastic vulcanizate portion comprises a modified thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer having a hardness of 30 to 90 Shore A and wherein the modified thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer comprises: (a) 2 to 75% by weight of an at least partially crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene rubber in from 1 to 50% by weight of a polyolefinic matrix further comprising 0.05 to 10% by weight of an ingredient selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, crosslinking aids, and mixtures thereof; (b) 1 to 30% by weight of a compatibilizer; and (c) 10 to 70% by weight of a non-olefinic thermoplastic material, all percentages by weight based on a total weight of the modified thermoplastic vulcanizate elastomer. |
| US07858200B2 |
Adhesive film and use thereof
Disclosed in an adhesive film which enables to obtain a flexible metal clad laminate which is suppressed in dimensional change when produced by heat roll lamination. Such an adhesive film comprises a heat-resistant layer containing a highly heat resistant polyimide and an adhesive layer which is formed on at least one surface of the heat-resistant layer and contains a thermoplastic polyimide. In this adhesive film, the thermal shrinkage ratio in the TD direction is not less than +0.01%, and the thermal shrinkage ratio in the MD direction is not more than −0.02%. Consequently, when a metal layer and the adhesive film are bonded together by heat roll lamination and the resulting laminate is subjected to a treatment with heating, occurrence of dimensional changes can be sufficiently suppressed. |
| US07858198B2 |
Phosphor-containing adhesive silicone composition, composition sheet formed of the composition, and method of producing light emitting device using the sheet
An addition curable adhesive silicone composition containing a phosphor dispersed uniformly therein is provided. The dispersive state of the phosphor remains stable over time. The composition, in an uncured state at room temperature, is either a solid or a semisolid, and is therefore easy to handle, and is suited to an adhesive silicone composition sheet which is able to be formed easily on an LED chip using a conventional assembly apparatus. |
| US07858197B2 |
Composition having improved adherence with an addition-curable material and composite article incorporating the composition
A composition and composite article have improved adherence with an addition-curable material. The composition and therefore the composite article, which includes at least one substrate formed from the composition, include a resin and an additive that is incorporated into the resin. The resin is organic and polymeric and free of ethylenically unsaturated and silicon hydride functional groups. The additive is selected from the group of a fluorine-substituted organopolysiloxane, an amino-functional organopolysiloxane, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt, and combinations thereof. Further, the additive includes a hydrosilylation reactive group present at a surface of the substrate for reaction with the addition-curable material. This improves adherence of the substrate with the addition-curable material. The substrate and the addition-curable material bond together to make the composition article. |
| US07858191B2 |
Coated article with low-E coating including tin oxide interlayer
A coated article is provided which may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) in certain instances. In certain example embodiments, an interlayer of or including a metal oxide such as tin oxide is provided under an infrared (IR) reflecting layer so as to be located between respective layers comprising silicon nitride and zinc oxide. It has been found that the use of such a tin oxide inclusive interlayer results in significantly improved mechanical durability, thermal stability and/or haze characteristics. In certain example embodiments, a zinc oxide inclusive layer is provide over an IR reflecting layer in order to improve thermal stability. A zirconium oxide overcoat may also be provided in certain example instances. |
| US07858188B2 |
Non-stick coating composition comprising diamond particles and substrate
A non-stick coating composition comprising diamond particles of relatively large size, i.e., greater than 1 micrometer, preferably greater than 10 micrometers, and a fluoropolymer, can be applied to a substrate. In addition, a structure comprising a substrate and an undercoat is applied to the substrate, where the undercoat comprises a primer layer comprising a heat resistant non-fluoropolymer polymer binder and diamond particles, and optionally a midcoat also comprising diamond particles. |
| US07858186B2 |
Fluorinated nanodiamond as a precursor for solid substrate surface coating using wet chemistry
The present invention is directed to nanodiamond (ND) surface coatings and methods of making same. Such coatings are formed by a covalent linkage of ND crystals to a particular surface via linker species. The methods described herein overcome many of the limitations of the prior art in that they can be performed with standard wet chemistry (i.e., solution-based) methods, thereby permitting low temperature processing. Additionally, such coatings can potentially be applied on a large scale and for coating large areas of a variety of different substrates. |
| US07858185B2 |
High purity nanotube fabrics and films
Certain spin-coatable liquids and application techniques are described, which can be used to form nanotube films or fabrics of controlled properties. A spin-coatable liquid for formation of a nanotube film includes a liquid medium containing a controlled concentration of purified nanotubes, wherein the controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity, and wherein the spin-coatable liquid comprises less than 1×1018 atoms/cm3 of metal impurities. The spin-coatable liquid is substantially free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 500 nm. |
| US07858180B2 |
High tenacity polyolefin ropes having improved strength
A rope comprising a plurality of high tenacity polyolefin yarns aligned in a substantially uniaxial direction along the length of the rope. The rope yarns are substantially untwisted and are substantially parallel to each other. The yarns are formed from a plurality of fibers aligned in a substantially uniaxial direction along the length of the yarns, with the fibers being substantially untwisted and being substantially parallel to each other. The fibers comprise high tenacity polyolefin fibers. Adjacent yarns are connected together by contact of their respective resin surface coatings. |
| US07858162B2 |
Food cans coated with a composition comprising an acrylic polymer
Food cans coated at least in part on the interior with a composition comprising an acrylic polymer and a crosslinker are disclosed. The composition is substantially epoxy-free and substantially polyester-free. The acrylic polymer has a weight average molecular weight of greater than or equal to 41,000 and an acid value of <30 mg KOH/g. Food cans coated at lease in part on the interior with a composition having a tensile strength of greater than 11 MPa are also disclosed. |
| US07858161B2 |
Fusible porous polymer particles for inkjet receivers
The present invention is an inkjet recording element including a support having thereon an image-receiving layer having porous fusible polymeric particles including a continuous phase binder polymer and a second phase including hydrocolloid, wherein the particles have a porosity of from 10 to 80 volume percent and a film forming binder. |
| US07858160B2 |
Inkjet recording element
The present invention relates to an inkjet recording element having very good dye keeping properties in time. Said inkjet recording element comprises a support and at least one ink-receiving layer, said ink-receiving layer comprising at least one hydrosoluble binder and at least one aluminosilicate polymer obtainable by a preparation method consisting in treating an aluminum halide with a mixture of at least one silicon alkoxide only having hydrolyzable substituents and at least one silicon alkoxide having a non-hydrolyzable substituent, with an aqueous alkali in the presence of silanol groups, the aluminum concentration being maintained less than 0.3 mol/l, the Al/Si molar ratio being maintained between 1 and 3.6 and the alkali/Al molar ratio being maintained between 2.3 and 3; and then stirring the resulting mixture at ambient temperature in the presence of silanol groups for long enough to form the hybrid aluminosilicate polymer. The ink-receiving layer also comprises inorganic particles. |
| US07858159B2 |
Photocurable composition for sealant, liquid crystal sealant, and liquid crystal panel
The photocurable composition for a sealant of the present invention includes a compound represented by general formula (1): A1-Y1—B1—Y2-A2 (1) (wherein A1 and A2 each represents, independently, a monovalent group having a cyclic π-electron conjugated structure;Y1 and Y2 each represents, independently, a divalent group represented by general formula (4); and B1 represents (i) a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group, (ii) a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group, (iii) a divalent heterocyclic group, (iv) a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or (v) a divalent group in which two or more group selected from the group consisting of a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group, a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group, a divalent heterocyclic group, a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a carbonyl group, an ether group, a thioether group, and a SO2 group are linked). |
| US07858154B2 |
Paper coating slip based on pigment-polymer hybrids
A paper coating slip comprising at least one inorganic pigment and, based on 100 parts by weight of the inorganic pigments, less than 40 parts by weight of organic polymers, and less than 25 parts by weight of water or other solvents having a boiling point below 150° C. at 1 bar. |
| US07858153B2 |
Powder primer composition and method for forming coating film
A powder primer composition comprising as essential components (A) a carboxyl group-containing thermosetting polyester resin, (B1) a bisphenol A-type epoxy resin with an epoxy equivalent of 400-2000 g/eq or (B2) a bisphenol-type epoxy resin with an epoxy equivalent of 400-2000 g/eq and (C1) a bisphenol F-type epoxy resin with an epoxy equivalent of 400-2000 g/eq or (C2) a modified epoxy resin containing phenolic hydroxyl groups, obtained by reacting (a) a bifunctional epoxy resin with (b) an excess of a bifunctional phenol. Coating films obtained using the powder primer composition have excellent finished appearance and corrosion resistance. |
| US07858152B2 |
Chemical vapor deposition of chalcogenide materials via alternating layers
A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process for preparing electrical and optical chalcogenide materials. In a preferred embodiment, the instant CVD-deposited materials exhibit one or more of the following properties: electrical switching, accumulation, setting, reversible multistate behavior, resetting, cognitive functionality, and reversible amorphous-crystalline transformations. In one embodiment, a multilayer structure, including at least one layer containing a chalcogen element, is deposited by CVD and subjected to post-deposition application of energy to produce a chalcogenide material having properties in accordance with the instant invention. In another embodiment, a single layer chalcogenide material having properties in accordance with the instant invention is formed from a CVD deposition process including three or more deposition precursors, at least one of which is a chalcogen element precursor. Preferred materials are those that include the chalcogen Te along with Ge and/or Sb. |
| US07858151B2 |
Formation of CIGS absorber layer materials using atomic layer deposition and high throughput surface treatment
An absorber layer may be formed on a substrate using atomic layer deposition reactions. An absorber layer containing elements of groups IB, IIIA and VIA may be formed by placing a substrate in a treatment chamber and performing atomic layer deposition of a group IB element and/or one or more group IIIA elements from separate sources onto a substrate to form a film. A group VIA element is then incorporated into the film and annealed to form the absorber layer. The absorber layer may be greater than about 25 nm thick. The substrate may be coiled into one or more coils in such a way that adjacent turns of the coils do not touch one another. The coiled substrate may be placed in a treatment chamber where substantially an entire surface of the one or more coiled substrates may be treated by an atomic layer deposition process. One or more group IB elements and/or one or more group IIIA elements may be deposited onto the substrate in a stoichiometrically controlled ratio by atomic layer deposition using one or more self limiting reactions. |
| US07858148B2 |
Filler for artificial turf system
Artificial turf for use with an artificial turf system, which may also include a base layer and a support layer. The artificial turf comprising a backing supporting pile tufts of between ¼″ to 4″ in length, in position on its upper surface. The backing may comprise a porous synthetic foam or backing sheet. A filler of particles shaped to have no sharp edges and of substantially equal size are interspersed over the backing and about the tufts up to at least half thick length. The artificial turf substantially retains its resiliency, porosity and equal density throughout. |
| US07858142B2 |
Laminin-modified conduit for nerve regeneration and methods of manufacturing the conduit and regenerating nerves using the conduit
A laminin-modified polymeric hollow conduit is provided for promoting nerve regeneration across the gap between severed ends of a nerve. The conduit is manufactured by a method involving gas plasma treatment. Utilizing the laminin-modified conduit, functional recovery has been achieved in mammals with a severed spinal cord. |
| US07858140B2 |
Processes for recovery and separation of grain pericarp from endosperm
An improved wet milling process is provided that allows for separation of seed coat particles from the horny endosperm particles of seed. The process uses soaking and grinding to produce seed coat flake particles and horny endosperm particles that may be separated using movement of liquid slurry of the particles, providing hydraulic lift to separate the seed coat particles. Improvements in the process allow for omitting addition of sulfur compounds to the process. By-products of wet milling with improved properties are provided. |
| US07858134B2 |
Tankless pulse brewer
A system that allows for hot water on demand and once the water is heated, it is delivered to flavor containing solid material in a pressurized pulse. By heating the water on demand, a more uniform temperature can be achieved and by delivering the heated water in a pressurized pulse, the extraction of flavor from the flavor containing solid material is greatly improved. In addition, to determine the volume of water used in the system, the number of pressurized pulses are counted and that gives a more uniform consistent measurement of the volume of water used instead of the timed delivery of water. |
| US07858129B2 |
High gloss film coating and stable solution therefor
A coating composition for use in coating foods, confections, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals is comprised of shellac in aqueous solution, a hydrolyzed starch product having a dextrose equivalent of 10 or greater and an effective amount of a plasticizer. The coating composition provides a surprisingly high gloss coating. The edible film coating composition solution may be stabilized by adding an effective amount of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid salt wherein the solution may remain stable for at least three months. The ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid salt may include disodium, trisodium and tetrasodium salts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. Preferably, the concentration of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid is about 0.5% to 2% of the solution. |
| US07858125B2 |
Multi-component biocide composition for wood protection
The present disclosure generally relates to a multi-component biocide composition comprising a borate component in combination with an azole component to both inhibit mold fungi, decay fungi, such as brown-rot fungi and white-rot fungi, and to resist insect infestation. |
| US07858124B2 |
Anti-bacterial, anti-virus, and anti-fungus composition, its preparation and use
The present invention relates to an anti-bacterial, anti-virus, and anti-fungus composition, its preparation and use. The composition of the present invention mainly includes the following three ingredients in an adequate ratio: (A) a metal compound having a catalytic function; (B) ionic compound, and (C) an additive. The anti-bacterial, anti-virus, and anti-fungus composition of the present invention is capable of destroying viruses as well as killing bacterial and fungi. Therefore, the composition can be formulated as an aerosol and a film for applying to protection devices such as respirators, masks, gloves, filters, condoms, etc. The present composition can also be used in household, vehicle, hospital, school, restaurant, hotel, internet coffee shop for applying to filter of air-conditioner, tap, stool, interior of elevator and its keyboard. Additionally, the present composition can be applied to human being such as applying to hand, foot, genital organs, oral cavity, and the like in a lower dose to attain the effect of destroying of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. |
| US07858122B2 |
Extended release formulation of levetiracetam
An extended release pharmaceutical composition of Levetiracetam with once a day dosage regime and the process of preparing it. The extended release tablet of Levetiracetam is with the core comprising of Levetiracetam and water dispersible rate controlling polymer, and the tablet core is optionally functional coated comprising a combination of water non-dispersible and/or water dispersible polymer. It provides extended therapeutically effective plasma levels over a twenty four hour period with diminished incidences of neuropsychiatric adverse events by eliminating the troughs and peaks of drug concentration in a patients blood plasma, which comprises administering orally to a patient in need thereof, an extended release tablet that provides a peak blood plasma level of Levetiracetam in from about eight to about Sixteen hours. The core is prepared by Wet granulation, Dry granulation or Direct compression and optionally the tablet core is coated either in an coating pan or in and Fluidized bed system. |
| US07858119B1 |
Extended release pharmaceuticals
An extended release pharmaceutical formulation is disclosed. A selected pharmaceutical agent is encased within polymeric film layers providing for gradual release of the pharmaceutical active for over 12 and even 24 hours in the gastrointestinal tract and the blood plasma. |
| US07858118B2 |
Extended release composition containing Tramadol
An oral Tramadol-containing pharmaceutical composition suitable for once daily administration, which contains an amount of Tramadol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, providing in vivo, a time of Tramadol peak plasma concentration (Tmax) of greater than 10 hours, and peak Tramadol plasma concentration (Cmax) which are less than three times the plasma concentration obtained 24 hours after administration (C24h) of a single dose of the composition. |
| US07858116B2 |
Hepatocyte delivery vehicle for delivery of a combination of recombinant human regular insulin and recombinant human insulin isophane to a mammal
The instant invention is drawn to a hepatocyte targeted composition comprising a mixture of free recombinant human insulin isophane and free Recombinant human regular insulin insulin and a mixture of recombinant human insulin isophane and Recombinant human regular insulin insulin associated with a water insoluble target molecule complex, wherein the complex comprises multiple linked individual units and a supra-molecular lipid construct matrix. Recombinant human insulin isophane and Recombinant human regular insulin insulin are present within the complex in at least one form wherein the recombinant human insulin isophane and Recombinant human regular insulin insulin have regions of positive charge which interacts with a negative charge on the complex. The invention also includes methods for the manufacture of the composition and methods of managing blood glucose levels in individuals with Type I and Type II diabetes. |
| US07858113B2 |
Method and device for improving the permeability of the human skin
The invention relates to a method for improving the permeability of the human skin in order to transdermally supply active substances, permeability being improved by means of a plaster that is transparent in at least some areas, contains active substance, and is flexible in at least some areas, and at least one external light source. According to said method, light that is emitted at least for a short period of time by an external light source and normally impinges at least some areas of the plaster is focused onto the stratum corneum of the skin with the aid of a plurality of individual focusing lenses which are integrated into the plaster so as to bring about changes in the stratum corneum, said changes improving the permeability of the skin. The inventive method for improving the permeability of the human skin allows for reproducible permeability for specific active substances. |
| US07858112B2 |
Percutaneous absorption system and percutaneous absorption method
The present invention provides a percutaneous absorption system and a percutaneous absorption method, which have a simple constitution and can realize the easy and continuous percutaneous absorption of medicine even when the medicine is formed of a water-soluble oligomer solution or a high-molecular solution. In the percutaneous absorption system comprising a medicine reservoir portion having a medicine holding portion which holds medicine therein and a support portion for supporting the medicine reservoir portion, the support portion including an adhesive layer and a substrate having medicine non-permeating property, the system is provided with an elastic member for applying pressure to the medicine held in the inside of the medicine reservoir portion, and by breaking the substrate having medicine non-permeating property in the support portion using a mechanical stimulus such as an injection needle or the like, the medicine is released (delivered) at a fixed rate. |
| US07858108B2 |
Elutable surface coating
Elutable coatings comprising protein resistant components and bioactive agent on medical devices are disclosed. The elutable coatings comprise labile linkers that can be cleaved under controlled conditions. |
| US07858105B2 |
Inhibitors of melanocyte tyrosinase as topical skin lighteners
Methods and formulations are provided to reduce pigmentation in skin, using an array of compounds selected from benzimidazoles, phenylthioureas, phenylthiols, phenylamines, bi- and multicyclic phenols, thiopheneamines, and benzothiamides. The compounds preferably inhibit pigment synthesis in melanocytes through the tyrosinase pathway. The methods can be used for lightening skin, and for treating uneven skin complexions which result from hyperpigmentation-related medical conditions such as melasma, age spots, freckles, ochronosis, and lentigo. The compounds can be used medically or cosmetically. |
| US07858104B2 |
Water-in-oil emulsion foundation
A foundation composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a fatty phase; an aqueous phase; at least one silicone surfacant chosen from C8-C22 alkyl dimethicone copolyols; and at least 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, of hydrophobic coated pigments; provided that the composition is free of polyglyceryl-4 isostearate or comprises polyglyceryl-4 isostearate in a quantity such that the weight ratio of the C8-C22 alkyl dimethicone copolyol to the polyglyceryl-4 isostearate is greater than or equal to 2:1, wherein the foundation composition can exhibit good stability at room temperature and can be easy to apply to the skin. |
| US07858103B2 |
Method for defining, identifying and isolating fatty acid and retinal binding protein complexes having immuno-suppressive activity
A method for defining, identifying and isolating recombinantly produced protein complex is provided. The protein complex comprises a group of fatty acid and retinol-binding proteins wherein the complex protein structure is entirely alpha-helical. The molecular weight of the recombinant protein is approximately 46 kDa comprised of 26 kDa GST and 20 kDa Hp20 protein. The procedures for extracting, isolating and analyzing the recombinantly in vivo produced protein complex and Hp20 protein of the recombinantly in vivo produced protein complex are provided. |
| US07858102B2 |
Compositions for eliciting an immune response against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis
The invention provides compositions and method for stimulating an immunological response against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MPT). The compositions comprise at least five recombinant immunogenic components. The immunogenic components can be MPT antigens or DNA polynucleotides encoding MPT antigens, or combinations thereof. MPT antigens used in the invention include MPT 85A, 85B, 85C, 35 kDa, super oxide dismutase (SOD), MptC, MptD and ESAT-6 protein. The method comprises administering the composition to an animal in an amount effective to stimulate an immunological response against MPT bacteria. The method is of benefit to any animal susceptible to MPT infection, but is particularly beneficial for ruminants. |
| US07858100B2 |
Bacterium and vaccine
The present invention relates to a novel rod-shaped pleiomorphic non-motile Gram-negative bacterium causing a new, deadly, disease in fish, to a microbiological culture comprising said bacterium, to a vaccine comprising said bacterium and methods for the preparation of such a vaccine, to antibodies reactive with said bacterium, to diagnostic test kits and to the use of said bacterium. |
| US07858097B2 |
Antibiotic resistance free Listeria strains and methods for constructing and using same
The present invention provides Listeria strains that express a heterologous antigen and a metabolic enzyme, and methods of generating same. |
| US07858095B2 |
Method for treating or preventing sclerotic disorders using CD-2 binding agents
Methods and compositions for treating or preventing fibrotic disorders, e.g., sclerotic disorders, for example scleroderma, using CD2-binding agents, e.g., LFA-3/IgG fusion polypeptides or LFA-3-binding agents, are provided. |
| US07858094B2 |
TREM-1 splice variant for use in modifying immune responses
The present invention relates to a soluble receptor variant of TREM-1. More particularly, present invention relates to methods of modulating an immune response by administering variants of TREM-1. |
| US07858093B1 |
Controlled-release immunogenic formulations to modulate immune response
Single-dose controlled-release immunogenic formulations, such as vaccines, based on bioerodible polyanhydride copolymer or homopolymer microparticles for the control of immune response mechanisms are provided. The copolymer or homopolymer microparticles degrade by surface-erosion from in vivo hydrolysis of anhydride linkages at the surface of the microparticle, which results in controlled release of immunogen(s) to a patient. |
| US07858089B2 |
Antibodies binding to the A2 domain of FVIII and inhibiting coagulation activity
The present invention relates to new antibodies and fragments and derivatives thereof. These antibodies bind to the A2 domain of Factor VIII (FVIII) of the coagulation pathway and inhibit the coagulation activity of FVIII. The antibodies are particularly suited for the characterization of the structure and function of FVIII, for the design of therapeutic strategies for eradication of FVIII inhibitors and for the use as a medicament. The invention also relates to cell lines producing the specific antibodies. The present invention furthermore relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies, fragments and/or derivatives of the invention and to methods of preventing and treating cardiovascular disorders by using the antibodies or fragments and derivatives thereof or pharmaceutical compositions thereof. |
| US07858079B2 |
Tissue adhesives and sealants and method for their use
Compositions provided by mixing a biotin-containing component and an avidin-containing component are useful as an adhesive or sealant for medical/surgical uses. |
| US07858076B2 |
Copolymers based on tert-butyl(meth) acrylate and use thereof
Copolymers which contain tert-butyl (meth)acrylate, at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated amido-containing compound and acrylic acid incorporated in the form of polymerized units, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions which contain at least one such copolymer and the use of these copolymers are described. |
| US07858074B2 |
Rheological additive in the form of a preactivated paste
The invention relates to a rheological additive in the form of a preactivated paste, comprising: A) at least one fatty acid diamide introduced in powder form, it being possible for the powder optionally to comprise, in addition to the diamide, hydrogenated castor oil, B) at least one organic plasticizer, the plasticizer being liquid at room temperature. A specific process for the preparation of this rheological additive, a composition comprising the additive, a process for the preparation of the composition and specific uses, in particular specific coatings obtained from the additive, are also disclosed. |
| US07858073B2 |
Oral killed vaccines and method for providing same
There is described a method for selecting microbial isolates for use in oral killed vaccines against abnormal microbial colonization of mucosal surfaces by the microbes. The method comprises evaluating capacity of a plurality of different isolates of a microbe to activate antigen responsive cells to provide activation data for each microbial isolate, and the effectiveness of the isolates in reducing infection of a mucosal surface by the microbe to provide clearance data for each microbial isolate. An isolate, the activation data and clearance data for which correlate and is optimal for generating mucosal immunity against the microbe compared to the, or each, other of the isolates, or an isolate the activation data for which is optimal and a further isolate the clearance data for which is optimal, compared to the, or each, other of the isolates, respectively, is then selected for use in the vaccine. There is also described a method for providing an oral killed vaccine against abnormal microbial colonization of a mucosal surface, comprising evaluating the capacity of a plurality of different isolates of a microbe to induce expression of IL-10 and IL-12 in antigen responsive cells. At least one isolate is selected that induces optimal expression of IL-12 relative to IL-10 compared to the, or each, other of the isolates, respectively, for use in the vaccine. |
| US07858072B2 |
Stilbene derivatives and their use for binding and imaging amyloid plaques
This invention relates to a method of imaging amyloid deposits and to labeled compounds, and methods of making labeled compounds useful in imaging amyloid deposits. This invention also relates to compounds, and methods of making compounds for inhibiting the aggregation of amyloid proteins to form amyloid deposits, and a method of delivering a therapeutic agent to amyloid deposits. |
| US07858071B2 |
Biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
The invention provides a method for diagnosing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a subject, a method for assessing the effectiveness of a drug in treating ALS, and a method for determining the site of onset of ALS in a subject. Each method comprises (a) obtaining a sample from the subject, (b) analyzing the proteins in the sample by mass spectroscopy, and (c) determining a mass spectral profile for the sample. In some embodiments, the method comprises comparing the mass spectral profile of the sample to the mass spectral profile of a positive or a negative standard. |
| US07858068B2 |
Method of storing and generating hydrogen for fuel cell applications
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a hydrogen gas storage and supply method, comprising (a) providing a dry, solid-state hydrogen fuel source comprising a solid metal hydride or chemical hydride and a reaction-controlling agent in a solid state, wherein the hydride and the reaction-controlling agent are mixed at a desired proportion; and (b) delivering a desired amount of a liquid reactant to contact and react with a desired amount of the solid-state fuel source to produce hydrogen gas continuously or intermittently on demand, responsive to the needs of a fuel cell. |
| US07858065B2 |
Process for producing supported ruthenium and process for producing chlorine
The present invention provides a process for producing supported ruthenium, which comprises recovering a ruthenium compound from supported ruthenium used as a catalyst in production of chlorine by oxidation of hydrogen chloride with oxygen, and supporting the ruthenium compound on a carrier; and a process for producing chlorine, which comprises producing a supported ruthenium catalyst by the process mentioned above and oxidizing hydrogen chloride with oxygen in the presence of the supported ruthenium. |
| US07858064B2 |
Titanium aquo-oxo chloride and preparation method thereof
The invention relates to a titanium aquo-oxo chloride and to a method for its preparation. The compound is in the form of crystals and has the following composition by weight: 26.91% Ti; 21.36% Cl; and 4.41% H, which corresponds to the formula [Ti8O12(H2O)24]Cl8.HCl.7H2O. The method of preparation consists in hydrolyzing TiOCl2 either in an atmosphere whose moisture content is maintained between 50 and 60%, or by an alkali metal carbonate A2CO3, in order to obtain a titanium aquo-oxo chloride. The compound is useful as a semiconductor element of a photovoltaic cell or as a photocatalyst in air or water purification treatments. |
| US07858059B2 |
Molecular sieves for improved hydrocarbon traps
Molecular sieves and the use of such materials as hydrocarbon traps, particularly for reducing the emissions associated with the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels are described. Specifically, the use of molecular sieves such as zeolites as adsorbents for hydrocarbon gases, especially exhaust gases such as are formed during the combustion of hydrocarbons, and more particularly to the adsorption of hydrocarbon gases formed during the cold start operation of an internal combustion engine is described. In one embodiment, a method of treating exhaust gas that comprises a hydrocarbon combustion product is provided, the method comprising contacting the exhaust gas with a CON topology molecular sieve for a time period effective to facilitate adsorption of the hydrocarbon combustion product by the molecular sieve; passing a purge gas through the molecular sieve to remove adsorbed hydrocarbon combustion product; and contacting the purge gas containing the removed hydrocarbon combustion product with a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst. |
| US07858058B2 |
Method for crystallizing soluble salts of divalent anions from brine
The invention pertains to removing soluble alkali metal or ammonium salt of a divalent anion from brine comprising following steps: obtaining brine with NaCl-concentration between 150g/L and saturation in the presence or absense of a cyrstal growth inhibitor for NaCl(GCI-NaCl),or with NaCl concentration above saturation in the presence of a CGI-NaCl, said brine optionally comprising a crystal growth inhibitor for the alkali metal or ammonium salt of the divalent anion(CGI-DA); if necessary, acidify the solution to pH<11.5; if the concentration of CGI-DA is less than 20 mg/L, adding CGI-DA to obtain at least 20 mg CGI-DA/L; subjecting the solution to a membrane filtration; if the concentration of CGI-DA in the concentration from the separation is less than 20 mg/L, adding CGI-DA to obtain at least 20 mg CGI-DA/L; crystalling the concentration; removing the crystallized alkali metal or ammonium salt of the divalent anion. |
| US07858057B2 |
Production of lithium compounds directly from lithium containing brines
Methods and apparatus for the production of low sodium lithium carbonate and lithium chloride from a brine concentrated to about 6.0 wt % lithium are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for direct recovery of technical grade lithium chloride from the concentrated brine are also disclosed. |
| US07858050B2 |
Catalytic converter unit and apparatus
A catalytic converter unit includes walls defining a treatment zone, first and second transfer zones and at least one through-flow zone, which zones are adjacent each other. The walls include a partition wall that divides the treatment zone into first and second segments. The first transfer zone is plugged upstream of the partition wall and the second transfer zone is plugged downstream of the partition wall. A catalytic converter element is disposed in the first segment of the treatment zone, spaced from the partition wall. The first segment of the treatment zone is in flow communication with the first transfer zone and the second segment of the treatment zone is in flow communication with the second transfer zone. |
| US07858049B2 |
Apparatus and methods for parallel processing of multiple reaction mixtures
A parallel reactor system including a reactor and vessels in the reactor for holding reaction mixtures, and a cannula for introducing fluid reaction material into the vessels. A robot system is operable to insert the cannula into cannula passages in the reactor for delivery of reaction materials, including condensed gases, to respective vessels, and to withdraw the cannula from the cannula passages after delivery. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US07858043B2 |
Cofinger and device
The present invention is a multiport cofinger as well as a device that includes a multiport cofinger stopper and a microreactor. The stopper includes a main housing with a central orifice and a plurality of outer orifices located about the central orifice, and a sealing mechanism on the sidewall of the main housing. The cofinger is a concentric set of two tubes, but not necessarily symmetrically concentric. The cofinger has at least one inside tube and an outside tube; and each of the tubes has an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of which may be closed or open. The sealing mechanism maybe a tapering of the sidewall of the main housing to permit force fitting thereof into an opening of the microreactor or it may be designed for external stopper connection. Alternatively, there is at least one O-ring located about the sidewall of the main housing. In some embodiments, the main housing has an upper section and a lower section, with the lower section of smaller diameter than the upper section. |
| US07858035B2 |
Method for cleaning in-process sensors
A cleaning system and method for in-process sensors wherein a scouring jet discharges process fluid as the cleaning agent to remove solids and other contaminants from the surface of the sensor. |
| US07858034B2 |
Circuits for the control of output current in an electronic device for performing active biological operations
A circuit for control of an output current in a multiple unit cell array includes an array of unit cells arranged in rows and columns. Each unit cell includes a column select transistor being adapted for control by a column selector and a row select transistor being adapted for control by a row selector. The column select transistor and the row select transistor are connected together in series to each other and between an output node and a first supply. A return electrode is provided to complete the circuit. |
| US07858032B2 |
Device for supplying blood tubes to a whole blood analyser
A device including a pre-analytical module provided with at least one tube stirrer for homogenizing blood and preventing clot formation and disposed on a line for single-tube transfer between an area for storing analyzable tubes, and at least one unitary operating whole blood analyzer and automatic tube-loading/unloading device arranged between the tube stirrer and the single-tube transfer line. The device is suitable for blood analyzers. |
| US07858030B2 |
Artificial lipid bilayer membrane formation device, artificial lipid bilayer membrane formation method, and usage thereof
An artificial lipid bilayer membrane formation device is disclosed. It includes: an upper solution chamber whose bottom has a small hole; a lower solution chamber having a support layer; and lipid solution exclusion device. Lipid solution is applied to the small hole, and the lipid solution exclusion device excludes surplus lipid solution without changing a hydraulic pressure so that the lipid solution is in contact with the support layer, thereby forming an artificial lipid bilayer membrane on the small hole. |
| US07858029B2 |
Multiple enzyme cleaner for surgical instruments and endoscopes
The liquid composition is based on surfactants and enzymes, and is particularly useful for manual cleaning of instruments. In manual and ultrasonic application the composition in use concentration shows low foaming and gives a cleaning solution which is not cloudy at least at a temperature in the range from 16° C. to 40° C. In addition, the composition has good cleaning efficacy over a broad temperature range (20 to 55° C.) and shows good material compatibility. |
| US07858027B2 |
Razor protection system
A razor protection system includes a container for holding a protective liquid such as mineral oil for protecting the razor of a non-electric shaver. The protective liquid floats on water, which is used to control the level of the protective liquid. A shaver support adjacent the container supports the razor within the container spaced upwardly from the bottom the container above the water. In one embodiment, the shaver support is movable to alternately immerse the razor in the protective liquid and remove the razor from the protective liquid. The shaver support preferably supports the shaver when the razor is not immersed to allow the protective liquid to drip from the razor into the container. |
| US07858026B2 |
Detection of sterilisation vapour condensation point
A method of detecting bacterial kill using a vaporized sterilant includes the steps of generating a sterilant/water vapour and supplying the vapour to a sealed space to be sterilized. The supply of sterilant/water vapour is continued to raise the concentration of the sterilant in the sealed space, and the concentration of the sterilant in the vapour is monitored to determine when the rate of change of the concentration falls to a predetermined minimal level indicating that condensation has occurred resulting in kill of any bacteria present in the space. Supply of sterilant/water vapour to the space is then terminated. |
| US07858023B2 |
Method for producing raw material powder for rare earth sintered magnet, method for producing rare earth sintered magnet, granule and sintered body
A method for producing a rare earth sintered magnet uses granules having an excellent fluidity to improve the dimensional accuracy and production of a compact formed of the granules without significant property losses. The granules are formed by adding an organic liquid to primary alloy particles having a predetermined composition to produce granules having the primary alloy particles adhered together by the organic liquid. Preferably, from 1.5 to 15.0% by weight of the organic liquid is added to the primary alloy particles. |
| US07858020B2 |
Molten metal flow powered degassing device
The invention features a molten metal flow powered device including a housing, a rotor rotatably supported by the housing, the rotor being configured and arranged to be powered by a stream of molten metal discharged from a pump, and a gas transfer conduit having an upper end adapted to engage a gas source and a lower end supported by the housing from which gas is fed to the rotor. The invention also features a pumping and degassing system that includes the pump and a source of pressurized gas. The system can also include a machine for directing flux into the pressurized gas, for passage along the gas transfer conduit to the rotor. |
| US07858019B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing molten irons by hot compacting fine direct reduced irons
The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron. The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron including a charge container receiving the supply of reducing material in which hot fine direct reduced iron from multiple fluidized-bed reactors are mixed; at least one pair of roller presses to which the fine direct reduced iron is supplied to undergo roll pressing, thereby producing continuous compacted material having lumped portions adjacent to each other; a crusher crushing the compacted material produced by the roller presses; and a melter-gasifier to which is charged crushed compacted material that is crushed by the crusher. Each of the pair of roller presses include pressed portions and protruded lines formed between the pressed portions. The pressed portions include first and second pressed portions opposing each other and first and second concave surfaces continuously formed on the first and second pressed portions along an axial direction of the at least one pair of roller presses, respectively. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to a plane centered between the first and the second pressed portions: (i) the first and second concave surfaces partially overlap each other, and (ii) the protruded lines are unaligned on the opposing first and second pressed portions. |
| US07858011B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing a rim
A method of producing a bicycle rim including, positioning a first quantity of woven fiber strips having a first width and a first length and a second quantity of strips of said woven fibers having a shape different from the first shape to form a first laminated band from the first quantity and the second quantity of strips. A second narrower laminated band is produced. The first band is re-shaped to a V-shaped band before the first band is inserted along the periphery of a mold interior. A core is positioned on the first band and the second band is positioned on the first band. Rim well rings are positioned from outside on the second band, to abut the sides of the second band. A spreader ring is inserted between the rings to join the material near the upper rim flanks and the rim flanges. |
| US07858007B2 |
Honeycomb forming die and jig for honeycomb forming die using the same
A die was provided for forming a honeycomb body having a structure provided with groovy slits on a front face thereof, the slits being formed by cell blocks and back holes on a back surface thereof, each hole being communicatively connected with the slit. The die is made of cemented carbide having wear resistance. The cemented carbide is formed by compacting, followed by sintering at high temperature, metal carbide powder of transition metal element series with an iron group metal binder having toughness. A connection area ratio of the back hole and the cell block is 35 to 65%. |
| US07858005B2 |
Method for the production of fire-resistant wood fiber moldings
The invention relates to a method for the production of fire-resistant dense moulded pieces made from wood fibers, mixed with water glass as a binding flame-protection agent at a temperature above ambient temperature. A non-woven fiber formed from the above mixture is compressed to a density of <350 kg/m3 and then the hardening of the binding flame protection agent carried out in a closed press in the compressed state at temperatures above 80° C. |
| US07858001B2 |
Photochromic lens
A cast photochromic lens including a photochromic film and a cast resin, curable by heat or radiation. |
| US07857993B2 |
Composite scintillators for detection of ionizing radiation
Applicant's present invention is a composite scintillator having enhanced transparency for detecting ionizing radiation comprising a material having optical transparency wherein said material comprises nano-sized objects having a size in at least one dimension that is less than the wavelength of light emitted by the composite scintillator wherein the composite scintillator is designed to have selected properties suitable for a particular application. |
| US07857991B2 |
Dichroic dye composition, and liquid-crystal composition and liquid-crystal element including dichroic dye
Provided are a dichroic dye composition in which a solubility of the dichroic dye with respect to liquid-crystal is sufficiently high and a wavelength dispersion of absorbance is small in a wide wavelength range, and a black guest-host liquid-crystal composition indicating high order parameters using such a dichroic dye composition and a liquid-crystal element having high contrast. The dichroic dye composition includes at least one dichroic dye selected from Group (I) shown below, at least one dichroic dye selected from Group (II) shown below, and at least one dichroic dye selected from Group (III) shown below. |
| US07857989B2 |
Metal oxides dispersant composition
This invention relates to metal oxides dispersant compositions comprising (a) certain a metal oxides dispersant, and (b) an oxime. The invention also relates to a process for dispersing metal oxides in an aqueous system that involves adding the dispersant composition to the aqueous system. |
| US07857986B2 |
Chemical mechanical polishing slurry and chemical mechanical polishing apparatus and method
A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) slurry and a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus and method reduce defects, such as scratches, while maintaining a high polishing rate of a target film to be polished through a CMP process. The CMP slurry includes a ceria-based abrasive having a concentration of 0.001-10 percent by weight and a silica-based abrasive having a concentration of 1-24 percent by weight. |
| US07857985B2 |
Metal-polishing liquid and chemical mechanical polishing method using the same
The invention provides a metal polishing liquid comprising an oxidizing agent and colloidal silica in which a part of a surface of the colloidal silica is covered with aluminum atoms, and a Chemical Mechanical Polishing method using the same. An amino acid, a compound having an isothiazoline-3-one skeleton, an organic acid, a passivated film forming agent, a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and a water-soluble polymer may be contained. A metal polishing liquid which is used in Chemical Mechanical Polishing in manufacturing of a semiconductor device, attains low dishing of a subject to be polished, and can perform polishing excellent in in-plane uniformity of a surface to be polished. |
| US07857984B2 |
Plasma surface treatment method, quartz member, plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
A plasma surface treatment method for performing a surface treatment on a quartz member used under a plasma-exposed environment by using a plasma having an ion energy greater than about 5.3 eV. The plasma has, near a surface of the quartz member, an electron temperature higher than or equal to about 2 eV. Further, in a plasma processing apparatus for generating a plasma by introducing a microwave into a processing chamber through a planar antenna having a plurality of slots, the surface treatment is carried out for about 30-300 seconds by using a plasma of a processing gas containing Ar gas and N2 gas under conditions of a processing pressure lower than or equal to about 15 Pa and a microwave power higher than or equal to about 0.9 W/cm2, the surface treatment being repeated 25 to 2000 times. |
| US07857977B2 |
Packaging of ferric pyrophosphate for dialysis
A stable packaged bicarbonate solution for use in dialysis treatment and for treating anemia, iron deficiency, or reducing the required dose of recombinant erythropoietin to treat anemia includes a bicarbonate solution into which ferric pyrophosphate is dissolved. The amount of ferric pyrophosphate dissolved in the bicarbonate solution is sufficient to provide a therapeutic effect for the treatment of anemia, iron deficiency or to reduce dose of recombinant erythropoietin needed to treat anemia when the bicarbonate solution is combined with other dialysis components to form a dialysate used for dialyzing a patient. The ferric pyrophosphate is stabilized in the bicarbonate solution by holding the solution in a polyolefin container or container liner, such as a high density polyethylene container or liner. |
| US07857976B2 |
Hemofiltration system and method based on monitored patient parameters, supervisory control of hemofiltration, and adaptive control of pumps for hemofiltration
A multipurpose hemofiltration system and method are disclosed for the removal of fluid and/or soluble waste from the blood of a patient. The system continuously monitors the flow rates of drained fluid, blood, and infusate. When necessary, the pumping rates of the infusate, drained fluid and blood are adjusted to remove a preselected amount of fluid from the blood in a preselected time period. A supervisory controller can monitor patient parameters, such as heart rate and blood pressure, and adjust the pumping rates accordingly. The supervisory controller uses fuzzy logic to make expert decisions, based upon a set of supervisory rules, to control each pumping rate to achieve a desired flow rate and to respond to fault conditions. An adaptive controller corrects temporal variations in the flow rate based upon an adaptive law and a control law. |
| US07857974B2 |
Filter cartridge with snap fit connection
A filter cartridge for use in filtering fluids, for example fuel, lubrication, hydraulic and other liquids, as well as air. The filter cartridge is a filter-in-filter design with an inner filter and an outer filter. The inner filter and the outer filter, for example the bottom end plates thereof, are connected to each other via a snap fit connection mechanism. During manufacture, the inner filter can be inserted into the outer filter, with the snap fit connection mechanism retaining the inner filter in the outer filter. |
| US07857967B2 |
Sludge treatment system for dam
The sludge treatment system is comprised of a dam passage penetrated through a dam (D); an induction pipe (11) for discharging a sediment retained by the dam (D) and having an inlet (11a) toward the floor of the dam (D) and an outlet connected to an inner end of the dam passage; an induction force action pipe (13) connected to an outer end of the dam passage and extended in a height for utilizing an atmospheric pressure as an induction force of the sediment; a U shape air control pipe (14) connected to the induction force action pipe (13), and preventing for an air from coming into the induction force action pipe (13); a drain pipe (15) connected to the air control pipe (14) for discharging the sediment; and an air vent pipe (16) connected to a horizontal flat portion of the air control pipe (14) for dissipating the induction action of both the air control pipe (14) and the drain pipe (15). |
| US07857966B2 |
Storm water inlet apparatus
An apparatus for reducing pollution in wastewater that collects in a catch basin is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hood affixed to an interior wall of a catch basin over an outlet, and a skirted boom adjacent to at least a portion of said hood and fixed relative to the hood. The skirted boom includes an upper portion and a skirt extending down from the upper portion. The skirted boom is installed so that the upper portion of the skirted boom is adjacent to said hood at the static water level in the catch basin and the skirt extends downward, preferably below the bottom of the hood. A tether assembly for installing the apparatus and a method of using the same is further disclosed. |
| US07857963B2 |
Electrode plate for electrochemical measurements
To provide an electrode plate for electrochemical measurements that enables detecting and quantifying the concentration of a target substance contained in a sample solution with rapidity and favorable sensitivity using an apparatus for electrochemical measurements is objected to.Specifically, the present invention is directed to a method of the determination using an electrode plate for electrochemical measurements 1 including a substrate 31, an upper layer 40 provided on the upper face of the substrate, a lower layer 11 provided on the lower face of the substrate, a first electrode body 32 sandwiched between the upper face of the substrate and the upper layer, and a second electrode body 12 sandwiched between the lower face of the substrate and the lower layer, wherein: the upper layer has a plurality of upper layer through-holes 41a and 41b; the first electrode body has a plurality of first electrodes 32d including a portion exposed from the upper face of the upper layer via the upper layer through-hole 41b; the substrate has a plurality of substrate through-holes 33; and the second electrode body has a plurality of second electrodes 12d including a portion exposed from the upper face of the upper layer via the upper layer through-hole 41a and the substrate through-hole in the second electrode body. |
| US07857962B2 |
Potentiometric electrode, gradient polymer, uses and method of preparation therefor
The present invention relates to a potentiometric electrode and gradient polymer, both comprising electrically conducting particles, which increase in concentration away from one surface, ionophore molecules, which increase in concentration towards the same surface surface, and an electrical connection which passes proximal to said electrically conducting particles. The invention further relates to devices incorporating said electrode or gradient polymer, and to a method for their preparation. The new materials are highly robust and reliable. |
| US07857960B2 |
Copper plating process
Providing a copper plating method with which to precipitate copper-plated membranes that are uniform and flat, and that have good mirror gloss even when relatively thin copper plated membranes are formed. A copper plating method wherein the object to be plated and a pre-treatment solution in which bromide compound ions are contained are brought into contact and copper is precipitated by means of electrical plating using a copper plating solution. |
| US07857955B2 |
Coated capillary electrophoresis tubes and system
The invention is directed to a capillary tube for electrophoresis that has a positively charged coating on the capillary inner surface that prevents positively charged analytes from adsorbing to the inner capillary surface. The capillary tube has an inner surface that is coated with a first polymer layer having a plurality of polymer groups comprising polyethylene imine, designated herein as (CH2CH2NH)x. The inner surface of the capillary typically has a second polymer layer covalently bonded to the first polymer layer. The invention includes a capillary tube where two or more than two polymer groups are covalently bonded to each other by a cross-linker. Also provided are an electrophoresis system the uses the coated capillary tubes, a method of performing electrophoresis that utilizes the coated capillary tubes, and a process for preparing the coated capillary tubes. |
| US07857948B2 |
Method for manufacturing poorly conductive layers
Method for producing poorly conductive and in particular nonconductive layers on at least one work piece by means of a vacuum-coating process in which an electric arc discharge is activated between at least one anode and the cathode of an arc source in a reactive-gas atmosphere, whereby on the surface of a target that is electrically connected to the cathode either none or only a small outer magnetic field is generated that extends essentially perpendicular to the target surface for assisting the evaporation process, the degree of recoating of the target surface by other coating sources is less than 10%, and the magnetic field is generated with a magnet system that encompasses at least one axially polarized coil with a geometry similar to the circumference of the target. |
| US07857947B2 |
Unique passivation technique for a CVD blocker plate to prevent particle formation
Blocker plates for chemical vapor deposition chambers and methods of treating blocker plates are provided. The blocker plates define a plurality of holes therethrough and have an upper surface and a lower surface that are at least about 99.5% pure, which minimizes the nucleation of contaminating particles on the blocker plates. A physically vapor deposited coating, such as an aluminum physically vapor deposited coating, may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the blocker plates. Chemical vapor deposition chambers including blocker plates having a physically vapor deposited coating thereon are also provided. |
| US07857943B2 |
Pyrolysis machine
Useful byproducts are recovered through the pyrolytic processing of biomass material such as vegetation, paper, or worn tires. The process is conducted in a sealed enclosure under vacuum or other controlled atmosphere. The biomass material is ablated and burned by crunching between counter-rotating rollers whose inner walls have been exposed to a highly heated fluid. The biomass material is preheated by injecting into the feeding duct super-heated dry steam. A condenser within the enclosure reduces resulting vapors into oils that can be drained from the enclosure pan. Solid combustion residue is abstracted from the enclosure by an Archimedes screw. |
| US07857937B2 |
Thermosetting hot-melt polyurethane adhesive for labeling a structure
A process for affixing an insulating label to a container involves applying a thermoplastic hot-melt adhesive to a first edge of the label and applying a thermoplastic hot-melt adhesive and a thermosetting adhesive to a second edge of the label. The insulating label is applied to a container, and provides improved heat resistance, thereby reducing occurrences of delamination during subsequent heating of the container. |
| US07857936B2 |
Method for manufacturing cake decorating accessory and the decorating accessory
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a cake decorating accessory and the decorating accessory, which is used in producing a more dramatic and attractive atmosphere at a celebratory event by displaying a congratulatory message using heat. The method includes a step (S100) of preparing a base paper (77), a step (S200) of preparing a thermo-chromatic film (80), a step (S300) of writing or drawing a desired letter or picture for congratulatory messages on the base paper (77); a step (S400) of attaching the base paper (77), and a step (S500) of attaching the thermo-chromatic film (80) over the base paper (77). The base paper (77) has a raw paper layer (76) and a first bonding agent layer (72). The thermo-chromatic film (80) has a second bonding agent layer (82), a transparent synthetic resin film layer (84) and an oil-based microcapsule ink layer (86). |
| US07857935B2 |
Process for producing membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells
To provide a process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which has a high output voltage in a wide range of current densities and is excellent in durability against a humidity change.With respect to the process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly 10 comprising a first electrode 20 comprising a catalyst layer 12 and a gas diffusion layer 14, a second electrode 30 comprising a catalyst layer 12 and a gas diffusion layer 14 and the polymer electrolyte membrane 40 disposed between the catalyst layers 12 of the respective electrodes, the catalyst layer 12 is formed in such a manner that after forming a coating solution layer by applying a coating solution containing an electrode catalyst and an ion exchange resin on a substrate film, the gas diffusion layer 14 is put on the coating solution layer, and then, the coating solution layer is dried in such a state. |
| US07857931B2 |
Plastic substrate having multi-layer structure and method for preparing the same
The present invention relates to a plastic substrate having a multi-layer structure and a method for preparing the same. The plastic substrate of the present invention comprises plastic films attached to each other, and a first buffering layer of an organic-inorganic hybrid, a layer of gas barrier, and a second buffering layer of an organic-inorganic hybrid which are stacked on both sides of the plastic films in an orderly manner, each layer forming a symmetrical arrangement centering around the plastic films.Because the plastic substrate of the present invention has a small coefficient of thermal expansion, excellent dimensional stability, and superior gas barrier properties, it can replace the brittle and heavy glass substrate in display devices. Also, it can be used for a variety of packaging or container materials in applications requiring superior gas barrier properties. |
| US07857929B2 |
Method of producing pneumatic tire
Provided is a method of producing a pneumatic tire where occurrence of blisters caused by trapped air is prevented even if a thermoplastic resin film is used as an air permeation prevention layer. The method includes: wrapping a thermoplastic resin film (6) around a making drum (20); winding an unvulcanized tie-rubber sheet (7) on the thermoplastic resin film (6) in a manner that a winding start portion (7a) and a winding end portion (7b) of the tie-rubber sheet (7) are overlapped with each other; and thereafter winding a carcass layer (5) on the tie-rubber sheet (7). In the method, an unvulcanized auxiliary rubber sheet (9) is bonded onto the winding start portion (7a) of the tie-rubber sheet (7) so as to project in a circumferential direction, and then the tie-rubber sheet (7) is wound in a manner that the winding end portion (7b) of the tie-rubber sheet (7) is stacked on the auxiliary rubber sheet (9). |
| US07857928B1 |
Cover up
Methods, systems and devices for providing a shell cover to cover up an existing motorcycle fuel tank, and methods of installing the cover on the motorcycle fuel tank. The process allows the fuel tank to remain on the motorcycle without being removed. The fuel tank surface can be prepped by filling in indentations on the tank surface. Tank surfaces having only cosmetic damage, only punctures or having combinations of both cosmetic damage and punctures can be fixed. Next, a slurry and/or adhesive can be applied to the exterior tank surface and a cover is then placed over the fuel tank. The cover can be made from a plastic or fiberglass type material and can be painted to resemble the original motorcycle fuel tank. |
| US07857919B2 |
Process for producing steel product and production facility therefor
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a steel product, comprising the step of heat treating a steel product having been subjected to quenching or accelerated cooling on a hot rolling line after hot rolling to pass the steel product through a plurality of induction heating apparatuses, which are installed on the hot rolling line, three times or more. The method of the present invention makes it possible to uniformly heat treat the steel product with high productivity. |
| US07857916B2 |
Co-Cr-Mo alloy fine wire, manufacturing method therefor, and planar body, tubular body, stranded wire and cable formed of wire
A Co—Cr—Mo alloy fine wire has superior biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, processability, and flexibility. A manufacturing method and a planar body or the like formed by processing this fine wire. This is a fine wire of diameter of 200 micrometers or less comprising 26 to 31 weight % of Cr, 8 to 16 weight % of Mo, and the remainder of Co and inevitable impurities, in which the degree of roundness (minor diameter/major diameter) of lateral cross section is 0.6 or more, and the internal structure is uniform with the concentration ratio of high Mo concentration phase to low Mo concentration phase of 1.8 or less. |
| US07857914B2 |
Method and device for removing coatings on a metal structure
A device for removing layers of corrosion and other coatings from a metal surface is disclosed. Said device includes a signal generator driving an induction coil that is positioned on the structure. A control unit includes a temperature sensor that senses the temperature in the metal structure. The control unit is adapted to control the power output of the signal generator in accordance with the temperature in the metal structure. |
| US07857912B2 |
Container and process for cleaning and inspecting parts
The present invention is drawn to a wire container comprising a plurality of spring-like wires having wave patterns forming a part support that minimize contact points between the container and one or more contained parts when the container is subjected to a vibration causing the wires and the parts to move, thereby eliminating any fixed contact points between the part and the supporting part support. Another aspect of the current invention is a process for removing penetrant from parts comprising: placing one or more parts with penetrant applied in a container having spring-like wire with wave patterns forming a part support; oscillating the container during a cleaning process thereby compressing and expanding one or more spring-like wires thus exposing part surfaces and removing the penetrant from the parts. |
| US07857911B2 |
Scale conditioning agents and treatment method
An improved scale conditioning composition and method is disclosed that results in improved dissolution and disruption of tube scale, hardened sludge and other deposits composed primarily of highly densified magnetite such as those found in heat exchange vessels, particularly steam generators. After treatment with the advanced scale conditioning composition, these magnetite rich deposits are more easily removed using known and commercially available high pressure hydro-mechanical cleaning techniques. The present invention further provides effective cleaning in a short period of time and at relatively low temperatures, while reducing the amount of waste produced and reducing the resulting corrosion of carbon and low alloy steel components within the steam generator during the cleaning process. |
| US07857910B2 |
Food product dispenser with cleansing mechanism
The invention relates to a food product dispenser that includes a food delivery mechanism and a cleansing mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a food source, a food conduit associated with the food source for receiving a food component therefrom, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense servings of the food component from the conduit. The cleansing mechanism includes a cleansing conduit associated with the food delivery mechanism to direct a cleansing fluid along a fluid path in cleansing association with the food delivery mechanism under conditions for performing a cleansing operation on the food delivery mechanism. A controller can be provided for automatically conducting cleansing operations based on predetermined conditions. The controller, delivery mechanism and cleansing mechanism can be configured to switch between the dispensing of the servings and the cleansing operation at a plurality of intervals during a day without substantial intervention from an operator. |
| US07857909B2 |
Cleaning device including a flood chamber
In order to produce a cleaning device comprising a flood chamber for accommodating a workpiece requiring cleaning and a flooding device for flooding the flood chamber with a liquid cleaning agent which is of simple construction and the flood chamber of which can be rapidly filled and emptied again, it is proposed that the flood chamber be connectable to a cleaning agent reservoir and that the flooding device comprise a blower for reducing the pressure in the flood chamber so that cleaning agent is sucked into the flood chamber from the cleaning agent reservoir due to the reduced pressure in the flood chamber. |
| US07857908B2 |
Dishwasher and controlling method thereof
A dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher has a wash motor for pumping wash liquid, upper and lower spray arm for spraying the wash liquid pumped by the wash motor, and a control unit. The control unit operates the wash motor to perform a lower wash cycle by the lower spray arm and an upper wash cycle by the upper spray arm. The control unit operates the wash motor at a preset first rpm and operates the wash motor at a second rpm for a predetermined duration during the upper wash cycle. |
| US07857907B2 |
Methods of forming silicon nanocrystals by laser annealing
The present invention relates to a method for forming a layered structure with silicon nanocrystals. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (i) forming a first conductive layer on a substrate, (ii) forming a silicon-rich dielectric layer on the first conductive layer, and (iii) laser-annealing at least the silicon-rich dielectric layer to induce silicon-rich aggregation to form a plurality of silicon nanocrystals in the silicon-rich dielectric layer. The silicon-rich dielectric layer is one of a silicon-rich oxide film having a refractive index in the range of about 1.4 to 2.3, or a silicon-rich nitride film having a refractive index in the range of about 1.7 to 2.3. The layered structure with silicon nanocrystals in a silicon-rich dielectric layer is usable in a solar cell, a photodetector, a touch panel, a non-volatile memory device as storage node, and a liquid crystal display. |
| US07857902B2 |
Method of preparing non-toxic water paint
In a method of preparing a non-toxic anti-tacky water paint, nitrocellulose is solubilized in n-butyl acetate to form a nitrocellulose solution, which is then mixed with urea-formaldehyde and water to form a first mixture solution, which is then heated for two to three hours via water at a temperature of 65 to 90° C. so that the first mixture solution is separated into an upper layer of liquid and a lower layer of powder. Next, the upper layer is removed, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is added to the lower layer to form a second mixture solution. Then, a non-ionic surfactant is added to the second mixture solution to form a third mixture solution. Finally, the third mixture solution is added to a water-soluble paint to obtain the non-toxic anti-tacky water paint, which may be coated on a container object so that the object can be conveniently transported and stored. |
| US07857899B2 |
Emulsion composition and vehicle and ink compositions and printing process and method thereof
An emulsion composition comprises water, a hydrocarbon distillate having a boiling point of 215 to 325° C., and a surfactant having a hydrophilic lipophilic balance number of 10 or less. A vehicle composition, an ink composition, a lithographic printing process and a method to improve a lithographic printing process comprise the emulsion composition which when used in a lithographic printing ink can reduce emission of volatile organic compounds and reduce the time at start-up to establish print quality. |
| US07857896B2 |
Moisture absorbing product for use in containers
A moisture absorbing product, particularly for use in containers or railcars, includes a desiccant container including a plurality of separate desiccant holding compartments, each containing a quantity of desiccant material, a support over which the desiccant material is placed, a sheeting material, which substantially covers the desiccant container and which is permeable to gaseous water vapor but substantially impermeable to liquid water, and a strap with hook, secured to or within the support or desiccant container, which strap and hook are useful for hanging the moisture absorbing product within the container or railcar. |
| US07857893B2 |
Air cleaner and shut-down method
An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell. |
| US07857892B2 |
Air pollution sensor system
The disclosure relates to an air pollution sensor system incorporated in an enclosure, the enclosure including an air handling system inside an air duct, the air duct enabling a communication between air inside the enclosure and air outside the enclosure. The air duct including an air inlet for receiving air and an air outlet for releasing handled air inside the enclosure. The air pollution sensor system includes at least one ultra fine particle sensor capable of sensing particles with a diameter in a range of approximately 5-2500 nm, preferably in a range of approximately 5-1000 nm and more preferably in a range of approximately 5-500 nm inside the enclosure and providing a pollution information signal in response to the sensing of the particles. The disclosure further relates to various types of ultra fine particle sensors and air handling systems. |
| US07857888B2 |
Method for separation and recovery of noble metals
A method for separation and recovery of noble metals which makes it possible to isolate noble metal components efficiently by easy operation, that is, a method which comprises passing a solution of metals in hydrochloric acid prepared by treating a metal material with hydrochloric acid through the first cellulose column, eluting through development the noble metal component adsorbed on the cellulose with a hydrochloric acid/2-propanone mixture to obtain a fraction containing light platinum-group metals and a fraction containing heavy platinum-group metals and gold, separating the former fraction with the above mixture into fractions containing palladium, ruthenium and rhodium respectively, passing the fraction containing heavy platinum-group metals and gold through the second cellulose column to made them adsorbed on the cellulose, eluting them from the cellulose with a hydrochloric acid/1-butanol mixture to obtain fractions containing gold, osmium, iridium and platinum respectively, and recovering the noble metals from the fractions containing them respectively as simple substances. |
| US07857887B2 |
Environment-friendly non-noise matte granulation technique
The invention makes public an environment-friendly non-noise matte granulation technique. Melted matte flows out from the chute, then gas is sprayed on the matte through spray facilities; the gas disperses the melted matte into a large amount of tiny liquid drops, and cools the dispersed tiny drops to semi-melted or solid copper grains; in the following dropping course, the copper grains are quenched by pressurized cold water; finally, copper grains drop to the cold-water pond along with the pressurized cold water for further cooling, and the produced sand-like mattes are sent to the next procedure through dehydration-and-transportation system. It can overcome explosion and prevent chemical reaction in quenching, reduce noise pollution, and has the properties of simple procedure and easy operation to settle the problems existed in water quenching of matte. |
| US07857885B2 |
Filter
A column shaped filter having a honeycomb structure including a number of through holes extending parallel with one another in the length direction with wall portion interposed therebetween. The through holes are constituted by large-capacity through holes having a relatively larger cross-sectional area in the cross section perpendicular to the length direction and small-capacity through holes having a relatively smaller cross-sectional area in the cross section. The numbers of the two types of through holes are substantially set to the same. The large-capacity through holes are sealed at one end of the filter, while the small-capacity through holes are sealed at the other end of the filter. The large-capacity and small-capacity through holes have a ratio of partition wall length, α, and an aperture ratio, β, and α and β satisfy β≧(20/9)α2+1 (where 0<α≦1.5 and 1<β≦6). |
| US07857882B1 |
Water and oil mist elimination apparatus for a vehicular compressed air storage system
A moisture removal apparatus for a vehicular compressed air storage system includes a canister of mist-eliminating mesh that collects moisture and oil droplets in the air and exhausts them through a gravity drain. The mesh coalesces droplets of both water and oil vapor in the air stream, and is not contaminated by either. The mist eliminating canister can be a stand-alone device through which compressed air is delivered to a pressure tank, or may be integrated into a pressure tank for space efficiency. |
| US07857881B2 |
Air cleaner for two-stroke internal combustion engine and method of tuning the length of air-fuel mixture passage by using the air cleaner
An air cleaner is used in a two-stroke internal combustion engine to supply an air-fuel mixture passage and a fresh air passage in a carburetor with air cleaned by an air cleaner element. The air cleaner includes an air cleaner base having an air-fuel mixture opening communicating with the air-fuel mixture passage and a fresh air opening communicating with the fresh air passage, and an air guide member provided at the air-fuel mixture opening. The air guide member is configured to curve near the air-fuel mixture opening and extend from there along the air cleaner base, and has a cross section surrounded by a peripheral wall. The air guide member defines a mixture-use air extension passage for air to be added to prepare an air-fuel mixture air-fuel mixture, which extends from a first clean air intake to the air-fuel mixture opening. Blown-back gas from the air-fuel mixture passage hits against the inner wall of the curved portion of the air guide member, and is therefore restricted to flow out of the first clean air intake and leak into the air cleaner. Thereby, harmful emissions in the exhaust gas from the two-stroke internal engine can be reduced. |
| US07857880B2 |
Semiconductor manufacturing facility utilizing exhaust recirculation
A semiconductor manufacturing process facility requiring use therein of air exhaust for its operation, such facility including clean room and gray room components, with the clean room having at least one semiconductor manufacturing tool therein, and wherein air exhaust is flowed through a region of the clean room. The facility includes an air exhaust treatment apparatus arranged to (i) receive air exhaust after flow thereof through said region of said clean room, (ii) produce a treated air exhaust, and (iii) recirculate the treated air exhaust to an ambient air environment in the facility, e.g., to the gray room of the facility. |
| US07857879B2 |
Droplet separator
The droplet separator includes a vortex generating apparatus in a flow passage for directing a droplet-carrying gas in the direction of at least one separator element arranged concentrically about the flow passage. The separator element includes multiple grid-like structures for separating the droplets from the gas flow. |
| US07857878B2 |
Dust collection unit for vacuum cleaner
A dust collection unit for a vacuum cleaner includes a first dust collection part for filtering foreign objects in air, a second dust collection part for filtering foreign objects in the air that has passed through the first dust collection part, and a dust collection container having first and second dust collection chambers that correspond to the first and second dust collection parts, respectively. The first and second dust collection chambers store the foreign objects filtered by the respectively first and second dust collection parts in a state where parts of the respective first and second dust collection parts are received in the respective first and second dust collection chambers and the first and second dust collection chambers are provided in a line. |
| US07857877B2 |
Air filter and service line enclosure for a refrigerator
An assembly for installation in a refrigerator provides an enclosure for conducting service lines therethrough and an air filter unit mounted to the enclosure. The air filter unit includes an air filter housing that contains an air filter and includes openings for the ingress of air from the refrigerator which, after passing through the air filter, is discharged to the refrigerator interior through discharge openings in the air filter housing. Means such as a fan is provided to establish a flow of air through the air filter housing. The air filter unit has utility separately from the enclosure for conducting service lines in which case the air filter housing includes first and second portions that are pivotally connected to one another. The air filter within the air filter housing is supported by one of the first and second portions of the air filter housing. |
| US07857876B2 |
Method of producing polishing material comprising diamond clusters
Diamond clusters are used as a polishing material of free abrading particles, each being a combination of artificial diamond particles having primary particle diameters of 20 nm or less and impurities that are attached around these diamond particles. The density of non-diamond carbon contained in the impurities is in the range of 95% or more and 99% or less, and the density of chlorine contained in other than non-diamond carbon in the impurities is 0.5% or more and preferably 3.5% or less. The diameters of these diamond clusters are in the range of 30 nm or more and 500 nm or less, and their average diameter is in the range of 30 nm or more and 200 nm or less. Such polishing material is produced first by an explosion shock method to obtain diamond clusters and then removing the impurities such that density of non-diamond carbon contained in the impurities and density of chlorine contained in other than non-diamond carbon in the impurities become adjusted. |
| US07857874B2 |
Micro-reactor and method of manufacturing the same
A structure of a microreactor includes a joined body having a pair of substrates joined together, a flow path formed by a microchannel portion formed on a joining surface of at least one of the substrates, and a catalyst carrying member disposed in the flow path. In the production of such a microreactor, the catalyst carrying member is produced separately from formation of the joined body and the catalyst carrying member is disposed in the flow path at the time of forming the joined body. |
| US07857872B2 |
Co-production of biodiesel and an enriched food product from distillers grains
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for the production of biodiesel and co-production of an enriched food product. The method comprises the steps of extracting with solvent from distillers grains sufficient to produce an extract and an enriched food product, separating the oil from the extract, reacting the oil sufficient to produce biodiesel, and refining the biodiesel. |
| US07857868B2 |
Electrode and method for preparing the same using substrate induced coagulation (SIC)
The present invention is related to an electrode and a method for preparing the same, and is particularly related to an electrode that has an intricate structure of active material layer, conductive material layer, or mixture layer of active material and conductive material that displays superior electrochemical properties despite being thin, and a method for preparing an electrode using the coating method of SIC. |
| US07857867B2 |
Sealed battery and method of manufacturing the sealed battery
An object is to provide a sealed battery with reduced electric resistance from a power generation element to an external terminal of the battery and a method of manufacturing the same. A sealed battery 100 comprises a power generation element 120 including positive electrode plates 121 each having a positive electrode active material layer and negative electrode plates 123 each having a negative electrode active material layer, which are alternately arranged. The power generation element 120 is configured such that negative electrode lead portions 123r of the negative electrode plates 123 are provided extending in a predetermined direction. Further, the sealed battery 100 includes a battery case 110 housing the power generation element 120. This battery case 100 includes a negative-electrode case member 115 made of an electrically conductive material and serving as a negative collector plate to which the negative electrode lead portions 123r are connected. |
| US07857865B2 |
Composition comprising at least one ortho-diphenol, metal salt, hydrogen peroxide and (bi)carbonate and hair dyeing method therewith
The disclosure relates to a method for dyeing keratinous fibers by applying, to said fibers, i) at least one entity chosen from ortho-diphenol and derivatives thereof, ii) at least one metal salt, iii) hydrogen peroxide or at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide, and iv) at least one (bi)carbonate, wherein the method for coloring keratinous fibers is carried out in at least two stages, and wherein the at least one (bi)carbonate and the at least one metal salt are applied in separate stages. The disclosure also relates to a ready-to-use cosmetic composition and relates to a multicompartment device comprising from 2 to 5 compartments comprising from 2 to 5 compositions. |
| US07857862B2 |
One-part hair dye composition
A one-part hair dye composition containing (A) one or more compounds represented by the formula (1), (B) a silicone, and (C) a polyol, wherein the composition has a pH of from 8 to 11, wherein, a broken line represents the presence or absence of π bond, R1 represents OH or acetoxy, R2 represents H, —COOR (R representing H, CH3 or C2H5) or —COO−X+ (X+ representing a cation), and R3 represents H, acetyl, CH3 or C2H5. |
| US07857861B2 |
Hydrophilizing agent and hydrophilized fiber treated therewith
The hydrophilizing agent contains (a) a cationized compound of a (poly) amine, (b) an ester, (c) a dialkyl sulfosuccinate salt, (d) an alkylphosphate salt, (e) at least one glycine derivative selected from the group consisting of trialkyl glycine derivatives and (alkylamide alkyl) dialkyl glycine derivatives, and (f) a polyoxyalkylene-modified silicone; wherein the ratio of the component (a) ranges from 10 to 40 wt. %, the ratio of the component (b) ranges from 10 to 40 wt. %, the ratio of the component (c) ranges from 1 to 40 wt. %, the ratio of the component (d) ranges from 10 to 60 wt. %, the ratio of the component (e) ranges from 10 to 40 wt. %, and the ratio of the component (f) ranges from 1 to 20 wt. % of the hydrophilizing agent. |
| US07857860B2 |
Bone void filler and method of manufacture
Bone void filler pieces that are conducive to packing or nesting when a plurality of pieces are located in a cavity in random orientation. The bone void filler of the present invention includes a higher bulk packing density and a porosity of less than 80% to provide a better match native bone ingrowth rate. Further, the bone void filler includes a bi-modal pore distribution with a high frequency of smaller pores to enhance the density characteristic of the bone void filler pieces. A method of manufacturing the bone void filler pieces includes a precursor powder composition suitable to form a ceramic matrix; the preform is converted by chemical reaction to a final composition. The preform further includes the use of a porogen that decomposes to gaseous decomposition products upon heating. |
| US07857855B2 |
Devices used to treat disc herniation and attachment mechanisms therefore
A method for retaining an intra-discal material within an annulus fibrosis is described. The annulus fibrosis has a posterior annulus, an inside surface, and an opening with a lateral and a vertical dimension. A single wire and a band is provided. The single wire is made of shape-memory material and has a first compressed configuration and a second expanded configuration. The band and the single wire, which is in the first compressed configuration, is inserted through the opening in the annulus fibrosis. After insertion through the opening, the single wire expands to the second expanded configuration. The single wire and the band are positioned near the posterior annulus to rest against annulus fibrosis tissues adjacent the opening on the inside surface of the annulus fibrosis, such that the band is positioned to rest against annulus fibrosis tissues adjacent the opening, thereby preventing escape of intra-discal material through the opening. |
| US07857853B2 |
Synthetic loadbearing collagen-mineral composites useful for spinal implants, and methods of manufacture
Described are intervertebral spinal implants that include a biocompatible load bearing composite comprised of a particulate mineral material and collagen and having a wet compressive strength of at least about 200 N/cm2. The composite provides a load bearing body sized and shaped for insertion between adjacent vertebrae in a patient. The load bearing body has upper and lower surfaces configured to frictionally engage the adjacent vertebra. Also described are related methods of making and using the spinal implants, and other bone implants comprising the strong composites made available in the present invention. |
| US07857852B2 |
Artificial disc
An artificial disc (10) to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column (16) includes a resilient core (60) having an upper surface (62) and a lower surface(64). An upper retaining member (20) has an outer surface (22) engageable with a first vertebra (12) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (24) affixed to the upper surface (62) of the resilient core (60). A lower retaining member (40) has an outer surface (42) engageable with a second vertebra (14) of the spinal column (16) and an inner surface (44) affixed to the lower surface (64) of the resilient core (60). One of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40) has an opening (30, 50) extending through the outer and inner surfaces into which the resilient core (60) deflects upon relative movement of the upper and lower retaining members (20, 40). |
| US07857851B2 |
Implant system with sizing templates
Surgical instruments for use in sizing tissue defects and selecting an appropriate implant for the defect include sizing templates. The sizing templates are sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the implants. The sizing templates may be retractable into a tube for use in arthroscopic surgery. The retractable sizing templates are resilient to allow them to be retracted into a small diameter tube, and to expand on release from the tube to the desired size and shape. The method of using the instrument set is also described. |
| US07857845B2 |
Cardiac-valve prosthesis
A cardiac-valve prosthesis which can be used, for example, as a valve for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis in the implantation site. The armature defines a lumen for passage of the blood flow and supports a set of prosthetic valve leaflets, which, under the action of the blood flow, are able to move into a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of the blood through the lumen in a first direction and a radially contracted condition, in which the valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of the blood through the prosthesis in the opposite direction. The armature includes, in one embodiment, two annular elements connected by anchor members having the capacity of projecting radially with respect to the prosthesis, and support members for the set of leaflets, the support members being carried by at least one of the annular elements so as to leave substantially disengaged the aforesaid lumen for passage of the blood. |
| US07857833B2 |
Devices and methods for inter-vertebral orthopedic device placement
Disclosed are devices and methods for the re-construction of the vertebral lamina after partial or complete laminectomy. Pursuant to an exemplary method, a first bone fastener is anchored to a vertebral bone. A second bone fastener is anchored to the same vertebral bone, wherein the first and second fasteners are located on opposite sides of the vertebral midline. A connector member is used to inter-connect the two bone fasteners and produce a prosthetic lamina.Multiple embodiments of the lamina prosthesis are illustrated. These devices reconstruct the spinal canal, mark the position of the nerves at re-operation and provide a stable platform for the placement of additional spinal stabilization implants. |
| US07857832B2 |
Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization
A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae of a patient includes advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the inferior vertebrae. A proximal portion of the stabilization device is positioned such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae by contacting a surface of the superior vertebrae. |
| US07857830B2 |
Soft tissue repair and conduit device
A soft tissue repair method. The method includes providing a flaccid tubular member having a longitudinal bore and first and second ends, the tubular member defining first and second portions integral with the tubular member. The method includes coupling the tubular member to a flexible strand, inserting the tubular member from a first side of the soft tissue to a second side of soft tissue, such that a first portion of the tubular member exits the second side of the soft tissue and a second portion of the tubular member remains inside the soft tissue, tensioning the flexible strand, deforming the first portion of the tubular member to an anchoring shape, and forming a vascularization conduit from the second portion of the tubular member. |
| US07857829B2 |
Suture method
A method is provided for performing a procedure to reposition a portion of a breast using a suture including a plurality of barbs. The barbs on a first portion of the suture adjacent a first end of the suture permit movement of the suture through tissue in a direction of movement of the first end and prevent movement of the suture through tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the first end. The barbs on a second portion of the suture adjacent a second end of the suture permit movement of the suture through tissue in a direction of movement of the second end and prevent movement of the suture through tissue in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the second end. The method comprises the steps of inserting the first end of the suture through a first insertion point and causing the first portion of the suture to engage a tissue, inserting the second end of the suture through the first insertion point and advancing the second end of the suture through breast tissue to a first exit point located on the breast caudally of the first insertion point, and manually grouping and advancing the breast tissue relative to the suture towards the first insertion point to reposition a portion of the breast tissue. |
| US07857826B2 |
Cartridge embolic protection filter and methods of use
An embolic protection filter having a reduced profile for placement within a body lumen is disclosed. An embolic protection filter in accordance with the present invention includes a filter frame slidably and rotationally disposed along a guidewire, a plurality of retaining collars coupled to a proximal end of the filter frame, a plurality of expandable struts each having a proximal section adapted to slide within a corresponding retaining collar, and a filter mesh coupled to a distal section of the expandable struts for filtering embolic debris. |
| US07857824B2 |
Surgical scalpel with retractable guard
A safety scalpel blade assembly adapted for attachment to a handle (12), the assembly comprising a scalpel blade (10) and guard (11) which extends at least about the cutting edge of the blade (10), the guard (11) having attachment means to lock the blade to the guard as the assembly is being attached to the handle and which releases the blade from the guard when the blade is attached to the blade carrier on the handle. Improvements include a removable safety tab (60) on the guard (11), means (68,71) to prevent the blade guard (11) lifting relative to the handle (12), a safely catch (75) to prevent excessive retraction of the guard (11) and location means (80,82) to locate the guard (11) in the extended and retracted positions. |
| US07857819B2 |
Implant tool for use with a microstimulator
A stimulation system is described that includes an implantable microstimulator. A tail may be coupled to a distal end of the implantable microstimulator. In one embodiment, the stimulation system includes an implantation tool that includes an insertion cannula, a handle, a bushing, and a detachable blunt dissector tip. The bushing is situated within the insertion cannula and may position the implantable microstimulator longitudinally within the insertion cannula when the implantable microstimulator is placed within the insertion cannula. The detachable blunt dissector tip may be attached to the tail of the implantable microstimulator. The stimulation system may further comprise an end cap that includes an upper portion and a base portion conformable over at least a portion of curved tissue. An open trough extends through the base upper portions and may be configured to guide the implantation tool through the tissue at various angles. |
| US07857818B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering an intervertebral disc implant
A disc nucleus implant instrument includes a passageway effective for passing a material for replacing or augmenting an intervertebral disc nucleus, and a dilator at the distal end of said passageway. The instrument is effective for dilating an opening in a disc annulus and for passing a disc nucleus repair material through the opening and into the disc nucleus., |
| US07857816B2 |
Inserter for minimally invasive joint surgery having interchangeable thread
An acetabular inserter (10) aids a surgeon in controlling the installation of an acetabular cup prosthesis (11) having a central, female aperture (13). The inserter includes an inserter head (20), a housing (12) and a locking mechanism. The housing (12) is attached to the inserter head, the housing enclosing a drive train (14) having, at a far end (134), a prosthesis engaging thread (124), and at the opposite end (42′), a handle (20) which facilitates turning of the drive train by the operator. The locking mechanism is associated with the housing which selectively locks the drive train, and thus the prosthesis, in position. The opposite end (42′) of the drive train has a latch device which enables quick removal from the housing for cleaning and sterilization. |
| US07857802B2 |
Connector for medical liquid-containing packages and medical liquid-containing packages
The invention relates to a connector for medical liquid-containing packages, in particular to infusion or transfusion bags comprising a connection element (1) provided with a channel-shaped opening (1c) in which a self-sealing membrane (8) is arranged. A breakable part (17) which is connected to the connection piece closes the channel-shaped opening. Above the membrane (8), said connection element is embodied in the form a connection piece (13) comprising an internal cone (14) and external thread (15), the membrane (8) being sealed for receiving a syringe cone shaft. The inventive connector makes it possible to inject an active substance by means of a conventional Luer lock syringe devoid of an injection cannula (needle). |
| US07857798B2 |
Strapless G-string or thong
A strapless G-string or thong type undergarment is disclosed. The undergarment is adhered to the wearer by means of adhesive, thereby eliminating the need for a waistband. The undergarment provides freedom of movement and confidence in the wearer while being invisible under closely fitting or low-cut clothing. |
| US07857792B2 |
Cassette for irrigation or aspiration machine for endoscopy
A cassette insertable into an irrigation or aspiration machine for endoscopy includes an irrigation or an aspiration tube and a support provided with one or two inlet plugs and one or two outlet plugs where two tubes form an elbow to be connectable to the inlet or outlet plugs in an input and output direction of motion, respectively and to form an irrigation or aspiration pumping area in the input and output direction of motion. The support includes a T-shaped guide according to the head of the T for protecting the elbow of each tube and according to the length of the T body in a slot guiding the tube in the output direction. The T-shaped guide extends between one or two inlet plugs to form the irrigation or aspiration pumping area on both sides of the slot between each inlet plug and the head of the T. |
| US07857787B2 |
Systems and methods for locking and detecting the presence of a catheter
The present invention provides systems and methods for locking and detecting the presence of a catheter. In an embodiment, a catheter system comprises a catheter and a magnet attached to a proximal end of the catheter. The catheter system further comprises a lock receptacle configured to receive and lock the proximal end of the catheter therein, and a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect the presence of the magnet, and hence the catheter, when the catheter is locked in the lock receptacle. |
| US07857786B2 |
Balloon catheter having improved balloon folding capability
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for facilitating folding of a balloon before, during or after a medical procedure. In a first embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises at least one catheter shaft member, a balloon disposed on a distal region of the catheter shaft member, and at least one folding member disposed along at least a proximal region of the balloon. The folding member may comprise at least one radially-outward projecting member integrally formed with or attached to the balloon, or an internally-formed groove in the balloon, which is adapted to promote twisting of the balloon to reduce the profile of the balloon in the deflated state. Optionally, biasing members may be disposed between the folding member and an adjacent portion of the balloon to promote folding of the balloon in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. |
| US07857785B2 |
Medical device employing liquid crystal block copolymers and method of making the same
A medical device, at least a portion of which is formed from a polymer composition including at least one liquid crystal block copolymer having at least one A block and at least one B block wherein the A block is formed of mesogenic repeat units and the B block is a soft block. |
| US07857778B2 |
Apparatus for physiotherapeutic treatment
The invention relates to an apparatus for treatment, in particular physiotherapeutic treatment, of a part of the human body, in particular an arm, comprising a holder for fixing the body part to be treated, comprising a traction element, which acts on the body part with a predeterminable tension. The tension is applied by one or more weights acting on the traction element via a tension transmitter, it being possible for the tensile force acting on the body part to be varied or stopped at the beginning, during and/or at the end of the treatment by a counteracting force applied by a motor. |
| US07857776B2 |
Dynamically adjustable joint extension and flexion device
An adjustable orthosis for, among other functions, flexing or extending a users joint, positioning a limb or digit during or after a surgical procedure, correcting foot drop due to soft tissue contraction, and augmenting soft tissue during weight bearing therapies. In a preferred form, the orthosis includes a padded shell adapted to be worn on a user's limb and a distal support to be worn on one or more digits of the hand or foot or on the forefoot or body of the hand. The padded shell is connected to the distal support solely via an elastic member such as surgical tubing, which also applies a tension force between the two supports. One end of the elastic member carries teeth that mate with a ratcheting device that permits the wearer (1) to gradually increase the tension between the supports and (2) to quickly release the tension. |
| US07857767B2 |
Lumen-traveling device
Lumen-traveling devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, as well as additional components such as a sensor, an active portion, and/or control circuitry. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect a local condition, and an action may be performed within the body lumen. Actions that may be performed include, but are not limited to, transmitting information, releasing a material within the lumen, performing a surgical step, or collecting a sample, among others. |
| US07857760B2 |
Analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host. |
| US07857751B2 |
Electronic endoscope system including image synthesizing processor
An electronic endoscope system has a video-scope, an illumination apparatus, an imaging device, and an image synthesizing processor. The illumination apparatus illuminates a normal light and an excitation-light from the video-scope onto an object. The normal light is reflected off the object, and the excitation-light causes the object to emit fluorescence. The imaging device on the video-scope captures a normal image that is formed by the reflected normal light and a fluorescent image that is formed by the fluorescence. The image synthesizing processor synthesizes the normal image and the fluorescent image into a synthesized image. A color signal of the synthesized image is the same as a color signal of the normal image. A luminance signal or the synthesized image is obtained by mixing a luminance signal of the normal image and a luminance signal of the fluorescent image in a predetermined proportion. |
| US07857749B2 |
Treatment tools for endoscope
A tubular treatment tool is provided for an endoscope. The tubular treatment tool includes a flexible tubular member. A groove is formed on the flexible tubular member and traverses the flexible tubular member along the diameter. An operation wire is provided in the flexible tubular member. The operation wire is movable relative to the flexible tubular member along an axis of the flexible tubular member. A distal end of the operation wire is secured to the flexible tubular member at a position on a distal end side with respect to the groove. A tissue collecting device is secured at the distal end of the flexible tubular member. |
| US07857748B2 |
Photocurable endoprosthesis methods of manufacture
Methods of manufacture of endoprostheses comprising one or more photocurable materials are disclosed. The endoprostheses may comprise regions wherein the photocurable materials are selectively disposed about the endoprosthesis and are cured according to desired parameters to achieve varying desired properties. Photolithographic masking material may be selectively disposed about an inflatable balloon and exposed to a radiation emitting catheter. |
| US07857743B2 |
Blank, apparatus and method for constructing container
An apparatus for constructing a container from a continuous blank of sheet material including a plurality of panels coupled together at a plurality of fold lines is provided. The apparatus includes a mandrel that is rotatable about a rotational axis. The mandrel includes a rotary head that defines a plurality of exterior surfaces each corresponding to a panel of the continuous blank of sheet material. The rotary head forms an opening in at least one exterior surface configured to receive at least one panel for facilitating forming the blank of sheet material into a configuration with respect to a shape of the rotary head as the mandrel rotates about the rotational axis. |
| US07857741B1 |
Combination abdominal crunch and gravity inversion exercise machine
A combination gravity inversion exercise machine and abdominal crunch exercise machine which enables a user to perform both exercises in one machine. The machine enables a user to save exercise floor space and perform the two different exercises on the same machine to thereby make an exercise session more efficient. The machine combines the features of a gravity inversion machine which enables a user to lie inverted for a period of time to take pressure off the back muscles and also has the features of an abdominal crunch which enables a user to exercise and tighten stomach muscles. |
| US07857735B2 |
Selectorized dumbbell having a selector comprising a pin with flexible connecting prong(s)
A selectorized dumbbell has a handle that can be inserted into a gap between stacks of nested left and right weight plates. A selector determines how many left weight plates are coupled to the left end of the handle and how many right weight plates are coupled to the right end of the handle. Each weight plate is held between a pair of flexible arms on a forked carrier. The arms allow the weight plates to deflect out of a normal, substantially upright, orientation if an impact shock is delivered to the dumbbell. The arms are restored to their normal orientation once the impact shock dissipates. Alternatively, the weight plates may comprise a metallic inner weight plate covered with an elastomer encasement and with an integral elastomer lug attaching the weight plates to at least one interconnecting member. The selector may comprise a connecting pin with at least one flexible shock absorbing prong. |
| US07857732B2 |
Sway-capable stationary bicycle
A sway capable bicycle has a bicycle frame firmly mounted on a sway-capable upper base mounted on a lower base and which has resilient members connecting each corner of the base support to the corresponding corner of the upper base. |
| US07857727B2 |
Concentric joint mechanism capable of rotating with multiple degrees of freedom
A concentric joint mechanism includes a frame, a flexible spherical body, a first friction wheel, a first power device, and a fixing device. The flexible spherical body is disposed inside the frame. The first friction wheel is disposed inside the frame and abuts against the flexible spherical body for driving the flexible spherical body to rotate in a first direction. The first power device is connected to the first friction wheel for providing power to the first friction wheel. The fixing device is connected to the frame and abuts against the flexible spherical body for fixing the flexible spherical body inside the frame together with the first friction wheel. |
| US07857726B2 |
Eight speed transmission with planetary and layshaft gearing
A transmission is provided that utilizes three planetary gear sets and three layshaft gear sets, as well as four rotating-type clutches and one brake that are engagable in different combinations to provide eight forward speed ratios between an input member and an output member of the transmission. By combining features of a layshaft transmission with those of a planetary transmission, the low spin losses and packaging convenience typical of a layshaft transmission are available while still achieving the high torque capacity typical of a planetary transmission. |
| US07857724B2 |
Multi-group gearbox
A multi-group transmission for a motor vehicle having a main transmission and a range group transmission downstream from the main transmission. The reverse gear is integrated into the range-group transmission. |
| US07857723B2 |
Transaxle unit with integrated power take-off unit and torque coupling device
A transaxle unit comprises a differential assembly having a differential mechanism, a power take-off unit and a torque-coupling device for selectively restricting differential rotation of a differential mechanism. The torque-coupling device includes a friction clutch assembly for selectively frictionally engaging and disengaging a differential case and one of output axle shafts and a hydraulic clutch actuator. The hydraulic clutch actuator includes a hydraulic pump and a variable pressure relief valve assembly fluidly communicating with the hydraulic pump to selectively control a hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pump. The variable pressure relief valve assembly comprises a valve closure member, a valve seat complementary to the valve closure member and an electro-magnetic actuator for engaging the valve closure member and generating a variable electro-magnetic force urging selectively vary a release pressure of the pressure relief valve assembly based on a magnitude of an electric current supplied to the electro-magnetic actuator. |
| US07857722B2 |
Plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system
A plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. The chain includes a number of link plates hingedly connected with each other by rocker members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain and are positioned in openings of the link plates. Curved-shaped contact surfaces are located on each of the rocker members and link plates, along which contact surfaces the rocker members and link plates are in contact with each other to transmit power. The rocker members are shaped asymmetrically in the height direction of the rocker members, relative to a cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain. The link plate openings include at least one region that is curved in an inward direction, to prevent incorrect orientation of the rocker members during assembly of the chain. |
| US07857721B2 |
Belt-type continuously variable transmission and straddle-type vehicle
Abrasion of a V-belt in a belt type continuously variable transmission accommodated in an engine unit of a motorcycle is suppressed. A V-belt wound around and contacting a primary sheave and a secondary sheave 72 is at least partially formed from a resin. A plurality of grooves aligned at a predetermined pitch in a radial direction are formed on sheave surfaces of the primary and secondary sheaves. The average pitch P(mm) of the grooves is P≦−0.08K×10−3+0.18, where K(Hv) indicates surface hardness of the sheave surfaces. |
| US07857720B2 |
Synchronous belt drive system
A synchronous belt drive system comprising an obround sprocket (10) having a toothed surface and at least one linear portion (16) disposed between two arcuate portions (14,15), the arcuate portions having a constant radius (R1, R2), the linear portion having a predetermined length, a second sprocket (300) having a toothed surface, the second sprocket engaged to the obround sprocket by an endless toothed member (200), the second sprocket connected to a rotary load, the rotary load having cyclic torque fluctuations, and a radius (R1) of the obround sprocket (10) oriented at a belt entry point (201) which coincides with a maximum amplitude of a cyclic torque fluctuation such that a span length (SL) of the endless toothed member is made to vary in a manner that substantially cancels the cyclic torque fluctuations. |
| US07857712B2 |
Golf club head
An iron-type golf club head has a face which has a face surface of a flat shape, and a hosel which is continuous with the face on its heel side. A shaft insertion hole is disposed in the hosel. A protrusion protruding rearward is disposed in the vicinity of the center in a toe-heel direction. A material of the golf club head is pure iron having a high purity of at least 99.8%, for instance, pure iron having a purity within a range of 99.995 to 99.9999%. The golf club head is subjected to carburizing so that carbon diffuses up to about 0.2 to 0.5 mm from the surface. A region within 0.2 mm from the face surface has a hardness of HV 300 to 600, and a region where a distance from the face surface is 0.7 mm or more has a hardness of HV 100 or lower. |
| US07857711B2 |
Metal wood club
A golf club head is provided having a body and a face insert, with a slot in a perimeter region of the body of the club head adjacent the face insert. The slot increases the flex of the hitting surface on impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing the speed with which the ball rebounds off the hitting face and increases the overall distance the ball is hit. The slot preferably moves the sweet spot of the hitting face a distance X from the face center of the hitting face. The slot may be filled with an elastomeric material. |
| US07857710B2 |
Golf club
A golf club having a shaft, a grip, and a head provides improved balance and feel. The shaft has a shaft distal end, a shaft axis defining a vertical plane, and a forward bend section proximate the shaft distal end. The head is secured to the shaft distal end and includes a striking face, a trailing edge, a club head center of gravity, a heel section having a heel section center of gravity, and a toe section having a toe section center of gravity. The heel section center of gravity is forward of the striking face and the club head center of gravity is further from the trailing edge than the striking face. The forward bend section of the shaft projects from the vertical plane at an attachment angle such that the shaft distal end is forward of the heel section center of gravity. |
| US07857709B2 |
Universal shaft and head connector
A connector for releasably securing a shaft and a head having a hosel with a bore of standard size. The connector includes a shaft adapter, a hosel adapter, and a compression nut. The shaft adapter has a shaft bore sized to receive the shaft, a first threaded coupling member, and a axial shaft. The hosel adapter has a hosel bore and a main body portion. The hosel bore is sized to receive the axial shaft. The compression nut has a second coupling member. The shaft is secured within the shaft bore and the main body portion is secured within the bore of the hosel using an adhesive and the axial shaft is inserted within the hosel bore. Thereafter, the compression nut is rotated to couple the first and second coupling members together thereby securing the shaft and head together without the shaft being received within the bore of the hosel. |
| US07857708B2 |
Golf swing-diagnosing system
A computer (16) for capturing a colored moving image photographed by photographing means (14, 15) has an extraction means for extracting images having necessary swing postures as check-point images from a large number of still images constituting the color moving image; a means for obtaining a coordinate of a position of each of attention-focused points, which operate, in each of the check-point images, while a golfer (11) is swinging; a means for diagnosing a golfer's swing form by setting a plurality of diagnosis items for each trajectory pattern obtained by a ball motion measuring apparatus (20) to classify behavior of a golf ball and by comparing numerical data generated from data of the coordinate of the position of each of the attention-focused points with a judgement value set in each of a plurality of diagnosis items; and a means for outputting an advice drill corresponding to a result of a diagnosis. |
| US07857706B2 |
Peripheral target stand training system
A system of training a golf swing including the steps of providing a positional apparatus that provides the golfer with variable impact heights and variable rotational positions to enable them to learn the correct swing, and also includes various additional training items. The stand provides heights ranging from the traditional on the ground striking position up to the golfer's waist to train the swing incrementally and can be positioned anywhere within the golfer's peripheral sight. It also provides the golfer a way to learn the correct movements used in the swing without the pressure of trying to effect a golf ball flight. |
| US07857705B1 |
Auditory feedback for golfers' face closure rate
A device to improve the feedback to the golfer relative to the rotation of the club head and thus provide valuable feedback to the golfer on the rate and timing of the club head rotation to golf ball impact is disclosed herein. The device is a training and practice aid to accomplish such auditory feedback. |
| US07857704B2 |
Amusement water rides involving games of chance
A system may enable a participant to play games of chance in a water environment. A gambling facility may be part of a water ride. The gambling facility is coupled to a water amusement system. Gambling stations may be at least partially submerged in the body of water. Gambling apparatus may float on or be coupled to structures in the body of water. A participant may move from station to station, or apparatus to apparatus, by swimming, floating, traveling underwater, walking or jogging in the body of water, or using a conveyor. In some embodiments, participant identifiers are coupled to the one or more participants. The participant identifiers may be used to assess a status of the participants in the gambling facility or water amusement park system. |
| US07857699B2 |
Gaming system and method of operating a gaming system having a bonus participation bidding sequence
A gaming system where, as players place wagers to play the primary games of the gaming devices, a portion or percentage of the wager placed by each player to initiate the primary game is allocated to an accumulated value pool. A target value is based on the average expected payout of a bonus event. In one embodiment, if the accumulated value pool meets or exceeds the target value, a bidding sequence is triggered. During the bidding sequence, the central controller enables each of the players playing at the gaming devices to place one or more bids for the opportunity to participate in the bonus event. In one embodiment, the player who places the highest bid participates in the bonus event and is provided with a bonus award, wherein the bonus award may be equal to, higher than, or lower than the winning bid. |
| US07857697B2 |
System and method for jackpot wagering
A jackpot wagering system (1) includes a player terminal (3) operable by a player to place a wager on a number of games of chance a random event generator (8) that generates random events upon which outcomes of the games of chance are based, and a determination facility that determines the quantum of a prize that is available to be won by a player upon the occurrence of a favorable outcome of the game of chance. The quantum of the prize is determined as a function of the size of the player's wager and the maximum limit of the wager. The player's wager is subject to a maximum limit and a portion of each wager is accumulated in an accumulation account as a jackpot prize. The contents of the accumulation account are denominated in a base currency that is selected to be a strongest one of the playing currencies. |
| US07857692B2 |
Media containing puzzles in the form of clips
A media game that employs a method for randomly shuffling through a large set of video and/or audio clips stored on readable media using a media player, such as a DVD player, is disclosed. In addition to the readable media, the game also includes a game board, moveable play pieces, trivia question cards, random name cards, a numbered die, and a challenge die. The game board can be converted from long play to short play by lifting the endmost sections of the game board and placing them next to each other on top of intermediate sections of the game board. A path circumnavigates the game board and appears to be continuous in both long and short play modes. The begin and end regions reside at least partially on the endmost sections and appear as unbroken shapes when configured for both long and short play. |
| US07857690B2 |
Concave suspension control system and method for a threshing section in a harvesting machine
A method of positioning a concave in a threshing section of an agricultural machine including the steps of selecting and maintaining. The selecting step includes the selecting of a set pressure, a minimum separation distance of the concave from a rotating member and a maximum separation distance of the concave from the rotating member. The maintaining step includes the maintaining of a hydraulic fluid pressure in a hydraulic concave support system that supports the concave at substantially the set pressure while the concave is positioned between the minimum separation distance and the maximum separation distance when crop material is being transported between the concave and the rotating member. |
| US07857687B2 |
Disk-like steak product having a plurality of truncated pie wedge shaped portions
A steak product is made by cutting a piece of meat which is initially generally in the shape of a parallelepiped along four generally curved first cut lines extending generally parallel to the grain of the meat to remove four corners of the meat and create a meat portion which is cylindrically shaped. The cylindrically shaped meat portion is cut along each of a plurality of parallel second cut lines each generally perpendicular to the grain of the meat and spaced from each other by a first predetermined distance to create a plurality of disk-like generally cylindrical meat portions each having a thickness corresponding to the first predetermined distance and each having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the cylindrically shaped meat portion. At least one of the disk-like meat portions is cut along each of a plurality of third cut lines, each of the third cut lines extending radially inwardly from an outer circumferential edge of the disk-like meat portion toward but not entirely through the axial center of the disk-like meat portion to create an uncut center portion, the third cut lines being circumferentially spaced apart by a second predetermined distance to produce a steak portion having a plurality of generally truncated pie wedge shaped portions held together by the center portion. |
| US07857683B2 |
CMP retaining ring
An improved chemical mechanical polishing retaining ring. A representative embodiment comprises a base portion made from a wear-resistant plastic material, and an upper portion, or backbone portion, made from a stiffer and more wear resistant material. One of the base or backbone portion is preferably overmolded onto the other. The base portion can be generally defined by a flat pad-contacting surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The base portion can additionally include channels extending from the outer surface to the inner surface to facilitate transfer of slurry to and from the substrate to be polished during the process. One or both of the base portion or backbone portion further includes a plurality of circular ribs that serve to create additional bonding surface with the overmolded material. The retaining ring may additionally includes a plurality of bosses with threaded insert holes by which the retaining ring is attached to a chemical mechanical polishing system. |
| US07857679B2 |
Toy track set and relay segments
A relay segment for a toy track set is provided, the relay segment having a trigger moveably secured to the relay segment proximate to a first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for adjustable movement with respect to the relay segment, the trigger being capable of movement between a first position and a second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position. |
| US07857675B2 |
Plasma display panel and method for producing the same
A method for producing a plasma display panel wherein the projection of the end portions of electrode in the widthwise direction are suppressed so that failure in insulation and pressure proof is not caused upon forming an electrode pattern by collectively exposing and developing a bus electrode having a two-layered structure. When the electrode pattern having two-layered structure by a photolithography method using a mask, exposure is made by applying light, while a part of a surface of portion of a paste film of an electrode material which portion to be formed into the electrode pattern is shield from the light, so that a dent is formed in the electrode surface after developing and the thermal shrinkage of the center portion and the thermal shrinkage of the end portions of the electrode in the widthwise direction are controlled separately by the dent. |
| US07857672B2 |
Flow control device for improving pressure resistance and hull vibration
A flow control mechanism, for improving pressure resistance and hull vibration, includes a lower fin and an upper fin. The lower fin is disposed between a second station and a fourth station in a length direction of a ship and between 10% and 20% of a design draft from a bottom of the ship in a height direction of the ship, the lower fin being inclined at an angle of 20 to 40 degrees with respect to a design draught (or base) line. The upper fin is disposed between the second station and the fourth station in the length direction of the ship and between 30% and 60% of the design draft from the bottom of the ship in the height direction of the ship, the upper fin being inclined at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees with respect to the design draught (or base) line. Further, an additional fin is disposed between a first station and a third station in the length direction of the ship and between 5% and 20% of the design draft from the bottom of the ship in the height direction of the ship, the additional fin being inclined at an angle of 10 to 40 degrees with respect to the design draught (or base) line. |
| US07857671B2 |
Contact for electrical and electronic connections
Contact for electrical or electronic connections, comprising a contact pin (1, 101) provided with resilient-tensioning means (4) which act in an axial direction on the said pin (1, 101), the said pin being provided with a coaxial stem (201) which extends at the end of said pin (1) opposite to that intended for connection, said stem (201) being inserted inside a contact means (3) in the form of a scored hyperboloid; said pin, being characterized in that said resilient-tensioning means (4) and said scored hyperboloid (3) are enclosed inside a substantially cylindrical and substantially single-piece container body (2; 5), locating means (202; 205) being envisaged for said resilient-tensioning means (4). |
| US07857670B2 |
Vertical cable manager
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a bracket for mounting a vertical cable manager to a rack. The bracket includes a first portion extending in a first direction, a second portion extending from the first portion in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a third portion extending from the second portion in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the second direction and substantially parallel to the first direction. The first portion of the bracket is adapted to be snap-fitted to the vertical cable manager. |
| US07857669B1 |
High power electrical interface connection
An electrical connection includes a socket having a bore and a pin. The pin is allowed to move along an axis defined inwardly into the socket bore, and also to move radially relative to the axis. The socket bore has a generally conical portion. The pin has a generally conical face. The generally conical face of the pin is in contact with the generally conical portion of the socket. A motor system including such a connection is also disclosed. In another feature, an electrical connection includes a socket having a bore and a pin. The pin is allowed to move along an axis defined inwardly into the bore, and also to move radially relative to the axis. The pin is spring-biased into the bore such that an end of the pin seats on an end face of the bore. |
| US07857667B1 |
Spring assembly with spring members biasing and capacitively coupling jack contacts
A spring assembly for a communications jack configured to receive a communications plug having a plurality of plug contacts. The jack includes first, second, third, and fourth jack contacts. The first and second jack contacts are configured to carry a first differential signal. The third and fourth jack contacts are configured to carry a second differential signal. Each jack contact is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plug contacts when the plug is received by the jack. The spring assembly has a conductive spring member for each jack contact. Each spring member is electrically connected to a corresponding jack contact and biases that jack contact against a corresponding plug contact. To reduce crosstalk, the spring member connected to the first jack contact is capacitively coupled to the third jack contact and the spring member connected to the fourth jack contact is capacitively coupled to the second jack contact. |
| US07857666B2 |
Cable connector and method of making the same
An exemplary cable connector includes a terminal module, a latching flange, and a housing. The terminal module includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and an insulator. The first terminal and the second terminal are insulated by the insulator. The latching flange is fixed on an outer surface of the terminal module. The housing is fixed on a periphery of the terminal module. The latching flange forms at least one resisting surface. An inner surface of the housing defines a latching groove corresponding to the latching flange. The latching groove forms at least one resisting surface corresponding to the at least one resisting surface of the latching flange. The latching flange is latched in the latching groove. |
| US07857662B2 |
Receptacle cage and method for making the same
A receptacle cage (100) for receiving a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver therein includes a cage body (10) inserted into a passage (201) defined in a chassis (200), and a conductive plate (21) attached to outside of the cage body (10), said conductive plate (21) forming a plurality of resilient fingers (26) for grounding said cage body (10) to said chassis (200). The conductive plate (21) forming a front edge portion (282) closed to the cage body (10), a connection portion (284) extending slantways and rearwardly from the front edge portion (282), and the plurality of resilient fingers (26) being listed side by side in a first direction and extending from the connection portion (284), wherein said connection portion (284) extends continuously in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to corresponding wall of the cage body (10). |
| US07857661B1 |
Coaxial cable connector having jacket gripping ferrule and associated methods
A connector is to be attached to a coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an outer conductor, a dielectric between the inner conductor and outer conductor, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor. The connector includes a back nut to be received over the jacket of the coaxial cable and having an internal back nut ramp defined therein. A connector housing engages the back nut. There is a jacket gripping ferrule within the back nut that has a rearward portion configured to be urged radially inwardly by the internal back nut ramp to thereby dig into the cable jacket as the connector housing and back nut are engaged. |
| US07857658B1 |
Multiple orientation battery connector
A connector is provided for electrically coupling a battery with a battery-powered device. The connector includes a first dual-contact assembly and a second dual-contact assembly. Each of the dual-contact assemblies includes a positive contact for contacting a positive PP3 terminal of a PP3 battery, and a negative contact for contacting a negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery. Each dual-contact assembly is configured so that, when the dual-contact assembly is physically engaged with either of the PP3 battery terminals, one of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly electrically engages the PP3 battery terminal, while the other of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly is electrically insulated from the PP3 battery terminal. Accordingly, the PP3 battery may be installed in either of two valid connection states relative to the connector, in which appropriate electrical connectivity is provided via the connector to a device to be powered by the PP3 battery. |
| US07857656B2 |
Electrical connector and electrical connector assembly having heat-radiating structure
An electrical connector for electrically connecting with a complementary connector includes an insulative housing defining a number of contact-receiving passages, and a number of conductive contacts respectively received in the contact-receiving passages adapted for electrically connecting with conductive contacts of the complementary connector and generating heat. The insulative housing defines a pair of first heat-radiating channels located at opposite lateral sides thereof and extending through the insulative housing along a mating direction, and at least one second heat-radiating channel extending through the insualtive housing along the mating direction and located between at least a pair of contact-receiving passages adjacent thereto. The heat generated by the conductive contacts is capable of radiated out of the insualtive housing through the first heat-radiating channels and the at least one second heat-radiating channel. |
| US07857654B2 |
Plug retention device
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for retaining a plug in an outlet. The apparatus includes a pair of arms and a body slidably connected to the arms. The arms are connected to the outlet. The body slides along the arms to retain the plug in the outlet. |
| US07857653B2 |
Cover opening and closing device with an integral turn regulating portion
In the cover opening and dosing device of the present invention, a terminal cover 21 includes a turn regulating portion 24. The turn regulating portion 24 can prevent the terminal cover 21 from turning in a cover dosing direction due to resilience of coupling portions 22 and 23 when the terminal cover 21 is moved to a cover opening position. Thus, when connecting a cable to a terminal, the terminal cover 21 does not hinder the connection, so that the cable can be connected to the terminal with ease. It is possible to achieve a configuration of holding the terminal cover capable of opening and dosing the terminal open with ease and at low cost. |
| US07857647B2 |
Weather resistant electrical connector
An electrical connector is provided including a housing supporting an electrical device and for receiving an electrical cord or cable. A cap having internal threads and an axial passage for receiving the electrical cord and clamping the electrical cord to the housing to form a waterproof connection. The cap includes a conical shaped seal member for forming a waterproof seal with the outer surface of the electrical cord. A conical shaped bushing is received in a frustoconical shaped bore of the housing and is axially and radially compressed by the threaded cap onto the housing. The bushing has an axial bore for receiving the electrical cable and an outer surface with at least one annular recess to facilitate the axial and radial compression of the bushing. The bottom end of the cap has a chamfered edge which mates with a frustoconical shaped outer surface of the housing to form a waterproof seal. |
| US07857644B2 |
Wired drill pipe having conductive end connections
Apparatus and methods associated with wired drill pipe having conductive end connections are described. In one described example, an end connector for use with drill pipe includes a generally cylindrical body having an outer shoulder and an inner shoulder. In the described example, the outer shoulder is to engage a shoulder of a drill pipe to be coupled to the body to provide an electrically conductive connection between the body and the drill pipe, and the inner shoulder is to engage an end of the drill pipe. The example end connector also includes a generally cylindrical electrical connector rigidly coupled to the cylindrical body to form at least a portion of the inner shoulder. The generally cylindrical electrical connector is substantially electrically insulated from the cylindrical body and is to contact the end of the drill pipe to provide an electrically conductive connection between the electrical connector and the end of the drill pipe. |
| US07857643B2 |
XLR cable connector
The XLR cable connector comprises a sliding element, by means of whose displacement between a retracted and an advanced end position, the XLR cable connector can be converted between a plug and a socket, and that has a first, a second, a third, and a fourth channel, a first, a second, and a third contact pin that are received by the first, second, and third channel of the sliding element, whereby in the retracted position of the sliding element, these contact pins project from the plug-in-side front face of the sliding element, and in the advanced end position of the sliding element, these contact pins are retracted into the channels of the sliding element. |
| US07857640B1 |
Electric connector equipped with multiple layers of safety structure
An electric connector equipped with multiple layers of safety structure includes an insulation case, an electric connection terminal set and a safety mechanism. The insulation case has a front panel with a plurality of slots. The safety mechanism has a safety gate set and a blocking plate latching element. The safety gate set is pushed by a plug and to open the slots to allow the plug to pass through and to establish electric connection with the electric connection terminal set. The blocking plate has a brake portion. The blocking plate latching element has a stirring portion exposed outside the surface of the insulation case and a stop portion corresponding to each blocking plate. The stop portion is movable with the stirring portion to the brake portion to stop the blocking plate from moving. Thereby the blocking plate latching element can control opening of the safety gate set. |
| US07857638B2 |
Electrical connector with latching members
An electrical connector (100) for mounting onto a printed circuit board (5), includes a longitudinal insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2, 3) received in the housing and a pair of latching members (4) retained to the housing. The housing defines a mating face (104) and a pair of supporting portions (15) disposed at two opposite ends of the housing in an elongated direction, and each supporting portion defines a supporting face (150) and a receiving slot (17) running through the supporting face. Each latching member is retained to a corresponding receiving slot and defines a locking portion (42) extending perpendicularly to the printed circuit board and projecting out of the receiving slot to expose to the supporting face at a free end thereof. |
| US07857637B2 |
Method of forming printed circuit board having connector, and electric junction box having printed circuit board
A method of forming a printed circuit board having a connector including providing a base portion including through holes into which terminals are inserted; inserting terminals projecting from a bottom surface of the base portion into a terminal hole provided on the printed circuit board; fitting a rib projecting from the bottom surface of the base portion with a through hole provided on the printed circuit board; temporarily fixing the bottom surface of the base portion, the surface contacting a surface of the printed circuit board; then fixing with soldering each of the terminals inserted into the terminal hole of the printed circuit board; fitting a connector housing with the base portion, the connector housing having a fitting hole within which the base portion is fitted; and placing the connector housing on the printed circuit board while the terminals are housed within the connector housing. |
| US07857636B2 |
Cable connector assembly with an improved printed circuit board
A cable connector assembly includes an insulative housing (1) having a plurality of contacts (2) received therein, a shielding (3) enclosing the insulative housing (1), a printed circuit board (4) connected with tail portions (21) of the contacts and a cable (5) connected with the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board (4) has a first printed circuit board (41) and a second printed circuit board (42) located below the first printed circuit board, the first and the second printed circuit boards are electrically connecting with each other by a flexible circuit (43). |
| US07857629B2 |
Dual in-line connector
A connector having a number of SMT pads and a number of in-line package pins is provided. The connector can be applied to both a peripheral component interconnection (PCI) card and a peripheral component interconnection express (PCIE) card. The number of the connectors can be reduced when the connectors are applied to the circuit board, and more space on the circuit board are then available for other electrical elements to be disposed. |
| US07857627B2 |
Base board with golden fingers at one end and a plurality of wires attached at the other end
A connector assembly includes an electric connector, and a cable assembly mated with the electric connector. The electric connector includes a housing, a plurality of contacts received in the housing. The cable assemble includes a base board with a plurality of golden fingers, and a plurality of wires electrically connected to the golden fingers. The base board includes a mating portion and a connecting portion connected to the mating portion. The golden fingers are arranged on the mating portion and the wires are physically connected to the connecting portion. The mating portion is inserted into the housing of the electric connector. |
| US07857626B2 |
Medical physiological simulator including a conductive elastomer layer
Conductive elastomeric circuits are used in various simulated physiological structures such as tissues and organs, enabling feedback to be provided indicating whether a simulated task is being performed correctly. For example, a surgical trainer has a simulated human tissue structure made of an elastomeric composition, at least one reinforcing layer of a fibrous material, and at least one flexible electrical circuit. The surgical trainer preferably includes multiple areas for practicing surgical skills, each with evaluation circuits for providing feedback regarding that skill. Conductive elastomers are also incorporated into other types of medical training simulators, to similarly provide feedback. In another embodiment, a simulated organ has a conductive elastomeric circuit in the periphery of the simulated organ, enabling feedback to be provided to evaluate whether a person is properly manipulating the organ in response to a manual applied pressure. |
| US07857625B2 |
Medical patient stimulator
Medical patient simulator comprising a torso (2) that contains an artificial lung (6), a chest skin (3) and means (8, 9) for pulling the chest skin (3) downward in an area corresponding with an area where such retractions occur on a human being. The simulator also provides for changes in the compliance of the lung (6). The lung (6) is situated between two plates (5, 7), the spacing of which can be adjusted. The torso (2) has one actuator (23, 24) on each side of the back to simulate muscular activity. It includes a system for control of pneumatic functions by measuring a representative pressure for each actuator and stopping the filling when a pre-set pressure is reached. It also includes a head with one or more air cushions in a fontanelle area on the head, which may be filled with air to simulate an increased pressure in the brain. |
| US07857623B2 |
Brushhead stem with core channels for dispensing fluids
The stem portion of a toothbrush body has a set of bristles on a bristle plate at one end thereof, the stem portion including a shell or stem body having a longitudinal opening therethrough. A core member is configured to fit within the stem body, having two opposed grooves in the exterior surface thereof along the length thereof. The stem body has two grooves in the interior surface thereof, such that the grooves in the core member and the grooves in the stem body can align to form separate fluid channels along the length of the stem portion. The stem portion receives fluid from a reservoir and delivers the fluid to the bristle plate, which includes exit openings for the fluid. The core member and the stem body also include fluid-tight connections therebetween, separating the two channels. |
| US07857622B2 |
Dental articulator
A dental articulator includes an articulator frame. The articulator frame has an upper member adapted to hold an upper mounting plate. The upper mounting plate holds an upper dental cast. An elongate lower member of the frame holds a lower mounting plate. The lower mounting plate holds a lower dental cast. The upper member is pivotally connected to the lower member so as to define an anatomically accurate hinge axis to simulate human jaw movement. The dental articulator can be used to form dental prostheses. |
| US07857621B2 |
Dental handgrip
A dental handgrip for delivering filling compound into a tooth cavity is described, the handgrip being provided with a connection device to which a container for the filling compound can be connected. In some embodiments, the handgrip includes a light emission device via which radiation having a wavelength and radiant power for hardening of filling material can be provided. The dental handgrip can include a safety device to prevent a premature or inadvertent light emission onto the filling compound. In some embodiments, the handgrip includes a fluid-operated feeding device for feeding the filling compound from the filling compound container. A vibration generator operable to cause vibrations in the filling compound and to assist in feeding of the compound can also be provided. |
| US07857617B2 |
Burner
A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber. |
| US07857616B2 |
Burner apparatus
A burner apparatus utilizes a reticulated member to promote mixing of a fuel and oxidizer mixture. A plurality of exit ports, disposed on a wall or surface encapsulating the reticulated member, defines exit streams of the mixture that produces flames upon combustion. The burner apparatus have high heating rates and turndown ratios of at least about 18:1. |
| US07857613B2 |
Mold cooling by recovery of energy from spent compressed air in blow-molding process
Heat is extracted from compressed gas used in a blow-molding process by expansion cooling the exhausted gas and/or passing the exhausted gas through a vortex tube, which supplies cold gas at an exit thereof. The cold gas is then routed through cooling channels in the mold. This obviates the need for recirculating or externally chilling a coolant and saves energy. |
| US07857612B2 |
Molding-system platen having anti-tilt structure
Disclosed are: (i) a platen of a molding-system having anti-tilt structure, (ii) a molding system having a platen including an anti-tilt structure, (iii) a component of a platen of a molding system having a frame, the component including an anti-tilt structure, (iv) a clamp of a molding system, the clamp having platens each including an anti-tilt structure, (v) a molded article manufactured by usage of a platen of a molding system having an anti-tilt structure, (vi) a molded article manufactured by usage of a molding system having a platen including an anti-tilt structure, (vii) a molded article manufactured by usage of a component of a platen of a molding system having a frame, the component including an anti-tilt structure, and (viii) a molded article manufactured by usage of a clamp of a molding system, the clamp having platens each including an anti-tilt structure. |
| US07857609B2 |
Non-slip activation members
A mechanical activation system has a first activation member, a second activation member, an activation zone, and a non-slip zone. The first activation member has a first plurality of teeth, and the second activation member has a second plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth is capable of intermeshing with the second plurality of teeth. The activation zone includes a first portion of the first plurality of teeth and a first portion of the second plurality of teeth. The first portion of the first plurality of teeth and the first portion of the second plurality of teeth include teeth having continuous tips. The first non-slip zone includes a second portion of the first plurality of teeth or a second portion of the second plurality of teeth. The second portion includes a tooth having a discontinuous tip. |
| US07857606B2 |
Variable displacement pump
A variable displacement pump includes a pump body defining first and second pools for introducing fuel/lubricant oil, and internal and external rotary members rotatably mounted on the pump body and cooperatively defining a space such that, during counterclockwise revolution, the fuel/lubricant oil is taken up from the first pool by sweeping of the space over the first pool, and is delivered to the second pool. A control slider is sleeved on the external rotary member, and has an actuated tooth moved by an expansion force in the second pool to counteract the external rotary member so as to reduce the volume of the space, thereby reducing delivery of the fuel/lubricant oil into the second pool. A biasing member is disposed to bias the actuated tooth towards the second pool. |
| US07857597B2 |
Boundary layer fins for wind turbine blade
A wind turbine blade includes a plurality of boundary layer fins, aligned substantially parallel to a direction of flow over the blade, for reducing boundary layer separation from the blade. |
| US07857593B2 |
Retaining device for axially retaining a rotor disk flange in a turbomachine
A retention device for axially retaining a rotor disk flange, the device including a split annular retaining ring. The ring has an external face bearing against an internal face of the rim, thereby resulting in a first axial force, an internal face bearing against an external face of the root, thereby resulting in a second axial force, the axial forces being radially offset relative to each other, and an outer face bearing against an inner face of the base of the flange, thereby resulting in a radial force. The outer face of the ring presents an annular setback in such a manner that the radial force is situated in a plane that is offset axially relative to a radial plane passing through the center of gravity of the ring so as to obtain mechanical equilibrium between the forces acting on the ring. |
| US07857590B1 |
Folding rotor for a rotorcraft
A folding rotor has a hub bar pivotally connected to a rotor blade. The hub bar is adapted to be connected to the rotorcraft, and includes a first locking aperture having a resilient bushing. The rotor blade includes a rotor strap that extends to a mounting element having a second locking aperture. A hinge element hingably connects the hub bar to the mounting element to enable the rotor blade to pivot with respect to the hub bar between a folded position and an extended position. The first and second locking apertures and the resilient bushing are coaxially aligned when the rotor blade is in the extended position, so that a locking pin may be positioned therethrough to lock the rotor blade in the extended position. |
| US07857586B2 |
Method for operating a wind turbine
The present invention relates to a method for operating a wind turbine with the steps: detection of the values of predetermined operating parameters by means of suitable sensors, detection of at least one predetermined initial condition, comparison of the detected values to stored values of the operating parameters. The invention further relates to a wind turbine for implementing the method. Therefore, the object of the present invention is, to be able to adapt the operation of a wind turbine to changes using a method of the type named above, such that when the detected parameter values deviate from the stored parameter values, as a function of the initial condition, either the stored parameter values are adapted to the detected parameter values or the operation of the wind turbine is influenced as a function of the detected parameter values. In this way, the invention is based on the knowledge that, from a pragmatic view, the formation of ice on a rotor blade is also a (temporary, meteorologically-related) change to the rotor blade shape. From this it follows that the formation of ice on the rotor blades always leads to a change of the aerodynamic profile and thus to a negative effect of the output of the wind turbine. However, deviations from this shape and thus deviations in the magnitude of the generated output also result just from manufacturing-dependent deviations of the rotor blades from the predetermined optimum shape and from gradual soiling of the rotor blades during operation. |
| US07857585B2 |
Gas turbine engine comprising a casing surrounding a rotary assembly and a manifold secured to the casing via a securing arrangement
A securing arrangement for securing a manifold to a casing (surrounding a rotary assembly) is disclosed the securing arrangement comprises a bracket defining a recess co-operable with a radially extending part of the casing. Securing means, provide to secure the bracket to the aforesaid radially outwardly extending part. |
| US07857584B2 |
Stator vane with localized reworking of shape, stator section, compression stage, compressor and turbomachine comprising such a vane
The invention relates to a novel reworking of a geometric shape of a stator vane in order locally to reduce the stress levels. It proposes a novel type of stator section in which a local reworking of the geometry of the vanes has been performed, this reworking making it possible to reduce the level of stress in the brazed joint connecting the vane to its outer shroud without entailing further aerodynamic engineering. To do that, the invention consists in a progressive and localized increase in the radius at the trailing edge combined with a progressive increase in the thickness of the vane. |
| US07857581B2 |
Annular wiper for a sealing labyrinth, and its method of manufacture
The invention provides a thermomechanical turbomachine part that is circularly symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, in particular a rotor, the part including at least one annular wiper for a sealing labyrinth. In characteristic manner, the wiper presents height in the radial direction that varies around its circumference by forming a plurality of projecting portions. |
| US07857577B2 |
System and method of pumping while reducing secondary flow effects
A technique improves the pumping performance of a centrifugal pump in a cost-effective manner. The centrifugal pump comprises a pumping component having one or more vanes defining fluid flow paths. A passage is formed through at least one vane such that an end of the passage is exposed to a low energy flow, i.e. secondary flow, region. Each passage enables the flow of a small amount of fluid from the low energy region to an opposite side of the vane to reduce the secondary flow effects and improve pumping efficiency. |
| US07857571B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing flat panel display and method of manufacturing the same
An apparatus for manufacturing capable of reducing footprint and a working time for loading substrates as short as possible, and a method using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cassette to accommodate a plurality of substrates, a stocker in which the cassette is loaded, a process progressing unit to receive the respective substrates in the cassette and to perform a process, a loader having at least two hands and disposed between the stocker and the process progressing unit to receive and supply the respective substrates accommodated in the cassette on the stocker to the process progressing unit, and at least one withdrawing unit to withdraw and supply the respective substrates from the cassette to at least one of the hands in the loader. |
| US07857562B2 |
Direct tension indicating washer having enhanced emission of indicating material
A direct tension indicating washer including a first surface having a protuberance formed thereon; a second surface having an indentation formed opposite the protuberance; an indicating material positioned in the indentation; and a channel leading from the indentation to an outer diameter of the direct tension indicating washer; wherein the protuberance has four walls, each of the walls being substantially perpendicular to the first surface. |
| US07857561B2 |
Seat fixing device
A seat fixing device for fixing a seat to a floor includes a device body. At least one vertical fixing member extends from the device body, and at least one horizontal fixing member is slidable along the device body and includes at least one actuating unit. The actuating unit includes a lock having a locking function that is dependent upon an operating parameter of the horizontal fixing member. |
| US07857560B2 |
Self-tensioning tie down assembly
A self-tensioning tie down assembly (2) for tightening retaining straps (70) about winches (64) securing cargo (71) on a carrier (73). The assembly (2) has an actuator (15) connected to a pneumatic circuit (61) and providing reciprocating linear motion to a torque linkage (60) connected to the winch (64). The torque linkage (60) has a wrap spring clutch (17) connectable to the ratchet wheel (7) of the winch (64) and a connector arm (11) connected to the actuator (15). The torque linkage (60) transmits the linear motion to the winch (64) as a corresponding rotational motion. The required tension level of the retaining strap (70) is pre-set. Pressure within the circuit (61) drives the actuator (15) thereby actuating the torque linkage (60) which tightens the strap (70) on the winch (64) until the tension level is reached. The flow of pressure to the actuator (15) is controlled by a control valve (18) having a valve lever (19) that is toggled back and forth between an extend position and a retract position by a pair of opposed trip mounts (31, 32) mounted on the connector arm (11). |
| US07857554B2 |
System for clamping a cutting head to an adapter, a cutting head and a fixture
The present invention concerns a system for fixing a cutting head to an adapter for a machine tool. The cutting head includes a first linear flange, a second linear flange substantially parallel to the first linear flange and a unit for holding a cutting bit. A holding jaw is provided for being fixed to the adapter and for engagement with at least one of the linear flanges on the cutting head, and a clamping device for clamping the at least one holding jaw between the at least one flange of the cutting head and the adapter. At least one further clamping device is connected to the adapter for engagement with the second or the linear flanges. Furthermore a cutting head and an adapter is defined. |
| US07857552B2 |
Tenon joint type space lattice structure
A tenon joint type space lattice structure having a plurality of lattice units and combining pillar is provided. The lattice unit includes a convex tenon and a concave tenon groove disposed at ends of the lattice to form a tenon-and-groove structure. The tenon of one lattice unit may be embedded within an adjacent tenon groove for connecting the lattice units in series to form a continuously extended layer of lattice units. The continuous structure of lattice units forms a plane layer of a space lattice structure. The combining pillar may be passed perpendicularly through a hollow portion of a lattice unit for connecting plane layers of lattice units stacked one over the other to form a three-dimensional space lattice structure. A heavy filling material may fill the hollow portion of the structure to form a gravity structure. |
| US07857551B2 |
Connection element for connecting sheet piles to carrier elements as well as a combination sheet pile wall with such connection elements
A connection element for connecting a sheet pile to a carrier element, with a base strip (16) to be fastened to a carrier element (14), is provided with an interlock profile (20) for engaging the sheet pile (14). The interlock profile (20) exhibits a lock chamber (28) that is defined by the base strip (16), a support strip (24) that protrudes from the base strip (16) and a hook strip (26) that protrudes from the base strip (16), whereby the hook strip (16) exhibits a straight extending transition section (32) protruding from the base strip (16) and a hook section (34) that follows said transition section and points in the direction of the support strip (34). The hook section exhibits a first support surface (26) that faces an inner surface (30) of the support strip (24), whereby the first support surface (36) and at least that section of the inner surface (30) of the support strip (24) that directly faces the first support surface (26) are located in parallel converging planes (E1, E2) and together define the jaw (42) of the lock chamber (28). The first support surface (36) transitions under an acute angle (α) into a second support surface (38) that defines the lock chamber (28). |
| US07857549B1 |
Underpinning pile assembly for supporting a structure upon the earth and process for installing such underpinning pile assembly
An underpinning pile assembly for supporting a structure upon the earth has at least one steel pipe, at least one concrete pile segment positioned above the steel pipe, and a transition member interposed between the steel pipe and the concrete pile such that the load of the concrete pile is supported by the steel pipe. The steel pipe includes a plurality of steel pipe segments extending in end-to-end relationship in generally vertical alignment. A key member is received in slots formed in the respective ends of the first and second segments. The plurality of concrete pile segments includes a strand affixed in holes formed through the plurality of concrete pile segments. |
| US07857545B2 |
Variable volume drain field system
An apparatus for a variable volume drain field for onsite wastewater renovation. The system includes at least one module having a weir-type inlet and a one-way flow control device. The modules displace and store wastewater, and allow for differential release of the stored wastewater. The inlet is positioned adjacent the top of the module and the one-way flow control device is adjacent the bottom. In one embodiment, the module includes a pipe with caps having the inlet and one-way flow control device. In another embodiment, the module includes a container and a lid. The container includes the inlet and a one-way flow control device is connected adjacent the bottom of the container. In one embodiment, the one-way flow control device is a flexible hose with a float attached to the free end of the hose. The other end of the hose is in fluid communication with the container. |
| US07857541B2 |
Connecting/disconnecting mechanism and composite apparatus
A connecting/disconnecting mechanism able to connect and disconnect two units easily, as well as a composite apparatus having such a connecting/disconnecting mechanism, can be provided. A hook portion has a hook, the hook having a branch at a longitudinal front end thereof, the branch having a front-end side face inclined downward toward the front end, with resilient force being applied in the direction of the branch, the hook being moved in the front end direction with an external force applied thereto and returning to its original position upon extinction of the external force, the hook being adapted to reciprocate with respect to the front end direction in a state in which the front end portion is displaced in the direction opposite to the branch to a greater extent than the length of the branch, and a hook receptacle portion has an abutting member adapted to be pushed by the front end of the hook and move when the hook moves in the front end direction and a hook receptacle adapted to engage the branch prior to movement of the hook in the front end direction and move together with the abutting member in a disengaged state from the branch when the hook moves in the front end direction. |
| US07857536B2 |
Lockable printer
A printer includes a housing. The housing surrounds a frame and defines a first set of locking formations. A print engine is housed within the housing. The print engine includes a pair of opposed print head assemblies for enabling double-sided printing to be effected upon print media passing there-between. A roller assembly is mounted within the housing. The roller assembly includes a drive roller and a driven roller to transport the print media between the opposed print head assemblies. A second set of locking formations extends from the housing and is configured to engage with the first set of locking formations of another printer so that the printers can be locked together. |
| US07857535B2 |
Method of controlling transport amount, transport device and recording apparatus
A method of controlling transport amounts of a pair of first rollers and a pair of second rollers, the pair of first rollers operable to nip a medium so as to transport the medium in a transport direction, the pair of second rollers operable to nip the medium so as to transport the medium and disposed at a downstream side of the pair of first rollers in the transport direction, the medium on which a recording is performed by a recording head disposed between the pair of first rollers and the pair of second rollers, the method includes performing a first correction with respect to the transport amounts of the pair of first rollers and the pair of second rollers; and performing a second correction with respect to the transport amounts of at least the pair of first rollers, from a state in which length between a trailing end of the medium and a nip point of the medium at which the medium is nipped by the pair of first rollers is a predetermined length to a state in which the medium is released from being nipped by the pair of first rollers. |
| US07857532B2 |
Ink ribbon cassette
An ink ribbon cassette in which an ink ribbon used to form an image on a print medium is stored includes a cylindrical ribbon core around which the ink ribbon is wound, and a first magnet and a second magnet each configured to generate a magnetic force line in a space of the ribbon core. The ribbon core includes a cylindrical outer core and a cylindrical inner core inserted inside the cylindrical outer core. The inner core has an outside peripheral surface to which the first and second magnets are fixed, and an inner peripheral surface for forming the space where the magnetic force line is formed. The outer core has an outside peripheral surface around which the ink ribbon is wound, and an inner peripheral surface to which the outside peripheral surface with the first and second magnets fixed thereto is installed. |
| US07857528B2 |
Lens barrel and imaging apparatus
A lens barrel is configured so as to rotatably support lens barriers by a barrier drive member that rotates around an optical axis and the lens barriers rotate and revolve on an axis when the lens barriers are opened and closed. The lens barrel includes wall units provided on an inner circumference portion facing to a space where the lens barriers of the lens barrel member operates, and convexes provided on surfaces of the lens barriers adjacent to the inner circumference portion of the lens barrel member. When the lens barriers are held at a barrier opening position and the barrier drive member is moved to a driving member closing position, the wall units are brought into contact with the convexes and the lens barriers are forcibly closed. |
| US07857526B2 |
Electromagnetic actuator
An electromagnetic actuator is provided, including a bobbin made of a non-magnetic material including a hollow cylindrical portion and disk flanges; a coil formed between the disk flanges; a power supply which supplies a current to the coil; a movable member pivoted on the hollow cylindrical portion; and a stationary member made of a permanent magnet and fixed to a disk flange. The movable member is a magnetic material and includes a shaft portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion is fixed to the shaft portion, lies on the disk flange, and extends in a radial direction of the shaft portion. When the power supply supplies the current to the coil in a predetermined direction, the rotating portion is magnetized to a predetermined polarity and rotates. The stationary member includes a stopper for stopping rotation of the movable member at a predetermined rotational position. |
| US07857521B2 |
Bearing apparatus for a wheel of vehicle
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus with a back-to-back double row tapered roller bearing has an outer member integrally with a body mounting flange and double row outer raceway surfaces tapered open respectively axially inward and outward. An inner member include a wheel hub and an inner ring or an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has a wheel mounting flange and one inner raceway surface arranged oppositely to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces and a cylindrical portion. The inner ring or the outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint are press fit onto the cylindrical portion and include the other inner raceway surface arranged opposite to the other raceway surface of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row tapered rollers are freely rollably held between the outer and inner raceway surfaces by cages. Seals are arranged in annular openings formed by the outer and inner members. The cages are formed of synthetic resin. Posts between pockets of the cages are arranged to be positioned radially inward of the pitch circle diameter of the tapered rollers. The width of an opening radially inward of each pocket is set so that each tapered roller is held within the pocket. The contacting tapered surfaces of the posts open radially outward so that the rollers do not fall out radially inward. |
| US07857520B2 |
Collar having end-side teeth for a drivable wheel hub
A collar, made from plastically deformed material, of a hub. The collar holds at least one inner ring of a wheel bearing unit on the hub in an axially fixed manner. Also, end-side teeth, are formed in the collar for engaging in a mating toothing. |
| US07857519B2 |
Compact bearing support
The compact squirrel-cage bearing support comprises a first end portion, a second end portion axially spaced from the first end portion, and a plurality of beams interconnecting the first end portion to the second end portion. The beams have a length that is greater than an axial spacing between the first end portion and the second end portion. |
| US07857515B2 |
Airtight closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch
An airtight closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch includes first and second complementary closure elements, the first closure element comprising a first interlocking profile and the second closure element comprising a complementary second interlocking profile. First and second sealing sections are disposed on respective complementary sides of the first and second interlocking profiles. The first sealing section includes a first protuberance having a first distal surface, a second protuberance having a second distal surface, and a sealing flange attached to and extending between the first and second distal surfaces of the first and second protuberances, respectively. The second sealing section includes a sealing member disposed on a base of the second closure element. The sealing member is located a distance from the second interlocking profile that places a distal surface thereof between the first and second protuberances when the first and second interlocking profiles are occluded. Additionally, when the first and second interlocking profiles are occluded, the distal surface urges against the sealing flange to form an airtight seal therebetween. |
| US07857513B2 |
Table apparatus identifying method and medical imaging apparatus
To realize a method of automatically identifying a table apparatus and a medical imaging apparatus. There is provided a table apparatus identifying method in which when a table apparatus having a plurality of movable portions that are movable in the respective axial directions, independently, an absolute position of each of the movable portions on the axis is detected with respect to each of the axes, the passages of the movable portion at the predetermined two positions apart from each other by the given distance along the axis are optically detected, the respective absolute positions of the movable portion at that time is stored as characterization information, and the arrivals of the movable portion at two block positions on both ends of the axis are detected, respectively, and the respective absolute positions of the movable portion at that time are stored as the configuration information. |
| US07857512B2 |
Collision protection device for a patient examination table of a medical x-ray device
The invention can be summarized as follows: A collision protection device for a patient examination table of a medical X-ray device is provided for the purpose of assuring simple and reliable avoidance of collisions between very fast moving device parts of a medical X-ray device and a patient, which collision protection device has a protective element made of an X-ray transparent material, wherein the collision protection device can be arranged relative to the patient examination table and brought into a position such that in said position the protective element mechanically shields at least a part of the lying surface of the patient examination table. |
| US07857511B2 |
Stand for an X-ray system
The invention relates to a stand (5) which is especially adapted to support for a digital X-ray detector (4) for an X-ray system (1), and to an X-ray system (1) comprising such a stand (5). The stand (5) comprises a stirrup bolt (6) which is rotatably mounted on a base frame (6) and which comprises a first limb (19) for supporting an X-ray emitter (2) and a second limb (20) for supporting an X-ray detector (4), which is provided on its free end with a detector support (21). The detector support (21) comprises a receiving element (23) which is adapted to captivate the X-ray detector (4) in a predetermined position and which can be swiveled in relation to the stirrup bolt (16) about a swivel axis (24) being parallel or tangential to the horizontal axis (18) and about a rotational axis (25) being perpendicular to the swivel axis (24) and a principal plane (E) of the receiving element (23). |
| US07857506B2 |
Disposable, pre-calibrated, pre-validated sensors for use in bio-processing applications
Disposable, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated conductivity sensors are provided. These sensors are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the sensor. The sensors are calibrated using 0.100 molar potassium chloride (KCl) solutions at 25 degrees Celsius. These sensors may be utilize with in-line systems, closed fluid circuits, bioprocessing systems, or systems which require an aseptic environment while avoiding or reducing cleaning procedures and quality assurance variances. |
| US07857505B2 |
Method and circuit for correcting sensor temperature dependency characteristic
A method and circuit for preventing an output signal, which has been corrected through digital correction or analog correction, from deviating from a target value and for preventing power supply noise and power consumption from increasing. A sensor amplification circuit receives output of a sensor as an input signal. Correction points are set at predetermined temperature intervals. The sensor amplification circuit performs digital correction for correcting the input signal with correction data set for each correction point. Further, the sensor amplification circuit performs a second correction for correcting the input signal between the correction points with gradient data calculated from the correction data for two of the correction points that are adjacent to each other. |
| US07857502B2 |
Self-winding watch including an indicator of the power reserve
The present invention relates to a self-winding watch including an oscillating mass (8), the movements of which are transmitted to a spring barrel of the watch, this watch likewise including a device for indicating the power reserve comprising means (2) for displaying the power reserve, characterised in that the means (2) for displaying the power reserve are mounted on the oscillating mass (8). |
| US07857501B2 |
Oblique tourbillon
A tourbillon is provided that includes a platform rotatable about a platform axis. In one implementation, the platform carries an escapement including an escape-wheel and pallets, wherein the escape-wheel is rotatable about an escape-wheel staff, the pallets are rotatable about a pallet-staff, and the escape-wheel staff and the pallet-staff are disposed so as to be essentially parallel to the platform axis. The platform also carries a balance-wheel rotatable about a balance-staff, wherein the balance-staff is arranged at an angle of inclination ∝ with respect to the platform axis. |
| US07857495B2 |
Vehicle lighting system including a light guiding member
A vehicle lighting system having: a light guiding member having a front face as a light emitting surface, a rear face having a plurality of reflecting portions inclined to the front face, and a side face; and a light source disposed opposite to the side face. An angle θ defined between the front face and the side face is designed such that, of external lights to enter into the light guiding member, a light to travel directly to the side face can be totally reflected on an interface of the side face. |
| US07857494B2 |
Rotatable vehicular lamp assembly having a plate spring
A rotatable vehicular lamp assembly includes a support frame adapted to be connected to a vehicle and having a horizontal support plate with a through hole, a lighting unit including a lamp body, a pivot rod having a thick part connected to the lamp body and disposed above the support plate, a neck part extending downwardly from the thick part and extending rotatably through the through hole, and a shoulder part disposed between the thick part and the neck part above the support plate, and an annular retaining element sleeved on the neck part below the support plate. A drive unit is disposed below the support plate, and engages the neck part. An annular non-flat plate spring is disposed around the neck part between the shoulder part and the support plate. |
| US07857492B2 |
Luminaire with a housing and an adjustable spotlight
The invention relates to a luminaire (1) having a luminaire housing (2) and an adjustable spotlight arrangement (10). In order to achieve a movement of the spotlight arrangement (10) which is dependent in two degrees of freedom on one another, the spotlight arrangement (10) is held displaceably in a displacement direction (5b) of the luminaire housing (2), and there is provided in the luminaire housing (2) a pivot guide slot member (14), by means of which upon displacement in the displacement direction the spotlight arrangement (10) is compulsorily and reproducibly pivoted. |
| US07857483B2 |
Systems and methods for a high-intensity light emitting diode floodlight
Systems and methods for a high intensity light emitting diode (“LED”) floodlight. The floodlight has a designed direction of output and includes an LED; an optical element; a blade; and a heat sink. The blade is mounted at an application-specific angle to the heat sink to obtain the designed direction of output. The blade has an LED and an optical element; and a fixed end coupled with the heat sink. The heat sink is configured to dissipate heat away from the LED on the blade. The blade is configured to activate the LED and using the optical element, redirect the light in the direction of the designed output of the floodlight. |
| US07857482B2 |
Linear lighting apparatus with increased light-transmission efficiency
The present invention provides for a linear lighting apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, a primary optical assembly, and a secondary optical assembly. The light emitting diodes produce light towards the primary optical assembly. The primary optical assembly refracts this light towards the secondary optical assembly. The secondary optical assembly receives this light and refracts the light again so that the light emanates from the linear lighting apparatus. The present invention also provides a method for improving lighting efficiency from a linear lighting apparatus. The method includes emitting light from a plurality of light emitting diodes, refracting the light in a primary optical assembly, receiving this light refracted by the primary optical assembly, and refracting this light in a secondary optical assembly so as to direct the light from the apparatus. |
| US07857479B1 |
Lighted helmet apparatus
The lighted helmet apparatus provides several features that aid both the wearer and those behind the wearer. The turn signals of the helmet are importantly arrow-shaped to be easily identified by following traffic, and appropriately located on left and right sides of the helmet. The running lights of the helmet importantly provide the elevated identification of operation to following motorists. The brake lights of the helmet importantly provide easily and centrally recognized braking of the wearer. The helmet wearer is reminded of turn signal functions by the front mounted signal reminders so that turn signals are not inadvertently left on, which is often the case in motorcycle and other such vehicular operation. Flush mounting of the individual lights within the helmet are an especially attractive feature and also one that prevents damage to the lights. The Bluetooth™ inclusion in the apparatus is a further advantage. |
| US07857477B2 |
Article of clothing with washable light module
This invention is directed to an article of clothing having a lighting system that may be laundered with the clothing without damage to the electrical components of such system, comprising a light module that encapsulates and seals an electrical circuit coupled by one or more wires to a number of LEDs that are contained within a separate, leak-proof decorative patch. The patch is formed by a plastic base having an outer periphery that may be affixed to the article of clothing, such as by stitching, and a plastic cover preferably heat-sealed about its peripheral edge to the base defining a cavity between them within which the LEDs are mounted. |
| US07857473B2 |
Open showcase with light emitting diodes
There is disclosed an open showcase provided with a light device capable of simplifying a maintenance operation and improving a cooling efficiency in a display chamber. In an open showcase 1 of the present invention, a display chamber 11 is formed in an insulating wall 2 to display commodities in the display chamber 11 while cooling the commodities, the showcase includes a reflective plate 45 which extends externally from a front surface opening 12 of the display chamber 11, and LED lights 40 attached to the reflective plate 45, and the inside of the display chamber 11 is illuminated with light emitted from the LED lights 40. |
| US07857470B2 |
Light reflecting plate and method of manufacturing the same, and light reflecting device
Provided is a light reflecting plate capable of reducing glare of reflected light while maintaining high light reflectance by regular reflection. The light reflecting plate includes a base, a light reflecting layer that is formed on the base and made of silver or silver alloy, or aluminum or aluminum alloy, in which arithmetic average roughness (Ra) is 0.10 to 0.30 μm and arithmetic average waviness (Wa) is 0.30 to 2.50 μm on a surface of the light reflecting layer. |
| US07857463B2 |
Optical system for a thin, low-chin, projection television
A micro-mirror based projection display system in an enclosure with minimum chin and depth measurements is disclosed. A solid-state laser light source generates light of multiple primary colors that is modulated by a digital micro-mirror device. The projection optics of the system include a telecentric rear group of glass lenses with spherical surfaces, followed by a pair of aspheric lenses formed of plastic. A folding mirror is disposed between the aspheric lenses, to reduce the depth of the enclosure, and an aspheric mirror projects the image onto a TIR Fresnel projection screen. The aspheric lenses are magnifying, to reduce the magnification required of the aspheric mirror, and the aspheric lenses and mirror are clipped to reduce enclosure volume. |
| US07857459B2 |
Projector with dust suction member
A projector includes a light source, an electro-optical device, a projection lens, an outer casing for housing the above components, and a dust suction member. The electro-optical device is configured for forming an optical image using a light beam emitted from the light source. The projection lens is configured for projecting the optical image formed by the electro-optical device. The outer casing is configured for housing the light source, the electro-optical device and the projection lens therein, the outer casing having an inlet and an outlet and defining an airflow channel in communication with the inlet and the outlet. The dust suction member is arranged in the airflow channel, the dust suction member having an adhesive outer surface. |
| US07857457B2 |
Fluorescent volume light source having multiple fluorescent species
A projection system contains an illumination system having at least a first source of incoherent light capable of generating light in a first wavelength range. The illumination system also includes a body containing a fluorescent material that emits light in a second wavelength range, different from the first wavelength range, when illuminated by light in the first wavelength range. The system further includes at least a second fluorescent material that absorbs light in at least one of the first and second wavelength ranges, and emits light in a third wavelength range. The body has an extraction area, and at least some of the light in either the second or third wavelength ranges is internally reflected within the body to the extraction area. Light from the extraction area illuminates at least one image-forming device. Image light from the image-forming device is projected by a projection lens unit onto a screen. |
| US07857456B2 |
Illumination system
An illumination system includes a light source module, a chromaticity-adjusting light source and a light-combining element. The light source module provides a first color light beam, a second color light beam and a third color light beam. The chromaticity-adjusting light source provides a chromaticity-adjusting light beam. The light-combining element is disposed on the transmission paths of the chromaticity-adjusting light beam and the color light beams provided by the light source module to combine the color light beams with the chromaticity-adjusting light beam into an illumination beam. |
| US07857454B2 |
Image Projecting device
An image projection system includes an image projection device for projecting a light image onto a wall, ceiling or other designated surface. The image projection device includes a housing within which is disposed separately located light sources. The housing further includes a slot for receiving several image slides. Each image slide has multiple, separated, slide image patterns thereon and each slide image pattern is in a different location on the image slide. Each of the light sources is disposed in a light chamber such that light from one of the light sources projects through only one of the separated image patterns on the image slide. Light from light sources passing through respective slide image patterns can then intersect to project multiple superimposed images on an image viewing surface. Furthermore, an electronic controller controls the light intensity and light timing of each individual light source. |
| US07857453B2 |
Method and apparatus for the transport of a movie film
A method for the transport of a movie film along a film transport path, having a friction-locking connection of at least one section of the movie film to a film transport means, which is moved continuously or intermittently over a part of the film transport path, and having a pressing device which presses the movie film against the film transport means, between which and the film transport means the movie film is routed, is provided. The movie film is transported by means of feed and take-up devices, which each contain a film transport means and a pressing device and are arranged on both sides of a picture window. |
| US07857450B1 |
Hand-held device for contrast and multifunction vision testing
A vision testing device for measuring single or multiple visual functions consisting of an internally illuminated hand-held instrument, vision charts, vision correcting and occluding elements, a testing frame for holding combined vision correcting and blocking elements, and modular accessories. |
| US07857448B2 |
Astigmia correcting eyeglasses
An astigmia correcting eyeglasses includes two non-transparent lenses respectively provided with a plurality of cone-shaped through holes. The cone-shaped through holes respectively have a larger diameter at an inner side than that at an outer side. The cone-shaped through holes located nearer the circumference of the lens have a larger inclined angle at the side near the circumference of the lens than those located in the center portion of the lens. Therefore the focusing function is intensified by the cone-shaped through holes, which does not obstruct the viewing lines of a user, so that there may not occur dead angles, or blind spots in using the astigmia correcting eyeglasses according to the invention. |
| US07857446B2 |
Eyeglass manufacturing method using variable index layer
An eyeglass lens and manufacturing method using epoxy aberrator includes two lenses with a variable index material, such as epoxy, sandwiched in between. The epoxy is then cured to different indexes of refraction that provide precise corrections for the patient's wavefront aberrations. The present invention further provides a method to produce an eyeglass that corrects higher order aberrations, such as those that occur when retinal tissue is damaged due to glaucoma or macular degeneration. The manufacturing method allows for many different applications including, but not limited to, supervision and transition lenses. |
| US07857442B2 |
Heated folding system for a phase change ink imaging device
A folding system includes a media pathway configured to transport a print substrate having phase change ink thereon. The folding system includes a folding apparatus disposed along the media pathway configured to fold the print substrate. A folding heater is configured to heat the phase change ink on the print media to a folding temperature. The folding temperature is above ambient temperature and below a melting temperature for phase change ink. |
| US07857441B2 |
Ink pressure regulator
There is provided an ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator comprises: an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line; an air inlet open to atmosphere; a bubble outlet for bubbling air bubbles into the chamber, each air bubble comprising an air cavity trapped inside a film or a body of ink; and an air channel connecting the air inlet and the bubble outlet. The bubble outlet is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn into the chamber as result of supplying ink to the printhead, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink. |
| US07857437B2 |
Ink refilling unit
The present invention prevents ink leaked from an atmospheric pressure introducing port of an ink cartridge from adhering to an outer surface of the ink cartridge. An ink filling unit includes a leaked ink leading member which receives ink leaked from an atmospheric pressure introducing port and leads the ink to an ink absorber assembled to the outside of a cartridge casing. Due to such a constitution, the ink leaked from the atmospheric pressure introducing port is led to the outside of the cartridge casing by the leaked ink leading member and the ink is absorbed by the ink absorber. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ink leaked from the atmospheric pressure introducing port from adhering to an outer surface of the ink cartridge. |
| US07857430B2 |
Ink jet recording head and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink jet head includes an ejecting unit for ejecting ink droplets toward a recording medium and an ejection port substrate in which ejection ports from which ink droplets are ejected are opened, in which a surface of the ejection port substrate on a side from which the ink droplets are ejected is coated with a diamond like carbon layer. Alternatively, the ink jet head includes a head substrate in which resin-made ink guides are formed, each ink guide for forming a meniscus of the ink and ejection electrodes, each for forming an electric field on a tip end of the ink guide and ejecting the ink as the ink droplets by exerting an electrostatic force onto the ink, in which the ink guide is coated with a protective layer such as the diamond like carbon layer. An ink jet recording apparatus includes the ink jet head and a moving unit for moving the ink jet head and the recording medium relatively. |
| US07857428B2 |
Printhead with side entry ink chamber
An inkjet printhead with an array of elongate ink chambers, each having a nozzle, an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle and a sidewall opening allowing ink to refill the chamber; wherein, the opening is in one of the long sides of the ink chamber. Configuring the ink chambers so that they have side inlets reduces the ink refill times. The inlets are wider and therefore refill flow rates are higher. |
| US07857427B2 |
Inkjet printhead having MEMS sensors for directionally heated ink ejection
An inkjet printhead is provided having nozzles, bubble forming chambers containing ejectable ink, generally planar heater elements each bonded on one side to an associated chamber so that the other side faces into the chamber, a MEMS fluid sensor having a MEMS sensing element for detecting the presence or otherwise of the ejectable ink in the chamber, and control circuitry for measuring the current passing through the sensing element during its heating. The heater elements receive heating pulses to form gas bubbles in the ejectable ink on the side facing into the chamber which cause ink ejection from the nozzle. Each chamber has a dielectric layer proximate the side of the heater element which has a thermal product less than 1495 Jm−2K−1s−1/2, the thermal product being (ρCk)1/2, where ρ is the density of the layer, C is specific heat of the layer and k is thermal conductivity of the layer. |
| US07857425B2 |
Modular printhead with ink chamber and reservoir molding assemblies
A modular printhead includes a chassis. A plurality of printhead modules is mounted on the chassis. Each module is a sealed unit with a number of independent ink chambers for feeding inkjet nozzles in a printhead integrated circuit. Each printhead module is plugged into a reservoir molding. A self sealing elastomeric strip is interposed between the reservoir molding and the printhead modules. The printhead modules are supplied from the reservoir molding through the elastomeric strip. |
| US07857423B2 |
Ink-jet head and head unit
An ink-jet head includes a nozzle array including plural nozzles. The nozzle array has a first nozzle group arranged in the center thereof and second nozzle groups arranged further on outer sides than the first nozzle group. Inter-nozzle pitches of the second nozzle groups are larger than inter-nozzle pitches of the first nozzle group. A direction in which nozzles of the second nozzle group eject an ink and a direction in which nozzles of the first nozzle group eject the ink are different. |
| US07857419B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus includes a plurality of liquid ejection heads, and a plurality of wipers. The plurality of liquid ejection heads are divided into a plurality of head groups each including two of the liquid ejection heads. When in a wiper withdrawal position, the wiper associated with one of the liquid ejection heads belonging to each head group is positioned so as to overlap the one liquid ejection head along a direction perpendicular to one direction and in addition overlap the other of the liquid ejection heads along the one direction, while the wiper associated with the other liquid ejection head is positioned so as to overlap the other liquid ejection head along the perpendicular direction and in addition overlap the one liquid ejection head along the one direction. |
| US07857411B2 |
Recording apparatus
There is disclosed a recording apparatus including a feeding mechanism, a recording head, a position sensor, a determining portion, and a recording-head controller. The feeding mechanism feeds a recording medium placed on a feeding surface. The recording head ejects a liquid droplet onto the recording medium on the feeding mechanism. The position sensor outputs a detection signal when the recording medium being fed by the feeding mechanism reaches a predetermined position, and also when a liquid-droplet ejection area formed at a part of the feeding surface reaches the predetermined position. The determining portion determines whether the liquid-droplet ejection area reaches the predetermined position. The recording-head controller controls the recording head such that: (i) when the detection signal is not outputted from the position sensor, the recording head does not eject a liquid droplet, (ii) when the detection signal is outputted from the position sensor and the determining portion determines that the liquid-droplet ejection area does not reach the predetermined position, the recording head records on the recording medium an image desired to be recorded on the recording medium, and (iii) when the detection signal is outputted from the position sensor and the determining portion determines that the liquid-droplet ejection area reaches the predetermined position, the recording head prints on the liquid-droplet ejection area an image desired to be printed on the liquid-droplet ejection area. |
| US07857409B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus and ink jet printing method
An ink jet printing apparatus is provided that can realize a stable ejection volume with the minimum change in a voltage value supplied in a scanning. To realize this, when a detected temperature of a print head is included in a first range, a pulse width control is performed while a voltage being fixed to a first voltage. When a detected temperature is included in a second range, a pulse width control is performed while a voltage being fixed to a second voltage. In the pulse width control based on the two voltages, a temperature partially overlapped region is provided between the first range and the second range. By this, even when a print head has an increased temperature during a print scanning, an ejection volume can be controlled, in the print scanning, while minimizing the switching of a driving voltage. |
| US07857406B2 |
Inkjet head driving apparatus and driving method
An inkjet head driving apparatus which drives an inkjet head for use in gradation printing which is performed to cause a capacity of each of a plurality of pressure chambers filled with ink to be changed by a drive pulse applied to an actuator, an ink drop to be emitted onto a recording medium from a nozzle communicating with the corresponding pressure chamber, and the number of ink drops emitted to be controlled according to the number of drive pulses, the driving apparatus including a drive signal generating section which applies a deboost pulse to decrease pressure in the pressure chamber before the drive pulse for emitting a first drop of ink is applied, wherein the deboost pulse includes a pulse applied to expand or contract the capacity of the pressure chamber for a predetermined length of time, and a quiescent time following the pulse. |
| US07857402B2 |
Door assembly for an appliance
An appliance including a chassis having a top, a bottom, a left and right side opposite one another other and connecting the top and the bottom, and a back opposite an opening. The chassis defines a cavity with an opening for accessing the cavity. A door assembly joined to the chassis includes a door for closing access to the opening and a first and second door lift sub-assemblies. The door lift sub-assemblies are configured to move with the door in a first direction and a second direction different than the first direction. At least one stabilizing device operatively connects the first and second door lift sub-assemblies to synchronize movement of the first and second door lift sub-assemblies in the first direction. |
| US07857401B2 |
Anti-tip interlocking linkage mechanism for vertical cabinets
An anti-tip linkage mechanism for vertical file cabinets of the type having drawers and/or pivotal front panels includes molded polymeric cam follower housings that snap-fit onto each of the slide channels for the drawers or panels and non-circular connecting rods attached to cam actuators that enable interaction of the anti-tip mechanisms incorporated with each slide channel. Lock actuated auxiliary cam mechanisms and panel locking assemblies controllable by a single cabinet lock are connected with a cabinet lock by linkage bars or cables. |
| US07857400B2 |
Electric, decentralised brake system in a vehicle
An electrical, decentralized braking system includes at least four sensors for sensing the actuation of a brake actuating device; one braking module for each vehicle wheel, for acquiring sensor data and for controlling braking of the wheel; at least one first communication device with which all braking modules are connected to one another for the exchange of data; an electrical connecting device by which each sensor is connected to at least one braking module; and at least one further communication device for receiving and/or exchanging data between at least two braking modules of different sides of the vehicle. |
| US07857398B2 |
Lock-out for empty load device
The present empty/load device includes an inlet to receive a brake signal, an outlet for a brake device, load sensing element, a change over valve responsive to the load sensing element to proportion the pressure at the inlet and the outlet when empty is sensed by the load sensing element, a differential pressure element connecting the load sensing element and the change over valve, and a lock-out mechanism to prevent proportioning of the inlet pressure to the outlet when activated. The lock-out mechanism includes a lock-out valve, in a lock-out position, pneumatically preventing proportioning of the inlet pressure to the outlet. A first spring biases the lock-out valve from the lock-out position. A detent engages the lock-out valve and holding the lock-out valve in the lock-out position. The lock-out valve may be connected in parallel to the change over valve with respect to the inlet and the outlet. Alternatively, the lock-out valve may be connected in parallel to the both sides of the differential pressure element. |
| US07857397B2 |
Braking system
A braking system includes first and second electromagnetic opening valves and a bleeding mode setting unit. The first electromagnetic opening and closing valve is provided to a first brake fluid channel to communicate or block a first fluid pressure from a master cylinder to a wheel brake. The second electromagnetic opening and closing valve is provided to a second brake fluid channel to communicate or block a second fluid pressure from a power unit to the wheel brake. The bleeding mode setting unit is provided to set a bleeding mode in which each of the first and second electromagnetic opening and closing valves is opened and closed in order to perform an air-bleeding from each of the first and second brake fluid channels. The determining unit is provided to determine whether or not the bleeding mode setting unit is allowed to set the bleeding mode. |
| US07857392B2 |
Vehicle seats
A vehicle seat can include a stopper capable of stopping a forward tilting of a seat back at a forwardly tilted position, and a stopper operation mechanism. The stopper operation mechanism has a main pivoting member that is pivoted through an operation of a forward tilting operation lever, a sub pivoting member that is pivoted with respect to the main pivoting member, and a connection spring connecting these tilting members to each other. When the forward tilting operation lever is operated, the sub pivoting member receives a force from the connection spring to be pivoted together with the main pivoting member, causing the stopper to move to an acting position. When the stopper is pushed from the acting position toward a non-acting position, with the forward tilting operation lever being operated, the sub pivoting member receives a force from the stopper to elastically deform the connection spring, and is pivoted with respect to the main pivoting member together with the stopper. |
| US07857391B2 |
Adjustment fitting
The invention relates to an adjustment fitting for a vehicle seat. The adjustment fitting includes a first fitting part and a second fitting part connected by a wobble mechanism. The wobble mechanism includes a central wheel that is rotatable about a central axis and is connected to the first fitting part. A revolving wheel is arranged in the interior of the central wheel eccentrically with respect to the central axis and is connected to the second fitting part. The central wheel and the revolving wheel form, with respect to each other, an eccentric receiving space in which a first eccentric and a second eccentric are arranged rotatably in relation to each other. The revolving wheel engages in a play-free manner in the central wheel and with a transmission element that is rotatable about the central axis. |
| US07857390B2 |
Piece of furniture
The invention relates to a body support structure (1), such as a piece of furniture (1), in particular a piece of furniture for sitting on or a piece of furniture for lying on, such as, for example, chair (3), armchair, stool, bed or sofa, a seat (7) of the piece of furniture (1) being supported by a spring mechanism (SM), and the spring mechanism (SM) being capable of being set to a weight force (40) with which a person acts on the seat (7). |
| US07857389B2 |
Structure for connecting members
The present invention intends to arrange the appearance of furniture at a connecting portion between a first member having stiffness and a second member movable relative to the first member and having stiffness without forming the connecting portion in an unnaturally large diameter. More specifically, the present invention provides a structure for connecting members comprising: a first member having stiffness; a second member movable relative to the first member and having stiffness; and a spring member in which an end portion thereof is connected to the first member and other end portion thereof is connected to the second member so as to accumulate a reaction force by elastic deformation, wherein the spring member is formed into a frame-like shape extending along the first and second members. |
| US07857388B2 |
Seating unit with adjustable lumbar device
A chair includes a lower back frame, a back construction, including a back support attached to the lower back frame, a cushion assembly attached to the back support, and a vertically adjustable lumbar frame positioned between the back support and the cushion assembly. The lumbar frame includes a transition shell and a vertically sliding lumbar device having a plurality of horizontal flexible wires. A lower edge of the transition shell is positioned on top of an uppermost horizontal flexible wire of the lumbar device. The lumbar device is operably slidably mounted between the outer shell and cushion assembly and the transition shell upper edge slides between the outer shell and the upholstery cushion assembly. Also disclosed is a chair including a Y-shaped lower back frame having two uprights and a cross-piece attached to the back support. The uprights and cross-piece of the lower back frame include an overlap flange and the back support includes a channel-shaped flange having detents. The overlap flange and channel-shaped flange mate to form an overlap joint, including a box beam for added structural support. |
| US07857377B2 |
Tubular B-pillar to stamped rocker joint and method of assembling the same
A pillar to rocker joint assembly comprising a tubular pillar having a pinched flange near a lower end of the pillar is joined to a rocker assembly including a side sill and rocker reinforcement. A method of making a pillar to rocker joint assembly that comprises a vehicle structural support is formed by welding a structural support pillar to an outer body panel through an access opening in the pillar and welding a rocker reinforcement to a side sill. The rocker reinforcement is welded to the pillar through an access opening in the side sill, an access hole in the body outer panel, and an access opening in the pillar that is vertically spaced relative to the first access opening. A bottom flange of the B-pillar is welded to a lower edge flange of the rocker reinforcement and a lower edge flange of the side sill. |
| US07857373B2 |
Automotive vehicle convertible roof system
An automotive vehicle employs a convertible roof system. The convertible roof system can include a roof cover and a top stack mechanism operable between raised and stowed positions. At least one roof bow can move between first and second positions relative to a forwardmost roof rail. |
| US07857369B2 |
Biologically inspired gripping device
A flexible gripping device including a plurality of pneumatic actuator rings. A grasper element is disposed within the plurality of pneumatic actuator rings and adapted to move back and forth within the actuator rings. |
| US07857366B2 |
Removable resilient vehicle protection assembly
A removable vehicle protection assembly for installation between first and second edges of a vehicle includes a resilient strip, a first resilient clamping member with a first clamp hook element, and a second hook element. The resilient strip is extendible along its longitudinal axis and is designed to protect the surface of the vehicle. The first resilient clamping member is used to protect a portion of the first vehicle edge and for securely receiving one end of the resilient strip portion. The resilient strip has a first clamp hook element for engaging a portion of the first vehicle edge and a second hook element coupled to the other end of the resilient strip for engaging a portion of the second vehicle edge. When installed on a vehicle, vehicle protection assembly protects the surface of a vehicle from damage when said vehicle is in transit, parked, or being towed. |
| US07857362B2 |
Lock for two-notch locking bolt comprising a single switch
A lock for an opening panel. The lock includes a rotary bolt with first and second locking notches, a strike which can be engaged in the bolt in order to lock the opening panel, a retaining pawl including at least one tooth which co-operates with the locking notches of the bolt in order to lock same in relation to the first or second locking notch, and a switch which is controlled with a control lever. The switch has two states which indicate if the lock is open or closed. In addition, the switch includes a mechanical element which co-operates with the control lever when the lock is closed, such that the switch indicates that the lock is closed only when the tooth of the retaining pawl co-operates with the second locking notch of the bolt. The mechanical element includes a pawl which maintains the control lever in position, thereby preventing the switch from changing from the first state to the second state. |
| US07857360B2 |
Snap-in-place valved coupler
A coupler that can be configured for easy insertion and removal from an unthreaded cavity within a manifold or other part. The coupler includes an axially movable lock member that also carries a valve member for sealing against a valve seat of a main coupler body. The coupler also has a plurality of radially flexible fingers spaced apart by slots, and a lock member has one or more stop portions that engage the fingers to prevent radial collapse of the fingers for retention of the coupler in the cavity in the part. |
| US07857356B2 |
Smartcoupling—non responsive
A coupling according to the invention comprises a first part (1) and a second part (2). The first part (1) comprises a housing (5) with a bore (6) and a slide element (7) arranged movable within the bore (6) and the slide element (7) has two ends (10,11), which both end surfaces (10,11) in a disconnected state of the coupling, are exposed to a surrounding fluid around the coupling. |
| US07857354B2 |
Component-based utility supply apparatus
A component-based utility supply apparatus includes a wall mounting bracket, a utility distribution unit mounted to the wall mounting bracket and an equipment management rail. The wall mounting bracket includes a longitudinally extending wall mounting flange and at least one longitudinally extending supporting flange. The utility distribution unit can comprise a fluid (gas) manifold, or a power distribution assembly, or both the gas manifold and the power distribution assembly may be coupled together with the wall mounting bracket and equipment rail to provide a combined power and gas utility configuration. The utility supply apparatus further comprises integrated lighting devices and light transmissive lens panel for supplying light along at least a portion of the utility supply apparatus. |
| US07857353B2 |
Index label assembly
A label assembly including a face sheet, a back sheet, and a layer of adhesive disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The adhesive adheres to the face sheet more than to the back sheet. A plurality of label shapes is cut within a remaining portion of the face sheet in a label column. A fold line extends across the label shapes in the label column. The fold line can be a printed line, a score line, a perforated line, and combinations thereof. The fold line divides each of the label shapes into a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is larger than the second portion. The smaller second portion is folded back onto the first portion to form an index label for adhering to a separate page. |
| US07857352B2 |
Systems and methods for installing vehicle body accessories on corresponding vehicle bodies
Systems and methods for installing a vehicle-body accessory on a corresponding vehicle body include a vehicle-body accessory and an intermediate structural member configured to be positioned between the vehicle-body accessory and the corresponding vehicle body. The intermediate structural member includes one or more of a plurality of discrete projections and/or a plurality of discrete depressions for securing the structural member to the body and body accessory, such as with adhesive, spanning the projections and/or depressions. In some embodiments the structural member at least generally conforms to an internal recess, or channel, in the vehicle-body accessory. In some embodiments, the structural member includes at least one, optionally removable, alignment tab to facilitate proper installation of the intermediate structural member on a vehicle body. |
| US07857351B2 |
Motorcycle auxiliary fuel tank
An auxiliary fuel tank for use with a motorcycle. The auxiliary fuel tank can be mounted in a saddlebag. The fuel tank can include a container that defines a reservoir for holding fuel. The container can be shaped such that the container can fit inside the saddlebag. A mounting mechanism is coupled with the container. The mounting mechanism can be connected with the motorcycle in order to support the container and the saddlebag. |
| US07857349B2 |
Suspension member
A suspension member for connecting a vehicle body and a suspension device that comprises a pair of side members that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and are located symmetrically relative to the center in the transverse direction of the vehicle body, and cross members interconnecting the pair of side members and extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle body. The suspension member is formed by press-molding only after flat plate-like side members and cross members are welded in butt joints. |
| US07857348B2 |
Multi-function cross members for truck frames
A frame for a vehicle chassis includes C-cross section side rails and interconnecting cross members which extend through the vertical webs of the side rails and are attached with connecting brackets to the outside faces thereof. This construction provides the capability of utilizing extended length cross members to which other vehicle components, such as fuel tanks, suspension members, fenders and the like, may be attached. |
| US07857345B1 |
Valve assembly for gas generating system
A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage, a forcing member positioned in the passage, and a flowable material positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The flowable material flows out of the housing responsive to a force exerted on the forcing member by a gas. |
| US07857343B2 |
Trailer with adjustable ground clearance
A simple mechanical height adjustment device adjusts the ground clearance of a trailer. The trailer, having the height adjustment device can selectably and reversibly increase its ground clearance. The trailer, having an adjustable ground clearance, can minimize its load height when operating on improved roads in order to meet local and state height regulation, but can increase its ground clearance on uneven roads. |
| US07857339B2 |
Braking systems
A reverse braking system for a commercial vehicle including sensors (102) for detecting an object in the path of the vehicle when reversing such that a park brake air supply (108) is connected to the brake chambers (111) to apply the brakes automatically when an object is detected. The brakes can only then be released when the vehicle parking brake has been applied. |
| US07857334B2 |
Suspension arm supporting structure
A suspension arm supporting structure supported by a frame-side supporting portion of a vehicle body frame includes a suspension arm. The suspension arm includes first and second arm-side supporting portions and an arm portion which are integrally formed. The first arm-side supporting portion is supported by the frame-side supporting portion in a radial direction and in an axial direction. The second arm-side supporting portion is supported by the frame-side supporting portion only in the radial direction. |
| US07857332B2 |
Camber arm and ball joint assembly
A device for adjusting camber angle of a vehicle tire/wheel assembly, comprising a camber arm having first and second arms and a cage. The cage comprises a cavity, top and front walls, sidewalls, and a cut-out, the first and second arms connected to the sidewalls. The device further comprises a ball joint assembly adjustably engaged with the cage, and comprising a housing and a lower clamping plate. The device further comprises an upper clamping plate, the upper and lower clamping plates bolted to the cage top wall. The ball joint assembly moveable from a first position where an outward portion of the ball joint housing is disposed outside of the cage cavity, and a second position where the outward portion of the ball joint housing is disposed within the cage cavity. |
| US07857329B2 |
Service cart
A service cart (100) includes a supporting frame (10) and a fixing shelf (20) secured to the supporting frame and a movable shelf (30). The movable shelf is movably secured to the supporting frame and located below the fixing shelf. The movable shelf can move horizontally relative to the supporting frame to extend out of the supporting frame a distance from any of two opposite lateral sides of the service cart. |
| US07857327B2 |
Cart system capable of being converted into a table utilizing only components of the cart
A cart system and method are provided, the cart capable of being converted to a table using only components of the cart, the cart including a base, four sides coupled to the base, and at least two wheels coupled to the base. In use, the cart is capable of being converted into a table and at least one seat, utilizing only components of the cart. Additionally, at least one of the wheels is utilized, at least in part, for the at least one seat. |
| US07857324B2 |
Motorcycle sidecar
A motorcycle sidecar is provided which includes a wheel positioned a given distance from wheels of a motorcycle, a wheel supporting assembly supporting the wheel in a manner that enables the wheel to be rotated, and absorbing road shocks, a stabilizer assembly connecting the wheel supporting assembly to a body of the motorcycle to enable the wheel supporting assembly to be leaned when the motorcycle is leaned, and a main body installed on the stabilizer assembly, for transporting a passenger or a thing. When the motorcycle is leaned to the right or left during driving, the wheel is leaned to the right or left at the same angle with the ground as the motorcycle. Thus, the motorcycle can be safely driven without reducing the speed to the considerable degree, when it goes around a curve. |
| US07857321B2 |
Bearing protector with air purge
A bearing seal device has an air purge mechanism that includes a rotor connected to the shaft of a piece of rotating equipment and a stator connected to the housing for the rotating equipment. An air passage extends between an inlet and an outlet and is at least partially defined by circumferentially extending stator and/or rotor surfaces. Preferably, the stator incorporates an orifice, which permits the attachment of an air supply line. The air purge mechanism may include a self-compensating air supply regulator device, located adjacent a circumferential air distribution cavity and substantially adjacent to one or more atmospheric communication orifices. The bearing seal device provides sealing integrity when the shaft is both idle and operational. |
| US07857319B2 |
Mechanical seal with banded ring
A mechanical end face seal with a pair of annular relatively rotating seal face defining seal rings. An annular compression contact ring disposed in surrounding relation to one of the seal rings includes a plurality of pads at asymmetrical locations in interference contact with the outer cylindrical surface of the ring. |
| US07857317B2 |
Game machine and game method
A game machine is provided with a target, a CRT, a card reader and a cash-box on a front face. A player inserts his own ID card into the card reader. The CRT displays information concerning a game and has a function of a game display when a game adopting darts is executed. A target is both a target hit by an arrow and also a tool by which players obtain points, areas or numerals by arrow throwing. A button is provided on the game machine for “Player Change” of the darts, which is used as an operation input switch for a control unit (100). |
| US07857316B2 |
Projectile roulette arcade game
An arcade game is disclosed wherein a player actuates a projectile delivery system such as an air stream created by depressing a pump or bellows to cause a projectile such as a ball to be propelled over a rotating playing field. In a first preferred embodiment the projectile is a ball, and the ball may preferably be aimed by pointing the nozzle delivering an air stream aimable in varying azimuthal and altitudal directions. A point multiplier system is incorporated wherein said ball may pass through one of several arrayed apertures of varying size and difficulty within a housing that encloses the rotating playing field. A sensor detects the passage of a ball through an aperture and sends a signal to a processor to multiply the player's points by a predetermined amount. Whether the ball passes through an aperture or rebounds off the wall, the ball enters the rotating playing field where holes are disposed about the perimeter like a roulette wheel. The rotation of the playing field causes the ball to move outward via centrifugal force to the holes, where each hole is assigned a point value. When the ball enters a hole, a sensor sends a signal to a processor corresponding to a predetermined point value. The processor receives the signal and determines the point value achieved, augmented by any multiplier accomplished in the first phase, and sends a signal to a ticket distribution mechanism to distribute redemption tickets corresponding to the point value earned by the player. |
| US07857311B2 |
Stand for a video game controller
One aspect of the current invention is directed toward a stand for a video game controller. In one embodiment, a stand is disclosed which comprises a seating device, an anchor member operably connected to the seating device, an elongate upstanding member selectably connected to the seat with the anchor member being connected to the upstanding member, and a platform connected to the upstanding member. In this embodiment, the anchor member permits rotation in a forward direction of the upstanding member and the platform. |
| US07857309B2 |
Shaft driving apparatus
This disclosure provides a shaft driving apparatus and method of operation. The shaft driving apparatus comprises a shaft and a slip joint configuration to extend the wear zone associated with bearings operatively connected to an apparatus which rotates a shaft less than 360 degrees in an oscillatory manner or other cyclical manner. |
| US07857306B2 |
Medium stacker apparatus
A medium stacker apparatus comprising a stacking portion for stacking a medium discharged from a delivery section formed at an upper portion of an apparatus housing, has a top cover which can be open and closed with respect to the apparatus housing, and a part of said stacking portion is formed at the top cover. The stacking portion is constituted of a first stacking portion formed as secured to the apparatus housing, and a second stacking portion serving as a part of the top cover and pivoting openably as separately from the first stacking portion. Printing media therefore do not interfere with the delivery section in a case where the top cover as the second stacking portion is made to be pivotally moved as opened while the printing media are stacked on the stacking portion. |
| US07857298B2 |
Stitcher drive
A stitcher is provided including a carriage having a center of gravity, the carriage movable between an extended position and a retracted position; at least one bearing for supporting the carriage; and an operating link for driving the carriage, a driving force of the link being applied through the center of gravity or between the center of gravity and the bearing. Another stitcher also is provided including a movable carriage having a center of gravity, the carriage movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and an operating link for driving the carriage, a driving force of the link being applied through the center of gravity when the carriage is in the extended or retracted position. A saddle stitcher is also provided. Methods for stitching are also provided. |
| US07857289B2 |
Tapered braking device for electric winches
The present invention discloses a tapered braking device for electric winches which disposes a section of gear shaft, a section of core shaft, a wedge shape support, braking plates, an elastic element, a wedge shape piece A, a wedge shape piece B, a braking clutch base and so on in a gear box of an electric winch. When a motor works, the section of core shaft of the motor can drive the braking clutch base and the wedge shape pieces A, B to rotate, until a gap is formed between the friction faces of the wedge shape support and the wedge shape piece B and the braking plates so that the braking action stops. When the motor suddenly stops, a heavy load lifted by a tight wire rope reel provides a reverse pulling force so that the wedge shape piece B produces a reverse thrust force to push the friction faces of the braking plates, so the braking effect is achieved quickly. Based on the braking plates with the double tapered faces, the present invention can increase the braking area and the braking force and achieve safe braking. Furthermore, worn parts concentrate in the braking plates, so it only needs to replace the braking plates made of friction materials, which can simplify maintenance, reduce the costs and ensure service life of the gear box. |
| US07857288B2 |
Air conditioner compressor removal and installation apparatus
The air conditioner compressor removal and installation apparatus includes an upper plate having multiple sets of leg sockets depending therefrom. The distal ends of legs installed within any given set of sockets subtend a circle corresponding to the diameter of the inner rim of an air conditioner, heat pump, or HVAC coil housing. The distal end of each leg includes an inverted, L-shaped shoe that rests upon the inner rim of the coil housing when the apparatus is placed thereon. The upper plate includes a winch having a winch cable extending through a hole in the plate. The compressor within the coil housing is disconnected from its attachment and electrical and refrigerant lines. The apparatus is placed atop the coil housing. The winch cable is connected to the compressor, and the winch is operated to lift the compressor from within the coil housing. The process is reversed for reinstallation. |
| US07857285B2 |
Lubricious or/and wettable or/and anti-thrombin elastomeric gland materials in luer activated devices
An elastomeric gland is provided for a luer activating device (LAD). and comprises a unique lubricant and/or wetting agent and/or anti-clotting agent incorporated into the elastomer gland during raw material formulation, calendar blending/molding/curing to deliver the surface lubricity and/or wettability and/or avoid slit plane re-knitting and/or gland induced valve stick down of such devices Functional additive chemistries are selected in terms of generated functional performance level, thermal stability against processing, molecular migratability, molecular weight and elastomer substrate of interest. These additives could include lubricants like chemically modified silicone oils and/or wetting agents like silicone-based surfactant. Elastomer gland with wetting agent would ease fluid path priming and minimize micro air bubble adherence to gland surface. Additives may also include anti-clotting agents intended to reduce potential for clot formation within the fluid path and interstitial space of the valve during blood sampling and infusion. |
| US07857284B2 |
Medical valve with movable member
A medical valve has an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the medical valve has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and a movable member with a member channel therethrough. The member channel extends between a proximal opening and a distal opening of the movable member. The movable member is movable in a given direction to cause the valve to transition from the closed mode to the open mode. The distal opening of the member channel has a given dimension that is generally parallel with the given direction, and a second dimension that is generally orthogonal to the given dimension. The given dimension is smaller than the second dimension. |
| US07857268B2 |
Suction-type mounting bracket device
A suction-type mounting bracket device for use with a portable electronic device includes a crossbar, an adjustable mount, at least two support posts, at least two suction cups, and a control lever. The adjustable mount is slidably provided on the crossbar for the portable electronic device to connect thereto. The support posts each have a first end connected to connecting sections provided on the crossbar and a second end connected to the suction cups. The control lever is connected to the suction cups for controlling the suction cups to attach to or release from a smooth surface. With these arrangements, the portable electronic device may be stably and firmly mounted in a car via the suction-type mounting bracket device and may be adjusted to different angular positions for use. |
| US07857267B2 |
Unique mounting for computer equipment in frames
A mounting assembly is provided for mounting equipment on a frame including a front pair of vertical rails and a back pair of vertical rails. The mounting assembly includes a bracket for attaching a front side of the equipment to one of the front rails and a hinge for attaching a back side of the equipment to one of the back rails. |
| US07857265B1 |
Swinging mount for flat panel TV
A mounting mechanism for a flat panel TV or other flat panel viewing device permits vertical positioning as well as swinging, swiveling, and tilting positioning of the flat panel viewing device. |
| US07857257B2 |
Aircraft thermal management system with reduced exhaust re-ingestion
A thermal management system includes a cooling duct system that locates a ram air intake and an exhaust through a first aircraft surface above a second aircraft surface which locates a fan intake. During ground operations, an anti-re-ingestion door is open and a ram air door is closed such that the fan system may draw relatively cooler air from below the aircraft and exhaust the heated air above the aircraft to minimize re-ingestion of the heated exhaust. During flight operations, the anti-re-ingestion door is closed and the ram air door is open such that ram airflow communicates through the fan system prior to communication through the heat exchanger. Both the anti-re-ingestion door and the ram air door may also be operated in flight. |
| US07857254B2 |
System and method for utilizing stored electrical energy for VTOL aircraft thrust enhancement and attitude control
A system and method are provided for a short take-off and landing/vertical take-off and landing aircraft that stores required take-off power in the form of primarily an electric fan engine, and secondarily in the form of an internal combustion engine, wherein the combined power of the electric fan and internal combustion engines can cause the STOL/VTOL A/C to take-off in substantially less amount of time and space than other STOL/VTOL A/C, and further wherein the transition from vertical to horizontal thrust is carefully executed to rapidly rise from the take-off position to a forward flight position, thereby minimizing the necessity for a larger electric fan engine. |
| US07857248B2 |
Crushing apparatus and method of putting it into operation
A crushing apparatus has a gyratory crusher, which has an inner shell, an outer shell and an eccentric. A lubricating system is arranged to conduct a lubricant to at least one movable part, such as the eccentric of the gyratory crusher. The lubricating system has an oil sump, which collects the lubricant after it has been used for lubrication of the movable part, and a valve mechanism, which is arranged to apportion a lubricant flow in the crusher. The valve mechanism is arranged to assume a first position, in which a first sub-volume of the lubricant flow is conducted directly to the movable part for lubrication of the same and a second sub-volume is conducted directly to the oil sump, the second sub-volume constituting from about 30 to about 100% of the lubricant flow, and a second position, in which at least about 90% of the lubricant flow is conducted to the movable part for lubrication of the same. |
| US07857246B2 |
Shredder adapted to detect a full shredder basket
A shredder having a feature which prevents shredder operation or provides a user alert when the accumulation of shredded material in the disposal basket has reached the capacity of the basket. |
| US07857243B2 |
High frequency disintegrator
A high frequency disintegrator includes a plurality of high frequency vibration generators, a plurality of connectors, and at least a heat exchanger. The high frequency vibration generators each have an operational portion that axially outputs high frequency vibration energy. The connectors are respectively connected to the high frequency vibration generators, and each include an action portion for allowing the operational portion to axially output the high frequency vibration energy, an inlet, and an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are connected to the action portion. The connectors are connected in series. The heat exchanging device dissipates heat from the connectors. The high frequency disintegrator eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional techniques. |
| US07857242B2 |
Quick connection device for electric spray gun
An electric spray gun includes a barrel having a positioning member received therein which includes two guide slots and two respective holes are defined through two sidewalls of the positioning member and communicate with the two guide slots. A cylinder is fixedly connected with a cover which is connected to a container and the cylinder is slidably connected to the positioning member. Two recesses are defined in two sides of the cylinder and two pawls are pivotably connected to the two sidewalls of the positioning member. Each pawl includes a first end and a second end, the first end of each pawl extends through the hole and engaged with the recess corresponding thereto. The first end can be pivoted out from the recess by pressing the second end of each of the pawls when the cylinder is slid in the guide slots. |
| US07857236B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing an aromatic odor neutralizer
An aromatic odor neutralizer includes a dispenser housing with an internal passage between end walls and communicating with vents in the sides for aerodynamic airflow to efficiently absorb vapors from a vaporizer chamber within the dispenser housing. The vaporization chamber contains a wick with an end part immersed in fluid in a storage cup that is gravity fed from an air tight vessel by the use of air pathways exposed when the liquid level in the cup is reduced. |
| US07857234B2 |
Remote shower actuation and temperature sensing unit
A remote shower actuator and temperature sensing unit installs in a shower having a shower head in a water line that is downstream of hot and cold water mixing for the shower. The shower actuator includes a battery powered wireless actuated blocking valve, a digital temperature sensor mechanism, a temperature indicating mechanism and generally two independent one wireless controllers. The valve may move between a closed position, an open position and a trickle flow position. The trickle flow position is a significantly reduced flow in response to a potentially hazardous temperature reading. The temperature indicating mechanism may be a visible display on the controllers that constantly displays the measured temperatures, or may be a visible or audible indicator on the controllers that identifies that the flowing water temperature has reached an acceptable steady state temperature, or a combination of the two. |
| US07857229B2 |
Securities, chip mounting product, and manufacturing method thereof
The invention provides an ID chip with reduced cost, increased impact resistance and attractive design, as well as products and the like mounting the ID chip and a manufacturing method thereof. In view of the foregoing, an integrated circuit having a semiconductor film with a thickness of 0.2 μm or less is mounted on securities including bills, belongings, containers of food and drink, and the like (hereinafter referred to as products and the like). The ID chip of the invention can be reduced in cost and increased in impact resistance as compared with a chip formed over a silicon wafer while maintaining an attractive design. |
| US07857226B2 |
Actuation mechanism for a pistol grip having multiple actuation positions regions
A portable terminal having a handle configured for connection to an enclosure of the portable terminal, such that the portable terminal has one or more scanning functions for interacting with information objects 16 in a logistics environment. The handle has a handle body having a grip portion shaped for grasping by a hand of the user of the portable terminal, a proximal end of the grip portion for coupling to the housing of the portable terminal, and a distal end of the grip portion. An actuator assembly of the handle is configured for affecting the operation of one or more scanning functions and is positioned in an aperture of the handle body for access by one or more fingers of the user's hand. The actuator assembly includes an actuator body connected at a proximal portion to the handle body by a pivot connection, biasing member(s) for biasing the actuator body towards a first position, and a face portion of the actuator body configured for contacting with the one or more fingers such that the face portion has a raised portion for defining the plurality of actuator regions for interaction with the one or more fingers for facilitating rotation of the actuator body about the pivot connection for displacement from the first position to a second position into an interior of the handle body, wherein the displacement of the actuator body affects the operation of the one or more scanning functions (e.g. via activation of a switch by a control arm). |
| US07857225B2 |
System, method and apparatus for communicating information from a personal electronic device
An accessory for a personal electronic device detects data encoded into light, sound, vibration energy, radio frequency energy, or a combination thereof, and provides the encoded data either to a bar code scanner using light, or to an NFC terminal using NFC protocols. The accessory may be stand-alone, or attachable to the personal electronic device from a suitable housing or integrated into a housing component of the personal electronic device. |
| US07857224B2 |
Devices and/or systems for automatically imaging barcodes
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system, which can comprise a barcode reader adapted to obtain an image of a barcode. The barcode reader can comprise a camera. The camera can define a camera axis. The barcode reader can comprise a lighting module that comprises set of lighting elements that emit light. The barcode reader can be adapted to automatically obtain and/or decode a sequential set of images. |
| US07857222B2 |
Data collection system having EIR terminal interface node
A network accessible node that facilitates management of a fleet of portable communication devices (EIR terminal), including portable data terminals and/or barcode readers, by directing performance of software upgrade and/or configuration update actions by one or more members of the fleet of EIR terminals. |
| US07857219B2 |
Imaging reader target object finder system
A method and apparatus for reading a target object with an image reader that includes an illumination source that illuminates an area corresponding to an indicia area when the imager is acting within an operating range of the indicia, a two-dimensional array sensor capable of collecting data from a captured image corresponding to an image reflected from the indicia area by the illumination source when the imager is acting within the operating range of the indicia, a starting coordinate located substantially about the center of the captured image, and a processing source including a search routine originating at the starting coordinate capable of analyzing the captured image by employing a plurality of scan paths associated to an algebraic equation. |
| US07857218B2 |
Handheld code reader having a motion sensor
A method and apparatus for use with a handheld code reader that has an operating characteristic that can have at least first and second different states, the method for switching between the different states of the operating characteristic, the method comprising the steps of specifying a circumstance set including at least one of reader orientation and a threshold movement level for the reader, monitoring at least one of movement and orientation of the reader determining when the circumstance set occurs and changing the operating characteristic state when the circumstance set occurs, wherein the operating characteristic is one of an illumination mode and a code decoding algorithm. |
| US07857216B2 |
Method and system for providing interactive cardholder rewards image replacement
A system for facilitating image management for portable devices, which includes a host configured to maintain information relating to a first portable device and a second portable device and an interface device configured to communicate with the host and the portable devices. The interface device includes control logic configured to: determine whether the first portable device is valid for image synchronization using information provided by the host in order to record an image of the first portable device, determine whether the second portable device is valid for image synchronization in order to download an image of the first portable device to the second portable device. The interface device further includes control logic configured to: determine whether the second portable device is valid for image replacement using information provided by the host so as to retrieve an image of the first portable device and download the retrieved image to the second portable device. The interface device also includes control logic configured to: determine whether the second portable device includes additional information that is not included in the image of the first portable device in order to concatenate the additional information with the image of the first portable device, and download the concatenated additional information and image of the first portable device onto the second portable device. |
| US07857214B2 |
Intelligent track system for mounting electronic equipment
The present invention provides an intelligent track system generally mounted in a network, server, or telecom rack/enclosure rack rail that can sense the spaces, such as “U” spaces, used by electronic equipment, shelving, or blanking panels and provide such information to a remote location. Information technology (IT) managers and other decision-makers can remotely view the actual available spaces and determine appropriate locations for installing additional equipment. Criteria can be based on actual available space and for some embodiments in conjunction with predictive or actual sensed temperatures proximate to the spaces, available cooling capacity, power loads, and available power capacity. In at least one embodiment, the intelligent mounting track system can include a plurality of sensors mounted along the rack surfaces that collectively or individually uniquely identify which spaces are occupied. The information can be communicated to an electronic processor with software to interpret the data and indicate space utilization. |
| US07857213B2 |
System having a plurality of service facilities with access control devices
A system has a plurality of groups of service facilities, each facility having an access control device with a read/write device for a contactless data carrier. The read/write devices of each group are networked with a separate database provided for each group. The data carrier has an identification number and a transaction counter with a transaction number which is changed upon a change of application data stored thereon. The application data, the identification number and the transaction number are stored in the database of the group to which the user goes for access. Upon access to a service facility, only the identification number and the transaction number are read from the data carrier. If the identification number and transaction number match with the identification number and transaction number stored in the database, the application data is retrieved from the database, and in case of a valid access authorization, the access control device permits access without reading application data from the data carrier. |
| US07857212B1 |
Method and system for authorizing card account transactions by geographic region
A method and system for authorizing card account transactions by geographic region by providing data for a user interface displaying geographic regions and merchant locations each corresponding to the location of a merchant where a transaction using a card account may be initiated, receiving a user interface selection representing a request to authorize or restrict card account transactions, receiving authorization requests for desired transactions, and authorizing or restricting the transactions in accordance with the request. |
| US07857206B2 |
Financial transactions processing system including cash dispenser or recycler
A financial transactions processing system includes a cradle to receive dispensed notes for dispensing cash to customers and/or tellers. The cradle may be rotatable for use with more than one user. The cradle may have end walls to provide security and privacy to each user. A rotatable shield may provide additional security and privacy. A lock may prevent the cradle and/or shield from rotating to prevent unauthorized access to cash in the cradle. |
| US07857203B2 |
System for writing information and method of writing information
A medium writing apparatus obtains information to be written onto a recording medium, converts the information into a suitable writable format, and then writes the converted information onto the recording medium. An ID obtaining section obtains a medium ID from the recording medium, or through an input by the user. The medium ID and information indicating the place of the written information are sent to a server, and then stored as index information correlating them with each other. When the information written onto the recording medium is to be used at a later timing, the medium ID is identified, and the index information is obtained from the server. Therefore, the original information can be obtained so as to be easily reprocessed or reused. |
| US07857202B2 |
Method and apparatus for a contactless smartcard incorporating a pressure sensitive switch
An apparatus and method for providing a radio frequency identification (RFID) card, the card including a card inlay; an antenna positioned on the card inlay, a RFID integrated circuit (IC) on the card inlay, a pressure-sensitive switch including an electrode structure located on or in the card inlay and coupled to the antenna and the RFID IC via the electrode structure, the pressure-sensitive switch having an electrical resistance that varies with a pressure applied to the switch, and a dam of material in a vicinity around of the pressure-sensitive switch to provide a barrier against a lateral pressure being applied to the switch. |
| US07857200B1 |
Save democracy election system
An election system that is immune to rigging, costs only 5 to 20 percent of that of prior art e-voting systems, and entirely eliminates wasted voter time spent standing in line. The method used in the new system is to print each separate office or proposition on a separate playing-card size card adapted to be inserted in a separate ballot box while by means of an odometer the official reception of the voter's vote is shown to the voter by the odometer display. |
| US07857197B2 |
Plant tray/pot handle
A handle includes highly flexible locking tabs at opposite ends. Each of the opposed ends includes a generally triangular tab with a longitudinally extending slit aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle for allowing the triangular tab to deflect for ease of insertion into an aperture in a tray or pot. The handle ends also include a secondary locking tab which is spaced in alignment with the longitudinally extending slit inwardly of the generally triangular tab. The locking ends include inwardly extending slots which define shoulders which engage a side of the tray or pot opposite the triangular tab for stabilizing the end of the handle in its locking engagement with the tray or pot. |
| US07857196B1 |
Multimedia mailer
A Multimedia Mailer device is provided that (1) is constructed from a single folded paperboard stock having a plurality of fold lines dividing the sheet into a plurality of panels, (2) includes one or two compartments with pockets secured by pocket flaps for concurrently carrying and mailing a combination of a compact disk or disks (CD) and digital versatile disk or disks (DVD), a standard magnetically recorded gift card or cards or similar size item, and paper items such as a photo or coupon, (3) includes interior surfaces for writing a messages, and (4) is formed by a folding arrangement such that graphics printed on only one side of paperboard stock appear on both exterior surfaces and a plurality of interior surfaces. |
| US07857193B2 |
Method of forming and assembly of parts
A method of assembling two or more parts together that may be metal, ceramic, metal and ceramic parts, or parts that have different CTE. Individual parts are formed and sintered from particles that leave a network of interconnecting porosity in each sintered part. The separate parts are assembled together and then a fill material is infiltrated into the assembled, sintered parts using a method such as capillary action, gravity, and/or pressure. The assembly is then cured to yield a bonded and fully or near-fully dense part that has the desired physical and mechanical properties for the part's intended purpose. Structural strength may be added to the parts by the inclusion of fibrous materials. |
| US07857192B2 |
Friction stir welding tool and friction stir welding method
A friction stir welding tool 1 includes a rotor 2 to be attached to a rotation-drive section and a probe 3 concentrically provided on a distal end surface of the rotor 2. A provisional joining projection 4 is concentrically provided on a distal end surface of the probe 3. A relation 0.3 D≦d≦0.8 D is satisfied, where D represents a diameter (mm) of the distal end surface of the probe 3, and d represents a diameter (mm) of the contour of a transverse cross section of the provisional joining projection 4. The provisional joining projection 4 has a length of 0.3 to 2 mm. This friction stir welding tool can improve the work efficiency of friction stir welding and can carry out friction stir welding which is excellent in welding quality after main friction stir welding. |
| US07857189B2 |
Gold alloy wire for bonding wire having high initial bondability, high bonding reliability, high roundness of compression ball, high straightness, and high resin flowability resistance
There is provided a gold alloy wire for a bonding wire having high initial bonding ability, high bonding reliability, high roundness of a compression ball, high straightness, and high resin flowability resistance. The gold alloy wire for a bonding wire comprises one kind or two kinds of Pt and Pd of 1000 to less than 5000 ppm in total, Ir: 1 to 200 ppm, Ca: 20 to 100 ppm, Eu: 10 to 100 ppm, Be: 0.1 to 20 ppm, if necessary, and La: 10 to 100 ppm, if necessary. The total amount of at least two kinds of Ca, Eu, Be, and La is in a range of 50 to 250 ppm. |
| US07857177B2 |
Bicycle rack for a vehicle bed
Method and arrangement for providing a bicycle transport system that includes a rack assembly securing a bicycle, with both wheels still attached, in the bed of a pickup truck without requiring physical modification of the pickup truck bed. The transport system includes a rack frame having a securing assembly releasably securing the rack frame in the bed of a transporting pickup truck. The system also includes a bicycle restraining portion that is maintained in abutting engagement with a front tire of a bicycle being transported in the pickup truck bed. The securing assembly has an anchor member that in a secured configuration maintains the rack frame in abutment with the pickup truck bed so that the rack frame is substantially fixing relative to the truck bed. The bicycle restraining portion has a constrictable arm that presses upon the front tire of the bicycle in a transporting configuration. The arm exerts a compression force, obliquely directed with respect to both horizontal and vertical, upon the bicycle front tire in such a manner that the tire is compressed into a substantially fixed position above the truck bed when in the bicycle transporting configuration. |
| US07857173B2 |
Solenoid control valve with quick-connect fittings for mating with an adhesive control module assembly of a hot melt adhesive dispensing system
A new and improved hot melt adhesive dispensing system comprises a new and improved solenoid control valve assembly and a new and improved adhesive control module assembly. The solenoid control valve assembly is mounted directly upon the adhesive control module assembly by quick-connect fittings, and control air flow paths are defined within the solenoid control valve assembly and within the adhesive control module assembly so as to effectively comprise substantially short, linear fluid flow paths which will thereby minimize the lengths of the control air flow paths and therefore, in turn, minimize the cycling response time of the nozzle dispensing valve member of the adhesive control module assembly. |
| US07857171B1 |
Container contents transfer system
A system for use in association with a container and a pump having an intake for transferring semisolid material from the container. The apparatus includes a first element that is inserted into the container and a second element that is also inserted into the container and moves the semisolid material with respect to the first element. An actuator moves the second element together with the semisolid material towards the intake of the pump. A method for use in transferring semisolid material from the container is also disclosed. |
| US07857161B2 |
Random access and random load dispensing unit
The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins. |
| US07857158B2 |
Plastic container provided with at least one suction cup
The invention relates to a plastic container provided with at least one suction cup. Said container comprises a holding recess (15) arranged in a container wall (12) for the holding projection (16) of the suction cup, and also comprises a flat receiving trough (18) arranged around the holding recess. The suction cup can be elastically flattened with the suction cover thereof (19) in the receiving trough such that the suction cup is arranged in an essentially expanded manner in the receiving trough and establishes a flush seal with the external contour (34) of the container wall (12). |
| US07857157B2 |
Container having segmented bumper rib
A plastic container has an upper portion including a mouth defining an opening into the container. A shoulder region extends from the upper portion. A sidewall portion extends from the shoulder region to a base portion. The base portion closes off an end of the container. An upper bumper portion is defined at a transition between the shoulder region and the sidewall portion. The upper bumper portion includes an upper raised wall defining a maximum width of the container. The upper raised wall includes a recessed portion formed therein. A lower bumper portion is defined at a transition between the base portion and the sidewall portion. The lower bumper portion includes a lower raised wall defining the maximum width of the container. The lower raised wall includes a recessed portion formed therein. |
| US07857156B2 |
Collapsible plastic bottle
A plastic bottle that can easily be collapsed after used is provided.The plastic bottle has a body portion that is depressed internally by applying external force, and a depressible portion formed on a circumferential wall of the body portion to protrude externally. The depressible portion is depressed internally by applying external force. Plural depressible portions and plural depression-resistant portions may be formed alternately on the circumferential wall of the body portion in the circumferential direction of the body portion. |
| US07857151B2 |
Tension rod assembly with adaptor
A tension rod assembly is provided that includes first and second telescoping rod sections. An outer diameter of the second rod section is larger than an outer diameter of the first rod section. First and second end members are provided. Each of the first and second end members has a recess with substantially the same inner diameter. The first end member is adapted to be received on the end of the first rod section. The second end member is adapted to be received on the end of the second rod section. An adapter is interposed between the end of the first rod section and the first end member. The adapter is configured to compensate for the difference in the outer diameters of the first and second rod sections such that identical end members can be used on both ends of the tension rod. |
| US07857150B2 |
Lightweight carrier for golf clubs
A lightweight carrier for golf clubs adapted for substantially upright positioning on the ground when not being carried, including a hollow tubular support that duals as a golf ball holder, a handle affixed near the top of the tubular support or at some point along the tubular support, a club holder top affixed near the top of the tubular support or at some point along the tubular support, a club holder base affixed at or near the bottom of the tubular support, one or more pins extending substantially axially from the base adapted to penetrate into the ground and support the carrier in an upright position when not being carried, and a pin cover to cover the pins while the carrier is being carried. |
| US07857145B2 |
Mounting bracket for square hole racks and round hole racks
A mounting bracket (22) is provided for securing to both square-hole racks (12) and round hole racks (16). An inner support pin (24) extends for fitting within round-shaped holes (18) and engaging a side of the round-hole racks (16). An outer support sleeve (26) is slidably moveable over the inner support pin (24) for fitting within square-shaped holes (14) and engaging a side of the square-hole racks (16). A bias spring (40) urges the outer support sleeve (26) to extend over the inner support pin (24). A lock pin assembly (27) has an enlarged diameter portion (30) for fitting within the square holes (14) and a smaller diameter portion (28) for fitting within the round holes (18) to lock the support sleeve (26) and the support in (24) in mounting holes (14 and 18) of respective ones of the square-hole racks (12) and the round-hole racks (16). |
| US07857143B2 |
Suction filter and fuel supply device
A suction filter may comprise a filtration member and a connection member. The filtration member has an inner space. The connection member is configured to communicate the inner space of the filtration member and a fuel intake port of a fuel pump. The filtration member may have a tubular shape so that the filtration member surrounds a circumference of the fuel pump when the suction filter is connected to the fuel intake port of the fuel pump. |
| US07857142B2 |
Mechanism for securing screen modules
A mechanism for securing screen modules to support frames, said mechanism comprising a plurality of legs for insertion into said support frame, said legs comprising a raised portion that presses against a compatible raised portion of at least one other leg inserted adjacently within the support frame, causing separation of said legs into a restraining relationship with said support frame. |
| US07857136B2 |
Foldable tray for packaging bakery products
A flat foldable tray preferably manufactured from recycled paper content and having sets of fold lines formed therein along which the tray can be bent to create different geometric shapes for packaging a variety of baked goods, or the like. By way of a preferred embodiment, the foldable tray is a square having four sides of identical length. The sides of the tray and the sets of fold lines are aligned with one another to form the sides of one square, one octagon, and three rectangles, each of which having an identical center and lying inside the perimeter of the square tray. Adjacent fold lines which form the sides of each of the inside square, octagon and rectangles intersect one another at the four sides of the square tray. A pair of dividers may be coupled to one another and attached to the foldable tray at upturned corners thereof to create independent storage compartments in which to carry individual baked goods. |
| US07857132B2 |
Package of goods attached with image for forming three-dimension image
The present invention discloses a merchandise package capable of presenting a three-dimensional image. An image A is disposed on one surface 11a of two surfaces of a merchandise package 11 and an image B is disposed on the other surface 11c thereof so that a three-dimensional image is formed by the images A and B becoming a pair. When the images A and B are juxtaposed while being paired, the two images provide a three-dimensional image to an observer. With this, novel distinguishing ability is given to the merchandise package and a customer who purchases the merchandise can enjoy the three-dimensional image by juxtaposing the merchandise packages, and thus a novel function is given to the merchandise package. |
| US07857130B2 |
Removable adhesive tape and pull tab film, and kits
Kits are described wherefrom a single tab film may be adhered to an elongated strip of stretch releasing adhesive tape to form a manually engageable pull tab at a selected location. Such a pull tab may be foldable so as to comprise an unobtrusive visual appearance, and may also be extendable so that the pull tab may be grasped to activate the stretch release. |
| US07857129B2 |
Container and carrier system for surgical auxiliary material
The invention relates to a container (100) which has a carrier (1) for the storage and presentation of surgical auxiliary material (80), in particular screws, such as bone screws, in the holding or mounting position, and at least one removable cover (48) for preventing the loss of the auxiliary material, the surgical auxiliary material (80) being presentable in isolated form. According to the invention, it is envisaged that at least two containers (100) be separably connected to one another via the cover (48) and/or the carrier (1). |
| US07857128B2 |
Laminated metal foil packaging material and method of making
A laminate including a flavorant useful for packaging cigarettes or other products such as food products. The laminate includes crosslinked polymer coatings adhered to at least two metal foils, and a volatile flavor component such as menthol is applied to one of the polymer-coated surfaces. The laminate minimizes loss of volatile and/or heat sensitive flavor components from the package during extended periods at elevated temperature which are often associated with long term storage and/or shipping. |
| US07857125B2 |
Apparatus having rotating chains or rings for carrying vertically hanging trays
An apparatus for carrying a plurality of vertically hanging trays includes a vertical rotating members comprising a first pair of rotating chains carrying the plurality of trays at respective top bars thereof and a second pair of rotating chains coupled to each top bar through linking bars, the first and second pairs of rotating chains being operatively coupled. The apparatus may be used in a furnace, a cleaning apparatus and a combined furnace cleaning apparatus as well as in medical and other applications. |
| US07857123B2 |
Parts conveyor apparatus
A parts conveyor apparatus that conveys parts using the vibrations includes an electromagnetic motor that generates the vibrations; a rotary panel which is mounted on an output shaft of the electromagnetic motor and rotates eccentrically by the rotation of the output shaft; and a spring member which vibrates by the rotation of the rotary panel. |
| US07857122B2 |
Flexible vacuum conveyance/manifold system
A vacuum conveyance/manifold system is provided for processing mailpieces. The vacuum conveyance/manifold system includes at least one conveyor belt and a compliant deck disposed beneath and supporting an underside surface of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt has rows of aligned apertures disposed therein and a drive surface for engaging a face surface of each of the mailpieces. The compliant deck defines a neutral axis in bending and has a high elongation, low modulus material in a portion of the deck which is distal from the bending neutral axis, and a high yield strength, high modulus material in a portion of the deck which lies coincident with the bending neutral axis. Furthermore, the compliant deck has a plurality of elongate slots formed in the high elongation, low modulus material, which elongate slots are aligned, and in fluid communication, with the rows of apertures in the conveyor belt. A flexible manifold system, having a plurality of flexible tubes, is in fluid communication with the elongate slots of the compliant deck and the vacuum source for developing a pressure differential across each of the mailpieces when in contact with the drive surface of the conveyor belt. |
| US07857121B2 |
System and method for enhancing conveying performance of conveyors
A system and method for conveying and for accurately handling a generally flat object employing a plurality of support elements. The system comprises: a plurality of vacuum preload drive wheels arranged in one or more drive units, each drive unit comprising at least one vacuum preload drive wheel; one or more vacuum ports located on one or more counter plates adjacent each of the vacuum preload drive wheels, for applying induced holding down forces on the object. The vacuum ports of each drive unit are fluidically connected to a main vacuum pipe with controllable valve to a vacuum source. When the main vacuum pipe is connected to a vacuum source the normal force between the object and the vacuum preload drive wheels is increased and accordingly the lateral drive force is increased. |
| US07857120B1 |
Avalanche preventative shield for sweep auger
A deflector panel or series of such panels are temporarily attached above the containment plate of a grain sweep auger to redirect potentially avalanching grain forward to the auger blade. A front side hook structure holds a predetermined portion of the deflector panel over the top of the containment plate at a forward angle. A rear side clamp on a sliding junction secures the forward angle and adapts the shield to fit auger assemblies with differing distance relationships between the containment plate and stiffening tube. A longitudinal series of deflector panels with interpanel gaps are attached to a sweep auger assembly along the length of the containment plate. A gap-filling bracket closes the gaps and supports the panels in longitudinal alignment. |
| US07857119B2 |
Method for grouping boxes on a conveyor line and device for carrying out said method
A method for grouping boxes, after stopping the head box of a train line, includes transversally displacing a last box of the train line with respect to the first box of the upstream line waiting for grouping and introducing a stop motion unit for holding the upstream line into the space cleared by the last box. The conveyor device includes an endless lateral rail which is used for guiding boxes and is laterally shifted at a length corresponding to at least the box longitudinal dimension and forms something like a funnel at the location of the last box of the train and a device, which is used for transversally displacing the last box by pushing it into the funnel and includes the stop motion unit holding the first box of the upstream line. |
| US07857118B2 |
Product orienting apparatus
A product orienting apparatus for orienting a product according to the present invention comprises a table comprising a rotatable device. The table has a table surface comprising at least a first surface area being provided by the rotatable device. The device is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the table surface. The table also has an array of substantially identical spherical rollers, each spherical roller being suitable for contacting the product at a first contacting point of the spherical roller and for contacting the table surface with a second contacting point of the spherical roller. The array of spherical rollers comprises a first group of spherical rollers contacting the surface area of the device with their second contacting point thereby enabling to convert a rotation of the device into rotation of a product contacting the spherical rollers of the first group of spherical rollers. The table furthermore has a plate having an aperture encompassing the rotatable device. The table surface comprises a second surface area provided by the plate. The second surface area is substantially coplanar with the first surface area. |
| US07857111B1 |
Reinforced disc brake rotor
A reinforced disc brake rotor includes a disc rotor which has a connecting portion formed in a center thereof for adapting to be securely connected with a wheel hub. A friction portion is annularly formed on an outer edge of the disc rotor for adapting to be clamped by brake lining pads. A supporting portion is annularly formed on the disc rotor and located between the connecting portion and the friction portion. The supporting portion has a plurality of vent spaces defined therein and extending therethrough. A carbon fiber layer is laminated along an edge of each vent space in the supporting portion for reinforcing the disc rotor and reducing a weight of the disc rotor. |
| US07857109B2 |
Adjustable cam actuated brake assembly
In a cam actuated brake, an adjustable cam disposable intermediate a pair of following surfaces on first ends of a pair of arms. The arms being rotatable about parallel axes and having a pair of opposing brake surfaces at second ends. The cam comprises a body having a first and second opposite cam surfaces adapted to engage the following surfaces and a bore intermediate the cam surfaces and a piston receivable in the bore. The piston is releasably coupled to the bore. The cam further comprises an adjuster for varying the position of the piston in the bore. The piston may be engaged by an actuator so as to wedge the cam between the following surfaces of the arms so as to rotate the first and second arms about their respective axes thereby frictionally engaging an object between the braking surfaces. |
| US07857102B2 |
Retail store construction and methods of storing and displaying merchandise
A building construction includes an exterior structure, a secondary floor, and an access structure. The exterior structure includes at least four exterior walls, a primary floor and a roof defining a primary storage space wherein merchandise is stored and displayed. The secondary floor defines a secondary storage and display space within the primary storage space. The secondary floor is spaced above the primary floor a distance sufficient for the display of merchandise between the secondary and primary floors. The secondary floor is also exposed within the primary interior storage space. The access structure provides access between the primary floor and the secondary storage and display space. An excess number of merchandise items stored on the primary floor are stored in the secondary storage space and accessible via the access structure. |
| US07857099B2 |
Twin retractable for fall arrest
A retractable lanyard mechanism that includes a housing, a frame and a drum that is rotatably supported from the frame mounted within the housing. The drum includes a pair of spaced apart disks, the spaced apart disks being attached to opposite ends of a spool, each spaced apart disk having a perimeter including at least one sperrad. A locking bar that is pivotally mounted from the frame, the locking bar extending from the frame at a location next the perimeter of each of the spaced apart disks and is movable from an up position wherein the locking bar does not engage the sperrad on each of the spaced apart disks, and a down position wherein the locking bar engages the sperrad on each of the disks, the locking bar mechanism being movable from the up position to the down position by a momentum pawl mechanism that is mounted from the frame, so that rotation of both of the spaced apart disks is stopped by moving the locking bar to the down position in response to a level of momentum achieved by the momentum pawl mechanism. |
| US07857095B2 |
Device with trace emission for treatment of exhaust gas
This invention relates to a kind of devices with trace emission resulted for treatment of exhaust gas. The device comprises a vessel having only one opening that serves as inlet. At least two gas exchange sections in sequence are provided inside the vessel after inlet of exhaust gas, between two gas exchange sections there is a gas mixture chamber at their connection part. The gas exchange chamber at first gas exchange section has a through opening leading to outside atmosphere area. With this configuration, on entering into the gas exchange section, exhaust gas will be ejected inwards and causes very strong entrainment, which makes the gas chamber become vacuum and sucks air with oxygen from atmosphere into gas chamber via the through opening to atmosphere. Formed high-pressure gas is burned furiously with combustible gas in the gas chamber at next stage, and the remaining exhaust gas is transferred into next gas exchange section with very high-speed revolution occurring on exhaust gas and momentum transfer. The higher negative pressure is, the more gas is consumed. In this way, the exhaust gas will be treated and only trace emission, even no emission, will be resulted. |
| US07857092B2 |
Internal gear pump and power steering device
An internal gear pump has a first port opening into pumping chambers and provided at one side with respect to a first axis interconnecting a confinement portion of the pumping chambers having a maximum volumetric capacity and a deeply-meshed-engagement portion of the pumping chambers having a minimum volumetric capacity, a second port opening into the pumping chambers and provided at the opposite side with respect to the first axis, a first pressure introduction passage intercommunicating the first port and a first-port side area of a clearance space defined on an outer periphery of an outer rotor, and a second pressure introduction passage intercommunicating the second port and a second-port side area of the clearance space. The clearance space of a direction of a second axis perpendicular to the first axis is dimensioned to be greater than the clearance space of a direction of the first axis. |
| US07857088B2 |
Enhanced control of a transporter
A transporter that includes a platform for supporting a load and at least one primary ground-contacting element. The transporter includes an actuator for applying torque to the at least one primary ground-contacting element for propelling the transporter with respect to a surface. The transporter also includes a controller for controlling the actuator, the controller includes an input for receiving specification by a user of a desired direction of travel based on a position of a member with respect to a fiducial axis, a differentiator for calculating a rate of change of the position of the member with respect to the fiducial axis, and a processor for generating a yaw command signal based at least on the position of the member and the rate of change of the position of the member which is weighted based on the level of experience of the user. |
| US07857081B2 |
Control system and method for hybrid vehicle
A control system for a hybrid vehicle in which, even if during traveling of the hybrid vehicle, a battery defect arises in a high-voltage power source, battery-less emergency traveling can be achieved over a sufficiently long distance, and the steering assist force can be effectively prevented from changing rapidly during traveling. The control section includes high-voltage power source defect processing unit. During execution of a mode in which the high-voltage power source, is reduced so that the reduced voltage is supplied to an electric power steering device (EPS), when a defect occurs in the high-voltage power source, the high-voltage power source defect processing unit shifts to a mode in which the low voltage of a low-voltage power source is increased so that the increased voltage is supplied to the EPS. The high-voltage power source defect processing unit then disconnects the high-voltage power source and the driving circuit from each other. |
| US07857080B2 |
System for selectively consuming and storing electrical energy in a hybrid vehicle
A system for selectively consuming and storing electrical energy in a hybrid vehicle. The system includes an electric motor/generator unit having a rotary shaft and an internal combustion engine having a main shaft. A continuously variable transmission mechanically couples the electric motor/generator rotary shaft to the engine main shaft. A control circuit varies the amount of torque of the electric motor/generator unit rotary shaft between a negative and a positive value as a function of the operating condition of the vehicle. The control circuit also controls the transmission to vary the transmission ratio as a function of the engine operating conditions. |
| US07857075B2 |
Wellbore drilling system
A method related to restarting a drilling process includes the steps of applying a surface torque to a drill string in a borehole, detecting signals related to one of a torque and a rotational speed experienced at a bottom hole assembly, initiating drilling fluid flow, and lowering a drill bit to a bottom of the borehole. The surface torque or the drilling fluid flow is maintained or changed based on the signals related to the torque or rotational speed. |
| US07857069B2 |
System valve activation methods for deluge-like wet pipe sprinkler system
A method for activating a sprinkler system comprises maintaining a liquid extinguishant in system pipes under a standby pressure that is less than the operating pressure, determining an arrangement of the sprinklers that will control a fire, and opening the sprinkler system valve in response to a drop in pressure in each of the pipes to which at least one of the sprinklers of the arrangement is connected. An alternate method comprises providing a bypass around the system valve, and opening the system valve in response to (1) a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass and (2) a drop in pressure in the sprinkler system below a predetermined pressure. In a variation of the alternate method, the system valve is opened in response only to a predetermined flow of liquid extinguishant through the bypass. |
| US07857066B2 |
Downhole tools utilizing electroactive polymers for actuating release mechanisms
In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that may include: a tool configured to be conveyed into the wellbore by a conveying member; and an electro-active polymer device (“EAP device”) configured to connect the tool to the conveying member when the EAP device is in a first mode or position and disconnect the tool from the conveying member when the EAP device is in a second mode or position. In another aspect, a method for releasing a tool in a wellbore is provided which includes: releasably connecting an EAP device to a conveying member and the tool; conveying the tool in the wellbore with the conveying member; and electrically activating the EAP device to release the tool from the conveying member in the wellbore. |
| US07857063B2 |
Centraliser
There is disclosed an improved expandable centraliser (20;120;220;320), which may optionally also be adjustable, and a related downhole assembly and a method of completing a well. Previous art has suffered from a number of problems and essentially attempted to mitigate the effect of pipe expansion, i.e. using tension caused in the centraliser body. The centraliser (20;120;220;320) of the invention uses the expansion of the tubing to cause compressive forces, which are exerted over known distances to energise blades of the centraliser by using relative motion caused by said expansion. The expandable centraliser (20;120;220;320) comprises at least one first member (30;130;230;330), and at least one second member (35;135;235;335), wherein, in use, relative circumferential motion of the at least one first and second members (30,35;130,135;230,235;330,335) causes radial motion of at least one portion (40;140;240;340) of the expandable centraliser (20;120;220;320). |
| US07857062B2 |
Configurable wellhead system with permanent fracturing spool and method of use
A configurable wellhead system is used to efficiently accomplish well completion, re-completion or workover. The configurable wellhead system includes a permanent fracturing spool that is mounted to a casing head of the well and provides a high pressure seal around a top of a casing of the well. The permanent fracturing spool provides full-bore direct access to the casing without the use of a pressure isolation mandrel. A tubing head is mounted to a top of the permanent fracturing spool to complete the configurable wellhead system. A fracturing spool plug secured in a seal bore of the permanent fracturing spool permits equipment mounted above the permanent fracturing spool to be removed without killing the well or inserting a wireline casing plug. |
| US07857059B2 |
Apparatus for mitigating slugging in flowline systems
A system for mitigating slugging in the conveyance of hydrocarbons in a flowline includes a first portion of flowline that extends substantially longitudinally along a declining surface. The first flowline portion carries multiphase hydrocarbons. A second portion of flowline extends upward from adjacent the first portion of flowline, and is in fluid communication with the first portion of flowline. A slug-mitigating region is between the first and second portions of flowline so slug-mitigating assembly receives the hydrocarbons from the first portion of flowline and conveys the hydrocarbons to the second portion of flowline. The slug-mitigating region has consecutively joined tubular segments that are each arcuate along a predetermined arcuate angle, with substantially uniform cross-sections. The first portion of flowline can be a subsea flowline extending along a sea floor, and the second portion of flowline can be a riser. |
| US07857057B2 |
Method of fracturing hydrocarbon-bearing formation with coated porous polyolefin particulate
Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems. |
| US07857053B2 |
Control of the properties of cement slurries with optimized polymers combination
A cement slurry composition for cementing a well comprising: a hydraulic cement, water and a combination made of a hydroxyethyl cellulose and an acrylamido-methyl-propane sulfonate-acrylamide copolymer. Provided is also a method for cementing a well involving such cement slurry composition. The composition provides a solution to decouple the fluid-loss control and the slurry rheologyfor cement for slurry and particularly for extended cement slurry. |