Document Document Title
US07901842B2 Photomask blank and method of producing the same, method of producing photomask, and method of producing semiconductor device
It is provided a photomask blank that has good flatness when a light-shielding film is patterned and hence can provide a good mask pattern accuracy and a good pattern transfer accuracy, and a method of producing a photomask.A photomask blank of the present invention includes a light-shielding film containing at least chromium on a light-transmitting substrate. The light-shielding film is formed so as to cause a desired film stress in the direction opposite to that of a change in the film stress that is anticipated to be caused in the light-shielding film by heat treatment according to a resist film formed on the light-shielding film. A photomask is produced by patterning the light-shielding film of the photomask blank by dry etching.
US07901837B2 Structures for dense, crack free thin films
The process described herein provides a simple and cost effective method for making crack free, high density thin ceramic film. The steps involve depositing a layer of a ceramic material on a porous or dense substrate. The deposited layer is compacted and then the resultant laminate is sintered to achieve a higher density than would have been possible without the pre-firing compaction step.
US07901825B2 Direct type fuel cell power generator
A direct type fuel cell power generator comprises an anode electrode including an anode catalyst layer, a cathode electrode including a cathode catalyst layer, a fuel container comprising at least two electromotive portion units, each of which comprises an electrolyte film disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, the fuel container housing a fuel therein, and a fuel flow path to supply a fuel in the electromotive portion unit. In the power generator, the fuel flow path has a flow path which produces flow-back again from the fuel container to the first electromotive portion unit via the first electromotive portion unit and the second electromotive portion unit, and which is not branched during the flow-back.
US07901821B2 Stopping a fuel cell supplied with pure oxygen
A method for shutting down an electricity supply system comprising a fuel cell, the cell being supplied with pure oxygen as the combustive gas and delivering an electric voltage to an electric power line, the system comprising a fuel gas feed circuit on the anode side and an oxygen feed circuit on the cathode side, the oxygen feed circuit comprising means that enable the said oxygen feed circuit to be opened to the atmosphere and means for delivering a stop signal to a control unit of the fuel cell. The shutting down procedure is activated on reception of a stop signal and comprises an initial stage during which the supply of oxygen is interrupted, a consumption stage during which a sustained current is drawn from the fuel cell, a neutralisation phase during which the oxygen feed circuit is opened to the atmosphere, and a final stage during which the supply of hydrogen is interrupted.
US07901818B2 Hydrogen generator
Hydrogen generation materials are a complex hydride which generates hydrogen upon hydrolysis, and an aqueous solution comprising water for causing the hydrolysis, and an accelerator dissolved therein for accelerating a hydrogen generation reaction. A method of hydrogen generation by a hydrogen generator comprises a first step S1 of detecting that the internal pressure of a reactor is lower than a reference pressure, and supplying the aqueous accelerator solution to the reactor; a second step S2 of dissolving the complex hydride in the aqueous accelerator solution to cause a hydrogen generation reaction; and a third step S3 of detecting that the internal pressure of the reactor is higher than the reference pressure, and stopping the supply of the aqueous accelerator solution, and repeats the flow from the first step S1 to the third step S3.
US07901815B2 Fuel cell power generator utilizing substantially or completely closed water supply
A power generator has a hydrogen flow path through which moisture is induced to flow to a hydrogen-containing fuel that reacts with the moisture to produce hydrogen. The moisture passes to the hydrogen flow path through a water exchange membrane from a water vapor flow path. A fuel cell between the hydrogen flow path and the water vapor flow path reacts with the hydrogen in the hydrogen flow path to produce electricity, and to also principally produce the moisture in the water vapor flow path.
US07901806B2 Film-armored battery and method of manufacturing the battery
In a film-packed battery which stores a battery element (9) with packing films (8a, 8b) and sealed by heat-sealing heat-sealed surfaces of the packing films around the battery element, a heat-sealed portion (6) projecting toward a battery element is provided at part of a heat-sealed portion (5), and a gas releasing portion (7) is formed close to the projecting heat-sealed portion. A pressure safety valve for safely releasing a gas to the outside when the gas is generated in the battery is provided without lowering the reliability of the battery.
US07901805B2 Magnetic recording medium and method of producing the same
A magnetic recording medium, which comprises: a nonmagnetic support; and a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic powder and a binder, wherein an average surface roughness (Ra) at a center of a surface of the magnetic layer measured by using an atomic force microscope (AFM) is 2 nm or less, the maximum height (Rmax) thereof is 50 nm or less, and an arithmetic average of phase difference between a drive signal and a response signal of a probe measured with the atomic force microscope in a tapping mode is from 2 to 20°, and a method of producing the same.
US07901804B2 Ferroelectric media manufacturing method thereof and information storage device using the same
A ferroelectric medium, a manufacturing method thereof and an information storage device are disclosed. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: forming an electrode layer on a substrate; forming an insulation layer on the electrode; and forming on the insulation layer a ferroelectric layer. Dielectric breakdown does not occur at a high voltage by forming the insulation layer.
US07901803B2 Perpendicular magnetic recording medium, manufacturing method therefor, and magnetic read/write apparatus using the same
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes: a substrate; at least one underlayer formed above the substrate; and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer formed above the at least one underlayer, an easy magnetization axis of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer being oriented perpendicular to the substrate, the perpendicular magnetic recording layer including magnetic crystal particles and grain boundaries surrounding the magnetic crystal particles, wherein the grain boundaries contain an oxide of silicon and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Sr, and Ba, and the ratio of a total amount of substance of Si, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Sr, and Ba in the perpendicular magnetic recording layer is no less than 1 mol % and no more than 20 mol %.
US07901795B2 OLEDs doped with phosphorescent compounds
Organic light emitting devices are disclosed which are comprised of a heterostructure for producing electroluminescence wherein the heterostructure is comprised of an emissive layer containing a phosphorescent dopant compound. For example, the phosphorescent dopant compound may be comprised of platinum octaethylporphine (PtOEP), which is a compound having the chemical structure with the formula:
US07901794B2 Material for light-emitting element and light emitting element
The present invention is a light-emitting device material characterized by containing a pyrene compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 to R10 are specific functional groups, provided that at least one of the R1 to R10 is a substituent represented by the following general formula (2): wherein R11 to R14 are specific functional groups, provided that any one of the R11 to R14 is used for a single bond with a pyrene skeleton; X1 is a group represented by the following general formula (3): wherein R15 is a specific functional group; and Y1 to Y4 is selected from among a nitrogen atom and a carbon atom, provided that at least one of the Y1 to Y4 is a nitrogen atom and at least one thereof is a carbon atom, and no substituents exist on the nitrogen atom in the case of the nitrogen atom. This material provides a light-emitting device having high luminous efficiency and excellent durability.
US07901793B2 Organic light-emitting compound and organic light-emitting device containing the same
Provided are an organic light-emitting compound of Formula 1 and an organic light-emitting device using the organic light-emitting compound: where Ar, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are the same as defined in the detailed description. The organic light-emitting device manufactured using the organic light-emitting compound has a low turn-on voltage and high efficiency and color purity.
US07901784B2 Optical waveguide, optical transmitter and receiver module, and laminated structure
An optical waveguide in which a groove is formed on the top surface of a substrate used as a lower clad and a core is formed in the groove, characterized in that the core is formed in such a way that the top face of the core within the groove is at a lower level than the top face of the substrate, and an upper clad may also be provided on the core, and the core is preferably formed from an organic-inorganic hybrid material.
US07901781B2 Low emissivity coating with low solar heat gain coefficient, enhanced chemical and mechanical properties and method of making the same
The invention provides low-emissivity stacks being characterized by a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), enhanced aesthetics, mechanical and chemical durability, and a tolerance for tempering or heat strengthening. The invention moreover provides low-emissivity coatings comprising, in order outward from the substrate a first dielectric layer; a first nucleation layer; a first Ag layer; a first barrier layer; a second dielectric layer; a second nucleation layer; a second Ag layer; a second barrier layer; a third dielectric layer; and optionally, a topcoat layer, and methods for depositing such coatings on substrates.
US07901780B2 Polymer interlayers comprising blends of plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) and poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene terephthalate) copolyester
It has now been discovered, according to the present invention, that interlayers comprising a blend of plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) and poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene terephthalate) copolyester can be used to form interlayers having a pearly white appearance. Such interlayers are useful in applications in which a colored multiple layer glass interlayer is desirable.
US07901778B2 Weatherable multilayer film
A multilayer polymer film includes first and second polymer layers. The first polymer layer includes a first ultraviolet radiation absorber. The second polymer layer overlies the first polymer layer and includes a second ultraviolet radiation absorber. The first ultraviolet radiation absorber has a peak absorbtivity wavelength less than 300 nm and the second ultraviolet radiation absorber has a peak absorbtivity wavelength greater than 300 nm.
US07901776B2 Plasma deposited microporous carbon material
A microporous carbon material includes a porous carbon skeleton having an average pore size from 0.1 to 10 nanometers and being substantially free of pores greater than 1 micrometer. Methods of forming the microporous carbon material are also disclosed.
US07901774B2 Coated dental powders
The present invention relates to an inorganic dental powder, coated with at least one layer comprising inorganic and/or organic substances or consisting thereof, and to a process for its preparation.
US07901772B2 Microcapsule and method of producing same
A microcapsule which is able to stably retain a benefit agent such as a volatile substance for an extended period, and which is also suitable for encapsulating fragrances and the like. Such capsule encapsulates a mixture comprising a volatile substance, and an additive that has a higher melting point than the volatile substance and is able to undergo mutual dissolution with the volatile substance, wherein the mixture exhibits a melting point range, and a portion of, or all of, that melting point range falls within a range from −20 to 60° C. The present invention also relates to consumer products including cleaning and/or treatment compositions comprising such microcapsules, and processes of making and using same.
US07901771B2 Reverse phase hydrophilic polymers and their use in water-expandable elastomeric compositions
Water-swellable compositions, dispersions and polymer microparticles for their preparation as well as their manufactures and uses are described.
US07901769B2 Corrosion-resistant glasses for steel enamels
A cementitious composite material wherein glass-coated steel rods are positioned in a cementitious matrix. The glass composition for coating the steel reinforcing rods includes between about 33-45 weight percent SiO2, 13.5-19.5 weight percent B2O3, 3.5-4.6 weight percent Al2O3, 4.0-13.5 weight percent K2O, 5.5-15.5 weight percent ZrO2, 8.6-15.9 weight percent Na2O, 4.6-5.1 weight percent CaO, 0.6-0.7 weight percent MnO2, 1.0-1.0 weight percent NiO, and 1.0-1.1 weight percent CoO. The glass composition is typically in compression on the rods at ambient temperatures, has a coefficient of thermal expansion of between about 12.5 and about 13.5, and has a softening temperature of between about 585 degrees Celsius and about 600 degrees Celsius.
US07901768B2 Multilayer anisotropic conductive adhesive and connection structure using the same
A multilayer anisotropic conductive adhesive a plurality of adhesive layers that are laminated, each of which contains an insulating resin and a hardening agent. The conductive particles are contained either in a first plurality of adhesive layers or in a second plurality of adhesive layers, and at least the top or bottom adhesive layer has the DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) exothermic peak temperature of 130° C. or more and 180° C. or less. Also, a connection structure is constructed in which a first electronic component having an electrode and an insulating film on the surface thereof and a second electronic component that has an electrode on the surface thereof are electrically connected through the multilayer anisotropic conductive adhesive.
US07901764B2 Multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed body and multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed molded article
An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed body of a crystalline polylactic acid resin which has good appearance and excellent mechanical strength such as bending strength and compressive strength and which is capable of being imparted with excellent heat resistance, and to provide a multi-layered polylactic acid resin foamed molded article having excellent appearance, heat resistance and mechanical strengh. The multi-layered polylactic acid resien foamed body of the present invention is a laminate having a polylactic acid resin foamed layer and a thermoplastic resin layer provided at least one side of the foamed layer, wherein the foamed layer has a cell shape satisfying specific conditions, wherein the difference (ΔHendo:2° C./min−ΔHexo:2° C./min) between an endothermic calorific value (ΔHendo:2° C./min) and an exothermic calorific value (ΔHexo:2° C./min) of the foamed layer as measured by heat flux differential scanning calorimetry at a heating rate of 2° C./min is less than 40 J/g, and wherein the endothermic calorific value (ΔHendo:2° C./min) is at least 10 J/g and the exothermic calorific value (ΔHexo:2° C./min) is at least 3 J/g.
US07901763B2 Porous infusible polymer parts
Porous infusible polymer (IP) parts are made by incorporating 0.2 to 10 volume percent organic fibers, preferably with short lengths, into the particulate IP, consolidating the mixture under pressure and optionally heating, and then “burning off” the fibers. After the fibers are burned off the resulting part has porosity in which the pores are elongated, usually retaining the shape of the organic fibers. When these parts are exposed to moisture (which they usually absorb) and then suddenly heated they tend not to blister from vaporization of the water. This makes them useful as parts for aircraft (jet) and other engines and other applications where sudden temperature increase may occur.
US07901761B1 Hermetic vias utilizing metal-metal oxides
The invention is a hermetic via in a ceramic substrate that is comprised of noble metal powder in a glass-free paste that contains an admixture of a particulate phase of niobium pentoxide. The electrically conductive platinum provides excellent electrical conductivity while the niobium pentoxide phase prevents shrinkage of the paste during thermal processing and binds to both the ceramic and the noble metal particulates in the via, thus maintaining a hermetic seal around the via.
US07901760B2 Laminate assembly and method of manufacture
A laminate assembly comprises a base layer, a substantially transparent inclusion layer disposed above the base layer and having a plurality of included objects disposed within the inclusion layer, and a substantially transparent top layer disposed above the inclusion layer. The base layer, inclusion layer, and top layer are formed in succession.
US07901758B2 Laminates of films having improved resistance to bending in all directions and methods and apparatus for their manufacture
The present invention relates to a flexible laminate of films of thermoplastic polymer material mainly for applications in which relatively high yield strength and ultimate tensile strength is required, and a method and apparatus for its manufacture. The laminate comprises a monofilm formed or multifilm-formed ply (A) and another monofilm-formed or multifilm formed ply (B) both mainly consisting of orientable thermoplastic polymer material, in which A has a fluted configuration and B on a first side is adhesively bonded in bonding zones to the crests on a first side of A, in which B also has a fluted configuration, the flute direction of B forming an angle from generally about 30° up to and including 90° to the flute direction of A and the said bonding zones being on the crests of the first side of B to produce spot bonding with the crests on the first side of A, the wavelengths of the flutes in A and/or B are no longer than 5 mm, and the wavelengths of the flutes in both A and B are less than 10 mm.
US07901752B2 Advanced battery paster belt
A belt designed for lead acid battery plate pasting that is rendered dimensionally stable and incompressible and is also rendered hydrophobic to allow water handling without absorption and subsequent contamination of lead oxide into the structure.
US07901751B2 Interchangeable sleeve for embossing rollers or the like, method for the production thereof, and roller comprising said sleeve
The interchangeable sleeve comprises: a substantially cylindrical outer surface (105A); a layer of hardened resin (R); a substantially conical inner surface for connection to a conical central core of the roller. The inner surface is formed at least partially of at least one inner component (102) having greater rigidity than said hardened resin. The inner component is constrained to the sleeve by means of said hardened resin.
US07901742B2 Method for forming metal oxide fine particle layer on conductive substrate
A method for forming a metal oxide fine particle layer, by which a metal oxide fine particle layer having uniformity and excellent in adhesion, abrasion resistance, strength, etc. can be formed easily compared with the conventional plating method, CVD method, liquid coating method, electrodeposition method or the like. The method comprises immersing a conductive substrate in a dispersion of metal oxide fine particles and fibrous fine particles and applying a direct-current voltage to the conductive substrate and the dispersion. The fibrous fine particles have a length (L) of 50 nm to 10 μm, a diameter (D) of 10 nm to 2 μm and an aspect ratio (L)/(D) of 5 to 1,000. The content of the fibrous fine particles in the dispersion is in the range of 0.1 to 20% by weight in terms of solids content, based on the metal oxide fine particles.
US07901740B2 Methods to produce stretchable products
The invention provides methods for producing flexible, stretchable, and/or elastic products comprised principally of material such as natural elastomers and other synthetic polymers. The method for producing stretchable products by spraying product material over a workpiece former, and method for creating perforated products by spraying product material over fibres in an upright position. The invention provides methods for making double sided fibre coating of the product and, or to at least coating the product surface on the side facing the wall without the need for removing the product from the wall.
US07901736B2 Multilayer material and method of preparing same
The invention relates to a multilayer material deposited by ALD. A multi-layer structure of a high refractive index material is deposited on a substrate using ALD at a temperature below about 450° C. Advantageous results are obtained when a high refractive index material A is coated with another material B after a certain thickness of material A has been achieved. Thus, the B barrier layer stops the tendency for material A to crystallize. The amorphous structure gives rise to less optical loss. Further, the different stress nature of materials A and B may be utilized to achieve a final optical material with minimal stress. The thickness of each material B layer is less than that of the adjacent A layer(s). The total effective refractive index of the high refractive index material A+B being shall be greater than 2.20 at a wavelength of 600 nm. Titanium oxide and aluminium oxide are preferred A and B materials. The structure is useful for optical coatings.
US07901729B2 Method of manufacturing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive device
There is disclosed a piezoelectric/electrostrictive porcelain composition capable of manufacturing, at a comparatively low sintering temperature, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body which is dense and superior in crystallinity and which has satisfactory piezoelectric/electrostrictive characteristics so that deviation of the composition is not easily generated. The piezoelectric/electrostrictive porcelain composition contains as a major component a piezoelectric/electrostrictive porcelain composition component including a PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3—PbZrO3—PbTiO3 ternary solid solution system composition and NiO or including a Pb(Mg, Ni)1/3Nb2/3O3—PbZrO3—PbTiO3 ternary solid solution system composition, and further contains lead germanate.
US07901727B2 Reinforced porous coating
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a porous coating with structures in the micro or nano-size domain characterized by the following steps: —providing a support having a surface, —depositing on said surface one mono-layer of temporary particles, —depositing a coating on said temporary particles in such a way that the thickness of said coating is less than the particle diameter, —eliminating said temporary particles and thereby obtaining a porous coating, the pores of said coating corresponding to the spaces previously occupied by the temporary particles and at least a part of the pores communicating with the external environment, —applying a coating fixation step, characterized by the fact that said temporary particles are deposited on said surface in such a way that, after particle deposition, more than 50% of the temporary particles are in contact with a maximum of two adjacent particles and otherwise are separated by an empty space. The invention also concerns a coating and an object which can be obtained with this process.
US07901726B2 Porous medical articles for therapeutic agent delivery
According to an aspect of the present invention a method is provided which a porous medical article is contacted with a solution that contains a therapeutic agent and a solvent in order to load the pores of the medical article, after which the solvent is sublimated.
US07901725B2 Production of gluten-free food products using timothy grass
The present invention discloses novel methods of using Phleum spp. seeds, especially Timothy grass (P. pratense L.) seeds, for making gluten-free food products and the food products produced using such methods.
US07901723B2 Food tray
A food tray adapted to be removably located in a predetermined position in a compartment is provided having a tray body and a fixed movable stop member. The tray body includes a first end and a second end, a bottom and a sidewall structure defining a volume. The fixed movable stop member is located at one end of the tray body and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the tray is inserted in the compartment in the predetermined position, the fixed movable stop member is in the extended position and restrains further insertion of the tray into the compartment. A method of making a food tray in accordance with the invention is provided. Also provided is a method of storing food within a food tray to be contained in a pass-through compartment.
US07901717B1 Alkalizing compositions and methods for using the same
An alkalizing composition comprising calcium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, potassium bicarbonate, and dicalcium phosphate. The alkalizing composition may further comprise any one or a combination of magnesium hydroxide, tricalcium phosphate, vitamin, a binder, sea minerals and water. The alkalizing compositions may be formulated as an antacid, a nutritional or dietary supplement, or a sports beverage. The alkalizing composition may be used in methods to buffer garlic. The buffered garlic compositions produced in accordance with the methods provides high allicin yield under acidic conditions. The alkalizing compositions may also be used in methods to enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables.
US07901714B2 Treatment modalities for autoimmune diseases
Compositions of reduced isoalpha acids, vitamins and minerals are disclosed as well as methods of using the same for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Additional combinations including other compounds are also contemplated. Synergistic properties and methods exploiting such synergy are also disclosed.
US07901708B2 Liposomal apparatus and manufacturing methods
The present invention provides apparatus and processes for producing liposomes. By providing a buffer solution in a first reservoir, and a lipid solution in a second reservoir, continuously diluting the lipid solution with the buffer solution in a mixing chamber produces a liposome. The lipid solution preferably comprises an organic solvent, such as a lower alkanol.
US07901704B2 Embolization
Articles and methods that include a particle having a maximum dimension of at most 5,000 microns, and an embolic coil capable of binding to the particle, are disclosed.
US07901703B2 Polycationic peptides for cardiovascular therapy
Implantable medical devices including polycationic peptide coatings are disclosed.
US07901702B2 Implantable or insertable medical devices for controlled delivery of a therapeutic agent
The present invention is directed to novel implantable or insertable medical devices that provide controlled release of a therapeutic agent. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a therapeutic-agent-releasing medical device is provided, which comprises: (a) an implantable or insertable medical device; (b) a release layer disposed over at least a portion of the implantable or insertable medical device; and (c) a therapeutic agent. The release layer comprises a styrene copolymer and at least one additional polymer. The release layer regulates the rate of release of the therapeutic agent from the medical device upon implantation or insertion of the device into a patient. The present invention is also directed to methods of forming the above implantable or insertable medical devices, methods of administering a therapeutic agent to a patient using such devices, and methods of modulating the release of therapeutic agent from such devices.
US07901699B2 Cosmetic composition and cosmetics
Liquid cleansing oils capable of mixing well with old makeup and being easily rinsed off with water have come into the mainstream in recent years. An object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic composition which easily mixes with old makeup, enables the old makeup to be lifted off rapidly, demonstrates superior cleansing strength even if the skin is wet, demonstrates satisfactory ease of rinsing, has a satisfactory feel during use without leaving an oily sensation after washing, and demonstrates superior moisture dispersivity. The present invention achieves this object by comprising a nonionic surfactant and a polyvalent alcohol fatty acid ester of a fatty acid having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and a polyvalent alcohol having 2 to 4 hydroxyl groups; wherein, the total amount of monoester and diester in the ester is 50% or more, and the weight ratio of monoester to diester is 4 or less.
US07901689B2 Chimeric peptides as immunogens, antibodies thereto, and methods for immunization using chimeric peptides or antibodies
The invention provides a chimeric peptide or mixture of chimeric peptides that can be formulated as an immunizing composition and used in a method for immunization of a mammal against an internal peptide cleavage product derived from a precursor or mature protein, for which the peptide cleavage product and the precursor or mature protein are self molecules. The chimeric peptide or peptides have an end-specific B cell epitope from a naturally-occurring internal peptide cleavage product of a precursor or mature protein, as a free N- or C-terminus, fused with or without spacer residues to a T helper cell epitope derived from a living source different from that of the internal peptide cleavage product.
US07901678B2 Medicinal compositions containing Fc receptor γ chain activator
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions composing, as an active ingredient, a substance capable of activating the γ chain of Fc receptors (FcRγ) (provided that the substance is not an immunoglobulin for intravenous injection), and agents for stimulating myelinogenesis. The invention also provides agents for stimulating the differentiation of oligodendroglial precursor cells, agents for activating Fyn tyrosine kinase, and agents for stimulating the expression of myelin basic protein, all comprising a substance capable of activating FcRγ as an active ingredient. Further, the invention provides a method of detecting myelinogenetic oligodendroglias or precursor cells thereof which comprises using the expression of FcRγ in oligodendroglias or precursor cells thereof as an indicator.
US07901674B2 Aldehyde-fixed platelets with internalized paramagnetic or magnetic nanoparticles
Fixed-dried blood cells carrying an active agent are described, along with methods of making the same, methods of using the same, and compositions containing the sane. The blood cells may be red blood cells or blood platelets.
US07901667B2 Bridgehead labelled compounds and methods of using the same
The present invention relates to compounds having the general formula: Y-L-BFR-X wherein BFR is a bridged fused ring system; Y is a targeting group; L is optionally present and is a linker for coupling Y to BFR; and X is halogen (e.g., radiohalogen) or a functional group for labelling.
US07901662B2 Steam generation apparatus and method
Provided herein is a process for generating steam comprising supplying a first stream to a steam reformer to produce a second stream comprising essentially 100% steam such that the molecular composition of the first stream is identical to the molecular composition of second stream, wherein the steam reformer comprises a reformer inlet in fluid communication with a reformer outlet, and at least one tube arranged between, and in fluid communication with the reformer inlet and the reformer outlet; and wherein the at least one tube is in thermal communication with a furnace of the steam reformer. A steam reformer for producing steam is also disclosed.
US07901657B2 Amphiphilic nanoparticles
The invention relates to amphiphilic, nanoscalar particles comprising lipophilic hydrolyzable groups on their surface. The invention also relates to methods for producing amphiphilic, nanoscalar particles and to compositions containing said particles.
US07901653B2 Spherical carbon nanostructure and method for producing spherical carbon nanostructures
A method for producing carbon nanostructures according to the invention includes injecting acetylene gas into a reactant liquid. The injected acetylene molecules are then maintained in contact with the reactant liquid for a period of time sufficient to break the carbon-hydrogen bonds in at least some of the acetylene molecules, and place the liberated carbon ions in an excited state. This preferred method further includes enabling the liberated carbon ions in the excited state to traverse a surface of the reactant liquid and enter a collection area. Collection surfaces are provided in the collection area to collect carbon nanostructures.
US07901652B2 Method of producing porous silica-based particles
Porous silica-based particles with relatively larger average diameter of 1 micron or more and a low particle density are prepared. The method includes the steps of (a) preparing two-layer separated liquid including an organic silicon compound layer and a water layer, then adding an organic solvent, an alkali, and a surfactant into the water layer while agitating at least the water layer so that the organic silicon compound layer and the water layer are not completely mixed with each other, further hydrolyzing and/or partial hydrolyzing the organic silicon compound in the mixed aqueous solution to prepare silica-based particle precursors, (b) adding sodium aluminate into the mixed aqueous solution containing the silica-based particle precursors and then preparing silica-based particles having pores, cavities or voids inside the particles, and (c) washing and drying the silica-based particles. The particles are useful for various applications such as microcapsules, adsorbents, catalysts, and so on.
US07901648B2 Method for the decomposition of N2O, catalyst therefor and preparation of this catalyst
The invention relates to a method for the catalytic decomposition of N2O in a gas containing N2O in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises a zeolite that has been loaded with a first metal selected from the group of noble metals consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, silver, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum and gold, and with a second metal selected from the group of transition metals consisting of chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper, and wherein the loading of the zeolite with metals has been obtained by first loading the zeolite with the noble metal and then with the transition metal, as well as a catalyst for this method and a method for the preparation of this catalyst.
US07901645B2 Mercury reduction system and mercury reduction method of flue gas containing mercury
A mercury reduction system according to the present embodiment is a mercury reduction system that reduces NOx and Hg in flue gas discharged from a boiler, and includes a chemical supplying unit that mixes an NH4Cl solution, an NH3 solution, and an HCl solution in liquid states, and supplies a mixed solution into a flue provided downstream of the boiler, a reduction denitration apparatus that includes a denitration catalyst reducing NOx in the flue gas with NH3 and oxidizing Hg in the presence of HCl, and a wet desulfurization apparatus that reduces Hg oxidized in the reduction denitration apparatus with limestone-gypsum slurry.
US07901643B2 Flow channel device and sensor unit for assay in utilizing attenuated total reflection
A sensor unit for use in a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay includes a flow channel device, which causes a sample fluid of a sample to flow on a sensing surface lying on a prism. The flow channel device includes a rigid device body part having an opposing surface positioned opposite to the sensing surface. A flow recess is formed in the opposing surface, closed by the prism to constitute a flow channel, for covering the sensing surface. A sealant portion is overlaid on an edge portion of the opposing surface and the flow recess in the device body part. The sealant portion tightens closing between the device body part and the prism. Also, the sealant portion projects over the opposing surface of the device body part in a state before contacting the prism. In addition, the sealant portion is formed from material having a small non-specific adsorption.
US07901637B2 Device for exhaust emission purification for vehicles and production method thereof
An exhaust emission purification device including a catalyst body with a plurality of flow channels extending between an intake side and a discharge side of the catalyst body. Further, the catalyst body is formed using a sintered catalyst material.
US07901636B2 Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.
US07901634B2 Apparatus and methods for processing biological samples and a reservoir therefor
An apparatus for processing at least one biological sample accommodated on at least one carrier member (15) in a chamber includes at least one reservoir (18) able to accommodate a fluid arranged on a surface inside the chamber adjacent to and/or facing a substantial part of the at least one biological sample. The apparatus may comprise a bottom member (12) arranged to support at least one carrier member (15) carrying at least one biological sample and a lid (14) including at least one fluid reservoir (18). The reservoir filled with water provides humidity to the chamber and impedes drying out of the sample.
US07901633B2 Quantitative cell dispensing apparatus using liquid drop manipulation
Provided is a quantitative cell dispensing apparatus using liquid droplet manipulation, for quantitatively dispensing cells from hydrophilic suspension containing a plurality of cells. The quantitative cell dispensing apparatus includes hydrophilic suspension, a liquid droplet manipulation unit, a dispensing unit, a sensing unit, and a control unit. The hydrophilic suspension includes a plurality of cells and electrolyte, and the liquid droplet manipulation unit. The liquid droplet manipulation unit includes an inlet and a liquid droplet outlet portion. The dispensing unit discharges a liquid droplet received from the liquid droplet outlet portion to a target portion. The sensing unit optically senses liquid droplets distributed on a panel of the liquid droplet manipulation unit. The control unit analyses the number of cells contained in each liquid droplet using a single sensed by the sensing unit, and controls the liquid droplet manipulation unit to transfer a liquid droplet containing a predetermined number of cells to the liquid droplet outlet portion.
US07901625B2 System for performing diabetes self-care
A system for performing diabetes self-care using at least two devices in communication with one another, comprising (a) a blood glucose monitoring device, including (i) a receptacle for receiving an amount of blood sufficient for the monitoring device to run a blood glucose test sequence, (ii) processing circuitry for controlling a blood glucose test sequence and computing a blood glucose level, (iii) a power source for powering the blood glucose monitoring device, and (b) a portable microprocessor-based device directly coupled with the blood glucose monitoring device for receiving blood glucose test results directly from the blood glucose monitoring device, including (i) a microprocessor that runs according to program instructions stored in a memory for performing analysis of the blood glucose test results, and detecting a need for a change in insulin dosage, (ii) a memory for (A) recording the recorded blood glucose test results, (B) containing programming for establishing a data protocol that allows digital data signal processing, (C) performing analysis of blood glucose, and (D) storing time and date tagged glucose test results and calibration information.
US07901624B2 Device for automatically adjusting the bacterial inoculum level of a sample
Various embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a system and method for automatically adjusting the inoculum level of a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention may measure a concentration of particles present in a preliminary sample using a sensor device and determine an amount of diluent to be added to or removed from a sample container to prepare a sample having a selected concentration of particles, corresponding to a selected inoculum level. Embodiments of the present invention may also automatically add or remove the diluent using an automated fluidics system so as to prepare a sample having the selected particle concentration. Once the selected particle concentration is achieved and verified, some embodiments may also remove at least a portion of the sample from the sample container such that the container contains a selected volume of the sample.
US07901618B2 Integrated control and distribution system for the decontamination of large volume convoluted configuration spaces
A large convoluted space, such as a multi-story concourse of an airport is isolated and a chemical or biological agent in the concourse is deactivated. A plurality of deactivation gas sources (100) introduce a deactivation gas at multiple points along the concourse. Fans (66, 106) circulate the deactivation gas, sensors (110) sense concentrations of the deactivation gas at numerous points around the concourse and exhaust fans (66) exhaust air, spent deactivation gas, and some deactivation gas. A control processor (84) controls the generators, the circulation fans, and the exhaust fans in accordance with the gas concentrations sensed by the sensors to increase and decrease deactivation gas concentration in selected subregions of the concourse by increasing or decreasing generation, increasing or decreasing exhausting, or altering flow patterns among subregions.
US07901615B2 Moulding device and production process
A production process includes providing an envelope and a mould, introducing the material to be moulded in the mould, placing the mould in the envelope, creating a low pressure in the envelope, and deforming the mould.
US07901602B2 Expandable styrene-modified olefin resin particle, pre-expanded particle, and process for producing molded foam
According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing expandable styrene-modified olefin-based resin particles comprising steps of: impregnating styrene-modified olefin-based resin particles with an easily volatile blowing agent to obtain expandable resin particles, and impregnating 100 parts by weight of the expandable resin particles with 0.1 to 2.0 parts by weight of a surfactant at a temperature of 10 to 30° C. and at a pressure of 0.05 to 0.30 MPa, to obtain expandable styrene-modified olefin-based resin particles.
US07901594B2 Polyacene derivatives and production thereof
The present invention relates to polyacene derivatives represented by general formula (I) below: (wherein R1 to R10, etc. each represents hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon group, or an alkoxy group; A1 and A2 are hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, an alkoxy group, cyano group, etc.; n is an integer of not less than 1; R6 and R7 may be linked to each other to form a ring); and a process for preparing the polyacene derivatives from polyhydro compounds as well as electrically conductive materials comprising the polyacene derivatives. According to the process for preparing the polyacene derivatives of the present invention, optional substituents can be introduced into any carbon atoms of the polyacene, and the number of aromatic rings can be increased.
US07901591B2 Bifunctional polymerizable compound, liquid crystal composition, optical anisotropic material and optical element
A bifunctional polymerizable compound represented by the following formula: A-E1-E2-(E3)k-E4-B wherein A is CH2═CR1—COO-(L1)m-; B is CH2═CR2—COO-(L2)n-; each of R1 and R2 which are independent of each other, is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; each of L1 and L2 is —(CH2)P— wherein p is each independently an integer of from 2 to 8, each of m and n which are independent of each other, is 0 or 1, provided that when at least one of m and n is 1, there may be an etheric oxygen atom between the carbon-carbon linkage of —(CH2)P— or at the terminal on the side bonded to E1 or E4, and at least one hydrogen atom may be substituted by a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or a methyl group; each of E1 and E4 is a 1,4-phenylene group; and one of E2 and E3 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group and the other is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group or a 1,4-phenylene group, k is 0 or 1, provided that when k is 0, E2 is a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, and the 1,4-phenylene group and the trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group as E1 to E4 may be each independently such that at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom(s) constituting the cyclic group may be substituted by a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or a methyl group.
US07901588B2 MRAM wet etch method
An etching process is employed to selectively pattern the top magnetic film layer, the tunnel barrier, and the pinned bottom magnetic layer of a magnetic thin film structure. The pinned bottom magnetic film layer has an antiferromagnetic layer or a Ru spacer formed thereunder. The etching process employs various etching steps that selectively remove various layers of the magnetic thin film structure stopping on the antiferromagnetic layer or the Ru spacer. The progress of this etching process can be monitored by measuring the electrochemical potential difference of a part or wafer containing a magnetic structure with respect to a reference electrode simultaneously with the selective etching process.
US07901584B2 Plasma concentration
A plasma concentrator having a concentrator chamber, concentrator gel beads, a filter, and an agitator. The agitator end is positioned in the concentrator chamber and supported for rotation about its central axis and for reciprocal movement along its central axis. A filter is selected to block effective flow of plasma therethrough under ambient gravity conditions and permit plasma and plasma concentrate flow therethrough under centrifugal forces of the separation gravity. A method concentrates plasma by removing water without significantly denaturing the fibrinogen in the plasma. Then centrifugal force can be applied to the concentrated plasma in an amount sufficient to separate a substantial portion of the plasma concentrate from the beads.
US07901582B2 Phosphorus recovery method and phosphorus recovery system
A phosphorus recovery method and a phosphorus recovery system which can make equipment size small, and can be added easily also to an existing wastewater treatment facility, and can recover phosphorus by low cost, are provided. A phosphorus compound adsorption material includes a nitrogen containing compound which has an amino group at an end of molecular structure, a carrier supporting the nitrogen containing compound, and zinc ion or iron ion fixed to the nitrogen containing compound. After passing water to be treated containing phosphorus to an adsorption tower filled up with this phosphorus compound adsorption material to make phosphorus stick to the phosphorus compound adsorption material, a drug solution for desorption is supplied to the adsorption tower, and phosphorus is desorbed in liquid and is recovered.
US07901580B2 Method, apparatus, and processes for producing potable water utilizing reverse osmosis at ocean depth in combination with shipboard moisture dehumidification
Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source. When used in conjunction with a ship, part or all of the reverse osmosis subsystem can be submersed to a depth sufficient to generate a hydrostatic pressure that is in turn sufficient to passively operate the reverse osmosis membrane such that additional pressurizing equipment, such as a pump, is not needed. Furthermore, the temperature of the water purified by the reverse osmosis subsystem may be low enough to be used as a condensing agent for the ambient humid air passing through the dehumidification subsystem.
US07901577B2 Brackish and sea water desalination using a hybrid ion exchange-nanofiltration process
Desalination is carried out by a hybrid ion exchange-nanofiltration process in which ion exchange is followed by pressure-driven nanofiltration. Monovalent ions of sodium and chloride of saline water are exchanged for equivalent concentrations of poly-valent ions (for example, sodium ions for magnesium ions or chloride ions for sulfate ions) when passed through ion exchangers in the form of those poly-valent ions. The resultant solution has a lower osmotic pressure than the initial solution containing monovalent sodium and chloride ions, and requires less transmembrane pressure for membrane desalination compared to traditional reverse osmosis. The concentrated reject stream from the membrane process is used as regenerant for the exhausted ion exchanger, which has been converted to monovalent anionic or cationic form.
US07901575B2 Soup and sauce grease remover
A simple device, skimmer or utensil perfect for removing unwanted fat, impurities or foam from excess starch accumulated on the surface of soups, stocks, sauces, stews, or boiling pasta; wherein the skimmer is slowly inserted into the cooked liquid and by gently rotating its handle back and forth and gradually dipping the plate into the liquid, the fat, grease, or unwanted foam is spilled onto its holding plate; thus, removing from the cooked food unhealthy fat and/or other unwanted impurities.
US07901571B2 Apparatus for the incorporation of a dry treatment product into a liquid waste
A flow-through mixing apparatus for incorporating a dry treatment product into a waste stream. The apparatus comprises a pump for directing a liquid waste from a storage pit/tank, a mixer that receives the liquid waste from the pump, and a valve downstream of the mixer for either recirculating the liquid waste back to the storage pit/tank via a recirculation conduit, or directing the liquid waste to a discharge conduit. The mixer comprising a jet nozzle, a venturi tube and a high-shear assembly. The recirculation conduit establishes a calibration loop for determining the appropriate treatment regimen based on the characteristics of the waste liquid. The recirculation conduit also permits the homogenization of the pit/tank contents prior to addition of the dry treatment product. The dry treatment product introduced in the region of the mixer is subjected high shear forces, thereby incorporating the dry treatment product into the waste stream with increased dispersion and reduced agglomeration.
US07901570B2 Powered cartridges and other devices within housings
The present invention describes a system and method for supplying electrical power to a device, such as a filter element, located within a housing. In one embodiment, a conductive coil is embedded into the housing base, and a second coil is embedded into the filter element. Current is then passed through the coil in the housing base. Through induction, a current is created in the second coil in the filter element, in much the same way as a transformer functions. This inductive field may interfere with the operation of the various electronic functions, such as communications, sensing or other activities. To overcome this issue, an energy storage component, such as a capacitor, is included in the filter electronics. In this way, the power generated by the inductive field can be stored, and used when the inductive field is no longer present.
US07901568B2 Process for converting carbon-based energy carrier material
A process is disclosed process for converting a solid or highly viscous carbon-based energy carrier material to liquid and gaseous reaction products, said process comprising the steps of: a) contacting the carbon-based energy carrier material with a particulate catalyst material b) converting the carbon-based energy carrier material at a reaction temperature between 200° C. and 450° C., preferably between 250° C. and 350° C., thereby forming reaction products in the vapor phase. In a preferred embodiment the process comprises the additional step of: c) separating the vapor phase reaction products from the particulate catalyst material within 10 seconds after said reaction products are formed; In a further preferred embodiment step c) is followed by: d) quenching the reaction products to a temperature below 200° C.
US07901566B2 Reforming sulfur-containing hydrocarbons using a sulfur resistant catalyst
A method of reforming a sulfur containing hydrocarbon involves contacting the sulfur containing hydrocarbon with a sulfur tolerant catalyst containing a non-sulfating carrier and one or more of a sulfur tolerant precious metal and a non-precious metal compound so that the sulfur tolerant catalyst adsorbs at least a portion of sulfur in the sulfur containing hydrocarbon and a low sulfur reformate is collected, and contacting the sulfur tolerant catalyst with an oxygen containing gas to convert at least a portion of adsorbed sulfur to a sulfur oxide that is desorbed from the sulfur tolerant catalyst.
US07901560B2 Method and a prebaked anode for aluminium production
A method of producing aluminium in a Hall-Héroult cell with prebaked anodes, as well as anodes for the same. The anodes are provided with slots in a wear (bottom) surface thereof for gas drainage. The slots are 2-8 millimeters wide, and preferably 3 millimeters.
US07901558B2 Integrated 2D gel electrophoresis method and system
Described is a process for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reason based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method is involving a first separation in a first gel strip on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second gel on the basis of molecular size. When starting the separation in the second dimension the buffer solution for transferring the compounds separated in the first dimension into the second dimension gel is containing sodium dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) and by applying an electric field the SDS migrates electrokinetically into the first gel strip, and the compounds are being complexed simultaneously with SDS.
US07901555B2 Electro-chemical sensor
An electro-chemical sensor is described having two molecular redox systems sensitive to the same species and having an detector to detect relative shifts in the voltammograms of the two redox systems.
US07901553B2 Method and system for sensing gas incorporating an integrated reference element
A system for sensing a gas stream constituent comprises: (a) a thermally conductive, electrically insulative substrate, (b) a gas-sensing element mounted on the substrate and capable of sensing the constituent, (c) a reference element mounted on the substrate having electrical properties congruent with the gas-sensing element and being insensitive to the constituent, (d) an electronic circuit interconnecting the gas-sensing element and the reference element. The circuit is capable of actuating both of the elements and measuring the voltage difference between the elements. The voltage difference is proportional to the concentration of the constituent in the gas stream.
US07901552B2 Sputtering target with grooves and intersecting channels
A sputtering chamber has a sputtering target comprising a backing plate and a sputtering plate. The backing plate comprises a backside surface having a plurality of concentric circular grooves and a plurality of arcuate channels which intersect the circular grooves. The sputtering target can be positioned abutting a heat exchanger housing which holds heat transfer fluid and a plurality of rotatable magnets.
US07901543B2 Aldehyde-functionalized polymers
A composition for enhancing the dewatering of a paper sheet on a paper machine and a method for using the composition is disclosed. The composition comprising one or more aldehyde-functionalized polymers comprising amino or amido groups wherein at least about 15 mole percent of the amino or amido groups are functionalized by reacting with one or more aldehydes and wherein the aldehyde functionalized polymers have a molecular weight of at least about 100,000. The method comprising adding the composition to the paper machine at a dosage of about 0.05 lb/ton to about 15 lb/ton, based on dry fiber.
US07901539B2 Apparatus and methods for transporting and processing substrates
There is described apparatus and methods for transporting and processing substrates including wafers as to efficiently produce at reasonable costs improved throughput as compared to systems in use today. A key element is the use of a transport chamber along the sides of processing chambers for feeding substrates into a controlled atmosphere through a load lock and then along a transport chamber as a way of reaching processing chambers and then out of the controlled atmosphere following processing in the processing chambers.
US07901536B2 Resonating conductive traces and methods of using same for bonding components
Conductive traces and patterns of same are used to bond components together via electromagnetic radiation. Each conductive trace is configured to resonate and heat up when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, such as microwave energy and/or RF energy, having a wavelength that is about 2.3 times the length of the conductive trace. The conductive traces may be arranged in a pattern to uniformly heat a target area of a substrate or other component to a selected temperature when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation.
US07901529B2 Flexible ballistic fabric and articles made therefrom
The invention concerns a penetration resistant article comprising a plurality of substantially planar elements; each element comprising at least one fibrous layer formed of multifilaments having a linear density of at least 200 dtex, a tenacity of at least 10 grams per dtex, and an elongation to break of at least 2%; and superposed upon at least one of the fibrous layers, a polymer layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer, or a polymer having glass transition temperature of −40° C. to 0° C., a molecular weight (Mw) of 20,000 to 100,000, and a viscosity of about 2×106 to about 1013 poise at 20° C.; the polymer layer covering and being adhered to from 25% to 75% of the area of the fibrous layer, wherein the area not covered by the polymer layer comprises a plurality of discrete areas.
US07901528B2 Method for manufacturing wiring substrate having sheet
A method for manufacturing a wiring substrate having a sheet, including: (a) arranging a wiring substrate and a sheet between a board and a tool in a manner that a resin layer comes between the wiring substrate and the sheet, one surface of the wiring substrate being a concave/convex surface and the other surface being flat, and both surfaces of the sheet being flat; (b) pressing the wiring substrate, the resin layer, and the sheet using the board and the tool so as to adhere the resin layer to both the wiring substrate and the sheet, in that: the board having a flat surface is arranged in a manner that the flat surface faces the tool; the tool contains an elastic body having a projecting part projecting in a direction of the board; the resin layer is arranged so as to overlap with a concave part and a convex part of the concave/convex surface; and the pressing step (b) starts with a tip of the projecting part of the tool and the flat surface of the board and proceeds while expanding a pressing surface of the tool by widening a tip plane of the projecting part using deformation of the elastic body.
US07901527B2 Microchip manufacturing method
Provided is a microchip manufacturing method by which a functional film is formed in a flow path channel and resin microchip substrates are bonded. The manufacturing method has a first step of forming SiO2 films (12, 22) representing the functional films on a surface having a flow path channel (11) of a microchip substrate (10) and on a surface having a flow path channel (21) of a microchip substrate (20) respectively; a second step of exfoliating the SiO2 films formed on the microchip substrates (10, 20) except the SiO2 films formed on the flow path channels (11, 21) by a cohesive member; and a third step of placing the microchip substrates (10, 20) one over another in such a way that the surfaces on which the flow path channels (11, 21) are formed face inside, and bonding the substrates by laser welding, ultrasonic wave welding or thermocompression bonding.
US07901525B2 Method of forming a non-circular stent
A method for manufacturing a stent, includes the steps of winding stent wire around the outer surface of a longitudinal axis of a mandrel into a desired final shape that is polygonal in an elevation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and forming a stent by setting the wound stent wire in the desired polygonal final shape. The outside diameter of the stent formed will be in co-columnar apposition with a blood vessel in which it is implanted. The mandrel employed in the methods can have a multiple-sided outer surface and a longitudinal axis.
US07901524B1 Actuation concepts for variable stiffness materials
Apparatus and associated methods for actuating variable stiffness material (VSM) structures and achieving deformation of the structures. The apparatus and the associated methods use internal embedded actuation elements and/or externally attached elements to the VSM structures to achieve the desired deformation. In particular, the actuation can be changed due to the variable stiffness nature of the materials. That is, the invention provides the ability to control the deformation of structures using local stiffness control over subregions of the component in addition to or in substitution for actuation. Furthermore, the invention exploits the variable stiffness properties of the VSM structures to enable new functionalities impossible to realize with conventional constant stiffness materials.
US07901523B2 Uniform heat treatment process for hardening steel
Heat treatment processes for hardening a workpiece such as a turbine blade include attaching a spacer to a workpiece surface, wherein the spacer comprises an inner profile mirroring the workpiece surface and an outer profile effective to generally uniformly distribute heat to the workpiece surface, heating the spacer to uniformly heat the workpiece surface at a temperature effective to form an austenitic microstructure in the workpiece surface, cooling the workpiece surface at a rate effective to transform the austenitic microstructure to a martensitic microstructure, and removing the spacer from the workpiece prior to or subsequent to cooling.
US07901517B2 Operating-phase-dependent control of a heat-recovery device in dishwashers
The invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher having at least one washing zone (6, 7), at least one rinsing zone (8, 9) and a heat-recovery device (13) with a suction-extraction means. The dishwasher also comprises a drying zone (11). Openings (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) are provided for the suction extraction of air from the dishwasher. The overall quantity of the exhaust-airstream (24) can be varied by means of closing elements (25, 26, 27, 28), in dependence on the operating state of the dishwasher, by virtue of the openings (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) being completely or partially closed or released.
US07901516B2 Cleaning compositions for removing organic deposits on surfaces and method of use
The present invention is improved cleaning composition having at least one ketone, water, and a nonionic surfactant and a method of using the composition for cleaning organic residue.
US07901513B2 Wash chamber for appendage-washing method
A wash cylinder or chamber for an automated cleaning station to clean an object or a person's body part includes nozzles on the interior of the cylinder, the nozzles of one embodiment comprising an increasing roll angle providing a novel spray pattern. Additionally, embodiments of the invention include fluid guidance and conveyance structures, angled nozzles, sealing structures, finger guards, nozzle ribs, wash chamber seating mechanisms and drains, and nozzle inlays having a plurality of nozzles. Also disclosed are methods of washing an object or body part using a wash cylinder or chamber and methods of assembling a wash cylinder or chamber.
US07901509B2 Heating apparatus with enhanced thermal uniformity and method for making thereof
A heating apparatus for regulating/controlling the surface temperature of a substrate is provided. At least a thermal pyrolytic graphite (TPG) layer is embedded in the heater to diffuse the temperature difference of the various components in the heating apparatus and provide temporal and spatial control of the surface temperature of the substrate, for a relatively uniform substrate temperature with the difference between the maximum and minimum temperature points on the substrate of less than 10° C.
US07901508B2 Method, system, and apparatus for the growth of SiC and related or similar material, by chemical vapor deposition, using precursors in modified cold-wall reactor
An approach for the growth of high-quality epitaxial silicon carbide (SiC) films and boules, using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technique is described here. The method comprises modifications in the design of the typical cold-wall CVD reactors, providing a better temperature uniformity in the reactor bulk and a low temperature gradient in the vicinity of the substrate, and an approach to increase the silicon carbide growth rate and to improve the quality of the growing layers, using halogenated carbon-containing precursors (carbon tetrachloride CCl4 or halogenated hydrocarbons, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH3Cl, etc.), or introducing other chlorine-containing species in the gas phase in the growth chamber. The etching effect, proper ranges, and high temperature growth are also examined.
US07901507B2 Crystal structure of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a crystal of ACE protein. The present invention further relates to methods, processes, ACE modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of ACE crystal and the structure coordinates thereof.
US07901506B2 Cementitious capillary crystalline waterproof material with an eka-molecular sieve structure and its manufacturing method
In this invention a cementitious capillary crystalline waterproof material with an eka-molecular sieve structure and its manufacturing method is disclosed. The major ingredient of this material is Portland cement; the accessories include silicon dioxide, alumina, magnesia, calcium sulphonate, methlycellulose, quick-setting agent and sodium aluminate, etc. Put separately major ingredient and accessories premixed in given proportion separately into the major ingredient bin and the accessory bins. The major ingredient passing through an impulse flowmeter is carried to the dosing machine; and in the same time, the premixed accessories are automatically weighed by the weighing device using gewichtsabnahme method when they are carried to the above dosing machine; they are mixed in the premixing machine and the refine-mixing machine and prepared to the product. The product is mixed with water and forms slurry. After setting, it becomes coating layer with an eka-molecular sieve structure which is water-tight and breathes freely. The coating has high compressive strength, resistance to very high and low temperatures, and resistant to acid, chlorides, and Sulphates so on. It also has self-healing ability to small crack when meet with water. It is non-toxic, odorless, with long service life, and convenient to application. The material can be used at wide range in underground facilities, tunnel, cave depot, bridge, swimming pool, toilet, sewage treating reservoir, dam, etc.
US07901503B2 Pigments for non-aqueous inks and coatings
A sulfonated derivative of an organic pigment moiety comprising a polyetheramine, and a metal or ammonium salt. The pigment is used for coloration of printing inks and coatings. For ink-jet systems there is excellent filterability, low viscosity, and stability thereof.
US07901502B2 Dispersion which contains at least 2 types of particles
Aqueous dispersions contain at least two chemically different particle types having a diameter on average of less than 100 μm. The dispersions are resistant to sedimentation and gelling for long periods of time, and can be used for many purposes, such as the polishing of optical surfaces, and in paints and adhesives.
US07901500B2 Ink set, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, ink jet recording apparatus, and image forming method
To provide an ink set which achieves an improvement in gradation of a monochrome image and the realization of a high black density, and which solves gloss unevenness occurring upon formation of an image by means of at least three kinds of black inks different from one another in carbon black content. Provided is an ink set having at least three kinds of black inks different from one another in carbon black content in which carbon black contents in the at least three kinds of inks establish a specific relationship.
US07901496B2 Phase change inks
Disclosed is a phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound of the formula wherein Y is a hydrogen atom or a bromine atom, n is an integer of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, R1 is an alkylene group, an arylene group, an arylalkylene group, or an alkylarylene group, provided that no oxygen atom creates a linkage, X is —O— or —NR3— wherein R3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, or an alkylaryl group, and R2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, or an alkylaryl group.
US07901493B2 Air filtering apparatus having mechanism for detecting water exchange timing
An air filtering apparatus for electrolyzing water to generate electrolytic water containing active oxygen species and filtering air by using the electrolytic water, including an air filtering unit having a gas-liquid contact member to which the electrolytic water containing the active oxygen species is circulatively supplied so as to be brought into contact with air, an electrical conductivity detecting unit for detecting the electrical conductivity of water in the air filtering unit, and a water exchange judging unit for judging on the basis of the detected electrical conductivity whether water exchange is necessary or not.
US07901491B2 Hydrogen storage material and related system
Disclosed herein is a hydrogen storage material comprising a metal hydride and an organic hydrogen carrier. Also disclosed herein is a hydrogen storage/fuel cell system which employs the hydrogen storage material.
US07901481B2 Concentrated separator by-product based fertilizer
A vegetable based fluidic fertilizer derived from concentrated separator by-products (CSB.) The CSB is heat treated and optionally filtered to remove suspended particular matter. The heat treatment is performed in a range of about 150 to 200 degrees F. for about 24 to 96 hours. Filtration is provided using a standard wire mesh size in a range of about 50 to 200. The fertilizer may then be applied at about 25 to 200 gallons per acre. The fertilizer may be applied to agricultural vegetation either directly or by inclusion in an irrigation stream.
US07901478B2 Reservoir for a replacement fluid for a device and a device, together with an oil separator fitted with such a reservoir
Reservoir for a replacement fluid for a device, where the reservoir (3) is pre-filled with the desired quantity of the relevant replacement fluid (15) And where this reservoir is equipped with detachable coupling devices (29) which make it possible to mount and dismantle the reservoir (3) on the device (1) and where the reservoir (3), in its mounted state, serves as a changeable fluid.
US07901477B2 Machine tool with mist disposal structure
An interior of a machine tool and a machining area are divided for communication by a labyrinth. The machining area is covered by a cover. Air discharged from an air bearing flows from the machine tool interior into the machining area through the labyrinth. The cover for the machining area is provided with an exhaust unit for discharging the air from the air bearing or a mist produced in the machining area to the outside of the machine tool.
US07901476B2 Peaky filter
A peaky filter comprises a covering and a corresponding base, a supporting frame connected between the covering and the base, and a multifold filter covering the exterior of the supporting frame. The supporting frame includes plural transversely spaced first supports and plural connectors. Each support has a supporting rod and a plurality of longitudinally spaced supporting members connected to the supporting rod. Each supporting member has a first supporting leg and a second supporting leg extending radially and outwardly from the supporting rod. Each connector has a first connecting part and a second connecting part, which are used for respectively connecting one end of the first supporting leg of one support and one end of the second supporting leg of another adjacent support to connect elastically the plurality of transversely spaced supports, and consequently alter the size of the supporting frame and the filtering area of the filter.
US07901475B2 Diesel particulate filter with zoned resistive heater
A diesel particulate filter assembly comprises a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and a heater assembly. The DPF filters a particulate from exhaust produced by an engine. The heater assembly has a first metallic layer that is applied to the DPF, a resistive layer that is applied to the first metallic layer, and a second metallic layer that is applied to the resistive layer. The second metallic layer is etched to form a plurality of zones.
US07901474B2 Polishing composition and polishing method
The present invention provide a chemical-mechanical polishing composition for inhibiting dishing and erosion as well as rapidly polishing an insulating film and barrier film at the same time while maintaining the flatness of the substrate surface polished. The present chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprises methanesulfonic acid, an alkali metal ion, an oxidizing agent, a silica abrasive and water, and has a pH of 8 to 12.
US07901472B2 Combustion modifier and method for improving fuel combustion
A composition for improving the combustion efficiency of an internal combustion Engine. The composition includes a mixture of a hydrocarbon fuel and an organometallic soap selected from among several cerium-containing and ferric compounds. The cerium-containing compound or compounds increase the energy released during combustion of the fuel. The ferric compound or compounds coat an interior wall of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to increase the power output of the engine by reducing the accumulation of residues deposited on the interior wall which interfere with the combustion of fuel.
US07901468B2 Rechargeable battery and method for fabricating the same
An inorganic solid electrolytic rechargeable battery having positive and negative electrodes and an inorganic electrolyte interposed therebetween is provided. The positive and negative electrodes each contain an active material layer and a current collector layer. The positive electrode collector layer or the negative electrode collector layer is a conductive metal oxide layer. The negative electrode active material layer contains lithium metal or lithium alloys. This negative active layer may optionally be made of a material which provides an operation voltage potential of the negative electrode to be more noble than 1.0 V with respect to the potential of a metallic lithium.
US07901467B2 Process for treatment of metal surfaces
A process for treating the working surfaces of equipment used in the production and processing of polycarbonate is disclosed. The thermal treatment in an oxidative atmosphere results in resin and molded articles having improved optical quality.
US07901463B2 Hair color
In order to provide an accumulatively dying hair color of a hair manicure type which does not require washing of hair immediately after used and by which hair are gradually dyed by repeating use thereof as a temporary coloring material, used is a hair color comprising 0.1 to 3% by weight of at least one of water-soluble dyes, 1.5 to 10% by weight of a nonionic or anionic silicone base resin, 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of an amphoteric acryl resin, 3 to 20% by weight of a hair dying auxiliary, 30 to 80% by weight of a lower alcohol and 5 to 50% by weight of water and having a pH controlled to 2 to 5.
US07901461B2 Viable tissue repair implants and methods of use
Biocompatible tissue implants are provided for repairing a tissue injury or defect. The tissue implants comprise a biological tissue slice that serves as a source of viable cells capable of tissue regeneration and/or repair. The biological tissue slice can be harvested from healthy tissue to have a geometry that is suitable for implantation at the site of the injury or defect. The harvested tissue slice is dimensioned to allow the viable cells contained within the tissue slice to migrate out and proliferate and integrate with tissue surrounding the injury or defect site. Methods for repairing a tissue injury or defect using the tissue implants are also provided.
US07901456B2 Expanding ligament graft fixation system method
A graft fixation system for fixing graft material in a bone tunnel includes an expandable fixation member having a graft receiving eyelet disposed proximate its distal end, opposed bone engaging elements disposed about its periphery, and an expansion plug receiving opening defined in its proximal end. The system also includes an expansion plug having a diameter greater than the diameter of the expansion plug receiving opening so that forceable insertion of the expansion plug into the expansion plug receiving opening causes an expansion of the expandable fixation member driving the opposed bone engaging elements apart so as to fix the bone engaging elements, as well as the graft material, in a bone tunnel.
US07901455B2 Tendon or ligament bioprostheses and methods of making same
The disclosure describes implantable bioprosthesis having an implantable construct with a multi-fiber array of collagen fibers attached together.
US07901454B2 Apparatus and method for treating a regurgitant valve
An apparatus for treating regurgitation of blood through a diseased heart valve having at least two leaflets includes an occluding member configured to be positioned within the diseased heart valve so that at least a portion of the occluding member is positioned adjacent to one of the at least two leaflets. The at least one portion of the occluding member contacts at least one surface of the at least one leaflet. The occluding member is dimensioned so that the at least one leaflet abuts the at least one surface of the occluding member. The apparatus further includes a suspending wire operatively attached to the occluding member and configured to facilitate positioning of the occluding member within the heart valve. The suspending wire includes an anchoring portion having a coiled shape. The anchoring portion is configured to secure the suspending wire to at least one of a blood vessel and a heart wall surrounding a heart chamber.
US07901453B2 Coated implantable medical device
A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract, and at least one layer 18 of an immunosuppressive agent posited over at least one surface of the structure 12. Optionally, the device 10 can include at least one porous, preferably polymeric layer 20 posited over the layer 18 of immunosuppressive agent, and can alternatively or additionally include at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure 12, the at least one layer 18 of immunosuppressive agent being posited in turn on at least a portion of the coating layer 16. The porous layer 20 and the coating layer 16 each provide for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the device 10. The structure 12 is preferably configured as a coronary stent. The polymer of the porous layer 20 is preferably applied by vapor or plasma deposition. It is particularly preferred that the polymer is a polyamide, parylene or a parylene derivative which is deposited without solvents, heat or catalysts, but rather by condensation of a monomer vapor.
US07901452B2 Method to fabricate a stent having selected morphology to reduce restenosis
Methods of fabricating a stent and a stent having selected morphology on abluminal and luminal surfaces of the stent are disclosed.
US07901451B2 Drug-delivery endovascular stent and method for treating restenosis
A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments and a liquid-infusible mechanical anchoring layer attached to or formed in outer surface of the filaments. A drug coating in the stent is composed of a substantially polymer-free composition of an anti-restenosis drug, and has a substratum infused in the anchoring layer and a substantially continuous surface stratum of drug that is brought into direct contact with the vessel walls at the vascular site. Thus, the rate of release of the anti-restenosis drug from the surface stratum into said vascular site is determined solely by the composition of said drug coating.
US07901446B2 Thin-walled vascular graft
There is provided a thin-walled self-sealing vascular graft with a first tubular structure formed from ePTFE and having a wall thickness of 0.2 mm or less, and a resealable polymer layer, such as a styrene copolymer, located on one surface of said first tubular structure. A second tubular structure may also be present, so that the resealable polymer layer is disposed between said first and second tubular structure. The second tubular structure is preferably formed from a textile layer but can also be ePTFE. The graft can be used for replacing a defective portion of the vasculature in a patient in need thereof.
US07901442B2 Tanning device using semiconductor light-emitting diodes
A tanning device is described that includes semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source, which LEDs are preferably composed of (InGa)N, (AlGa)N, (AlInGa)N or (AlInGa)P as their semiconductor material.
US07901440B2 Method of compressing adjacent pieces of bone
A Static Compression Device (SC device) for active, measurable compression of a fusion graft by the surgeon at the time of surgery is disclosed. The SC device is attachable to adjacent vertebral bodies or other pieces of bone and has a device that applies compressive force to the adjacent vertebral bodies or pieces of bone to assist fusion according to Wolff's law. The SC device has a locking mechanism that maintains the compression applied at surgery, but prevents further compression (settling) from occurring after surgery. The SC device allows the surgeon the ability to compress a segment, measure the applied compression, and lock the segment in the compressed position. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure is applied to the SC device through a compression device that applies a desired and measurable amount of force. In this embodiment, the combination of the SC device with a pressure applying and measuring device allows the surgeon more control over the force applied to a cervical, thoracic or lumbar implant than has previously been available. In the preferred embodiment, the SC device compresses two or more adjacent vertebrae across an adjacent bone graft to facilitate fusion of these vertebrae to treat pain produced by pressure from the disks between such vertebrae bulging and resulting in contact with and pressure on the spinal cord and adjacent nerve roots. In other embodiments, the SC device may be used to apply measurable compression across any type of bony interface (e.g. fractures) to facilitate union.
US07901437B2 Dynamic stabilization member with molded connection
A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having at least one transition portion and cooperating outer sleeve, both the transition portion and sleeve being disposed between the two bone anchors. The transition portion includes a rigid length or rod having apertures therein and a molded plastic length that extends through the apertures, thus attaching the plastic length to the rigid length. The sleeve surrounds the transition portion and extends between the pair of bone anchors, the sleeve being compressible in a longitudinal direction between the bone anchors.
US07901430B2 Annulotomy closure device and related methods
A system for sealing a hole in a body, comprising a generally cylindrical mesh formed from a plurality of helical strands which is inserted into the hole, with at least one end of the cylindrical mesh being moved least partially through an interior portion of the cylindrical shaped mesh such that the mesh expands radially outwards against sides of the hole.
US07901428B2 Vascular sheath with bioabsorbable puncture site closure apparatus and methods of use
Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention includes an introducer sheath with an integrated closure component. The closure component includes a fastener and an advanceable, deformable clip having a delivery configuration in which opposing sides do not contact one another, and a deployed configuration, in which the fastener causes opposing sides of the deformable clip to close towards one another. The clip is advanced along the sheath until it pierces opposing sides of a vessel wall at a puncture site. The clip is then deformed with the fastener to draw opposing sides of the puncture together, and the sheath is withdrawn to seal the wound. The clip and fastener preferably are bioabsorbable.
US07901426B2 Embolic protection device
An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire (101). The filter element (105) collapses into the outer end of a catheter (118) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element (105) has a collapsible filter body with a proximal inlet end and a distal outlet end The proximal inlet end has inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. The outlet end has outlet openings which allow through passage of blood but retain embolic material within the filter body. After use, the catheter (118) is movable along the guidewire (101) to engage the proximal end of the filter element and close the inlet openings before sliding over the fitter element from the proximal end to the distal end to progressively collapse the filter body on the guidewire (101) for retrieval. The filter element (105) may conveniently be mounted on a tubular sleeve (104) which is slidable and rotatable on the guidewire (101) between spaced-apart slops (106, 120) on the guidewire (101) which allows some manipulation of the guidewire independently of the filter when the fitter is in use.
US07901418B2 Clamp having bendable shaft
A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.
US07901413B1 Surgical locking screw and driver arrangement
A surgical screw and driver arrangement whereby the end of the driver is vertically inserted and removed from the slotted end of the surgical screw and whereby the end of the driver is attached to and removed from the slotted end of the surgical screw by a quarter turn in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.The driver includes an inner shaft connecting with a center locking cam at one end of the driver and an outer shaft that connects with a pair of blades, one on each side of the locking cam.The surgical screw includes a slotted head at one end and a tapered threaded rod attached to the head. A pair of dovetail slots extending perpendicular within the slotted head receives the locking cam when the driver inner shaft is rotated a quarter turn clockwise to fasten the surgical screw to the end of the driver.
US07901411B2 Hip replacement incision locator
Methods and devices for performing hip replacement surgery are described. According to one embodiment, a method comprising providing an incision locator, the incision locator comprising at least one location indicator and at least one incision indicator, the location indicator configured to align with a central axis of the femur, and the incision indicator configured to guide a proper placement of a surgical incision when the location indicator is aligned, aligning the location indicator with at least one anatomical feature of the patient, making an incision in the proper location as guided by the incision indicator, and completing the surgical procedure is described.
US07901404B2 Bone harvesting device and method
A surgical device and method are disclosed for harvesting bone portions. The device has a guide which facilitates control of at least one dimension of the harvested portion. Embodiments of the invention are particularly, but not exclusively, suited to harvesting bone portions for graft surgery, particularly patella tendon grafts.
US07901403B2 Internally located return electrode electrosurgical apparatus, system and method
A bipolar, plasma-generating electrosurgical apparatus and system wherein the return electrode is enclosed within an electrosurgical shaft, and the active electrode is located on the outside surface of the shaft such that in treating the tissue, the tissue is exposed to plasma generated on the active electrode, but is minimally exposed to electric fields generated between the active and return electrodes. Due to the configuration of the electrodes, electric fields generated between the electrodes are directed away from the target tissue and inwardly towards the return electrode within the shaft, thereby electrical stimulation of neuromuscular structures in the tissue by the electric fields is minimized.
US07901396B2 Transvenous medical device delivery system
A medical device delivery system and method of manufacture that includes an outer catheter, a first inner catheter insertable through the outer catheter, and a second inner catheter insertable through the first inner catheter and adapted to receive a guidewire extending there through. The first inner catheter includes a braided reinforcement layer and is adapted to receive an elongated medical device extending there through.
US07901395B2 Catheter having staggered lumens and method
A catheter may include a multiple lumen catheter tube, a hub attached to the catheter tube, and a first extension leg and a second extension leg attached to the hub. The multiple lumen catheter tube may include a longitudinal axis, an end, a first lumen, and a second lumen. The first lumen and the second lumen extend through the catheter tube along the longitudinal axis and each having an opening. The end of the catheter tube and the openings of the lumen may be disposed within the hub so that the opening of the first lumen is axially spaced with the end of the catheter tube. The first extension leg may be coupled to the first lumen and the second extension leg may be coupled to the second lumen for the separate delivery of fluids to the lumens.
US07901393B2 Disposable pull-on garment
A disposable pull-on garment is disclosed, The pull-on garment comprises a ring-like elastic belt. The ring-like elastic belt comprises a front belt portion and a back belt portion comprising a belt layer and a belt elastic material joined to the belt layer. Each ring-like elastic belt portion has a central panel, and left and right side panels contiguous with its central panel. The central panel of the front belt portion is joined to the front waist panel of the absorbent main body. The central panel of the back belt portion is joined to the back waist panel of the absorbent main body. The respective left and right side panels of the front belt portion and the back belt portion are joined together at or adjacent to the respective left and right side edges to form the waist opening and the two leg openings. The longitudinal lengths of the side panels of the back belt portion are greater than the longitudinal lengths of the respective side panels of the front belt portion.
US07901389B2 Liquid removal method and apparatus for surgical procedures
The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for aspirating liquids from surfaces particularly during medical procedures. Apparatus for removing liquid from a surface in the region of a medical procedure such as an operating room floor responsive to a drawn vacuum of preselected magnitude includes a plenum with an interior volume defined by an elongated box element with a plurality of supports member integral thereto or by an elongated tube, the plenum being perforated so as the exterior of the plenum is in direct liquid communication with the interior of the plenum, an absorptive wicking pad secured to the plenum so as to cover the perforations, an a vacuum conduit tube in direct vacuum communication with a vacuum collection system. A method of removal of liquids standing on surfaces such as operating room floors accomplished by positioning the disposable liquid removal apparatus with the exposed absorptive wicking pad down into the liquid, attaching the apparatus to a vacuum collection system, activating the system, and repositioning the apparatus as required.
US07901383B2 Systems and methods for administering a medical regimen
A medical regimen can be administered with a diagnostic and medication delivery system. In one form the system includes a medication delivery pen with a controller and a monitor for monitoring a characteristic of a bodily fluid with a controller. A case includes a compartment for removably storing the medication delivery pen and the monitor. The case includes a communications link for establishing communication between the controller of the pen and the controller of the monitor. The medication delivery pen and monitor are operable in a first mode cooperative with one another and in a second mode independent of one another.
US07901382B2 Automatic needle device
An automatic needle device including a housing element, at least one resilient element arranged to be located within the housing element, at least one needle bearing element adapted, when actuated, to be displaced by the at least one resilient element with respect to the housing element from a non-penetration position to a penetration position and a needle guard adapted for positioning with respect to the housing element and wherein displacement of the needle guard is operative to actuate displacement of the at least one needle bearing element from the non-penetration position to the penetration position.
US07901381B2 Implantable device fastening system and methods of use
A surgical fastening system for implantable devices is disclosed. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.
US07901376B2 Dialysis cassette having multiple outlet valve
A disposable pumping cassette in one embodiment includes a pump chamber; and a valve chamber in communication with the pump chamber, the valve chamber including an inlet and first and second outlets. A disposable pumping cassette in another embodiment includes a first valve chamber including an inlet and first and second outlets; and a second valve chamber including an inlet and an outlet, the second valve chamber openable to allow dialysis fluid to flow through one of the first and second outlets of the first valve chamber, through the outlet of the second valve chamber. A disposable pumping cassette in a further embodiment includes a valve chamber including a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets; and a flexible sheet openable to open and close only one of the first and second outlets.
US07901374B2 Fluid injection device
A fluid injection device includes: a pulse generation section that includes a fluid chamber whose volume is changeable, and an inlet flow passage and an outlet flow passage that are connected to the fluid chamber; a first connection flow passage connected to the outlet flow passage, having an end portion; a second connection flow passage connected to the inlet flow passage; a fluid injection opening formed at the end portion of the first connection flow passage, having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outlet flow passage; a connection flow passage tube including the first connection flow passage and having rigidity adequate to transmit pulses of fluid flowing from the fluid chamber to the fluid injection opening; and a pressure generation section that supplies fluid to the inlet flow passage.
US07901370B1 Polymeric splint and rapid-setting polyurethane
A splint includes a first container capable of being wrapped about an item to be supported and a second container capable of containing a multiple part mixture during a mixing operation. The second container being capable of delivering the mixture into the first container, wherein the mixture hardens to form a support structure. A method for using the splint is also disclosed.
US07901366B2 System and method for determining in vivo body lumen conditions
Provided are a system and method for in vivo and in situ detection of body lumen conditions. The system comprises at least one interaction chamber for containing an endo-luminal sample, the interaction chamber comprising at least one indicator; at least one light source for illuminating the interaction chamber; and at least one optical detector for detecting in vivo optical changes occurring in the interaction chamber. The reaction between the indicator and sample may result in an optical change, which is detected and possibly imaged by the optical detector.
US07901362B2 Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue
A tissue penetration device includes a penetrating member driver, a cartridge, and a plurality of penetrating members integrated with the cartridge. Each of a penetrating member is coupled to the penetrating member driver when advanced along a path into a tissue target. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.
US07901361B2 Method and apparatus for optimizing the continuous positive airway pressure for treating obstructive sleep apnea
A breathing apparatus is provided for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea that optimizes the positive pressure to the airway of a patient. The apparatus is configured to detect flow limitations in the patient airway from an analysis of inspiratory flow waveforms. The airway pressure setting is raised, lowered or maintained depending on whether a flow limitation has been detected and on the previous actions taken by the apparatus. The apparatus may include a blower, a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a microprocessor, a pressure controller and a nasal fitting. The apparatus is configured to increase the airway pressure when a flow limitation is detected in the airway of the patient and to decrease the airway pressure when a flow limitation is not detected.
US07901357B2 Robotic 5-dimensional ultrasound
A robotic 5D ultrasound system and method, for use in a computer integrated surgical system, wherein 3D ultrasonic image data is integrated over time with strain (i.e., elasticity) image data. By integrating the ultrasound image data and the strain image data, the present invention is capable of accurately identifying a target tissue in surrounding tissue; segmenting, monitoring and tracking the target tissue during the surgical procedure; and facilitating proper planning and execution of the surgical procedure, even where the surgical environment is noisy and the target tissue is isoechoic.
US07901354B2 Low oxygen in vivo 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 and subcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US07901351B2 Fiberoptic otoscope system
The present optical image viewing fiberoptic otoscope electromagnetically passive. A body portion is connectable to a light source and has mounted to it a fiberoptic cable and an optical viewer. The fiberoptic cable is thin and flexible, and contains separate light and image transmission paths. Its distal end is adapted for emitting and receiving light. The body includes a light source connection for interfacing an external light source. An optical-type image viewer attached to the body is in light communication with the image path for displaying a received image for viewing by a user. One or more tools are mountable to the otoscope body or fiberoptic cable for performing an operation at the distal end of the fiberoptic cable, e.g., removal of a material from the site. Optionally, the otoscope body may be mounted to a headband via an articulated support arm.
US07901347B2 Balloon controller for endoscopic apparatus
A balloon controller for an endoscope apparatus, which expands or shrinks a first balloon attached to an insertion portion of an endoscope by supplying fluid to the first balloon or drawing fluid from the first balloon, and which expands or shrinks a second balloon attached to an insertion assist implement for guiding the insertion portion when the insertion portion is inserted, by supplying fluid to the second balloon or drawing fluid from the second balloon, the balloon controller including a display device which displays an image expressing the states of expansion and shrinkage of the first balloon and the second balloon.
US07901342B2 Centrifugal separator with sterilizing apparatus
A centrifugal separator includes a sample line and a rotating apparatus portion including a rotor that has a rotor chamber. The centrifugal separator centrifugally separates a sample by supplying the sample from the sample line into the rotor and driving to rotate the rotor in the rotor chamber and discharges the centrifugally separated sample from the rotor via the sample line. The centrifugal separator includes a sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing at least a portion with which the sample is brought into contact by making a sterilizing fluid flow through the sample line.
US07901341B2 Bending apparatus, method thereof, and bending tool
In a bending apparatus which moves one of upper and lower tables (9, 10), and performs bending on a workpiece (W) by tools (P, D) attached to the upper and lower tables (9, 10), a tool group including a plurality of split tools is transferred to the upper and lower table (9, 10), a plurality of process stations are formed by splitting the transferred tool into a plurality of tool groups based on automatically or manually determined tool-layout information, and then bending is carried out.
US07901337B2 Arm exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting user support
An arm exercise machine for performing isolation exercises has a self-aligning pivoting seat or user support on a main frame and an exercise arm for performing biceps curl and/or triceps extension exercises which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. The user support is pivotally mounted on the main frame so as to automatically align in order to maintain positioning of the user throughout the exercise motion.
US07901334B2 Exercise apparatus with adjustable resistance assembly
The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus with an adjustable resistance assembly. The adjustable resistance assembly has a screw portion. An user can rotate an operating portion which is connected to one end of the screw portion to move the screw portion to drive a pushing portion toward a rotating member which is pivotally connected on the exercise apparatus. Simultaneously, the pushing portion drives an elastic member to cause deformation and make a friction surface of a resistance member which is connected on the elastic member gradually press the rotating member therefore increases friction resistance. When the user rotates the operating portion reversely, the screw portion is moved outward the rotating member and the elastic member recovered from the deformation thereby decreases the friction resistance relative to the rotating member.
US07901333B1 Self centering steering mechanism
One embodiment of an improved self-centering mechanism restoring the handlebar or control of an electronic exercise bicycle or video game bike to the straight ahead position when the rider removes his hands from the handlebars or controls. The self-centering mechanism is configured with a compression spring (52) assisting and pressurizing a mechanical device comprised of two opposing circular ball ramps (32) and (44) with radial tapered depth grooves (42). Round balls (40) of similar diameter to the radius of the depth grooves (42) are situated in the grooves (42) between the opposing ball ramps (32) and (44). The compression spring (52) is located over a connecting bolt (56) which connects the ball ramps (32) and (44) to a shaft (26) that is supported with bearings (22) and (28) in a housing (24). Below the spring assembly is the mount assembly for the potentiometer (66), which sends the data signals communicating the rotation amount of the handlebars to the video game. The anti-rotation pin (62), which is stabilized by mount for anti-rotation pin (60), prevents potentiometer (66) from rotating as a result of anti-rotation plate (64) riding against anti-rotation pin (62). Other embodiments are described.
US07901331B1 Multi-bar linkage exercise device
In the embodiments and methods described, a device is employed having a first multi-bar linkage in mechanical communication with a frame. At least one mechanical input component is in mechanical communication with the multi-bar linkage. The multi-bar linkage is selectively adaptable to provide at least three different motions for the mechanical input component.
US07901330B2 Method and system for varying stride in an elliptical exercise machine
Disclosed is an exercise machine, and particularly a front or rear mount elliptical or elliptical-type machine, comprising: (a) a support structure; (b) a drive component pivotally coupled to the support structure and configured to rotate about a first pivot axis; (c) a reciprocating foot support configured to travel about a closed path having a stride length upon rotation of the drive component; (d) a coupling configuration configured to support the reciprocating foot support about the drive component at a position radially offset from the first pivot axis, the coupling configuration pivotally coupled to the drive component about a second pivot axis; and (e) an adjustment mechanism configured to enable the coupling configuration to pivot about the second pivot axis between at least two adjustment positions to vary the radial offset of the reciprocating foot support with respect to the first pivot axis.
US07901329B2 Swinging gymnastic machine
A swinging gymnastic machine includes a front swinging assembly, a rear swinging assembly, a handle assembly pivotally secured to the front swinging assembly, and a pedal assembly pivotally secured to the rear swinging assembly. Each of the front and rear swinging assemblies has a spring unit. The front and rear swinging assemblies are durable and are unsusceptible of deflection. The swinging gymnastic machine also has the benefit of reducing the occupied space when it is not in use as both a front leg and the handle assembly are adapted to be folded rearwardly. A person has to exert a great force to overcome the resistance of both the front and rear swinging assemblies through the arms and calves in order to effectively exercise.
US07901328B1 Gymnastic trainer assembly
A tumbling and vaulting trainer assembly configurable for performing either tumbling or vaulting routines. The assembly includes a pivoting trainer for tumbling routines and a chock used in with the pivoting trainer portion for vaulting routines.
US07901325B2 Athletic training device
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for accurate measurement, compilation, and presentation of sprinting and running technique data. In one embodiment, the apparatus, system and method includes a knee pad configured to contain a knee pad sensor, a foot pad configured to contain a foot pad sensor and a main trunk that connects the foot pad and the knee pad. The knee pad sensor and the foot pad sensor sense movement near the sensors and contact to the sensors. Data from the sensors is output to a CPU. In one embodiment, the apparatus, system and method include arm sensors. The arm sensors sense arm movement of a user and report arm movement data to the CPU. In a further embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to contain a harness positioned opposite the main trunk.
US07901323B2 Flexible display assembly for fitness trainers
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a display system for a fitness trainer is provided. The display system includes a processor, a hardware circuit board in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the hardware circuit board and the processor. A base portion is provided in communication with the processor and the memory. The base portion provides exercise information to the user. At least two modules are provided that can be removably attached to the base portion. In one embodiment, the removable modules comprise entertainment modules.
US07901322B2 Electronic control fuel save clutch device for vehicle
The present invention relates to an electronic control fuel saving clutch device for a vehicle, comprising: an electronic control clutch (7), a brake switch (8), an accelerator sensor (9) and an electromagnetic fuel line throttle valve (G) for opening and closing the accelerated fuel supply; the electronic control clutch and the electromagnetic fuel line throttle valve are controlled by the brake switch and signals emitted by the accelerator sensor, wherein when the brake switch is switched on, the electronic clutch is engaged, and the electromagnetic fuel line throttle valve is closed, and the engine is supplied only with the idle fuel supply; when the brake switch is switched off, if the accelerator sensor detects that the accelerator pedal (P) goes forward or keeps in a certain forward position, the electronic control clutch is engaged and the electromagnetic fuel line throttle valve is open, then the accelerating fuel supply is switched on, and the engine is supplied with the accelerating fuel supply; if the accelerator sensor detects that the accelerator pedal comes back or keeps in a certain back position, the electronic control clutch is disengaged, and the electromagnetic fuel line throttle valve is closed, then the accelerating fuel supply of the engine is cut off, and the engine is supplied only with the idle fuel supply.
US07901315B2 Automatic transmission and method of preventing over-revolution of the same
An automatic transmission includes a plurality of planetary gears disposed between an input shaft and an output shaft and having a plurality of rotational elements. A plurality of frictional elements are selectively engaged and released for controlling rotations and connections of the plurality of rotational elements in accordance with instructions so as to realize a plurality of gear positions. A rotational speed detecting section detects a rotational speed of a predetermined one of the plurality of rotational elements other than the input shaft and the output shaft. A frictional element release section releases all of the plurality of frictional elements when it is judged that the rotational speed of the predetermined one of the plurality of rotational elements is higher than a predetermined rotational speed.
US07901314B2 Transmission system for pump drive
A transmission system for use in a pump system comprising a prime mover driving a pump, the transmission system comprising: an epicylic gear system comprising a sun gear and a ring gear, and a planet gear engaged between the sun gear and ring gear; a main input drive arranged to be driven by the prime mover; an auxiliary input drive arranged to be driven by the prime mover; and an output drive arranged to drive the pump; wherein the main input drive is connected to the sun gear and either (i) the auxiliary input drive is connected to the ring gear and the output drive is lead from the planet gear; or (ii) the auxiliary input drive is connected to the planet gear and the output drive is lead from the ring gear.
US07901311B2 Belt drive assembly for driving accessory parts of an internal combustion engine, drive belt and pulleys suited to be used in said assembly
Belt drive assembly for driving accessory parts of an internal combustion engine comprising a reversible electric machine, comprising a belt with a plurality of longitudinal ribs alternating with grooves and with a plurality of cavities spaced at equal distances from each other longitudinally and obtained transversely with respect to the ribs in such a way as to interrupt them; the pulley comprises a plurality of ribs suited to engage the grooves of the belt and a plurality of teeth transverse with respect to the ribs, spaced at equal distances from each other on the circumference and suited to engage the respective cavities of the belt. The cavities of the belt have a depth at the most equal to the height of the ribs of the belt itself, and the ribs of the pulley have a radial height larger than the teeth, so as to cooperate with the belt continuously along the whole winding arc.
US07901308B2 Pulley for a continuously variable transmission
A pulley for a continuously variable transmission is provided with a fixed half-pulley fitted on a supporting shaft and a mobile half-pulley, which is able to slide towards the fixed half-pulley under the thrust of a spring, so as to define a V-shaped race of variable amplitude. The pulley is further provided with a device for compensating the axial thrust, said device being constituted by a cam and a cam follower, which are coupled in contact with one another to impart an additional axial thrust on the mobile half-pulley in response to a torque acting on the pulley. The cam is defined by a tubular body made of plastic material co-moulded on the supporting shaft, whilst the cam follower is made of a single piece with the mobile half-pulley.
US07901303B2 Golf tee
A golf tee with excellent support stability is provided. The golf tee is capable of preventing itself from being driven together with a golf ball. The golf tee is a truncated conical golf tee having a hollow structure with a lower end placed on the ground surface and an upper end on which a golf ball is placed. The golf tee has shape restoration properties. The golf tee has a plurality of columns extending from the lower end toward the upper end, sidewalls thinner than the column formed between respective columns, and a plurality of vents provided in each of the sidewalls.
US07901302B2 High performance golf ball having a reduced-distance
A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a lift to weight ratio greater than about 1.7 at a Reynolds number of about 207,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.095, a COR of 0.790 or less, and a weight of about 1.39 to 1.62 oz; and wherein the cover layer has an outer surface including dimples covering 55% to 75% of the outer surface.
US07901299B2 Two-piece golf ball having an improved core composition
The present invention is directed to a two-piece golf ball having a core and a cover, wherein the core comprises at least one unsaturated polymer, at least one cross-linking agent, at least one co-cross-linking agent, and at least one peptizer (comprising one or more organic sulfur compounds, or one or more metal or non-metal salts of an organic sulfur compound), and optionally at least one weight adjusting filler. The improved two-piece balls have optimal velocity and distance performance, as well as excellent shot feel, the called “long and soft” combination. The balls also demonstrate excellent durability properties, and ease of manufacture.
US07901296B1 Golf swing training apparatus
A training apparatus that instructs a trainee in the two optimum golf swings, namely an inward swing method and an outward swing. The apparatus is uniquely constructed so that during use the trainee can positively feel the differences between the inward golf swing and the outward golf swing. The apparatus is of a simple, compact construction and can be used by the trainee either indoors or outdoors.
US07901294B2 Method and apparatus for enabling a player to simultaneously control game play on multiple gaming devices
In accordance with at least one embodiment, a gaming system is operable to determine a first gaming device being operated by a player and select a second gaming device to be controlled, via the first gaming device, by the player. In some embodiments, the gaming system is further operable to configure the second gaming device to be controlled via an interface of the first gaming device.
US07901291B2 Gaming device operable with platform independent code and method
A wagering gaming device which includes at least one converter program. The gaming device processor, which operates on a particular platform, can use the converter program to read and use programs otherwise incompatible with such platform, such as platform independent programs. This type of gaming device enables developers to develop code on platforms which are different in type from the gaming device platform, and the gaming device processor can read and use this code to operate the gaming device.
US07901286B2 Video gaming device and method of wagering on a virtual football game
The present invention relates to a video gaming device and method for wagering on a virtual football game, referred to as the “2-Minute Warning game,” comprising a video touch screen or display and a selector control panel including a plurality of selector control keys to selectively generate a plurality of passing or running selections and control signals including various football selection signals and wagering selection signals, and a microprocessor including game data comprising a plurality of wager selections and a plurality of passing and running selections corresponding to various outcome signals and wagering selection signals and a predetermined game situation profile; a data processing section including logic to receive the run or passing selection signal and control signals from the plurality of selector control keys to generate display signals in response to the play selection and control signals to be displayed on the video screen or display in response to operator input from the plurality of selector control keys and to generate a football game image on the video screen or display to move the player's team further down the field with awards based on how far the team progresses down the field to reach the first down in 4 plays before starting a new drive to continue playing, or run out of time, which are executed against the predetermined football game situation profile and display the wagering results.
US07901285B2 Automated game monitoring
The present invention provides a system and method for monitoring players in a game, extracting player and game operator data, and processing the data. In one embodiment, the present invention captures the relevant actions and/or the results of relevant actions of one or more players and one or more game operators in a game, such as a casino game. The system and methods are flexible in that they do not require special gaming pieces to collect data. Rather, the present invention is calibrated to the particular gaming pieces and environment already in use in the game. The data extracted can be processed and presented to aid in game security, player and game operator progress and history, determining trends, maximizing the integrity and draw of casino games, and a wide variety of other areas. The data is generally retrieved through a series of cameras that capture images of game play from different angles.
US07901284B2 Gaming console with transparent sprites
The present invention provides a gaming console 40 having display means 41, and game control means 100 arranged to control images displayed on the display means 41. The game control means 100 are arranged to play a game wherein a plurality of symbols 43 are randomly selected and displayed on the display means 41 and, if a winning combination results, the console 40 pays a prize. The console 40 is characterized in that the displayed images include a first image component 31 which displays basic game features and a second image component 50 which displays image features which appear superimposed on the first image component 31. The second image component 50 is transparent, whereby the first image component 31 is visible through the second image component 50 under the control of the control means 100.
US07901283B2 Bonus game for a gaming machine
A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.
US07901282B2 Gaming device having competitive/bonus matching game
A gaming device including a display device, a plurality of different symbols displayable by the display device, a processor, an input device operable with the processor to enable a player to pick a number of the different symbols for the play of the game, the processor configured for said play of the game to cause a number of different symbols to be picked by the game, cause at least one symbol from the plurality of different symbols to be drawn for matching, count a first amount of like player-picked symbols and processor drawn symbols, count a second amount of like game-picked symbols and processor drawn symbols, and provide an award if any to the player based on a difference between the first amount and the second amount.
US07901281B2 Method of playing multi-bet printed tickets
Preprinted game tickets, such as pull tab tickets or instant game lottery tickets, are dispensed from a vending machine. Instead of having a fixed cost and a fixed prize amount, the game tickets may be purchased at different bet levels and credit values, both of which change the cost and prize amount. Buy-a-pay payments are also provided to buy additional symbol combinations.
US07901279B2 Method of playing a game of chance and system for facilitating the play thereof
A method for playing a game of chance and system for facilitating the play of the game are disclosed. The method of playing the game of chance includes receiving a ticket containing a set of playing cards. The method of playing the game of chance further includes viewing a display screen that displays a second set of playing cards. The method of playing the game further includes receiving a prize if the combination of the playing cards on the ticket and the playing cards on the display matches a predetermined pattern.
US07901278B2 Hybrid metal-plastic roof vent
A vent for a tile roof is disclosed. The vent includes a first member preferably substantially formed of a metal, a second member preferably substantially formed of a plastic material, and a connector attached to the underside of the second member. The second member is positioned below and spaced apart from the first member. The first and second members together define a ventilation gap therebetween. The first member and second member are preferably releasably connected to each other. The connector is configured to connect with an air conduit. The connector is further configured to be compatible with a plurality of sizes and types of air conduits. The ventilating access and the connector are together configured to permit airflow between above the roof and the air conduit.
US07901275B2 Sanding apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an improved sanding apparatus for minimizing scoring of drywall and other sensitive finishes. In one embodiment of the present invention, a sanding apparatus comprises a flexible, resilient core having a top and bottom sanding surface, a first and second side sanding surface, and a first and second non-sanding surface, each disposed at an angle with respect to the top sanding surface and bottom sanding surface, respectively, and an abrasive aggregate composition disposed on the top sanding surface, bottom sanding surface and the first and second side sanding surfaces, wherein each of the first and second non-sanding surfaces are free of an abrasive aggregate composition.
US07901272B2 Methods of bonding superabrasive particles in an organic matrix
Superabrasive tools and their methods of manufacture are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of improving retention of superabrasive particles held in a solidified organic material layer of an abrading tool, a portion of each of said superabrasive particles protruding out of the solidified organic material layer is provided. The method may include securing a plurality of superabrasive particles in the solidified organic material layer in an arrangement that minimizes mechanical stress impinging on the protruding portion of any individual superabrasive particle when used to abrade a work piece. As an example, the arrangement of the plurality of superabrasive particles may be configured to uniformly distribute frictional forces across substantially each superabrasive particle.
US07901269B2 Grinding apparatus for a pin for use in power transmission chain and manufacture method of a pin for use in power transmission chain
A disc-like grinding wheel 5 is formed with a circumferential groove 5a, the opposite walls of which define grinding surfaces 5b. A rotated carrier 3 brings a load pin 55 into rotary movement relative to the grinding wheel 5 rotated about an axis 5z, so as to pass the load pin 55 through space between the grinding surfaces 5b, whereby opposite end faces 55a of the load pin 55 are ground simultaneously. Thus, time taken by a grinding process may be reduced as compared with a conventional method wherein one end face is ground at a time.
US07901268B2 Method for grinding journal section of workpiece
For grinding one of axially spaced journal sections of a workpiece each having a cylindrical surface and a pair of shoulder surfaces extending radially outward from the opposite end portions of the cylindrical surface, a rotating grinding wheel is advanced to grind the shoulder surfaces of one journal section and then to grind the cylindrical surface of the one journal section. At the end of the cylindrical surface grinding, the grinding wheel is retracted by a fixed distance at a slow feed rate and is further retracted at a rapid feed rate. A rest shoe provided on the side opposite to the grinding wheel with the workpiece therebetween is advanced to an advanced position where the rest shoe contacts with another journal section axially spaced from the one journal section to decrease the flection of the workpiece caused by grinding resistance and is retracted away from said another journal section when the fixed-distance retraction of the grinding wheel is completed.
US07901266B2 Toy vehicle collision set
A toy vehicle collision set. The toy vehicle collision set includes a plurality of launchers that propel collision vehicles through the air. The launchers are aimed to propel the plurality of collision vehicles into a collision zone. The collision vehicles fired from the launchers can collide in the collision zone when fired from the launchers. The toy vehicle collision set further includes a track that directs a target vehicle along a path of travel. The path of travel includes an airborne segment in which the target vehicle jumps across the collision zone. Collision vehicles fired from the launchers can be used to knock the target vehicle off its path of travel.
US07901261B1 Board assembly for kitesurfing and/or kiteboarding
A board assembly for kitesurfing and/or kiteboarding includes an elongated board for traversing a supporting surface while a person is riding the board and apparatus for changing the orientation of the person's feet relative to the different ends of the board. Such apparatus includes a deck that is rotatably attached to the board, foot receptacles coupled to the deck and a device for facilitating rotation of the deck between different stationary positions relative to the different ends of the board while the board is traversing the supporting surface. The device for facilitating rotation temporarily locks the deck in one of the stationary positions upon the deck having been rotated to the one of stationary positions. The device for facilitating rotation responds to motion of the person's feet by causing the deck to be released from retention in the stationary positions.
US07901258B1 Hydraulic system for a marine outboard engine
A marine outboard engine has upper and lower engine covers, a swivel bracket, a stern bracket, an engine, a driveshaft, a gear case, a propeller shaft, and a variable pitch propeller. A hydraulic system includes hydraulic steering, trim, and propeller pitch actuators, and at least one valve having at least one inlet, and first, second, and third outlets. The first, second, and third outlets fluidly communicate with the hydraulic steering, trim, and propeller pitch actuators respectively. A pump fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet of the at least one valve. A reservoir stores hydraulic fluid. A control unit controls the at least one valve to control a flow of hydraulic fluid through each of the first, second, and third outlets based at least in part on a signal received from a pressure sensor. Methods of controlling the hydraulic systems are also disclosed.
US07901254B2 Connector block
The invention relates to a connector block (11) for separating insulated conductors of a first data cable (82) and a second data cable (86), said connector block containing: first and second groups (12A, 14A) of a plurality of slits (16) arranged in a row along a common side of the connector block; and a plurality of insulation displacement contacts comprising forked contact sections (21, 23) which at least partially extend into respective individual slits in order to electrically separate the insulated conductors. The groups of slits are separated by an insulation space (22) in order to reduce alien crosstalk between the conductors of the first data cable (82), which are coupled to the insulation displacement contacts of the first group of slits (12A), and the conductors of the second data cable (86), which are coupled to the insulation displacement contacts of the second group of slits (14A).
US07901251B1 Audio connector
An audio connector has a base. The base has a socket passing through a front end thereof. A rear end of the base has a rectangular ring holding trough communicating with the socket, surrounding a rectangular center block, each side of which has a notch passing through the rear end and communicating with the socket. A holding contact has a rectangular fixing frame which includes a base plate, two opposite side plates, a free plate extended from one of the side plates and spaced apart from the other side plate, fixed in the holding trough. A soldering slice is extended from a free end of the other side plate. Substantially middle portions of the base plate, the free plate and the side plates extend towards the same side to form two pairs of opposite contacting arms for projecting into the socket through the notches and clamping the plug symmetrically.
US07901248B2 Plug connector and multilayer board
A multipolar plug connector for establishing contact with a multilayer board includes signal contacts that are assigned a first and at least one second screen contact element and are arranged adjacent to the signal contact. Recesses are provided at least on the uppermost Layer of the multilayer board which are suitably sized so as to receive and to lead through at least two screen contact elements assigned to neighboring signal contacts.
US07901245B2 Angle connector featuring a variable direction of extension
The invention relates to an angle connector that is to be mounted on a unit housing and comprises a plug housing and a housing flange which partially extends over the plug housing and can be fastened in a rotationally fixed manner to the unit housing. The plug housing is rotatably fastened to the housing flange and can be twisted, using rotational resistance, relative to the housing flange in order to define the direction of extension. The plug housing of the disclosed angle connector is rotatably mounted on the housing flange by means of an elastic sleeve which is rotatably accommodated inside an annular front recess of the plug housing or housing flange and engages in a rotationally fixed manner with the respective associated housing flange or plug housing. In the area where the plug housing and the housing flange overlap, the plug housing and the housing flange are positively interconnected in at least some sections in an axial and radial direction while being non-positively interconnected in the circumferential direction by means of the sleeve.
US07901239B2 Cable connector
The invention relates to a cable connector including a housing and ferrule receiving structures for receiving ferrule systems of at least two cables. Each of said ferrule receiving structures is adapted to accommodate a flange of at least one of said ferrule systems and said ferrule receiving structures are arranged such that adjacent flanges of said ferrule systems substantially abut each other or at least partially overlap.
US07901234B2 Connecting plug for a high-voltage cable
A plug for the connection of a high-voltage cable. The plug comprises a jacket configured to be inserted into a connection receptacle of a high-voltage electrical appliance in order to connect the cable to the appliance, wherein the jacket includes a recess created therein, and a sleeve positioned around the jacket to form an insulating interface between the jacket and the receptacle, with the sleeve being located in the recess of the jacket and configured to hold the sleeve on the jacket.
US07901230B1 Power plug
A power plug has a housing, two blades, a slider mounted through the housing, and a cylindrical resilient member mounted inside the housing. When the plug is unplugged, the ends of the blades inside the housing are not contacted with two spring leaves inside the housing. When the plug is plugged in a power socket, the slider abuts against the socket, moves into the housing and compresses the resilient member to become an oval shape. The distorted resilient member pushes the two blades inside the chamber to pivot to and contact with the respective spring leaves, and the ends of the two blades outside the chamber mutually close up to hold the power socket, preventing accidental release of the plug. When the power plug is unplugged, the elastic force released by the resilient member pushes the housing to move away from the power socket, making the plug easily unplugged.
US07901227B2 Separable electrical connector with reduced risk of flashover
A separable loadbreak connector system includes mating electrical connectors. At least one of the electrical connectors includes an electrically-resistive housing having a generally conically-shaped interior bore. A semiconductive insert is disposed within a portion of the interior bore and presents an inner radial surface that defines a generally conically-shaped recess. An elongated probe assembly is disposed within the housing and includes a probe and a sheath of insulative material disposed over at least a portion of a length of the probe. A portion of the sheath extends in a radially outward direction from a base of the probe. An electrically-resistive insulative layer extends from the conically-shaped interior bore, along at least a portion of the inner radial surface of the semiconductive insert. The insulative layer extends radially inwardly in overlapping engagement with a portion of the sheath.
US07901225B2 Card connector
A memory card connector (10) is disclosed that includes a card engaging member (14) in the form of a slider (14) which has a projection (14d) that extends from the slider to engage a retention notch (23) in the memory card (21). The card (21) is engaged when the card is inserted into the connector, and once inserted the card is pushed to release it. A biasing spring (15) is provided to bias the slider (14) in an ejection direction and this biasing spring exerts an ejection force on the slider. The slider engages (11h) a stop formed on the connector housing (11) and the slider (14) tilts to release the slider projection (14d) from the memory card retention notch (23).
US07901224B1 Utility receptacle apparatus for use with a work surface or similar article
A utility receptacle apparatus for use with a work surface. The utility receptacle apparatus has a grommet member that has a frame structure. The frame structure has an opening therein and an upper peripheral portion that extends about the opening. The upper peripheral portion has a top side and bottom side wherein the bottom side has a surface for contacting a work surface of an article of furniture. The frame structure includes a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of sidewalls that extend downward from and are attached to the bottom side of the peripheral portion. A lid member is located within the opening of the frame structure and is movably attached to the sidewalls of the frame structure. The utility receptacle apparatus includes a receptacle base member that has a top plate section which has a top side and a bottom side. The top plate section has a pair of oppositely positioned raised sections and a recessed section that is located between the raised sections. Each raised section has at least one opening therein to receive a fastener device to allow the receptacle base member to be attached under a work surface of an article of furniture.
US07901222B2 Electrical metal clad connectors and methods of use
A cable connector may be disclosed. The connector may include a connector housing having a first threaded portion and an insert having compression voids. The insert may be configured for insertion into the connector housing. The connector may also include a compression nut configured to engage the first threaded portion. The compression nut may be configured to compress the insert to close the compression voids when the compression nut engages the first threaded portion. The cable connector may also include an end stop having an adjustable throat diameter configured to adjust in proportion to an adjustable inner diameter of the cable connector as the connector engages or armor of an armored cable.
US07901218B2 Receptacle and a plug with fixtures to attach to substrates and engaging each other to form a power supply contact
An electrical connector includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector. A first fixture and a second fixture are each arranged on at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle and plug connectors, respectively. The first and second fixtures each have connection portions to be connected to a respective substrate. The first and second fixtures include at least three engaging portions and at least three anchoring portions, respectively. The engaging portions and anchoring portions are adapted to engage each other. At least one set of the engaging and anchoring portions engaged each other is caused to be in electrical continuity to use as a power supply connection. The electrical connector thus constructed is capable of sufficiently withstand any accidental external force when being fitted, and is also capable of ensuring a power supply connection without using many terminals, while keeping narrower pitches of conductors, and miniaturization and reduced overall height of the electrical connector.
US07901215B1 Electrical harness assemblies
An electrical harness assembly is provided for coupling a first electrical component in a vehicle to a second electrical component in a removable vehicle portion. The assembly includes a first harness having a first connector and a second connector and configured to be coupled to the first electrical component. The assembly further includes a second harness having a third connector and a fourth connector and configured to be coupled to the second electrical component. In a first state, the first connector mates with the third connector and the second connector mates with the fourth connector, and in a second state, the first connector mates with the second connector.
US07901210B2 Rotatable file dental treating device
A rotatable file dental treating device (1) driven by a motor (2) includes elements (3, 18) for determining a root-canal position instruction related to a tooth apex, elements (4) for stopping the motor according the file (1) position with respect to the position instruction and first members (5, 6) for measuring and calculating the canal length (L) remaining between the file and the position instruction. The device includes second members (7, 7a, 7b) for calculating a value (D) derived from the remaining canal length and third members (8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e) for combining the derived value and the remaining canal length and the combination of the derived value. The canal length produced by the calculating elements (6, 7, 8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e) controls the motor turn-off in such a way that the rotation of the file is stopped in anticipation of the position instruction.
US07901208B2 Chemically impregnated absorbent gingival retraction cord comprising silk
An absorbent and degradation resistant knitted gingival retraction cord comprising silk is formed from one or more strands by interlocking a plurality of loops. As a whole, the knitted retraction cord contains at least about 50% silk which, when manufactured so as to have a knitted structure, exhibits resistance to degradation and has the ability to absorb liquid (e.g., an active agent solution). An active agent is impregnated within the one or more strands and/or the plurality of interlocking loops of the knitted retraction cord such that the cord advantageously retains the active agent and resists degradation by the active agent.
US07901206B2 Heat-treating apparatus and method of producing substrates
A heat-treating apparatus capable of realizing a highly precise processing maintaining a high degree of safety, and a method of producing substrates are provided. The heat-treating apparatus comprises a reaction tube for treating substrates; a manifold for supporting the reaction tube; and a heater provided surrounding the reaction tube to heat the interior of reaction tube; wherein the reaction tube and the manifold are in contact with each other as their continuous flat surfaces come in contact with each other; a cover member is provided to cover the contact portion between the reaction tube and the manifold from the outer side; and the cover member is provided with at least either a gas feed port or an exhaust port communicated with a space formed among the cover member, the reaction tube and the manifold.
US07901201B2 Press-molding machine and press-molding method
A press-molding machine is taught that may include an extrusion apparatus (10), a transfer apparatus (30), and a molding apparatus (40). The extrusion apparatus (10) may extrude a melted resin into a sheet shape. The transfer apparatus (30) may receive and transfer a sheet material that is extruded from the extrusion apparatus and cut in a predetermined length. The molding apparatus (40) may press and mold the sheet material transferred from the transfer apparatus. The extrusion apparatus (10), the transfer apparatus (30), and the molding apparatus (40), are allowed to be independently arranged and constructed.
US07901199B2 Tooling system for thermoforming and trimming a heated sheet of material to form a molded part
An upper press platen supports an upper mold member slidable vertically within a surrounding upper trim frame. A lower press platen supports a lower trim frame surrounding a lower mold member slidable vertically within the lower trim frame. The lower mold member defines a cavity connected to a vacuum source, and one or two heated sheets of material are positioned between the trim frames and mold members which are then closed to clamp peripheral portions of the sheets between the trim frames. The lower heated sheet is vacuum formed into the cavity and the sheets are fused together with heat and pressure to form a part which is then cooled. The mold members shift downwardly as a unit within the trim frames to shear the peripheral portions of the sheets from the part. The trimmed part and peripheral portions are removed after the trim frames and mold members open.
US07901198B2 Shape-forming shutter apparatus and shutter piece thereof
Disclosed is an shape-forming shutter apparatus including a plurality of shutter pieces, each having an shaping surface and a sliding surface, which are arranged in a circle with the shaping surface of each shutter piece being slidably in sliding contact with the sliding surface of the neighboring separate shutter piece, and the shape-forming shutter apparatus being capable of dilating and contracting an opening part surrounded by the shaping surfaces respectively of the plurality of shutter pieces. The shape-forming shutter apparatus includes pressure contact biasing means for always keeping the shaping surface of each shutter piece and the sliding surface of the neighboring shutter piece slidably in pressure contact with each other. The pressure contact biasing means is a ring-shaped elastic member for biasing the shutter pieces equally in such a direction to close the opening part. The elastic member is stretchingly wound around the shutter pieces in an end of each shutter piece, which end is separate away from the other end thereof where the shaping surface of the shutter piece and the sliding surface of the neighboring shutter piece intersect each other.
US07901195B2 Attenuated fiber spinning apparatus
A fiber making device, fiber making method, and apparatus which incorporates a series of two or more stacked, thin circular die plates, two end plates and two enclosure plates, where all of the plates cooperate to form a chamber having opposite ends and define a first end and a second end. The first end will receive material to be formed into fibers and the second end will receive a fiberizing fluid, although the second end could be used to supply a second fiber forming fluid to form composite fibers. All of the die plates have a central opening to receive fiber forming material, and at least one of the die plates has an outflow edge peripheral to the plate which will define a spinneret orifice, which is in fluid communication with said central opening, and which will allow the flow of material along a radial path through which fibers can be extruded. At least one of the die plates has an outflow edge peripheral to the plate which will define an opening and allow for the flow of a fiberizing fluid from the opening so that the fiber forming material flowing from the spinneret orifice will form fibers which will be engaged and shaped by the fiberizing fluid.
US07901193B2 Pump assembly for therapeutic inflatable cell apparatus
A pump assembly (200) for therapeutic inflatable cell apparatus, the assembly comprising a common pump unit (210), control means (160), and, first and second valve means (201;202), each valve means comprising a cycle control valve means, said cycle control valve means being provided with at least one fluid passageway and each valve means being adapted to be positioned to predetermined conditions so as to regulate fluid quantity in respective therapeutic inflatable cell apparatus, each valve means is adapted to perform at least one respective inflation/deflation sequence, and the assembly being such that, in use, on air being required by a valve means at a particular instance during the respective inflation/deflation sequence, the control means activates the common pump unit and air is pumped to an air outlet to feed air to the at least two valve means, and the pump assembly being such that the first and second valve means are operable both singularly and simultaneously.
US07901190B2 Pump control system
A pumping system in which a pump (5) is controlled by a programmed controller (22) in response to input signals from an inlet pressure transducer (3) and an outlet pressure transducer (15) and in certain circumstances inputs from various flow sensors (4,19). The controller (22) can be programmed to allow the pump (5) to prematurely operate before an outlet pressure reaches a low pressure threshold, when usage of the liquid is high. The controller (22) can be programmed to detect a lack of prime of the pump (5), to restore prime once the pump (5) has lost prime, and to prevent successive on/off pump cycles when the outlet flow is continuous and at a moderate or low level.
US07901188B2 Wind turbine blade
A wind turbine blade transversely subdivided into two or more separate modules (1-2) consisting of outer aerodynamic walls or hulls (4) and a longitudinal inner reinforcing structure (3). The modules include coupling means at the ends of the longitudinal reinforcing structure (3), which means consist of lugs (5-7, 6-8) projecting into respective portions with alignable openings (9) for receiving coupling elements.
US07901184B2 Torsionally loadable wind turbine blade
A torsionally loadable wind turbine blade, includes a loading member secured to a body of the wind turbine blade; and an adjuster for actively displacing the loading member and torsionally deforming the blade on a spanwise axis.
US07901183B1 Turbine blade with dual aft flowing triple pass serpentines
A turbine blade with a low flow cooling circuit for the airfoil main body and the blade tip section which includes two 3-pass aft flowing serpentine flow cooling circuits. A first 3-pass serpentine circuit is located in the forward section with a first leg connected to a showerhead arrangement of film cooling holes. The third leg is connected to an upstream end of a blade tip cooling channel that extends toward the trailing edge and includes pin fins and a row of pressure side peripheral cooling holes to discharge cooling air. The second 3-pass circuit is located aft of the first 3-pass circuit and includes a third leg adjacent to the trailing edge region with a row of exit cooling holes connected to discharge cooling air from the serpentine. No film cooling holes are connected to the second and third legs of the two serpentine circuits so that low flow capability is achieved. A tip turn channel in the first serpentine provides blade tip cooling at a location upstream of the blade tip cooling channel.
US07901181B1 Turbine blade with triple spiral serpentine flow cooling circuits
A turbine blade with a cooling circuit that includes three separate 3-pass serpentine flow cooling circuits that each flow in the aft direction of the blade. Each of the three 3-pass serpentine circuits includes a first leg on the pressure side of the blade with a row of film cooling holes to discharge cooling air to the pressure side surface of the blade. The first and the second 3-pass serpentine circuits each include second and third legs located on the suction side of the blade, and the third legs include a row of film cooling holes to discharge cooling air onto the suction side wall surface. The third 3-pass serpentine circuit includes a second leg on the suction side and a third leg aft of the first and second legs and positioned between both the pressure side and suction side walls. Cooling air for a leading edge cavity and showerhead arrangement is supplied from the first leg of the first 3-pass serpentine circuit. The third leg of the third 3-pass serpentine circuit includes a row of exit holes to discharge cooling air out the trailing edge of the blade.
US07901180B2 Enhanced turbine airfoil cooling
The ends of cooling air passages in turbine blades and/or vanes of a gas turbine engine are provided with turbulation promoters to enhance the cooling of such structures as inner and outer shrouds and the like to accommodate thermal loads thereon.
US07901177B2 Fluid pump having multiple outlets for exhausting fluids having different fluid flow characteristics
A pump configured to receive fluids through an inlet and direct those fluids in two directions through two or more fluid discharge outlets, wherein the fluids are discharged with different fluid characteristics, such as different pressures or flow rates. In one embodiment, the pump may include first and second pumping chambers for pumping fluids from the pump with different pressures or flow rates, or both, eliminating the need for two pumps. The fluid may be exhausted from the pump through a first fluid discharge outlet and a second fluid discharge outlet of the pump.
US07901175B2 Load arm for a low lift industrial truck
A load arm for a fork of a low lift industrial truck, with an arm frame which is approximately U- or C-shaped in cross section with upward pointing bridge and downward pointing legs and an arm tip, which is connected to the arm frame via a welding connection, wherein the arm tip, tapered towards the free end, has bearing openings for the bearing of a load roller and introduction and withdrawal surfaces on the lower side, which ascend or fall off, respectively, towards the free end of the arm tip with respect to the lower edges or brims of the arm frame, and wherein the arm tip has an abutting surface at the rear end, which abuts against the blunt end of the arm frame, wherein the arm tip is formed by an integral piece of cast material, the arm tip has arm sections on the end facing the arm frame, which extend below the associated edges or brims of the arm frame and sit snugly on the lower edges or brims of the arm frame when arm frame and arm tip cling together, and the withdrawal surfaces are provided on the lower side of the arm sections.
US07901174B2 Tiltable loading system and extendable platform for transferring cargo
A device and method for transferring cargo are disclosed, including transferring cargo between an aft-loading aircraft and a ground transportation vehicle. In one embodiment, the invention may include a tilt frame, a transfer bed, and an adjustable carriage. The tilt frame may be pivotally engaged to a vehicle chassis where the tilt frame has a first end near the cab of the vehicle and a second end distal from the cab. The transfer bed may have a first end connected to the tilt frame and may be movable along an upper surface of the tilt frame. The adjustable height carriage may support a second end of the transfer bed. The transfer bed may be leveled at varying heights by moving the first end of the transfer bed along the upper surface of the tilt frame, and by varying the height of the carriage.
US07901170B2 Holding device for holding object
A holding device for holding an object having an opening includes: a first member inserted into the opening, having a cylindrical shape, and including multiple divisional portions divided by notches; and a second member including a shaft movable in the cylindrical shape and a head disposed on one end of the shaft and smaller than the opening and larger than an inner dimension of the cylindrical shape. Each divisional portion is expandable by the head so that the expanded divisional portion holds the object when the first member with the second member is inserted into the opening, and the first member is relatively displaced toward the second member.
US07901164B2 Debris shield for a rotary tool or machine
A debris shield for a rotary tool or machine for collecting debris generated while cutting or drilling holes in a work surface has a debris collection housing having a top structure, side walls depending from said top cover structure to form a debris collection chamber, an open bottom with a surface contact rim, and a compression axis extending through the housing's top structure and bottom opening. In one aspect of the invention, the debris collection housing is a bellows housing with a vacuum port, and has a shank-holding and vent assembly in top structure of the bellows housing for receiving and rotatably holding the shank of a rotary surface working implement such as a drill bit, spade bit or hole saw.
US07901163B2 Gun drill
A gun drill having excellent cutting efficiency, having high deep-hole drilling efficiency, and having a prolonged blade service life has a cutter head having a coolant discharge port communicating with a coolant supplying path at the distal end face at the distal end of a hollow shank portion having a cutting chip discharge groove, whose section along the lengthwise direction is V-shaped, on the outer surface and having the interior thereof made into a coolant supplying path, wherein a blade portion of the cutter head is made of cemented carbide alloy, and at the same time, the guide pads and that are brought into sliding contact with the inner circumference of a cutting bore are composed of a dissimilar material having higher hardness than the cemented carbide alloy.
US07901158B2 Underwater oil storage method and system
An underwater oil storage method, which includes the steps of: a) excavating a cellar in the ground earth and constructing a wall structure in the cellar to form a water pool, b) setting an oil tank in the water pool, c) supplying a predetermined amount of water to the water pool, and d) filling the oil to be stored into the oil tank and regulating the amount of water in the water pool subject to the amount of storage oil stored in the oil tank for enabling water in the water pool to support the oil tank and storage oil in the oil tank and to keep the oil tank in balance by means of the physical characteristic that the specific gravity of the storage oil is lower than water.
US07901155B2 Vehicle barrier
In order to stop a moving vehicle without injury to occupants, a vehicle barrier is provided having a pair of platforms disposed on opposite sides of a roadway, and a capture net extending across the roadway between the platforms. Each platform has a rotatably mounted spool attached to a different end of the net, and a dual acting extension-compression shock absorber pivotally mounted to the spool, such that when the force or energy of an impacting vehicle on the net is applied to the shock absorbers, via rotation of the spools. Rotation of spools operate the shock absorbers in compression, and if needed, in extension. In railroad crossing application, two of the vehicle barriers are provided on either side of the railroad tracks to prevent vehicles from crossing the railroad tracks.
US07901149B2 Substrate processing method, program, computer-readable recording medium, and substrate processing system
A substrate on which a resist film has been formed is transferred to an aligner and subjected to exposure processing. The substrate is then subjected to post-exposure baking in a second processing system. The substrate is then transferred again to the aligner and subjected to exposure processing. The substrate for which exposure processing for the second time has been finished is transferred to a first processing system and again subjected to post-exposure baking. The time periods from the ends of the exposure processing to the starts of the post-exposure baking for the first time and the second time are controlled to be equal. In pattern forming processing in which exposure processing is performed a plurality of times between the resist film forming processing and the developing treatment, a pattern with a desired dimension can be finally formed.
US07901144B2 Optical interconnect solution
A low-cost, high-speed optical interconnect replacement for current electrical interconnects on printed circuit boards is provided. The invention achieves its goal by including an optical transmitter module or optical receiver module mounted in close proximity to a modulator used to encode optical signals from electrical impulses or decode optical signals to electrical impulses. A bare optical fiber is then used to transmit the signal from an optical encoding source to an optical receiver, providing a high-speed method of replacement for traditional electrical interconnects.
US07901140B2 Seal for a clamping system bearing lug
A bearing eye for a tensioning system used in flexible drives. For sealing an annular gap between a fixedly positioned support part and a longitudinal bore of the bearing eye a sealing element is provided which encompasses two radially aligned sealing lips. To this end, in the installed state, the sealing lip is respectively supported on a support disc positioned on the support part and the corresponding further sealing lip is supported on a wall of the bearing eye in the region of the installation space.
US07901139B2 Hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device
In a hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device, relationships between the number of times of intermittence life, a bearing load, lubricating fluid viscosity, a bearing size, and the like are considered in order to provide a hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device which can secure appropriate intermittence life. In a hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device, a shaft is inserted into a bearing hole of a sleeve so as to be relatively rotatable. A value of a function (Nd) is set to be 100,000 or higher: wherein Nd=η/(S·Ff·P·D).
US07901138B2 Fluid bearing device
A fluid bearing device (50B, 50AB) is composed of a shaft (1, 51); a sleeve (9, 59) into which the shaft (1, 51) is inserted; and lubrication fluid (20) intervening in a gap between the shaft (1, 51) and the sleeve (9, 59), the fluid bearing device (50B, 50AB) supporting the shaft (1, 51) so as to be relatively rotatable freely with respect to the sleeve (9, 59), wherein an end portion of the sleeve (9, 59) is provided with a taper ring (4, 54) in annular shape, wherein at least either one of an inner circumferential surface (4a, 54a) of the taper ring (4, 54) and an outer circumferential surface (1a, 91b) of the shaft (1, 51) facing towards the inner circumferential surface (4a, 54a) of the taper ring (4, 54) is formed into a tapered surface (4a, 54a), which inclines in a direction as a gap between the inner circumferential surface (4a, 54a) of the taper ring (4, 54) and the outer circumferential surface (1a, 91b) of the shaft (1, 51) widens in accordance with leaving from the sleeve (9, 59) and forms a taper seal section (50TS, 50ATS) that prevents the lubrication fluid (20) from leaking out, and wherein the taper ring (4, 54) is formed by a material having coefficient of thermal expansion larger than that of the sleeve (9, 59) and the shaft (1, 51).
US07901136B2 Methods and system for calibrating and correcting a detection system
A method for calibrating a detection system including a multi-focus X-ray source includes performing a scan of a calibration material using the detection system to acquire scan data, determining a diffraction profile of the calibration material using the scan data, deriving an actual scatter angle using the determined diffraction profile, deriving an offset angle using the determined actual scatter angle, storing the derived offset angle, and generating a table including the stored offset angle.
US07901127B2 Drive for a machine for synthetic material plasticization and injection
The drive device (1) is intended for a machine for the plasticization and injection of synthetic material. It comprises a main drive (2) drivable in a first and a second direction of rotation and having a hollow shaft (6) rotatable about an axis of rotation (4). An axially bipartite inner reception region (7) having a first part region (8) and a second part region (9) is formed by the hollow shaft (6). Rotation transmission means (10, 14), arranged at least partially in the first part region (8), are provided for the transmission of a rotational movement of the hollow shaft (6) solely in a first direction of rotation to an extruder worm (16) rotatable about the axis of rotation (4). Conversion means (12, 19, 20), arranged at least partially in the second part region (9), are provided for the transmission of a rotational movement of the hollow shaft (6) in the first and a second direction of rotation to a supporting shaft (11) rotatable about the axis of rotation (4) and displaceable axially in both directions and for the conversion of the transmitted rotational movement into an axial movement of the supporting shaft (11).
US07901123B2 Light emitting module and vehicle lamp
A light emitting module includes a semiconductor light emitting element disposed on a rectangular board, and a pair of plane-shaped electrode portions formed on the board and coupled to the semiconductor light emitting element. The pair of plane-shaped electrode portions is separated in first opposite directions, and a center of the semiconductor light emitting element is shifted from a center of the board in one of second opposite directions. End faces of the pair of plane-shaped electrode portions do not protrude in the one of the second opposite directions from an end face of the semiconductor light emitting element on a side facing toward the one of the second opposite directions. The first opposite directions are directions along which one pair of opposite sides of the board extend, and the second opposite directions are directions along which the other pair of opposite sides of the board extend.
US07901122B2 Vehicular lamp unit
A lamp unit used in a vehicular lamp includes a reflector provided with a parabolic cylindrical reflective surface with a focal line in the horizontal direction; a planar light source having a light-emitting surface with a generally oblong shaped region; and a drive portion that rotatably supports the semiconductor light-emitting element portion. The generally oblong shaped region of the planar light source includes a long side in a direction parallel to the focal line and a short side of a predetermined width. The planar light source is disposed such that the light-emitting surface faces the parabolic cylindrical reflective surface of the reflector and such that a long side, on a lamp front side, generally coincides with the focal line and acts as a rotational axis.
US07901121B2 Vehicular lamp system
The light distribution of a vehicle headlamp can be changed between various modes, including a basic mode and a motorway mode. In the basic mode, shaded region changeover means block a high light intensity region, and deflection control means controls a lamp optical axis Lx to a straight travel direction. In the motorway mode, the shaded region changeover means does not block the high light intensity region, and the deflection control means controls deflection of the lamp optical axis to a host vehicle lane side. A light distribution in which the high light intensity region faces a far distance ahead of the host vehicle lane can be obtained, and the host vehicle lane is brightly illuminated without dazzling a driver of a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle. Accordingly, illumination suited to the motorway mode during high speed and medium speed travel can be achieved.
US07901120B2 Decorative unit with illuminable decorative elements
The invention relates to a decorative unit with illuminable decorative elements (1, 2, 3, 4), in particular a sill strip for positioning on the body of a vehicle, preferably in the region of a door sill, comprising a light-conducting layer (5) into which light can be radiated by an illuminant (6), in particular at least one light emitting diode (LED), disposed to the side, a light-covering decorative element layer (7) disposed over the light-conducting layer (5) with opaque and translucent regions which are designed to correspond to the decorative elements (1, 2, 3, 4), and a reflection layer (8) disposed beneath the light-conducting layer (5), a translucent dispersal layer (10) being disposed between the light-conducting layer (5) and the light-covering decorative element layer (7) disposed over the latter, wherein the translucent dispersal layer (10) contains a coarse fraction of particles with an average grain size in the region of between 30 and 120 μm, and preferably between 60 and 90 μm.
US07901118B2 Luminous pedal for a bicycle
A luminous pedal for a bicycle comprises a pedal, a luminous unit, and a rotary unit. The pedal has slots at two lateral sides respectively and a supporting portion in the middle. One end of the pedal is provided with an axial hole communicating with the supporting portion. The luminous unit has luminous portions and a coil seat. The luminous portions are disposed in the slots and the coil seat is detachably connected with a permanent magnet having a dentate part. The rotary unit includes an axial rod, a first gear, and a second gear. The first gear is disposed at the axial rod that is inserted into the axial hole. The second gear has a first disc and a second disc that are superimposed coaxially and the first disc is smaller than the second disc and the first gear. The two discs are engaged with the first gear and the permanent magnet. Thereby, the permanent magnet can be rotated rapidly by means of the differential ratio of the first and the second gears to produce enough electric power. Consequently, the luminous unit can be lightened stably.
US07901111B2 Lighting device and lighting method
A lighting device, comprising a solid state light emitter and a light filter. At least a portion of light emitted by the light emitter contacts the filter, and at least part of the light passes through the filter. Also, such lighting devices further comprising lumiphor, in which at least some of the first part of the light is absorbed by the lumiphor, which then emits light, and at least a portion of any light emitted by the lumiphor directed toward the filter is reflected by the filter. Also, a method of lighting, comprising illuminating a solid state light emitter in such devices. Also, a lighting device, comprising a solid state light emitter; a lumiphor and filter means for allowing at least a portion of light emitted by the light emitter to pass through and for reflecting a second portion of light emitted by the lumiphor after the lumiphor is excited.
US07901108B2 LED light source device
An LED light source device using light from luminescent elements at a high level of uniformity and efficiency, and to conduct irradiation with a high level of design freedom an LED light source device is equipped with luminescent elements and a translucent light-guiding member. The translucent light-guiding member has a central convex lens with a first cylindrical light-guiding part formed on the outer periphery of the central convex lens and a second cylindrical light-guiding part formed on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical light-guiding part, such that an air layer is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical light-guiding part and the inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical light-guiding part, the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical light-guiding part and the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical light-guiding part being rotated quadratic surfaces with the same focal point.
US07901106B2 Solid-state illuminator for display applications
The disclosure in one aspect provides an illuminator that includes a plurality of segmented diodes to generate a plurality of light beams. In another aspect, the illuminator may independently control current to some or all of the diodes.
US07901104B2 Illuminated motorcycle helmet shell
A motorcycle safety helmet shell with one or more light emitting diodes molded or embedded therein. The motorcycle helmet shell is designed and arranged in a manner to provide visual recognition and/or identification of the wearer. The LED safety lighting system may be powered by a battery, or any other electrochemical device, i.e., dry cell or lithium-ion battery combination, mounted within or without the helmet shell; and may be manually and/or automatically activated. One or more lenses may cover one or more of the light emitting diodes.
US07901101B2 Relay connector, mounting structure of relay connector and chassis, and mounting structure of relay connector and discharge tube
Relay connectors are arranged to supply power from power boards arranged on the back side of a chassis having a substantially plate-shaped configuration to discharge tubes arranged on the front side of the chassis. Each relay connector includes a holder having an insulation property and to be mounted to the chassis, and further includes a relay terminal mounted to the holder and capable of electrical connection to the discharge tube and the power board. The relay terminal is immune to direct contact with the chassis. This enables the use of a metallic chassis.
US07901098B2 Illuminating apparatus and image sensing system including illuminating apparatus
An illuminating apparatus includes a light source including a cylindrical light-emitting tube, a first optical system, a second optical system, and a third optical system. The first optical system has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light source to the object side are incident and an emergent surface from which the light passing through the incident surface are emitted. The second optical system has a reflecting surface from which light emitted from the light source to a first side are reflected. The third optical system has a reflecting surface from which light emitted from the light source to a second side opposite to the first side are reflected. The first to third optical systems each illuminate the entire illumination area of the object with light emitted from the light source and incident on the optical systems.
US07901097B2 Display apparatus and projection type lighting apparatus therefor
A display apparatus comprises a lighting unit for emitting a light, and a first light modulation unit for forming an image through modulation of the light from a light source unit, wherein the lighting unit includes a light source for emitting the light, a second light modulation unit for modulating the light from the light source, being smaller than the first light modulation unit for modulating the light from the light source, and a projection unit for projecting the light modulated through the second light modulation unit, enlargely, upon the first light modulation unit for use of display.
US07901096B2 Illumination for projecting an image
The invention is directed to a method for illuminating an object and projecting its image on a ground glass screen. Optical comparators conventionally use incandescent illumination, either mercury arc or halogen. The use of an array of high intensity LED devices, provides many options for packaging the required optical components used in comparators.
US07901091B2 Projection apparatus
A projection apparatus including a projection body and at least one adjusting leg is provided. The projection body has a casing, and the bottom of the casing has at least one accommodating cave. The adjusting leg includes a supporter and a pivoting rod. The supporter has a supporting portion and a screw connected to the supporting portion, and the projection body is capable of being supported on a surface by the supporting portion. The pivoting rod is pivoted to the casing and has a threaded hole, and the screw is screwed into the threaded hole. The pivoting rod is capable of being rotated along an axis of the pivoting rod to drive the supporter to rotate, so as to accommodate the supporting portion in the accommodating cave.
US07901090B2 Adjustable reflective mirror module and projection apparatus using the same
A reflective mirror module for being fixed on a housing having a plurality of through holes is provided. The reflective mirror module includes a fixing support, a reflective mirror, a leaf spring, and a plurality of adjusting screws. The fixing support has a plurality of threaded holes. The reflective mirror is disposed on the fixing support, and the leaf spring is disposed between the fixing support and the housing. Moreover, the leaf spring has a plurality of guiding openings, and the positions of the guiding openings and the threaded holes are corresponding to the positions of the through holes. The adjusting screws pass through the through holes and the guiding openings, and are secured in the threaded holes of the fixing support. Through the adjustment of the adjusting screws, the position of the reflective mirror is adjusted precisely. Additionally, a projection apparatus using the reflective mirror module is provided.
US07901088B2 Projection display apparatus and image forming apparatus with efficient power consumption
A projection display apparatus includes an image forming section that forms an image based on image information received from an external device, and a projection lens that projects the image formed by the image forming section. The projection display apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of light emitting elements, a first driver and a second driver. The light emitting elements are two-dimensionally arranged on the substrate. The light emitting elements include rows of light emitting elements and columns of light emitting elements such that the rows are substantially perpendicular to the columns. The first driver element selectively drives the rows. The second driver element selectively drives the columns. The plurality of light emitting elements include three groups of light emitting elements aligned either in the rows or in the columns, each group emitting light of a different wavelength from the remaining groups.
US07901080B2 Ophthalmologic surgical microscope system having an OCT-measuring device
The invention is directed to an ophthalmologic surgical microscope system (100) for examining the eye of a patient. The ophthalmologic surgical microscope system includes a surgical microscope (101) as well as a carrier arrangement (102) wherein the surgical microscope (101) is accommodated so as to permit elevation adjustment in order to be able to adjust a work distance between the surgical microscope (101) and the eye of the patient. An ophthalmoscopic ancillary module (103) is connected to the surgical microscope and has an adjustable ophthalmoscopic magnifier system in order to adjust a distance between the ophthalmoscopic magnifier and the surgical microscope (101). The ophthalmologic surgical microscope system (100) has a sensor system for measuring the distance of the surgical microscope (101) from the patient eye. The sensor system is configured as an OCT-measuring device.
US07901074B2 Lens for safety glasses
In a lens for safety glasses of the present invention, a first lens element which shields a laser beam is laid on a second lens element for antiglare. The first and the second lens element may be affixed together. In the lens for safety glasses, the first lens element includes a substrate which contains an absorbent for selectively absorbing a laser beam having a specific wavelength in an ultraviolet wavelength region, a visible light wavelength region or an infrared wavelength legion and is transparent in the visible light wavelength region. The safety glasses with the lens may provide comfortable fit and a good appearance, causes less misjudgment of colors and prevents loss of correct color sense, and has both a laser-beam shielding function and an antiglare function.
US07901072B1 Prismatic ocular device and personal video display device incorporating same
An ocular device includes a housing, a rotatable ring, a first prism fixed in the rotatable ring, an indexable ring and a second prism fixed in the indexable ring. The housing has a stepped inner profile defining first and second circular tracks in the housing, the tracks being concentric about a rotational axis. The rotatable ring is disposed in the first circular track and is freely rotatable about the rotational axis with respect to the housing. The indexable ring is disposed in the second circular track and is indexable about the rotational axis.
US07901069B2 Print engine assembly with dual motor assemblies
A print engine for in an inkjet printer includes a chassis; a print cartridge mounted to the chassis, the print cartridge including a wound length of print media and defining therewithin a plurality of ink reservoirs; a first motor assembly mounted to the chassis, the first motor assembly driving a roller of the print cartridge to transport the print media; a printhead assembly engaged with the print cartridge, the printhead assembly ejecting ink from the reservoirs onto the transported print media; a cutter assembly for cutting a printed length of print media from the remaining wound length; a second motor assembly mounted to the chassis, the second motor assembly driving the cutter assembly; and a capping mechanism displaceable towards and away from the printhead by a displacement mechanism, the capping mechanism including a carrier having an elongate rib positioned to abut with the printhead.
US07901067B2 Print media loading mechanism having displaceable endless belts
A print media loading mechanism for a modular printer assembly is disclosed. A pair of opposed endless belts is provided. Each belt passes around a pair of rollers. Opposed roller pairs are slidably received by sliders attached to a frame of the printer assembly. A pair of arms is attached to each opposed roller pair, the pair of arms having a common pivot point. A traversing mechanism connects to each pair of arms at the common pivot point. A drive assembly, including at least one worm screw and motor which rotates the worm screw, is also provided. The worm screw interacts with the traversing mechanism in order to move the traversing mechanisms apart and closer together respectively. This in turn moves the opposed endless belts apart and closer together respectively.
US07901066B2 Ink-jet recording apparatus and recording method therefor
A recording apparatus has a recording head, a platen, and a first hole. The recording head includes a dot formation element array, and the platen holds a recording medium opposite the recording head. The first hole is disposed in an area of the platen opposite a downstream portion of the dot formation element array and guides ink discarded outside an end of the recording medium when the end is printed without a margin. Alternatively or additionally, a second hole is formed in an area of the platen opposite an upstream portion of the dot formation element array, and the platen guides ink, which is discarded outside an end of the recording medium when the end is printed without a margin, to the second hole.
US07901061B2 Liquid discharge device
A liquid discharge device is provided with a casing, a carriage, a discharge head, a sub tank, a supply nozzle, and a moving device. The casing has a space for housing a main tank. The carriage is capable of moving. The discharge head is arranged on the carriage. The sub tank is also arranged on the carriage. The sub tank is communicated with the discharge head. The supply nozzle is to be communicated with the main tank. The moving device is capable of moving the supply nozzle with respect to the carriage in a way that the supply nozzle pierces through a first position of the sub tank and is inserted into the sub tank. Furthermore, the moving device is capable of moving the supply nozzle with respect to the carriage in a way that the supply nozzle pierces through a second position of the sub tank and is inserted into the sub tank. The second position is a different position from the first position.
US07901060B2 Ink-jet recording apparatus
A volume of an ink-deliver chamber is efficiently utilized to dampen pressure changes of ink within the chamber, and prevent air bubbles produced in the chamber from flowing into an ink-jet recording head. In addition, an ink-jet recording apparatus having a plurality of ink-deliver chambers in a small space, is provided. Two ink cases are stacked on each other, which include two ink-deliver chambers that accommodate different inks. Open sides of the four ink-deliver chambers are closed by flexible films. An ink-deliver chamber has an ink-flow inlet through which ink is introduced, and an ink-flow outlet through which ink flows to the ink-jet recording head, and the ink-flow inlet and outlet are provided at respective positions that are substantially most distant from each other such that almost all portions of an inner space of the ink-deliver chamber, where ink flows, are located between the ink-flow inlet and outlet.
US07901058B2 Inkjet printer nozzle arrangement having thermal actuator with inner and outer portion of inverse profile
A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement comprising a wafer substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel; a static ink ejection structure extending from the substrate assembly and bounding the ink inlet channel; a pair of thermal bend actuators extending from the wafer substrate assembly on opposite sides of the static ink ejection structure, each actuator having an outer passive portion and an inner active portion, the inner active portion having a profile inverse of the outer passive portion; an active ink ejection structure comprising a roof defining an ink ejection port, and at least one sidewall which depends from the roof and surrounds the static ink ejection structure; and a pair of coupling structures coupling respective thermal bend actuators to the active ink ejection structure, the thermal bend actuators adapted to bend to move the active ink ejection structure relative to the static ink ejection structure, whereby ink contained within the ink ejection structure is ejected through the ink ejection port.
US07901054B2 Printhead including moving portions and sealing bridges
An inkjet printhead comprising: a stationary portion; a plurality of moving portions for ejection of ink; and a plurality of seal members. Each seal member connects a respective moving portion with the stationary portion. Each seal member has a non-planar profile configured for facilitating movement of the moving portion.
US07901046B2 Thermal bend actuator comprising conduction pads
A thermal bend actuator is provided. The bend actuator comprises (i) a first active cantilever beam for connection to drive circuitry, the first beam comprising a planar beam element having a bend; (ii) a second passive cantilever beam mechanically cooperating with the first beam, such that when a current is passed through the first beam, the first beam expands relative to the second beam, resulting in bending of the actuator; and (iii) a conduction pad positioned at a bend region of the beam element. The conduction pad is configured to facilitate electrical conduction in the bend region.
US07901045B2 Ink jet recording head and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides an ink jet recording head which includes a substrate, an energy generating element which is disposed on the substrate and generates energy for discharging a liquid, an electrode which is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the energy generating element, a passage-forming member which is disposed on the substrate, an adhesion layer which is disposed on the substrate and facilitates adhesion between the passage-forming member and the substrate, and a bump disposed on the electrode. The area of an upper surface of the bump is larger than the area of a lower surface of the bump, the lower surface being located on the substrate side, the upper surface being located opposite the lower surface, and a side face of the bump is covered with the adhesion layer. Thereby, a protective film is formed around the bump.
US07901040B2 Droplet deposition method and apparatus
In an ink jet printhead have an elongate ink chamber and a nozzle at one end, a continuous flow of ink is provided through a high impedance channel communicating with the chamber close to the nozzle. Ink is ejected through the nozzle by generating longitudinal acoustic waves in the fluid chamber. A high velocity ink flow into the chamber from the channel sweeps away from the nozzle debris or bubbles that might otherwise block the nozzle.
US07901035B2 Directed flow drip bib for printhead with three point contact
A drip bib for use with a printhead of an imaging device includes a plate having an upper surface having an upper edge, an intermediate surface angled with respect to the upper surface, and a lower edge. The intermediate surface includes a plurality of fastener openings. The lower edge includes a drip point projecting from the lower edge with remaining portions of the lower edge being upturned and angled downwardly from at least one end of the lower edge toward the drip point. A plurality of protrusions protrudes from a back side of the upper surface. The protrusions in the plurality of protrusions are spaced from each other and proximate the upper edge.
US07901032B2 Printer having moveable printhead and capping/purging member
An inkjet printer is provided which has at least one printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, a capping/purging member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in an arcuate first direction between first, second and third positions, and a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping/purging member in an arcuate second direction to cap the nozzles of the printhead when the printhead is in the second position and to permit purging of ink from the nozzles when the printhead is in the third position.
US07901031B2 Mobile telecommunications device with printhead and a printhead capper
A mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device includes an inkjet printhead, a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing, and a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the capper is displaced away from the printhead thereby exposing the printhead to print media in the print media feed path. The capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by engagement with an edge of the print media as the print media moves through the feed path.
US07901030B2 Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus, including: a conveyance device including an endless belt which conveys a recording medium placed on an exterior surface of the endless belt; a recording device which jets ink onto the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance device; and a cleaning device to clean the surface, including, a flexible sheet member mounted more downstream in a conveyance direction of the belt than a position where the recording device is mounted, and a top of the flexible sheet member comes into slidably contact with the surface, and an elastic supporting member mounted at a side of the flexible sheet member; wherein when the flexible sheet member bends due to running of the belt, the elastic supporting member comes into contact with the flexible sheet member, and the elastic supporting member pushes the flexible sheet member so that the flexible sheet member presses against the surface of the belt.
US07901027B2 Image forming apparatus, component, component checking method, control program, and storage medium
With this invention, compatibility between an image forming apparatus and a component mounted on the image forming apparatus is precisely checked. A cartridge, as the component, stores its ID (first information) and an ID (second information) of the image forming apparatus that can use the cartridge. The image forming apparatus stores its ID (third information) and an ID (fourth information) of the cartridge that can be used in the image forming apparatus. Then, when the fourth information includes the first information or the second information includes the third information, it is decided that the cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus can be used. When the fourth information does not include the first information and the second information does not include the third information, it is decided that the cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus cannot be used.
US07901025B2 Ink-jet printing apparatus and ink-jet printing method
The print permitting ratios of the masks in the first to fourth passes of a C ink are respectively 6.2%, 37.5%, 37.5%, and 18.8%. On the other hand, the print permitting ratios of the masks in the first to fourth passes of an M ink are respectively 12.5%, 37.5%, 37.5%, and 12.5%. In this way, the respective masks are set such that a larger amount of the C ink is applied in a later pass as compared with the M ink. Thereby, it is possible to reduce an amount of the M ink to be applied later with respect to the C ink functioning to “reduce a permeation speed of an ink applied later by filling,” and it is possible to prevent a permeation speed from slowing down overall. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of beading due to a time to complete permeation becoming longer.
US07901024B2 Method of inkjet printing
A method of inkjet printing includes using a grayscale inkjet print head. The inkjet print head is driven driving to eject a number of successive ink droplets from the ink chamber in accordance with print tone data provided to the grayscale print head, the number of successive ink droplets forming a multiple-droplet drop creating a printed dot of appropriate tone on the receiving medium. The method includes the step of excluding print tone data corresponding with the ejection of a single-droplet drop from being provided to the grayscale print head. A preferred embodiment includes the removal of this print tone data from the data provided to the grayscale print head. A more preferred embodiment includes applying a multilevel halftoning technique for avoiding the use of print tone data corresponding with a single-droplet drop during the generation of the print tone data for inkjet printing the image with the grayscale print head.
US07901023B2 Inkjet printhead with drive circuitry controlling variable firing sequences
An inkjet printhead includes: an array of ink ejection nozzles, an actuator for each nozzle and drive circuitry for receiving print data from a printhead controller and distributing fire signals to the actuators. The drive circuitry is configured to fire the actuators such that a first firing sequence for a first line of print is different to a second firing sequence for a subsequent second line of print.
US07901019B2 Door assembly for use in a home appliance
An appliance and door assembly having a body; a member extending from the body; at least one door mounted to the member; an articulated handle mounted to the door; and a first linkage member connecting the handle to the member. The articulated handle and door includes a door, a handle mounted to the door via a hinge, and a linkage member mounted to the handle via a hinge.
US07901017B1 Security file cabinet with self-closing, self-locking drawers
A self-closing, self-locking security file cabinet having one or more lateral and vertical file drawers mounted on sliding supports includes a lock return mechanism for returning the lock to the lock position after the individual has released his/her hold on the key with the key staying with the lock when the lock is in the unlock position for opening the drawers, a plurality of lock catches pivotally mounted to vertically slidable lock bars mounted to the interior cabinet side walls adjacent the cabinet front and which interact with fixed protrusions on the exterior surfaces of the drawer side panels to allow the opening of the drawers upon lock rotation and closure of the drawers upon release of the lock by the individual, and a constant rate coil spring having a distal end attached to each drawer for returning an open drawer to the closed position at a controlled rate of acceleration when the drawer is manually released by the individual so that the drawer is not damaged against the cabinet back wall during closure.
US07901013B2 Motorcycle wheel speed sensor mounting structure
A motorcycle wheel speed sensor mounting structure, includes an axle holder for supporting a front wheel is disposed below a front fork of the motorcycle and an axle support disposed in a lower part of the axle holder. Further, a caliper mount, for supporting a brake caliper of a disc brake, is disposed on a rear portion of the axle holder and a wheel speed sensor is mounted on the caliper mount, wherein the wheel speed sensor is located above a line connecting a lower end of the axle support to a lower end of the caliper mount.
US07901009B2 Severe application off-highway truck body
An open top body of an off-highway haulage vehicle is described for severe hauling applications such as hauling of high density, abrasive material. The body has a floor divided into at least two sections with first and second sections angled at different inclinations. The second section extends to the rear edge of the floor and is at an angle of inclination greater than the first section. The opposing sidewalls of the body extend vertically from the floor are flared or taper along their length such that the body floor is wider at the rear of the body than it is at the front. The body includes a tailgate pivotally attached to the sidewalls for rotation between closed and opened positions in response to the bumping of the load by the body.
US07901004B2 Movable installation comprising rows of seats
The invention relates to a movable installation comprising rows of seats. The inventive installation is formed by guides (1) which are housed in the ground and on which the rows of seats (2) are slidably mounted such that they can slide between a position in which they are grouped together and a position in which they are spaced apart. The aforementioned guides (1) define (i) upper extensions which provide a ground leveling reference during the assembly of the installation and (ii) a housing for the insertion of cover plates (10) which are level with the ground.
US07900996B2 Construction machine
A seat support platform (17) is provided on a floor panel (13) of a floor member (12) of a cab (11). An air conditioner unit (25) is installed internally of the seat support platform (17). An under floor duct (27) is provided on the lower side surface (13C) of the floor panel (13) to form an external air induction passage (30) to guide external air from outside of the cab (11) toward an external air intake port (25H) of the air conditioner unit (25). Under floor duct (27) can be provided integrally with the floor member (12) without protrusion to the lower side, and the under floor duct (27) can supply cool external air into the cab (11). Even in the case of a small size hydraulic excavator, the under floor duct (27) can be provided integrally on the floor member (12) to secure broader space in the cab (11).
US07900991B2 Vehicle roof architecture for removable soft top or hardtop cover
A roof system for a vehicle that has a roof support structure to which a hardtop roof (34) or a retractable soft top roof (62) may be latched. The roof support structure includes a transverse reel that extends transversely relative to the vehicle direction and is connected to a panel that is also connected to the rear rail. The hardtop includes a rigid panel and a frame. The soft top is supported on attached bows with which the soft top is stored in a cassette after removal.
US07900990B2 Universal cargo rail clamp
An adjustable clamp assembly for attaching an accessory to a vehicle having a cargo rail. The assembly includes a rail clamp member attachable to the cargo rail and an adjustable clasp catcher operatively attached to the rail clamp member. A clasp is configured to selectively interface with one of at least two attachment features on the adjustable clasp catcher. An accessory fitting configured to accept attachment of the vehicle accessory is connected with respect to the clasp such that the accessory fitting is selectively attachable to the adjustable clasp catcher, thereby capable of attaching the accessory to the vehicle through the cargo rail. A locking member may be operatively attached to the clasp and configured to selectively exert a locking force between the clasp and adjustable clasp catcher.
US07900989B2 System for storing a spare tire
A system for storing a spare tire within a vehicle includes a support surface, a rear tire brace, and a front restraint member. The support surface supports the spare tire. The support surface has a rearward portion on which a rearward radial portion of the spare tire is supported and a forward portion on which a forward radial portion of the spare tire is supported. The rear tire brace is spaced apart from the rearward portion of the support surface for limiting lifting movement of the rearward radial portion of the spare tire. The front restraint member is removably secured to the forward portion of the support surface for limiting at least one of forward, lateral and lifting movement of the spare tire on the support surface.
US07900986B2 Active material based concealment assemblies
A concealment assembly includes a component, a member configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to conceal the component and the second form is configured to expose the component, thereby making the component accessible for use, appearance, or function, and an active material in operable communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form.
US07900984B2 Interface joint for motor vehicle
An interface joint for a motor vehicle is provided that serves as a node to connect a longitudinal motor compartment frame rail, an energy absorbing device, referred to as a crush box, and an engine cradle. The interface joint is a unitary component having a plate portion, first and second flange portions, and an engine cradle attachment portion. The first flange portion extends longitudinally from the plate portion and is adapted for engagement with the crush box. The second flange portion extends longitudinally from the plate portion opposite the first flange portion and is adapted for engagement with the frame rail. The engine cradle attachment portion extends between the flange portions and is adapted for attachment to the engine cradle.
US07900981B2 Door opener system and adapter part for use in a door opener
The present invention relates to a door opener system having a door opener, which comprises a pivot latch pivotable into the door opener having a stop, having a striker plate, and having a lock latch guide running diagonally inward into the door opener for guiding the lock latch, an adapter part being provided, on which the lock latch guide is implemented and which is situated between the door opener and the striker plate. In order to obtain a flexibly usable and simultaneously reliably functioning door opener system, the lock latch guide is implemented as a slide face, which runs continuously over the stop width and is situated on the door side next to the stop of the pivot latch and adjoining thereto.
US07900977B2 Device for the sealed coupling of two cylindrical pipes having different diameters
The invention relates to a device for the sealed coupling of two abutting cylindrical pipes. The device includes a truncated surrounding sleeve and clamping device to reduce the apparent diameter of the sleeve. The surrounding sleeve is cut longitudinally along the center to form a slit having two hollowed-out central wedges, which are joined to the surrounding sleeve by a neck piece. The base of the sleeve can be deformed in a controlled manner in order to connect pipes having different diameters. Two triangular housings on the opposite side, in which the triangular wedges are housed when the sleeve is clamped to the pipes.
US07900973B2 Plug-type connector
A plug-type connector for pipelines, having a first and a second connection end, with a first connection end being in the form of a first support body, the first support body being provided with a closure ring, the closure ring and the first support body forming an annular space for accommodating a pipe end, and for securing the pipe end, which is inserted into the annular space in a clamping manner, against axially acting withdrawal forces. The plug-type connector is distinguished in that the closure ring has at least one latching projection or latching recess with which the clamping ring can be axially secured.
US07900970B2 Fastening device for cable and wave hose
A fastening device is provided for fastening cables, fibers or wave hoses in position with multiple ways, and for waterproof capability. The fastening device includes a first casing, an inner holding part, a waterproof screw annulus, a positioning nut, a connecting casing, a second casing, an inner buckled nut, a resilient washer, and a constricting gasket. The first casing and the second casing are respectively engaged with the waterproof screw annulus and the connecting annulus. The first casing and the second casing take force to the wave hose for holding the cable or fiber in place in multiple ways, and avoid shifting or breaking off from drawing outside.
US07900969B2 Connector between a reaction pipe and a cooling pipe and method for connecting a reaction pipe to a cooling pipe
Connector between a reaction pipe and a cooling pipe and method for connecting a reaction pipe to a cooling pipe. The cooling pipe is a double pipe having an inner pipe, disposed in the extension of the reaction pipe, and an outer pipe that surrounds the inner pipe to form an intermediate cooling space between them. A supply chamber is connected to the cooling space for supplying coolant thereto. A transition piece, connected to the reaction pipe, has a fork-shaped end portion composed of an inner portion and an outer portion with heat-insulating material between them. The outer portion is secured to the base of the supply chamber coaxially relative to the longitudinal axis of the cooling pipe. The supply chamber, transition piece and half shells form a prefabricated unit. An inner tube section is welded to, and extends out of, the supply chamber and is aligned with the inner portion of the transition piece. The inner tube section has a thickness, inner diameter and outer diameter corresponding to those of the inner pipe. The thickness, inner diameter and outer diameter of the half shells correspond to those of the outer pipe. The axial length of the half shells is greater than the length of the part of the inner tube section extending out of the supply chamber.
US07900959B2 Airbag apparatus
The airbag apparatus includes an airbag housed in a folded state and an inflator for supplying inflation gas to the airbag. The inflator includes a first gas supply region and a second gas supply region respectively supplying inflation gas into the airbag under control of a control device. The first gas supply region is operable independently and in advance of the second gas supply region. The substance quantity of inflation gas supplied to the airbag by the first gas supply region per unit time at the time the first gas supply region operates independently and in advance of the second gas supply region is less than the substance quantity of inflation gas supplied to the airbag by the second gas supply region per unit time.
US07900957B2 Airbag apparatus
A side airbag apparatus includes an airbag 30 and an inflator assembly 20 incorporated in the airbag 30. The airbag 30 is formed by first and second inflation sections 31, 42. An insertion portion 49 in an upper portion of the second inflation section 42 is located in a lower portion of a receptacle portion 38 of the first inflation section 31. The gas discharge passages 57 for discharging inflation gas G in the first inflation section 31 to the outside of the airbag 30 are formed between the overlapped insertion portion 49 and receptacle portion 38. In this state, the first and second inflation sections 31, 42 are connected to each other. When the first inflation section 31 is not restraining the occupant, the inflation gas G in each inflation section 31, 42 causes the insertion portion 49 to closely contact the receptacle portion 38, so that the gas discharge passages 57 are closed. When the first inflation section 31 is restraining the occupant P, a part of the insertion portion 49 is separated from the receptacle portion 38 by using the increase in the internal pressure of the first inflation section 31 due to the restraint, so that the gas discharge passages 57 are opened.
US07900955B2 Airbag device
To provide an airbag device for improving integrity between the airbag and exterior parts of a vehicle body and which excels in applicability. An airbag device is provided with a case which accommodates an airbag and an inflator. A lid is provided for releasing a side of the case when the airbag deploys together with a lid cover for covering the lid.
US07900952B2 Folding stroller including locking mechanism
A folding chair includes handle frames, and front legs and rear legs configured to support the chair in an upright position. The front legs are pivotally attached to respective rear legs. A chair portion, includes a back rest, a seat, and a leg rest pivotally attached to the seat. Pivot frames are pivotally attached to respective handle frames, the back rest, and the rear legs. Sliders are pivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respective arm rests, and the seat, and are configured to slide along the front legs.
US07900948B2 Bicycle forks, crown, and steerer tube assembly
A fork assembly for a bicycle includes a pair of forks and a steerer tube that extend in generally opposite directions from a fork crown. The assembly includes first and second means for securing the steerer tube to the fork crown. Preferably, the steerer tube is threaded and bonded to the fork crown. The fork crown includes a pair of cavities that each slidably receives a respective fork. Preferably, each fork is formed of a carbon fiber material and has an end whose shape substantially matches a shape of a respective cavity formed in the crown. The forks and crown cavities cooperate to efficiently communicate loads between the forks and the fork crown while maintaining a lightweight and robust fork, fork crown, and steerer tube assembly.
US07900938B2 Suspension system for vehicle
A suspension system for a vehicle including: a stabilizer apparatus configured to change a stabilizer force by an operation of an actuator, a pair of hydraulic shock absorbers configured to change damping coefficients thereof, and a control device which is configured to execute a body-roll damping control in which at least a part of the stabilizer force is controlled to act as a roll damping force having a magnitude in accordance with a roll speed of a body of the vehicle, which is configured to change, in the body-roll damping control, a degree of the magnitude of the roll damping force by the stabilizer force, and which is configured to control, under execution of the body-roll damping control, the damping coefficient of each absorber such that a component of the absorber force for damping roll of the vehicle body is controlled in accordance with the degree of the magnitude of the roll damping force by the stabilizer force, namely, such that the component of the absorber force becomes smaller in an instance where the degree of the magnitude of the roll damping force by the stabilizer force is high than in an instance where the degree of the magnitude of the roll damping force by the stabilizer force is low.
US07900933B2 Bearing seal with flexible lip
A seal is disclosed for use on the tapered section of a roll neck in a rolling mill. The seal comprises a flexible circular seal body having a central axis and at least one radially outwardly extending flange joined by a hinge to an angularly extending lip. The hinge has a reduced thickness as compared to the thicknesses of the flange and the lip, and the lip has converging first and second sides leading to an enlarged rim. The rim has first and second peripheral faces that converge to an outer edge contained in a reference plane parallel to the central axis of the seal body.
US07900926B2 Low/max card game method and apparatus
A card game method and apparatus is played with a standard deck of cards and a game table having a dealer area and a plurality of player areas. The dealer deals sets of cards to each of a plurality of players and to the dealer itself. An equal number of cards is dealt to each player. The equal number is preferably from 3 to 7. Each player makes an initial wager. After receiving their cards, each player and the dealer split at least three of their cards into two half-hands, a first half-hand having a “LOW” value and a second half-hand having a “HIGH” value. A player wins if both a) that player's LOW hand is lower than the dealer's LOW hand and b) that player's HIGH hand is higher than the dealer's HIGH hand. A number a variations of the game are also described.
US07900921B1 System for tracking motion of game articles
A method and apparatus for displaying the track of a game article moving on a play surface, the game article directing energy to said play surface to energize energy reactive material and provide a visually observable track display.
US07900918B2 Sheet conveying system, as well as image forming apparatus and sheet conveying apparatus thereof
A sheet conveying system in which when a sheet is passed from a sheet conveying apparatus to another, each including a sheet conveyance controller, the receiving apparatus can smoothly control acceleration, deceleration, or stop of conveyance of the sheet. A first sheet conveying device includes a first conveying roller pair to nip and convey a sheet, a releasing mechanism to release nipping of the sheet by the first conveying roller pair, and a first controller to control the first conveying roller pair and the releasing mechanism. A second sheet conveying device includes a second conveying roller pair to nip and convey the sheet conveyed by the first sheet conveying device, a second controller to control the second conveying roller pair, and a detecting device to detect position of a sheet. In response to the detection by the detecting device, the second controller causes the releasing mechanism to release the nipping of the sheet by the first conveying roller pair.
US07900917B2 Recording medium conveyer capable of effectively conveying recording medium of various types
In a recording medium conveyer, a driver drives a feeding member and a conveying member provided downstream from the feeding member in a recording medium conveyance direction independently. A controller stops driving the feeding member when a first time period elapses after a recording medium reaches the conveying member. When a selector judges that the thickness of the recording medium identifies the recording medium as thin paper, the controller does not drive the feeding member after the controller starts driving the conveying member, and when the selector judges that the recording medium has a thickness greater than a thickness of the recording medium that identifies the recording medium as thin paper, the controller restarts driving the feeding member no later than when the controller starts driving the conveying member.
US07900915B2 Device for transporting and weighing letters
Device for the transport and weighing of letters, wherein the letter is conveyed between at least two conveyance elements and is stabilized laterally outside the conveyance elements by at least one guide element so that a deflection or fluttering of the letter can be reduced or avoided, at least when the letter is seized at its front edge by the transport elements.
US07900913B2 Image forming apparatus and method for controlling the same
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first sensor that is provided in a conveying path for a sheet and detects a first passage time of the sheet; a second sensor that is provided in a position different from a position of the first sensor in both a conveying direction of the sheet and a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and detects a second passage time of the sheet; a skew determining unit that calculates a skew amount of the sheet from a difference between the first passage time detected by the first sensor and the second passage time detected by the second sensor and determines occurrence of skew of the sheet on the basis of the skew amount; and a cause estimating unit that estimates, when the skew determining unit determines that the skew occurs, a cause of the occurrence of the skew.
US07900909B2 Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
Sheets fed out of a cassette supporting the sheets by a pickup roller are separated and fed by a sheet separation feeding unit having a feed roller and a separating roller which is rotatable in a direction opposite to a sheet feeding direction. A charge eliminating mechanism for eliminating charges of the separating roller is arranged on the upstream side in the sheet feeding direction in a separation nip portion between the feed roller and the separating roller.
US07900908B2 Automatic paper feed device, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus
An automatic paper feed device is provided, including a cover member that has a paper insertion opening in a nearly rectangular shape, the paper insertion opening having a longitudinal direction perpendicular to both a transport direction of the paper and a thickness direction of the paper. The paper insertion opening includes a first end opening portion, a second end opening portion, and a center opening portion arranged in the longitudinal direction of the paper insertion opening. The paper insertion opening connects a placement unit, in which paper is placed, with a separation and transport mechanism, that separates paper placed in the placement unit and transports paper placed in the placement unit in the transport direction. The first and second end opening portions are each larger in size than the central opening portion.
US07900907B2 Media processing device
A media processing device can convey checks at a constant speed passed an information reading position without slipping and without increasing the relay capacity of the transportation roller. The check processing device 1 has two transportation rollers 31 and 32 between the scanning position 52A of the contact image scanner 52 and the separation roller 17 and retard roller 18 that produce a transportation load or transportation load variation. The upstream-side transportation roller 31 turns faster than the downstream transportation roller 32 so that the checks 4 are fed with slack between these transportation rollers 31 and 32. Because of this slack in the part 402 of the check 4 between the transportation rollers 31 and 32, the transportation load from the separation mechanism does not act on the downstream transportation roller 32. The transportation load acting on the transportation roller 32 that feeds the checks 4 to the scanning position 52A can thus be reduced, variation in the transportation load can be suppressed, checks can be conveyed at a constant speed to the scanning position 52A, and a drop in the reading accuracy of the contact image scanner 52 can be prevented.
US07900899B2 Creasing device in accordance with sheet kind
A sheet post-processing apparatus includes a taking-in portion configured to support sheets conveyed with their leading edges in a conveying direction directed downward in a standing position and release the support of the sheets, a folding portion configured to crease the sheets, which are supported by the taking-in portion, by pressing and release the creased sheets into the taking-in portion, a loading portion arranged under the taking-in portion to load the creased sheets conveyed from the taking-in portion, a stitching portion configured to stitch a sheet bundle loaded on the loading portion, and a controller configured to execute conveying of the sheets to the taking-in portion and creasing of the sheets supported on the taking-in portion by the folding portion during stitching the creased sheet bundle loaded on the loading portion by the stitching portion.
US07900897B2 Workpiece clamping device and method
A clamping device & method for down clamping against a workpiece by utilizing part features produced during a prior operation. The mechanics of this device allow it to open, close, raise and lower during its initialization and release. The device contains a built in block type jaw restraint to facilitate the customization of its clamping heads to suit the shape of the part feature it is to clamp down upon. This device is used within the part boundaries, thus facilitating higher quantity part batch sizes being presented to the limited travels of the machine tool used to process the parts. This invention is comprised of readily available hardware items along with two cost effective and simple to mass-produce components. The device can be actuated manually or with automatic actuation. The method described to prepare the project is unique to the function & usage of this invention.
US07900896B2 Specimen stage
An object of the present invention is to provide a specimen stage which is simple in structure, and which suppresses a positional shift due to a friction heat caused by a brake or the like. One aspect to achieve the object provides a specimen stage including: a thrust portion thrust by a thrusting member; and a slide surface thrust by the thrust portion. When the specimen stage stops, the specimen stage performs a control in a way that a part of the slide surface in contact with the thrust portion, and/or a portion adjacent to the part or the thrust portion is heated. By heating the part of the slide surface or the like in this manner, a temperature gradient can be suppressed as described above (see FIG. 3).
US07900894B2 Load control power transmission
The present invention is a transmission used with a winch drum. The transmission includes a drive shaft, an output shaft, a hydraulic or pneumatic system, a cooling system, a gear coaxially mounted on the output shaft, and an electric motor for powering the gear. The drive shaft is adapted to drive the winch drum and includes a clutch disc extending generally radially outwards from the drive shaft. The clutch disc has a face. The output shaft coaxially surrounds at least a portion of the drive shaft and includes a friction surface extending generally radially inward. The friction surface has a face opposing the face of the clutch disc. The hydraulic or pneumatic system is adapted to bring the faces into contact, and the cooling system is adapted to remove heat from the friction surface via a fluid coolant.
US07900891B2 Tooling for insulating aircraft stringers and method
To an aircraft stringer, a strap is inserted lengthwise through a stringer of an aircraft fuselage, a first end of the strap is secured to a first end of a length of insulation, and the first end of the length of insulation is drawn into a first end of the stringer in response to pulling a second end of the strap.
US07900887B2 Assembly of an energy transmission member for a hand-operated device and an energy source having means for the locking in rotation and angular indexing of the source
In the assembly of the invention, the assembly includes adapter means designed to connect the transmission member and the energy source and to ensure good transmission of energy between them. The adapter means comprise means for locking the energy source in rotation in the device and means for the angular indexing of the source in the position in which it is locked in rotation in the device. The invention is very suitable for gas fastening devices.
US07900886B2 Valve assembly having a washer
A valve assembly is disclosed. The valve assembly has a housing having a first recess disposed on an interior surface of the housing and at least one valve-supporting element disposed within the housing. The valve assembly also has a washer disposed within the housing, the washer having a first washer surface and a projection for transferring torque. The first washer surface abuts against a first valve-supporting element surface of the at least one valve-supporting element and the projection is received in the first recess. The valve assembly also has a first fastener disposed within the housing and having a first fastener surface abutting against a second washer surface of the washer.
US07900885B2 Electromagnetic actuator with permanent magnets which are disposed in a V-shaped arrangement
An electromagnetic actuator includes a coil, a core designed to channel a flux of the coil so as to form a return path in an armature, the core having a base from which branches extend, including a central branch around which the coil extends, and two permanent magnets associated with the core so that the latter channels a flux of the permanent magnets so as to form a return path in the armature, the flux of the coil passing through the magnets. The two permanent magnets are placed in the central branch of the core so as to form a V, which separates the central branch into a support part, which supports the permanent magnets and is integral with the base, and an end part lying above the permanent magnets. The end part has an active face facing the armature in which a groove lies parallel to the permanent magnets.
US07900883B2 Item securing hook assembly
Units or hook assemblies arranged and configured to adequately capture and hold personal items which have some type of handle, rope, strap or the like. Preferred embodiments include a mounting plate for attachment to a restroom stall wall, door or the like. The mounting plate includes an upper end and a lower end. Preferred embodiments further include a first and second hook elements extending outwardly from the mounting plate. Preferred embodiments are arranged and configured to hinder theft or personal items stored on the hook from an over the stall door or wall attempt.
US07900882B2 Dual hook clamp
A hook clamp has surfaces allowing the clamp to be placed on a support and clamped thereto. The surfaces are such that the clamp can be placed on the support and its weight held by the support prior to tightening. The clamp has a built-in connector for supplying power to the lamp. The clamp has one or more fail-safe holes for securing the clamp to the support with a safety cable. The clamp also has one or more flanges that can be received by a separate mounting bracket, for mounting the clamp and any attached element during storage, staging, or when otherwise not being used.
US07900881B2 Musical instrument support stand
A stand for a musical instrument is sturdy, durable and easy to construct. The stand supports a musical instrument, such as a guitar, in a substantially upright, readily accessible manner, yet the stand is easy to disassemble for ready transport or store in a low volume configuration. One embodiment of a stand includes a base for supporting a lower section of a musical instrument and a detachable neck that engages an upper section of the musical instrument. The base includes a front support rod, a back support rod spaced apart and extending parallel to the front support rod and a pair of side support rods extending between and connecting the front support rod and the back support rod. A plurality of legs extend from the base to provide stability. The neck support can be magnetically secured to the base in a substantially upright position when the stand is in an assembled configuration. When in a storage configuration, the neck support can be secured to base in a horizontal position, thereby providing a low profile.
US07900875B2 Power generating and distribution system and method
A system and method of generating and distributing power includes one or more microwave power transmitters at locations on Earth adjacent natural fuel or power resources such as natural gas, oil, solid fuel, or geothermal energy. The fuel or energy source is converted into electricity on site, and the electricity is then converted into microwave power beams transmitted from the microwave power transmitter towards a redirector satellite in orbit about the Earth. The redirector satellite then sends one or more microwave beams to rectennas located in consumer nations at appropriate sites for feeding the power grid or to additional redirector satellites for directing to rectennas located on the far side of the Earth.
US07900871B2 Wing leading edge having vortex generators
An arrangement of devices as well as a method for improving the aerodynamics of an aircraft wing are disclosed. In embodiments, a plurality of vortex generators are attached in span-wise alignment on an deice boot along the wing's leading edge. The vortex generators are, in embodiments, constructed of a flexible material such that they are able to be expanded along with the boot during inflation and deflation thus mechanically involving the aerodynamic devices in the ice-shedding process.
US07900868B2 Noise-shielding wing configuration
Embodiments of the invention provide an aircraft configuration that provides for increased engine noise shielding for community noise reduction, while still providing desirable aerodynamic attributes such as good spanwise lift distributions and good structural integration without excessive wing surface area. Specifically, the aircraft is configured to have a longer-chord inboard wing portion and a shorter-chord outboard wing portion. The aircraft engines are positioned in major part over the longer-chord inboard wing portions such that communities below the wing are at least partially shielded by the inboard wing portion from the engine noise. Embodiments of the invention also strategically position fowler flaps or other chord-increasing devices in the region of the wing proximate the engine. Since the fowler motion increases the effective chord of the wing as the flaps are extended, the flaps may be deployed to increase the shielding characteristics of the wing.
US07900866B2 System and methods for airborne launch and recovery of aircraft
A system and methods for airborne launch and recovery of aircraft. In one embodiment the system comprises a flexible tether configured to be towed behind an airborne mother ship. A drag device is secured to a distal end of the flexible tether to generate drag and maintain tension in the flexible tether. A reel associated with the mother ship anchors a proximal portion of the flexible tether and selectively lets out and takes up the flexible tether to adjust a length of the flexible tether. A capture mechanism associated with the aircraft engages the flexible tether to enable the aircraft to translate along the flexible tether. In embodiments of the present methods, a flexible tether is deployed from an airborne mother ship. An aircraft translates forward and rearward along the flexible tether. Prior to launch, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the flexible tether to the wings. During recovery, the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the wings to the flexible tether.
US07900865B2 Airplane configuration
An aircraft configuration that may reduce the level of noise, infrared radiation, or combination thereof directed towards the ground from an aircraft in flight. An embodiment of an aircraft includes a fuselage, two forward swept wings, at least one engine mounted to the aircraft and higher than the wings, and vertical stabilizers mounted on each wing outboard of the outermost engine. The leading edge of the wing may extend forward of the leading end of the engine, and the trailing edge of the aft deck may extend aft of the trailing end of the engine. The aft deck may include an upwardly rotatable pitch control surface at the trailing edge of the deck. Engine types may vary, including but not limited to turbofans, prop-fans, and turbo-props. Main wings may be mounted above the longitudinal axis of the fuselage, and canards may likewise be mounted above or below the axis.
US07900858B2 Failsafe system for material apparatus
A material reducing apparatus comprising a feed conveyor, for conveying material to be reduced, and a feed roller cooperating with the feed conveyor. An upwardly rotatable rotor carrying a plurality of strikers which facilitate reduction of the material to be reduced and an anvil cooperating with the plurality of strikers to facilitate further reduction of the material to be reduced. A grate assembly, located adjacent an arcuate path of the rotor, which permits sufficiently reduced material to pass therethrough. The material reducing apparatus further includes a failsafe system which comprising an accelerometer supported by the rotor and coupled to a control system such that the accelerometer, upon detection of the rotor contacting a hard material, sends a signal to the control system. If the signal indicates a sufficiently large material, the control system reverses a rotational direction of the feed roller so that the feed roll rotates to withdraw the hard material from contact with the rotor. A section of the grate assembly may also be moved away from the rotor, by a release device, upon the release device receiving a command from the control system.
US07900854B2 Filtration and cleaning system for sprinkler irrigation drop nozzles
A filter for use with overhead sprinkler irrigation systems is disclosed. The filter includes a hollow cylindrical body, a removable screen, and a manually-actuated plunger adjacent the screen. The plunger is positioned for reciprocal movement through a debris outlet between an open, debris-discharging position, and a closed filtering position. The plunger defaults to the closed filtering position by pressurized water flowing through the body. The water is simultaneously filtered through the screen and passes out a clean water outlet while debris accumulates within the body. The plunger may be manually retracted to the open, debris-discharging position at any time, whereby accumulated debris is flushed out of the body through the debris outlet by residual water flowing therethrough.
US07900851B2 Pop-up spraying devices with a flexible stem
Embodiments of the invention provide an irrigation pop-up with a flexible stem which may be a pulsating or conventional (i.e., non-pulsating) irrigation sprayer or sprinkler. The flexible stem enables an extended stem to be bent instead of being severed, as experienced by traditional irrigation systems, if impacted by an outside force. In one embodiment, the flexible stem contains a lower rigid segment and an upper rigid segment, each having a passageway extending from an inlet, through the segment, to an outlet. An elastic hollow member, such as a rubber tube, is coupled to and in fluid communication with the passageways of the lower and upper rigid segments. Therefore, a water flow path extends from the water inlet, through the passageway within the lower rigid segment, through the channel of the elastic hollow member, through the passageway within the upper rigid segment, and out through the nozzle, such as a sprayer or sprinkler.
US07900850B2 Microdosing apparatus and method for dosed dispensing of liquids
A microdosing apparatus and method include a fluid conduit having a flexible tube with a first end for connecting to a fluid reservoir and a second end where an outlet opening is located. An actuating device with a displacer with an adjustable stroke is provided, by which the volume of a portion of the flexible tube can be changed to thereby dispense liquid as free flying droplets or as a free flying jet at the outlet opening by moving the displacer between a first end position and a second end position, whereby the tube is partly compressed in the first or the second end position.
US07900849B2 HVAC remote control unit and methods of operation
A comfort control system for controlling the comfort level in a building includes a comfort control unit and a remote control unit. The remote control unit communicates with the comfort control unit from a remote location. In one illustrative embodiment, the remote control unit includes a temperature sensor for sensing an ambient air temperature near the remote control unit, and a measure related to the sensed temperature may be communicated to the comfort control unit. A detection block may be included in the remote control unit for detecting when the ambient air temperature sensed by the temperature sensor in the remote control unit is likely to be influenced by a user or other undesirable condition. The comfort control unit may take this into account when controlling the comfort control system of the building.
US07900848B2 Process for tag imaging and decoding of machine readable coded data
Provided is a process for tag imaging and decoding of machine readable coded data which comprises a plurality of layouts. Each layout has at least order n rotational symmetry, where n is at least two. The layout encodes a first codeword comprising a sequence of at least n first symbols, the first symbols being distributed at n locations about a center of rotational symmetry of the layout such that decoding the first symbols at each of the n orientations of the layout produces n representations of the first codeword. Each representation includes a different cyclic shift of the first codeword and being indicative of the degree of rotation of the layout. Each representation also includes a second codeword comprising a number of second symbols, the second codeword being indicative of information regarding the respective layout. The process includes the steps of acquiring an image which includes said coded data, and identifying at least one layout. The process also includes decoding the layout to determine at least a representation of the first codeword, and determining a degree of rotation of the layout from the decoded representation.
US07900846B2 Infra-red data structure printed on a photograph
A data structure is printed on a photograph using infra-red ink. The data structure includes a two dimensional array of data blocks. Each adjacent pair of data blocks is separated by a gap and each of the data blocks has a data region holding encoded data. Each data region is confined by clock-marks and borders to facilitate location of the data region and recovery of data from within the data region.
US07900844B2 Configurable RFID apparatus and process
The invention described herein represents a significant advancement in user configurable and reconfigurable RFID readable data input. A writing substrate includes a wireless energy transmission circuit and a plurality of switchable contacts. When or after a user writes on the substrate, it can be sense remotely to produce a map of the writing which provides input a character recognition process. Thus a user can write anything they wish to create data and control processes on a cheap, disposable user interface.
US07900842B2 Mobile telecommunications device with image sensor directed internally and externally
The invention provides for a mobile telecommunications device that decodes tags of coded data printed on media present at points internal and external of the device. The device has an image sensor and a beam splitter for deflecting incoming light onto the image sensor. The device also includes a first infrared LED operatively directing light onto external media at the external point, with an infrared filter configured to receive light reflected from the external media onto the beam splitter. Also included is a second infrared LED operatively directing light onto media present in the internal pathway, with a mirror arrangement configured to direct light reflected from the internal media into the beam splitter.
US07900840B2 Methods and apparatus for directing bar code positioning for imaging scanning
Systems and techniques for improved imaging scanning. An imaging bar code scanner provides indicia to a user indicating areas for placement of a bar code so as to provide for efficient imaging scanning. The indicia may define the boundaries of the field of view of an imager, and may also indicate areas of an image that are more intensively processed. The indicia may be projected so as to illuminate an object with a projected pattern, or may alternatively be projected onto or otherwise placed on one or more scan windows of a scanner. At least some of the indicia may change appearance depending on whether an object to be scanned is within a prescribed distance from an imager.
US07900838B2 Form editing apparatus, control method, and storage medium
An apparatus includes a generation unit configured to encode data and generate a two-dimensional code image; a clipping unit configured to clip an image which fits in a two-dimensional code image display area, from the two-dimensional code image generated by the generation unit; a first display control unit configured to display the image clipped by the clipping unit in the two-dimensional code image display area; a change unit configured to change a size of the two-dimensional code image display area to be equal to or larger than a size of the two-dimensional code image generated by the generation unit according to an instruction from a user; and a second display control unit configured to display the two-dimensional code image generated by the generation unit in the two-dimensional code image display area whose size is changed by the change unit.
US07900835B2 Food product trace apparatus, food product trace system, and food product trace method
It aims, for example, at enabling to easily check whether information displayed on a label etc. attached to a food product is reliable or not. First, a producer 402 registers an ingredient analysis result of a food product. A terminal apparatus 400b of the producer 402 acquires a verification code verifying a production location and a shipment date and time of the food product, from a verification server apparatus 300, at the shipment of the food product. A storage part 202 of a food product trace apparatus 200 stores the verification code, shipment sender information indicating the producer 402, and registration information indicating whether the producer 402 has previously registered the ingredient analysis result of the food product, upon making the verification code, the shipment sender information, and the registration information mutually corresponding. Next, the producer 402 attaches a label displaying the verification code to the food product, and ships the food product. An output part 205 outputs information indicating the production location and the shipment date and time of the food product verified by the verification code inputted by an input part 203, and the shipment sender information and the registration information read by a read part 204.
US07900834B2 Electronic receipt delivery method
A method for improving the accuracy and integrity of delivered parcel records and providing the parcel recipient with a record of each delivery, the method including the steps of: delivering a parcel to the intended recipient; obtaining the recipient's signature; electronically linking the recipient's signature to the transaction at the time of delivery; electronically linking an electronic delivery record access slip to the delivery record at the time of delivery; providing the recipient with an electronic delivery record access slip that has a unique transaction number and information sufficient to enable the recipient to retrieve the delivery records from an Internet website, text messaging, e-mail, facsimile, telephone or other device.
US07900830B2 System and method for sensing biometric and non-biometric smart card devices
A system of detecting biometric and non-biometric, standard smart card devices includes a smart card host and smart card device reader, which is operable for receiving an Answer to Reset signal and determining whether the smart card device comprises a biometric or non-biometric, standard smart card device. If a biometric smart card device is detected, the smart card reader is operable for applying power used for standard smart card device operation to a first contact and applying power used by a biometric circuit to a second contact, and if a non-biometric, standard smart card device is detected, applying power only to the first contact.
US07900826B2 Systems, methods, and devices for selling transaction instruments via web-based tool
The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes.
US07900825B2 Electronic money system and transaction method using the same
An electronic money system and an electronic money terminal used therein which facilitate and promote the transaction by card representing cash. A user carries out a transaction by using an information card storing data representing monetary value, and in a case where the balance on the card is insufficient, the balance due is charged to a designated account or paid by loan. The user of the information card is able to carry out a transaction solely by information card even when the balance stored in the information card is insufficient.
US07900823B1 Banking system controlled by data bearing records
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records, such as user cards that include financial account data. The machine operates to carry out transactions involving the accounts and generates records thereof. A plurality of cameras captures images associated with users, documents and/or events. Image data is stored and may be searched based on selection parameters.
US07900821B2 Method of gaining access to goods or services
A method of gaining access to goods or services includes the steps of: writing a signature within a verification zone of an encoded base using an optically imaging pen having a marking nib; optically reading a sequence of absolute locations corresponding to the signature from the encoded base; and checking if the locations are within a region registered as belonging to an authorized user. Access to the goods or services is granted if the location is within the region belonging to the authorized user and the sequence of locations corresponds to a previously registered signature of the authorized user, otherwise access is denied.
US07900818B2 System and method for accessing electronic program guide information and media content from multiple locations using mobile devices
A system and a method for accessing an electronic program guide (EPG) and media content from multiple locations using mobile devices. The media content is available from a content provider via a first network. The system and the method have a first terminal that may be located in a first location or in a second location. The terminal displays, accesses and/or connects to EPG for identifying and/or for accessing the media content. The first location or the second location of the first terminal is identified and/or is determined by the EPG and/or a second terminal in communication with the first terminal and/or the EPG. The first terminal accesses the EPG to identify a first list of media content or a second list of media content which may be consumed by the first terminal in the first location or the second location, respectively. The media content is restricted and/or is supplemented based on the first location or the second location of the first terminal. The first terminal consumes media content from the first list or the second list of media content in the first location or the second location, respectively.
US07900815B2 Article carrier
The present invention relates a carrier comprising: (a) a bottom wall; (b) two sidewalls; and (c) a top wall having a first edge that forms an edge of at least one collapsible tab when the tab is uncollapsed and a second edge that forms an edge of at least one other collapsible tab when the tab is uncollapsed, wherein the collapsible tabs are adapted to collapse downward and fold inward and out of the plane of the top wall.The carrier of the present invention provides a grasping and handling feature which eliminates the formation of concentrated stress areas while providing a comfortable grip for the consumer.
US07900812B2 Secure physical connections formed by a kinetic spray process
A process for physically bonding two parts to each other is disclosed. In addition, a process for forming electrical connections have a low resistance is disclosed. The process is generally applicable to the joining of two parts each formed from a metal, an alloy, or a combination thereof. The process finds special use in the formation of multi-celled batteries. The process involves placing two parts or electrical conductors in contact with each other and then bonding them to each other using a kinetic spray process and powder particles. In formation of a multi-celled battery the particles are preferably electrically conductive. The process enables for rapid and cost effective formation of a physical connection. In addition, the connection can have an electrical resistance of less than about 0.5 milli Ohms and strength equal or greater than ultrasonic welding. The process has the advantage of being a low temperature process thereby lowering the risk of thermal damage to the parts or cells of a multi-cell battery during formation of the connection.
US07900811B1 Method for producing components with internal architectures, such as micro-channel reactors, via diffusion bonding sheets
This invention relates to a method for producing components with internal architectures, and more particularly, this invention relates to a method for producing structures with microchannels via the use of diffusion bonding of stacked laminates. Specifically, the method involves weakly bonding a stack of laminates forming internal voids and channels with a first generally low uniaxial pressure and first temperature such that bonding at least between the asperites of opposing laminates occurs and pores are isolated in interfacial contact areas, followed by a second generally higher isostatic pressure and second temperature for final bonding. The method thereby allows fabrication of micro-channel devices such as heat exchangers, recuperators, heat-pumps, chemical separators, chemical reactors, fuel processing units, and combustors without limitation on the fin aspect ratio.
US07900807B2 Conductive ball mounting apparatus and conductive ball mounting method
In a conductive ball mounting apparatus for mounting one conductive ball on each of a plurality of pads which are provided on a substrate and on which an adhesive is formed, the conductive ball mounting apparatus includes: a conductive ball container for containing a plurality of conductive balls therein and having an opening to pass through the plurality of conductive balls; a substrate holder disposed over the conductive ball container to face the opening, and holding the substrate in such a manner that the plurality of conductive balls and the plurality of pads face each other and the substrate is disposed over the conductive ball container with a space therebetween; and a conductive ball supplying unit for supplying the plurality of conductive balls to the plurality of pads via the opening by moving up the plurality of conductive balls.
US07900803B2 Apparatus for the intermittent supply of a semi-finished material in the form of a band or a wire to a press
The invention relates to an advancing apparatus for the intermittent supply of a semi-finished material (22) in the form of a band to a press. The apparatus comprises a pair of displacement grippers (4, 7) which run forwards and backwards and by which the material (22) is advanced in an advancing phase, a stationary pair of clamping grippers (24, 27) by which the material (22) is held in a fixed manner in a non-advancing phase, and a control rocker (12) with a control drive (40, 42) which is coupled to one control end of the latter and to which the pair of displacement grippers (4, 7) and the pair of clamping grippers (24, 27) are coupled mechanically and their interaction is controlled. In this case the control rocker (12), the pair of clamping grippers (24, 27) and the pair of displacement grippers (4, 7) are designed and are coupled to one another in such a way that in the absence of a supporting or actuating force exerted by the rocker drive (40, 42) upon the control end of the control rocker (12) both the pair of clamping grippers (24, 27) and the pair of displacement grippers (4, 7) are closed.On account of the design, according to the invention, of the system comprising the control rocker, the pair of clamping grippers and the pair of displacement grippers it becomes possible to make gripper-advancing apparatus available which can permit high advancing frequencies and which are highly durable.
US07900802B2 Fork crown supported bicycle carrier
A vehicle mounted bicycle carrier for transporting non-standard bicycle frame types, such as full suspension mountain bikes. The carrier typically is mounted to the hitch structure of a vehicle and is comprised of a vertical support mast, with a top mounted horizontal bar, containing cradles for hanging bicycles from their fork crowns in a vertical position, providing independent access. The cradle design turns the fork and handlebars to a degree that prevents interference with an adjacent bicycle's handlebars, thereby allowing the closest possible spacing. Lower down on the vertical support mast is a horizontal bar for securing the bicycle rear wheels, preventing the bicycles from swinging freely on the cradles.
US07900800B2 Dispensing apparatus with heat exchanger and method of using same
An apparatus for dispensing a viscous material includes a dispenser body having an inlet and a discharge orifice. A valve element is mounted for movement in the dispenser body between an open position allowing flow from the discharge orifice, and a closed position preventing flow therefrom. An actuator is coupled to the valve element for actuation between the open and closed positions. A heat exchanger having a serpentine passage and a heater is coupled thereto, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with the dispenser body. The passage is configured to deliver the viscous material to the inlet at a uniform temperature. A method of dispensing a viscous material includes positioning a heat exchanger, having a fluid passage and a heater, in thermal communication with the dispenser body, and heating the material flowing through the fluid passage to a uniform temperature prior to delivering it to the inlet.
US07900798B1 Disposable cup dispenser
A disposable cup dispenser designed to be mounted on an existing wall-mounted cup holder. The cup dispenser is comprised of a hollow tube and gasket ring wherein the gasket ring is attached to the bottom of the hollow tube and serves as the means of mounting the dispenser to the cup hole of the wall-mounted cup holder. The hollow tube or the gasket ring contains means for ensuring that only one cup is dispensed at a time. Cups are then dispensed downwardly out of the hollow tube and through the gasket ring and cup holder. The dispenser may also have a hinged or removable top.
US07900797B1 Lid separator and dispensing device
A beverage container lid separator and dispenser is provided which allows individual beverage container lids to be dispensed in a neat and sanitary manner. The invention generally includes a vessel and an actuator, wherein a stack of lids is maintained in the vessel optionally within a housing. The vessel has an aperture at its lower end for dispensing the lids therefrom. The actuator is positioned below the vessel and extending up through a horizontal floor below the vessel, the floor supporting the lids thereon. In operation, the vessel preferably pivots to allow a bottom-most lid within the vessel to be pulled from underneath the vessel by the actuator. The vessel catches and maintains the remaining stack of lids for later dispensing by a subsequent user.
US07900796B2 Container with recessed removable venting tab
A container that includes a hollow body having at least a first exterior wall and a recess defined in the first exterior wall A tab is formed integrally with the exterior wall and located in the recess. The tab does not extend substantially beyond the recess. Removal of the tab forms an opening in the first exterior wall of the container.
US07900792B2 Device for comprising a releasable latch connection
Disclosed is a device comprising a base part (2) and a top part (7) that can be joined to the base part (2) via a releasable locking connection (16). The locking connection (16) is provided with at least one catch (18, 19) that is attached to a locking web (20) and engages with a thrust bearing section (21) in a closed position, and a releasing mechanism which acts upon the locking connection (16) and causes the engagement of the or each catch (18, 19) to be canceled when being actuated. The locking connection (16) is also provided with a flexible pressure latch (11) which is recessed in the top part (7). A latch rib (15), under the effect of which the engagement of the or each catch (18, 19) is canceled, is molded onto the side of the pressure latch (11) facing the or each catch (18, 19), whereby a very simple and safe mechanical structure is obtained, resulting in a relatively low production cost.
US07900791B2 Container for a water treatment device and manufacturing method of said container
A container of a water softening plant, comprises a first shell with a first chamber suitable for holding a brine solution and a second shell with a second chamber, separated from the first chamber, suitable for housing a tank, so keeping the tank separate from the mixture. The first shell and/or the second shell are manufactured by blow moulding.
US07900788B2 Self venting closure
A closure 10 for a container, comprises a substantially circular base 20, a skirt 30 extending from the periphery thereof, a bore seal 50 in the form of an annulus and a rib 70 lying on the surface of the base 20 in a substantially radial direction and in contact with the radially inner surface of the bore seal 50 at one end for transferring any movement of the center of the base 20, relative to the skirt 30, to the bore seal 50 such that the bore seal 50 is pulled radially inward to allow venting of excess pressure within the container, wherein the end of the rib 70 in contact with the radially inner surface of the bore seal 50 is substantially thinner, in a plane parallel to the base 20, than the other end of the rib 70.
US07900787B2 Capsule tool
Capsule containers disclosed in the present invention. In principle, the capsule container is accommodated inside of the opening formed in a common container such as a beverage container, bucket container, etc. and caught and supported by the rim of the opening. The capsule container is advantageous in that it enables blending of the content accommodated inside with a fluid, powder, etc. having different properties as intended by the user; safe blending of contents without flowing-out; and prevention of excessive flow-out of contents as only proper amounts of the contents are discharged through the opening when the contents flow out.
US07900785B2 Taper under tapered plate to increase side force on the movable plate
Draft gear assembly includes an angled or tapered bottom surface on a tapered plate intermediate of the inner and outer friction surfaces thereof and further includes a complimentary mating angled or tapered surface provided on a built-up portion on a third horizontal rib of a housing and positioned in abutting engagement with the angled or tapered bottom surface on the tapered plate. Providing the mating angled or tapered surfaces increases the side force on movable plates during application of a buffing shock to the draft gear assembly, thus increasing the capacity and resistance of the draft gear assembly to closure.
US07900783B2 Standard and track shelving systems
A shelving system is disclosed that includes two tracks and a standard. The standard has an end portion slidably receivable within an opening one of the tracks, such that the position of the standard relative to the track is slidably adjustable along that track. The rearward portion of each track defines a recess. An elongate member is slidably receivable within the recesses of the tracks such that each track is slidable along the elongate member, whereby the slidable engagement of the elongate member within the recesses of the tracks aligns the tracks and allows slidable adjustment of the relative positioning of the tracks to each other.
US07900782B2 Apparatus for the storage of stemware
An apparatus for slidably storing stemware in an inverted position employs horizontally elongated front and rear track members held by spaced apart support members and an overhead anchoring member, and interactive to receive stemware in a direction orthogonal to the direction of elongation of the track members.
US07900778B2 Apparatus and method for the detection and rejection of metal in particulate material
A system and method for removing a piece of tramp metal from particulate material transported by a conveyor is provided. A metal detector is used to detect tramp metal in the particulate material traveling along the conveyor. When a piece of tramp metal is detected, a redirection device positioned at the end of the conveyor is used to reject a portion of the particulate material that contains the tramp metal, by temporarily redirecting the flow of particulate material discharging from the conveyor. After the portion of particulate material containing the piece of tramp metal has been redirected by the redirection device, the system resumes normal operation.
US07900777B2 Housing for a particulate material dedusting apparatus
A compact housing for a dedusting apparatus utilizes a magnetic flux field to disrupt the static charge attracting dust particles to product particles, which along with fluidization and counter current airflow principles that are proven to dislodge dust particles from the product, provides a highly efficient, compact deduster. The housing supports a double wash deck with product flow separated between the back-to-back primary wash decks. A deflector directing the flow of product onto the primary wash decks is provided with an extension that extends parallel to the wash deck to eliminated product bouncing off of the wash deck. The lower air outlets are eliminated, while the upper air outlets are positioned in extensions to the main housing above the product inlet opening. Air flow through the Venturi zones is enhanced by directing clean air through slots formed in the lower deck members into the Venturi zones.
US07900775B2 Panel transport unit
(EN) The invention relates to a transport unit (1), comprising several panels (2), piled in two or more piles (3), supported by one or more support elements (4) and wrapped in a single film (5). Each of said two or more piles (3) is separately supported by said one or more support elements (4) and the film is a stretch film in the form of a tube (5) with elastic radial properties and non-elastic axial properties which is arranged horizontally around the piles (3) and said one or more support elements (4) to hold the above together and to guarantee the stability of the transport unit (1) during manipulation and transport.
US07900772B2 Child-resistant, senior-friendly unit dose container
A child-resistant and senior-friendly package comprising one or more blister cards housed within a hollow molded plastic sleeve is provided. The sleeve is assembled from a pair of identical molded plastic body sections. Each body section has a latch and an unlocking tab and the blister card has a latch-catcher for cooperating with the latch to automatically lock the blister card in a storage position within the sleeve. The sleeve has a pair of opposite spaced-apart tabs in the side edges thereof that must be simultaneously pressed to unlatch the latches from the latch-catchers to permit the blister card to be slid from the storage position to a dispensing position. When pressed, the tabs flex the blister card off adjacent latches. An embodiment including a pair of separate blister cards is provided in which the blister cards are dispensed through opposite dispensing ends of the sleeve.
US07900771B1 Tool box with pivoting row sockets
A tool box structure includes a plurality of row sockets. Each row socket has a plurality of insert holes defined therein for adapting to receive a screwdriver bit and a positioning gutter formed at the bottom thereof. A box body is pivotally connecting to the row sockets. The box body has a plurality of positioning slots defined therein and corresponding to the quantity of the row sockets in the box body. An elastic element is installed between each positioning slot and each positioning gutter. The positioning slot and the positioning gutter is abutted by two ends of each elastic element. A cover body is installed to the box body. A plurality of openings is defined in the cover body and respectively corresponding to the insert holes in the row sockets.
US07900770B2 Cigarette box and blank set for same
A cigarette box includes an inner case (2) enclosing a filter-cigarette inner pack and having an access opening (4) at the top thereof, and an outer case (8) enclosing the inner case (2) and having a push window (10) at the bottom thereof. The outer case (8) has a hinged cap (12). In a closed position, the hinged cap (12) closes the access opening (4) of the inner case (2). When the inner case (2) is pushed upward through the push window (10) to stick out of the outer case (8), the hinged cap turns around a hinge (14) from the closed position to an open position in the manner associated with the sticking-out of the inner case, thereby opening the access opening (4) of the inner case (2).
US07900768B2 Split-level singulator
A split-level singulator for arranging and conveying articles in a single file. The singulator comprises a central conveyor and two flanking conveyors advancing in a conveying direction. Rollers in the conveyors protrude through the thickness of the conveyors and ride on underlying supporting bearing surfaces that cause the rollers to rotate as the conveyors advance in the conveying direction. The rollers in the central conveyor rotate in the conveying direction. The rollers in the flanking conveyors rotate in directions oblique to the conveying direction to direct articles conveyed atop the rollers downstream and toward the central conveyor. The tops of the rollers of the central conveyor are vertically offset above or below the tops of the flanking oblique rollers.
US07900763B2 Device for coupling a rotor of a rotating electrical machine with the gearbox primary shaft of a motor vehicle heat engine
The invention concerns a device for coupling a rotor of a rotating electrical machine with the gearbox primary shaft of a motor vehicle heat engine. The device is characterized in that the hub (7) of the rotor (6) is coupled with the primary shaft (8) by a mating part (25) comprising an externally toothed crown (26) meshing in the hub (7) and a central sleeve (27) coupled with the primary shaft (8) through a splined connection (28) and in that ends (29) and (30) of the toothed crown (26) and of the central sleeve (27) of the part (25) are centered respectively in the hub (7) and on the primary shaft (8) in sliding arrangement. The invention is applicable in the automotive industry.
US07900760B2 Multi-position clutch
A multi-position clutch allows selectively coupling at least two of at least three rotatable shafts is described herein. The clutch comprises at least three cooperation elements respectively associated to one of the at least three rotatable shafts for selective engagement therebetween; the at least three cooperation elements are mounted to the at least three rotatable shafts so as to be sequentially positioned for selective coupling of at least two adjacent cooperation elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for selectively coupling at least two adjacent cooperation elements from the at least three cooperation elements.
US07900754B2 Rotating tub washer binary damper system
The invention provides a rotating tub washer with an on-off binary damper system for damping a problematic movement between the washer frame and the rotating tub. The on-off binary damper system has a friction pad and a housing friction damper surface, with the friction pad in contact with said housing friction damper surface. The on-off binary damper system has an electromagnetic coil core and a magnetic locking slide with a slide gap between said electromagnetic coil core and said magnetic locking slide to provide for relative sliding motion between the electromagnetic coil core and the magnetic locking slide, wherein a current supplied to said electromagnetic coil core removes the slide gap and electromagnetically locks the electromagnetic coil core and the magnetic locking slide together with the relative sliding motion transferred to the friction pad, with the friction pad rubbing against said housing friction damper surface inorder to dampen the problematic movement between the frame and the rotating tub.
US07900753B2 Braking ratio device for a remote control model car
A braking ratio device for a remote control model is composed of a suspending arm and a ratio device. The suspending arm is fixed with a shaft of a servo motor, having a controlled member formed at its one side and a driving member extended out from one end of the controlled member. The ratio device is provided with a pivotal base pivotally mounted on the controlled member, and a ratio base connected with the pivotal base to be able to move axially. A front brake connecting rod and a rear brake connecting rod are respectively inserted through two sides of the ratio base, to alter the distance between the front brake connecting rod and a front braking set, and also the distance between the rear brake connecting rod and a rear braking set, for creating a time difference of braking for the front and the rear braking sets.
US07900749B2 Perfected helicopter drive with air oil separator
A drive for a helicopter, has at least one rotary member, a casing housing the rotary member and defining a compartment containing a lubricating fluid and air, and separating device for separating the lubricating fluid from the air and retaining the lubricating fluid inside the casing in the presence of airflow outwards of the casing and produced by pressure gradients between the compartment and the outside. The separating device is angularly integral with the rotary member to centrifugally separate the lubricating fluid from the air radially with respect to the axis.
US07900748B2 Lubrication system for a hydraulic or pneumatic tool
A lubrication system for a hydraulic or pneumatic tool is described. The lubrication system includes a valve, a lubricant pumping mechanism and a lubricant storage chamber, the valve being adapted to move between a tool-deactivated position and a tool-activated position to cause the lubricant pumping mechanism to displace lubricant from the lubricant storage chamber. A method of distributing lubricant to a hydraulic or pneumatic tool is also described.
US07900745B1 Motor driven lifting assembly
A motor driven lifting assembly includes a ladder, a plurality of fastening members removably and pivotally attached to an upper end of the ladder, and a plurality of wheels attached to a lower end of the ladder. A platform supports the air-conditioning unit and is located at an anterior face of the ladder. A mechanism raises and lowers the platform such that the platform is linearly adjustable along an entire longitudinal length of the ladder. The raising and lowering mechanism is anchored in close proximity to the lower portion of the ladder such that the raising and lowering mechanism is easily operable by the user.
US07900741B2 Torque tube
The other end of a hub portion is located farther from an attachment portion at a lateral portion, which is located in a lateral direction with respect to the vehicle, than at a vertical portion, which is located in a vertical direction with respect to the vehicle. The vertical portion of the hub portion has a concave end face on the side of the other end of the hub portion, which is formed to get closer to the attachment portion as the concave end face approaches a portion closest to the attachment portion substantially at the center of the hub portion in the lateral direction.
US07900739B2 Control system for a vehicle system with a continously variable transmission
The control system 10 of the first preferred embodiment includes a user interface 12 with a first control 14 that designates a maximum bound of a sub-range of engine speeds and a second control 16 that designates a minimum bound of a sub-range of engine speeds. The control system 10 of the first preferred embodiment also includes a processor 18 connected to the engine and to the user interface 12 that functions to, based on the required power output of the vehicle system, select a discrete engine speed from the sub-range of engine speeds. The control system 10 of the first preferred embodiment was designed for controlling engine speed of a vehicle system having an engine and a required power output, but may be used in any suitable environment.
US07900737B2 Working vehicle
There is provided a power transmission device for a working vehicle, in which a drive takeoff shaft for front wheels can be easily mounted on or dismounted from a transmission case and hence the workability of assembly, maintenance, and the like can be improved but the cost of manufacturing the transmission case and the like can be easily reduced. In the power transmission device for a working vehicle provided with: an engine mounted on a running vehicle body having front wheels and rear wheels; a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission for variably transmitting power from the engine; and the transmission case for transmitting a transmission output from the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, the drive takeoff shaft for front wheels for transmitting a driving force to the front wheels and the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission are arranged on a center plate disposed on the front side of the transmission case.
US07900735B2 Hydrostatic transaxle
A hydrostatic transaxle comprises: a motor casing; at least one hydraulic motor disposed in the motor casing; at least one output shaft disposed in the motor casing so as to be driven by the at least one hydraulic motor; and a pair of steerable wheel support units attached onto respective opposite ends of the motor casing. Each of the steerable wheel support units includes an axle, a steerable casing, a wheel, and a steering arm. In each of the steerable wheel support units, the axle is drivingly connected to the at least one output shaft, the steerable casing is substantially horizontally rotatable relative to the motor casing, the wheel is attached on an outer end of the axle outside of the steerable casing, and the steering arm is rotatably integrally provided on the steerable casing. The hydrostatic transaxle further comprises a pair of connection rods for connecting the steering arms of the steerable wheel support units to a common rotary member of a steering operation mechanism spaced forward or rearward from the hydrostatic transaxle.
US07900733B2 Motorcycle
A motorcycle with reduced fuel consumption. A centrifugal clutch intermittently transfers torque from an engine to a drive wheel in accordance with engine speed. A brake lock switch regulates the engine speed. When the brake lock switch is off, engine start inhibition control is executed. When the brake lock switch is on, engine speed regulation control is executed to prevent engagement of the centrifugal clutch.
US07900732B2 Fork lift truck with a single front wheel
A fork lift truck (10) has a truck body (12), a lift mechanism (14) connected to the truck body (12) by way of a vertically extending pivot (52) and mechanism (24) for turning the lift mechanism (14) relative to the truck body (12) about the pivot (52) to steer the truck (10), the truck body (12) having a pair of rear ground engaging wheels (16) mounted on transverse axes, the lifting mechanism (14) having a single ground engaging front wheel (40) mounted centrally on a transverse axis, the front wheel (40) having independent drive mechanism (44, 46).
US07900728B2 Vehicle
A vehicle includes: rotatable wheels; a rotary electric machine that generates power for driving the wheels; a battery that supplies electric power to the rotary electric machine and that is fixed to the vehicle; and a detachable battery that supplies electric power to the rotary electric machine, that is detachable from the vehicle and that is arranged at a center in a width direction of the vehicle.
US07900727B2 In-vehicle device cooling apparatus
A cooling apparatus cools a battery and a DC/DC converter. In a duct, a battery cooling fan having a great rated capacity is installed. The duct branches into a battery-side intake duct and a DC/DC converter-side intake duct on the downstream side of the battery cooling fan. In the battery-side intake duct, the battery is installed to received cooling air. In the DC/DC converter side intake duct, the DC/DC converter is installed to receive cooling air. A DC/DC converter cooling fan having a small rated capacity is installed directly upstream of the DC/DC converter. An ECU controls the two cooling fans based on the temperature of the battery and the DC/DC converter.
US07900723B2 Motorized snowboard
A gasoline engine powered snowboard having an endless track trained about a support frame containing driven and idler wheels. Engine operation is directed from an upright operator support column. A molded chassis is hinge coupled to pivot about alternative contoured track support pan assemblies. The pan support assemblies cooperate with flexible track surfaces (e.g. fringe or pleat members) and foot supports to enable steering with foot and body movements. A lower support pan exhibits convex edge surfaces that contact track pleats or fringe pieces and includes an elliptic longitudinal channel. Alternative upper support pans provide a reciprocating wheeled steering plate, longitudinal drive lug channels and contoured snow diversion surfaces and/or an agitator. Internal track surfaces include UHMW pieces at or aligned to the drive lugs. Ground contact lugs exhibit traction promoting and snow clearing contoured profiles, shapes and recesses.
US07900717B2 Expandable reamers for earth boring applications
An expandable reamer apparatus for drilling a subterranean formation includes a tubular body, one or more blades, each blade positionally coupled to a sloped track of the tubular body, a push sleeve and a drilling fluid flow path extending through an inner bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. Each of the one or more blades includes at least one cutting element configured to remove material from a subterranean formation during reaming. The push sleeve is disposed in the inner bore of the tubular body and coupled to each of the one or more blades so as effect axial movement thereof along the track to an extended position responsive to exposure to a force or pressure of drilling fluid in the flow path of the inner bore.
US07900715B2 Variable speed tool and variable speed control method
The present invention has disclosed a variable speed tool and a variable speed control method. The tool includes a switch; a gearbox housing; a motor; an outputting shaft; a multistage transmitting gear train and a gearshift ring which are mated with the motor and the outputting shaft, the gearshift ring having inner teeth; a gearshift fork mated with the gearshift ring; a tension spring arranged between the gearbox housing and the gearshift fork; and a torque sensing ring provided with a sliding groove in which the gearshift fork is movably disposed. When the load of the outputting shaft has reached to a predetermined value, the torque sensing ring makes the gearshift fork move axially in the sliding groove under the action of the tension spring, thus bringing the gearshift ring to move axially. The variable speed tool of the present invention may automatically adjust the rotating speed and the torque of the outputting shaft according to a variation of the load torque.
US07900713B2 Main shaft locking mechanism
A main shaft locking mechanism includes a fixing ring, a main shaft and detents. The main shaft includes an equilateral portion that has an equilateral cross section. A number of the corners of the equilateral portion is equal to that of the detents. The detent has an exterior side and an interior side opposite to the exterior side. The interior side includes two corner protrusions protruded out from two ends thereof and a concave portion defined between the two corner protrusions. The corners of the main shaft are received in the concave portions of the detents. When the main shaft is manually driven to rotate, the corners of the main shaft drive the detents to deviate. Therefore, the exterior sides of the detents interfere against the fixing ring. Then the detents prevent the main shaft from further rotating, thus locking up the main shaft.
US07900708B2 Multiple-block downhole anchors and anchor assemblies
Multiple-block downhole anchors and anchor assemblies are provided. A downhole anchor assembly for a tubing string includes an anchor block, a drag block, a biasing arrangement, and a mandrel to be coupled to the tubing string. The anchor block moves, with rotation of the mandrel, between a run position out of contact with a well bore and a set position in contact with the well bore to set the downhole anchor assembly in the well bore. The drag block contacts the well bore at least when the anchor block is out of contact with the well bore. The biasing arrangement biases the anchor block away from the well bore and the drag block toward the well bore. The anchor block is thus protected from the well bore by the drag block, and the biasing arrangement provides for automatic un-setting of the anchor block when torque is removed from the mandrel.
US07900706B2 Shoulder ring set on casing hanger trip
A wellhead housing has a bore with a support shoulder, a ramp surface extending upward and outward from the support shoulder, and a recess extending upward from the ramp. A split, resilient load ring is carried in an initial position in the recess. A retractable and axially movable latch ring is carried in the recess above the load ring. A casing hanger has a profile that engages the latch ring as the casing hanger moves downwardly in the bore, causing the latch ring to move downward and pushing the load ring to the set position.
US07900704B2 Perforating torch apparatus and method
A method of perforating a downhole pipe by cutting at a location within the pipe in a radial direction toward the pipe, producing a determined reaction force, and using the determined reaction force to enhance the cutting of the pipe. The method may include continuing cutting in the radial direction to create an opening in the pipe, and attenuating a pressure wave through the opening.
US07900700B2 Method and system for cleat characterization in coal bed methane wells for completion optimization
The invention generally relates a method of determining completion criteria for a coal bed methane reservoir having a plurality of coal seams. The method involves obtaining an acoustic log and a resistivity image log for each of the plurality of coal seams, determining an acoustically determined cleat density for each of the plurality of coal seams using the corresponding acoustic logs, determining maximum horizontal stress direction for each of the plurality of coal seams using the corresponding acoustic logs; determining cleat orientation for each of the plurality of coal seams using the corresponding resistivity image logs, selecting one of the plurality of coal seams upon which to perform a completion operation based on the acoustically determined cleat density, maximum horizontal stress direction, and cleat orientation, and determining the completion criteria for the coal bed methane reservoir using the acoustically determined cleat density, maximum horizontal stress direction, and cleat orientation, where the completion operation is performed using on the coal bed method reservoir using the completion criteria.
US07900697B2 Fracturing isolation sleeve
An apparatus operatively coupled to a well having a production casing positioned therein, the apparatus including a first device having and internal bore, a second device having an internal bore, and a fracture isolation sleeve disposed at least partially within the internal bores of the first and second devices, wherein the fracture isolation sleeve has an internal diameter that is greater than or equal to an internal diameter of the production casing.
US07900695B2 Well pump device
A well pump device is introduced into a well and connects to a wireline to receive electrical energy from the surface. An electrically driven feed pump connects to and delivers driving fluid to the driving side of an ejector. A hydraulic apparatus uses the well pump device as a pulling tool.
US07900693B2 Soldered heat exchanger, in particular a condenser for motor vehicles
A soldered heat exchanger, in particular a condenser for motor vehicles which has at least one collector tube, and a flange which is secured to the collector tube and which is used to receive connection tubes. The flange can be fixed and soldered to the collection tube by one or two supports.
US07900687B2 Apparatus and method for moulding battery group straps
This invention relates to apparatus and methods for molding battery group straps. Molding apparatus, generally indicated at (10), includes a centrally cooled mold block (11) which defines two laterally displaced sets (12, 13) of longitudinal spaced mold cavity (14) and respective lead feed block (15) and (16) having appropriate feed channels. A sensor, in the form of an electrically conducting rod (25), is disposed so that its tip forms one part of the bottom of the mold cavity (14). This can detect as soon as lead enters into the cavity and that detection is used to control the pour time for the lead to a predetermined period, so that the lead entering the cavities is of a constant quantity on each cycle.
US07900685B2 Investment casting
In an investment casting procedure using microwave energy as the heat source virgin wax models are attached to a spree of wax-type pattern material incorporating a susceptor, the spree having a pour cup also of a wax-type pattern material, the pour cup material having a higher percentage of the susceptor than the material of the spree. In use the pour cup will melt first and the spree second, unblocking the path of the virgin wax so that its expansion will not crack ceramic with which it has been coated.
US07900681B2 Colonial storm shutter with improved strength and fabricability
A colonial storm shutter assembly with improved impact resistance includes shutter blade elements having a corrugated configuration that exhibits superior structural strength and bending resistance while providing an attractive face. Triple, double and single shutter blade elements overlap to provide enhanced structural strength and simplify assembly. Side frame structures include a reinforcing portion on the outside wall which provides increased strength particularly in the miter joint with top and bottom frame structures. A storm bar includes a center storm bar clip which bolts to the side frames of two shutter panels when in the closed configuration to provide enhanced structural rigidity. Center fastening angles are bolted to the side and top/bottom frames at both the top and bottom where the two shutter panels meet in the closed configuration to provide further structural strength and resistance to opening.
US07900680B2 Head rail assembly
A head rail or head rail assembly for an architectural closure, the head rail including an elongate front wall having left hand and right hand longitudinal ends and an elongate bottom wall having left hand and right hand longitudinal ends. A left hand end structure is positioned adjacent to the left hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall and a right hand end structure is positioned adjacent to the right hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall. A first slot is defined between the left hand end structure and the left hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall and a second slot is defined between the right hand end structure and the right hand longitudinal end of the bottom wall. At least one of the first and second slots is closed by a removable closure.
US07900678B2 Device for applying at least one surface section of a transfer layer of a transfer film to a web of material and the use thereof
The invention concerns an apparatus for applying at least one surface portion of a transfer layer of a transfer film to a web of material, wherein the apparatus has at least one support roller and at least one pressure roller for pressing the web of material and the transfer firm against the at least one support roller, wherein the at least one pressure roller is pneumatically or hydraulically resiliently supported by means of at least one resilient arrangement in the form of a diaphragm spring and wherein the apparatus has at least one adjusting device for varying a spring rate of the at least one resilient arrangement and thus for varying a pressure contact force of the at least one pressure roller against the at least one support roller, and the use of such an apparatus.
US07900677B2 Sheet sticking apparatus
A sheet sticking apparatus comprises a sheet feed-out unit 12 including a peel plate 22 for peeling off an adhesive sheet S from a release liner PS; and a press roller 14 for pressing the adhesive sheet S onto a wafer W supported by a table 13 to stick the sheet thereto, wherein the peel plate 22 is supported movably forward and backward by a cylinder 50. The peel plate 22 is arranged so that the initial position of the front end is adjusted forward/backward corresponding to the size of the wafer W or the size of the table 13 supporting the same.
US07900674B2 Labeling machine
A labeling machine comprises a self-regulating arresting member of a label holder tape. The arresting member is able to press the tape against an abutting surface when a label has to be applied on a destination surface and it releases said tape when, on the action of a control device the tape is actuated to advance. The labeling machine further comprises a printing device whose inking roller is associated to a device that enables it to be engaged easily and conveniently on a respective support arm. The support arm in turn is advantageously connected to an access door to internal areas of the labeling machine, whose opening determines the exit of the support arm and the exposure of the inking roller.
US07900672B2 Pneumatic tire with annular reinforcing strip layer
A pneumatic tire has a tread with shoulders, a belt structure, a carcass, and a radial ply structure. The shoulders have a continuous curving radially outer profile so that the shoulders transition smoothly from the tread profile to the tire sidewalls. The locus of the radii defining the shoulder is located on the inner side of the tire. The tire has a belt structure formed of an annular layer of parallel cords directly adjacent to the radial ply structure, the annular layer having a pair of opposing annular edges and a continuous radius curve profile. Located radially inward of the axial edges of the annular layer is an annular reinforcing strip layer. The strip has a width of not greater than 30 mm and extends axially outward by a distance of not more than 10 mm.
US07900667B2 Tread for a tire
A tire tread and a tire comprising a tire tread, the tire tread having a rubber composition based on a diene elastomer; more than 50 phr of an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler; between 2 and 15 phr of an inorganic filler/diene elastomer coupling agent; between 1 and 10 phr of a methylene acceptor, and between 0.5 and 5 phr of a methylene donor. The tread may be characterized as having a radially increasing rigidity gradient from the surface towards the inside of the tread after mechanical run-in of the tread. In particular embodiments, the tread may be characterized as having a nominal secant modulus at 10% elongation is between 3 and 7 MPa at a radially outer surface of the tread and between 9 and 13 MPa at the most radially inside of the tread.
US07900658B2 Automated drug preparation apparatus including drug vial handling, venting, cannula positioning functionality
An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.
US07900653B2 Two-way ball valve to prevent backwash
A two-way ball valve (10) for liquid and/or gas flowing media, essentially comprises a valve fitting (12) made up of two connected housing parts (22, 28), in which a ball (18) with a drilling (20) for the media flow and an operating shaft (68) running perpendicular to the drilling (20) is mounted such as to be able to rotate. Furthermore, sealing shells (40, 42) are arranged to both sides of the ball (18) respectively, coaxial to the longitudinal axis (L) of the valve fitting (12), which enclose the ball (18) and completely fill the dead volume (38) between the valve fitting (12) and the ball (18). Said sealing half-shells (40, 42) have a front opening for the operating shaft (38) in the axial direction (L), corresponding to the cross section of the drilling (20) in the ball (18). The sealing half-shells (40, 42) only contact the ball (18) in the region of the front openings thereof, between which a narrow sickle-shaped annular gap is formed. In one embodiment a control diaphragm (58) is include on the inlet side of the flowing medium (16).
US07900652B2 Gas supply system for a pumping arrangement
A system (100) for supplying an inert purge gas to a pumping arrangement (106) includes a plurality of flexible capillary tubes (102) each for conveying the gas from a respective outlet of a manifold (12) to a respective port (104) of the pumping arrangement (106). The internal diameter and length of each tube (102) control the gas flow rate to the respective port (104).
US07900651B2 Material feed container for a thick-matter pump
The invention relates to a material feed receptacle for a thick matter pump comprising a receptacle lower part and a receptacle top that is detachably connected to the receptacle lower part, a two-part front wall, a rear wall, two two-part lateral walls, an upwardly pointing material feed opening delimited by a peripheral edge, and a pipe junction, which is situated inside the receptacle, can, on the entry side, swivel in an alternating manner in front of the delivery cylinder openings and which, on the output side, leads to a pressure pipe. The invention provides that the receptacle top has an upper lateral wall part and upper lateral wall parts, which have free ends and which extend away from the front wall part. The invention also provides that the peripheral edge has a first edge part, which forms an upper edge of the receptacle top, and ha a second edge part on the receptacle lower part, which is situated on the rear wall and is joined to the first edge part.
US07900649B2 Sanitary single-lever mixer
A sanitary single-lever mixer comprising a housing, known per se, having a receiving compartment which is open towards the top. The housing is associated with a closing part which covers the upper opening of the receiving compartment and comprises a center passage. The adjusting lever or the handle extends through said passage. The closing part has a convex, spherical top when seen from above. The handle is associated with a cover element that has an outer exposed part with an exposed surface and a sliding element connected to the exposed part.
US07900648B2 Valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank
A valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank including a main chamber which opens into the tank and is connected via an aperture to the venting circuit, a float comprising a body, and a head capable of closing off the orifice. The float being able to slide vertically inside the main chamber. The valve further including a baffle surrounding the aperture and defining a secondary chamber via the bottom inside the main chamber. The dimensions and the shape of the secondary chamber, of the body of the float, and of the head of the float are designed so that the head can slide at least partly inside the secondary chamber, while the body of the float cannot do so.
US07900641B2 Cleaning device and a lithographic apparatus cleaning method
A cleaning tool to clean a surface of a component of a lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a sonic transducer, a liquid supply device configured to provide liquid to a reservoir between the surface to be cleaned and the sonic transducer, and a liquid outlet configured to remove liquid provided by the liquid supply device, the cleaning tool constructed and arranged such that, in use, liquid flows into the outlet under the influence of gravity.
US07900633B2 Breathing circuit
A breathing circuit is described for the supplying of low pressure oxygen to a patient that is at risk of hypoxia. The breathing circuit includes a patent airway maintaining device, a first tube that includes a substantially rigid elbow and connectors and a flexible tubular extension. An inflatable bag is coupled to the first tube and has a pressure relief valve that exhausts into the atmosphere. A second tube has a first end that terminates in proximity to the patent airway maintaining device and a second opposed end that terminates external to the first tube. A third tube connects an external source of oxygen to the second tube. A method for an oxygen breathing circuit is also described that further includes the use of a carbon dioxide monitor and the inflatable bag for assisted breathing. The breathing circuit uses only non-metallic polymer or composite type materials.
US07900631B2 Device for holding a tracheal cannula
The invention relates to a device for supporting and retaining a tracheal cannula or a similar appliance on a person's neck. The device comprises wings on the cannula projecting in opposite directions from the cannula. Fastening means connected with the wings comprises an element having an adhesive surface for attachment to the skin of the neck.
US07900628B2 Patient interface device
A patient interface device that includes a support member sized and configured to span at least a portion of a patient's face while remaining below the patient's eyes responsive to the patient interface device being donned by such a patient. A sealing assembly is attached to the support member via a snap assembly associated with the support member and the sealing assembly. The snap assembly allows the sealing assembly to selectively attach to the support member.
US07900619B1 System for luminescing and propelling a projectile
A projectile having light emitting structure and a rechargeable power source is launched by projectile launching apparatus such as a gun. The projectile launching apparatus charges the rechargeable power source and when the projectile is propelled a visual display is produced by the lighted propelled projectile.
US07900616B2 Exhaust gas oxygen sensor monitoring
An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust system, an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system and a sensor malfunction monitor. The sensor malfunction monitor measures a rate of change of a signal from the sensor on detecting a turning point of the signal and detects a malfunction when a rate of change of the signal exceeds a threshold. Alternatively, the sensor malfunction monitor measures a response time interval starting from a point in time at which a diagnostic function begins to force an air-fuel ratio to change (e.g., from lean-to-rich or rich-to-lean) and ends at a point in time when a turning point of the signal is detected. The sensor malfunction monitor detects a malfunction when the delay time of the response time interval, or average delay time from a plurality of measured response time intervals, exceeds a time threshold.
US07900614B2 Self-calibrating NOx sensor
A system for calibrating a response to an exhaust-stream NOx level in a motor vehicle is provided. The system comprises a NOx sensor that includes an electrode, a current from the electrode responsive to the exhaust-stream NOx level while a bias voltage is applied to the electrode. The system further comprises a controller configured to interrupt the bias voltage and to adjust a motor-vehicle response to the current based at least partly on an attained voltage of the electrode while the bias voltage is interrupted. Other embodiments provide a method of calibrating a NOx sensor response in terms of gain and offset parameters.
US07900612B2 Valve and cylinder head cover for crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine
A valve for crankcase ventilation of an internal combustion engine comprises a fresh-air side for connection with an intake section of the internal combustion engine, an engine side for connection with the crankcase and a valve insert movable as a whole for changing the flow resistance through the valve. Said valve inset is held inside said valve without pre-load. Said valve insert is designed to be freely displaced to a deventilation limit-stop position under negative pressure on the fresh-air side relative to the engine side, and to be freely displaced to a ventilation limit-stop position under excess pressure on the fresh-air side relative to the engine side. The valve insert is designed to open a deventilation cross-section in the deventilation limit-stop position and to open a deventilation cross-section that is different from the ventilation cross-section in the ventilation limit-stop position.
US07900611B2 Apparatus and method for treating blow-by gas for internal combustion engine
A total amount of engine oil carried from a crankcase into an intake passage by blow-by gas from the start of the use of the internal combustion engine or the engine oil is calculated. It is determined whether the total oil carried amount is greater or less than an optimum value every predetermined operation period of the internal combustion engine. Then, when it is determined that the total oil carried amount is greater than the optimum value, the gas flow rate of the blow-by gas controlled based on the engine operation state is reduced until next determination process is performed. When it is determined that the total oil carried amount is less than the optimum value, the gas flow rate is increased until next determination process is performed.
US07900610B2 Switching valve for EGR cooler
A switching valve comprises a housing, a gas inflow chamber, a first passage adjacent to the inflow chamber through a first partition wall and communicating with the EGR cooler, a first communication hole providing communication between the inflow chamber and the first passage, a gas outflow passage, a second passage communicating with the outflow passage and adjacent to the inflow chamber through the second partition wall and communicating with the EGR cooler, a second communication hole formed in the second partition wall and providing communication between the inflow chamber and the second passage, and a third partition wall dividing the first passage from the second passage. The first to third partition walls are continuous at a joined portion in a Y-shaped cross section. A valve element is placed to be swingable about a point near the joined portion between the first and second partition walls. The first and second partition walls are slanted with respect to a mold-removing direction to form the inflow chamber and the third partition wall is parallel to a mold-removing direction to form the first and second passages.
US07900609B2 Dual exhaust gas recirculation valve
An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system communicates hot exhaust gases from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold through a first passage and a second passage parallel with the first passage. A first EGR valve assembly controls exhaust gas flow through the first passage and a second EGR valve assembly controls exhaust gas flow through the second passage. Exhaust gas is selectively flowed through one or both of the first and second passages to provide the desired temperature and flow through the intake manifold to the engine.
US07900606B2 Systems and methods for purging air of a fuel injection system
A system for a vehicle includes an initialization module and a purge control module. The initialization module generates an initialization signal based on a crankshaft speed signal and/or a fuel rail pressure signal. The initialization module also generates the initialization signal based on an initial purge value and an assembly-line monitoring value. The purge control module generates a purge signal to purge air from a fuel injection system of an engine. The purge signal is generated when the crankshaft speed signal indicates that a crankshaft of the engine is stationary and/or the fuel rail pressure signal indicates that a fuel rail pressure is less than a predetermined value. The purge signal is also generated based on the initialization signal.
US07900602B2 Direct injection assembly of the common-rail type provided with a shut-off valve for controlling the delivery of a high-pressure fuel pump
An embodiment of a direct injection assembly of the common-rail type provided with a fuel tank, a manifold, a high-pressure pump for feeding the fuel to the manifold, a low-pressure pump provided with an intake pipe and connected to the high-pressure pump by means of the intake pipe to feed the fuel taken from the tank to the high-pressure pump; and a shut-off valve of the ON/OFF type which is arranged along the intake pipe to adjust the delivery of the fuel fed to the high-pressure pump; and a pressure regulator, which is arranged along the intake pipe immediately upstream of the shut-off valve to keep the pressure of the fuel inside the intake pipe under a predetermined value.
US07900601B2 Injection advancement for piston cooling in spark ignition direct injection engines
An engine system comprises a temperature determination module, a temperature comparison module, and a fuel injection control module. The temperature determination module determines an engine temperature. The temperature comparison module compares the engine temperature and a temperature threshold. The fuel injection control module adjusts a timing of fuel injection from a first range of an intake stroke to a second range of the intake stroke based on the comparison. The first range and the second range do not overlap.
US07900597B2 Self-contained compression brakecontrol module for compression-release brakesystem of internal combustion engine
A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof and a source of a pressurized hydraulic fluid. The CBCM includes a casing defining piston and actuator cavities, a slave piston mounted within the piston cavity, a check valve provided between a supply conduit and a slave piston chamber and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the slave piston chamber, and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the slave piston chamber. The actuator element is exposed to atmospheric pressure.
US07900591B2 Switchable component for a valve train of an internal combustion engine
The invention proposes a switchable component (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said component (1) comprising a housing (2) in whose bore (3) an axially displaceable inner element (4) comprising coupling elements (5) is received, said coupling elements (5), for effecting coupling, being able to be brought partially into engagement with an entraining surface (6) of the housing (2), the inner element (4) being biased in outward direction from the housing (2) by a lost motion spring (7), and an (outer) anti-rotation device (11) extending from an outer casing (10) of the housing (2) projects beyond a surrounding structure (12a), the outer anti-rotation device (11) is configured as a C-shaped, thin-walled ring (13) comprising a slit (12), said ring (13) extends after the manner of a clip in an annular groove (14) in the outer casing (10) of the housing (2) parallel to a transversal plane of the component (1) and, for effecting outer anti-rotation, said ring (13) projects with a sickle-like portion (15) of its outer peripheral surface (16) beyond the outer casing (10) of the housing (2).
US07900584B2 Animal entertainment device
An animal toy having pendulum action is disclosed. The toy includes a movable pendulum swingably secured within a housing. The pendulum is capable of carrying toys, and each toy is accessible through one or more access openings in the housing.
US07900581B2 Device for the measurement of a milk stream
In order to measure a milk flow, a device is proposed that has a channel that has an inlet and an outlet. At least two electrically conducting element are provided in the channel that are arranged at a distance from one another. At least one element has an essentially annular form. Furthermore, at least one element has an essentially pin-shaped form. With the aid of this design according to the invention of a device for the measurement of a milk stream, a relatively simple construction is achieved, which has a relatively high measuring accuracy.
US07900580B2 Substrate processing apparatus and reaction container
A substrate processing apparatus comprises a reaction chamber which is to accommodate stacked substrates, a gas introducing portion, and a buffer chamber, wherein the gas introducing portion is provided along a stacking direction of the substrates, and introduces substrate processing gas into the buffer chamber, the buffer chamber includes a plurality of gas-supply openings provided along the stacking direction of the substrates, and the processing gas introduced from the gas introducing portion is supplied from the gas-supply openings to the reaction chamber.
US07900574B2 Device at a transformable boat
The invention relates to a device in the form of a transformable craft (1). It consists of two or three sections held together, a middle part (10) and one or two end parts (stem and stem) (8, 9). When a so-called “Container & Boat”™ forms a boat, the end parts (8, 9) constitute an extension of the middle part (10). The end parts (8, 9) can be turned up 180° and be fitted into spaces intended therefor on the middle part (10). The result becomes a container (C). Container fittings (4) are placed in the corners underneath the middle part (10), while the end parts (8, 9) are provided with two container fittings (5) each. When a C & B is a boat and the end parts (8, 9) are lowered, the container fittings thereof are in the bottom. When a C & B is a container and the end parts (8, 9) are raised, the container fittings (5) thereof are on the topside.
US07900569B2 Pedestal for a sailing boat
A pedestal (1) for a sailing boat comprises a casing (2) and inside such a casing (2): at least one driving wheel (11a, 11b) associated with a motion input shaft (3), at least one driven wheel (12a, 12b) associated with a motion output shaft (4) and at least one motion transmission element (13a, 13b) from said at least one driving wheel (11a, 11b) to said at least one driven wheel (12a, 12b). The pedestal (1) further comprises, also inside the casing (2), a speed variation system selectively activatable to vary the rotation speed of the motion output shaft (4) with respect to that of the motion input shaft (3).
US07900561B2 Reduced friction projectile
A projectile includes a leading part formed by a tip, a tip base, and a leading rod. A trailing part includes a main base, a truncate base, and a trailing rod. A leading end of a cylindrical interface abuts an annular shoulder where the tip meets the tip base and a trailing end abuts an annular shoulder where the main base meets the truncate base. The tip base and the truncate base respectively support the leading and trailing ends of the cylindrical interface. A medial extent of the cylindrical interface is unsupported by the leading and trailing rods and is deformed radially inwardly by lands in a barrel when the projectile is fired. The leading and trailing ends of the cylindrical interface maintain contact with the lands and the medial extent does not, reducing friction between the projectile and the barrel without sacrificing spin of the projectile.
US07900557B2 System and method for automated application of inoculants onto forage materials
An automated system and method are provided for application of inoculant products onto forage material. Real time data measurements are taken for relative humidity and moisture content of the forage material in order to timely adjust the dispense rate of the inoculant applied to the forage material. Data gathering capabilities are provided with this system controller to enable an operator to view, adjust, and record various production records, as well as detailed information as to the amounts of inoculant applied. The components associated with the system of the present invention includes an inoculant bin or container including a dispense auger which dispenses a controlled amount of inoculant which is then conveyed to the intake opening of the baling machine the forage material enters the machine. The control system includes various sensors positioned at the intake opening of the baling machine which measures moisture content, and optionally the mass or volume of the incoming forage material. The control system provides a number of user interface options for controlling the dispensing of the inoculant product, as well as capturing data relating to the operation of the baling machine and the application of the inoculant product. In one embodiment, multiple sensors are used to measure moisture over short periods of time in order to provide fine tuning in a control loop that determines the amounts of inoculants to be applied.
US07900553B1 Apparatus for cooking using wood pellets
An apparatus for cooking using wood pellets comprising: a direct cooking zone; an indirect cooking zone separated from the direct cooking zone by a divider; and a wood pellet burner positioned in the direct cooking zone such that food items in the direct cooking zone will be positioned above the burner. The cooking apparatus has a combustion flow path such that combustion gas from the burner will flow upwardly in the direct cooking zone, then over the divider, and then downwardly into the indirect cooking zone. The downward flow of combustion gas into the indirect cooking zone provides a top down cooking mode for food products placed therein.
US07900536B2 Chain saw sharpener with composite wiskar
A wiskar for sharpening cutting teeth of a chain provided on a chain bar of a chain saw. A housing is removably attached to the chain bar and includes a recess to receive the wiskar therein. The wiskar includes a first member configured to be operationally engaged by the recess of the housing; and a second member configured to frictionally engage a bottom surface of the cutting teeth. The second member includes a body portion intermediate the opposing ends, wherein opposing ends of the second member each have at least one lobe defined therein. Abrasives are uniformly impregnated throughout the first and second member to sharpen the bottom surface of the cutting teeth. At least the second member is manufactured from a pliable material that erodes due to friction caused by the cutting teeth engaging the lobes of the second member.
US07900535B2 Transmission
A transmission includes: a casing of the transmission; a shaft rotatably supported by the casing and having an oil passage; plural gears mounted on the shaft. The lubricant is partly lifted and stirred in response to a shift operation implemented by selectively engaging and rotating the gears. The transmission further includes a lubricating mechanism placed at a position higher than the shaft and having an upper end opening in an upward direction so as to collect and store the lifted lubricant. The lubricating mechanism is provided with an oil supply port through which the lubricant is guided to the oil passage of the shaft.
US07900530B2 Drive device
A drive device for a hatch of a motor vehicle, wherein a spindle drive is provided with a threaded spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle, by which drive the first fastening element and the housing tube can be driven axially relative to each other. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by an electric motor, where the output shaft of the motor can rotate the threaded spindle or a connecting component of a clutch. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by two or more series-connected electric motors.
US07900528B2 Apparatus with multiple sensors wherein the sensors are connected in separate sealed sockets
Apparatus (2) for sensing parameters, which apparatus (2) comprises a housing (4), a plurality of sockets (6) in the housing (4), a sensor (8) in each of the sockets (6), first electrical contacts (10) on the sensor (8), and second electrical contacts (12) in each socket (6) at an end of the socket (6) remote from the sensor (8), and the apparatus (2) being such that: (i) the sensors (8) are for sensing different parameters; (ii) the sockets (6) are such that when they contain their sensors (8) then the sockets (6) are sealed from each other whereby a liquid caused to be present in a socket (6) consequent upon an operator error is unable to pass to the other sockets (6); (iii) the second electrical contacts (12) define the type of sensor (8) that is appropriate for each socket (6); and (iv) the sensors (8) each comprise a flat sensor part (14), a transversely extending mounting part (16), and a body part (18), the transversely extending mounting part (16) being located in a bore in the body part (18), and the body part (18) being sealingly located in the socket (6) for the sensor (8).
US07900526B2 Defect classification utilizing data from a non-vibrating contact potential difference sensor
A method and system for identifying and classifying non-uniformities on the surface of a semiconductor or in a semiconductor. The method and system involves scanning the wafer surface with a non-vibrating contact potential difference sensor to detect the locations of non-uniformities, extracting features characteristic of the non-uniformities, and applying a set of rules to these features to classify the type of each non-uniformity.
US07900522B2 Flow meter having rotor with multiple flow channels of different diameter
A gas flow meter for obtaining flow volume readings in a gas conduit, including sensors mounted upstream and downstream of a flow restriction device on a rotor, the rotor further including at least one more flow restriction device that can be rotated into position relative to the conduit.
US07900518B2 Microfabricated implantable wireless pressure sensor for use in biomedical applications and pressure measurement and sensor implantation methods
A variable capacitor, a microfabricated implantable pressure sensor including a variable capacitor and an inductor, and related pressure measurement and implantation methods. The inductor may have a fixed or variable inductance. A variable capacitor and pressure sensors include a flexible member that is disposed on a substrate and defines a chamber. Capacitor elements extend indirectly from the flexible member. Sufficient fluidic pressure applied to an exterior surface of the flexible member causes the flexible member to move or deform, thus causing the capacitance and/or inductance to change. Resulting changes in resonant frequency or impedance can be detected to determine pressure, e.g., intraocular pressure.
US07900515B2 Acceleration sensor and fabrication method thereof
First and second semiconductor layers are attached to each other with an insulation layer sandwiched therebetween. An acceleration sensor device is formed in the first semiconductor layer. A control device for controlling the acceleration sensor device is formed on the second semiconductor layer. Through holes are formed in the second semiconductor layer, and an insulation layer is formed to cover the wall surfaces of the through holes. Through interconnections are formed within the through holes for electrically connecting the acceleration sensor device and the control device to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an acceleration sensor having excellent detection accuracy while having a reduced size, and a fabrication method thereof.
US07900514B2 Tuning-fork-type bimorph piezoelectric vibrator and vibrating gyroscope module including the vibrator
A tuning-fork-type bimorph piezoelectric vibrator includes two piezoelectric bodies that are bonded together and have opposite polarization directions. An intermediate metal layer is disposed between bonding surfaces of the piezoelectric bodies. A first slit is arranged to define legs and a base of the tuning fork structure. Second slits are provided in a first principal surface having a front metal layer to define driving/detecting electrodes. The tuning-fork-type bimorph piezoelectric vibrator provides improved temperature characteristics of a detuning frequency by not including a back metal layer on a second principal surface at least in an area in which greater than a predetermined level of stress is applied during operation.
US07900510B1 Marine trolling sensor
A method and apparatus to implement a trolling device. The trolling device can assist maritime sports fishermen in defining the actual water depth and/or water temperature of the location at which a lure is situated in troll. The readings from the device enable an angler to adjust variables such as boat speed, length of line deployed and ballast weight to adjust to desired depth. The device comprises a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a micro-controller chip, a printed circuit board, an LCD display, and a cycle switch, all housed within a dense metal (for ballast), water-proof body designed specifically for deep marine submersion and in-line trolling. The device has a pre-programmed data-logging algorithm that is activated by a fisherman via a magnetic controlled reed switch prior to letting out trolling line with the device set in-line to the trolling gear. Upon retrieving the device, the fisherman can view the data to place or reset the trolling lures/rigs, as necessary, at the appropriate zone.
US07900504B2 High pressure fracture tester
A system for testing a drilling fluid including a vessel having a fluid inlet, a filtrate outlet, a fluid outlet, and at least one permeable media disposed within the vessel. The system further including a base fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a test fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a filtrate container in fluid communication with the filtrate outlet, and a collection container in fluid communication with the fluid outlet.
US07900502B2 Seal checker
A seal checker for conveying and pressing a packaging bag by upper and lower conveyance units is provided which is capable of saving space with a compact structure, and is also capable of improving maintainability and cleanability. A lower transfer conveyor is mounted on a main body frame, and an upper transfer conveyor is supported by an elevating mechanism mounted to the main body frame. The elevating mechanism includes first and second link members and a frame that connects upper end portions of the link members to each other. Lower portions of the first and second link members are connected to the main body frame. The frame is configured so as to move in parallel with the lower transfer conveyor.
US07900501B2 Air quality monitor
An air quality monitor having multiple sensors deployed in an electric circuit returns a single sign indication of atmospheric impurity regardless of whether the impurity gas is of the oxidizing or reducing type. Each sensor employs a gas sensitive material that exhibits a response in the form of a change in electrical resistance of the material in the presence of a gas and that exhibits a negligible response to changes in the moisture content of the atmosphere. A powder is dried and calcined and the result is ground into a fine powder and pressed into a desired shape to make the gas sensitive material. Adding a binder during the pressing and firing the shaped powder results in a gas sensitive material with porosity. Gas is flowed to the gas sensitive material and the resulting change in resistance is measured and returned as a single sign indication of atmospheric impurity.
US07900500B2 Particulate matter sensor electrodes with embedded self-calibrator, and methods using same
A particulate matter (PM) sensor includes an embedded self-calibrator. The PM sensor is to be installed in an exhaust corridor of an internal combustion engine. The PM sensor can self-calibrate by imposing a known potential across a protective housing in which the conductive probe is suspended. An image charge that is imposed upon the conductive probe is fed back and correlated to generate an updated calibration for the PM sensor.
US07900497B2 System, method and apparatus for obtaining true roughness of granular media
The true roughness of highly granular perpendicular media is measured by forming an inverse replica of the surface of the media. The invention enables AFM measurements of granular media valley depth to more consistently predict the corrosion performance of the media. A liquid resist is used to first replicate the media topography and form the inverse replica. The narrow valleys in the original media are precisely modeled as sharp peaks on the replica. The height of the peaks are readily measured with an AFM tip. The resulting image is a negative of the original surface.
US07900494B1 Trailer bed frame straightener
A device for re-shaping a trailer frame includes a support structure for receiving the trailer frame therein and means connected to the support structure for securing the trailer therein. Once secured, at least one hydraulic ram that is connected to and selectively moveable about the support structure is able to apply a predetermined force against the frame. A control device is positioned on the support structure and connected to the at least one hydraulic ram for controlling operation thereof. Upon securing the trailer via the securing means, the at least one hydraulic ram is positioned adjacent the frame and the control mechanism is selectively operable to cause the at least one hydraulic ram to apply the predetermined force on the frame thereby reshaping the frame.
US07900493B2 Closed forging die and forging method
A closed forging die and a forging method with which sagging can be reduced, a constant velocity joint and a universal joint can be made compact and lightweight, removal of a shaft tip thereof by machining prior to heat treatment is not required, and material costs and machining costs can be reduced by using a closed forging die includes openable dies, and punches that move in an opening/closing direction of the dies to pressurize a material in the dies. By using the die, a product having shaft portions formed radially is manufactured. A clearance is provided to each of the formed shaft portions between a tip surface, and abutting portions are provided to the dies side abutting against at least a tip side of an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portions.
US07900492B2 Method for press forming of a panel part having a bent portion and press forming device
An addendum shape portion of a panel material is drawn by a drawing portion of a press forming die by an amount equal to or less than the limit to which the panel material can be drawn, whereby a to-be-product portion of the panel material is roughly conformed to a forming face of a punch. In this state, the to-be-product portion of the panel material is stretched or drawn. Accordingly, the cross section of the to-be-product portion is uniformly changed at the minimum level, which makes it possible to produce, by press forming, a fender panel made of aluminum base alloy, which has a great plane dimension L and high quality. As a result, flexibility in the design of panel parts, which are formed by pressing the panel material into shapes, is increased.
US07900491B2 Rekeyable lock assembly and method of operation
A lock cylinder has a reset condition wherein the lock cylinder can be put into a “learn” mode. In the “learn” mode, the original key can be removed and replaced by replacement key and, when the replacement key is removed, the lock cylinder 10 is rekeyed to the new key. The original key no longer operates the rekeyed lock cylinder 10.
US07900490B2 Method for engaging with a projection of a first component to removably secure a second component to the first component
In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a method for engaging with a projection of a first component to removably secure a second component to the first component. The method includes positioning a rotatable member of the second component in a first rotational orientation such that the rotatable member is allowed to receive, via a gap in a perimeter of the rotatable member, the projection of the first component. The method also includes positioning the rotatable member in a second rotational orientation such that the rotatable member is prevented from disengaging with the projection of the first component to secure the second component to the first component. The method also includes returning the rotatable member to the first rotational orientation such that the rotatable member is allowed to release, via the gap in the perimeter, the projection of the first component to remove the second component from the first component.
US07900489B2 Lock assembly
A lock cylinder for a door including an opening, and operable to interact with a latch bolt assembly. The lock cylinder includes a housing that has a cavity, and a plug assembly that has a casing and a plug housed in the casing and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The plug is operable to interact with the latch bolt assembly, and the casing is disposed within the cavity. The lock cylinder also includes a spin ring member that at least partially encloses the housing, and an adapter that is configured to be installed in the opening of the door and that includes a spin ring interface engaged with the spin ring member. The adapter further includes a shield portion extendable into the opening of the door, and the spin ring interface and the shield portion are formed as a single piece.
US07900486B2 Agent dispenser
An agent dispenser for a fabric treatment appliance includes a housing having a manifold and an agent compartment. The manifold may be configured to receive water and supply the water to the agent compartment through an outlet port. The agent compartment may be configured to receive an agent, such as a detergent or additive, in liquid or powder form. The outlet port may be in fluid communication with the bottom of the agent compartment to supply the water to the bottom of the agent compartment whereby the water supplied to the agent compartment mixes with the agent in the agent compartment substantially from the bottom up.
US07900483B2 Integrated system for closing stockings on circular knitting machines
A system is disclosed for closing the toe of a knit circular product, and particularly of a stocking, without a significant interruption of the sewing operation. In one embodiment, a circular device is inserted inside the cylinder used for producing the stocking, which, appropriately programmed, catches the knit fabric from under the needles and carries it to the sewing machine.
US07900482B2 Knitting tool
A knitting tool that has a measuring tape, a retractable crochet hook, a cutting blade, a counter, and a compartment for scissors, rings, and other knitting accessories combined in a single tool. The crochet hook can be retractable.
US07900480B2 Method of determining heating amount, method of fusion splicing, and fusion splicer
A method of determining a heating amount adequate for fusion splicing is provided. In the method, the melting state of the end portions of optical fibers can be monitored on a real time basis so that fewer tests need to be performed. A method of fusion splicing and a fusion splicer are also provided. In the method of determining the heating amount, end portions of optical fibers that are placed opposite one another with a predetermined gap therebetween are heat-melted; an image of portions to be heat-melted is observed with an image-capturing device; and a luminance, a light emitting width, or a change in the luminance or the light emitting width is measured. In the method of fusion splicing, optical fibers are heat-melted with the heating amount that is determined using test fibers in advance, or determined using the optical fibers to be fusion spliced.
US07900479B2 Method and device for melting the ends of rods
The invention relates to a method for treating the ends of glass rods in which glass rods are inserted into receptacles in a carrier and with the carrier are carried past a burner and at least one rail in an advancing direction, the flame of the burner melting at least one end of the glass rods and the glass rods being lifted by the rail in the receptacles and rolling on the rail so that the glass rods are made to rotate during the melting process.
US07900476B2 System for and method of batch analysis and optimization for glass manufacturing
A system for and method of analyzing a cullet stream prior to batch formulation in glass manufacturing. Cullet is fed onto a conveyor where a real-time composition analysis is performed. Contaminants are optionally removed, and a determination is made as to whether the cullet batch color is consistent with a predetermined tolerance threshold. If necessary, the glass batch formulation is modified in view of the cullet analysis. Virgin raw materials requirements of the modified glass batch formulation may then be communicated to the batch controller before sending batch ingredients to the mixing stage and completing the overall glass manufacturing process.
US07900473B2 Method for adiabatic cooling type crystallization of organic compound and apparatus therefor
The present invention provides a method for adiabatic cooling type crystallization of organic compound and an apparatus therefore, by which running cost and facility cost can be reduced.The method comprises carrying out adiabatic cooling and evaporation operation of a coolant in a crystallizer 20 for a mixture solution of a target organic compound containing the coolant; taking out crystal slurry produced by the operation from the crystallizer 20; pressurizing evaporated vapor to a pressure higher than the operation pressure in the crystallizer 20 by a compressor 30, introducing the vapor to an absorption condenser 10; cooling for condensation the mixture solution of organic compound and the evaporated vapor that has been pressurized while allowing them to contact each other in the absorption condenser 10; and introducing this absorption condensate to the crystallizer 20.
US07900461B2 Combustor liner support and seal assembly
The invention is a combination that includes a gas turbine engine extending along an axis. The gas turbine engine includes an annular combustor with a combustor liner. The combination of the invention also includes a plurality of projections extending from the combustor liner and spaced from one another circumferentially about the axis. The combination of the invention also includes a free-standing ring disposed about the combustor liner and positioned adjacent to the plurality of projections along the axis. The plurality of projections engage a corresponding circumferentially-facing portion of the free-standing ring and circumferentially support the combustor liner while allowing relative radial displacement between the combustor liner and the free-standing ring. The combination of the invention also includes a rolling assembly operably disposed between the free-standing ring and the plurality of projections to reduce binding during the relative radial displacement.
US07900453B1 Metal fuel combustion and energy conversion system
A metal fuel combustion system and method for producing energy. The energy may be used to drive a water vessel such as a submarine. The system and method comprises a combustion device having inner and outer combustion chambers. The metal fuel comprises aluminum, magnesium, and silicon, and is preferably in the form Mg2Al4Si5, and is preferably burnt using water as an oxidant. The byproduct of and the metal oxide byproduct is Mg2Al4Si5O18, which has an appearance and consistency similar to basaltic sea sand. In addition to the combustion device, the system may include additional energy producing elements such as fuel cells, thermoelectric cells, and photovoltaic cells.
US07900449B2 Vibration suppressor
A vibration suppressor and a vibration damper are configured in a system including an internal combustion engine and an exhaust-gas turbo charger. The vibration suppressor and vibration damper are secured to an exposed place on the system which is subjected to strong vibrations. As the vibrations are the strongest in said area, the vibration reducer can be used to a maximum. The system including the internal combustion engine and the exhaust-gas charger is enhanced in such a manner that the internal combustion engine can be operated in all of the rotational speed ranges without reducing the service life of individual components or the entire system.
US07900446B2 Hydrostatic drive with rotational speed limitation
The invention related to a hydrostatic drive comprising a hydraulic pump (3) which is driven by a drive machine (2) and pumps into at least one first working line (4), and a pressure line (18) in which a feed quantity dependent on the speed of the drive machine (2) flows. When a differential pressure value in the pressure line (18) is exceeded, the pressure means can be extracted from the first working line (4).
US07900445B2 Hydraulic supply systems
Disclosed is a hydraulic system for supplying primary and auxiliary pressure medium consumers with different system pressures, which exceed the load pressure by a pre-determined control pressure differential. Primary load pressure is used to produce a first control pressure differential for operating a primary pressure medium consumer. Auxiliary load pressure is converted in an amplifying device to produce a second, higher control pressure differential for operating an auxiliary pressure medium consumer. The amplifying device consists of a pressure reducing valve, which is permanently adjusted to a pre-determined reduced pressure and has a line conducting the system pressure connected to a first pressure inlet, a load reporting line conducting the load pressure of the auxiliary pressure medium consumer connected to a second inlet and a load reporting line subjecting the pressure control valve to increased load pressure connected to an outlet and the control piston is subjected on its one side to the force of a permanently adjusted spring.
US07900441B2 Precat-NOx adsorber exhaust aftertreatment system for internal combustion engines
The invention provides a NOx adsorber aftertreatment system for internal combustion engines which utilizes at least one precat operatively coupled to at least one NOx adsorber to aid in the regeneration of the NOx adsorber. Fuel is injected into a precat located upstream of a NOx absorber producing heat, H2O, and reductants such as CO, HC, and volatile hydrocarbons, which are input into the NOx absorber. The combination of heat, water, and reductants help to efficiently regenerate the NOx Adsorber which in turn releases exhausts products such as CO2 and N2. Regeneration of a NOx adsorber can be performed during periods of reduced exhaust gas flow lowering the fuel penalty associated with NOx adsorber regeneration. The pre-cat, NOx adsorber regenerating aftertreatment system of the present invention may be used with any suitable control system.
US07900438B2 Heat transfer system and method for turbine engine using heat pipes
A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular casing with an array of generally radially-extending strut members disposed therein. The heat transfer system includes at least one primary heat pipe disposed at least partially inside a selected one of the strut members; at least one secondary heat pipe disposed outside the fan casing and thermally coupled to the at least one primary heat pipe and to a heat source. Heat from the heat source can be transferred through the secondary heat pipe to the primary heat pipe and to the selected strut member.
US07900435B1 Micro-coaxial injector for rocket engine
An improved coaxial injector for injecting first and second propellants into a combustion chamber of a rocket engine is provided. The injector includes a first plate, a second plate, a plurality of channels formed in the first plate, and a plurality of tubes extending through the second plate and into the plurality of channels. The tubes inject a first propellant, such as an oxidizer, into the combustion chamber, and the channels inject a second propellant, such as a fuel, around the tubes and into the combustion chamber.
US07900434B2 Thermally-integrated fluid storage and pressurization system
An oxygen-hydrogen pressurization system includes a cryogenic oxygen tank, cryogenic hydrogen tank, thermal switch, supercritical oxygen bottle, supercritical hydrogen bottle, and pressure management system and a thermodynamic vent system. The thermal switch permits heat to flow between hot and cool areas within the space vehicle to help facilitate pressure management within the cryogenic liquid oxygen tank and the cryogenic liquid hydrogen tank in conjunction with the higher pressure fluid from the supercritical oxygen tank and the fluid from the supercritical hydrogen tank and the added cooling from the pressure management system.
US07900429B2 Liquid herbicide applicator drive shaft rotary seal
An apparatus and method for supply of treating fluid to a cutting apparatus directly to cut vegetation substantially simultaneously with the cutting of the vegetation. Treating fluid is delivered from the supply to an intermediate, sealed reservoir into which a desired volume of treating fluid is maintained and a rotary shaft seal is provided to seal the reservoir against entrance of debris. The treating fluid is then delivered from the sealed reservoir, via centrifugal force, through a channel to a passageway formed in the bolt connecting the cutting blade to a blade mount of the mower.
US07900428B1 Edging and trimming apparatus for attachment to lawn mowers
A gear assembly may have a first gear attached to a gear shaft and a second gear attachable to a powered rotating element of a mowing machine. An attachment element may have a shaft hole with the gear shaft rotatably inserted through the shaft hole with one end of the gear shaft positioned in a coupling end of the attachment element. A trimming device with a trimmer tube open at a first end and an end of a shaft of the trimming device with a shaft socket fitting inserted in the coupling end of the attachment element for the shaft socket fitting to engage the gear shaft. An anti-rotating clamp attached adjacent the first end of the trimmer tube for positioning and retention in a clamp recess in a front face of the coupling end to inhibit rotation of the trimmer tube in the coupling end.
US07900426B2 Method for packaging food products, and an arrangement for use in such a method
A method for packaging of food products, in which at least two products are to be packaged at the same portion carrier is disclosed. The method may include: raising the food product to be moved to a portion carrier by a gripping device; moving the food product to the selected portion carrier, and releasing the food product to the portion carrier. The releasing of the food product may include: positioning the gripping device at a predetermined level in relation to the portion carrier; and setting the gripping device to a first open position, whereby the gripping device defines a space for the food product to be placed in.
US07900420B2 Hammer drill attachment and method
A pressure joining method includes a hammer drill attachment device mountable within the chuck of a hand-held hammer drill. Using the hammer drill attachment, an operator installs flooring sheets onto a hook and loop flooring subfloor. The hammer drill attachment includes a shaft for mounting the attachment within the chuck. The hammer drill imparts vibration to the shaft when operated. An angled body member is attached to the shaft and extends downward toward a foot assembly having a foot pad means. The foot assembly vibrates when the hammer drill is actuated to cause the foot pad means to abut against the overlapping sheets of a flooring system and to press the sheets onto an underlying subfloor, thereby forming a seam between the edges of the floor sections.
US07900412B2 Sealing material
A sealing material comprises a partially or fully cured polysulphide sealant and a reinforcing element, especially glass fibre. The sealing material is a flexible solid and is preferably in sheet form. The sealing material is cut to shape like a gasket and is assembled between components to be fastened, for example, in airframe manufacture.
US07900411B2 Shear wall building assemblies
Novel building systems, in particular low cost superior strength building assemblies incorporating single or double shear walls, and disaster resistant window attachments are described herein. The inventive building systems are particularly well-suited for adding rooms to existing buildings, such as attached residential room additions, basements, disaster relief housing, and Do-It Yourself (DIY) projects.
US07900408B2 Storm panel for protecting windows and doors during high winds
A storm panel of high strength fabric is constructed, reinforced, and installed in such a way as to comply with the building codes as a large missile impact system. When not in use, the fabric can be rolled and stored and placed in an attractive cover without disassembly.
US07900404B2 Combination flashing and drainage system
A combination through-wall masonry flashing/drainage device having a flashing membrane with at least one reinforcing cloth adhered to at least one side of the flashing membrane. A wicking cloth made of a synthetic wicking material is then adhered to the device. The wicking cloth material is selected for wicking ability, life expectancy, mildew resistance, and strength characteristics.
US07900403B2 Log staircase and a method of producing components for a log staircase
A log staircase is disclosed along with a method of producing components for the log staircase. The log staircase includes an elongated stringer capable of angularly extending from a lower level to an upper level. The stringer has an outer circumference with a notch formed therein. A protuberance extends upward from the notch. The log staircase also includes a tread having a semicircular periphery with a flat surface. An opening is formed in the semicircular periphery of the tread. The opening is designed to mate with the protuberance to retain the flat surface crossways to the stringer. The method includes cutting a number notches and protuberances in each of a pair of stringers, and cutting a pair of openings in a predetermined number of treads which are capable of mating with the protuberances to retain each of the treads crossways to the pair of stringers.
US07900402B2 Powered dual level telescopic seating riser assembly
A telescopic seating system generally includes an innermost lower riser assembly and successive outer elevated riser assemblies. Each elevated riser assembly includes a dual deck surface and a telescopic leg assembly. Each elevated riser assembly supports a toothed belt drive system which provides the interface between each adjacent elevated riser assembly and the motive force to extend and retract the riser system. In operation, electric motors of the toothed belt drive system on each elevated riser assembly are driven by a controller to extend and retract the telescopic seating system between a fully extended position, a half-deployed position and a storage position. The half-deployed position utilizes the dual deck surface to provide half the seating capacity of each riser at twice the rise between each seating row to thereby accommodate particular venues.
US07900400B2 Adjustable window hinge
The present invention corrects sash sag in casement windows by implementing an adjustable hinge. The adjustable hinge includes a sash arm, a support arm, a retaining clip and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism serves a twofold purpose. First, it allows one to adjust the hinge for sash sag, and it also secures the support arm to the track of the adjustment hinge. The adjustment mechanism includes a threaded support post and a threaded member. The threaded support post has a circumferential groove which is used to receive the arms of a retaining clip. The sash arm is mounted to the track of the adjustable hinge via a shoe block. The sash arm has a protrusion located on its bottom surface. The protrusion serves as a movement restrictor.
US07900399B2 Portable start gate assembly
A start gate assembly for use by a racer when racing on a ground surface is provided with a moveable start gate frame that is pivotally attached to a foundation platform and a moving mechanism for placing the moveable start gate frame in a ready position where the ready position is of sufficient height to obstruct forward movement of the racer. A control device is further provided that regulates the movement of the moveable start gate frame from the ready position to a go position and a start switch that activates the control device to initiate the moving mechanism.
US07900394B2 Entangled cotton byproducts and biofiber hydraulic mulch- erosion control products, and the process for their manufacture
A method for making a hydraulically applied mulch using a natural biofiber material preferably comprising of 100% cotton byproduct or a mixture of cotton byproducts and other biomaterials selected such as, hay, grass, kenaf, straw, coconut, bamboo, hemp, bagasse and plant residue (cereal grains, rice, soybeans, grass seed, wood, sawdust, wood pulp, paper, or mixtures thereof). These fibers bear a natural waxy coating. The method includes the optional step of introducing the shredded biofiber composition into a first steaming chamber to stem the biofiber composition, followed by shredding the biofiber composition, and then introducing the shredded biofiber composition into a second steaming chamber to steam, break down and create porosity in the waxy coating of the fibers causing the fibers to become more hydrophilic. The biofibers are steamed followed by drying causing them to curl or physically deform. The shredded and steamed biofiber composition is then mixed to entangle the fibers, and the shredded, mixed and steamed biofiber composition is introduced into a drying chamber for drying, the resulting composition is then cooled and packaged, ready for mixing with water and spray application. The shredded, steamed and dried composition promotes entanglement of the fibers in a 3-dimensional matrix suitable for use as hydraulically applied mulch, and binding agents (tackifiers), dyes, rewetting agents, activators, and other additives may be added as desired.
US07900390B2 Light rail and accessory rail mount for vertical fore grip
Devices, and methods of attaching accessory mounts to vertical fore grip handles on firearms, such as rifles. The accessory mounts can be molded to extend off of the handles. The accessory mounts can attach to the handles by interlocking plugs and slots. The accessory mount can have rails so that an accessory can attach to the rails on the accessory mount. The accessory can include lights, lasers, bayonets, sights, scopes, and the like. The vertical fore grip can be an elongated handle fixed to the firearm. The vertical fore grip can be an elongated handle that is detachable from beneath rails on the firearm. The vertical fore grip can include expandable bipod legs.
US07900384B2 Magical image cups and containers with 3D displays
An optical illusion device such as a drinking glass/cup for providing a multi-dimensional visual display. The device includes a body with tubular sidewalls extending from an opening at a first end to an opening at a second end. A base assembly is provided at the second end. The base assembly includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall that together form or define an inner chamber. A visual display assembly is provided with a mirror element with a convex reflective surface or mirror positioned within the chamber with the reflective surface facing the top wall of the base assembly. A primary image element is provided proximate to the reflective surface such that the primary image and mirror element can be observed via the opening in the body. A framing element is included proximate to the top wall of the base assembly including background images facing the reflective surface.
US07900379B2 Article of footwear with a removable foot-supporting insert
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper that defines an interior void, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a foot-supporting insert that is positionable within a lower area of the void and removable from the void. A system having a protrusion and an indentation may be utilized to, for example, secure the insert within the void. As an example, a protrusion may extend outward from a surface of the void, and the insert may define an indentation in a corresponding location and with a corresponding shape. When the insert is positioned within the void, the protrusion will extend into the indentation. The locations, shapes, numbers and overall configuration of the protrusion and indentation may vary significantly.
US07900378B1 Low profile deflation mechanism for an inflatable bladder
An article of footwear includes a movable knob and a lever coupled to the knob. The movable knob is accessible from an exterior surface of the article of footwear and has a substantially low profile with respect to the exterior surface of the article of footwear. The lever has a first position in which the lever lays flat against the knob and a second position wherein the lever is positioned for a user to move the knob via the lever. In one embodiment, an article of footwear also includes an inflatable bladder, an inflation mechanism and a deflation mechanism. The knob is part of a deflation mechanism including a cap and a base, wherein the base is anchored to the inflatable bladder and the cap is rotatable with respect to the base. In another embodiment, an article of footwear includes a movable knob accessible from an exterior surface of the article of footwear and an apron substantially surrounding the movable knob. The apron includes ramped sides and provides a substantially low profile to the knob with respect to the exterior surface of the article of footwear. The apron may be temporarily removed from the knob such that a user may access the knob.
US07900375B2 Ballet pointe shoes
Disclosed herein is an improved design and construction for Ballet Pointe Shoes using a box and shank that interlock in an over-under fashion, where the shank is designed with a cavity that allows varying rigidities along its length.
US07900374B2 Apparatus for automatically drying and method for controlling the same
An automatic drying apparatus and a method of controlling the same is disclosed, enabling exact drying by using a humidity sensor (37) provided at a location having a stabilized output characteristic for automatic drying, the automatic drying apparatus including a heating apparatus (31) for heating air supplied into a drum into which a drying object is introduced, a fan (32) for forcibly drawing air into the drum; and a humidity sensor (37) provided between the fan (32) and the heating apparatus (37) such that a sensing surface is positioned to be parallel to a flowing direction of air passed through the fan (32), for outputting a sensing voltage value for determining dryness of the drying object.
US07900373B2 Method for conditioning semiconductor wafers and/or hybrids
The present invention provides a method for conditioning semiconductor wafers and/or hybrids having the steps: preparation of a space (1) which is at least partially enclosed and has a wafer/hybrid holding device (10) which is located therein and has the purpose of holding a semiconductor wafer and/or hybrid; and conduction of a dry fluid through the wafer/hybrid holding device (10) in order to heat-treat the wafer/hybrid holding device (10); wherein at least a portion of the fluid leaving the wafer/hybrid holding device (10) is used to condition the atmosphere within the space (1). The invention also provides a corresponding device for conditioning semiconductor wafers and/or hybrids.
US07900372B2 Clothes dryer with louvre cover
A clothes dryer has horizontally extending louvres located in its rear cabinet wall that permit ambient air to enter the dryer cabinet during normal dryer operation. U-shaped cover brackets are positioned to horizontally extend and cover the louvres where the brackets each define a horizontally extending airflow channel having opposing open ends. Air entering the dryer flows through the louvres along the airflow channels and out through the open ends. The cover bracket helps to contain a fire within the dryer cabinet should one occur by restricting flow of ignited particles and other debris as a result of a fire from exiting through the louvre.
US07900368B2 Train rail alignment and distance system
A train rail alignment and distance system. The train rail alignment and distance system is a durable, highly accurate, portable electronic measurement system that is used for determining both rail inclination and distance between substantially parallel train rail sections during the processes of railway construction, maintenance, and monitoring. The system is designed to work accurately across a wide temperature range and in extreme weather conditions. It is designed to be easily manufactured, configured and maintained. The system also includes several optional integrated features and functions such as: field calibration, factory configuration, GPS and/or USB integration, PC and/or Internet-based communications, and data logging, data storage, and data analysis capabilities.
US07900366B2 Illuminated level
A longitudinally-elongated, hand-held level includes a body having a reference surface, a longitudinally-extending corner adjacent the reference surface, and a plurality of bubble vials for indicating an orientation of the reference surface. One or more battery-powered lights (e.g., LEDs) create a longitudinally elongated light emitting region along the corner to illuminate a longitudinally-elongated area that is adjacent to the level for use in low-light environments. The light(s) may project light through a light guide and/or light diffuser(s) extending along the corner to disperse light along the longitudinal extent of the level. The light(s) may also illuminate the corner(s) of the level and/or the bubble vials to enhance use in low-light environments.
US07900361B2 Current bypass for distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources
A converter circuit providing multiple current bypass routes between the output leads to provide reliability in a series connection of several converters. If the converter malfunctions due to component failure, the current bypass routes provide a path for the current that views the malfunctioning converter as substantially a short. Diodes prevent backflow into the power source connected to the converter. Redundancy is provided in the bypass portions of the converter circuit that provides alternate parallel paths in case a defective component in one of the paths opens the circuit along that path. In one example, the converter is implemented as a buck plus boost converter where either the buck or the boost portion or both are operative responsive to a controller controlling the switches of both portions. Most of the converter circuit may be implemented in an integrated circuit.
US07900360B2 Cutter assembly and method of producing same
A cutter assembly for a dry shaver, comprising an elongate carrier member (221); and a cutter element (1210) having a plurality of turns forming a helix, each having an arcuate cutting portion (1211) and an arcuate mounting portion following sequentially along the helix; said carrier member being disposed substantially parallel to the axis (D-D) of said cutter element; and said carrier member contacting and supporting the mounting portions of the turns and leaving the cutting portions as free-span arches.
US07900359B2 Hair trimmer
A hair trimming device is detachably mounted on a handle housing a battery for supplying electric current to a motor located in a drive unit of the trimming device. A trimmer unit includes a plurality of trimmer blade assemblies with different configurations and is rotatable on the drive unit for moving a selected one of the blade assemblies to the operative position in which it is coupled to be driven by the drive unit whilst the other blade assembly which is not in the operative position is uncoupled from the drive output of the drive unit.
US07900353B2 Method for combining axially heated heat pipes and heat-conducting base
A method for combining axially heated heat pipes and a heat-conducting base includes the steps of preparing a heat-conducting base and a plurality of heat pipes, providing a plurality of penetrating holes on a surface of the heat-conducting base, inserting one end of each heat pipe into the individual penetrating hole of the heat-conducting base, performing a lateral pressing to the heat-conducting base so as to bring each heat pipe into a tight and planar contact with the wall of each corresponding penetrating hole in the direction of pressing, and grinding the bottom surface of the heat-conducting base to become a flat surface to make the end of each heat pipe flush with the bottom surface of the heat-conducting base.
US07900350B2 Method of manufacturing a wiring board
A circuit element comprises a wiring board; the wiring board comprises a substrate and a wiring formed on the substrate, and a lid joined on the substrate containing a part of the wiring with a binder and making a sealed space above the substrate, wherein if a spot of the wiring joined with the lid by a binder is a spot of junction, a flank of both flanks of the wiring comprise bends in the spot of junction.
US07900349B2 Method of fabricating an electronic device
An electronic device with a reworkable electronic component, a method of manufacturing the electronic device, and a method of reworking the electronic component are disclosed. The electronic device includes a first cavity provided in a board body. A first metal pattern is provided on the board body and adjacent to the first cavity. A first electronic component is provided in the first cavity. A first connection pattern is provided adjacent to an upper edge portion of the first electronic component and extends to the first metal pattern so that the first metal pattern is electrically connected to the first electronic component.
US07900343B1 Magic spheres assembled from conically magnetized rings
A group of magnetic strands are configured into a minimal number of solid magnetized toroidal rings with a conical magnetization direction and then aligned, stacked and assembled into a magic sphere magnetic structure. Each magnetized toroidal ring has predetermined dimensions to form the inner and outer surfaces of a spherical shell. The present invention also encompasses a magic sphere magnetic device with unsegmented solid magnetized toroidal rings and methods for assembling a magic sphere by stacking magnetized toroidal rings with a conical magnetic direction.
US07900336B2 Precise hand-assembly of microfabricated components
A hand assembled MEMS apparatus includes meso-scale microfabricated components adapted for being moved by hand relative to one another from a loose-fit preliminary alignment orientation to a relatively tight-fit assembled orientation. A microfabricated spring member is integrally disposed on one of the components to bias the other component towards the assembled orientation. A cam surface disposed on the other component is configured to slidably engage and move the spring member against its bias upon continued hand movement in the assembly direction. A microfabricated abutment is disposed to limit relative movement of the components in at least one direction other than the assembly direction. A microfabricated tactile feedback member is configured to disrupt the hand movement in the assembly direction once the components have substantially reached the assembled orientation.
US07900335B2 Method and system for profiling and manufacturing curved arches
A system and method for profiling and manufacturing curved arches includes cutting out the outer dimensions of individual curved sections from sheet material, each curved section including an outer radius, an inner radius, a top surface, a bottom surface, a male end and a corresponding female end. Assembling together the individual curved sections by joining interferingly end to end male ends with female ends to form an assembled curved section. Milling a profile into the top surface of the assembled curved section thereby resulting in an assembled curved section with a profiled top surface.
US07900332B2 Method of removing a telecommunications connector
A tool for engaging a telecommunications connector within a slot so that a releasable latch of the connector is released by the tool. The tool may be used to remove a telecommunications connector from a mating opening of a receptacle or may be used to insert a connector within a receptacle.
US07900328B2 Method for manufacturing fluid ejecting head and method for manufacturing fluid ejecting apparatus
A method for manufacturing a fluid ejecting head includes providing a channel unit including a vibrating plate having nozzle openings through which fluid is ejected and a pressure chamber that communicates with the nozzle openings. A piezoelectric unit includes a piezoelectric element that vibrates the vibrating plate of the channel unit and which includes a securing plate which secures the piezoelectric element. A head case having a housing chamber houses the piezoelectric unit which is pressed against the vibrating plate in a housing direction such that a portion of the piezoelectric unit is also pressed against a sidewall of the housing chamber. The piezoelectric element is secured directly the vibrating plate and the securing plate is secured directly to head case using a bonding process which is performed while the piezoelectric unit is being pressed against the vibrating plate and the sidewall.
US07900324B2 Self-aligning handling or storing device having side or top actuation and methods of use therefor
A device for handling or storing items uses jaw members that hinge to one of several closed positions in which the inner surface of a first jaw is engaged by an engagement device of the second jaw. An external release member in the second jaw is used to move the engagement device between an engaging and a disengaged position. The second jaw also incorporates a retaining surface, positioned opposite the outer surface of the first jaw when the jaws are closed, which opposes outward flexing of said first jaw member, and thus reduces the opportunity for disengagement due to forces from inside the jaws.
US07900323B2 Hinge and a lamp with the hinge
A lamp has multiple arms and multiple hinges mounted between two adjacent arms. The hinge has a stationary leaf, multiple pivot assemblies being mounted in the stationary leaf and multiple brackets being respectively connected to the pivot assemblies and two corresponding brackets are attached to each arm. Each pivot assembly has a shaft and a locking nut being mounted on the shaft and selectively engaging a locking hole of each bracket. Since the locking nuts selectively engage the locking holes of the brackets, an angle between the adjacent arms can be adjusted and fixed. Further, two adjacent arms do not influence each other's position, which is convenient for adjusting.
US07900322B2 Friction hinge for push-out style window
A push-out style window assembly including window hardware for frictionally retaining an open position of the window under typical loading conditions. A push-out style window assembly generally includes a friction hinge assembly including a track, a sash arm, a support arm, and a friction arm. The friction arm can include an adjustable and/or detachable slide enabling adjustment of a frictional resistance between the friction slider and the support arm. Using the friction arm, frictional resistance is provided so as to provide control both during opening of the window and in retaining the position of an open window.
US07900321B2 Damper arrangement
A damping arrangement, in particular for displaceable furniture parts, includes a damper (1) which is provided with a tappet (2) which can be impinged upon, and which can be supported by a support element (3). The support element (3) can be positioned and/or displaced in relation to the tappet (2).
US07900319B2 Hinge structure for self-closing doors
A hinge structure (1) for self-closing doors or the like comprises a first stationary element (2) attachable to the frame (T) of a door (P), a first movable element (3) securable to the door (P) and pivotally mounted to the first stationary element (2) for rotating about a longitudinal axis (X) between an open door position and a closed door position. The structure (1) further comprises closing means (4) acting on the first movable element (3) for automatically returning the door (P) to the closed position during opening, hydraulic damping means (5) operating on the first movable element (3) to oppose and damp the movement produced by the closing means (4). The closing means (4) and the hydraulic damping means (5) are housed within a first operating chamber (6) locate internally of the first stationary element (2). An assembly incorporates such hinge structure.
US07900317B2 Vacuum cleaner with noise suppression features
A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end.
US07900316B2 Filter for a vacuum cleaner
A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a filter carrier and a filter element. The filter carrier has a curved rear surface and a pair of protrusion for mounting the filter carrier to the vacuum cleaner.