最新美国发明专利第2011-04-05期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US07919488B2	Therapeutic compounds The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof, methods for their preparation, methods for their use, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising them.
US07919487B2	Heteroaryl compounds This invention relates to compounds of formula (I): their compositions and methods of use thereof. The compounds (and compositions) are useful in modulating IL-12 production and processes mediated by IL-12.
US07919485B2	Protein kinase targeted therapeutics The present invention relates to compositions and methods useful in treating diseases and disorders related to protein kinases. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods useful for targeting protein kinases related to mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (e.g., p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK, and upstream and downstream protein kinases) and/or casein kinase (CK) pathways (e.g., CK1δ, and upstream and downstream protein kinases), and diseases and disorders related to MAPK pathways (e.g., p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK, and upstream and downstream protein kinases) and/or CK pathways (e.g., CK1δ, and upstream and downstream protein kinases).
US07919480B2	Polymers having covalently bound antibiotic agents An antimicrobial composition comprising: a complex of a polysaccharide covalently bonded with an antibiotic. A medical device having an antimicrobial composition comprising: a complex of an oxidized regenerated cellulose covalently bonded with gentamicin.
US07919479B2	Antiadhesive carbohydrates Provided is a pharmaceutical or dietetic product, which serves for reducing and/or blocking the adhesion of pathogenic substances and organisms to eucaryontic cells, in particular mammal cells. Said preparation contains at least one carbohydrate having an uronic acid unit on one of the ends thereof. 10 to 100% of the present, terminal uronic acid units pertaining to the carbohydrates are provided with a double bond that is especially situated between the C4 and C5 atom.
US07919478B2	Method for treating diabetic ulcers with vectors encoding VEGF A method and means have been developed to deliver a therapeutic dose or dosages of the angiogenic molecule, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) that results in a statically significant decrease in the time to achieve 100% wound closure and accelerates the rate of healing in experimental diabetic ulcers. Toxicity is evaluated by measuring any local inflammatory response at the wound site, the systemic absorption of VEGF, and the effect on distant organs that may be particularly susceptible to VEGF therapy (e.g., retinopathy and hepatitis) The angiogenic response is quantified by measuring the change in collagen deposition, epithelialization, and the closure rates of diabetic ulcers after therapeutic dosing with ADV-VEGF. Sustained administration of VEGF, stimulates and accelerates the healing process as evidenced by a reduced time to complete healing (defined by 100% epithelialization and no drainage) in experimental diabetic ulcers, with minimal to no toxicity. Important features of the method and reagents for use therein are that the VEGF is released into the ulcer in a sufficient quantity over a period of time for at least two to six weeks, or to closure of the wound.
US07919473B2	IRNA agents targeting VEGF The features of the present invention relate to compounds, compositions and methods useful for modulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), such as by the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi). The compounds and compositions include iRNA agents that can be unmodified or chemically-modified.
US07919464B2	Use of a peptide that interacts with αvβ3 integrin of endothelial cell The present invention relates to the use of a peptide that interacts with the αvβ3 integrin of endothelial cells. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for inhibiting endothelial cell adhesion, endothelial cell migration and/or angiogenesis, using a peptide consisting of at least 18 amino acids, comprising tyrosine-histidine (TY) or asparagines-histidine (NH), and at least three hydrophobic amino acids with bulky side chains; or equivalents thereof. Furthermore, the invention provides a method for treating or preventing angiogenesis-related diseases, using the peptide.
US07919461B2	Erythropoietin receptor peptide formulations and uses The present invention relates to peptide compounds that are agonists of the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R). The invention also relates to therapeutic methods using such peptide compounds to treat disorders associated with insufficient or defective red blood cell production. Pharmaceutical compositions, which comprise the peptide compounds of the invention, and dosages are also provided.
US07919454B2	Methods of treating using conjugates transported by a PEPT2 transporter The invention provides methods of screening agents, conjugates or conjugate moieties, linked or linkable to agents, for capacity to be transported as substrates through the PEPT2 transporter. The invention also provides methods of treatment involving delivery of agents that either alone, or as a result of linkage to a conjugate moiety, are substrates of the PEPT2 transporter. The invention also provides conjugates comprising a pharmaceutical agent which is linked to a conjugate moiety that is a substrate for a PEPT2 transporter.
US07919451B2	Use of cationic polycondensation products as additives for fixing colours and/or inhibiting the running of colours, for washing products and washing aftertreatment products The invention relates to the use of cationic polycondensation products as additives for fixing colors and/or inhibiting the running of colors, for washing products and washing aftertreatment products. Said cationic polycondensation products can be produced by the condensation of (A1) non-cyclic amines obtained by the reaction of (A1 a) mono(N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl)amines with (A1 b) bifunctional compounds selected from the group containing urea, thiourea, dialkyl carbonates, aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids, and aliphatic and aromatic diisocyanates, in a molar ratio 1.2:1 to 2.1:1, or (A2) mixtures of non-cyclic amines (A1) and cyclic amines (A3) in a molar ratio 10:1 to 1:10 with (B) bifunctional compounds selected from the group containing alkylene dihalogenides, dihalogen alkyl ethers, halomethyl oxiranes, and bisepoxides, in a molar ratio (B) to (A1) or (B) to (A2) from 0.6:1 to 1.3:1.
US07919449B2	Detergent composition with hydrophilizing soil-release agent and methods for using same Laundry detergent compositions that provide soil release benefits to all fabric comprising an organophosphorus soil release agents and optional non-cotton secondary soil release agents. The present invention further relates to a method for providing soil release benefits to cotton fabric by contacting cotton articles with a water soluble and/or dispersible organophosphorus material. The contacting can be during washing or by pretreating by applying the composition directly to stains or by presoaking the clothing in the composition prior to washing. The present invention further relates to providing soil release benefits to all fabric in the laundry wash load in the presence of a bleaching agent.
US07919443B2	Exfoliating scrub bar An exfoliating scrub bar for various parts of the body is made from natural ingredients that exfoliate the skin gently and effectively. The scrub bar comprises powdered or crushed nuts; powdered or crushed oats; and glycerin. The combination of ingredients allows a person to gently exfoliate different parts of the body depending on the location and/or skin sensitivity. The scrub bar provides the user with an effective tool for exfoliation that allows for the removal of dead skin cells.
US07919442B2	Process for preparing multiphase toilet soap The present invention relates to a process of preparing bar toilet soap, composed of multiple phases, at least one of them being an opaque phase and at least one being a translucent phase. The translucent phase and the opaque phase(s) are mixed during the process, wherein the translucent phase is incorporated into the opaque phase during the extrusion of this second phase, giving rise to a toilet soap in which one of the phases predominate and the other appears as stripes dispersed in the first one.
US07919437B2	Wellbore fluid comprising sulfonated copolymers with pendant alkyl groups Wellbore fluid having a continuous aqueous phase, and comprising at least one polymer which has a number average molecular weight in the range of from 10,000 to less than 100,000, wherein the polymer is selected from a copolymer of at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one hydrophobic monomer containing an alkyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms. The hydrophilic monomer is selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid and itaconic acid, and sulfonate groups have been introduced into the copolymer by reaction of at least a portion of the carboxylic acid and/or anhydride groups with a compound of general formula R12N(CH2)nSO3X (I) or a compound of general formula HO(CH2)nSO3X (II). Each R1 is independently selected from hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, X is either H or a Group IA metal, and n is an integer of from 1 to 6. The combined molecular weight of the pendant alkyl groups that are introduced into the copolymer by the hydrophobic monomer is in the range of from 15 to 70% by weight based on the molecular weight of the polymer such that the polymer has a solubility of at least 2% in water at 20° C. The fluid further comprises at least one additive selected from additional fluid loss control agents, bridging particulate materials, finely dispersed additives for increasing the fluid density, thinners, and shale inhibitors.
US07919435B2	Superconductor films with improved flux pinning and reduced AC losses The present invention relates to a method for producing a defect-containing superconducting film, the method comprising (a) depositing a phase-separable layer epitaxially onto a biaxially-textured substrate, wherein the phase-separable layer includes at least two phase-separable components; (b) achieving nanoscale phase separation of the phase-separable layer such that a phase-separated layer including at least two phase-separated components is produced; and (c) depositing a superconducting film epitaxially onto said phase-separated components of the phase-separated layer such that nanoscale features of the phase-separated layer are propagated into the superconducting film.
US07919432B2	Adsorbent, adsorption apparatus, and method for manufacturing the adsorption apparatus In an adsorbent of the present invention, at least a surface and its vicinity thereof is composed of an apatite represented by the formula Ca10(PO4)6((OH)1-xAx)2, where A represents a halogen element and 0≦x≦1, and a phosphate group contained in the apatite is bonded to a trivalent metal ion. Further, preferably, the trivalent metal ion is Fe3+. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an adsorbent capable of specifically adsorbing an object compound, an adsorption apparatus capable of separating and purifying the object compound easily and reliably, and a method capable of manufacturing such an adsorption apparatus easily in a short time.
US07919430B2	Catalyst for oxidation or ammoxidation, and process for producing the same It is an object to provide a novel oxide catalyst for producing an unsaturated acid or unsaturated nitrile by which reaction results are good and a high yield can be stably maintained for a prolonged period of time, a process for producing the oxide catalyst, and a process for producing an unsaturated acid or unsaturated nitrile using the oxide catalyst. According to the present invention, there is provided an oxide catalyst represented by following compositional formula (1): Mo1VaSbbNbcMndWeYfOn (1) wherein Y represents at least one element selected from alkaline earth metals and rare earth metals; a, b, c, d, e, f, and n each represents an atomic ratio based on one atom of Mo; 0.1≦a≦1, 0.01≦b≦1, 0.01≦c≦1, 0≦d≦0.1, 0≦e≦0.1, 0<(d+e)≦0.1, 0≦f≦1; and n is a number determined by valencies of the constituent metals.
US07919422B2	Chiral bisoxazoline catalysts The present invention describes a heterogeneous chiral catalyst comprising a heterogeneous chiral catalyst precursor complexed with a metal species. The precursor comprises a chiral bisoxazoline group coupled to an inorganic substrate. The heterogeneous chiral catalyst may be capable of catalysing a chemical reaction, for example cyclopropanation, and the chemical reaction may be capable of generating a chiral product.
US07919418B2	High performance ballistic composites having improved flexibility and method of making the same A composite material which has excellent ballistic performance and has improved flexibility. Surprisingly, it has been found that a combination of poly(alpha-olefin) fiber and matrix resin provides these desirable product features. The resin matrix is a block copolymer of a conjugated diene and a vinyl aromatic monomer, preferably a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, that is applied as an aqueous composition. The fiber has a tenacity of at least about 35 g/d and a tensile modulus of at least about 1200 g/d. The composite has a total density equal to or less than about 100 g/m2 and a stiffness of less than about 2.5 pounds (1.14 kg) for a two layer structure of the composite, and a total areal density equal to or less than about 190 g/m2 and a stiffness of less than about 3.0 pounds (1.36 kg) for a four layer structure of the composite. The Peel Strength for a two layer structure of less than about 1.0 pounds (0.45 kg) for a two layer structure of the composite, and less than about 0.7 pounds (0.32 kg) for a four layer structure of the composite. The process of this invention permits fabrication of these desirable products in a cost-effective manner. Body armor made from the composite has improved flexibility and excellent ballistic characteristics.
US07919415B2	Process of manufacturing a semiconductor device A process of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a stacked structure of a first III-V compound semiconductor layer containing In and having a composition different from InP and a second III-V compound semiconductor layer containing In. The second III-V compound semiconductor layer is formed over the first III-V compound semiconductor layer and growing an InP layer at regions adjacent the stacked structure to form a stepped structure of InP. The process further includes the step of wet-etching the stepped structure and the second III-V compound semiconductor layer using an etchant containing hydrochloric acid and acetic acid to remove at least the second III-V compound semiconductor layer.
US07919409B2	Materials for adhesion enhancement of copper film on diffusion barriers We have used the state-of-the-art computational chemistry techniques to identify adhesion promoting layer materials that provide good adhesion of copper seed layer to the adhesion promoting layer and the adhesion promoting layer to the barrier layer. We have identified factors responsible for providing good adhesion of copper layer on various metallic surfaces and circumstances under which agglomeration of copper film occur. Several promising adhesion promoting layer materials based on chromium alloys have been predicted to be able to significantly enhance the adhesion of copper films. Chromium containing complexes of a polydentate β-ketoiminate have been identified as chromium containing precursors to make the alloys with chromium.
US07919408B2	Methods for fabricating fine line/space (FLS) routing in high density interconnect (HDI) substrates A method for fabricating fine line and space routing described. The method includes providing a substrate having a dielectric layer and a seed layer disposed thereon. An anti-reflective coating layer and a photo-resist layer are then formed above the seed layer. The photo-resist layer and the anti-reflective coating layer are patterned to form a patterned photo-resist layer and a patterned anti-reflective coating layer, to expose a first portion of the seed layer, and to leave covered a second portion of the seed layer. A metal layer is then formed on the first portion of the seed layer, between features of the patterned photo-resist layer and the patterned anti-reflective coating layer. The patterned photo-resist layer and the patterned anti-reflective coating layer are subsequently removed. Then, the second portion of the seed layer is removed to provide a series of metal lines above the dielectric layer.
US07919405B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof that can prevent mutual diffusion of impurity in a silicide layer and can decrease sheet resistance of an N-type polymetal gate electrode and a P-type polymetal gate electrode, respectively in the semiconductor device having gate electrodes of a polymetal gate structure and a dual gate structure are provided. The P-type polymetal gate electrode includes a P-type silicon layer containing P-type impurity, a silicide layer formed on the P-type silicon layer and having a plurality of silicide grains which are discontinuously disposed in a direction substantially parallel with the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a silicon film continuously formed on the surface of the P-type silicon layer exposed on the discontinuous part of the silicide layer and on the surface of the silicide layer, a second metal nitride layer formed on the silicon film, and a metal layer formed on the metal nitride layer.
US07919403B2	Method of manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device is provided that includes a step of forming in a surface of a silicon carbide wafer of first conductivity type a first region of second conductivity type having a predetermined space thereinside by ion-implanting aluminum as a first impurity and boron as a second impurity; a step of forming a JTE region in the surface of the silicon carbide wafer from the first region by diffusing the boron ion-implanted in the first region toward its neighboring zones by an activation annealing treatment; a step of forming a first electrode on the surface of the silicon carbide wafer at the space inside the first region and at an inner part of the first region; and a step of forming a second electrode on the opposite surface of the silicon carbide wafer. Thereby, a JTE region can be formed that has a wide range of impurity concentration and a desired breakdown voltage without increasing the number of steps of the manufacturing process.
US07919393B2	Forming structures that include a relaxed or pseudo-relaxed layer on a substrate A method for forming a structure that includes a relaxed or pseudo-relaxed layer on a substrate. The method includes the steps of growing an elastically stressed layer of semiconductor material on a donor substrate; forming a glassy layer of a viscous material on the stressed layer; removing a portion of the donor substrate to form a structure that includes the glassy layer, the stressed layer and a surface layer of donor substrate material; patterning the stressed layer; and heat treating the structure at a temperature of at least a viscosity temperature of the glassy layer to relax the stressed layer and form the relaxed or pseudo-relaxed layer of the structure.
US07919391B2	Methods for preparing a bonding surface of a semiconductor wafer The invention concerns a method of treating one or both bonding surfaces of first and second substrates and in particular, the surfaces of donor and receiver wafers that are intended to be bonded together. A simultaneous cleaning and activation step is carried out immediately prior to bonding the wafers together, by applying to one or both bonding surfaces an activation solution of ammonia (NH4OH) in water, preferably deionized, at a concentration by weight in the range from about 0.05% to 2%. The method is applicable to fabricating structures used in the optics, electronics, or optoelectronics fields.
US07919389B2	Semiconductor memory device that is resistant to high voltages and a method of manufacturing the same A semiconductor memory device having a memory cell region and a peripheral circuit region, and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor memory device, are proposed, in which trench grooves are formed to be shallow in the memory cell region in order to improve the yield, and trench grooves are formed to be deep in the high voltage transistor region of the peripheral circuit region, in particular in a high voltage transistor region thereof, in order to improve the element isolation withstand voltage. A plurality of memory cell transistors having an ONO layer 15 serving as a charge accumulating insulating layer are provided in the memory cell region, where element isolation grooves 6 for these memory cell transistors are narrow and shallow. Two types of transistors, one for high voltage and the other for low voltage, having gate insulating layers 16 or 17, which are different from the ONO layer 15 in the memory cell region, are provided in the peripheral circuit region, where at least element isolation grooves 23 for high voltage transistors are wide and deep. In this way, it is possible to improve the degree of integration and yield in the memory cell region, and secure withstand voltage in the peripheral circuit region.
US07919386B2	Methods of forming pluralities of capacitors The invention includes methods of forming pluralities of capacitors. In one implementation, a method of forming a plurality of capacitors includes providing a plurality of capacitor electrodes within a capacitor array area over a substrate. The capacitor electrodes comprise outer lateral sidewalls. The plurality of capacitor electrodes is supported at least in part with a retaining structure which engages the outer lateral sidewalls. The retaining structure is formed at least in part by etching a layer of material which is not masked anywhere within the capacitor array area to form said retaining structure. The plurality of capacitor electrodes is incorporated into a plurality of capacitors. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
US07919385B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming the same A semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer, a capacitor, an adhesive layer, and an intermediate layer. The first insulating layer may include a first insulating film. The first insulating layered structure has a first hole. The capacitor is disposed in the first hole. The capacitor may include bottom and top electrodes and a capacitive insulating film. The capacitive insulating film is sandwiched between the bottom and top electrodes. The adhesive layer contacts with the bottom electrode. The adhesive layer has adhesiveness to the bottom electrode. The intermediate layer is interposed between the adhesive layer and the first insulating film. The intermediate layer contacts with the adhesive layer and with the first insulating film. The intermediate layer has adhesiveness to the adhesive layer and to the first insulating film.
US07919383B2	Capacitor element manufacturing jig and capacitor element manufacturing method The invention relates to a jig for producing capacitor elements, which is formed of resin material and is used for accommodate a plurality of capacitor element substrates therein to thereby batch-process the substrates. The jig is characterized in that portions of the jig at which the jig is supported during the process are protected with metal material. According to the invention, a group of capacitors each having a semiconductor layer serving as one electrode can be simultaneously produced with narrow variety in capacitance and with good precision, repeatedly, by using the jig having a high durability.
US07919379B2	Dielectric spacer removal The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to a process and structure for removing a dielectric spacer selective to a surface of a semiconductor substrate with substantially no removal of the semiconductor substrate. The method of the present invention can be integrated into a conventional CMOS processing scheme or into a conventional BiCMOS processing scheme. The method includes forming a field effect transistor on a semiconductor substrate, the FET comprising a dielectric spacer and the gate structure, the dielectric spacer located adjacent a sidewall of the gate structure and over a source/drain region in the semiconductor substrate; depositing a first nitride layer over the FET; and removing the nitride layer and the dielectric spacer selective to the semiconductor substrate with substantially no removal of the semiconductor substrate.
US07919377B2	Contactless flash memory array A method for forming a contactless flash memory cell array is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of active regions is formed on a substrate. An insulating layer is then deposited over the active regions, and a portion of the insulating layer is removed to form a one-dimensional slot and to provide access to the active regions. A bit line is then formed in the slot in contact with the active regions.
US07919376B2	CMOS transistor and method for manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing a CMOS transistor includes preparing a silicon substrate provided with a first buried layer, a second buried layer and a body, vertically forming device-isolation films inside the body, forming a first-type well inside the body arranged on the first buried layer, and vertically forming a first source and drain region inside the first-type well, forming a second-type well inside the body arranged on the second buried layer, and vertically forming a second source and drain region inside the second-type well, and vertically forming a recessed gate between the first-type well and the second-type well.
US07919368B2	Area-efficient electrically erasable programmable memory cell Electrically erasable programmable “read-only” memory (EEPROM) cells in an integrated circuit, and formed by a single polysilicon level. The EEPROM cell consists of a coupling capacitor and a combined read transistor and tunneling capacitor. The capacitance of the coupling capacitor is much larger than that of the tunneling capacitor. In one embodiment, field oxide isolation structures isolate the devices from one another; a lightly-doped region at the source of the read transistor improves breakdown voltage performance. In another embodiment, trench isolation structures and a buried oxide layer surround the well regions at which the coupling capacitor and combined read transistor and tunneling capacitor are formed.
US07919367B2	Method to increase charge retention of non-volatile memory manufactured in a single-gate logic process A non-volatile memory cell with increased charge retention is fabricated on the same substrate as logic devices using a single-gate conventional logic process. A silicide-blocking dielectric structure is formed over a floating gate of the NVM cell, thereby preventing silicide formation over the floating gate, while allowing silicide formation over the logic devices. Silicide spiking and bridging are prevented in the NVM cell, as silicide-blocking dielectric structure prevents silicide metal from coming in contact with the floating gate or adjacent sidewall spacers. The silicide-blocking dielectric layer may expose portions of the active regions of the NVM cell, away from the floating gate and adjacent sidewall spacers, thereby enabling silicide formation on these portions. Alternately, the silicide-blocking dielectric layer may cover the active regions of the NVM cell during silicide formation. In this case, silicide-blocking dielectric layer may be thinned or removed after silicide formation.
US07919366B2	Laser crystallization method for amorphous semiconductor thin film A laser crystallization method in which an amorphous silicon thin film 2 formed on a substrate 1 is irradiated with a laser beam, the method including the steps of providing the amorphous silicon thin film 2 with an absorbent to form an absorbent layer 3 on the desired specific local areas of the amorphous silicon thin film 2 and laser annealing for crystallizing the specific local areas of the amorphous silicon thin film 2 by irradiating the amorphous silicon thin film 2 including the specific local areas with a semiconductor laser beam L having a specific wavelength absorbable by the absorbent layer 3 and unabsorbable by the amorphous silicon thin film 2 for heating the absorbent layer 3.
US07919365B2	Fabrication methods of a ZnO thin film structure and a ZnO thin film transistor, and a ZnO thin film structure and a ZnO thin film transistor Provided is a method of fabricating a ZnO thin film structure and a ZnO thin film transistor (TFT), and a ZnO thin film structure and a ZnO thin film transistor. The method of fabricating a ZnO thin film structure may include forming a ZnO thin film on a substrate in an oxygen atmosphere, forming oxygen diffusion layers of a metal having an affinity for oxygen on the ZnO thin film and heating the ZnO thin film and the oxygen diffusion layers to diffuse oxygen of the ZnO thin film into the oxygen diffusion layers.
US07919363B2	Integrated circuit with additional mini-pads connected by an under-bump metallization and method for production thereof A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip. External connection pads and further pads are disposed over a surface of the semiconductor chip. Selected ones of the further pads are electrically connected to one another so as to activate selected functions within the semiconductor chip.
US07919362B2	Method for preparing a cover for protecting a component on a substrate A method for preparing a cover on a substrate in particular for the encapsulation of electronic, optical, optoelectronic components, of the electromechanical microsystems type, also known as Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) or optoelectromechanical microsystems, also known as Micro-Opto-Elect-Mechanical systems (MOEMS), joined to the substrate.
US07919361B2	Semiconductor package with position member The present disclosure provides a very thin semiconductor package including a leadframe with a die-attach pad and a plurality of lead terminals, a die attached to the die-attach pad and electrically connected to the lead terminals via bonding wires, a position member disposed upon the die and/or die-attach pad, and a molding material encapsulating the leadframe, the die, and the position member together to form the semiconductor package. The method for manufacturing a very thin semiconductor package includes disposing a first position member on one side of the die-attach pad of a leadframe, attaching a die onto the opposite side of the die-attach pad, optionally disposing a second position member on top of the die, electrically connecting the die to the lead terminals of the leadframe, and encapsulating the leadframe, the die, and the position member(s) together to form the very thin semiconductor package.
US07919357B2	Method for mutually connecting substrates, flip chip mounting body, and mutual connection structure between substrates A resin containing conductive particles and a gas bubble generating agent is supplied between a first substrate and a second substrate, and then the resin is heated to generate gas bubbles from the gas bubble generating agent contained in the resin so that the resin is self-assembled between electrodes. Then, the resin is further heated to melt the conductive particles contained in the resin, thereby forming connectors between electrodes. A partition member sealing the gap between the substrates is provided near a peripheral portion of the resin, and gas bubbles in the resin are discharged to the outside through the peripheral portion of the resin where the partition member is absent.
US07919355B2	Multi-surface IC packaging structures and methods for their manufacture An IC package having multiple surfaces for interconnection with interconnection elements making connections from the IC chip to the I/O terminations of the package assembly which reside on more than one of its surfaces and which make interconnections to other devices or assemblies that are spatially separated.
US07919349B2	Photonic integration scheme Provided is an apparatus and method for manufacture thereof. The apparatus includes a passive optical waveguide structure and a photodiode detector structure. The structures are located on a substrate, and the photodiode detector is laterally proximate to the semiconductor passive waveguide structure. The passive optical waveguide structure includes a first lateral portion of a semiconductor optical core layer on the substrate, a semiconductor upper optical cladding layer on the optical core layer, and a first lateral portion of a doped semiconductor layer on the upper optical cladding layer. The photodiode detector structure includes a second lateral portion of the semiconductor optical core layer, a semiconductor optical absorber layer on the optical core layer, and a second lateral portion of the doped semiconductor layer.
US07919348B2	Methods for protecting imaging elements of photoimagers during back side processing Methods for processing photoimagers include forming one or more protective layers over the image sensing elements of a photoimager. Protective layers may facilitate thinning of the substrates of photoimagers, as well as prevent contamination of the image sensing elements and associated optical features during back side processing of the photoimagers. Blind vias, which extend from the back side of a photoimager to bond pads carried by an active surface of the photoimager, may be formed through the back side. The vias may be filled with conductive material and, optionally, redistribution circuitry may be fabricated over the back side of the photoimager. Photoimagers including features at result from such processes are also disclosed.
US07919343B2	Group III nitride crystal and method for surface treatment thereof, group III nitride stack and manufacturing method thereof, and group III nitride semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A method for surface treatment of a group III nitride crystal includes the steps of lapping a surface of a group III nitride crystal using a hard abrasive grain with a Mohs hardness higher than 7, and abrasive-grain-free polishing the lapped surface of the group III nitride crystal using a polishing solution without containing abrasive grain, and the polishing solution without containing abrasive grain has a pH of not less than 1 and not more than 6, or not less than 8.5 and not more than 14. Accordingly, the method for surface treatment of a group III nitride crystal can be provided according to which hard abrasive grains remaining at the lapped crystal can be removed to reduce impurities at the crystal surface.
US07919340B2	Method for manufacturing light-emitting device In the present invention, a first substrate which is an evaporation donor substrate is prepared in which a material layer is formed over a patterned reflective layer. A surface of the material layer over the first substrate is irradiated with first light which satisfies one predetermined irradiation condition to pattern the material layer. A surface opposite to the surface of the first substrate is irradiated with second light which satisfies another predetermined irradiation condition to evaporate the patterned material layer onto a second substrate, which is a deposition target substrate. According to the present invention, deterioration of a material included in the material layer can be prevented and a film pattern can be formed on the second substrate with high accuracy.
US07919339B2	Packaging method for light emitting diode module that includes fabricating frame around substrate A packaging method for light emitting diode module that includes fabricating frame around substrate, wherein the method comprises the steps of: fabricating a printed circuit layer with a plurality of staggered nodes on a substrate; fabricating a frame around the substrate; fabricating a protruding inclined pier around the bottom rim of the inner wall of the frame; fabricating a plurality of convex reflecting microstructure points on the surface of the printed circuit layer; positioning chips and wire bonding; spraying reflecting paint on the surface of the substrate and the inner wall of the frame except the chips; filling a silica gel diffusion layer formed by mixing the silica gel and the diffusion powder into the frame; and evenly coating a fluorescent glue layer formed by evenly mixing another silica gel and fluorescent powder on the silica gel diffusion layer.
US07919338B2	Method of making an integrally gated carbon nanotube field ionizer device A method of making an integrally gated carbon nanotube field ionization device comprising forming a first insulator layer on a first side of a substrate, depositing a conductive gate layer on the first insulator layer, forming a cavity in the substrate by etching a second side of the substrate to near the first insulator layer, wherein the second side is opposite the first side and wherein a portion of the first insulator is over the cavity, etching an aperture in the portion of the first insulator layer and the conductive gate layer to form an aperture sidewall, depositing a second insulator layer removing the second insulator layer from the top surface, depositing a metallization layer over the second insulator layer, depositing a catalyst layer on the metallization layer and growing a carbon nanotube from the catalyst layer.
US07919335B2	Formation of shallow trench isolation using chemical vapor etch A method includes measuring a depth of a shallow trench isolation (STI) region below a surface of a substrate. The STI region is filled with an oxide material. The substrate has a nitride layer above the surface. A thickness of the nitride layer is measured. A first chemical vapor etch (CVE) of the oxide material is performed, to partially form a recess in the STI region. The first CVE removes an amount of the oxide material less than the thickness of the nitride layer. The nitride layer is removed by dry etching. A remaining height of the STI region is measured after removing the nitride. A second CVE of the oxide material in the STI region is performed, based on the measured depth and the remaining height, to form at least one fin having a desired fin height above the oxide in the STI region without an oxide fence.
US07919330B2	Method of improving sensor detection of target molcules in a sample within a fluidic system Methods of improving microfluidic assays are disclosed. Assays can be improved (better signal to noise ratio) by using sessile drop evaporation as an analyte concentration step (enhanced signal) and repeated passes of wash droplets as a means to reduce non-specific binding (noise reduction). In addition multiple massively parallel analyses improve the statistical precision of the analyses.
US07919326B2	Tracking a status of a catalyst-driven process using RFIDs A method of tracking a status of a catalytic process in a mixture incorporates the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that have corrosive-sensitive coatings. The coatings are removable, by a corrosive in the mixture, at a rate that tracks with the rate at which a catalytic-driven process progresses. As coatings on the RFID tags are removed by the corrosive in the mixture, the digital signatures returned by the RFID tags change, in response to the corrosive damaging the RFID tags. By quantifying the number of damaged RFID tags, a determination can be made as to the progress status of the catalytic process.
US07919325B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring liquid for the presence of an additive The present invention relates to an apparatus and methods for the identification or authentication of liquid products by the addition of an anti-Stokes marker. The invention features an apparatus and method for the identification of a liquid, dynamic or static, that includes adding an anti-Stokes luminescent marker compound to the liquid followed by exposing the compound to a light source of a known wavelength or known wavelengths and then detecting one or more shorter wavelength emissions from the marker, where the identity of the liquid is confirmed by the emission wavelength or wavelengths that are detected and quantified. The irradiating source of light includes, but is not limited to, a laser and other conventional light sources.
US07919317B2	Methods of differentiating and protecting cells by modulating the P38/MEF2 pathway The present invention provides a method of differentiating progenitor cells to produce a population containing protected neuronal cells. A method of the invention includes the steps of contacting the progenitor cells with a differentiating agent; and introducing into the progenitor cells a nucleic acid molecule encoding a MEF2 polypeptide or an active fragment thereof, thereby differentiating the progenitor cells to produce a population containing protected neuronal cells. In one embodiment, the MEF2 polypeptide is human MEF2C or an active fragment thereof.
US07919308B2	Form in place gaskets for assays Assay chambers that include a form-in-place gasket between a substrate and a cover, and methods of forming such assay chambers, are described. The assay chambers may further be associated with an analysis site for analyzing a sample solution contained within the assay chamber.
US07919306B2	Biological sample reaction chip, biological sample reaction apparatus, and biological sample reaction method A biological sample reaction chip, including: a plurality of reactors disposed on one plane; a reaction fluid distribution channel connected via a microchannel to each reactor and provided on the plane on which the plurality of reactors are disposed; and a reaction fluid movement stopping unit, which is connected to an end point of the reaction fluid distribution channel and is capable of controlling movement of a reaction fluid.
US07919302B1	Solenopsis invicta virus A Unique Solenopsis invicta viruse (SINV2) have been identified and its genome sequenced. Oligonucleotide primers have been developed using the isolated nucleic acid sequences of the SINV2. The virus is used as a biocontrol agent for control of fire ants.
US07919294B2	Process for preparing stabilized reaction mixtures which are partially dried, comprising at least one enzyme, reaction mixtures and kits containing said mixtures The invention relates to a method consisting of bringing into contact, in one container, (a) an aqueous solution of a reaction mixture comprising at least one enzyme, and (b) an aqueous solution of a stabilizing mixture comprising (i) at least one protective agent against drying, (ii) at least one inhibitor of the condensation reaction between carbonyl or carboxyl groups and amine or phosphate groups, and (iii) at least one inert polymer capable of generating a mesh structure preventing the mobility of the dried reagents. The invention also consists of removing all or part of the water contained in the resulting aqueous solution. Said process is suitable for carrying out enzymatic reactions, for example, amplifying, sequencing and characterizing nucleic acids, performing hybridization tests and for the restriction analysis.
US07919293B2	Nanoparticles for protein drug delivery The invention discloses the nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and at least one protein drug or bioactive agent characterized with a positive surface charge and their enhanced permeability for paracellular protein drug and bioactive agent delivery.
US07919291B2	Method for producing ethanol using raw starch The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The present invention also relates to methods for producing high protein distiller's dried grain from fermentation of plant material, and to the high protein distiller's dried grain produced. The present invention further relates to reduced stack emissions from drying distillation products from the production of ethanol.
US07919290B2	Bio-recycling of carbon dioxide emitted from power plants The invention provides a method to decrease emission of carbon dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels or other hydrocarbons and to enhance the efficiency of methane production from anaerobic biodigesters. The invention involves feeding carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas of hydrocarbon fuel combustion to an anaerobic biodigester where biomass is anaerobically fermented to produce methane. Carbon dioxide is an electron acceptor for anaerobic fermentation, and thus some of the carbon dioxide is reduced to methane, which can again be used for fuel. In this way, at least a portion of the exhaust gas CO2 is recycled to form fuel methane instead of being released into the atmosphere. Thus, the net CO2 emission from burning a given amount of fossil fuel is decreased. Adding carbon dioxide to an anaerobic fermentation also increases the efficiency and amount of methane production in the fermentation.
US07919287B2	Process for enzymatically converting glycolonitrile to glycolic acid A process is provided to improve the specific activity of an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity when converting glycolonitrile to glycolic acid under aqueous reaction conditions. Inclusion of an effective amount of at least one amine protectant improves the specific activity and catalytic productivity of the enzyme catalyst.
US07919279B2	Methods and compositions for KIR genotyping The present invention provides methods for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene cluster genotyping using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. In general, the methods involve amplifying a plurality of target sequences of a plurality of KIR genes, and detecting the presence or absence of a plurality of single SNPs of the plurality of KIR genes by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The invention also features compositions, including arrays of capture primers and optionally extension primers on a substrate surface, and kits, for use in the methods of the invention.
US07919274B2	Light-emitting fusion proteins and diagnostic and therapeutic methods therefor Light-generating fusion proteins having a ligand binding site and a light-generating polypeptide moiety and their use as diagnostics, in drug screening and discovery, and as therapeutics, are disclosed. The light-generating fusion protein has a feature where the bioluminescence of the polypeptide moiety changes upon binding of a ligand at the ligand binding site. The ligand may be, for example, an enzyme present in an environment only under certain conditions, e.g., ubiquitin ligase in a hypoxic state, such that the light-generating fusion protein is “turned on” only under such conditions.
US07919273B2	Structural variants of antibodies for improved therapeutic characteristics The present invention provides substituted humanized, chimeric or human anti-CD20 antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof and bispecific antibodies or fusion proteins comprising the substituted antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof. The antibodies, fusion proteins or fragments are useful for treatment of B-cell disorders, such as B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases, as well as GVHD, organ transplant rejection, and hemolytic anemia and cryoglobulinemia. Amino acid substitutions, particularly substitution of an aspartate residue at Kabat position 101 of CDR3 VH (CDRH3), result in improved therapeutic properties, such as decreased dissociation rates, improved CDC activity, improved apoptosis, improved B-cell depletion and improved therapeutic efficacy at very low dosages. Veltuzumab, a humanized anti-CD20 antibody that incorporates such sequence variations, exhibits improved therapeutic efficacy compared to similar antibodies of different CDRH3 sequence, allowing therapeutic effect at dosages as low as 200 mg or less, more preferably 100 mg or less, more preferably 80 mg or less, more preferably 50 mg or less, most preferably 30 mg or less of naked antibody when administered i.v. or s.c.
US07919270B2	Mammalian expression system The present invention relates to protein expression systems and in particular to a mammalian protein expression system. Specifically, the present invention provides a rodent cell line with enhanced protein production capabilities.The invention also relates to eukaryotic cloning and expression vectors and related methods, and in particular to DNA vectors capable of high level expression of a protein of interest. The invention allows for long-term episomal maintenance of expression vectors in mammalian cells.
US07919268B2	Reducing sample turbidity in measurement of enzymatic activity in cell lysates Disclosed are methods and kits for measuring enzyme activity in which the turbidity of a sample caused by cell components is minimized by particular additives. The methods include the steps of providing a cell suspension or a cell lysate containing cell components, adding a chromogenic substrate at the start of the enzyme reaction, adding a first additional substance to stop the enzyme reaction, and making a colorimetric measurement, wherein a second additional substance which reduces the light scattering and/or absorption caused by the cells or the cell components is added during or after termination of the enzyme reaction. In particular, a method is disclosed wherein the enzyme is lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the first additional substance to stop the reaction is HCl.
US07919266B2	Method of detecting red cell antigen-antibody reactions A process for the detection of antibodies in a test sample by preparing a suspension of erythrocytes with a test serum or plasma by mixing a test serum or plasma with erythrocytes; incubating the suspension of erythrocytes at a temperature of from 37° C. to 45° C. to bind any antibodies in the test serum or plasma to the surface of said erythrocytes; combining the suspension of erythrocytes with an amount of a solution of a macromolecule which is effective to agglutinate the erythrocytes; packing the resultant red cell agglutinates by centrifuging the suspension of erythrocytes; and, determining the presence of anti-erythrocyte antibodies by observing if antibody-dependent erythrocyte agglutination has occurred.
US07919263B2	Organic material-immobiling structure and method for production of the same, and peptide and DNA therefor The invention provides an organic material-immobilizing structure employing new immobilization means, characterized in that at least a part of the surface of the substrate is comprised of one or more members containing silicon oxide, the organic material is bound to the surface of the substrate through a binding domain bound to the organic material and containing an amino acid sequence capable of binding to silicon oxide, selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 2: Val-Ser-Pro-Met-Arg-Ser-Ala-Thr-Thr-His-Thr-Val; and Ile-Pro-Met-His-Val-His-His-Lys-His-Pro-His-Val, and derivatives thereof.
US07919260B2	Screening methods using GPR52 Disclosed are compounds or their salts that promote or inhibit the activities of a protein comprising the same or substantially the same as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, compounds or their salts that promote or inhibit the activities of a gene for the protein, antisense polynucleotides comprising the whole or part of a base sequence complimentary or substantially complimentary to the base sequence of a polynucleotide encoding the protein or its partial peptide, antibodies to the protein, etc. These compounds or their salts, antisense nucleotides, antibodies, etc. can be used as agents for the prevention/treatment of mental disorders, prolactin-related disorders, etc.
US07919258B2	Rapid tuberculosis detection method Methods for diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a human that include providing blood serum, contacting the serum with an Eis antigen fixed on a substrate, thereby forming complexes of Eis antigen with a human antibody that binds to the Eis antigen, contacting the antibody/Eis complexes with a labeled anti-human secondary antibody, and measuring a titer of the human antibody bound to the Eis antigen. In addition, statistically significant positive or negative diagnosis of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is provided by comparing patient serum antibody titer with a second titer from a negative control blood sample.
US07919250B2	Diagnostic and treatment methods for characterizing bacterial microbiota in skin conditions The present invention relates to methods for characterization of bacterial skin microbiota to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures for alleviating skin conditions. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to characterization of bacterial skin microbiota associated with psoriasis and related diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures for alleviating psoriasis. These methods will be useful for detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring individuals who have or are at risk of certain skin conditions.
US07919248B2	Methods for the modulation of IL-13 The present invention is drawn to methods for modulating IL-13 expression and/or activity in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of an agent which modulates the expression and/or activity of IL-9.
US07919247B2	Simultaneous quantification of nucleic acids in diseased cells A process for assessing mitochondrial toxicity of a compound that includes contacting nucleic acids from a host with an amplification reaction mixture that contains at least two primers that provide detectable signals, wherein: a first primer provides a first detectable signal upon amplification of a host mitochondrial nucleic acid; a second primer provides a second detectable signal upon amplification of a host nuclear nucleic acid; and comparing the first and second detectable signals.
US07919246B2	SEMA4D in cancer diagnosis, detection and treatment This invention is in the field of cancer-related genes. Specifically it relates to methods for detecting cancer or the likelihood of developing cancer based on the presence or absence of the SEM A4D gene or proteins encoded by this gene. The invention also provides methods and molecules for upregulating or downregulating the SEMA4D gene.
US07919243B2	Method for the detection of Fusarium graminearum A method for the detection of Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae) comprising the steps: providing a sample containing a nucleic acid, contacting said sample with at least one forward primer and at least one reverse primer, wherein the at least one reverse primer hybridises within the β-tubulin nucleic acid sequence of Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae) and comprises the nucleic acid sequence 5′-R1TTTTCGTX1GX2AGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO 1), wherein R1 comprises at least one nucleic acid residue of the β-tubulin nucleic acid sequence located upstream of the hybridisation site of the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO 1 and subsequent to the nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO 1, X1 is guanine, adenine or inosine, X2 is cytosine, adenine or inosine, and wherein the at least one forward primer hybridises upstream of the hybridisation site of a nucleic acid sequence complementary to the at least one reverse primer, subjecting the sample contacted with the at least one forward primer and the at least one reverse primer to a nucleic acid amplification technique, and optionally determining the presence of Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae) in a sample by detecting a nucleic acid amplification product.
US07919234B2	Methods and compositions for determining the pathogenic status of infectious agents Methods and compositions for the detection of disease caused by infectious agents and microbes are provided. In particular, methods and compositions comprising novel combinations of nucleic acid amplification and drug susceptibility technologies are provided. In certain embodiments, the present invention enables the detection of infectious agents and microbes as well as providing information concerning the viability status of the agent or microbe. In one embodiment, the present invention is used for the detection of mycobacterial infections, including, but not limited to, tuberculosis.
US07919233B2	Motif of the beclin protein which interacts with anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 protein family, and uses The invention relates to a method of identifying modulators of programmed cell death, comprising an interaction between a motif of Beclin protein and an anti-apoptotic member of the family of Bcl-2 proteins and the detection of said interaction be means of fluorescence polarization. The modulators identified on the basis of said method are administered to cancer patients in order to induce apoptotic- and/or autophagic-type programmed cell death. The invention also relates to a motif of the Beclin protein which can interact with an anti-apoptic member of the family of Bcl-2 proteins and to the use thereof in order to induce programmed cell death in a cancer patient.
US07919228B2	Method of forming pattern of semiconductor device The present invention relates to a method of forming a pattern of a semiconductor device. According to the method, patterns are formed on a substrate. First photoresist patterns are formed in regions where the patterns are opened. The first photoresist patterns are diffused to upper corners of the patterns, thus forming second photoresist patterns. The patterns are etched using the second photoresist patterns as an etch-stop layer. Accordingly, smaller photomask patterns can be formed.
US07919227B2	Positive resist composition and method of forming resist pattern A positive resist composition including a resin component (A) which exhibits increased alkali solubility under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the resin component (A) including a structural unit (a1) represented by general formula (I) shown below: wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a halogenated lower alkyl group; R1′ represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; n represents an integer of 0 to 3; R1 represents a lower alkyl group, a fluorine atom, or a fluorinated lower alkyl group; and p represents an integer of 0 to 2.
US07919226B2	Sulfonate salts and derivatives, photoacid generators, resist compositions, and patterning process Sulfonate salts have the formula:CF3—CH(OCOR)—CF2SO3−M+ wherein R is C1-C20 alkyl or C6-C14 aryl, and M+ is a lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium or tetramethylammonium ion. Onium salts, oximesulfonates and sulfonyloxyimides and other compounds derived from these sulfonate salts are effective photoacid generators in chemically amplified resist compositions.
US07919218B2	Method for a multiple exposure beams lithography tool An aspect of the present invention includes a method for patterning a workpiece covered at least partly with a layer sensitive to electromagnetic radiation by simultaneously using a plurality of exposure beams. In an example embodiment it is determined if any of the beams have an actual position relative to a reference beam which differs from its intended position. An adjustment of the exposure dose for a wrongly positioned beam is performed if said beam is printed at en edge of a feature. Other aspects of the present invention are reflected in the detailed description, figures and claims.
US07919217B2	Pellicle and method for producing pellicle A pellicle film of a silicon single crystal film and a base substrate supporting the pellicle film are formed of a single substrate using an SOI substrate. The base substrate is provided with an opening whose ratio in area to an exposure region when a pellicle is used on a photomask (an open area ratio) is 60% or more, and provided with a reinforcing frame in a non-exposure region of the base substrate. Since the pellicle film and the base substrate supporting the pellicle film are formed of the single substrate (an integrated structure), and the base substrate is provided with the reinforcing frame, the effect of increased strength is obtained. Moreover, a principal plane of a silicon single crystal film is a crystal plane inclined at 3 to 5° from any lattice plane belonging to {100} planes or {111} planes.
US07919216B2	Mask and design method thereof A mask and the design method thereof are provided. The mask includes a light-shielding area shielding off a light, wherein the light-shielding area includes a photonic crystal having a lattice constant, and a ratio of the lattice constant to a wavelength of the light is a specific value within a band gap of the photonic crystal.
US07919214B2	Cathode side hardware for carbonate fuel cells Carbonate fuel cathode side hardware having a thin coating of a conductive ceramic formed from one of Perovskite AMeO3, wherein A is at least one of lanthanum and a combination of lanthanum and strontium and Me is one or more of transition metals, lithiated NiO (LixNiO, where x is 0.1 to 1) and X-doped LiMeO2, wherein X is one of Mg, Ca, and Co.
US07919213B1	Fuel cell bipolar plate and composition therefore A bipolar plate is provided which is constructed of a composite material including at least thirty percent carbon and up to seventy percent of a flowable resin. The material is flowed into a mold and hardened, preferably by heat or catalyst, to form the bipolar plate. The resin is preferably a polyester resin which, along with the carbon, can function effectively within a bipolar plate of a fuel cell. A method for forming bipolar plates from a composite material including carbon and a flowable resin, by flowing the material into a mold, is also provided. Specific compositions for the composite material are also provided.
US07919212B2	Separator for fuel cells The object of the invention is to provide a separator for fuel cells which is of improved strength and corrosion resistance and facilitates the assembling of unit cells. The separator comprises an electrically conductive resin layer formed by electrodeposition in such a way as to cover a metal substrate and a gasket component. The resin layer contains an electrically conductive material. The separator of the invention has thus an enhanced corrosion resistance, makes some considerable improvements in the assembling work efficiency of unit cells, and makes sure higher strength because of the use of the metal substrate.
US07919211B2	On-board fuel cell system and method of controlling the same An on-board fuel cell system adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle includes a main passage connecting a hydrogen-gas storage device with an inlet of a fuel cell, a circulation passage that connects an outlet of the fuel cell with a first point in the main passage, a pump disposed in the circulation passage, and a bypass passage that connects a second point between the outlet of the storage device and the first point, with a third point located in the circulation passage between the outlet of the fuel cell and the pump. During a normal operation condition of the system, the hydrogen gas flows from the storage device to the fuel cell through the main passage, and hydrogen gas discharged from the fuel cell returns to the main passage through the circulation passage. When the pressure of the hydrogen gas is lower than a reference pressure, the pump operates to draw the hydrogen gas out of the storage device and feed the hydrogen gas from the main passage to the circulation passage through the bypass passage, and to the fuel cell through the main passage.
US07919209B2	System stability and performance improvement with anode heat exchanger plumbing and re-circulation rate A fuel cell system that increases stack stability by reducing the amount of liquid water droplets at the anode input of a fuel cell stack in the system. Re-circulated anode exhaust gas from the fuel cell stack and fresh hydrogen gas are sent to an anode heat exchanger so that both the fresh hydrogen gas and the re-circulated anode exhaust gas are heated to reduce the formation of water droplets in the anode input gas. Further, a portion of the heated cooling fluid directly from the fuel cell stack is sent to the heat exchanger to heat the fresh hydrogen gas and the re-circulation hydrogen before the cooling fluid is sent to an isolation heat exchanger to have its temperature reduced.
US07919198B2	Condensed ring aromatic compound for organic light-emitting device and organic light-emitting device having the same Provided are a condensed ring aromatic compound for an organic light-emitting device, and an organic light-emitting device having optical output with high efficiency and high luminescence and having durability. An organic light-emitting device including an anode and a cathode, and a layer made of an organic compound interposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein at least one layer of the layers made of the organic compound contains a condensed ring aromatic compound shown in the following general formula [1]: wherein R1 to R16 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, and may be the same or different.
US07919197B2	Condensed ring aromatic compound and organic light-emitting device having the same There are provided a condensed ring aromatic compound and an organic light-emitting device having an optical output with high efficiency and high luminance, and durability. An organic light-emitting device including: a pair of electrodes comprising an anode and a cathode of which at least one is transparent or translucent; and an organic compound layer disposed between the pair of electrodes, wherein the organic compound layer contains the condensed ring aromatic compound represented by the following formula [1]. In the formula, X1 to X16 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, and each may be the same or different; adjacent groups combine with each other to form at least one ring in the group selected from X4 to X7; and adjacent groups combine with each other to form at least one ring in the group selected from X12 to X15.
US07919196B2	Emitting materials and organic light emitting device using the same The present invention provides a novel light emitting material and an organic light emitting device using the same.
US07919194B2	High strength steel sheet having superior ductility A high strength steel sheet and a method for manufacturing the same has superior phosphatability properties and hot-dip galvannealed properties besides a tensile strength of 950 MPa or more and a high ductility, and also having a small variation in mechanical properties with the change in annealing conditions.
US07919190B2	Polymer composition The disclosed invention relates to a composition, comprising: (A) at least one halogen-free polymer, the polymer exhibiting a total loss of mass of at least about 7% by weight at a temperature of 370° C. when subjected to thermogravimetric analysis; (B) at least one acid source; (C) at least one carbon-yielding source; and (D) at least one blowing agent.
US07919188B2	Linked periodic networks of alternating carbon and inorganic clusters for use as low dielectric constant materials This disclosure relates generally to polymeric networks of fullerene compounds, to methods of preparing precursors for such networks, and to their subsequent use as low dielectric constant materials in microelectronic devices.
US07919183B2	Particles for use as proppants or in gravel packs, methods for making and using the same Disclosed herein is a coated particle comprising a substrate comprising an inorganic material, wherein the inorganic material comprises silica and alumina in a silica to alumina weight ratio of about 2.2 to about 5; and wherein the inorganic material has a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3; and a coating disposed upon the substrate. Disclosed herein too is a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising injecting a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation; wherein the fracturing fluid comprises an inorganic particle that comprises silica and alumina in a silica to alumina weight ratio of about 2.2 to about 5; and wherein the inorganic particle has a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3.
US07919182B2	Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for application to skin The problem of the present invention is to provide a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for skin adhesion, having an adhesive layer, which can be formed without using an organic solvent, shows superior adhesion performance to the skin, and shows extremely mild irritation to the skin and stratum corneum damage. To solve the problem, the present invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for skin adhesion, which has a substrate and an adhesive layer laminated on the substrate, wherein the adhesive layer is obtained by curing an adhesive composition containing polyether polymer (A) having at least one alkenyl group on the terminal, compound (B) having 1-10 hydrosilyl groups in a molecule and hydrosilylation catalyst (C).
US07919180B2	Treated substrate having hydrophilic region and water repellent region, and process for producing it A treated substrate having a hydrophilic region and a water repellent region, of which contrast is high on its surface; a process for producing a treated substrate, wherein the treated substrate can be produced with a low amount of light for a short time; wherein the water repellent region is made of a water repellent film formed by curing the composition (A) comprising a photopolymerization initiator and a compound (a) having at least one (meth)acryloyl group, and a water repellent moiety and having a film thickness of from 0.1 to 100 nm; the process uses a hydrophilic substrate or makes the surface thereof hydrophilic, then forms a film containing the composition (A) on the surface, then forms said water repellent film by irradiating light on a part of the film surface to cure the composition (A) and then removes an uncured composition (A) present thereon in order to expose the hydrophilic surface.
US07919176B2	Ink-jet media porous coatings with chemically attached active ligands The present invention is drawn to a coated substrate for ink-jet ink printing comprising a substrate, having coated thereon, a porous coating, wherein the porous coating comprises silica covalently attached to a chelating agent, an ultraviolet blocker, and/or a hindered amine light stabilizer. In one embodiment, the chelating agent, ultraviolet blocker, and/or hindered amine light stabilizer can be substantially homogenously distributed on the silica.
US07919174B2	Tailored core laminated sheet metal A laminated sheet metal is comprised of a first sheet of metal and a second sheet of metal that are adhered together by a polymer layer core that is interposed between the two sheets and provides visco-elastic adhesion. The polymer layer has at least one region of a first polymer material that is selected for optimal viscous and elastic qualities by which to dampen the transmission of noise and vibration between the sheets, and at least one other region of a second polymer material that is selected for optimal adhesive qualities by which the sheets are optimally joined together against delamination. Thus the laminated sheet metal can be tailored to optimize the qualities that are desired for the manufacture of a particular product.
US07919171B2	Lidding for a child-resistant blister package A blister package is provided in which the lidding component includes a tear-resistant nonwoven layer and a barrier layer wherein the controlled delamination of the nonwoven layer increases the puncture resistance, thereby improving the child-resistant properties of the package.
US07919169B2	Laminate made of fibrous layers for use in absorbent articles A laminate made of fibrous layers for use in absorbent articles, such as sanitary towels, nappies or the like. The laminate includes an outer layer (5) made of non-woven fabric, which is in contact with the wearer during use of the article, and an inner layer (6), which two layers are interconnected in a first bonding pattern consisting of separate bonding points (7).
US07919163B2	Thermal packaging system The present disclosure utilizes the phase change properties of various phase change materials, specifically of 1-decanol and 1-dodecanol. Blood platelets and biological tissues that are chemically unstable at high temperatures can be maintained between 20° C. and 24° C. using 1-Dodecanol in a disclosed container. Temperature sensitive pharmaceutical products may be maintained between 2° C. to 8° C. using 1-Decanol in a disclosed container. The present disclosure may be used to control the temperature of such products during transport by confining the temperature of the product within a predetermined range. This permits light weight packaging with the maintenance of temperatures in narrow, pre-selected ranges over extended periods of time. A nylon and low density polyethylene thermal blanket comprising cells substantially filled with phase change material, which is advantageously puncture proof, durable, and capable of surrounding any payload, is disclosed.
US07919155B2	Document and method of making document including invisible information for security applications A document includes paper having an average surface roughness of at least about 0.5 microns and including one or more optical brighteners, and includes at least one image thereon wherein the at least one image includes clear binder and light absorbing material that absorbs light only at wavelengths below 350 nm. The image is substantially not detectable to a naked human eye through differential gloss or exposure to light having wavelengths of 365 nm or more, but may be revealed to the naked human eye by exposing the document to light having a wavelength at which the light absorbing material absorbs light.
US07919153B2	Laminated structure, process of producing a liquid crystal cell substrate using the same, liquid crystal cell substrate, and liquid crystal display device A laminated structure comprising, at least one optically anisotropic layer formed of a liquid crystalline composition comprising a compound having two or more types of reactive groups, and at least one photosensitive polymer layer. The laminated structure is useful for forming an optically anisotropic layer inside of a liquid crystal cell. The laminated structure is also useful for forming a liquid crystal cell substrate with an optically anisotropic layer having an optically compensating ability, inside of a liquid crystal cell.
US07919152B2	Method and apparatus for curing waste containing photopolymeric components Method and apparatus for polymerizing photoactive materials included in a liquid material by electromagnetic radiation, by dispensing the liquid material layer-wise into a container and irradiating the accumulated layers by a curing radiation, wherein a substantial part of the radiation is well transmitted through the photoactive material.
US07919149B2	Carbodiimide compound and waterborne curable resin composition containing thereof It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a carbodiimide compound exhibiting superior water resistance and having good storage stability when it is applied to a waterborne coating composition, and a waterborne curable resin composition comprising thereof, and the carbodiimide compound of the present invention is represented by the following general formula (1): wherein X represents a bifunctional organic group containing at least one carbodiimide group, Y represents a structure in which a hydroxyl group is eliminated from a polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ether, R0 represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having 2 or less carbon atoms, R1 represents an alkylene group having 4 or less carbon atoms, n represents 0 or 1 and m represents an integer of 11 or more, and wherein the repeating number of oxyalkylene group in the polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ether is 6 to 40.
US07919148B2	In-press process for coating composite substrates An improved process for manufacture of polymer coated composite substrates is described. A coated composite substrate is prepared in the press by applying a layer of a primer coating composition to the surface of a compressible mat comprising fibers and/or particles and a resin binder. The primer coating composition is formulated preferably as a fast setting polymer latex capable of forming a chemically crosslinked polymer matrix when applied to the surface of a compressible mat. A thermosetting top coat composition can be applied directly over the primer coating composition before heat-processing the mat to improve surface quality and release characteristics. Compressing and heating the coated mat produces a finished composite substrate directly out of the press.
US07919147B2	Coating method The invention relates to a method for coating objects, particularly plumbing fixtures, having metallic surfaces. According to the method, at least one organosilane is applied during the so-called sol-gel process after an optionally provided pretreatment step that serves to activate the metallic surfaces, and the coating obtained thereby is transformed into a polysiloxane coating. This transformation of the coating into a polysiloxane coating preferably ensues by a thermal treatment effected at temperatures of <100° C., preferably <70° C.
US07919146B2	Aqueous polyurethane compositions An aqueous polyurethane composition comprising a polyurethane which is the reaction product of: (A) an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer and (B) at least one active-hydrogen chain-extending compound comprising at least 0.20 stoichiometric equivalents with respect to the isocyanate content of the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer (A), of an active-hydrogen chain-extending compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, hydrazine derivatives and mixtures thereof; and wherein at least 0.2 stoichiometric equivalents of the anionic or potentially anionic water-dispersing groups are neutralised with ammonia.
US07919140B2	Process for producing pressure-sensitive adhesive layer The present invention relates to a process for producing a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, which includes irradiating a photopolymerizable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition layer provided between two films with an active energy beam to polymerize the photopolymerizable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition layer, in which the polymerization is performed while a layer of a composition for preventing polymerization inhibition which is curable with an active energy beam in the atmosphere is provided on a side surface of the photopolymerizable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition layer. According to the process for producing a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the present invention, owing to the construction as discussed above, it is possible to reuse a film. Moreover, it is possible to prevent a lowering in the cohesive force in the side surface of the thus formed pressure-sensitive adhesive composition layer caused by a lowering in the polymerization degree in the side surface of the photopolymerizable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive composition layer during the photopolymerization.
US07919139B2	CPP with elongated pinned layer CPP magnetic read head designs have been improved by increasing the length of the AFM layer relative to that of both the free and spacer layers. The length of the pinned layer is also increased, but by a lesser amount, an abutting conductive layer being inserted to fill the remaining space over the AFM layer. The extended pinned layer increases the probability of spin interaction while the added conducting layer serves to divert sensor current away from the bottom magnetic shield which now is no longer needed for use as a lead.
US07919130B2	Method for crosslinking β-cyclodextrin for cholesterol trapping and regeneration thereof Shown herein is the use of crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin as a trap for removing cholesterol. The crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin is prepared by crosslinking beta-cyclodextrin in the presence of a crosslinking agent. Treatment with the crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin results in cholesterol-depleted foods. After application to foods, the crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin which traps cholesterol therein can be readily regenerated with organic solvents. The crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin can be applied to almost all cholesterol-containing foods, such as dairy products, meat products, and egg products, with excellent cholesterol removal rates.
US07919129B2	System and method for spraying meat products with an anti-microbial agent System and method for applying an antimicrobial agent, such as acidified calcium sulfate (ACS), to unpackaged meat products, in order to eliminate or reduce existing food borne bacterial pathogens and to prevent their growth when the meat products are stored. A conveyor transports unpackaged meat products to a spray chamber having nozzles positioned above and below the conveyor and meat products. The conveyor can be a wire conveyor having wires having a thickness so that they can support the food items, which can be eight to ten pounds, while being small enough so that the they do not block ACS solution sprays from the bottom nozzles, or do so to a negligible degree. The lower nozzles spray ACS solution through apertures of the conveyor and onto at least the bottom surfaces of the unpackaged meat products. The solution is sprayed with a sufficiently high pressure and sufficiently small drop size so that the ACS solution penetrates into tissues of the unpackaged meat products.
US07919125B2	Modulation of inflammation by hops fractions and derivatives A natural formulation of compounds that would to modulate inflammation is disclosed. The formulation would also inhibit expression of COX-2, inhibit synthesis of prostaglandin selectively in target cells, and inhibit inflammatory response selectively in target cells. The compositions containing at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops.
US07919122B2	Composition for production of a sterilizer and a process for producing organic peracid The invention provides a composition for production of a sterilizer having a water content of 1 to 25% by weight and comprising (A) an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and an organic acid having a hydrocarbon group which may have a hydroxyl group and (B1) hydrogen peroxide. From the composition, a sterilizer is obtained as an aqueous solution containing an organic peracid.
US07919121B2	Biomaterial derived from vertebrate liver tissue A tissue graft composition comprising liver basement membrane and a method of preparation of this tissue graft composition are described. The graft composition can be implanted to replace or induce the repair of damaged or diseased tissues.
US07919119B2	Porous drug matrices and methods of manufacture thereof Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization. The pore forming agent can be either a volatile liquid that is immiscible with the drug solvent or a volatile solid compound, preferably a volatile salt. In a preferred embodiment, spray drying is used to remove the solvents and the pore forming agent. The resulting porous matrix has a faster rate of dissolution following administration to a patient, as compared to non-porous matrix forms of the drug. In a preferred embodiment, microparticles of the porous drug matrix are reconstituted with an aqueous medium and administered parenterally, or processed using standard techniques into tablets or capsules for oral administration.
US07919117B2	Transdermal delivery of (R)-3,3-diphenylpropylamin-monoestern The invention relates to a device for transdermally administering a compound of formula (I), wherein A represents hydrogen or deuterium, R represents a group selected among C1-4alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl, or phenyl, each of which can be substituted by C1-3alkoxy, fluoride, chlorine, bromine, iodine, nitro, amino, hydroxy, oxo, mercapto, or deuterium, the C atom marked by * (asterisk) being provided in the R configuration. The invention is characterized in that the compound of general formula (I) is provided in a polymer matrix and is released at a dose of 0.5 to 20 mg per day through human skin. The invention further relates to the use of said compounds of formula (I) for producing transdermal medicaments.
US07919114B2	Compositions and methods using Morinda citrifolia Dietary supplements include a complementary blend of fruits including at least noni and Luo Han Guo. Other fruits having a high ORAC value, such as blueberries and raspberries, are also preferably incorporated. The combination of the Luo Han Guo and noni masks the noni's flavors and odors while sweetening the dietary supplements. The Luo Han Guo can be simultaneously provided in both powder and liquid form so that the liquid form acts as the primary sweetener while the powder form acts as the primary masker. The dietary supplements also have an enhanced natural preservative effect, providing an extended shelf life without the use of artificial preservatives.
US07919113B2	Dispersible concentrate lipospheres for delivery of active agents A formulation containing one or more lipophilic agents, methods of making and using the formulation are described herein. The formulation is formed by adding a pre-suspension concentrate composition to an aqueous medium. Upon contact with the aqueous medium, a solid nanoparticle suspension spontaneously forms. The resulting formulation is in the form of a microemulsion. The concentrate contains an amphiphilic solvent, a pharmaceutically acceptable solid carrier such as a solid fatty acid or ester, a surfactant, and an agent. Preferably the concentrate contains a combination of a surfactant with a high hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB) of at least about 8 and a surfactant with a low HLB of less than about 5. The agent is preferably a lipophilic drug and other lipophilic ingredient, such as vitamins. The composition is suitable for use in medical and non-medical applications. The microemuslions described herein have increased stability was compared to the prior art.
US07919110B2	Medical device drug release regions containing non-covalently bound polymers According to one aspect, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain polymeric release regions that release one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric release regions, in turn, contain the following: (i) a first bonding polymer having a first polymer block and a first bonding group and (ii) a second bonding polymer having a second polymer block and a second bonding group. A therapeutic agent is disposed beneath or within the polymeric release region. The first and second polymer blocks can be the same as or different from one another, as can the first and second bonding groups. The first and second bonding groups are bound to one another via non-covalent bonding, for example, via electrostatic interaction, coordinative bonds, π-π stacking, or hydrogen bonding. According to another aspect, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which have a polymeric region that comprises (a) a first polymer having a first polymer block and a first bonding group and (b) a therapeutic agent having a bonding group that bonds to said first bonding group via non-covalent bonding at ambient temperature.
US07919102B2	Basidiomycetes, basidiomycetes extract composition, health foods, and immunopotentiators Basidiomycetes which is a novel mushroom having an excellent immunopotentiating action, etc., a Basidiomycetes extract composition, and health foods and immunopotentiators using the Basidiomycetes extract composition are provided.Basidiomycetes has no basidium forming potential. In particular, Basidiomycetes is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-10011. A Basidiomycetes extract composition is extracted from them with an extraction solvent including at least one solvent selected from water and a hydrophilic solvent.
US07919086B2	Anti-glypican 3 antibody An antibody capable of binding to a specific region of glypican 3, as well as a humanized antibody created based on that antibody are disclosed. The anti-GPC3 antibody of the invention has a higher ADCC activity and CDC activity compared with those of a conventional antibody. The antibody of the present invention is useful as a cell growth inhibitor, an anticancer agent and an agent for diagnosis of cancers.
US07919082B1	High-activity mutants of butyrylcholinesterase for cocaine hydrolysis and method of generating the same A novel computational method and generation of mutant butyrylcholinesterase for cocaine hydrolysis is provided. The method includes molecular modeling a possible BChE mutant and conducting molecular dynamics simulations and hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical calculations thereby providing a screening method of possible BChE mutants by predicting which mutant will lead to a more stable transition state for a rate determining step. Site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression, and protein activity is conducted for mutants determined computationally as being good candidates for possible BChE mutants, i.e., ones predicted to have higher catalytic efficiency as compared with wild-type BChE. In addition, mutants A199S/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/A328W/Y332G, A199S/S287G/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G, and A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/E441D all have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (−)-cocaine compared with wild-type BChE.
US07919079B2	Cancer immunotherapy compositions and methods of use Cellular compositions and methods for inducing an immune response to tumor cells are described. The cellular compositions include a tumor antigen and cells that have been modified to express a cytokine and one or more of a tumor antigen, anti-CTLA4 antibody and an additional cytokine. The cellular compositions find utility in methods for treating cancer.
US07919078B2	Recombinant interferon α2 (IFNα2) mutants and methods of use thereof The present invention provides IFNα2 mutants and active fragments, analogs, derivatives, and variants thereof, nucleotide molecules encoding same, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods utilizing the same for treating cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases.
US07919077B2	Pharmaceutical compositions comprising CCL2 and use of same for the treatment of inflammation A method of treating an inflammation in a subject thereof is provided. The method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of CCL2, thereby treating the inflammation. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms which comprise CCL2 for the treatment of inflammation.
US07919076B2	PH-sensitive polymeric conjugates of an anthracycline cancerostatic drug for targeted therapy Conjugates consisting of a polymeric carrier constituted by 30 to 3,000 monomer units linked to form a polymeric chain, composed of a) 60 to 99% of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide units, b) 1 to 25% of units of methacryloylated hydrazones of α-amino acids, ε-amino acids, aromatic amino acids or oligopeptides terminated with a molecule of an anthracycline cancerostatic, c) 0.5 to 15% of units of methacryloylated α-amino acids, ε-amino acids, aromatic amino acids or oligopeptides or their sodium salts.
US07919075B1	Coatings for implantable medical devices Polymer coatings for medical devices are disclosed. The polymers can include at least one unit derived from ethylene and at least one vinyl unit or acrylic unit. The coatings can have a biologically compatible compound conjugated to, or blended with, the polymer.
US07919072B1	Nanoparticles for protein drug delivery The invention discloses the bioactive nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and at least one bioactive agent characterized with a positive surface charge and enhanced permeability in oral drug delivery.
US07919068B2	Method for making metal oxides A method of producing porous complex oxides includes the steps of providing a mixture of a) precursor elements suitable to produce the complex oxide; or b) one or more precursor elements suitable to produce particles of the complex oxide and one or more metal oxide particles; and c) a particulate carbon-containing pore-forming material selected to provide pore sizes in the range of approximately 7 nm to 250 nm, and treating the mixture to (i) form the porous complex oxide in which two or more of the precursor elements from (a) above or one or more of the precursor elements and one or more of the metals in the metal oxide particles from (b) above are incorporated into a phase of the complex metal oxide and the complex metal oxide has grain sizes in the range of about 1 nm to 150 nm; and (ii) remove the pore-forming material under conditions such that the porous structure and composition of the complex oxide is substantially preserved. The method may be used to produce non-refractory metal oxides as well.
US07919067B2	Method and apparatus for controlling a causticizing process A method and an apparatus for controlling a causticizing process, the process comprising slaking, causticizing and white liquor preparation. The slaking is carried out using a slaker into which green liquor and lime is fed to produce lime milk. The causticizing process is controlled by applying a model that describes at least a part of the causticizing process.
US07919062B2	Modular microfluidic system and method for building a modular microfludic system A “plug-n-play” modular microfluidic system is described herein which can be made by connecting multiple microfluidic components together to form a larger integrated system. For example, the modular microfluidic system includes a motherboard with interconnecting channels and integrated electrodes (or holes for electrodes to pass) which provide electronic connections to external data acquisition and system control devices. The modular microfluidic system can also include channel inserts (which are placed in the channels of the motherboard), heater units, actuator units, fitting components and microchips/modules with different functionalities which are placed on the motherboard.
US07919061B2	Pipette device system and micropipette thereof A pipette device system and micropipette thereof is disclosed. The micropipette is disposed on the pipette device system and includes a pipe body, a rotating shaft and a swing member. A rotating hole and an engaging hole of the pipe body are connected with each other. A receiving hole and a discharging hole are formed in the pipe body and connected with the rotating hole. The rotating shaft is disposed in the rotating hole and has a connecting hole and a switching hole. A first connecting opening and a second connecting opening of the connecting hole are respectively connected with the receiving hole and the discharging hole. The switching hole has a third connecting opening and is connected with the connecting hole. The swing member is fixed on two ends of the rotating shaft. The present invention can implement the multiple micro-dispensation based on the simple structure and movement manner.
US07919058B2	High-solvency-dispersive-power (HSDP) crude oil blending for fouling mitigation and on-line cleaning A high solvency dispersive power (HSDP) crude oil is added to a blend of incompatible and/or near-incompatible oils to proactively address the potential for fouling heat exchange equipment. The HSDP component dissolves asphaltene precipitates and maintains suspension of inorganic particulates before coking affects heat exchange surfaces. HSDP co-blending for fouling mitigation and on-line cleaning can be affected using different concentrations of top-performing and moderate-performing HSDP crude oils.
US07919055B2	Method of forming a sealed channel of a microfluidic reactor and a microfluidic reactor comprising such channel The present invention relates to a method of forming a sealed channel on the surface of a sheet made of a material with a particular extent of plasticity, the sheet forming a reactor block for a microfluidic reactor.
US07919052B2	Securing catalyst element in catalytic converter with bolted bar A catalytic converter has a housing. The housing defines a conduit and has a support wall defining an opening in the conduit. A removable catalyst element covers the opening for treating an exhaust gas passing through the conduit. A removable bar abuts the catalyst element. A first end of the bar is anchored to the wall and a second end of the bar is bolted to the wall thus clamping the catalyst element between the wall and the bar.
US07919048B2	Cellular microarray and its microfabrication method A cellular microarray is disclosed, which has a substrate, multiple first conductive lines, multiple second conductive lines, and multiple PIREs arranged on the surface of the substrate in an array. Each PIRE includes multiple first ring-shaped electrodes, and multiple second ring-shaped electrodes. The first ring-shaped electrodes, and the second ring-shaped electrodes are located on the surface of the substrate alternately in each PIRE. Moreover, the outermost ring-shaped electrodes of any two adjacent feather-shaped electrodes are different. The disclosed cellular microarray can adhere the cells rapidly and uniformly, increase the output of manufacturing, and reduce the cost for manufacturing and application.
US07919046B2	Method for grafting molecules of interest on inorganic surfaces, resulting surfaces and uses thereof The invention concerns a method for grafting molecules of interest on a silicon substrate via a spacer compound, said grafting including at least one click chemistry reaction to the supports thus obtained as well as their uses in nanotechnologies and nanobiotechnologies, such as molecular electronics, the manufacture of biochips or of sensors.
US07919040B2	Method of preparing pressureless sintered, highly dense boron carbide materials In a method of preparing a boron carbide material, boron carbide powder is washed with essentially pure water at an elevated temperature to generate washed boron carbide powder. The washed boron carbide powder is combined with a sintering aid. The mixture of the boron carbide powder and the sintering aid is pressed to form a shaped material, and the shaped material is sintered. A sintered boron carbide material comprises a boron carbide component that includes boron carbide, elemental carbon, and not more than about 0.6 wt % of oxygen on the basis of the total weight of the boron carbide component. The sintered boron carbide material has a density of at least about 99% of the theoretical density. Another sintered boron carbide material comprises a boron carbide component that includes boron carbide, silicon carbide, elemental carbon, and not more than about 0.3 wt % oxygen on the basis of the total weight of the boron carbide component, and has a density of at least about 97% of the theoretical density.
US07919039B2	Ceramic fiber composite material The invention relates to a particularly low-cost and flexible process for the preparation of a sintered ceramic fiber composite material consisting of oxide-ceramic continuous fibers and an oxide-ceramic matrix, and to a fiber composite material prepared by such process.
US07919037B1	Process and composition for molding heatable articles and resulting product A process and a mold for molding parts. The mold is fabricated using a mixture of a viscous resin such as a gel coat containing nano particles. Electrical conductors are incorporated in the mold surface. The resulting mold in use is heatable by application of electricity to produce parts substantially reducing cure and post cure time. Completed parts containing conductive nano particles may also be produced and are heatable in use for applications where it is desirable to heat the part in use such as de-icing panels. A composition for fabricating parts containing a resin and nano particle segments in sufficient quantity to establish a conductive path is also disclosed.
US07919033B2	Method of manufacturing honeycomb structure and manufacturing apparatus thereof A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure having a plugged portion, which is faster and cheaper to manufacture, and a manufacturing apparatus thereof. A film is attached to an end face of a honeycomb structure in a state where the honeycomb structure is positioned in a table portion having a through hole into which the end face portion of the honeycomb structure is to be inserted, and the film is held in a flat state where a remaining portion of the film which is not attached to the end face is attached to the table portion. Then, holes opened so as to correspond to the openings of a part of cells are formed in the film to form the film as a mask, and a plugging material having fluidity is supplied onto the mask or onto the same plane as the mask to fill the cells with the plugging material.
US07919021B2	Method for producing optical sheet The present invention aims at providing a manufacturing method for an optical sheet capable of manufacturing a thin optical sheet of a uniform thickness distribution with a high thickness accuracy, and high shaping/transferring performances, and an optical sheet manufactured by using the manufacturing method. A manufacturing method for an optical sheet according to the present invention includes passing a resin discharged from a die between a touch roll and a shaping roll under pressure.
US07919018B2	Photoactive taggant materials comprising semiconductor nanoparticles and lanthanide ions This invention provides, in one aspect, a procedure to use optically transparent nanocrystalline quantum dots to absorb UV light. This absorption process leads to an energy transfer to a chemically bound and chelated lanthanide ion that may emit light in either the visible spectrum (400-700 nm) or in the near infrared (700-1600 nm). This invention also provides methods for the use of these taggant materials in inks and aerosols used to disperse the taggant.
US07919015B2	Silver-containing nanoparticles with replacement stabilizer A process including: providing a composition comprising silver-containing nanoparticles and molecules of an initial stabilizer on the surface of the silver-containing nanoparticles; and mixing a replacement stabilizer comprising a carboxylic acid with the composition to replace at least a portion of the initial stabilizer with the replacement stabilizer, resulting in molecules of the replacement stabilizer on the surface of the silver-containing nanoparticles.
US07919014B2	Electrode for use with double electric layer electrochemical capacitors having high specific parameters The present invention relates to the production of electrochemical capacitors with a DEL. The proposed electrodes with DEL are based on non-metal conducting materials, including porous carbon materials, and are capable of providing for high specific energy, capacity and power parameters of electrochemical capacitors. P-type conductivity and high concentration of holes in electrode materials may be provided by thermal, ionic or electrochemical doping by acceptor impurities; irradiating by high-energy fast particles or quantums; or chemical, electrochemical and/or thermal treatment. The present invention allows for an increase in specific energy, capacity and power parameters, as well as a reduction in the cost of various electrochemical capacitors with DEL. The proposed electrodes with DEL can be used as positive and/or negative electrodes of symmetric and asymmetric electrochemical capacitors with aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes.
US07919013B2	Thermoplastic moulding compositions with high stiffness Thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 40 to 96.2% by weight of a semiaromatic polyamide, B) from 2 to 30% by weight of an impact-modifying polymer which comprises functional groups, C) from 1 to 50% by weight of fibrous or particulate fillers or a mixture of these, D) from 0.2 to 5% by weight of a lubricant, E) from 0.5 to 15% by weight of an electrically conductive additive, F) from 0 to 30% by weight of other added materials, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to F) is 100%.
US07919011B2	LED and its fluorescent powder A fluorescent powder using YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) as the substrate and cerium as the excitant, and having added thereto Tb (terbium) ions, Ga (gallium) ions, Yb (ytterbium) ions and Lu (lutetium) ions. The YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) has the chemical formula of (Y1-x-y-z-p-qGdxTbyYbzLupCeq)3Al5O12. The invention also provides an organic film layer using the fluorescent powder, and a LED using the organic film layer.
US07919010B2	Doped organic semiconductor material The present invention relates to a doped organic semiconductor material comprising an organic matrix material which is doped with at least one heteromonocyclic and/or heteropolycyclic compound, the compound having at least one nitrogen atom with a free electron pair.
US07919009B2	Polymerizable compounds and polymerizable compositions A polymerizable compound represented by general formula (1) of the invention has good solvent solubility and excellent alignment control properties and optical characteristics. In formula (1), M1 and M2 are each hydrogen or methyl; X1 and X2 are each a single bond, or an optionally branched C1-10 alkylene, alkyleneoxy or alkyleneoxycarbonyloxy; X3 is optionally branched C1-10 alkylene; Y1 and Y2 are each an ester linkage, etc.; and rings A, B, C, and D are each a cyclic structure, such as 2,6-naphthlene.
US07919008B2	Liquid crystal composition comprising novel silicon containing compounds and liquid crystal display device using the same Disclosed are a silicon-containing compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same compound, and a liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal layer prepared from the liquid crystal composition. The silicon-containing compound, which forms the liquid crystal composition, has low viscosity and high negative (−) dielectric anisotropy. Therefore, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display device, which has a fast response time and can be driven at a low voltage.
US07919006B2	Method of anti-stiction dimple formation under MEMS A method for making a MEMS structure comprises patterning recesses in a dielectric layer overlying a substrate, each recess being disposed between adjacent mesas of dielectric material. A conformal layer of semiconductor material is formed overlying the recesses and mesas. The conformal layer is chemical mechanically polished to form a chemical mechanical polished surface, wherein the chemical mechanical polishing is sufficient to create dished portions of semiconductor material within the plurality of recesses. Each dished portion has a depth proximate a central portion thereof that is less than a thickness of the semiconductor material proximate an outer portion thereof. A semiconductor wafer is then bonded to the chemical mechanical polished surface. The bonded semiconductor wafer is patterned with openings according to the requirements of a desired MEMS transducer. Lastly, the MEMS transducer is released. Releasing advantageously exposes anti-stiction features formed from outer edges of the dished portion of semiconductor material.
US07919005B2	Dry etching method, fine structure formation method, mold and mold fabrication method A WC substrate 7 is etched by using plasma 50 generated from a gas including a chlorine atom.
US07919004B2	Removing reflective layers from EUV mirrors A method for removing at least one reflective layer (4a, 4b) from an optical element (1) for EUV lithography, wherein the optical element (1) has a substrate (2) and an interlayer (6) between the substrate (2) and the at least one reflective layer (4a, 4b). The method includes etching away the at least one reflective layer (4a, 4b) as far as the interlayer (6) with an etching gas (7), wherein the material of the interlayer (6) does not react with the etching gas (7), and wherein, after the etching away, the interlayer (6) has a surface roughness of less than 0.5 nm rms, preferably of less than 0.2 nm rms, and more preferably of less than 0.1 nm rms. Also, an optical element (1) for reflecting radiation in the EUV wavelength range includes a substrate (2), at least one reflective layer (4a, 4b), and an interlayer (6) arranged between the substrate (2) and the at least one reflective layer (4a, 4b). The interlayer (6) is composed at least partly of a material which does not react with a halogen or a halogen compound as etching gas (7) and which is selected, in particular, from one or more of the following: alkali metal halides, alkaline earth metal halides and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The interlayer (6) has a surface roughness of less than 0.5 nm rms, preferably of less than 0.2 nm rms, and more preferably of less than 0.1 nm rms.
US07919002B1	Debris trap and method of trapping debris Most commercial & residential buildings have rainwater collection systems that consist of leaders and gutters that collect water coming off the roof. These leaders and gutters are connected to drain pipes that channel the water away from the structure, usually into a dry well or storm drain. A substantial add-on to the leader and gutter system is a debris trap with an overflow port. The debris trap/overflow port may be attached to the leader at waist height (for easy access) to collect leaves, tree droppings, windblown litter and other materials. This debris can be easily discarded by opening an access panel to empty a built-in strainer. When a dry well or storm drain becomes saturated, water will back up through the leader causing seepage and overflow into the building and create erosion that can damage the foundation. The function of the overflow port is to divert water from the drain pipe away from the foundation. The debris trap/overflow port system not only channels water away from the building but also prevents overflow of organic materials that can accumulate along the foundation.
US07919001B2	Water purification system and method using reverse osmosis reject stream in an electrodeionization unit A method for purifying water, comprising separating a supply stream into a permeate stream and a reject stream, removing non-monovalent salt impurities from the reject stream to produce a treated stream; providing the treated stream to a concentrating compartment of an electrodeionization unit; and, producing an EDI product stream of purified water.
US07918998B2	Water treatment apparatus with easy filter replacement construction A water treatment apparatus includes a frame and a plurality of connecting accessories, manifolds and filter cartridges. Each of the connecting accessories includes a seat ring fixed on the frame and a communicating pipe coaxially received in the seat ring. The seat rings together with the communicating pipes are spaced at a distance from one another. Each of the manifolds is suspended between adjacent two of the connecting accessories and has inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends. The inlet and outlet ports of each of the manifolds are rotatably and coaxially received in adjacent the seat rings respectively with their exterior walls in contact with inner walls of adjacent the seat rings and their interior walls in contact with outer walls of adjacent the communicating pipes. Additionally, the filter cartridges are detachably joined to the manifolds respectively.
US07918994B2	System that removes contaminants from sulfur A system for removing contaminant from sulfur to a level that allows re-processed sulfur to reenter a supply chain. The system melts contaminated sulfur, filters the molten sulfur, and then dispenses the less contaminated sulfur after filtering it. More specifically, solid contaminated sulfur enters a settling tank, while heated molten sulfur circulates through the system and the settling tank. The circulation of the molten sulfur assists in the melting process of the solid sulfur, allowing the solid sulfur to melt efficiently. In preferred embodiments of the system, the system uses steam jacked sulfur lines and steam tracing to maintain temperatures for melting the solid sulfur and maintaining the molten state of the sulfur circulating through the system. Furthermore, the system comprises a programmable logic controller, which controls motors, pumps, valves, and environment monitoring instruments.
US07918992B2	Systems, methods, and catalysts for producing a crude product Methods and systems for contacting of a crude feed with one or more catalysts to produce a total product that includes a crude product are described. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The crude product has an MCR content of at most 90% of the MCR content of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US07918990B2	Fuel presenting reduced aromatics levels and a high octane number The invention relates to a fuel containing at least 5 vol. %, and preferably at least 10 vol. %, of a hydrocarbon base (B3) consisting essentially of cycloparaffins comprising between 6 and 8 carbon atoms. The ratio R of the quantities by volume (B1+B2)/B3 is higher than 2 and preferably between 2.3 and 19.
US07918989B2	Gas sensor and method thereof A gas sensor and method thereof are provided. The example gas sensor may include first and second electrodes formed on a substrate, a carbon nanotube connecting the first and second electrodes on the substrate, a light source disposed above the carbon nanotube and an ampere meter measuring current flowing between the first and second electrodes. The example method may be directed to identifying a gas, and may include measuring a first current responsive to a first applied voltage during a first mode of operation, comparing the first measured current with a plurality of first index current values to obtain a first comparison result, each of the plurality of first index current values associated with one of a plurality of gases, measuring a second current responsive to a second applied voltage during a second mode of operation, comparing the second measured current with a plurality of second index current values to obtain a second comparison result, each of the plurality of second index current values associated with one of the plurality of gases and determining gas characteristic information based on the first and second comparison results.
US07918987B2	Electrochemical process to prepare a halogenated carbonyl group-containing compound The present invention provides a process to prepare a halogenated carbonyl group-containing compound by electrochemically reacting the corresponding carbonyl group-containing compound with a hydrogen halide H—X, an organic halide R′—X and/or a halide salt Mn+—Xn− under substantially water-free conditions, wherein X is a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom, R′ is an alkyl or aryl group that may be linear or branched, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, chloride, bromide, fluoride or iodide of which the halogen atom X can be electrochemically split off, Mn+ is a quaternary ammonium, alkaline earth metal, alkali metal or metal cation, and n is an integer of 1 to 5, depending on the valency of the metal cation Mn+.
US07918986B2	Electrolytic method to make alkali alcoholates using ceramic ion conducting solid membranes Disclosed are processes of making solutions of metal alcoholates in their corresponding alcohols using an electrolytic process. In a preferred embodiment, sodium methylate in methanol is made from methanol and sodium hydroxide solution. The sodium hydroxide solution is placed in the anolyte compartment and the methanol is placed in the catholyte compartment, and the two compartments are separated by a ceramic membrane that selectively transports sodium under the influence of current. In preferred embodiments, the process is cost-effective and not environmentally harmful.
US07918979B2	Entropic trapping and sieving of molecules Nanofluidic entropic traps, comprising alternating thin and thick regions, sieve small molecules such as DNA or protein polymers and other molecules. The thick region is comparable or substantially larger than the molecule to be separated, while the thin region is substantially smaller than the size of the molecules to be separated. Due to the molecular size dependence of the entropic trapping effect, separation of molecules may be achieved. In addition, entropic traps are used to collect, trap and control many molecules in the nanofluidic channel. A fabrication method is disclosed to provide an efficient way to make nanofluidic constrictions in any fluidic devices.
US07918977B2	Solid state electrochemical gas sensor and method for fabricating same An electrochemical gas sensor, a method for making the sensor and methods for the detection of a gaseous species. The electrochemical gas sensor is a solid-state gas sensor that includes a solid polymer electrolyte. A working electrode is separated from a counter electrode by the solid polymer electrolyte. The sensor can include a multilaminate structure for improved detection properties, where electrode microbands are disposed within the solid polymer electrolyte.
US07918975B2	Analytical sensors for biological fluid The subject invention provides devices and methods for the analysis of a body fluid. Embodiments include sensors that are sample-fillable by contacting a corner of the sensor to a sample.
US07918974B2	Micro-structured insulating frame for electrolysis cell The invention relates to an insulating frame of an electrolysis cell having a microstructured internal section allowing the penetration of the electrolyte even if the structured section is partly or completely overlapped by the membrane, and to an electrolysis cell equipped with the same.
US07918973B2	Process for distilling solid organic products A process for treating solid organic materials, especially for recycling treated wood, uses energy provided by hot gases at the bottom of a reactor column to perform a distillation operation which ensures splitting of organic bonds in the material and uses, as the distillation operation progresses, constant control between a first temperature of the hot gases before they are introduced into the lower part of the reactor column and a second temperature of a layer of the material located in an area immediately above the grid of the reactor column. When the first temperature and the second temperature are identical or virtually identical, corresponding to removal of all the organic bonds of the material by evaporation and transport by the hot gases from the bottom to the top of the column, the layer of material at the second temperature is removed in order to collect a material that largely consists of carbon and constitutes a secondary raw material.
US07918971B2	Shoe press belt for making paper A belt (shoe press belt) for a paper making machine, which has good ability of squeezing water from moist paper and which, during use, has reduced damage (cracks and wear) on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. The shoe press belt for making paper carries felt for receiving water squeezed from moist paper. A water discharge groove extended on the surface on the felt side is formed as an intermittent groove, and the width and depth of the water discharge groove are continuously varied in the direction of travel (MD direction) of the groove. The shape of the intermittent groove can be asymmetrical or symmetrical at the left and right with respect to the width, or can be formed to have a narrow width at the center of the groove, or can be formed so that the groove is deep at the center. Because the water discharge groove is intermittent, water discharge ability, the quality of paper, and the smoothness of the surface of moist paper are enhanced at the same time.
US07918970B2	Band for a machine for producing web material, in particular paper, board or tissue, and process for the production of such a band A band for a machine for producing web material, in particular paper, board or tissue, includes at least one fabric layer having longitudinal filaments running substantially in a band longitudinal direction and transverse filaments running substantially in a band transverse direction, end regions of the longitudinal filaments being woven with transverse connecting filaments in order to provide an endless configuration of the band, cross-sectional widenings being provided at the filament ends of at least some of the longitudinal filaments woven with transverse connecting filaments.
US07918961B2	Worn article and method for producing the same The present invention relates to a new worn article, which gives a close fit and with which it is possible to reduce the production cost. A worn article of the present invention includes a main body portion 20 including an absorbent core 25 and covering a front torso area, a crotch area and a rear torso area of a wearer, and a pair of side panels PL and PR attached to the main body portion 20 and located between the front and rear torso areas when the worn article is worn. Each of the side panels PL and PR is stretchable in an around-the-torso direction X. At least a portion of the side panel PL and PR includes an elastic thread G sandwiched between at least two sheet-like materials S1 and S2 and is in a contracted state where the elastic thread is contracted, thus forming gathers.
US07918957B2	Method of manufacturing a composite disc structure and apparatus for performing the method A method of making composite discs continuously, including forming for each disc a first, a second layer, and a third support layer, each support layer being disc shaped and having a first surface with information indicia. An information layer is added to each support layers respectively. The said first and third support layers are positioned in a facing relationship, with the first and third information layers being adjacent. The third support layer is then separated from the third information layer, which thus remains attached to the first support layer. The first and second support layers are then joined. These steps are performed on a manufacturing line with conveyor belts transferring the support layers from station to station.
US07918945B2	Method for manufacturing surface treated steel material using a chemical conversion treatment liquid A method of manufacturing a surface treated oil well pipe comprising performing chemical conversion treatment on an oil well pipe having a steel composition containing 0.5-13% Cr using a chemical conversion treatment liquid containing zinc and phosphoric acid or manganese and phosphoric acid and further containing potassium tetraborate to form a chemical conversion film of a zinc-phosphate type or a manganese phosphate type, wherein the chemical conversion treatment is carried out in the absence of fluoride ions.
US07918944B2	Surface carburization technique of medical titanium alloy femoral head in hip arthroplasty A surface carburization technique of medical titanium alloy femoral head in total hip arthroplasty comprises subjecting medical titanium alloy TC4 to surface carburization by using acetylene as carburizing agent to carry out gaseous carburization at high temperature to give medical titanium alloy femoral head in total hip arthroplasty with TiC ceramic on surface thereof. The TiC ceramic layer on femoral head can be more than 100 micron thick, which is relatively thick, overcomes the disadvantages in available medical titanium alloy material, and is particularly useful for replacement of total hip or knee arthroplasty.
US07918941B2	Cleaning composition The present invention relates to a cleaning agent composition for use in cleaning a substrate for recording media, a substrate for photomask, or a substrate for flat panel display, a surface of which at least contains a metallic or glassy substrate moiety, the cleaning agent composition containing (I) a copolymer compound satisfying at least the following (i) to (iii): (i) a constituting unit A1 derived from acrylic acid is contained in an amount of 20% by mol or more of the entire constituting units; (ii) the constituting unit A1 derived from acrylic acid and a constituting A2 derived from 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid are contained in a total amount of 90% by mol or more of the entire constituting units; and (iii) the constituting unit A1 and the constituting unit A2 of the entire constituting units are in a content ratio [constituting unit A1 (% by mol)/constituting unit A2 (% by mol)] of from 91/9 to 95/5.
US07918934B2	Single crystal semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method, and single crystal ingot A single crystal semiconductor manufacturing apparatus in which the concentration of oxygen in a single crystal semiconductor is controlled while pulling up a single crystal semiconductor such as single crystal silicon by the CZ method, a single crystal semiconductor manufacturing method, and a single crystal ingot manufactured by the method are disclosed. The natural convection (20) in the melt (5) in a quartz crucible (3) is controlled by regulating the temperatures at a plurality of parts of the melt (5). A single crystal semiconductor (6) can have a desired diameter by regulating the amount of heat produced by heating means (9a) on the upper side. Further the ratio between the amount of heat produced by the upper-side heating means (9a) and that by the lower-side heating means (9b) is adjusted to vary the process condition. In the adjustment, the amount of heat produced by the lower-side heating means (9b) is controlled to a relatively large proportion. Without inviting high cost and large size of the manufacturing apparatus, the oxygen concentration distribution in the axial direction of the single crystal semiconductor, the diameter of the single crystal semiconductor, and the minute fluctuation of the oxygen concentration in the axial direction are controlled.
US07918927B2	Inkjet recording liquid and inkjet recording method An inkjet recording liquid includes: water; a colorant; a first water-soluble organic solvent having a structure represented by the following Formula (1), an SP value of 27.5 or less, and a molecular weight of 100 to 210; and a second water-soluble organic solvent having a structure represented by the following Formula (2), an SP value of 27.5 or less, and a molecular weight of 240 to 2000, wherein the mass ratio of the content of the first water-soluble organic solvent to the content of the second water-soluble organic solvent is from 1:3 to 3:1: R1-(A1)n-OH Formula (1) R2-(A2)m-OH Formula (2) In Formulae (1) and (2), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a group derived from a sugar alcohol, each A1 independently represents an ethyleneoxy group or a propyleneoxy group, each A2 independently represents an ethyleneoxy group or a propyleneoxy group, n represents an integer from 1 to 3 and m represents an integer from 3 to 40.
US07918926B2	CO2 recovery system and method A CO2 recovery system includes an absorption tower and a regeneration tower. CO2 rich solution is produced in the absorption tower by absorbing CO2 from CO2-containing gas. The CO2 rich solution is conveyed to the regeneration tower where lean solution is produced from the rich solution by removing CO2. A regeneration heater heats lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam. A steam-condensate heat exchanger heats the rich solution conveyed from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower with the steam condensate.
US07918922B2	Process for removal of hydrogen sulphide, iron pentacarbonyl and nickel tetracarbonyl from a synthesis gas stream The invention provides a process for removal of hydrogen sulphide, iron pentacarbonyl and nickel tetracarbonyl from a feed synthesis gas stream, the process comprising the steps of: (a) removal of hydrogen sulphide and of iron pentacarbonyl by contacting the feed synthesis gas stream with an absorbing liquid comprising water, physical solvent and an amine, to obtain a synthesis gas stream depleted of hydrogen sulphide and depleted of iron pentacarbonyl; (b) adsorption of nickel tetracarbonyl by contacting the synthesis gas stream depleted of hydrogen sulphide and depleted of iron pentacarbonyl with solid adsorbent comprising activated carbon to obtain solid adsorbent enriched in nickel tetracarbonyl and a purified synthesis gas stream.
US07918921B2	Gas separation membrane module assembly with residue manifold A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes a set of tubes, each containing gas-separation membrane elements, arranged within a housing. The housing contains tube sheets that divide the space within the housing into three separate, gas-tight spaces, with the tubes mounted in the central space. Feed gas enters the tubes through apertures positioned to feed multiple membrane elements within a tube in parallel, and one or more manifolds are used to collect residue gas from the membrane elements and direct the gas to the residue port or to a second group of membrane elements within the tube. The assembly can be used in various ways to carry out gas separation processes.
US07918914B2	Exhaust gas treatment component In an exhaust gas treatment component with a ceramic body for the purification of exhaust gases and a method for making such a component, the ceramic body is disposed in a sheet metal housing consisting of a housing base from which housing sections extend which are hinged to the housing base by webs and which form together a tubular slotted housing part surrounding the ceramic body, the housing sections being tiltable outwardly about the webs for facilitating insertion of the ceramic body into the housing.
US07918912B2	Engine hydrocarbon adsorber Devices, systems and methods are provided for adsorbing hydrocarbons from the air intake system of an internal combustion engine. The devices, systems and methods include a hydrocarbon absorbent material, and a structural element configured to hold the hydrocarbon absorbent material within a clean air tube of an internal combustion engine.
US07918910B2	Unit for eliminating particles and apparatus for transferring a substrate having the same In an apparatus for transferring a substrate, a partition wall is disposed in a vertical direction in a housing to divide an interior space of the housing into a first space and a second space. A pressure generating member divides the first space into an upper space and a lower space and moves in a vertical direction in the first space such that a positive pressure and a negative pressure are alternately generated in the upper space and the lower space. A substrate supporting member is movably disposed in the second space to support and to transfer the substrate. A plurality of gates is disposed on a side wall of the housing and the partition wall, and is opened and closed by the positive pressure and the negative pressure such that the particles are eliminated from the second space to an exterior space via the first space.
US07918907B2	Cleaning nozzle for dust collector A particulate filtration device having a cleaning assembly including the cleaning nozzle that accelerates gas toward the downstream surface of the filter media. The cleaning nozzle comprises an inlet portion defining a converging inlet path, a throat portion defining a narrowest portion of the nozzle, and an outlet portion defining a diverging path and ending at an exit edge. The inlet portion, throat portion, and outlet portion collectively create an inner surface of the nozzle. The nozzle defines a centerline and an exit half angle relative to the centerline, and the exit half angle is about ten degrees. The nozzle has a throat area at the throat portion and an exit area at the exit edge. A ratio of the exit area to the throat area is about 1.4. A portion of the inlet portion adjacent the throat portion has a throat inlet radius, and a portion of the outlet portion adjacent the throat portion has a throat outlet radius. The throat outlet radius is larger than the throat inlet radius. For example, a ratio of the throat outlet radius to the throat inlet radius is about 2.9.
US07918906B2	Compact natural gas steam reformer with linear countercurrent heat exchanger The present invention is natural gas steam reforming apparatus for generating an output gas mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The apparatus is made from two enclosures. A first enclosure contains a source of water, superheated steam, and channels, located within a lower portion of the first enclosure, which contain a water-gas-shift catalyst for converting CO into CO2 and H2. The heat from hot gas flowing through the channels is released into the first enclosure to boil the water to generate the superheated steam. A second enclosure, contained within an upper portion of the first enclosure, includes a steam inlet for receiving the superheated steam from the first enclosure; a combustion chamber; and a reformation chamber. The combustion chamber is used for combusting a portion of the natural gas to generate additional steam, heat, and a hot gas mixture of CO2, CO, and H2. The reformation chamber is used for steam reforming a remaining portion of the natural gas to generate additional hot gas mixture of CO2, CO, and H2. The hot gas mixture is directed through the channels installed in the first enclosure in which the water-gas-shift catalyst converts residual CO into additional CO2 and additional H2, to produce an output gas mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. In the present invention, the first and second enclosures function as a top-to-bottom linear countercurrent heat exchanger.
US07918905B2	Method for improving biodiesel fuel The addition of strong neutralizing amines to react with free fatty acid in biodiesel fuels that may be left from some synthesis routes can lower the total acid number (TAN) of the biodiesel fuel. Surprisingly, the strong neutralizing amines do not interfere with the biodiesel fuel itself which may be primarily fatty acid methyl esters. These strong neutralizing amines may also improve the oxidative stability of biodiesel fuels.
US07918897B2	Scaffolds for organ reconstruction and augmentation Biocompatible synthetic or natural scaffolds are provided for the reconstruction, repair, augmentation or replacement of organs or tissue structures in a patient in need of such treatment. The scaffolds are shaped to conform to at least a part of the organ or tissue structure and may be seeded with one or more cell populations. Inserts, receptacles and ports are also provided for the attachment of tubular vessels to the neo-organ scaffolds. The seeded scaffolds are implanted into the patient at the site in need of treatment to form an organized organ or tissue structure. The scaffolds may be used to form organs or tissues, such as bladders, urethras, valves, and blood vessels.
US07918895B2	Method and apparatus for removing a bearing A system for replacing a portion of a shoulder joint can include a tray having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface can be adapted to engage a humeral stem. A bearing can include an outer bearing surface and an inner articulating surface. The outer bearing surface can be positioned adjacent to the tray. A ring can be selectively disposed between the tray and the bearing. The ring can define an annular body having a slit formed therein. The ring can be movable between a locked position wherein the ring retains the bearing relative to the tray and an unlocked position. A removal tool can define a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end can define a ring engaging surface and a bearing engaging surface. The ring engaging surface can be adapted to engage the ring at the slit such that the ring expands radially from the locked position away from engagement with the bearing to the unlocked position. The bearing engaging surface can be adapted to engage the bearing and urge the bearing away from the tray.
US07918892B2	Shoulder prosthesis A system and method for installing a shoulder prosthesis. The method includes removing the original humeral head and shaping the proximal end of the humerus with one or more implements to prepare the humerus to receive the shoulder prosthesis.
US07918882B2	Implantable vascular device comprising a bioabsorbable frame A multiple-sided valve for implantation within a body vessel comprising a frame comprising a bioabsorbable material is provided. The devices can be pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel and may include one or more barbs for anchoring purposes. A full or partial covering of fabric or other flexible material, or a bioabsorbable material, including a collagen-based material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS), may be attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a graft, or an implantable, intraluminal valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet.
US07918881B2	Stent deployment systems and methods A stent deployment system includes a catheter shaft, an expandable member mounted to the catheter shaft, and one or more stents or stent segments slidably positioned on the expandable member. The stent deployment system is adapted for deployment of stents or stent segments in very long lesions and in tapered and curved vessels. The stent deployment system facilitates slidable movement of a stent in a distal direction relative to the expandable member while inhibiting slidable movement in a proximal direction relative to the expandable member.
US07918880B2	Self-expanding stent and delivery system A medical appliance is provided that includes an outer sheath adapted to enclose a self-expanding stent in an inner space before deployment of the self-expanding stent and an inner sheath arranged between the outer sheath and the self-expanding stent before deployment of the self-expanding stent. The inner sheath includes longitudinal slits that extend from a distal end of the medical appliance to the proximal end. The longitudinal slits form a plurality of inner sleeve tails. The medical appliance also includes an actuator adapted to move the outer sheath with respect to the inner sheath during deployment of the self-expanding stent. The actuator is adapted to cause the outer sheath to move proximally. A method of deploying a self-expanding stent is provided. A method of loading a delivery mechanism is provided.
US07918875B2	Interspinous distraction devices and associated methods of insertion In various embodiments, the present invention provides a plurality of novel interspinous distraction devices and associated methods of insertion. The interspinous distraction devices of the present invention are designed and configured to effectively treat such conditions as lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. Advantageously, the interspinous distraction devices of the present invention may be inserted through conventional open procedures, typically requiring a relatively large incision and a general anesthetic, or through novel minimally-invasive procedures, typically requiring only a local anesthetic. These novel minimally-invasive procedures and related enabling devices are also disclosed and described herein.
US07918871B2	Device and method for treatment of sinusitis A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway in a frontal sinus of a patient includes forming an artificial passageway into the frontal sinus of the patient with a tool. An elongate member having an inflation member thereon is inserted through the passageway. The inflation member is positioned with the constricted sinus passageway and the inflation member is expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted sinus passageway.
US07918866B2	Devices and related methods for securing a tissue fold The present invention relates to devices and methods for creating and securing a tissue fold during an endoluminal medical procedure. The devices and methods may be used for folding and securing, for example, a fundus wall onto an esophagus wall. An aspect of the invention includes a two-piece tissue clip configured to be installed through an endoluminal device to secure a tissue fold. The clip includes a female member and a male member configured to engage one another to secure the tissue fold. Another aspect of the invention includes a clipping device comprising a tissue clip magazine. The magazine is configured to hold a plurality of tissue clips and install the plurality of tissue clips in a single actuation of the magazine. A method for using the clipping device together with the tissue clips of the present invention to create and secure a fold of tissue during an endoluminal procedure also is disclosed.
US07918862B2	Water-resistant devices incorporating a switch assembly An electric-powered device includes (1) a skin-contactable surface and (2) a body having a water-resistant switch assembly. Preferably, the electric-powered device is useful in skin treatment and delivers mechanical forces on the skin. The switch assembly preferably includes, a substantially planar mount having an aperture, a rotatable shaft extending through the aperture, and a seal lining the aperture to restrict water movement along the shaft. In another aspect a water-resistant switch assembly includes first translatable element adapted for substantially planar motion in a first plane; a rotatable shaft, engageable with said first translatable element; a second translatable element adapted for substantially planar motion in a second plane, wherein said second translatable element is engageable with said rotatable shaft; a substantially planar mount having a through-hole and defining a third plane, wherein said rotatable shaft pierces said through hole and said third plane, wherein said third plane is substantially between said second plane and said third plane; and a seal surrounding said through-hole for rendering said through hole water-resistant.
US07918860B2	Surgical extractor A surgical extractor for removing objects from a body including, for example, calculi, such as kidney stones and gall stones. The extractor includes a handle at a proximal end with a slider for operation by a physician. At the distal end, the extractor includes a plurality of wires with each wire comprising a first portion having an individual strand and a second portion comprising a plurality of filaments. When a retaining sheath is retracted, the wires, formed of a shape memory material such as stainless steel, expand such that each of the strands assume a spaced relationship to define a first section of a basket and the plurality of the filaments assume a spaced relationship to define a second section of the basket. The use of a basket formed by wires having a first section comprising an individual strand and a second section comprising the plurality of filaments promotes capture of objects within the body by having widely spaced wires in the first section, retention of such objects in the second section by multiplying the number of contacts with entrapped object, and improved selective release of such objects without any deleterious effect on the reliability or size of the extractor. Additionally, use of the basket enables improved dislodgment and capture of embedded or impacted objects.
US07918859B2	Recanalizing occluded vessels using controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking A method and systems for treating chronic total occlusions, particularly those that are difficult to treat, is disclosed. In this approach, recanalizing the CTO is achieved using a combined antegrade and retrograde approach. The proximal end of the occlusion is penetrated using an antegrade wire, using a traditional approach. Using collateral vessels, the distal end of the occlusion is crossed in a retrograde fashion and by appropriately maneuvering each member, a continuous channel is created. Additional elements such as capture devices, dilators and injection catheters are also disclosed.
US07918858B2	Minimally invasive bone anchor extensions Methods and devices are provided for facilitating delivery and implanting of a bone anchor into bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a bone anchor extension is provided for coupling to a bone anchor to facilitate delivery and implanting of the bone anchor in bone. The bone anchor extension can have a generally elongate configuration that allows it to extend from a skin incision in a patient to a site proximate a patient's spine, and it can include a lumen extending therethrough between proximal and distal ends thereof. A distal end of the bone anchor extension can be adapted to engage a bone anchor, such as a bone screw. Various techniques are provided for locking the distal end of the bone anchor extension into engagement with a bone anchor.
US07918851B2	Irrigated tip catheter and method for manufacturing therefor An irrigated tip electrode design includes a shell generally surrounding a plug which jointly define a chamber that is fed with fluid by a lumen. The fluid is distributed to the outer surface of the tip electrode through fluid passages. The chamber is advantageously isolated from a region of the tip electrode occupied by electrical and/or electromagnetic components in the tip electrode. Lumens occupied by the these components terminate in blind holes that have no communication with the chamber. A method of fabricating includes providing a shell configured from a rod to provide an open interior cavity, sealing and partially filling the cavity with a plug to form a chamber, then forming fluid passages between the cavity and an outer surface of the tip electrode, and providing a lumen through which fluid can enter the chamber and exit therefrom through the fluid passages.
US07918849B2	Devices and methods for tissue access Methods are provided for access to a compressed space in the spinal anatomy. These methods may be used for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space. In one variation, a tissue abrasion device is provided. A cannulated probe may be placed through the neural foramina of the spine and used to position a guidewire around the anterior border of a facet joint. Once properly positioned, a medical practitioner may use the guidewire with an abrasion device to enlarge the lateral recess and neural foramina. A nerve stimulator may be provided to reduce a risk of inadvertent neural abrasion.
US07918846B2	Method and system for laser treatment of refractive errors using offset imaging An ophthalmological surgery system and method for performing ablative photodecomposition of the corneal surface by offset image scanning. The image of a variable aperture, such as a variable width slit and variable diameter iris diaphragm, is scanned in a preselected pattern to perform ablative sculpting of predetermined portions of a corneal surface. The scanning is performed with a movable image offset displacement mechanism capable of effecting radial displacement and angular rotation of the profiled beam exiting from the variable aperture. The profiled beam is rotated by rotating the aperture in conjunction with the offset displacement mechanism. The invention enables wide area treatment with a laser having a narrower beam, and can be used in the treatment of many different conditions, such as hyperopia, hyperopic astigmatism, irregular refractive aberrations, post ablation smoothing and phototherapeutic keratectomy.
US07918844B2	Applier for implantable medical device An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.
US07918840B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article includes an upper, liquid-permeable cover sheet, a lower, liquid-impermeable cover sheet, and an absorption body arranged between the cover sheets. The article includes first and second side barriers along the respective longitudinal sides of the article. Each side barrier has at least one longitudinal elastic element. The side barriers define a shape which narrows in the direction towards the front portion so that the distance, in the transverse direction of the article, between the elastic elements is greater in the rear portion than in the front portion. Each side barrier is arranged such that, when it is secured in contact with the front portion, each side barrier and the upper cover sheet define a folded structure of substantially Z-shaped cross section with a fold directed towards the inside of the article.
US07918837B2	Body-attachable sanitary napkin A body-attachable sanitary napkin including a fluid-pervious cover layer, a fluid-retaining assembly; and a barrier layer having a body-contactable adhesive disposed on at least first portions thereof. The sanitary napkin according to the invention remains securely attached to the body during use, moves with the body during use, yet at the same time enables the user to selectively remove the napkin in a pain free manner.
US07918833B2	Pen-type injector The present invention relates to injectors, such as pen-type injectors, that provide for administration of medicinal products from a multidose-cartridge and permit a user to set the delivery dose. The injector may include a housing, a piston rod adapted to operate through the housing, a dose dial sleeve located between the housing and the piston rod, and a drive sleeve located between the dose dial sleeve and the piston rod. The dose dial sleeve may have a helical thread of first lead and the drive sleeve may have a helical groove of second lead. The first lead of the helical thread and the second lead of the helical groove may be the same.
US07918830B2	Safety device for drug delivery devices and containers A drug administration safety device having a label configured to be attached to a drug container such as a syringe or IV bag, an adhesive on the back face of the label, and a backing or substrate for holding the label and protecting the adhesive prior to the application of the label to the drug container. In one embodiment, the label includes a first drug name section in a first orientation, a second drug name section in a second orientation, a third drug name section in a third orientation, a drug concentration section, a variable information section, and a gradiation viewing section. The first orientation, second orientation, and third orientation are different from each other to enable a user to readily see the drug name regardless of the position and orientation of the drug container.
US07918826B2	Trocar assembly Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity are disclosed. In general, a trocar assembly is provided that can include a housing having a cannula that extends therefrom to define a working channel that is sized and configured to receive a surgical instrument. The trocar assembly can also include a seal unit that is disposed in the housing. The seal unit can be generally configured to allow off-axis insertion of an instrument through the working channel without lateral movement of the seal unit. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the seal unit can be rotatably disposed in the housing and have at least one seal element that is adapted to selectively seal the working channel. The seal unit can also be adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the assembly and an axis perpendicular thereto.
US07918825B2	Interfacing a prefilled syringe with an infusion pump to fill the infusion pump A prefilled syringe may be interfaced with and used to fill an infusion pump with therapeutic liquid. The dispensing end of the prefilled syringe may be coupled (either directly or indirectly using a syringe cap) to a syringe coupling region of the infusion pump, for example, using a threaded engagement or snap fit engagement. As the dispensing end of the prefilled syringe is coupled to the syringe coupling region of the pump housing, a needle passes through the pump housing and/or a needle passage region of the dispensing end such that the prefilled syringe is fluidly coupled to a reservoir in the pump. In various embodiments, the needle may be located in the syringe coupling region or in a syringe cap coupled to the dispensing end of the prefilled syringe.
US07918823B2	Devices, systems and methods for medicament delivery Apparatuses for automatic medicament injection and methods for manufacturing automatic medicament injectors are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, a needle, an energy storage member, an actuator, a locking member, and a needle guard. The needle is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the needle is contained within the housing. In its second position, at least a portion of the needle extends from the housing. The energy storage member has a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured to produce a force when moving between its first configuration and its second configuration to move the needle from its first position to its second position. The actuator is configured to move the energy storage member from its first configuration to its second configuration. The locking member is movably coupled to the distal end portion of the housing such that the locking member can be moved between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the locking member is configured to engage the actuator to prevent the actuator from moving the energy storage member to the second configuration. The needle guard is removably coupled to at least one of the distal end portion of the housing or a base movably coupled to the distal end portion of the housing.
US07918822B2	Surgical aspiration system and method of surgical aspiration A single handed, safe and efficient system for aspirating a surgical site. The aspirating system of the present invention allows the surgeon to aspirate a surgical site by holding the aspiration cannula constantly in the same hand, such that the other hand of the surgeon is never needed for managing or manipulating the aspiration system in any manner. The invention allows a surgical site to be aspirated in an uninterrupted manner despite blood clots and tissue debris which constantly block the tip and the lumen of the aspiration cannula.
US07918821B2	Universal safety syringe A syringe comprises a generally-cylindrical, hollow barrel with a hollow nozzle at a distal end thereof. A plunger with an open channel is slidably mounted in the barrel. A needle holder with a needle mounted at one end thereof is arranged in the plunger channel, and movable between an advanced position, whereat the needle projects from a distal end of the nozzle for injection, and a retracted position, whereat the needle is enclosed within the barrel when the injection is complete. A spring retainer is arranged in the barrel. A spring is positioned within the spring retainer, urging the needle holder toward the retracted position. A latch latches the needle holder to the spring retainer thereby maintaining the spring in compression. The latch is releasable in response to the plunger moving to its fully advanced position, whereby the needle holder is released, allowing the spring to expand and thereby move the needle holder to the retracted position.
US07918814B2	Method for drug delivery to ocular tissue using microneedle Methods and devices are provided for administering a drug to a patient's eye. The methods include (a) inserting a hollow microneedle into the sclera or corneal stroma without penetrating across the sclera or corneal stroma; and (b) infusing a fluid drug formulation through the microneedle and into the sclera or cornea. It further may include partially retracting the microneedle before infusion to enhance delivery. Alternatively, the methods may include (a) inserting a solid microneedle into the sclera or corneal stroma without penetrating across the sclera or corneal stroma, wherein the solid microneedle comprises a first quantity of a drug formulation and inserting causes the solid microneedle to form a pocket in the sclera or corneal stroma; and (b) releasing the drug formulation into the pocket to form a drug depot, whereby a drug is released from the depot. The methods and devices may include an array of multiple microneedles.
US07918813B2	Flexibly adjustable dorsal splint An apparatus and method for treating plantar fasciitis are disclosed. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a dorsal splint device includes an upper portion and a foot portion which are pivotally connected to one another. A strap allows attachment of the upper portion to a suitable portion of the leg, such as the calf. A tensioning element, such as a shock cord, urges the foot portion and the upper portion toward one another. The tension provided by the tensioning element may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the tensioning element. In the method of the present invention, the tensioning element may be first unhooked to allow pivoting of the foot portion with respect to the upper portion so that the device may be attached to a user. The tensioning element is then hooked to the device at the appropriate position to provide the desired tension urging the foot portion toward the upper portion.
US07918812B2	Compression-suspension strap assembly and knee brace equipped therewith A knee brace is provided with semi-pliable inserts affixed to inner sides of femoral links of the brace at two points with a bottom portion of the insert left free to move inward toward a facing side of the leg. Anterior and posterior straps that are tightenable by the wearer are attached to the semi pliable inserts in a manner enabling pulling on the straps to cause the inserts to dynamically move inward and compress against the thigh so as improve comfort by diffusing and transferring pressure away from a relatively boney side of the knee of the wearer to a softer thigh area of the wearer. The inserts are also adapted to move inward and press into femoral hollows just proximal to the knee joint of the wearer so as to provide support against movement of the brace along the length of the leg of the wearer.
US07918806B2	Guide wire with adjustable flexibility A guide wire with a distal portion having adjustable flexibility. The guide wire may include a distal polymeric member and a heat source. The heat source may be activated to cause the polymeric member to increase in temperature and increase in flexibility. The increase in flexibility of the distal portion of the guide wire enhances the ability of the guide wire to navigate tortuous vasculature to a target site. After the guide wire has been navigated to the target site, the heat source may be deactivated to cause the polymeric member to decrease in temperature and increase in stiffness. The increase in stiffness of the distal portion of the guide wire enhances support provided for devices (e.g., catheters) advanced thereon.
US07918803B2	Methods and devices for automated biopsy and collection of soft tissue A biopsy device and related method are disclosed. The biopsy device disclosed includes a needle having a lateral opening for receiving tissue. The needle may be rotatable with respect to a portion of the biopsy device, such as a housing of the biopsy device, and the needle may be offset from a center of the housing. A hollow cutter is disclosed for cutting tissue received in the lateral opening of the needle.
US07918801B2	Sensors for monitoring movements, apparatus and systems therefor, and methods for manufacture and use Sensors, apparatus, and methods for measuring movements are disclosed. The sensors include input and output windings wound about a common location and an armature is equally positioned relative to both windings movable to vary inductance reactance of the sensor. The mass of the sensor and the ease of movements are such that flexible membranes, such as skin, can be monitored with insignificant interference. The sensor can be included in “Band-aid” bandage arrangement in which the bandage backing can be removed and held in place on skin by the bandage. A monitoring circuit, responsive to the changes in sensor impedance, provides indications of the detected movements. The monitoring circuit includes an arrangement for self-adjusting parameters so that the system can be automatically preset and continually reset. The monitoring circuit includes a power savings arrangement.
US07918793B2	Synchronization of ultrasound imaging data with electrical mapping An image of an electro-anatomical map of a body structure having cyclical motion is overlaid on a 3D ultrasonic image of the structure. The electro-anatomical data and anatomic image data are synchronized by gating both electro-anatomical data acquisition and an anatomic image at a specific point in the motion cycle. Transfer of image data includes identification of a point in the motion cycle at which the 3-dimensional image was captured or is to be displayed.
US07918789B2	Longitudinally-steerable structure and endoscope comprising said structure The invention relates to a longitudinally-steerable structure, comprising essentially longitudinal actuators made from shape memory alloy, Peltier effect elements with N and P doping and electrical control device. The above is characterized in that the actuators are arranged in pairs in an antagonistic manner, each actuator being connected at the ends thereof with a Peltier effect element with N doping and a Peltier effect element with P doping respectively. The invention further relates to an endoscope comprising at least one such structure.
US07918788B2	Apparatus and method for providing flow to endoscope channels A method provides flow to multiple channels in an endoscope during an endoscope decontamination procedure. A member is inserted into a chamber in a body of an endoscope through an opening into the chamber, the chamber being intersected by a first lumen and a second lumen. The member separates fluidly the first lumen from the second lumen. Fluid is flowed through a first channel through the member into the first lumen and through a second channel through the member into the second lumen. Additional lumens can be so treated at the same time. Fluids can include detergents and other cleaning fluids, disinfectants and sterilants.
US07918785B2	Medical apparatus, treatment instrument for endoscope and endoscope apparatus A biopsy forceps as one of treatment instruments for endoscope includes: a tubular coil sheath introduced into a body cavity through a treatment instrument channel included in an endoscope insertion portion; a treatment portion disposed closer to a distal end side than a distal end surface of the coil sheath; an operation wire for transmitting a turning force to turn the treatment portion in a circumferential direction, the operation wire being inserted in the coil sheath in a forwardly/backwardly movable manner and turned in the circumferential direction; and a turn restricting mechanism portion for restricting a turn position of the treatment portion turned by the turning force transmitted by the operation wire with respect to the coil sheath at a first turn-restricting position or at a second turn-restricting position.
US07918784B2	Endoscopic surgical tool with retractable blade for carpal tunnel release An endoscopic tool utilizes a fiber optic system for illuminating and imaging ligaments or other tissue which are to be cut. Illumination and imaging is performed above a lateral opening at the distal end of a probe that is inserted into an incision point. Preferably, a two edged blade which can be moved in both the distal to proximal direction and the proximal to distal direction is selectively deployable from of the lateral opening at the distal end of the probe. The endoscopic tool is small in size, and preferably includes a pencil grip with a button actuator for deploying the two edged cutting blade. A wire actuator that fits into a slot in the bottom of the deployable blade, can be nested with the fiber optic cable such that the cross sectional area of the probe is reduced. Alternatively, a tube concentric with the fiber optic cable can be used as the mechanism for actuating the blade or other device. The surgeon can observe cutting of the ligament or other tissue as he moves the endoscopic tool in either or both the forward or reverse direction on a display screen which is operatively connected to the fiber optic system. A retractor can be used in conjunction with the endoscopic tool to lift tissue where dissection is desired, and to function as a guide for the blade.
US07918782B2	Prosthesis with bladder that adjusts girth A prosthetic device comprises a column formed of resilient material and having a proximal end and a distal end. The prosthetic device comprises a bladder having a liquid cavity at the distal end. The bladder is inflatable and deflatable to increase and decrease a girth at the distal end of the prosthetic device. The prosthetic device comprises a liquid supply system that couples along the column to the bladder for selectively controlling liquid flow to the bladder to increase and decrease the girth.
US07918780B2	Apparatus for measuring acute stress A method and apparatus are provided to quantify psychological and physiological components to measure acute stress in humans, in which a stimulus can be applied to the test subject's environment during the test. The method involves multiple stress/relaxation intervals while physiological measurements are taken and “measured,” and involves questionnaires that are answered after each of the intervals to “measure” the test subject's psychological state. A computerized testing apparatus acquires the physiological measurements, and also is used by the test subject in answering the questionnaires. The “stimulus” can be a fragrance, flavor, product, or task, and a “blank stimulus” is normally used during one of the stress intervals.
US07918779B2	Therapeutic methods using electromagnetic radiation This invention provides methods for treating a variety of disorders using localized electromagnetic radiation directed at excitable tissues, including nerves, muscles and blood vessels. By controlling the wavelength, the wavelength bandpass, pulse duration, intensity, pulse frequency, and/or variations of those characteristics over time, and by selecting sites of exposure to electromagnetic radiation, improvements in the function of different tissues and organs can be provided. By monitoring physiological variables such as muscle tone and activity, temperature gradients, surface electromyography, blood flow and others, the practitioner can optimize a therapeutic regimen suited for the individual patient.
US07918774B2	Therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device including a cylindrically shaped body having a plurality of shaped projections configured to enhance mobilization of soft tissue and optimize body core strength and balance training.
US07918772B2	Selectorized dumbbell having a selector comprising a pin having fork-shaped connecting prong(s) A selectorized dumbbell has a handle that can be inserted into a gap between stacks of nested left and right weight plates. A selector determines how many left weight plates are coupled to the left end of the handle and how many right weight plates are coupled to the right end of the handle. Each weight plate is held between a pair of flexible arms on a forked carrier. The arms allow the weight plates to deflect out of a normal, substantially upright, orientation if an impact shock is delivered to the dumbbell. The arms are restored to their normal orientation once the impact shock dissipates. Alternatively, the weight plates may comprise a metallic inner weight plate covered with an elastomer encasement and with an integral elastomer lug attaching the weight plates to at least one interconnecting member. The selector may comprise a connecting pin with at least one flexible shock absorbing prong.
US07918770B1	Adjustable weight-loaded dip-chin machine An adjustable weight-loaded dip-chin machine. Dip bars and chin bars with means for vertical adjustment are mounted on columns, which in turn are mounted on a base. An arm is pivotally attached to the base, and weights can be added to an arm spindle attached to the arm. A belt is attached to the arm, and weights added to the arm spindle resist upward motion of an exerciser performing dips or chins. Elastic bands may be added connecting the arm to the base, and/or the belt to the base, which serve to render the exercise more strenuous. Dip bars incorporate a plurality of dip bar legs, each a differing distance from the other dip bar. Chin bars incorporate a downwardly-sloping dogleg. An alternate embodiment adjustable dip-chin machine incorporates a weight stack which can be attached to the belt. Stack weights selected from the weight stack render exercise more strenuous.
US07918769B2	Plyometric training device and method A method and device for use in plyometric muscular training is provided. In a first version, a rigid frame is provided having a trainee's position, a pair of cables and a weighted bar. The cables are positioned between the trainee's position and the bar. Each cable is attached at an upper location and a forward location of the frame. The cables partially constrain the movement of the bar and restrain the bar from striking sections of the trainee's body. The trainee may explosively push or throw the bar away from the trainee's position and towards the cable attachment locations, wherein the bar is released from the trainee's grasp. The return pathway of the bar is determined by the force of gravity, the force provided by the trainee and the constraints of the cables. The cables reduce the risk of injury to the trainee.
US07918762B2	Power output apparatus, control method of power output apparatus, and vehicle equipped with power output apparatus The drive control of the invention executed in a vehicle sets a correction coefficient keg, based on an intake air temperature and an atmospheric pressure reflecting the density of intake air supplied to an engine, and multiplies a power demand required for the vehicle by the set correction coefficient keg to specify a target engine power, which is to be output from the engine. The engine and two motors are then controlled to ensure output of the specified target engine power from the engine and output of a torque demand, which depends upon an accelerator opening. The varying density of the intake air may cause output of excessive power from the engine or output of insufficient power from the engine. A battery is charged or discharged to compensate for the excessive power output from the engine or for the insufficient power output from the engine. The drive control of the invention effectively deals with the environmental change and prevents the battery from being excessively charged with an unexpectedly high electric power or from being excessively discharged to supply an unexpectedly high electric power.
US07918760B2	Split serial-parallel hybrid dual-power drive system A split serial-parallel hybrid dual-power drive system, comprised of two or more than two separation drive systems allowing independent operation to respectively drive the load, or all loads driven individually are incorporated in a common frame to drive land, surface, underwater transportation means or aircraft, industrial machines and equipment or any other load drive by rotational kinetic energy.
US07918757B2	Drive unit connected to a transmission output for producing forward and reverse drive A drive unit includes a gearset alternately producing forward and reverse drive, an inter-axle differential dividing torque at an output of the gearset between first and second wheel sets, and an inter-wheel differential dividing torque transmitted to the first wheel set differentially between wheels comprising the first wheel set.
US07918752B2	Game apparatuses Game apparatus, e.g., a game racquet or a golf club, with selectively variable and maintainable weight distribution, e.g. by moving material (e.g., liquid and/or solid weight members) within or on the apparatus and selectively positioning the weight(s) and maintaining weight position in or on the apparatus.
US07918747B2	Golf club head having a grooved face The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra. The face may be selectively textured to enhance certain shots that the golfer may perform. This may include providing a plurality of distinct sets of texturing to accommodate a plurality of different shots. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, a portion having a v-shape, and a curved portion. The grooves may also be characterized by various dimensions, including draft angle, inclusive side wall angle, width, depth, cross-sectional area, spacing, and pitch ratio.
US07918738B2	Interactive game playing preferences A disclosed gaming machine may be customized according to one or more player preferences. A player may view and modify player preferences stored in a player preference account as preference account information. The preference account information may include but is not limited to loyalty point account information, loyalty point account settings, promotional opportunities, preferred games, preferred game features for the preferred games, preferred gaming machine settings, preferred bonus games, preferred service options and preferred progressive games. The preference account information may be stored in a plurality of preference accounts on a preference account server. Using a preference account interface which may be compatible with a web-browser, a player may be able to view and modify preference account information stored on the preference account server from a number remote devices such as a gaming machine, a home computer, a hotel room video interface and a casino kiosk.
US07918737B2	Game method and game system A competitive game management system is disclosed which manages a competitive game played by a plurality of players. Take, for example, a league competition played by players A, B, C, and D. Between the player A and the player B, for instance, a home game operated by the player A and an away game in which a CPU acts as the simulated player A are arranged. Similarly, between the player A and each of the other players C and D, two games are arranged respectively. These arrangements are made for all combinations of players, and a league ranking is determined based on all the results of the games. Therefore, a player can play the game against other real players, and the result of the competitive game will be evaluated equally for each player.
US07918733B2	Multi-input game control mixer Systems, methods and for analyzing game control input data are disclosed. A machine-readable medium having embodied thereon instructions for analyzing game control input data is also disclosed.
US07918732B2	Manifold compatibility electronic omni axis human interface A manifold compatibility omni axis, electronic human interface device comprises a controller operatively coupled to an omni axis steering device having one or more attachments for motion detection, and a stationary fitness device operatively coupled to the controller. The controller comprises a re-centerer for re-centering one or more axis of movement, and a ratio processor for interpreting, transmitting, and adjusting one or more ratios for speed and other axis of movement. The controller is operatively coupled to a computer via a standard interface. The computer is configured to play a virtual reality program based at least in part on input from the controller. The controller is configured to mimic natural steering movements, making a user's physical movements with respect to the omni axis steering device and the stationary fitness device closely resemble movements in the virtual reality program.
US07918729B2	Program product, image generation system, and image generation method An image generation system includes a display control section which controls display of images displayed in a touch panel display and a display, a movement control section which controls movement of a moving object, a game calculation section which performs processing of calculating a game parameter which changes as a result of game play using the moving object, and a movement permission condition determination section which determines whether or not a condition for permitting movement of the moving object from a game field G1 to a game field G2 has been satisfied based on the game parameter which changes as a result of game play in the game field G1. The movement control section performs control of moving the moving object from the game field G1 to the game field G2 when the movement permission condition has been satisfied.
US07918726B2	Slot machine and playing method thereof When the number of bets is determined and a game is started, reels start spinning. After a lapse of a predetermined time, fifteen symbols are repositioned in symbol display regions. Particularly, in case a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol is included in the repositioned symbols, an animation effect to represent a volcanic eruption of a volcano, a performance character, and a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano are outputted by dragging and dropping the “RED7” symbol or “BLUE7” symbol to a crater of the volcano.
US07918725B2	Gaming device having symbol revealing mechanism A gaming device including a housing, a symbol display connected to the housing, and a symbol indicator rotatably connected to the housing which includes at least one section having a viewable area to enable a player to view at least a portion of the symbol display. In one embodiment, after a triggering event associated with a game, the symbol display generates a plurality of first symbols. The symbol indicator moves and positions the viewable area to indicate one or more of the first symbols on the symbol display. The gaming device provides an outcome to the player based on the order of the first symbols indicated on the symbol display. The outcome is based on the position of first symbols indicated on the symbol display.
US07918724B2	Conditional application of hit card Methods, devices, systems and computer readable media are described, comprising determining an intermediate player hand in a card game; offering to the player an option to receive a conditional hit card in exchange for resolving the hand according to a second pay table; if the player accepts the offer, dealing a conditional hit card face down to the player; determining a final dealer hand; and if the final dealer hand beats the intermediate player hand, turning the conditional hit card face up and adding the card to the intermediate player hand, thereby determining a final player hand; awarding a payout to the player according to the reduced pay table if the final player hand beats the final dealer hand.
US07918723B2	Methods and systems for playing baccarat jackpot A method and system for playing jackpot and live baccarat games are provided. One feature of the jackpot method involves the use of card combinations that includes at least one zero-point card. Another feature of the jackpot method involves initial jackpot contribution from the banker who operates the baccarat game. It is also provided a software program or a set of software program for carrying out any or all the steps of the disclosed gaming method.
US07918722B2	Image processing device, image processing method and storage medium for storing programs for executing image process cycles Travel historical data corresponding with each course are pre-prepared in accordance with the course type of the branch-point transition at the branching point. The course selected by the operator is discriminated in real time in the area of the branching point, either set of travel historical data is read, and the travel historical data is made to continue on from the previous travel historical data, whereby the ghost car image is displayed. Therefore, the ghost car image can always be made to travel together with the player moving body in accordance with the course arbitrarily selected by the operator.
US07918721B2	Methods of separating particulate residue streams A particulate residue separator and a method for separating a particulate residue stream may include an air plenum borne by a harvesting device, and have a first, intake end and a second, exhaust end; first and second particulate residue air streams that are formed by the harvesting device and that travel, at least in part, along the air plenum and in a direction of the second, exhaust end; and a baffle assembly that is located in partially occluding relation relative to the air plenum and that substantially separates the first and second particulate residue air streams.
US07918719B2	Feeder for machine for canning tuna and the like and related operating cycle A feeder for a machine for canning tuna and similar food products includes a feeding device with conveyor belts. The feeding device is suitable to feed tuna loins towards the conveyor belt of the canning machine and to shape the loins into loins having a set thickness. An outlet mouth is located at the end of the belts, together with a knife adjacent to the mouth and suitable to separate the portion of loin projecting through the latter. A mobile wall located opposite the outlet mouth is also provided, as well as a mobile shovel suitable to move the newly formed tuna pat perpendicularly in the direction of motion of the conveyor belt of the canning machine.
US07918716B2	Mating systems and methods for joining coated abrasives Mating systems and methods for joining coated abrasives. The mating system comprises mating portions positioned at coated abrasive end portions. Complimentary mating portions may be used to join coated abrasives without glue or mechanical attachment. The mating system of the present invention may be used to join a coated abrasive to itself, or to join multiple coated abrasives to each other.
US07918711B2	Roughness insulated soft clothing connector system A clothing connector having tensile components is formed in any of the conventional ways, and a soft roughness insulating covering layer is attached to one side and then moved to the other side in an inside-out process which provides a soft finish not only to the side to which it was moved, but also the peripheral edges and a narrow portion of the side of the clothing connector to which it was originally attached. This structure and process enables quick application of a softening, object insulating covering to any clothing connector expected to face the body.
US07918708B2	Illuminated magnetic module for toy construction kit An embodiment of the invention provides a toy construction kit comprising a light element and a construction element. The light element comprises a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining a compartment, a magnet disposed in the compartment at the first end, and a printed circuit board disposed at the second end of the housing, the printed circuit board having an illumination device mounted on its side opposite to the compartment. The construction element is held to the light element by a magnetic attractive force between the magnet at the first end of the light element and the construction element.
US07918705B2	Organic light emitting device and method of fabricating the same An organic light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes an opaque substrate having one or more holes, and an organic emissive unit interposed between first and second electrodes positioned on the opaque substrate.
US07918699B2	Connector for a leg rope A connector arranged to provide an interconnection between a cord (10) and a fixed element, wherein the cord (10) has a capacity for resilient longitudinal extension, the connector (12) comprising a first portion (22) arranged to be fixed to the fixed element and a second, elongate portion (24) which is resiliently longitudinally extendable and arranged to be fixed to an end (20) of the cord. The invention relates particularly to leg ropes for surfers and connection thereof to surf boards.
US07918696B2	System and method for dynamic energy recovery in marine propulsion A method for controlling operation of a propulsion system of a waterborne vessel, comprising adjusting recovery of energy generated from the propulsion system to maintain position of the waterborne vessel in response to at least an indication of vessel position.
US07918694B1	Connector assembly for solar shingles A connector assembly for electrically coupling solar shingles is provided. The solar shingles include photovoltaic sections that convert light into electricity and supporting sections having upper surfaces to which additional solar shingles are mounted. The connector assembly includes a contact and a protective cover. The contact electrically couples the photovoltaic sections of adjacent solar shingles by engaging conductive members disposed in recesses of the supporting sections of the solar shingles. The protective cover is disposed in the recesses of the solar shingles. The protective cover encloses the contact between the protective cover and the conductive members.
US07918692B1	Electrical terminal blocks and assemblies thereof An electrical terminal block including a mating face and a loading surface that are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis. The mating face extends along a lateral axis. The terminal block also includes first and second sidewalls that face in opposite directions and extend between the mating face and the loading surface. Each of the first and second sidewalls includes a wing member that projects therefrom along the lateral axis and a recess configured to receive a wing member from another terminal block. The wing members and the recesses have matching complementary cross-sections taken along the longitudinal axis such that the wing member on the first sidewall of one terminal block is slidably and securely received within the recess on the second sidewall of another terminal block.
US07918691B2	Method and device for electrically connecting a functional element contained in a housing In spite of the absence of a pullout fuse block, functional elements comprising simple socket-type connectors come into contact with an external cable in a mechanically and electrically reliable manner, when said cable has a rod-type or sword-type mating connector which engages directly in the connector by means of a radially protruding return baffle, in a sealed manner, through the rear of an opening in the wall of a housing. If, during the plug-in action, an injection-molded skin which first at least partially closes the opening is enlarged or perforated, the breaking edge nestling against the envelope surface of the mating connector in the plug-in direction provides another retraction block with additional sealing and vibration damping.
US07918686B1	Server with improved connecting port A server with an improved connecting port is provided. The server comprises a casing, a fastening module and a connecting port. The fastening module is disposed in an internal receiving space of the casing and further comprises a fastening base plate with a first through hole, a first fastening plate with a second through hole, and a second fastening plate with a third through hole. The connecting port has two ends connected to two engaging wings, respectively. The connecting port is inserted into the first through hole, the second through hole, and the third through hole. The engaging wings are embedded in the second through hole and held by and between the fastening base plate and the second fastening plate.
US07918675B2	Multi-contact connector with a locking piece incorporated in the thickness of the housing A connection assembly comprising a first connector housing having at least one blocking element in relief, and a second housing comprising a housing body extending along a longitudinal axis and a locking cap movable relative to the housing body of the second housing perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking cap includes at least one blocking ramp in which the blocking element in relief of the first housing is capable of sliding. The housing body of the second housing presents at least one setback in its outside surface that corresponds substantially to the thickness of the locking cap in order to receive the locking cap in its locked position.
US07918673B1	Connector assembly having signal and ground terminals Each of a pair of signal terminals (TC+ and TC−) includes a signal terminal link portion (uCON) that links a first signal terminal end portion (u1) and a second signal terminal end portion (u2). A ground terminal (TGC) includes a ground terminal link portion (tCON) that links a first ground terminal end portion (t1) and a second ground terminal end portion (t2). The ground terminal link portion (tCON) is wired between the signal terminal link portion (uCON) and a mounting surface (11A) from the opposite side of the mounting surface (11A) relative to the signal terminal link portion (uCON).
US07918666B1	Interactive computer networked study aid and guide An interactive study aid provides student- or other source-selected (208) questions for studying. Preferably in conjunction with machine-implemented or other information processing, the interactive study aid of the present invention provides a student with the ability to acquire, present/study, and collaborate upon study material (202) information. Acquisition of study material (202) information may be made through soft-text resources such as digital books or online resources. A pen scanner may be used to access hard copy information making pertinent portions available to the interactive study aid. Study material information may also be entered by hand. Upon entering the study material, the student can indicate the likelihood of its appearing on a test or the importance of the information to the student. Study sessions orchestrated by an Intelligent Learning Agent guide the student towards that material he or she is the most interested in either for tested/evaluated course work for a grade or for self study and interest.
US07918665B2	Artificial anterior tooth having frictional surface at lingual side, and a set of artificial teeth, and denture An artificial anterior tooth capable of grinding food is provided. The lingual side of an artificial anterior tooth is provided with a protuberance for forming a frictional surface dented in an arch shape as seen from the mesiodistal direction, and the labial side of an opposite artificial lower tooth is provided with a protuberance for forming a sliding surface abutting the frictional surface and sliding on the frictional surface by a sliding motion of the upper and lower jaws.
US07918664B2	Permanently fireproof flame guard A permanently fireproof flame guard includes a flow area (2) which terminates a conduit and within which an inserted flame shield is disposed. The flame shield is provided with a plurality of passage gaps that ensure permanent fire safety. Cooling of the permanently fireproof flame guard can be improved by forming at least one concentric, annular section (5) within the flow area (2) in a massive manner without passage gaps while forming annular sections (4) comprising passage gaps around the concentric, annular section (5).
US07918659B2	Vacuum pump for a vehicle with multiple one-way valves The invention relates to a vacuum pump (1) for vehicle motors, comprising a stator (2), a chamber defined within said stator (2) and at least one vane rotatably mounted inside said chamber so as to generate a depression. The stator (2) comprises inlet openings for air and oil, and a first discharge outlet (30) on which a first one-way valve operates (35). According to the invention, the stator (2) further comprises a second discharge outlet (50) separate from said first discharge outlet (30) and a second one-way valve (55) operating on said second discharge outlet (50). In this manner it is possible to separate the air discharge from the oil discharge, both physically and operationally. The invention further relates to a one-way valve for said vacuum pump. Such valve comprises a blade body (60) having a first blade which defines a first one-way valve (35) and at least one second blade which defines at least one second one-way valve (55).
US07918655B2	Fixed and variable compressor system capacity control A compressor control system includes at least one variable compressor, at least one fixed-capacity compressor, and a controller. The controller modulates the variable compressor based on a suction pressure reading of the variable compressor. In addition, the controller selectively toggles the fixed-capacity compressor between a run mode and a shutdown mode based on an operating parameter of the variable compressor.
US07918654B2	Compact vacuum pump A vacuum pump capable of pumping solid, liquid and gas, or any combination thereof, including a drive (40) and a manually disengageable pumping system connected thereto. The pumping system is composed of a two- or three-chambered canister (1, 18, 21) within which solids, liquids, and gases can be separated from one another. A highly flexible diaphragm (24) attached to the canister and sealed against it circumferentially, facilitates this separation, when reciprocating and pumping. The components of the pumping system are designed to be disposable, and the two- or three-chambered canister provides for a highly efficient pumping system that is significantly smaller in size than those previously known. The pump is particularly useful for medical applications.
US07918652B2	Dovetail structure of fan The invention provides a dovetail structure of a fan which attaches a fan 20 having an inlet hub diameter smaller than an outlet hub diameter to a portion around a discoid disc rotationally driven by a turbine. The disc 10 has a plurality of dovetail grooves 12 extending at a fixed angle θ1 with respect to an axis 1 of a rotation axis from a leading edge 10a to a trailing edge 10b thereof, and spaced at a fixed angle in a peripheral direction. The fan 20 has a dovetail portion 22 extending at the same angle as an angle of the dovetail groove and capable of being fitted to the dovetail groove, in an inner end thereof.
US07918650B2	System for pressurizing fluid A system for providing low cost fluid pressurization without consumption of limited natural resources, pollution, or greenhouse gas emission, and is independent of wind conditions. Additionally, the system of the present invention includes a venturi-like collar positioned at the top of one or more stacks increasing air flow.
US07918648B1	Windpower generator apparatus A windpower generator apparatus has a horizontal shaft, a first arm extending outwardly of the shaft, a second arm extending outwardly of the shaft in spaced relationship to the first arm, a third arm extending outwardly of the shaft in spaced radial relationship to the first and second arms, a first plurality of vanes pivotally affixed to a first arm, a second plurality of vanes pivotally affixed to said second arm, a third plurality of vanes pivotally affixed to said third arm, and a generator cooperative with the shaft for producing electrical energy relative to a rotation of the shaft. Each of the vanes is movable between a first position aligned with the arm and a second position extending transverse to the arm. The vanes are movable between the first and second positions by actions of gravity during the rotation of the shaft.
US07918643B2	Sealing arrangement in a gas turbine engine A compressor of a gas turbine engine comprises blades 2, 4 provided on blade platforms 8, 12 of a rotor. Stator vanes 20 lie between the blades 2, 4 and are connected to a vane support structure 22. Sealing rings 38 are secured to the vane support structure 22 to restrict air flow into stator wells 36 on each side of the vane support structure 22. The sealing rings 38 are made from a flexible material so that they deflect on installation of the vane support structure 22 in a direction radially inwards between the adjacent blade platforms 8, 12.
US07918637B2	Assist device for a tire and wheel assembly An embodiment of an assist device for maneuvering a tire and wheel assembly is provided. The device comprises a base member, a support frame configured to support a tire and wheel assembly thereon, and a sliding mechanism disposed between the base member and support frame, wherein the sliding mechanism is configured to move the support frame sideways, forward, and backward relative to the base member.
US07918636B1	Pipe handling apparatus and method A pipe handling apparatus has a boom pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, a riser assembly pivotally connected to the boom, an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first portion of the riser assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, a gripper affixed to an opposite end of the arm suitable for gripping a diameter of the pipe, a link pivotally connected to the riser assembly and pivotable so as to move relative to the movement of the boom between the first and second positions, and a brace having a one end pivotally connected to the boom and an opposite end pivotally connected to the arm between the ends of the arm. The riser assembly has a first portion extending outwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the second portion.
US07918633B2	Support for the transport of blades Support which absorbs the torsion to which blades are subjected during transport, comprising a set of pins (17) inserted in the floor (8) of the container (1) and to the sides of a hollow pipe (21), which connect by means of a clevis (18) to different rods (19) secured with fastening pins (20) that facilitate the lengthways and angular rotation of the unit. The first support is located at a distance “d” from the leading edge of the cradle (9), next to the platform (16) formed between the ribs (15) which run through the lower shell (14). The second support is located on the other side of the platform (16) also inserted between the aforementioned ribs (15). Both supports are inclined at an angle α in relation to the floor (8), each forming articulated quadrilaterals.
US07918627B2	Method of treating soil, in particular dry soil sensitive to water A method for treating soils, in particular water-sensitive dry soils, comprising burying a treatment liquid, optionally loaded with a suspended material into trenches and a device for implementing the method. The device comprises a transportable chassis (2), a reservoir and hollow dispensing tines (1). The dispensing tines comprise a vertical supporting portion (3) which connects the dispensing tines (1) to the chassis and a horizontal share portion (4), including a spike (5) prior to penetrating into the soil, and a rear dispenser (6).
US07918626B2	Systems and methods for pipe replacement Systems and methods for concurrently destroying old pipes and installing new pipes in their place. An exemplary embodiment is a pipe bursting and replacement tool that includes a body and first and second connectors. The body has a shape that generally tapers from a smaller diameter at the front end to a larger diameter at the rear end. The taper need not be smoothly increasing, but may alternatively be stepped. The first connector couples the body to a pulling rod to and allows the body to be misaligned with the rod to relieve stress on the connection between the two. The second connector couples the replacement pipe to the body so that the replacement pipe can be pulled behind the body into the space previously occupied by an old pipe that is burst by the tool.
US07918625B2	Support structure for sea wave energy farms A structure for supporting wave energy conversion mechanisms driven by—floats (24, 25) placed in the sea, said structure comprising: an open sided lattice framework (15); at least one leg (16) for supporting said open sided lattice framework; members (20) which are supported by said lattice framework (15) for providing a platform, in use, above sea level for said wave energy conversion mechanisms; and a plurality of discrete protective containers (21, 22) affixed to said members (20) and each for housing at least part of a wave energy conversion mechanism (23).
US07918620B2	Magnetically mated cosmetic brushes and/or applicators and holder therefor An embodiment of a cosmetic applicator set comprises a holder for cosmetic applicators, which holder has within it a first magnetizable element, and at least one cosmetic applicator comprising a second magnetizable element. At least one of the first magnetizable element and the second magnetizable element is a permanent magnet.
US07918619B2	Packaging and applicator device, and method of making up skin or lips A packaging and an applicator device may include: a receptacle containing a composition for application; and an applicator for applying the composition contained in the receptacle. The applicator may include: a stem; and an applicator element at one end thereof. The applicator element may project laterally from the stem, and may include at least two branches of plastics material, with at least one of the branches being flocked at least in part. The branches may meet at ends thereof and define between the ends a cavity that is open to the outside via a face of the applicator element that is configured to apply the composition. The cavity may be elongate in shape and may extend along the branches. The branches may be sufficiently rigid to prevent the cavity from deforming substantially between a moment when the applicator element leaves the composition and a moment when the composition is applied.
US07918616B2	Image sensing apparatus with settable minimum exposure time and control method thereof An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensing unit which receives an object image via a lens and accumulate the received image as an electric charge, a mechanical shutter unit which travels so as to shield an image sensing region of the image sensing unit against light, a scanning unit which performs scanning for sequentially starting the accumulation of the electric charge for each image sensing region of the image sensing unit, a control unit which controls the accumulation start scanning of the scanning unit and the travel of a shutter of the mechanical shutter unit, so as to implement a first curtain and second curtain of a shutter and a changing unit which changes a maximum shutter speed on the basis of one of a type of the lens and information on the lens.
US07918609B2	Fiber optic drop cables and preconnectorized assemblies A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of an optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.
US07918607B2	Conical roller bearing comprising a filter cage A roller bearing includes a plurality of conical roller bodies arranged between inner and outer rings, and a cage having an annular sectional body mounted between the inner and outer rings. The annular sectional body further having an annular oil thrower located on each transverse side, each oil thrower having internal and external radial projections, wherein the free end of each projection is positioned opposite and away from a corresponding one of the inner and outer rings. The bearing has functional axial and radial clearances between the internal and external radial projections and the internal and outer rings. The clearances facilitate the passage of a bearing lubrication fluid there through and form an obstacle to the passage of solid particles.
US07918602B2	Bistable hammer for a chronograph mechanism The invention relates to a chronographic timepiece and a chronograph mechanism (7) thereof including an elapsed time indicator member (17), a reset control member (21), and a reset device (25) for the indicator member, which includes a hammer (61), mounted in translation between an inactive position, where the hammer (61) is moved away from heart-pieces (55, 57, 59) that are connected to the indicator member (17), and an active position where stop members (54, 56, 58) of the hammer exert a reset force against the heart-pieces. The hammer (61) includes two studs (64, 66) mounted so as to slide in holes (100, 102) such that the movement vectors (L, K) of the studs (64, 66) between the positions are collinear and not aligned.
US07918601B2	Dispensing blender jar A blender jar defines a geometry to impart vertical movement to material being processed in the blender jar, and, alternatively or in combination, improves the horizontal movement to the blended material. By configuring one or more agitators on the floor of a jar, laminar flow or symmetric flow of material around the jar is disrupted. The material is forced in an upward direction in the jar and, therefore, into more frequent contact with the cutter blades rotating in the jar. A dispensing blender jar includes a hole in the jar wall that leads to a dispensing spout. The hole is positioned, at least in part, on the leading edge of a vertical bump in the sidewall of the jar.
US07918600B2	Planar illumination device and liquid crystal display device using the same A thin planar illumination device with a high light utilization efficiency is provided. In a planar illumination device 10, light source sections 15, 16, 17 and 18 each radiates laser light. The light guide members 19 and 20 polarize, by total reflection, light incident from side surfaces 19b and 20b on two opposite sides thereof, so as to be radiated from incident surfaces 19a and 20a, respectively. In a light guide plate 21, the light is incident from side surfaces beside the respective light guide members 19 and 20 so as to radiate irradiation light 24 from main surfaces 21a and 21b. The main surface of the light guide plate 21 is formed by a plurality of inclined surfaces, each being gradually thinned from the edge surfaces on two sides thereof toward a center thereof.
US07918599B2	Optical plate and backlight module using the same An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of enclosing V-shaped protrusions, a plurality of microstructures and a lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface and the bottom surface are on opposite sides of the optical plate. The enclosing V-shaped protrusions are formed on the bottom surface. The microstructures are formed on the light output surface. Each microstructure has circular cross-section taken along a plane parallel to its base surface thereof, a diameter of the circular cross-section decreasing along a direction away from its base surface thereof. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in at least one of the light output surface and the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.
US07918593B2	Head unit background illumination A front panel display assembly may have an integrated decorative film having first and second sides. The first side may have a half-mirroredrface that allows the passage of light in only a single direction and the second side may have a non-uniform diffusion pattern that extends across it. The non-uniform diffusion pattern may regulate and diffuse light irradiated onto the second side to pass through the integrated decorative film and to be regulated and emitted uniformly across the front panel display assembly.
US07918592B2	Integrated position light overlap baffles A position light including a base that is configured to attach to an aircraft. The base having an extruded overlap baffle. A first LED is coupled to the base underneath the overlap baffle. A circuit card is also coupled to the base and is extended over the first LED toward the over flap baffle. A second LED coupled to a circuit card. The extended overlap baffle and the extended circuit card block visible light emitting from the first LED.
US07918585B2	Foldable light A foldable, rechargeable light emitting diode (LED) pocket light is disclosed. The light includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a hinge element. The first compartment has a housing, a plurality of LED lights, a rotatable hinge, and a hook for hanging the light. The second compartment includes a housing, a member for receiving the rotatable hinge and a power source. The light also includes an activating member and circuitry for activating the LED lights.
US07918584B2	Method and system for three-dimensionally staging A three-dimensional stage representation method and system are disclosed, for moving a plurality of illumination devices up and down independently. The method comprises the steps of: identifying a device to be operated from input containing information on length of a reel wire from an elevator device to an illumination device and brightness of an LED and generating an indication signal to the device to be operated; transmitting the generated indication signal to the elevator device if the device to be operated is the elevator device; operating the reel; transmitting the generated indication signal to the illumination device if the device to be operated is the illumination device; operating the LED; forming a three-dimensional object using all of the LEDs by operating each of the devices; and forming a dynamic three-dimensional object using all of the LEDs by repeating all of the above-mentioned steps.
US07918583B2	Illumination devices Lighting devices are provided for efficiently distributing light over an area to provided uniform illumination over a wide angle or other tailored illumination patterns. Each light device has at least one light source, at least one collimator for partially collimating light from the light source, and at least one diffuser for diffusing light from the collimator. The diffuser provides diffused light over an area from the diffuser having an intensity that is angularly dependent in accordance with the angular distribution intensity of light outputted from the collimator, so as to provide a predetermined illumination pattern from the device. The light sources and collimators may be provided in one or two-dimensional arrays, and a single diffuser may be formed on each collimator or the diffuser may be along a plate spaced from the collimators.
US07918581B2	Lighting device and lighting method A lighting device comprising first, second and third groups of solid state light emitters, and first and second groups of lumiphors. A mixture of light emitted from the first group of emitters and the first group of lumiphors has x,y color coordinates within an area defined by coordinates (0.36,0.48), (0.43,0.45), (0.5125,0.4866), and (0.4087,0.5896) (or (0.41,0.455), (0.36,0.48), (0.4087,0.5896), and (0.4788,0.5202)). A mixture of light emitted from the second group of emitters and the second group of lumiphors is within an area defined by (0.32,0.40), (0.36,0.38), (0.30,0.26), and (0.25,0.29). A mixture of light from the first and second groups of emitters and the first and second groups of lumiphors is within an area defined by (0.32,0.40), (0.36,0.48), (0.43,0.45), (0.42,0.42), and (0.36,0.38) (or (0.32,0.40), (0.36,0.38), (0.41,0.455), and (0.36,0.48)). A mixture of light from all of these emitters and lumiphors is within ten MacAdam ellipses of the blackbody locus. Also, methods of lighting.
US07918580B2	LED illumination device An LED illumination device includes a light source and a heat sink. The heat sink includes an elongated base and a plurality of fins extending from the base. The base has a heat-absorbing surface and an opposite heat-spreading surface. The fins extend upwardly from the heat-spreading surface. The light source is attached to the heat-absorbing surface, whereby heat generated by the light source is removed by the heat sink. The heat-absorbing surface is one of a convex surface and a concave surface, whereby light emitted from the light source is diverged or converged towards objects.
US07918579B2	Lighted flooring A floor assembly including a top having at least one transparent or translucent light emitting portion for emitting light is provided. At least one light source is provided for supplying light. The light source is optically connected to the light emitting portion. The assembly may include a light guide for guiding light therethrough. Also, a light refracting portion may be included for directing light emanating from the light source.
US07918576B2	Illuminated clipboard with removable light source An illuminated clipboard is provided including a base member having an outer surface with a first lamp retainer and a storage compartment with a second lamp retainer. A document holder is secured to the base member for holding a document. An illumination source is removably attachable to the first lamp retainer to selectively illuminate a document held by the document holder and attachable to the second lamp retainer for storage in the storage compartment. A second clipboard can be removable attached to the illuminated clipboard in a back-to-back relationship.
US07918572B2	Indicator device An indicator device includes a light emitting element for emitting light, and a light conducting plate having a light incidence surface for conducting light from the light emitting element inside thereof and a light output surface, for a lighted indication by the light output surface. The light conducting plate has a triangular recess recessed to form with prescribed recess depths in one planer surface thereof, for light from the light emitting element to be reflected in part. The triangular recess has a recess extremity constituting a single vertex disposed in position on an optical axis of the light emitting element and nearer to the light incidence surface than other end parts thereof. The recess depths becomes shallower as the V-form recess extends from the recess extremity, allowing for an evenness of luminance of light over the light output surface formed on the light conducting plate.
US07918568B2	Lid structure, apparatus and method for displaying graphical information A lid structure, apparatus and method for displaying graphical information uses beams of coherent light that are emitted in a scanning manner to project the beams of coherent light onto a display surface to form the graphical information on the display surface.
US07918567B2	Light emitting device, manufacturing method for light emitting device, illumination device using light emitting device, and projector A light emitting device capable of achieving a small exit area, high directivity, and low loss; a manufacturing method thereof; an illumination device using this light emitting device; and a projector are provided. The light emitting devices 16 include an LED (light emitting element) 25, in the form of a rectangular light emitting element, having a light emitting part 23 for emitting illumination light; a substrate 26 for fixing the LED 25; a spacer 27 having a mirror surface 27A for reflecting the illumination light emitted from the LED 25; and a tapered rod (columnar light guide unit) 28 having a device-side incident surface (incident surface) 28A upon which illumination light is incident, tapered-rod side surfaces 28B serving as total reflection surfaces for totally reflecting illumination light received from the device-side incident surface 28A, and the device-side exit surface (exit surface) 28C which has a larger area than the device-side incident surface 28A and which emits the illumination light totally reflected at the tapered-rod side surfaces 28B.
US07918566B2	Image display apparatus, image display method, and program product therefor There is provided an image display apparatus including a display portion that displays a first image in a given display region, a projection portion that projects to superimpose a second image on the first image displayed with the display portion in the display region, an image recording portion that records the display region, and a controller that controls at least one of displaying the first image with the display portion and projecting the second image with the projection portion, on the basis of a third image of the display region obtained with the image recording portion.
US07918562B2	Projection optical system having a curved mirror A projection display device comprises: a light source; liquid crystal panels disposed corresponding to R light, G light and B light; a light guiding optical system for guiding R light, G light and B light among light from the light source to respective corresponding liquid crystal panels; a dichroic prism for synthesizing the R light, G light and B light modulated by the liquid crystal panels; a projection optical system having a curved mirror for enlarging and projecting the light synthesized by the dichroic prism; and a bending mirror. A placement plane for optical members is orthogonal to a projection plane (screen surface), and shorter sides of optical members forming the liquid crystal panels and the light guiding optical system are placed on the placement plane.
US07918556B2	Digital eyewear Improved eyewear is disclosed. The eyewear comprises a frame member and a lens. The eyewear also includes circuitry within the frame member for enhancing the use of the eyewear. A system and method in accordance with the present invention is directed to a variety of ways to enhance the use of eyeglasses. They are: (1) media focals, that is, utilizing the eyewear for its intended purpose and enhancing that use by using imaging techniques to improve the vision of the user; (2) telecommunications enhancements that allow the eyeglasses to be integrated with telecommunication devices such as cell phones or the like; and (3) entertainment enhancements that allow the eyewear to be integrated with devices such as MP3 players, radios, or the like.
US07918554B2	Spectacle and writing instrument combination A pair of spectacles is provided which includes a writing instrument, a spectacle frame front, a first spectacle temple having an end coupled to the spectacle frame front and a second spectacle temple having an end coupled to the spectacle frame front. The first spectacle temple includes a hollow recess formed in an outer surface thereof, the writing instrument removably received and retained therein.
US07918546B2	Ink supply arrangement for inkjet printhead having large nozzle number An ink supply arrangement for an inkjet printhead is provided having at least one collapsible ink bag containing ink for distribution to nozzles of the printhead via a fluid path between the ink bag and nozzles, a body for housing the ink bag and the printhead, and a biasing member in the ink bag. The ink is primed in the fluid path and nozzles so as to be ejected by the nozzles, in use, thereby depleting the ink contained in the ink bag. The ink bag is attached to the body at a wall opposite a wall of the ink bag facing the printhead. The biasing member applies outwardly directed force on the wall of the ink bag facing the printhead thereby maintaining substantially constant negative pressure at the nozzles as the ink is depleted. The fluid path connects the ink bag to at least 6400 nozzles of the printhead.
US07918545B2	Ink-jet head An ink-jet head is disclosed. The ink-jet head can include: a channel for holding ink, a nozzle connected with the channel, a pressurizing unit configured to apply pressure to the ink so as to eject the ink, a partition coupled to one side of the channel so as to block the channel, and an actuator configured to deform one side of the channel so as to open the channel. While pressure is applied to the ink, this pressure can be turned on and off, to provide pressure pulses for ejecting the ink. As such, with this arrangement, the ejection properties of the ink-jet head can be adjusted to various settings.
US07918544B2	Inkjet head In a harmonica type head chip having a plurality of rows of channels (row A and row B), connection electrodes for row A and the connection electrodes for row B formed on the back surface of the head chip are connected to a multilayer member having an insulating layer on one surface of which are formed the lead wirings for row A and on the other surface of which are formed the lead wirings for row B, and the lead wirings for row B are made to protrude outwards more than the lead wirings for row A and drive interconnections are electrically connected to the lead wirings for row A and the lead wirings for row B.
US07918542B2	Perovskite oxide, process for producing the perovskite oxide, piezoelectric body, piezoelectric device, and liquid discharge device A process for producing a piezoelectric oxide having a composition (A, B, C) (D, E, F)O3, where each of A, B, C, D, E, and F represents one or more metal elements. The composition is determined so as to satisfy the conditions (1), (2), (3), and (4), 0.98≦TF(P)≦1.01, (1) TF(ADO3)>1.0, (2) TF(BEO3)<1.0, and (3) TF(BEO3)
US07918541B2	Micro-electromechanical integrated circuit device with laminated actuators A micro-electromechanical integrated circuit device comprises a substrate; drive circuitry positioned on the substrate; and a plurality of elongate actuators. Each actuator comprises a fixed end portion fast with the substrate, a free end portion that is spaced from the substrate, and a heating circuit that is connected to the drive circuitry to heat the actuator. A portion of the actuator is formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion such that the material is capable of performing work by thermal expansion. The heating circuit is positioned to generate differential thermal expansion and contraction when heated and cooled to cause reciprocal displacement of the free end portion of the actuator. Each actuator is a laminated structure having a first metal layer and a dielectric layer, the first metal layer being interposed between the dielectric layer and the substrate and defining the heating circuit. The drive circuitry is operable to generate drive pulses of first and second widths, the pulses of the first width being sufficient to cause substantial displacement of the free end of the actuator, and the pulses of the second width being insufficient to cause substantial displacement of the free end of the actuator.
US07918540B2	Microelectromechanical ink jet printhead with printhead temperature feedback A microelectromechanical ink jet printhead includes a number of groups of ink ejection nozzles. Each group has a temperature sensor that is monitored by a processor incorporating the printhead. In order to maintain printing ink at a constant viscosity the processor compares temperature signals from the sensors to a predetermined threshold. In the event that the temperature signals indicate that the printhead is below a predetermined temperature then the processor applies heating pulses to the printhead. The heating pulses are of sufficient energy to cause warming of the printhead ink but insufficient to cause actual ink ejection. In this way ink ejection droplet size, and hence print quality, is maintained in spite of operating temperature fluctuations.
US07918539B2	Liquid discharge head A recording head includes outlets disposed in a staggered pattern so that the distances from an ink inlet to the outlets differ alternately for adjacent outlets. The recording head includes an outlet group including a plurality of the outlets on at least one side of the ink inlet. The outlet group includes first outlets and second outlets, wherein the distance from the ink inlet to the first outlets differs from the distance from the ink inlet to the second outlets. First recording elements and second recording elements including heat resistors are provided. The first recording elements and second recording elements correspond to the first outlets and the second outlets, respectively, and are disposed in first ink channels and second ink channels, respectively. The first recording elements are rectangular, whereas the second recording elements are substantially square.
US07918536B2	Ink jet recording apparatus with adhesively bonded ink jet head chip An ink jet head includes a recording element substrate includes a plurality of ink supply ports and a supply port partition between adjacent ink supply ports; a substrate supporting portion supporting the recording element substrate at a back side thereof, the substrate supporting portion including ink supply passages corresponding to the ink supply ports and a supply passage partition corresponding to the supply port partition; a sealing material contacted to a side surface of the recording element substrate and to the substrate supporting portion; adhesive material fixing the opening partition and the supply passage partition to each other, wherein back sides of opposite ends of the recording element substrate with respect to an arranging direction of the ink supply ports are unfixed by the adhesive material to the substrate supporting portion.
US07918532B2	Fluid ejecting apparatus A fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting fluid includes a head capable of performing effective discharge during which the fluid is discharged to an object to be processed disposed at a predetermined position and capable of preliminary discharge during which the fluid is discharged separately from the effective discharge, a first head capping unit for preliminary discharge covering the head and receiving the fluid discharged from the head while the head performs the preliminary discharge, and a second head capping unit for moisturizing covering the head and moisturizing the head. The first head capping unit and the second head capping unit are stacked in such a manner that the second head capping unit covers both the head and an opening of the first head capping unit for receiving the fluid while the head does not perform either the effective discharge or the preliminary discharge.
US07918528B2	Drop detector system and method with light collector One aspect is a drop detection arrangement including a light source for projecting a light beam for scattering light off of an ejected drop. The arrangement includes a light collector configured to collect the scattered light off the ejected drop and a light detector coupled to the light collector and configured to process scattered light into an output signal. The arrangement includes a controller configured to receive the output signal from the light detector. The output signal is indicative of the condition of the ejected drop.
US07918526B2	Printer and method preventing false detection of a detected object A printer is provided with: a detector, operable to output an output signal in accordance with a state of a printing medium transported within the printer; and a control signal generator, operable to generate a control signal in accordance with a level of the output signal relative to a threshold. In order to control the printer, the output signal is detected. A timing signal indicative of a timing to judge the state of the printing medium is detected. The control signal is generated with at least two of: a first method, in which the control signal is made valid when the level of the output signal reaches the threshold after the timing signal is detected, and the control signal is unchanged until when a first time period is elapsed from when the control signal is made valid; a second method, in which the control signal is made valid when the level of the output signal reaches the threshold at least once after the timing signal is detected, and the control signal is unchanged until when a next timing signal is detected; and a third method, in which the control signal is made valid in accordance with a condition that the level of the output signal lastly reaches the threshold before a second time period is elapsed from when the timing signal is detected, and the control signal is unchanged until when a next timing signal is detected.
US07918517B2	Locating structure for a slide assembly A locating structure for a slide assembly includes a first track, a second track, a releasing member, and a locating member; a locating tab is provided at a front end of the first track; the second track is inserted and connected onto the first track to slide thereon; the second track is provided with a locating portion; the releasing member is mounted to an inner side of the second track; one end of the releasing member is provided with an operation button; the locating member is located on one side of the operation button and has a propped portion and a plunged portion; the locating member provides resilience for the propped portion to hold against the locating portion of the second track; and the locating member drives the propped portion to disengage from the locating portion by means of the plunged portion.
US07918516B2	Refrigerator case shelf A refrigerated case shelf has a main panel comprising a top wall and left and right sidewalls, respectively depending from left and right edges of the top wall and cooperating with the top wall to define left and right channels. At least one transverse brace is secured to the main panel. A left bracket has an insertion portion within the left channel and a right bracket has an insertion portion within the left channel.
US07918515B2	Modular shelving system A modular shelving system comprises multiple panels, multiple connection bars and multiple connectors. Each panel has multiple mortises. Each connection bar is connected to at least two panels and has multiple housing channels having slots. The connectors are respectively mounted in the housing channels of the connection bars and have four shoulders and multiple arms. The shoulders are formed at right angles to each other and one shoulder is mounted in a corresponding slot. The arms are formed on, protrude from the shoulders and respectively extend into corresponding mortises of the panels and two, three or four arms may be implemented. The modular shelving system can be conveniently assembled and disassembled in various combinations for different spaces while maintaining design consistency.
US07918514B2	Rim for a bicycle wheel made from composite material with a wear indicator and wheel comprising such a rim A composite rim (1) for a bicycle wheel (60). The rim has at least one braking surface (20) and a wear indicator (40) that indicates when a predetermined level of wear has been reached at the braking surface (20). The wear indicator (40) is arranged in the rim (1) so that its does not affect the outer surface of the rim (1) or weaken its mechanical strength.
US07918508B2	Vehicle seat having an integral, retractable step A vehicle seat with an integral, retractable step. A generally hollow base is secured to a floor of a vehicle, the base having a pair of opposing, spaced-apart side walls. A generally horizontal seat cushion is attached atop the base. A generally vertical seatback is attached at a lower end to at least one of the floor, the base and the seat cushion. A step is coupled to the base, the step being selectively positionable between a stowed position, closing off an open base portion, and a deployed position wherein the step extends at least partially outwardly through the open base portion. In the deployed position the step is generally proximate a front surface of the seat cushion such that the front surface of the seat cushion forms a substantially closed step riser.
US07918507B2	Device for limiting the adjustability of a vehicle seat A device for limiting the adjustability of a component, in particular, a vehicle seat is provided. The device has an adjustment range, running in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle wherein the adjustment range comprises a first forward partial range and a second rear partial range. If the component is adjusted to a functional position that is different from the normal position, the device limits the adjustability of the component to the first partial range.
US07918506B2	Padding structure for a chair A padding structure for a chair includes a back support, a seat plate, a foam disposed on the back support, two guiding lines mounted on the back support, and two guiding lines mounted on the seat plate. Each guiding line of the back support and the seat plate is connected with a resilient member to control flexibility of the resilient member. An adjustable member is used to control the expansion and retraction of the guiding lines to drive the resilient members to change their radii of curvature, correcting the user's improper posture.
US07918503B2	Adjustable seat An adjustable seat (1) incorporates a moveable squab element (4). The squab element may be moved from an initial position in which the squab element is flush with the remaining parts of the vehicle seat to a first intermediate position and then to a subsequent second position. The squab is mounted on a first linkage (7) which carries an intermediate support. A second linkage (10) extends from the intermediate support to a seat mount (9) incorporated with the squab element.
US07918498B2	Valve layer for a seat In one aspect, the present invention provides a ventilated seat with a valve sheet having one or more valve assemblies. The valve sheet maybe on a frame of the seat. The valve assemblies open in response to a force such as a force applied by an individual occupying the seat. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of thermally regulating a seat by occupying a seat with a valve sheet. By occupying the seat one or more valves assemblies open air moving though the open valve assemblies thermally regulates the seat.
US07918494B2	Assembly type cowl top cover An assembly type cowl top cover for covering a cowl groove defined between a hood and windshield glass. The assembly type cowl top cover includes a cover body having one end which is coupled to a vehicle body adjacent to the hood; and a plurality of fastening hooks detachably coupled to the other end of the cover body at regular intervals to support the windshield glass from beneath.
US07918493B2	Impact energy absorber and fabrication method thereof A main body of an impact energy absorber is formed by integrally molding a deformable portion and a plurality of deformation controlling portions which are adapted to control the direction of plastic deformation of the deformable portion. The deformation controlling portions have such a configuration and shape that, when a compression load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is input to the main body in a tube axis direction, the deformable portion undergoes plastic deformation in at least one of a radially outward direction and a radially inward direction of the main body concurrently with the compressive plastic deformation in the tube axis direction.
US07918491B2	Adaptable visor for vehicles An adaptable visor assembly includes a generally planar body portion having a lateral end. An ear segment is removably attachable to the body portion at the lateral end via an interface. The interface includes a projection configured to engage a receptacle when the ear segment is attached to the body portion.
US07918490B2	Drive device for moving a covering element, door module and method for assembling the drive device A drive device for moving a covering element for covering an opening in a motor vehicle such as a roller blind, a baggage space cover or a sunroof cover, includes a drive, a guide device and a thrust element which is coupled to the drive. The thrust element is guided in the guide device and is connectable to the covering element in order to move the covering element. The drive for driving the thrust element is coupled to the thrust element via a transmission device being subjected to tensile stress, wherein the transmission device extends at least in certain sections in the guide device.
US07918487B2	Unlock transmission mechanism for escape door An unlock transmission mechanism for escape doors is disclosed, including a base, a transmission member, a first drive unit and a second drive unit, wherein the transmission member, the first drive unit and second drive unit are all disposed on the base, and the transmission member is actuated to move relative to the first drive unit and the second drive unit, respectively. In the case that the unlock transmission mechanism is to be installed in an escape door that has a different installation orientation, the transmission member and the first drive unit provided therein have the characteristics of multi-directional changeability, thereby enabling flexible installation of the escape door lock and eliminating the necessity to replace an existing door handle mechanism as encountered in the prior art.
US07918482B2	Airbag device To provide a technique that is effective for allowing a pressurized fluid to pass through smoothly between a plurality of bag-like bodies when inflated and extend, and for improving their extendibility.An airbag device includes a first bag 35 composed of a bag body formed by joining base fabrics 35A, 35B, and provided with a supply flow passage for supplying a pressurized fluid supplied from an inflator into the inside and a flow-out passage for allowing the pressurized fluid supplied into the inside to flow out to the outside, a second bag 36 composed of a bag body formed by joining base fabrics 36A, 36B, and provided with a flow-in passage for allowing the pressurized fluid allowed to flow out from the flow-out passage of the first bag 35 to flow into the inside, and a connection panel PN for connecting the first bag 35 and the second bag 36 so that the whole of the first bag 35 and the second bag 36 is configured in a predetermined shape when inflated and extends.
US07918481B2	Vehicle airbag device and method for manufacturing the same An airbag device in which a lid part over an opening formed in a base member opens in a suitable opening direction when the airbag is deployed. A tear seam is formed so as to extend along the axis line of a hinge shaft of the lid part in a region further to the outside than the opening. Detaching parts where a skin member on the base member detaches from the base member are provided to the outside region.
US07918480B2	Roof airbag apparatus with airbag door having limited opening angle A roof airbag apparatus, may include an inflator, a housing mounted to an opening frame provided in a vehicle roof, the opening frame defining an opening therein to receive the housing, an airbag cushion contained in the housing, the airbag cushion being deployed downwards by gas supplied from the inflator to protect a passenger, an airbag door coupled to the housing by a hinge to support the airbag cushion, and angle limiting means for limiting a rotating angle to a predetermined angle when the airbag door is rotated to open.
US07918479B2	Curtain airbag A curtain airbag may include a tube assembly coupled to an inflator and supplying inflation gas generated by the inflator into a cushion, wherein the tube assembly is inserted into a fabric wrap receiving the cushion and the fabric wrap is fixed to the tube assembly.
US07918478B2	Equalizer for suspension system An equalizer for a suspension system for a trailer is configured to absorb or dampen the harsh shocks or vibrations coming off of the leaf springs proximate to a center frame hangar, thus allowing for a “softer” ride. The equalizer utilizes one or two independent equalizer arm assemblies or castings which are each rotatably secured within the equalizer. Each equalizer arm assembly or casting is operatively associated with one of the leaf springs such that upon upward movement of the leaf spring, the associated equalizer arm assembly or casting is forced to rotate within the equalizer and to deform a shock absorber provided within the equalizer. The shock absorber, upon the deformation thereof, absorbs the harsh shocks or vibrations which would otherwise normally be transferred from the leaf springs, to the equalizer, and thus to the frame of the trailer.
US07918471B2	Bicycle frame Bicycle frame, which consists of a rear triangle (t) joined to a front quadrilateral (c) of tubular elements, with a common coupling element (A) for the two, which is joined at the upper part with an upper tube (4) and the rear triangle (t) consisting of upper braces (3), lower braces (7) and the sealing element (2), which is curved and covers the back wheel of the bicycle, and the shaft (e2) of the coupling element(A) being approximately coplanar with the shaft of the upper braces (3) forming a comfort angle (α) with respect to the shaft of the upper tube (4) of equal value to or greater than 120°: α>120°.
US07918469B2	Adjustable traction block A single unit that combines the advantages of a rear spring spacer block and a traction bar. The rigidity of the traction bar and design of the spacer block eliminate wheel hop and axle wrap while maintaining a level vehicle drive height. No welding is required to install the device, the device is length and height adjustable for a plethora of vehicle applications and the factory ride and handling are preserved.
US07918466B2	Vertical air bag control A control (60) that mounts in a space (52) between main vehicle parts (66, 68) that are supported one on the other by air bags (16). The control includes first and second vertical tubes (82, 106) that telescope in one another. The tubes enclose at least parts of valves (98, 111) and passages (84, 104, 101, 103) that connect the valves to inlet, exhaust and air bag ports (74, 76, 80).
US07918463B2	Reciprocating seal A reciprocating seal used, for example, for a shock absorber. A main seal lip has a two-step lip structure including a first lip and a second lip and a plurality of protrusions extending in the direction of the shaft are formed on a sliding contact surface of the second lip, thereby improving frictional force characteristics and, at the same time, improving sealing performance.
US07918449B2	Double-sided image forming device A double-sided image forming device includes: a paper feeding section (3); a printing section (4); a first conveyance route (6) for conveying a fed paper sheet (2) to a paper discharge section (8) via the printing section (4); and a second conveyance route (7) for receiving, on its conveyance surface, the paper sheet (2), a first side (21) of which has been printed, from the first conveyance route (6), and for conveying the paper sheet (2) while reversing it, thereby conveying the paper sheet (2) to the upstream side of the printing section (4) in the conveyance direction of the first conveyance route (6), wherein the second conveyance route (7) has a reverse conveyance route (9) for receiving, on its conveyance surface, a second side (22) of the paper sheet (2), and for conveying the paper sheet (2) while reversing it, and wherein the reverse conveyance route (9) is formed by a combination of a plurality of reverse mechanisms each including: a first conveyance section (91) for linearly conveying the paper sheet (2); a reverse section (92) for reversing the conveyed paper sheet (2) while bending it along a curved inner peripheral surface; and a second conveyance section (93) for linearly conveying the reversed paper sheet (2).
US07918447B2	Image forming apparatus An inkjet image forming apparatus including a printing media storage unit configured to store printing media, a pickup unit configured to pick up a printing medium stored in the printing media storage unit, and a cover made of a conductive material and adapted to come into contact with the printing medium picked up by the pickup unit. An effective removal of static charge from the printing medium is possible by having the printing medium picked up by the pickup unit come into contact with the cover.
US07918446B2	Feeding device and recording apparatus There is provided a feeding device including a pickup roller for picking up a placed medium to be transported and transporting the medium at a downstream side in a transport direction, a guide pathway for guiding the medium transported by the pickup roller, a transport driving roller that is driven by a power of a driving source and that transports the transported medium at the further downstream side in the transport direction, a retard roller that is moved to be brought into contact with and separated from the transport driving roller and that is rotated with a predetermined load.
US07918439B2	Silentblock device, manufacturing process and apparatus The invention relates to a device, a process and an apparatus for manufacturing a silentblock device having a silentblock (4), a seating (2), a shock absorber (3) and a casing (1) having first joining means (120) between the casing (1) and the seating (2) formed by a frusto-conical portion (121) in each end of the casing (1) and a conjugated frusto-conical portion (122) in each end of the seating (2) to clamp the seating (2) to the casing (1). The apparatus has: containment devices (100) for defining a cavity (110) between the surface to be over-injected and the containment devices (100); entrance devices (200) in the containment devices (100), so that the over-injection product can be introduced in the cavity (110).
US07918435B2	Combination gravimetric and volumetric dispenser for multiple fluids A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The base material dispensing valves include stepper motor actuators having multiple steps per revolution and are under the control of an analog signal from a controller. The base material dispensing valve is opened or closed via a rod that is slidably raised or lowered upon rotation of the drive shaft of the stepper motor actuator.
US07918434B2	Solenoid actuated valve with a damping device The invention provides a solenoid actuated valve with a plunger which moves in a sleeve under influence of a magnetic field from the solenoid and further comprising a damping device for reducing noise and wear caused by the plunger when it bounces against a top part located in the sleeve. The damping device comprises a first part which forms the limit of the travel of the plunger and another part which is allowed to move relative to the first part in a dampened movement. To enable application in a vacuum system, the damping device comprises a conduit which allows evacuation of a chamber confined between one end of the sleeve and the damping device. The invention further provides a damper for a solenoid actuated valve.
US07918433B2	Transition piece mounting bracket and related method A mounting bracket assembly includes: a first bracket component having a first pair of laterally spaced securement tabs; a second bracket component having a second pair of laterally spaced securement tabs; wherein said first and second bracket components are engageable with each other such that respective ones of each of the first and second pairs of securement tabs are located adjacent each other and adapted to engage corresponding pairs of recesses in a machine component. A related method of securing a transition piece to a combustor casing without welding includes: providing a first mounting bracket component for attaching the transition piece to a turbine combustor casing, the first mounting bracket formed with a first set of securement tabs; providing a second mounting bracket component that is usable with the first bracket component, the second mounting bracket component formed with a second set of securement tabs; and slidably engaging the transition piece with the first and second mounting bracket components, such that the first and second pairs of securement tabs are received within corresponding axially-aligned recesses provided on the transition piece, thereby permitting the transition piece to grow thermally relative to the first and second mounting bracket components.
US07918431B2	Levitation type support unit A levitation type supporting unit interposed between an object and an installing surface for supporting the object respective to the installing surface. The supporting unit includes lower and upper magnet parts having a lower magnet; the upper magnet part arranged at an upper part of the lower magnet part while having an interval spaced from the lower magnet part, the upper magnet part having a surface facing a surface of the lower magnet, the surfaces having equal polarities; an upper fixing cap being assembled with the upper magnet part to allow elevation; a lower fixing cap connected with the upper fixing cap and is assembled with the lower magnet part; and a fixing part including a connecting part formed on one side, connecting the upper and lower fixing caps while having an interval forming an exposed space between the upper and lower fixing caps, the fixing part preventing the upper magnet part from escaping from an upper position of the lower magnet part.
US07918429B1	Horizontal fuel tank support system A horizontal fuel tank support system for efficiently supporting a propane tank above the ground. The horizontal fuel tank support system generally includes a support pad including an internal cavity, wherein the internal cavity extends throughout the support pad and wherein the support pad is comprised of an elongated configuration, a platform defining at least a portion of an upper surface of the elongated support pad, wherein the platform extends along a longitudinal axis of the elongated support pad, and an internal ribbing structure extending within the internal cavity and beneath the platform. The internal ribbing structure includes a plurality of outer ribbing portions and an inner ribbing portion, wherein the inner ribbing portion is connected between the plurality of outer ribbing portions. The inner ribbing portion is comprised of a less dense structure than the plurality of outer ribbing portions to distribute the weight of the propane tank directly below the legs of the propane tank.
US07918421B2	Wing, in particular airfoil of an aircraft, with a variable profile shape A wing, in particular a airfoil of an aircraft, with a variable profile shape, which wing comprises a first skin and a second skin and a supporting structure, arranged between the first and the second skin, which supporting structure in the direction of the wing depth extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the form of said supporting structure, for the purpose of varying the profile shape by means of a drive device comprising drive elements, is variable. The supporting structure comprises ribs, arranged one behind the other in the direction of the wing depth, which ribs at connection positions are interconnected so as to be articulated, wherein said ribs at first connection positions are connected to the first skin, and at second connection positions are connected to the second skin. For the purpose of setting the variable profile the mutual spacing of the second connection positions can be varied by means of the drive elements.
US07918414B1	Method and apparatus for managing wire rope slings An apparatus for the storing and management of a plurality of wire rope slings is presented, such slings being those typically comprised of a length of wire rope having at least one end loop. The apparatus has a base frame upon which is rotatably mounted a sling storage bin. The storage bin has a plurality of arm members that extend from the storage bin for engaging and holding an end loop of a selected wire rope sling. Rotation of the storage bin causes the selected wire rope sling to be coiled around said projecting arms within the storage bin. The apparatus may be provided with pad eyes and forklift tine guides to facilitate its transportation.
US07918412B2	Recording tape cartridge A recording tape cartridge that can secure the attached region of an RFID in a case is provided including: a case that has an upper case and a lower case and houses a reel around which a recording tape is wound; a restricting wall that is formed at least in the lower case and defines an area in which the reel is housed; a housing portion that is formed between the restricting wall and the corner of the case; and a planar RFID that is provided in the housing portion such that the rotational axis direction of the reel is a normal line direction.
US07918411B2	Food waste disposer with dishwasher inlet and method of making same A food waste disposer has a food conveying section, a motor section and a central grinding section disposed between the food conveying section. The motor section includes a motor having a motor shaft coupled to a rotatable plate of a grinding mechanism in the grinding section. An anti-vibration mount is disposed around an inlet of the food conveying section. The food conveying section includes a housing, which can be a plastic molded housing, having dishwasher inlet having an outer portion extending outwardly from the housing and an inner portion extending into the housing that is removably received in the housing. The inner portion of the dishwasher inlet may be slidably received in the housing with the housing including grooves on opposed sides of an opening that receive tongues on opposed sides of a body of the inner portion of the dishwasher inlet. The inner and outer portions of the dishwasher inlet have passageways connected by the opening in the housing when the inner portion of the dishwasher inlet is in place.
US07918410B2	Uniform shear application system and methods relating thereto Disclosed herein is a shear application system for applying substantially uniform amounts of shear throughout a powder sample. The shear application system preferably includes a cylinder assembly having an inner cylinder, a housing, an inner set of lugs, and an outer set of lugs. The inner cylinder has an external cylindrical surface and the housing has an internal cylindrical surface concentric with said external cylindrical surface. The internal and external cylindrical surfaces form an annular chamber therebetween. Each one of the lugs of the inner set extend radially outward from the external cylindrical surface, and each one of the lugs of the outer set extend radially inward from the internal cylindrical surface and are substantially uniformly spaced. The shear application system preferably includes drive means mechanically connected to the inner cylinder and control means electrically connected to the drive means.
US07918409B2	Multiple charging electrode A device for dispensing coating material includes at least two electrodes for coupling to at least one high-magnitude potential supply so that the at least two electrodes are maintained substantially at two different high-magnitude potentials so that an electric field exists between the at least two electrodes. At least one of the at least two electrodes includes a passageway extending therethrough to provide a flow of compressed gas through the at least one of the at least two electrodes.
US07918407B2	Method and apparatus for control of cooling system air quality and energy consumption An energy saving air quality control system modulates supply fan speed by use of controlled, variable-frequency drive controls for automatic dampers or suction pressure to maintain adequate air flow across the evaporator coil at partial cooling loads. Demand ventilation in the system balances air quality and energy consumption by controlling the outdoor air damper in response to indoor CO2 levels. The control system variously either (1) produces a variable 0-10 VDC output signal to modulate the outside ventilation air damper as required to keep the CO2 concentration below a set point; (2) produces a 0 or 24 VAC signal to either open or close a two-position outside air damper for as long a time period as is required in order to keep the CO2 concentration below a set point; or (3) allows manually setting the outside air damper to provide proper ventilation air at maximum occupancy and maximum air flow and modulates the supply fan speed as required to keep the CO2 concentration as measured by a CO2 monitor below set point.
US07918404B2	Orientation-indicating cyclic position codes Machine-readable coded data disposed on or in a substrate in accordance with a layout, the layout having at least order n rotational symmetry, where n is at least two, the layout encoding an orientation codeword comprising a sequence of an integer multiple m of of n symbols, where m is one or more, each encoded symbol being distributed at n locations about a center of rotational symmetry of the layout such that decoding the symbols at each of the n orientations of the layout produces n representations of the orientation codeword, each representation comprising a different cyclic shift of the orientation codeword and being indicative of the degree of rotation of the layout, and wherein the orientation codeword is fault tolerant.
US07918402B2	Item labeling, inspection and verification system for use in manufacturing, packaging, product shipment-fulfillment, distribution, or on-site operations An item contents verification system, and associated method, for use in an assembly line of carrier-totes (if used) each containing at least one of a plurality of items having a labeling. Also, a labeling for use with a computerized inspection apparatus for verification of items, and associated method. The system includes: (a) the labeling comprising a luminescent marking and a human-visible indicia; (b) the luminescent marking comprises a coded-indicia generally invisible to a human eye without an irradiation, each of these coded-indicia contains item-information about the item to which the labeling is applied, multiple such coded-indicia will be substantively identical; (c) an inspection apparatus adapted for automatically collecting item-information from luminescent coded-indicia oriented outwardly from items passing in proximity to the inspection apparatus; (d) in communication with the inspection apparatus is a processor unit used for comparing an order of selected items against the item-information collected about all items; if the item-information collected matches the order of selected items, that carrier-tote contents is deemed verified. A reject spur is included to which any respective carrier-tote, or any respective item not matched to an order, is routed if the contents of the carrier-tote is not deemed verified.
US07918396B2	Electronic-ink based information organizing device employing an activator module mounted beneath the surface of an electronic-ink display structure An electronic-ink based information organizing device employing an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The device includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, data, including information and graphical input data provided by a user by way of an activator module. The integrated circuit structure also includes a programmed processor in communication with the storage element. The activator module is mounted beneath the surface of the addressable display assembly to (i) determine graphical indicia to be selected and/or displayed on the addressable display assembly, (ii) allow graphical indicia being displayed on the addressable display assembly, to be modified in real-time by a user of the device, and (iii) allow graphical indicia to be displayed on the addressable display assembly while graphical input data is being provided to the programmed processor by said activator module, so that the user is enabled to write and/or draw on the surface of the addressable display assembly while graphical indicia is being displayed thereon.
US07918393B2	Leafing mechanism A machine and methods for automatically opening a closed book, for example a passport, to a desired page for subsequent processing on the page. The book is inserted into the machine in a closed configuration. The machine then opens the book to the appropriate page for subsequent processing either in the machine or in a separate processing machine. A pin is inserted between two adjacent sheets of the book to define a first book portion and a second book portion, and the pin is used to assist in moving the first book portion away from the second book portion to expose the desired page for subsequent processing.
US07918391B2	Transaction product with hinged puzzle segments A transaction product has an account identifier and includes a series of interconnected, hinged puzzle segments. The various hinged segments may be collectively manipulated to reveal a variety of surfaces, graphics, and indicia. The transaction card may include a number of three-dimensional segments (e.g., eight polyhedral segments) interconnected such that each segment is hingedly connected to two other segments via a hinge structure, wherein the hinge structures on any given cube are orthogonal to each other, resulting in a closed chain of transformations. The hinge structures may be formed via skin components (e.g., plastic, paper, or other laminate media) bonded directly to respective pairs of the three-dimensional segments. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services.
US07918387B2	Thread identification system A label having a coded pattern provides information regarding the type of thread on a thread spool loaded on an embroidery machine and feeding one of the needles. A detector positioned at the base of a spindle on the thread tree reads the label. The label is attached to the bottom of a thread spool such that it is substantially flush with the detector. The label has a pattern that is readable by the detector regardless of its rotational orientation and provides information about the type of thread on the spool. This pattern corresponds to thread type information stored in data base.
US07918381B2	Process for attaching components with near-zero standoff to printed circuit boards The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for mounting electrical components to electric circuit boards. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for mounting electrical components having near-zero standoff height to electrical printed circuit boards.
US07918377B2	Surgical stapling instrument with apparatus for providing anvil position feedback Circular stapling instruments for cutting and applying one or more surgical staples to tissue are disclosed. The instruments include various forms of feedback systems designed to provide at least one mode of feedback to the surgeon when the anvil has been attached to the device and/or when the anvil has been attached to the device and oriented in a firing position. Various types of feedback indicators are disclosed such as illumination devices, sound generating devices and vibration generation devices. In various embodiments, the feedback indicator comprises at least one illumination device mounted on the anvil which indicates that the anvil has been properly attached to the instrument and which can also serve to illuminate the surgical site.
US07918375B2	Pneumatically operable fastener-driving tool and seal mechanism assembly, and a method of operating the same A pneumatically operable fastener-driving tool and seal mechanism assembly, and a method of operating the same, comprises the use of a single, annular seal member, having a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration, disposed within an annularly recessed portion of the fastener-driving tool piston in such a manner that the open region of the V-shaped annular seal member is disposed toward the relatively high-pressure upstream end portion of the fastener-driving tool cylinder, while, conversely, the closed region of the V-shaped annular seal member is disposed toward the relatively low-pressure downstream end portion of the pneumatic tool cylinder Accordingly, the relatively high-pressure air acts upon the radially outwardly flared lip portion of the annular seal member during a power stroke, while relatively low-pressure air acts upon the radially outwardly flared lip portion of the annular seal member during a return stroke, whereby only a single V-shaped annular seal member is required to achieve proper sealing performance characteristics throughout an operative cycle of the fastener-driving tool.
US07918369B2	Two-component spray gun with solvent flush/blend A dispensing system for plural components mixture including second containers placed within a first container. The first container is held by an operator during dispensing. Separate conduits are coupled between the containers and the dispensing device and include passageways for the passage of each respective component. Each passageway includes an actuator controlled valve. A second valve coupled in the conduits between the respective components' sources and includes an inlet port for each component, an equal number of outlet ports, and an inlet port for a material for flushing the plural components from respective conduits and the mixed plural components. The second valve has a first state in which each respective inlet port is coupled to an outlet port. The second valve also has a second state in which the inlet port for flushing the plural components from the respective conduits and the mixed plural components is coupled to the outlet ports.
US07918368B2	Refrigerator having a valve engagement mechanism operable to engage multiple valves of one end of a liquid container A refrigerator having a container support configured to removably support at least one liquid container having an end with a gas inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve. The refrigerator has at least one gas line and at least one gas inlet valve engager positionable adjacent to such end of the liquid container, and the gas inlet valve engager is configured to be fluidly connected to the gas inlet valve of such end of the liquid container. The refrigerator has at least one liquid outlet valve engager positionable adjacent to such end of the liquid container. The refrigerator has at least one electrical line operatively coupled to the liquid outlet valve engager.
US07918358B2	System and method to make a fuel tank inert A method and system used to make a fuel tank inert that includes a chiller assembly coupled in flow communication with a vehicle fuel tank, and a system controller assembly operatively coupled to the chiller assembly. More specifically, the chiller assembly includes a pump configured to extract a quantity of a fluid from the vehicle fuel tank, and an evaporator configured to receive a flow of the extracted quantity of fluid from the pump and further configured to reduce a temperature of the fluid. The chiller assembly also includes a chiller controller configured to activate and deactivate the pump. The system controller assembly is operatively coupled to chiller controller, wherein the system controller assembly is configured to transmit to the chiller controller one of a start signal to start chiller operations or a stop signal to stop chiller operations.
US07918353B1	Display and dispensing apparatus An apparatus for displaying and dispensing merchandise in the form of packages arranged serially along a path of travel leading to a dispensing location at a point-of-purchase is selectively adjustable to accommodate packages of different dimensions. A pusher track assembly and dividers, each having a near end and a far end, readily are placed at selected relative locations along a display shelf and are secured in place adjacent the near ends to guide and move the packages along the path of travel to the dispensing location. Stabilizing arrangements located adjacent the near ends stabilize and maintain the pusher track assembly and the dividers in alignment with the path of travel without the necessity for securing the far ends independent of the near end securement in order to maintain the desired alignment of the pusher track assembly and the dividers.
US07918352B2	Angled package and display system A product display system and method includes a support and at least one product container supported by the support. The packages are tilted such that the front faces of the tilted packages face at least partially upward, such as toward the illumination source, so as to provide enhanced illumination of the front faces of the tilted packages. The tilted packages may be supported at a support arm or the like, and have a center of gravity located behind a header for suspending the packages from the support arm, causing the packages to angle or tilt with their front faces angled somewhat upwardly, such as toward the illumination source, when suspended from the support arm.
US07918350B2	Separation apparatus and method A separation apparatus and method are employed using a separation channel for rotation about an axis. Such channel includes radially spaced apart inner and outer side wall portions and an end wall portion. An inlet conveys fluid into the channel. A barrier is located in the channel intermediate of the inner and outer side wall portions. A first flow path communicates between upstream and downstream sides of the barrier. A collection region may be located downstream of the barrier for communication with the first flow path. An outer side wall section of the channel may be positioned radially outward of an upstream section thereof. The barrier may join the outer side wall portion along a substantial portion of an axial length of the channel. First and second exit flow paths may allow communication with the channel either upstream or downstream of the barrier or both.
US07918343B2	Systems and methods for glass recycling at a beneficiator The invention provides systems and methods for obtaining recycled mixed cullet at a beneficiator. The recycled mixed cullet can be used by glass plants to make new glass articles, such as beverage bottles.
US07918339B2	Packing implement for goods transportation To provide a packing implement for goods transportation that facilitates packing of an article to be transported, and has a baseboard 6 and a holding sheet 7. The baseboard 6 is a board for supporting an article 1 at a fixed position, has upward and downward fold-back parts at both ends and both side parts, and is formed, at a junction point where lines for bend marked for folding back join, with a polygonal opening 15 having its vertices at the positions of lines for bend. The opening 15 serves as a starting point when folding back to prevent the fold-back parts from deviating from preset lines for bend, and after folding back, eliminates pointing of a part projected to the side to prevent an outer casing 3 from damage. The holding sheet 7 is tensed by bend of the baseboard 6 to press the article 1 to the baseboard 6, prevents the article 1 from slipping and holds it at the fixed position.
US07918338B2	Convertible hangtag display A convertible hangtag display comprising a unitary piece of material foldable into a hanging portion for hanging and displaying a retail item and a boxing portion for packaging the retail item is provided. The hanging portion is separable from the boxing portion along a perforation. The boxing portion has oppositely facing front and rear sheets connected by a crease and a seam. Upper and lower flaps are provided at opposite ends of each of the sheets. Upper and lower creases corresponding to the upper and lower flaps are provided such that the upper and lower creases are foldable about the corresponding creases. At least one crease is provided to the hanging portion opposite the perforation for bending the hanging portion. The hanging portion defines a slot for guiding a hook or other standard display means from which the unitary piece may be suspended. In a display configuration, the upper and lower flaps extend coplanar with the respective sheets from which they extend. After the item is purchased and the hanging portion is removed from the unitary piece, the boxing portion may be folded into a box configuration for packaging the purchased item.
US07918336B2	Closure device with corrugated ring plunger part A closure device with or without a drinking mechanism for bottles or receptacles, arranged to be attached to the bottle or receptacle. The device has a first cavity preferably for an additive and at least one second cavity where the first and the at least one second cavity can be opened individually by opening mechanisms which are integrated in the device and can be operated from outside of the device.
US07918333B1	Assembly machine constructed with a light-weight module A plurality of modules of sufficiently light weight (<80 lbs) are assembled end-to-end to construct an assembly machine for performing desired operations on a series of workpieces. A supporting spine underlies the interconnected modules and supports them and associated equipment in the desired array. The modular construction permits the assembly machine to be reconfigured as needed should operational alterations require it, including, but not limited to, the cannibalization of the machine with the modules being usable in constructing a machine having entirely different characteristics.
US07918332B2	Cantilever roll-up conveyor arrangement The present invention is a conveyor arrangement for a stamping die employed within a stamping press. The conveyor arrangement has a fixed conveyor with a protruding end, wherein the fixed conveyor is mounted on the die for receiving and shuttling stamped parts from the die. The conveyor arrangement also has a moveable conveyor with a supported first end and a cantilevered second end, wherein the moveable conveyor is arranged for positioning the second end under the fixed conveyor's protruding end for receiving and shuttling stamped parts from the fixed conveyor.
US07918331B2	Transport device, rolling body and transport body A conveying device (100) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies (102), which roll on a guidance (101) via several rolls (3), wherein the rolls (3) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body (9). The conveying bodies (102) include means (103; 104, 105) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies (102) out of the guidance (101). A connecting body (9) and allocated rolls (3) form a roll body (2), wherein the roll body (2), on average, includes two or less than two rolls (3) per conveying body (102). A roll body (2) for a conveying device (100) includes a plurality of rolls (3) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls (3) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body (9). In a preferred embodiment, the connecting body (9) may be bent in at least two directions.
US07918329B2	Conveying device using electrostatic adsorbing plate Provided is a low-cost electrostatic attraction transfer apparatus which can perform high-speed transfer, stabilizes a contact status of an electrostatic attraction board with a film and the like and does not generate fine defects on an object to be transferred.
US07918326B2	Driving system for passenger transportation A driving and/or reversing system includes a driving and/or reversing element and a chain having a plurality of first and second chain pins connected by chain plates. The driving and/or reversing element has first and second pitch circles. First and second chain pins are alternately correspondingly engaged with the first and second pitch circles.
US07918325B2	Moving staircase with a double step flight A moving staircase (escalator) with two flights of steps (1, 1′), a first flight for resetting one foot and a second flight for resting the other foot, equipped with synchronized reciprocating motion so that when the first flight goes up the second one goes down by the pace corresponding to a step, the user, by alternating the resting foot onto the steps of the two flights, will make no effort in waiting along it and he/she will not have to bend the limbs. The elevator finds its elective application as emergency escalator, also as fire-fighting staircase and as moving staircase for users prevented from an ease moving of limbs. The escalator can also-conveniently be rested onto pre-exiting flights.
US07918324B2	Driving force interrupting mechanism A driving force interrupting mechanism includes input and output members. A coupling sleeve is to be movable on the input and output members along a rotational axis. A fork is swingable around a swing shaft to move the coupling sleeve between a connecting position and a disconnecting position. The coupling sleeve is positioned on both of the input and output members in the connecting position. The coupling sleeve is positioned on either the input member or the output member in the disconnecting position. An operating member is integrally rotatable with the swing shaft. A spring is provided on the swing shaft between the operating member and the fork relatively rotatably with respect to the swing shaft. A motion of one of the operating member and the fork follows a motion of another of the operating member and the fork via an elastic force of the spring.
US07918322B2	System for connecting a brake disc and hub A brake disc/hub connection for connecting a brake disc to a brake disc hub includes supporting elements on the inner circumference of the brake disc. The brake disc hub is provided with bosses or cams on the outer circumference. Intermediate elements, which protrude into intermediate spaces provided between the bosses and the supporting elements, are distributed between the brake disc hub and the brake disc in the circumferential direction and ensure transmission of the braking torque from the brake disc to the brake disc hub. Each intermediate element rests in a radially secured manner on the associated support element and boss by way of shaping.
US07918320B2	Emergency stop system for elevator An emergency stop system for an elevator includes a state sensor for detecting an operation of a car, a brake device for braking the car, a brake controller for outputting a signal for operating the brake device based on a signal detected by the state sensor, and an uninterruptible power supply device for supplying electric power to the sensor, the brake device, and the controller. The controller has a signal processing/calculating unit for calculating the deceleration of the car based on the signal detected by the sensor, a command value calculating unit for calculating a command value for operating the brake device based on the deceleration of the car calculated by the processing/calculating unit, and a power monitoring device for monitoring state of the uninterruptible power supply device. At least one of the sensor, the processing/calculating unit, and the calculating unit includes independent systems.
US07918319B2	Elevator apparatus In an elevator apparatus, a second car is disposed below a first car. The second car is suspended within a hoistway by a second suspension body and a third suspension body to be raised/lowered by a second hoisting machine. The second suspension body has a second car end connected to the second car on a first lateral surface side thereof. The third suspension body has a third car end connected to the second car on a second lateral surface side thereof. A looping angle adjusting pulley for increasing the looping angle of the second suspension body with respect to a second drive sheave is disposed in an upper portion of the hoistway.
US07918317B2	Lubricating oil dosing arrangement In a lubricant dosing arrangement for the lubrication of valve shafts on the cylinder heads of piston engine wherein the valve shafts are axially movably supported in housing bores formed in the cylinder heads and the housing bores include spaced lubricant seals so as to form between the seals around the valve shaft lubricant reservoirs, means are provided for supplying lubricant to the lubricant reservoirs and the valves shafts include means for permitting passage of lubricant out of the reservoir at a rate depending on the lift movement of the valve shafts so as to dose the lubricant volume permitted to flow out of the lubricant reservoir for the lubrication of the valve shaft.
US07918314B2	Hoisting systems for high-rise building maintenance A hoisting system for high-rise buildings which incorporates upright rails mounted on outer walls of the building, a lifting block for each rail. A truss section attached to two lifting blocks to form a loading platform for people or hardware. Doors and windows provide access from the building to the platform, which may be enclosed. The rails are secured on metallic trusses mounted in upright position inside the building structure. The metallic truss can have stairs or elevators for transporting people. The platform can be divided into compartments for holding trays. Guide rollers on the sides of the trays and drive wheels under the trays move the trays into and between the compartments. In this manner cars may be parked in limited space by being lifted to a floor and moved to an open compartment. The platform can be used for emergency evacuation, for construction, parking, or fire fighting.
US07918313B2	Nonwoven material for acoustic insulation, and process for manufacture An improved acoustically and thermally insulating composite material suitable for use in structures such as buildings, appliances, and the interior passenger compartments and exterior components of automotive vehicles, comprising at least one airlaid fibrous layer of controlled density and composition and incorporating suitable binding agents and additives as needed to meet expectations for noise abatement, fire, and mildew resistance. Separately, an airlaid structure which provides a reduced, controlled airflow therethrough useful for acoustic insulation is provided, and which includes a woven or nonwoven scrim.
US07918312B2	Acoustic reflective panel assembly A portable acoustic reflective panel assembly used as a background for outdoor performances has an upright frame surrounding a sound reflecting sheet member. A plurality of elastic cords secure the sheet member to the frame. Braces connected to the frame and anchored to the ground maintain the frame and sheet member in upright positions on the ground.
US07918309B1	Apparatus for producing a continuous sonic boom Herein taught is an apparatus for producing a continuous sonic boom that is simplified having few components. Namely, a motor, a rotating motor shaft, a rotor and a power source. The rotor is interconnected onto the rotating motor shaft, thus upon energizing, the motor rotates the rotor faster than the speed of sound resulting in production of a continuous sonic boom. Also, the rotor includes various configurations and the tips thereof are variable in shape and size. Furthermore, the apparatus is contained within different types of support means and also we provide a deflective sonic wave focal point projection mechanism.
US07918306B2	Electric power steering apparatus In an electric power steering apparatus, a phase control characteristic for a signal corresponding to detected steering torque is changed according to the judgment whether the steering is in a return steering state or a feed steering state, so that a response of a variation of target output value of a motor for generating steering assist power to a variation of the detected steering torque decreases in the return steering state in comparison with that in the feed steering state. An output control characteristic of the motor is changed according to the judgment synchronously with the change of the phase control characteristic, so that a response of a variation of the output command value to a variation of deviation between the target output value and actual output value decreases in the return steering state in comparison with that in the feed steering state.
US07918305B2	All-wheel steering system and vehicle incorporating the same An all-wheel steering system and vehicle, e.g., riding lawn mower, incorporating the same. The system may include a linkage system that operatively connects the vehicle wheels for simultaneous turning. The system, in one embodiment, includes a power steering unit having fixed or variable output for a given steering input. The system may further include a mechanism for reducing speed based upon mower steering angle.
US07918304B2	Steering assist for a rear caster wheel on a work machine A steering arrangement for a work machine includes a frame, at least one caster wheel assembly carried by the frame, at least one turn assist cylinder, and a turn assist arrangement. Each turn assist cylinder is coupled between the frame and a corresponding caster wheel assembly. The turn assist arrangement includes a steering assembly, a steering assist valve and a transfer gear. The steering assembly includes an output gear which is positionable dependent upon an operator commanded degree of turn. The output gear has exterior teeth. The steering assist valve is configured to selectively operate at least one turn assist cylinder and thereby bias a corresponding caster wheel assembly during an operator commanded turn. The steering assist valve includes an input gear with exterior teeth. The transfer gear includes a first set of peripheral teeth enmeshed with the output gear and a second set of peripheral teeth enmeshed with the input gear. The transfer gear pivots about a common pivot point. The first set of peripheral teeth and the second set of peripheral teeth are each at a common radius from the common pivot point on opposite sides of the transfer gear.
US07918303B2	Machine control interlocks for an electrohydraulically controlled vehicle A mobile vehicle includes a moveable operator seat movable between a forward-use configuration and a rearward-use configuration, a left-side stabilizer, a right-side stabilizer, and a control system configured to control the movement of the left-side stabilizer and the right-side stabilizer based on whether the operator seat is in the forward-use configuration or the rearward-use configuration.
US07918300B2	Motorcycle conversion assembly A motorcycle conversion assembly for a motorcycle comprising first and second side members and first and second cross members to thereby define a rigid frame. The motorcycle conversion assembly further comprises first and second frame plates operably coupled to the frame and first and second axle plates operably coupled and rotatably adjustable relative to the first and second frame plates. The motorcycle conversion assembly further comprises first and second torsion adjustment assemblies, which are used to adjust the torsion acting on wheel assemblies when the motorcycle conversion assembly is operably connected to a motorcycle.
US07918296B2	Cooling system for an electric drive machine and method A cooling system (500) for an electric drive system includes a cooling duct (502) extending between a first component and a second component. A motor (336) driven fan (510) creates an airflow within the duct. A first temperature sensor measures a first temperature of the first component and a second temperature sensor measures a second temperature of the second component. An electronic controller (540) receives the first temperature and calculates a first temperature difference between the first temperature and the first temperature limit (802) to generate a first command (836) for the motor (336). A second temperature difference between the second temperature and the second temperature limit (802) generates a second command (836) for the motor (336). The controller (540) then selects the greater of the first command (836) and the second command (836) to yield the maximum command (836), and controls the motor (336) based on the maximum command (836).
US07918293B1	Method and system for perceiving a boundary between a first region and a second region of a superabrasive volume Methods of evaluating a superabrasive volume or a superabrasive compact are disclosed. One method may comprise exposing a superabrasive volume to beta particles and detecting a quantity of scattered beta particles. Further, a boundary may be perceived between a first region and a second region of the superabrasive volume in response to detecting the quantity of scattered beta particles. In another embodiment, a boundary between a catalyst-containing region and a catalyst-diminished region of a polycrystalline diamond volume may be perceived. In a further embodiment, a boundary may be perceived between a catalyst-containing region and a catalyst-diminished region of a polycrystalline diamond compact. Additionally, a depth to which a catalyst-diminished region extends within a polycrystalline diamond volume of a polycrystalline diamond compact may be measured in response to detecting a quantity of scattered beta particles. A system configured to evaluate a superabrasive volume is disclosed.
US07918287B2	Suction coring device and method Devices and methods for obtaining cores from a sea bed. A corer device includes one or more core barrels for retaining a cores and one or more pressure barrels. Fluid pressure within the pressure barrels is selectively varied to cause the corer device to be drawn into and released from the sea bed. The core barrels are provided with core catchers for retaining a core within.
US07918286B2	Impact tool In an impact tool including a spindle, an anvil, and an impact mechanism having a hammer and a coil spring, a restricting portion is provided at a front surface of a large-diameter portion of the spindle so as to receive a rear end of the coil spring and to restrict an inner diameter of the rear end of the coil spring. A ring-shaped groove is formed at a rear surface of the hammer to receive a front end of the coil spring, in a manner which provides an inner cylindrical portion at a rear side of the hammer. A run-off portion is formed in the restricting portion so as to allow the inner cylindrical portion of the hammer to move thereinto, so that the hammer can move backward for a distance corresponding to a depth of the run-off portion.
US07918285B1	Implement with active wing down force and wing lift sequencing A hydraulic latching circuit is provided that allows a load-sense power source to be activated and deactivated depending on the SCV function. The load sense power source is activated when the wing cylinders are fully extended to maintain proper down force on the wings. It remains activated or latched when the SCV is returned to neutral. It is deactivated or unlatched when the wing cylinders are retracted. Two circuits have been devised to accomplish this latching function. Both of these latching circuits can be used with the sequencing circuit.
US07918283B2	Method and apparatus for a cold flow subsea hydrocarbon production system A system for assuring subsea hydrocarbon production flow in pipelines by chilling the hydrocarbon production flow in a heat exchanger and causing solids to form, periodically removing deposits and placing them in a slurry utilizing a closed loop pig launching and receiving systems.
US07918279B2	System and method for forming cavities in a well A technique of forming perforations in a wellbore. The formation of perforations is carefully controlled by a perforating device to create a series of sequential perforations in a desired arrangement. The perforating device is lowered to a desired location in the wellbore and then moved incrementally to enable sequential perforations in the desired arrangement.
US07918278B2	Method and apparatus for dropping a pump down plug or ball An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.
US07918272B2	Permeable medium flow control devices for use in hydrocarbon production An in-flow control device controls fluid flow into a wellbore tubular using a permeable medium positioned in a flow space. The permeable medium induces a predetermined pressure differential in the flow space. The permeable medium may include separate elements having interstitial spaces and/or solid porous members. In arrangements, a filtration element may be positioned upstream of the flow space. In arrangements, the flow space may be formed in a plug member associated with the housing. In certain embodiments, a flow restriction element, such as a check valve, in the housing may provide parallel fluid communication with the bore of the wellbore tubular. Additionally, an occlusion body may be positioned in the flow space and configured to disintegrate upon exposure to a preset condition. The occlusion body temporarily seals the flow space so that a bore of the tubular may be pressurized.
US07918269B2	Drainage of heavy oil reservoir via horizontal wellbore Systems and methods for drainage of a heavy oil reservoir via a horizontal wellbore. A method of improving production of fluid from a subterranean formation includes the step of propagating a generally vertical inclusion into the formation from a generally horizontal wellbore intersecting the formation. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a bulk modulus of less than approximately 750,000 psi. A well system includes a generally vertical inclusion propagated into a subterranean formation from a generally horizontal wellbore which intersects the formation. The formation comprises weakly cemented sediment.
US07918265B2	Method and apparatus for as-cast seal on turbine blades An investment casting mold article includes a wall for retaining casting material and a cavity defined by the wall. The cavity includes an airfoil portion, a root portion adjacent to the airfoil portion, and a labyrinth seal portion extending from the root portion.
US07918263B2	High-speed door with a flexible curtain This high-speed door is provided for closing a bay made in a wall (4) delimited by a lintel and by two vertical sides. The door comprises: two lateral parts placed in an essentially vertical manner against each of the vertical sides of the bay; a shaft (12) positioned at the level of the lintel of the bay and rotationally driven by electromechanical means, and; a curtain (7) made of a flexible material having a first side (7a) and a second side (7b), joined to the shaft (12), the rotation of the shaft (12) being able to move the curtain (7) between a closed position in which the curtain (7) closes the bay and an open position in which the curtain (7) opens the bay. In addition, the door comprises flexible means for protecting the shaft (12) which extend between the two lateral parts (2) and (3) and which are capable of coming in contact with the lintel, the flexible protecting means also having first transversal sealing means that can come in transversal contact with the first side (7a) of the curtain (7) when it is in a closed position.
US07918261B2	Apparatus and method for assembling lens module An apparatus for assembling a lens module includes a UV light source and a pressing device. The lens modules each having a first component, a second component and UV curable adhesive applied between the first and second components. The UV light source is configured for emitting UV light toward the UV curable adhesive. The pressing device is configured for pressing the first components against the second components. A method for assembling a lens module is also included in the invention.
US07918255B2	Run flat device for a motor vehicle, and a wheel assembly incorporating it A run flat device for use in a wheel assembly comprises a wheel rim made of a plurality of blocks and a tire cover having beads mounted against flanges of the rim. The device includes an annular support structure for mounting around the rim to support the cover, the structure subdivided in at least two ring sectors to form the structure by juxtaposition in the circumferential direction thereof, and means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the ring sectors to the beads. Each ring sector comprises at least two rigid support elements superposed in the radial direction of the structure and separated in pairs by respective rubber-based resilient layers, the layers adapted to shear based on a lateral force applied to the structure to enable the radially outer support element to be displaced axially relative to the radially inner support element.
US07918252B2	Tree stump grinding teeth Tree stump grinding teeth for use in tree stump grinding wheel assemblies and tree stump grinding wheel assemblies that include one or more such grinding teeth. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the grinding tooth includes a mounting base having a substantially flat surface from which a plurality of cleats project. The cleats are adapted to be received in corresponding bores formed in the wheel. A resilient impact pad is positioned between the mounting base of the grinding tooth and the wheel. The resilient impact pad protects the surface of the wheel from impact forces applied to the grinding tooth.
US07918250B2	Apparatus and method for the vapor recovery of propane vapors during fueling An apparatus and method for the recovery of propane vapors during propane cylinder refueling. The apparatus includes a separate recovery cylinder adapted to receive vapors that may be created during the refilling of propane cylinders. The recovered vapors may be used in the refilling of other cylinders during a subsequent refilling operation.
US07918248B2	Component for a shed-forming apparatus and weaving machine A shed-forming component (1, 3, 4, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) of a shed-forming apparatus includes an information source (12, 16, 17, 18, 23, 29, 33) which may be connected to a control unit (13) for transmitting data about the specification of the component and/or data about operating parameters of the component during weaving to a control unit (13).
US07918246B2	Hydropneumatic accumulator with flexible porous filler A hydropneumatic accumulator with a flexible porous filler intended for fluid power recuperation in hydraulic systems with a high level of pulsations includes a shell where a gas port and a fluid port are connected, respectively, with a gas reservoir and a fluid reservoir of variable volume separated by a movable separator. The flexible porous filler fills the gas reservoir so that the separator movement reducing the gas reservoir volume compresses said filler. The filler is connected with internal walls of the gas reservoir with the possibility of stretching the filler at the separator movement increasing the volume of the gas reservoir. The accumulator contains means of protection of the filler boundary layer against rupture made with the possibility of reducing local deformations of the boundary filler layer in case of jerks of the separator. Development of residual deformations of the filler during multiple recuperation cycles and destruction at non-uniform motion of the separator with strong jerks are prevented.
US07918245B2	Hydraulic pressure reservoir A hydraulic pressure reservoir having at least one pressure chamber formed between two opposed, movable inner boundary members. Each inner boundary members includes a spring cover and a diaphragm spring. An outer boundary member peripherally surrounds the movable inner boundary members and has a U-shaped cross section along at least a part of its periphery to axially support the diaphragm springs in a fixed axial position. The outer boundary member can be formed in several pieces that are held together by interconnections or by a surrounding outer tensioning member.
US07918243B2	Connector assembly A sterile connector assembly for mounting on a fluid system includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a stem defining a fluid passage therethrough, a first housing surrounding the stem and defining a first aperture, and a first valve disposed over the first aperture. The second connector includes a second housing configured to matingly engage the first housing. The second housing defines a second aperture and defines a seal structure. The seal structure is configured to engage the stem. The second connector also includes a second valve disposed over the second aperture. The second valve is configured to engage the first valve when the first housing engages the second housing.
US07918241B1	Mixed water control valve having a water pressure balance function to stabilize a water temperature A control valve for a faucet includes a valve housing, a hollow valve seat, two sealing gaskets, at least one water outlet channel, a rotation plate, a control unit, two mounting seats, a fixed sleeve, and a movable sleeve. Thus, the movable sleeve is movable in the fixed sleeve to control the water flow rate of the mixed cold and hot water to the optimum value to regulate and stabilize the water pressure automatically so as to provide a pressure balance effect so that the mixed water flowing from the water outlet channel is kept at a constant temperature, thereby providing a comfortable sensation to a user.
US07918240B2	Systems for preventing overinflation of inner tubes A system for preventing overinflation of an inner tube is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A tire system also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A children's ride-on vehicle also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure.
US07918225B2	Breathing air filtration devices A nasal air filtration device includes a pair of either planar or concave-convex filters, a support structure incorporating a pair of generally annular bases or sleeves for supporting the filters, and a bridge that couples the bases or sleeves to maintain them in a desired spaced-apart relation and to determine a desired angular relationship. The support structure is insertable into the nasal cavities to position the filters within corresponding nasal cavities. Flexible rims maintain the support structure and the filters in spaced-apart relation to the surrounding nasal wall. The rims conform to surrounding nasal tissue to form seals. The rims can be selectively inclined to facilitate insertion and resist accidental removal. In certain embodiments the device is combined with a filter that covers the mouth to provide an air filtration system.
US07918214B2	System and method for improving fuel vapor purging for an engine having a compressor A system and method for storing and purging fuel vapors for an internal combustion engine comprising a compressor is presented. The system allows the canister to be purged even while the engine is operated at high engine load.
US07918212B2	Method and control system for controlling an engine function based on crankshaft acceleration A method and control system for controlling an engine includes an instantaneous crankshaft acceleration determining module determining an instantaneous crankshaft acceleration. An engine parameter adjustment module adjusts an engine parameter in response to the instantaneous crankshaft acceleration.
US07918211B2	Ultrasonic fuel injector A fuel injector for delivering fuel to an engine in which a housing of the injector has an internal fuel chamber and at least one exhaust port in fluid communication with the fuel chamber. A valve member is moveable relative to the housing between a closed position in which fuel within the fuel chamber is inhibited against exhaustion from the housing, and an open position in which fuel is exhaustable from the housing. An ultrasonic waveguide is separate from the housing and valve member. The ultrasonic waveguide is elongate and has longitudinally opposite ends. The waveguide further has a first waveguide segment and a second waveguide segment. The first and second segments are disposed entirely within the fuel chamber of the housing. An excitation device is operable in the open position of the valve member to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide.
US07918205B2	Method and apparatus to control transition between HCCI and SI combustion in a direct-injection gasoline engine A method for transitioning operation of a spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine having a two-step, variable phase valvetrain between HCCI and SI modes includes providing a low-lift intake valve, un-throttled stoichiometric SI operation intermediate a low-lift exhaust and intake valve HCCI mode and a high-lift exhaust and intake valve, un-throttled SI mode.
US07918198B2	Valve timing control device A valve timing control device includes a phase displacement restricting mechanism for creating a restricting state where relative rotational phase displacement of a driven side rotational member relative to a driving side rotational member is restricted within a permissible range and an unrestricting state where the restriction is released, a communication passageway for establishing communication between the phase displacement restricting mechanism and one of an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, a valving element chamber provided midway the communication passageway, a valving element provided in the valving element chamber; the valving element selectively positioned to a closing state for closing the communication passageway to render the phase displacement restricting mechanism into the restricting state and an opening state for opening up the communication passageway to render the phase displacement restricting mechanism into the unrestricting state, and a leak passageway formed in the valving element and configured to allow leakage of fluid from an intermediate passage to the outside when the valving element is under the closing state.
US07918195B2	Air-cooled engine heat extractor A heat extractor for attachment to an air-cooled engine. A cooling fan extends from the engine and is rotated by action of the engine. The heat extractor comprises a first thermally conductive surface for attachment to the engine, a plurality of flaps extending from the first surface, wherein when the heat extractor is attached to the engine the flaps extend away from the engine, a flared end region formed in the first surface, the flared end region nearest the cooling fan when the heat extractor is attached to the engine and wherein rotation of the cooling fan causes air to be drawn across the first surface, the plurality of flaps and the flared end region.
US07918193B2	Cooling device for vehicle A cooling device for a vehicle is provided at a vehicle comprising an engine control unit which stops an engine due to establishment of engine stoppage conditions and restarts the engine due to establishment of engine restart conditions. The cooling device for a vehicle is able to cool a coolant within a heat exchanger for cooling by cooling wind, which is guided from an exterior of the vehicle, passing through the heat exchanger for cooling. Cooling by driving force of either one of an electric motor or the engine can be selected in accordance with preset conditions.
US07918190B2	Electronic animal containment system with direction of approach determination An electronic animal containment system with direction-of-approach determination, or direction-sensitive animal containment system. The direction-sensitive animal containment system generally contains a transmitter unit connected to a wire loop bounding a containment area and a receiver unit carried by the animal. The direction-sensitive animal containment system of the present invention generates a containment field having polarity and retains the polarity information when the containment field is sensed using a sensing coil optimized along the azimuth. The receiver unit also generates a gravity vector to determine the orientation of the receiver unit. The gravity vector is combined with the containment field vector to produce a function that automatically yields a sensing coil output that is independent of the orientation of the receiver unit. The polarity of the sensing coil output allows determination of the direction from which the receiver unit is approaching the wire loop.
US07918187B2	Floating aquatic structure Provided is a floating structure for use in an aquarium or other aquatic setting, having a manufactured hollow body with a top side, a bottom side and sidewalls extending between the top side and the bottom side. The hollow body is weighted so as to have a stable floating position in water such that the hollow elongated body predominantly remains submerged beneath the water's surface, but an outer surface of the top side consistently remains above the surface of the water.
US07918182B2	Developing device and developing method The temperature of a developing solution is varied depending on the type of resist or the resist pattern. The developing solution is applied while scanning a developer nozzle having a slit-shaped ejection port that has a length matching the width of the effective area of the substrate. After leaving the substrate with the developing solution being coated thereon for a predetermined period of time, a diluent is supplied while scanning a diluent nozzle, thereby substantially stopping the development reaction and causing the dissolved resist components to diffuse. A desired amount of resist can be quickly dissolved through the control of the developing solution temperature, while the development can be stopped before the dissolved resist components exhibit adverse effect through the supply of the diluent a predetermined timing, whereby achieving a pattern having a uniform line width and improved throughput.
US07918176B2	Watercraft bumper A watercraft bumper has an elongate body. The elongate body has a generally C-shaped cross-section. A protrusion extends from one of the end portions of the cross-section and extends towards the other end portion. A watercraft having the bumper is also disclosed. The watercraft has a lip over which the bumper is disposed. The lip has a depression formed in an upper side thereof. The protrusion of the bumper is disposed in the depression and is biased against the upper side.
US07918175B2	Mast track extension and pre-feeder for mainsail furling A flexible mast track extension for use on sail boat mast permitting the luff of a sail bent to the mast to deflect from the line of the mast and facilitate the extension or retraction of a sail from a furling apparatus.
US07918174B2	Anti-sloshing device in moon-pool An anti-sloshing moon pool structure is disclosed. The anti-sloshing moon pool structure of the present invention includes moon pool plates (112, 114 and 116), which are provided on a bow-side wall (401), a stern-side wall (403) and opposite sidewalls (405) of a moon pool (100), and a moon pool bottom block (130), which is provided on a bow-side lower edge (407) of the moon pool (100). The moon pool plates and the moon pool bottom block have protruding lengths within which they do not interfere with a maximum working area. Upper steps (112a, 112b, 114a, 114b, 116a, 116a-1, 116b and 116b-1) of the moon pool plates are disposed such that, when a ship is in a working position, they are lower than the free surface of the seawater, and lower steps (112c, 112d, 116c and 116d) of the moon pool plates are disposed such that, when the ship runs, they are lower than the free surface of the seawater.
US07918173B2	Personal watercraft having an adjustable suspension A personal watercraft has a hull and sub-deck (HSD) assembly, a deck above the sub-deck, and a suspension member pivotally connected therebetween. A suspension element, including a spring assembly, is connected between any two of the deck, the HSD assembly, and the suspension member. The spring assembly has first and second portions having first and second spring rates respectively. The second spring rate is greater than the first. A controller controls a lifting device to set an initial distance between the deck and the sub-deck to one of a first distance and a second distance greater than the first. The suspension element moves through a majority of a full stroke with the first portion of the spring assembly at least partially expanded when the initial distance is the first distance, and with the first portion of the spring assembly fully compressed when the initial distance is the second distance.
US07918172B2	Method for production of a three-dimensional curved fiber composite material structural component A method for producing a three-dimensionally curved fiber composite material component having a predefined flexural member profile cross section with at least one web area and at least one adjacent flange area, includes providing a flat base fiber laid scrim and disposing a unidirectional fiber laid scrim tape with 0 degree fibers on a partial area of the fiber laid scrim and fixed by sewing so as to provide a flat prefabricated fiber laid scrim strip having a flange area including the unidirectional fiber laid scrim tape and a web strip area free of the fiber laid scrim. The prefabricated scrim tape is draped to a desired contour and is sewn onto a support material so as to provide a stabilized three-dimensionally curved first sub-fiber laid scrim preform adapted to the fiber composite material structural component to be produced.
US07918165B2	Component container with dunnage and method for using the same A reusable container for a golf car component having a body operably associated with at least one bottom and top support member, the bottom and top support members are adapted to receive a bottom dunnage piece and top dunnage piece respectively, the bottom and top dunnage pieces each having contact surfaces to engage and retain a golf car component. The body includes a base portion, opposing sidewall portions, and a back portion. The bottom support member is operably connected to the base portion of the body, and the top support member is operably connected to the back portion of the body. A plurality of recesses and profiles formed in the bottom and top dunnage pieces provides contact surfaces adapted for nestably receiving and separating a plurality of a golf car component.
US07918163B2	Progressive propellant charge with high charge density The resent invention relates to a method for producing propellant charges with progressive combustion characteristic and a higher charge density than previously considered possible to achieve, intended in the first instance for direct-firing barrel weapons such as tank cannons. Combined in the charge that is characteristic of the invention are at least two radially perforated propellant tubes (10-12, 28-30, 48-52) which are arranged in their entirety inside or after one another, which process, at an e-dimension selected in relation to the actual type of propellant and its desired combustion characteristic, combustion or ignition channels (2, 19-21, 37), and which have circular outer and inner boundary surfaces, in conjunction with which, before initiation of the charge, at least one of the total number of outer surfaces of these propellant tubes that are available for initiation has been treated with an inhibition, surface treatment or surface coating (13-18, 33-36) intended to delay the propagation of ignition to that surface, so that the combustion of the propellant tubes is partially mutually overlapping and taken together, gives rise to a maximum propellant gas pressure behind a projectile fired with the charge from the barrel in question, which pressure, for the entire passage of the projectile through the barrel, lies close to the applicable Pmop value for the barrel (the maximum operational pressure, i.e. the highest barrel pressure that can be permitted continuously).
US07918160B2	Cane juice extractor The cane juice extractor includes a wagon that may be hitched to or towed alongside a harvesting machine or combine for application in-field. The wagon includes a frame having an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck includes an inlet side where harvested cane may be fed for juice extraction and an outlet side for disposing the pulp. Rotating feeders feed the cane to a cutting station on the upper deck. The cutting station comminutes the cane into billets that are carried by an endless belt through a series of compression roller sets. Each set of rollers compress the cut cane down to smaller dimensions to extract the juice. A chute disposed between the upper and lower decks collects the juices and funnels them into a juice storage tank on the lower deck. The pulp is expelled from the outlet side to the field.
US07918157B2	Production of expanded food crackers The invention provides in an improved pressure-baking apparatus for producing puffed crackers from a starch-containing. cereal or other food material, thereby allowing better control of expansion resp. product consistency for an enlarged range of crackers types, materials and shapes. Accordingly the apparatus has a baking mold comprises the combination of a fixed upper die plate (1,2), a lower punch plate (3,4) directly driven and supported by a cylinder/pistion unit (10), and therebetween a peripheral mold plate (6) comprising die holes (7) in registry with said upper dies (2) and lower punches (4), said peripheral plate being selectively movable in the vertical direction between said fixed upper die plate and driven lower punch plate. An hydraulic power system (11,17) integral with the apparatus is linked with drive unit (10).
US07918151B2	Film cutter assembly The present invention relates to a film cutter assembly in which a blade housing slides bilaterally along a pair of rails. The blade housing houses a blade. An elongated rail base is coupled or integral with a pair of rails. The rails are formed of a material which provides a cling property to hold the film to the rail and maintain the film in flat position before, during and after cutting. A double-side adhesive tape can be applied to a surface of the elongated rail base which is adapted for attaching the elongated rail base to a carton of film.
US07918144B2	Seating sensor A seating sensor reliably senses an adult or a child seated on a vehicle seat, and prevents incorrect sensing of a seated occupant when a piece of luggage is placed on the seat. The seating sensor includes a first sensor cell, a second sensor cell connected in series with the first sensor cell and disposed on the front side of the seat beyond the first sensor cell, and a third sensor cell connected in series with the first sensor cell, connected in parallel with the second sensor cell, and disposed on the rear side of the seat beyond the first sensor cell.
US07918142B1	Sensor for measuring shear forces The present invention is related to a sensor for simultaneously measuring both normal and shear forces applied to two or more flexible sensors, and further a statically responsive sensor for measuring shear forces. The present invention further includes a method of designing an object, prototype or a device using these sensors to detect both shear and normal forces encountered at the sensor locations.
US07918139B2	Pirani vacuum gauge A Pirani vacuum gauge in which a response to a rapid pressure rise is improved and restrictions on a mounting direction of a container on a chamber to be measured for pressure are eliminated is provided. The Pirani vacuum gauge includes a heat filament of metal wire and a support unit for supporting the heat filament in a container, wherein a gas pressure is measured based on an amount of heat conducted away from the heat filament by gas molecules colliding with the heat filament, characterized in that a body of the container is filled with metal material, but a first cylindrical bore and a second cylindrical bore extend through the body, the heat filament being inserted into the first cylindrical bore and the support unit being inserted into the second cylindrical bore.
US07918138B2	Wireless microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensor with built-in calibration A wireless microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor with built in calibration. An actuator is coupled with a pressure sensing device to enable the pressure to be calibrated against the known pressure exerted by the actuator. The sensing component is configured to flex under the application of force to a pure bending condition, i.e., the sensing component flexes with no or insignificant shear forces in the sensing component.
US07918135B2	Pressure sensor including thermal selftest A semiconductor device includes a diaphragm, a sensing element, and a circuit. The sensing element is configured to sense deflection of the diaphragm. The circuit is configured to heat the diaphragm to induce deflection of the diaphragm.
US07918133B2	Liquid level sensing apparatus A fluid level gauge assembly for measuring a level of a fluid in a fluid container is provided. The fluid level gauge assembly includes a first coaxial cable section having a first end and a second end, the first coaxial cable section including a first center conductor, a first outer conductor and a solid dielectric between the first center and outer conductor; a second coaxial cable section having a first end and a second end, the second coaxial cable section including a second center conductor, a second outer conductor and an air dielectric between the second center and outer conductor; and a coupling between the second end of the first coaxial cable section and the first end of the second coaxial cable section. The second coaxial cable section being disposed in a fluid for determining a level of the fluid.
US07918132B2	Power generation device, fuel package, and remaining fuel amount measuring device A fuel package includes a vessel wherein the interior space is separated, and has a flow-out opening and a flow-in opening that lead to the interior space, a liquid fuel filled in the region at the side of the flow-out opening in the vessel, and a follower that separates the liquid fuel and the region at the side of the flow-in opening.
US07918130B2	Methods and systems to identify cam phaser hardware degradation A cam phaser diagnostic system is provided. The system includes: a first sample variance module that computes a first variance based on a desired cam phaser position. A second sample variance module computes a second variance based on a measured cam phaser position. An evaluation module diagnoses faulty cam phaser operation based on the first variance and the second variance.
US07918123B2	Gas sensor A gas sensor has at least one gas sensitive layer, which has at least one surface area in which the work function is dependent upon the concentration of a target gas capable of being brought into contact with the surface zone. At least one electric potential sensor is capacitatively coupled to the surface zone over an air gap. The surface zone of the gas sensitive layer is covered with an electrically insulating coating which is inert to the target gas and which is adhesively bound to the gas sensitive layer. The coating is configured so that it is permeable to the target gas and so that when the target gas contacts the surface zone of the gas sensitive layer, it prevents or at least impedes an alteration of the bound state of atoms and/or molecules bound to the surface zone and differing from the target gas.
US07918122B2	Container transport system and measurement container A stocker 1 includes a storage FOUP 20, plural purge units 50, a measurement FOUP 30 and a stacker crane 60. The storage FOUP 20 stores a semiconductor wafer inside. The measurement FOUP 30 includes a flow meter inside. The purge unit 50 includes a purge shelf 51 having plural purge tables 54 for placing the storage FOUP 20, and a nitrogen gas is supplied into the storage FOUP 20 placed on the purge table 54. The stacker crane 60 transports the storage container 20 onto the purge table 54, and the measurement FOUP 30 is transported between the plural purge tables 54.
US07918121B2	Meter system designed to run singulated test sensors A test system comprises a sensor container and a testing device. The sensor container has a base and a lid. The container encloses a plurality of test sensors therein. The container includes a calibration label attached thereto. The label includes electrical contacts located thereon that encode calibration information onto the calibration label. The testing device has a sensor-container opening formed thereon. The sensor-container opening has an auto-calibration feature located therein. The auto-calibration feature is external to the testing device. The auto-calibration feature includes calibration elements to communicate with the electrical contacts on the calibration label. The testing device determines the calibration information encoded on the calibration label in response to the calibration elements engaging the electrical contacts. A portion of the sensor container remains external to the meter while the encoded calibration information is being determined.
US07918113B2	Press-buckled lock A press-buckled lock having a press buckle is used so that the operation of locking and unlocking can be performed rapidly. By pressing the buckle, the door can be locked rapidly. When the inner handle is rotated, the press buckle is separated rapidly to unlock. Other than making the operation easy, the installation of the press buckle at the inner handle of a lock will reduce the manufacturing cost and cause the operation to be easy. Thereby the cost is reduced. By pressing the press buckle, a lock can locked rapidly; when rotating the inner handle or inserting a specific key into the lock core, the press buckle will separate rapidly so as to unlock the lock; thus, the press buckle in the lock has the effect of controlling the locking and unlocking operation rapidly.
US07918112B2	Cable wrap security device A security device a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a locking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The locking member includes a key portion for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is removed from the item. The tightening mechanism includes a spool and a ratchet mechanism. Alternate embodiments for locking and unlocking the ratchet mechanism are disclosed. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The cables are part of one or more of the sense loops. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism includes a housing having a flip-up handle for tightening the ratchet mechanism to tighten the cable.
US07918111B2	Lock device that enable users to choose the security level of the lock A lock device includes a universal spacer, for receiving a lock cylinder, and a plurality of spacer holes where one of the holes is positioned to receive a lock bolt of the lock cylinder. A padlock body houses the universal spacer. A plurality of padlock body holes extends from an interior of a universal spacer hole into the padlock body. The padlock body holes are positioned to match the spacer holes and one of the padlock body holes receives the lock bolt when the lock cylinder is in a locked position. A padlock bolt secures the universal spacer, lock cylinder and padlock body in place when the lock cylinder is in the locked position. When the lock cylinder is in the unlocked position, the universal spacer with the lock cylinder can be removed from the universal spacer hole and the lock cylinder can be replaced with another lock cylinder.
US07918108B1	Jewelry mount with safety catch An interchangeable jewelry mounting system that allows for the attachment and detachment of gems from a jewelry setting. This system is provided with a gem mount that has a gem permanently secured to the mount. This mount contains an internal safety catch that, when engaged secures the gem mount to the jewelry setting. The jewelry setting is provided with latches that engage pins on the gem mount to ensure that the internal safety catch does not disengage prematurely.
US07918102B2	Method and arrangement for cooling a substrate, particularly a semiconductor In this method, a refrigerant (52) is compressed (32) in a refrigerating circuit, then condensed by cooling in a condenser (44), then expanded in a throttle valve (62) and delivered in the expanded state, in the form of wet vapor (52), to an evaporator (60) that is in thermally conductive contact with a substrate (12) to be cooled. The cooling process thus operates similarly to a liquid cooling process, but with a higher mean logarithmic heat transfer temperature difference, which allows lower temperatures of the substrate (12) to be achieved and makes possible a better heat transition coefficient, since the refrigerant is present as wet vapor. A corresponding arrangement is likewise described.
US07918099B2	Medium voltage starter for a chiller unit A single medium voltage starter box is mounted on a chiller unit with the other components of the chiller system. The starter box can be positioned on the chiller system unit to permit the starter box to be close coupled to the motor, and specifically to the main motor lead exit hub without the need for any power conduit connections between the starter box and the motor. In addition, the starter box also does not require any control interface and receives controls from a control panel. A short conduit connection between the control panel and the starter box is used to provide the necessary connections between the control panel and the starter box.
US07918084B2	Exhaust gas purification apparatus and method for internal combustion engines An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a movable component that is operated during operation of the internal combustion engine includes: a switching portion that switches the exhaust gas temperature increasing control between a first control in which the temperature of exhaust gas is increased without operating the movable component and a second control in which the temperature of exhaust gas is increased operating the movable component; a detecting portion that detects a temporarily sticking state of the movable component; and a controlling portion that, when a temporarily sticking state of the movable component is detected, extends an execution region for the first control toward an execution region for the second control in the entire operation region of the internal combustion engine, whereby the execution region for the second control is reduced.
US07918081B2	Flame prevention device A gas turbine engine includes an engine casing concentrically disposed around the following: a low pressure compressor; a turbine; and a high pressure compressor having at least one bleed tube and at least one joint proximate to the engine casing; and at least one flame prevention device adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one gas turbine engine component.
US07918079B2	Rope with a core and a casing surrounding the core A rope with a core and a casing surrounding the core. The core is composed of a multitude of synthetic fibers and the casing is composed of a multitude of synthetic fibers that are interlaced with one another. The synthetic fibers that form the casing are composed of polytetrafluoroethylene and form a lightproof and fluid-repellent envelope for the core.
US07918076B2	Device for maintaining wing balance on a multi-section header A crop harvesting header includes a center portion mounted on two spring arms and two separate wings pivotally connected to the center portion. The wings are connected to the center portion by interconnecting linkages which transfer weight from the wings to the spring arms each including a balance beam arranged to balance the lifting force from the spring arm with the downward forces from the center portion and wing such that the downward force on a skid plate of each portion on the ground varies automatically as the total downward force is varied. The balance beams apply force to the linkages by a compression member to reduce forces. The movement caused by floating of the header and the change of angle of the header are compensated at the balance beam to ensure that the force to the wings is reduced as the requirement caused by changes in geometry reduces.
US07918075B2	Rotatable stirrup bar for a saddletree A horse saddle has a saddletree to which is mounted a rotatable stirrup bar secured to a pivot which is transverse to the length of the saddletree. The rotatable stirrup bar allows the stirrup leathers to rotate both forwardly and rearwardly of the pivot, relative to the saddle, with reduced wear and tear to the stirrup leather. The stirrup bar comprises a closed loop for retaining the stirrup loop on the stirrup bar during rotation.
US07918068B2	Tablet filling instrument A tablet filling instrument 1 for dispensing tablets into a vial 9 in accordance with prescription data and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets in one of a plurality of outlets 113 designates at least one of the outlets 113 to be a priority outlet 113p and discharges the vial 9 filled with the tablets in the priority outlet 113p when the tablets are to be dispensed in one of the outlets 113 at a time-point within a predetermined time length from a present time-point.
US07918063B2	Garage door window A garage door window has an outside frame member which has an inside frame member connection. The inside frame member has a protrusion connecting with the inside frame member connection. There is also an outside retainer channel, an inside retainer channel and an outside retainer fitting within the outside retainer channel, with an inside retainer fitting with the inside retainer channel. The inside retainer is nondestructively removable relative the inside retainer channel by a snap fit. An outside track is formed on the outside frame member, between a central inside face of the outside frame member and the outside retainer. An inside track is formed on the outside frame member, between the outside retainer and the inside retainer. A screen is mounted on the outside track, a fixed window mounted on the outside track; and an active window is mounted on the inside track.
US07918058B2	Device for fixing an ornamental profiled section on a shaped band A device for attaching a profiled trim to a portion of a shaped bead mounted on a glazing, for example mounted on at least part of the periphery of a glazing. The device includes at least one rigid clip including at least an upstream interacting part configured to allow interaction with the shaped bead and a downstream interacting part configured to allow interaction with the profiled trim. The upstream interacting part includes at least one protruding male element or a hollow female element, this element interacting respectively with a corresponding hollow female element or a protruding male element arranged in the shaped bead. The hollow female element has internal dimensions at least partially less than external dimensions of the protruding male element.
US07918056B2	Underground shelter A hole is drilled at a depth of about 5 to 6 m from the ground surface, a shelter outer shell floor slab 3 is provided, and a shelter inner shell 1 is provided thereon. Next, a load-bearing partition wall 6 is provided in the shelter inner shell 1, and thereafter a shelter outer shell 2 is provided and integrated. If required, a neutron beam-shielding shell 4 is provided at the outer surface-side of the wall section and the ceiling section of the shelter outer shell 2 or the shelter inner shell 1-side to subsequently backfill the beam-shielding shell 4.
US07918054B2	Roofing bracket and system Various novel roofing brackets and roofing systems are disclosed. A first embodiment can be considered a roofing bracket to be coupled to a vertical post and a horizontal purlin of a roofing system whereby the horizontal purlin is positioned to support roof panels at a requisite pitch. The roofing bracket includes a reference brace and a clip. The reference brace includes a first brace face positioned planarly parallel with the vertical post and a second brace face extending at an angle angle from the first brace face and positioned planarly parallel with the vertical post. The clip includes a first clip face positioned to be fastened generally flush with the horizontal purlin and a second clip face extending at an angle from the first clip face and positioned to be fastened planarly parallel with the vertical post. The second clip face is coupled to the first brace face at a pivot point such that the clip can be rotated a particular angle relative to the reference brace. The angle of rotation is consistent with the requisite pitch of the roofing system.
US07918046B2	Photo display device A photo display device including a top portion, a bottom portion having an upper surface and a cuboid member extending upwardly from the upper surface, and a middle portion having a translucent material, an outer surface having an elliptical curvature, a cuboid inner chamber defined by an inner surface and adapted to receive the cuboid member therein, wherein the top portion, the middle portion, and the bottom portion are adapted to be assembled as the photo display device such that the top portion rests upon the middle portion and the middle portion rests upon the bottom portion, and wherein the photo display device is adapted to hold at least one substantially planar item between the cuboid member and the inner surface, and the middle portion is adapted to magnify the at least one substantially planar item when held between the cuboid member and the inner surface.
US07918042B2	Three position wing for snowplow A snowplow wing attached to the end of a snowplow blade may be manually adjusted into position to increase the operative width of the snowplowing surface, and otherwise capture or direct the flow of snow being plowed.
US07918039B2	Coating process and apparatus A web coating process and apparatus employing a coating applicator, dryer or curing station and web-handling equipment for conveying the web past the coating applicator and through the dryer. The web is enclosed from at least the coating applicator to the dryer or curing station in a close-coupled enclosure or series of close-coupled enclosures supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count or change materially a physical property of interest in a close-coupled enclosure.
US07918038B2	Vapor collection method and apparatus An apparatus and method for treating a moving substrate of indefinite length. The apparatus has a control surface positioned in close proximity to a surface of the substrate to define a control gap between the substrate and the control surface. A first chamber is positioned near the control surface, with the first chamber having a gas introduction device. A second chamber is positioned near the control surface, the second chamber having a gas withdrawal device. The control surface and the chambers together define a region wherein the adjacent gas phases possess an amount of mass. Upon inducement of at least a portion of the mass within the region, the mass flow is controlled to significantly reduce dilution of the gas phase component in the adjacent gas phase. This is accomplished through the introduction of a controlled gas stream thereby reducing the flow of an uncontrolled ambient gas stream due to pressure gradients in the system.
US07918037B1	Tape measure endpiece A tape measure endpiece is disclosed that can hook the measuring blade onto the edge of an object to be measured. The hooking member of the endpiece is positioned to avoid impacting the performance of the measuring blade when not using the hooking member to make measurements (e.g., when making different types of measurements and when stored). In one embodiment, the endpiece comprises a tab extending below the plane of the measuring blade, an arm extending from the tab beyond the edge of the measuring blade, and a hooking member extending from the end of the arm. In other embodiments, the endpiece further comprises a support that extends above the plane of the measuring blade, with the arm extending from the support and supporting the hooking member. In some embodiments, the arm and hooking member are moveable to allow greater flexibility in making measurements.
US07918034B2	Measuring ram The invention relates to a measuring device for measuring the length of elongated profiles (100, 101, 102, 103) disposed in a longitudinal direction, particularly of pipes, between at least two opposing measuring sides (2, 3), of which at least one can be displaced on a measuring side (2, 3) in the longitudinal direction (L) until both ends (110, 111, 112, 113; 120, 121, 122, 123) of the elongated profile (100, 101, 102, 103) come in contact with each other, and at least one of the measuring sides (2, 3) has at least one measuring ram (10, 11, 12, 13), comprising at least two ribs (51a, 51b, 52a, 52b) that extend at a distance to each other transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) and can be displaced elastically back and forth in the longitudinal direction (L).
US07918028B2	Folding knife with thumb release opening A folding knife with thumb release opening includes a knife blade, a first liner plate, a second liner plate, a first handle plate and a second handle plate. The knife blade includes a cutting edge and a point formed on a first end. A second end of the knife blade is pivotally retained by a first end of first and second liner plates. A push button is retained in the knife blade. A liner lock is formed in the second liner plate. A lock pin is pressed into an end of the liner lock and a lock hole is formed in the second end of the knife blade to receive the lock pin. The first and second handle plates cover the first and second liner plates. The push button may be replaced with a thumb disc. A second embodiment includes spring assisted opening and a third embodiment includes automatic opening.
US07918026B2	Method for production of a mast shaped body A method for production of masts with extruded bodies includes joining at least three mast elements at corners of the mast by cooperating rail sections and channel sections. The channel sections are provided with tapered inner wall sections. The mast elements are joined by inserting the rail section of one mast element into a channel section of an adjacent mast element and clamping the rail section in the channel section. The clamping is accomplished moving a roller in a longitudinal direction on the external sides of the channel section and causing permanent deformation of the walls of the channel section around the rail section to establish a permanently joined corner.
US07918025B2	Method of fabricating a thermal spreader having thermal conduits A thermal spreading device disposable between electronic circuitry and a heat sink includes a substrate having parallel first and second faces and conduits extending through the substrate between the faces. The substrate material has a first thermal conductivity value in a direction parallel to the faces and a second thermal conductivity value in a direction normal to the faces, with the second thermal conductivity value being less than the first thermal conductivity value. The conduit material has a thermal conductivity value associated with it, with the thermal conductivity value being greater than the second thermal conductivity value of the substrate. One method of fabricating the thermal spreading device includes disposing a molding material radially about the rods and hardening the material. Other methods include press fitting and shrink fitting the rods into a substrate material.
US07918016B2	Reinforced plastic foam cup, method of and apparatus for manufacturing same A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.
US07918005B2	Reinforced foam cup, method of and apparatus for manufacturing same A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.
US07918004B2	Tampon applicator barrels having gripping structures and methods of forming A tampon applicator barrel including a cardboard tube having a first end and a second end and at least one gripping structure defined from the cardboard tube proximate the second end is provided. The cardboard tube has a wall thickness of between about 0.015 and about 0.020 inches, while the gripping structure has a height of up to about 0.035 inches.
US07918003B2	Kingpin bushing installation tool The kingpin bushing installation tool is a dual-headed insertion tool for installing kingpin bushings within the cylinder cavities of a steering knuckle. The kingpin bushing installation tool includes a rod having opposed upper and lower ends. An upper bushing-engaging member is mounted on the upper end of the rod and includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion. The intermediate portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the lower portion, and the upper portion has a diameter greater than the diameter of the intermediate portion. A lower bushing-engaging member is adjustably and removably mounted on the lower end of the rod and includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion. The intermediate portion thereof has a diameter greater than a diameter of the upper portion, and the lower portion has a diameter greater than the diameter of the intermediate portion.
US07918001B2	Multi-pivot latch assemblies Multi pivot latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchors and other attach points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an actuator, each of which is movably coupled to a frame. In operation, movement of the actuator from a locked position toward an unlocked position causes the latch to rotate from a first position to a second position about a first pivot point, and from the second position toward the third position about a second pivot point to open the latch assembly and release the anchor.
US07917996B2	Opening-and-closing mechanism The present invention provides an opening-and-closing mechanism capable of reducing a falling momentum due to gravitational force of a lid that is opened and closed past the top in the perpendicular direction and easily raising the lid against the gravitational force. The opening-and-closing mechanism includes two supporting members (7, 9) and an intermediate member (15) disposed so as to be relatively rotatable about a rotation axis; a first damper (11R), disposed between a first one of the supporting members (9) and the intermediate member (15), for generating resistance against rotation during relative rotation of the two supporting members (7, 9) in one direction; a second damper (11L), disposed between a second one of the supporting members (7) and the intermediate member (15), for generating resistance against rotation during relative rotation of the two supporting members (7, 9) in another direction; and rotation-restricting portions (29R, 29L) for restricting relative rotation ranges of the two supporting members (7, 9) and the intermediate member (15).
US07917988B2	Apparatus and a method of applying a dry film lubricant to a rotor slot An apparatus (60) for applying a dry film lubricant comprises a tool (62) and a pad (64). The tool (62) includes a handle (66), a cranked member (68) and a supporting member (70). The pad (64) is removably locatable on the supporting member (70). The supporting member (70) is oval in cross-section and the pad (64) includes an oval cross-section hollow member removably locatable on the supporting member (70). The supporting member (70) comprises locking means (78) to lock the pad (64) on the supporting member (70). The supporting member (70) comprises positioning means (80) to position the pad (64) on the supporting member (70). The tool (62) also has a shielding member (72) spaced from and arranged parallel to the supporting member (70). The handle (66) is arranged in a plane (A) substantially parallel to a plane (B) containing the supporting member (70) and to a plane (C) containing the shielding member (72). The pad (64) is substantially dovetail shape in cross-section to correspond to a rotor slot (40).
US07917986B2	Toothbrush An oral care implement, such as an electric toothbrush, is ergonomically configured for the anatomical structures of children. In one embodiment, a toothbrush is provided with three dimensional sections in visually appealing or recognizable shapes for promoting more frequent of brushing by children. In another embodiment, a toothbrush includes user replaceable sections or covers that allow a user to selectively tailor the visual appearance of their own toothbrush or allow for increased exposure of other products by providing surface areas for placement of advertising or other promotional material.
US07917984B2	Electric toothbrushes An electric toothbrush comprises a handle having an electric motor, a head, a rotating shaft, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The head has a first and second bristle holders, each having a plurality of bristles, wherein the second bristle holder is located between the handle and the first bristle holder. The second bristle holder is movably mounted on the head with a laterally extending pivot member. The rotating shaft is operatively connected to the first and second bristle holders to cause a first movement of the first bristle holder and to move the second bristle holder in a rocking motion about the pivot member.
US07917983B2	Vibrating hair brush A vibrating hair brush for enhanced detangling of hair, comprising a head with a base and a bristle-bearing pad, the pad comprising a motor and a vibrating actuator for generating a vibration movement in the pad, the pad being pivotally attached to the base such that the pad pivots about a pivot axis which is substantially transverse the general longitudinal axis of the hair brush and a method for detangling using said brush.
US07917976B1	Stationary side rail assembling structure A crib includes a headboard; footboard; a first stationary side rail connected between the headboard and footboard and including upper and lower rails; a second side rail connected between the headboard and footboard; pivot lock hardware including a first engagement member at ends of the upper rail member and a second engagement member at respective corner posts, each second engagement member pivotally engaged with a first engagement member to permit pivotal movement of the first stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard and to lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard; and swivel lock hardware including a third engagement member at ends of the lower rail member and a fourth engagement member at respective corner posts, each fourth engagement member being pivotally engaged with a respective third engagement member to lock the stationary side rail relative to the headboard and footboard.
US07917974B2	Set of modular panels for providing water containment tanks and adjacent structures A set of modular panels for providing water containment tanks and adjacent structures. The set comprises at least one panel, which is made at least partly of composite material which is substantially water-repellent and has any shape and size depending on design requirements, the perimetric walls of each panel being provided with watertight anchoring to the contiguous panels.
US07917972B1	Inflatable air recoil suppressor An inflatable and adjustable shock absorption system including a shock absorption unit with interacting, force-dispersing dimple arrays and an intervening, reversibly inflatable air bladder.
US07917969B2	Fire safety escape device A fire-resistant pouch to accommodate a child comprising a head end, two leg ends, a back end with solid support adapted to upstand the child, an interior harness in the interior portion and a lock harness clip of the back end, and two elongate sides, wherein the elongate sides and the head end can be folded over the child and secured to form a front end, thereby enclosing the child in the fire-resistant pouch.

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