最新美国发明专利第2011-07-12期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US07976857B2	Grass endophytes An endophyte or endophyte culture of N. lolii species is described that, in combination with a host grass does not cause typical symptoms of ryegrass toxicosis in grazing animals and also contains levels of compounds from the class of janthitrems epoxides to individually or in combination protect the host grass from pests or abiotic stresses or both. Uses and methods are also described to produce and characterise the combination as well as alternative uses for compounds from the class of janthitrem epoxide compounds.
US07976854B2	Method of treating skin requiring skin cancer treatment A treatment regimen for treating skin subject to skin cancer treatments involves the application of supplemental composition(s) such as preparatory composition(s), protective composition(s), and combinations thereof, and a corrective composition.
US07976853B2	Process for producing coated preparation The present invention provides a production method of a preparation coated with pioglitazone hydrochloride, which is useful as a therapeutic agent for diabetes and the like, and which is superior in the characteristics of the preparation such as dissolution property of pioglitazone hydrochloride.
US07976847B2	Controlled release CGRP delivery composition for cardiovascular and renal indications The present invention provides methods of treating heart failure and improving renal function, and/or preventing the advancement of heart failure into advanced stages, and methods of counteracting ischemia due to a myocardial infarction by providing improved methods of administering a therapeutically effective amount CGRP as a controlled release formulation. The therapies can be administered on an outpatient or inpatient basis and can further be used as maintenance therapies.
US07976842B2	Treatment of metastatic breast cancer The present invention relates to the use of an anti-EpCAM antibody for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The present invention further relates to a method of treating metastatic breast cancer comprising administering said anti-EpCAM antibody.
US07976841B2	Anti TfR antibody The invention relates to the monoclonal antibody A24 directed against the transferrin receptor. This antibody is in particular useful as an antiproliferative agent.
US07976836B2	Treatment of stroke using placental stem cells The present invention provides a method of extracting and recovering embryonic-like stem cells, including, but not limited to pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, from an exsanguinated human placenta. A placenta is treated to remove residual umbilical cord blood by perfusing an exsanguinated placenta, preferably with an anticoagulant solution, to flush out residual cells. The residual cells and perfusion liquid from the exsanguinated placenta are collected, and the embryonic-like stem cells are separated from the residual cells and perfusion liquid. The invention also provides a method of utilizing the isolated and perfused placenta as a bioreactor in which to propagate endogenous cells, including, but not limited to, embryonic-like stem cells. The invention also provides methods for propagation of exogenous cells in a placental bioreactor and collecting the propagated exogenous cells and bioactive molecules therefrom.
US07976834B2	Multi-arm polypeptide-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymers as drug delivery vehicles The invention provides a multi-arm block copolymer for use in delivering a variety of bioactive agents. The copolymer of the invention contains a central core from which extend multiple (3 or more) copolymer arms. Each copolymer arm possesses an inner polypeptide segment and an outer hydrophilic polymer segment. Thus, the overall structure of the copolymer comprises an inner core region that includes the central core and the inner polypeptide segment, while the outer core region is hydrophilic in nature. The multi-arm copolymer of the invention is particularly useful for delivery of biologically active agents that can be entrapped within the inner core region.
US07976830B2	Fatty quat based on ante-iso compounds The invention discloses quaternary ante-iso acids useful as additives in personal care products. Various quaternary derivatives of ante-sio acids are described, and examples of their use in personal care composition are presented.
US07976828B2	Antiperspirant/deodorant composition A composition comprising at least one plant derived oil having a melting point of about −15 to about 38° C. in an amount of about 5% or less by weight; and at least one active chosen from antiperspirant actives and deodorant actives in an amount of about 0.5 to about 16% by weight of the composition on an active weight basis. The composition can be used as an antiperspirant and/or deodorant when applied to an axillary area of a person.
US07976825B2	Cancer cell diagnosis by targeting delivery of nanodevices Macromolecular contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging are described. Biomolecules and their modified derivatives form stable complexes with paramagnetic ions thus increasing the molecular relaxivity of carriers. The synthesis of biomolecular based nanodevices for targeted delivery of MRI contrast agents are described. Nanoparticles (NP) have been constructed by self-assembling of chitosan (CHIT) as polycation and poly-gamma glutamic acids (PGA) as polyanion. NP's are capable of Gd-ion uptake forming a particle with suitable molecular relaxivity. Folic acid (FA) is linked to the NP's to produce NP-FA bioconjugates that can be used for targeted in vitro delivery to a human cancer cell line.
US07976823B2	Ferromagnetic particles and methods Ferromagnetic particles and methods are disclosed.
US07976819B2	Water soluble nanocrystalline quantum dots An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm. Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. This provides a significant improvement over the present complex and expensive commercial processes for the production of QDs. The aqueous QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, nontoxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties by refluxing the ZnS QD suspensions over a period of time.
US07976816B2	Method for functionalizating carbon naontubes utilizing peroxides A method for functionalizing the wall of single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes involves the use of acyl peroxides to generate carbon-centered free radicals. The method allows for the chemical attachment of a variety of functional groups to the wall or end cap of carbon nanotubes through covalent carbon bonds without destroying the wall or endcap structure of the nanotube. Carbon-centered radicals generated from acyl peroxides can have terminal functional groups that provide sites for further reaction with other compounds. Organic groups with terminal carboxylic acid functionality can be converted to an acyl chloride and further reacted with an amine to form an amide or with a diamine to form an amide with terminal amine. The reactive functional groups attached to the nanotubes provide improved solvent dispersibility and provide reaction sites for monomers for incorporation in polymer structures. The nanotubes can also be functionalized by generating free radicals from organic sulfoxides.
US07976812B2	Method for producing non-porous core-porous shell silica A core-shell silica having a high sphericity and a narrow particle distribution and a method for easily producing the core-shell silica which includes dispersing substantially non-porous silica core particles having a sphericity of at least 0.8 and a coefficient of variation of at most 0.2 in a dispersion medium containing an alcohol and water in the presence of a surfactant to prepare a dispersion; adding a silica material to the dispersion and reacting the silica material under a condition of pH of from 8 to 13 to form a shell precursor containing silica and the surfactant on the surface of each silica core particle; and removing the surfactant from the shell precursor to form a porous shell.
US07976809B2	Method and an equipment for reducing the sulphur dioxide emissions of a marine engine A method and an equipment for reducing sulphur dioxide emissions of a marine engine, wherein flue gases are scrubbed with a scrubbing solution in a scrubber. Fresh water with added sulphur removal reagent is used as the scrubbing solution.
US07976808B2	Method for removing halogen series gas and agent for removing halogen series gas To provide an agent for removing a halogen series gas and a method for removing a halogen series gas which is excellent in a removing ability of removing the present halogen series gas in a low concentration area, which prevents an adsorbent from generating heat, and which is capable of reducing formation of a solid waste.A method for removing a halogen series gas, which comprises bringing a gas to be treated which contains at least one member selected from the halogen series gas group consisting of F2, Cl2, Br2, I2, and compounds which generate a hydrogen halide or hypohalogeneous acid upon hydrolysis, into contact with a granule comprising, based on the total mass of the granule, from 45 to 99.85 mass % of an alkali metal salt, from 0.1 to 40 mass % of a carbonaceous material, and from more than 0 mass % to 15 mass % of an alkaline earth metal salt, in the presence of water.
US07976807B2	Method for detoxifying HCD gas and apparatus therefor Hexachlorodisilane is decomposed into hydrochloric acid, silicon dioxide and water by introducing hexachlorodisilane-containing flue gas into a reaction region without moistening the flue gas and by supplying oxygen-containing gas that also contains a small amount of moisture to the reaction region maintained at a temperature at which hexachlorodisilane decomposes.
US07976805B2	Selective catalytic reduction system and process for treating NOx emissions using a palladium and rhodium or ruthenium catalyst A process for the catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in a gas stream (29) in the presence of H2 is provided. The process comprises contacting the gas stream with a catalyst system (38) comprising zirconia-silica washcoat particles (41), a pre-sulfated zirconia binder (44), and a catalyst combination (40) comprising palladium and at least one of rhodium, ruthenium, or a mixture of ruthenium and rhodium.
US07976802B2	Treatment plant for pollutants contained in the exhaust gas of an internal-combustion engine and method using same A plant for treating pollutants contained in the exhaust gases of an internal-combustion engine includes an exhaust line (10) with an oxidation catalyst (12), a selective catalytic reduction catalyst (16) including a chemically active porous body and an injector (54) for injecting a reducing agent into the exhaust line. The selective catalytic reduction catalyst (16) includes at least one chemically inert passage (42) for the exhaust gases flowing therethrough and a shut-off (44) controlling access of the gases to the passage.
US07976800B1	Integrated exhaust gas cooling system and method An integrated exhaust gas cooling system and method, including an expansion joint linking the system to an upstream source of exhaust gas and a pre-oxidation section through which exhaust gas travels. A hot temperature zone in which the exhaust gas is maintained at a temperature optimal for an oxidation process extends through the pre-oxidation section. An oxidation catalyst in the hot temperature zone is provided. The exhaust gas passes through the oxidation catalyst. Oxidized exhaust gas passes a post-oxidation section downstream of the oxidation catalyst. A tempering air stream is injected into the post-oxidation section to create a cool temperature zone in which the oxidized exhaust gas is cooled below the temperature in the hot temperature zone and to a temperature optimal for a reduction process. The system includes a reduction catalyst in the cool temperature zone through which the oxidized exhaust gas passes.
US07976787B2	Fuel cell reformer An improved multiple-tube catalytic reformer comprising a tubular body containing a radiator core having a plurality of longitudinal cells for low-pressure flow-through of combustion gases, the core being formed preferably either by winding of corrugated metal or as an extruded metal monolith. A plurality of reformer tubes, preferably non-cylindrical, containing hydrocarbon catalyst are arrayed in longitudinal openings within the radiator core and preferably are brazed thereto to maximize heat transfer from the radiator core to the reformer tubes. During manufacture, the metal radiator core is economically bored by laser cutting to form the openings to admit the reformer tubes for brazing. Preferably, the reformer tubes are numbered, sized, shaped, and arrayed to minimize the longest conduction path in the radiator core to the center of any reformer tube.
US07976781B2	Ozone detecting device An aqueous solution is formed by dissolving a dye made of alizarin and a humectant made of glycerin, and alkalized by dissolving a base (alkaline substance), thereby preparing a detector solution (101) in which the content of the humectant is about 20 wt %. An impregnated carrier (104) impregnated with the detector solution (101) is formed by dipping for 30 sec a sheet-like carrier (103) made of cellulose filter paper in the detector solution (101) so that the carrier (103) is impregnated with the detector solution (101). The impregnated carrier (104) is pulled up from the detector solution (101), and dried in dry nitrogen by evaporating a solvent such as water contained in the impregnated carrier (104), thereby forming an ozone detecting device (105).
US07976778B2	Blood glucose tracking apparatus A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.
US07976777B2	Method for an agent containing package A method, a sensor device (204), and a package storage system (200), are used to monitor the inside of a storage volume in a package container (202) containing at least one product and/or object (201). The sensor device is inside of the storage volume in the package container (202) and senses the presence of at least one of a sanitizing agent comprising ozone (316) and ultraviolet radiation energy inside of the storage volume. The sensor device (204) wirelessly transmits the sensed information from inside the at least one storage volume to a wireless receiver (222) outside of the storage volume to provide the sensed information to a processor (220) that monitors the presence of the at least one of the sanitizing agent comprising ozone (316) and ultraviolet radiation energy inside of the storage volume in the package container (202). The sensor device (204) can communicate using an RF ID device communication protocol.
US07976774B2	Composite sparger A composite sparger for use in elevated temperature and corrosive environments. The composite sparger is formed from a substrate tube with a thermally conductive interlayer on its surfaces exposed to the reactor environment. The thermally conductive interlayer is protected with a corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer protects the interlayer from the corrosive environment of the reactor vessel and the interlayer material conducts heat away from the corrosion resistant layer to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant layer. The interlayer material and corrosion resistant material may be selected so as to provide for sufficient thermal conduction to prevent combustion of the corrosion resistant material.
US07976771B2	Method for reducing oxidic slags and dusts and inductively heatable furnance for carrying out this method A method for reducing oxidic slags and dusts possibly loaded with organics uses an inductively heatable coke bed extending in the axial direction and having a temperature gradient. Reaction gas is sucked off in an axial region of the coke bed between two induction bodies and metal regulus and slag melt are tapped on the lower end. An inductively heatable shaft furnace chargeable with a lumpy coke bed for the reduction of metallic slags is made of an electrically insulating refractory material, has an adjustable temperature gradient includes at least one cooled induction body on the head side, a suction connection in an axial region where the prevailing temperature exceeds the condensation point of the substances to be removed, located below the cooled induction body on the head side, and an opening for tapping metal regulars and slag melt is provided on the lower end of the furnace.
US07976770B1	Diagnostic system and method for metallurgical reactor cooling elements Diagnostic methods and systems are used to determine operating condition and performance of a cooling element in a metallurgical reactor during operation of the reactor. A system can include sensing means, processing means and display means. The sensing means is located in or approximate the cooling element for sensing operating conditions of the cooling element. The processing means is in communication with the sensing means for receiving data corresponding to the sensed operating conditions and for processing the data to determine a relative condition indicator of the cooling element. The display means is in communication with the processing means and displays the relative condition indicator to a user of the diagnostic system. The display means can display a first, second or third state representative of the relative health indicator.
US07976764B2	Invisible laser weakening in composite material A method for the introduction of at least one locally limited weakening into a decorative composite, in particular for use in an automotive vehicle, by way of a plurality of laser beams, is disclosed. The decorative composite includes at least one decorative substrate, at least one decorative material and at least one upholstered layer arranged between the decorative substrate and the decorative material. The weakening is formed after the joining of the decorative composite as a sequence of first blind holes or perforations, which penetrate the decorative substrate completely, and unweakened webs between these blind holes or perforations. At least one second blind hole, which does not penetrate the decorative substrate, is introduced into at least one web. The first blind holes or perforations are formed in at least two operations, wherein in a first operation, a preliminary weakening which does not penetrate the decorative substrate completely is introduced into the decorative substrate and, in at least one further operation, at least one subsequent weakening of the decorative composition is introduced through the region of the preliminary weakening. Each subsequent weakening has a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the depth of the decorative composite than the preliminary weakening. A trim element for an automotive vehicle, including a decorative composite produced according to the method is also disclosed.
US07976753B2	Method of forming corrugated pipe with a pipe spigot seal seat A piece of corrugated pipe cut from a longer length of pipe is provided with a pipe coupling part by subjecting one or more of the corrugation crests on the pipe to heat and pressure. This reshapes the one or more corrugations to form a seal receiving recessed spigot on the piece of pipe.
US07976752B2	EAS marker and method of manufacturing same An EAS marker includes a rigid bottom piece of molded plastic having the shape of an open rectangular box. An elongated resonator is disposed in the bottom piece, the resonator being bowed downwardly about its longitudinal axis. A rigid separator of molded plastic is positioned over the open top of the bottom piece, thereby loosely encasing the resonator in the bottom piece. The method of making the EAS marker is preferably automated, with the top piece, the bottom piece and the separator being manufactured by rotary extrusion molding as part of a continuous web. The various continuous webs are automatically laminated to one another at nips between pairs of rollers.
US07976746B2	Method installing a modular concrete stair system A system for establishing modular concrete truss stairway during construction of a multi-floor building having concrete decks provides two pre-cast concrete stringers of plural stairsteps and a cast-in-place intermediate landing therebetween forming a stair truss structurally attached to and communicating between two vertically spaced adjacent concrete decks. The intermediate concrete landing is carried between the adjacent vertically spaced decks by adjacent end portions of the stringers. Internal reinforcement in the concrete decks, in each stringer and in the intermediate landing is operatively interconnected to provide structural rigidity to the stair truss. Concurrent pouring of concrete for the upper deck, the intermediate landing and a blocked out area defined in a lower deck structurally attaches the stair truss therebetween providing an operative stairway upon hardening of the concrete.
US07976745B2	Process for the preparation of a composite polymeric material The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composite polymeric material containing nanometric inorganic inclusions comprising the steps of: mixing a polymer with a thermolytic precursor to provide a homogeneous dispersion of said at least one precursor and of said at least one polymer; subjecting said homogeneous dispersion to heating to provide a molten polymer and thermolytic fission of the precursor, generating the inclusions dispersed in the molten polymer.
US07976743B2	Gas-containing liposomes The present invention provides gas-containing liposomes. In particular, the present invention provide methods of generating gas-containing liposomes where the gas is introduced under pressure, as well as gas-containing liposomes which contain a large volume of gas (e.g., 10 ul of gas per 5 mg of gas-containing liposomes). In certain embodiments, the gas-containing liposomes contain nitric oxide gas. In some embodiments, such nitric oxide containing liposomes are used to treat a medical condition that is treatable by nitric oxide gas (e.g., intimal hyperplasia).
US07976742B2	Manufacturing process for optical thin film with high hardness made by insert mold technology An optical thin film with high hardness is made by insert mold technology and manufacturing processes thereof. The optical thin film is applied on a surface of a plastic housing for increasing hardness of the plastic housing so as to prevent scratches. During manufacturing processes of the insert mold for producing a hard coating film, the step of hardening treatment is moved to the last step so as to avoid cracks on the optical thin film generated during the procedures. Thus, the yield rate is increased, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.
US07976739B2	Chromene compound A chromene compound represented by the following formula (1), wherein, “A” is an annulated ring, R1 and R2 are hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups or the like groups, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are substituents such as hydroxyl groups or the like groups, “a” and “b” are, respectively, integers of 0 to 4, and “c” and “d” are, respectively, integers of 0 to 5. The chromene compound is a photochromic compound developing a color of a neutral tint, and has a high color density per a unit amount.
US07976733B2	Air stable copper nanoparticle ink and applications therefor Low-cost copper nanoparticle inks that can be annealed onto paper substrate for RFID antenna applications, using substituted dithiocarbonates as stabilizers during copper nanoparticle ink production.
US07976732B2	Electroconductive composition and electroconductive film forming method An electroconductive composition including a mixture of a copper powder having an averaged particle size between 0.3 and 20 μm and a copper fine powder having an averaged particle size between 1 and 50 nm; a solvent comprising a multivalent alcohol, such as ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol, having two or more OH groups; and an additive comprising a compound such as malic acid or citric acid having two or more COOH groups and one or more OH groups where the number of COOH groups is equal to or greater than the number of OH groups.
US07976723B2	Method for kinetically controlled etching of copper An etching composition, particularly for kinetically controlled etching of copper and copper alloy surfaces; a process for etching copper and copper alloys, particularly for etching at high rates to provide uniform and smooth, isotropic surfaces; an etched copper or copper alloy surface obtained by the process; and a process for generating copper or copper alloy electrical interconnects or contact pads. The etching composition and etching processes provide a smooth, isotropic fast etch of copper and copper alloys for semiconductor fabrication and packaging.
US07976718B2	System and method for selective etching of silicon nitride during substrate processing A system (FIG. 5) and methods for selectively etching silicon nitride in the presence of silicon oxide that provide high selectivity while stabilizing silicon oxide etch rates. The invention comprises a processing chamber (10), dispense lines (20, 21, 22), feed lines (30, 31, 32), a recirculation line (40), a process controller (200), a concentration sensor (50), a particle counter (55), and a bleed line (90). The invention dynamically controls the concentration ratio of the components of the etchant being used and/or dynamically controls the particle count within the etchant during the processing of the at least one substrate. As a result etchant bath life is increased and etching process parameters are more tightly controlled.
US07976715B2	Method using block copolymers for making a master mold with high bit-aspect-ratio for nanoimprinting patterned magnetic recording disks A method for making a master mold that is used in the nanoimprinting process to make patterned-media disks with patterned data islands uses guided self-assembly of a block copolymer into its components. Conventional or e-beam lithography is used to first form a pattern of generally radial stripes on a substrate, with the stripes being grouped into annular zones or bands. A block copolymer material is then deposited on the pattern, resulting in guided self-assembly of the block copolymer into its components to multiply the generally radial stripes into generally radial lines. Various methods, including conventional lithography, guided self-assembly of a second block copolymer, and e-beam lithography, are then used to form concentric rings over the generally radial lines. After etching and resist removal, the master mold has a pattern of either pillars or holes, depending on the method used.
US07976713B2	Secondary filtering and discharging of wastewater Treating wastewater by receiving wastewater having a reduced concentration of waste solids into a secondary containment space and allowing the waste solids to distribute into a lower horizontal sludge layer, an upper horizontal scum layer, and a relatively clear horizontal layer of liquid therebetween; flowing the liquid from the relatively clear layer through at least one filter element enclosed in a housing the top of which is submerged below the wastewater level of the secondary containment space; and thereafter flowing the filtered effluent out of the housing. In some embodiments, the filtered effluent may be discharged from the secondary containment space using an effluent pump configured with a conventional flow inducer or, alternatively, using an effluent pump sealably configured with a shortened flow inducer thereby allowing discharge of the filtered effluent to a wastewater level below that of the pump's intake.
US07976712B2	Apparatus, system, and method for filtration of a dosing fluid in an exhaust aftertreatment system An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a filter for filtering a dosing fluid in an exhaust aftertreatment system. The filter may comprise a dosing tank configured to contain a dosing fluid, a filter media disposed within the dosing tank, and a support structure supporting the filter media to form a pathway for a flow of dosing fluid. Beneficially, the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention reduce the cost of operation and manufacture of the SCR system.
US07976710B2	Membrane and process for the recovery of acid A cross-linked polyvinyl sulfate, copolymer of polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol, or Nafion® membrane is used for recovering sulfuric acid from a feed mixture comprising predominantly acid and water under reverse osmosis conditions wherein sulfuric acid is enriched in the retentate stream and water is removed in the permeate stream.
US07976706B2	Melt filter A melt filter, for the purification of plastic melts, particularly dispensed from extruders, comprises a housing (1) with a melt channel (10), connecting a melt inlet (7) to a melt outlet (9), with a sieve disc (5), which may be rotated by a motorized ratchet drive provided in the melt channel (10), comprising recesses separated by ridges in a circular track for housing exchangeable filter elements and the housing (1) has a filter element changing station (13). The aim of the invention is that the above shall be designed such that large amounts of melt for filtering can be filtered in a cost-effective energy saving and space saving manner. The above is achieved by means of the housing comprising at least two melt inlets (7, 8) connected to the melt outlet (9) by at least two melt channels (10, 11) and in each melt channel (10, 11) a sieve disc (5, 6) driven on rotation by a motorized ratchet drive is provided and each sieve disc (5, 6) is provided with a filter element exchange station (13, 15).
US07976704B2	Filtration device A filtration device is provided with a filter tank, filter media unit, and magnet. The filter media unit includes a filter media accommodation case and a large number of magnetic granular filter media. The magnet is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic granular filter media, so that the magnetic granular filter media magnetically attract one another. In the second position, magnetic attraction between the magnetic granular filter media is canceled. The filter media accommodation case includes a nonmagnetic mesh member of a nonmagnetic material and magnetism intensification plate of a magnetic material. When the magnet is in the first position, the magnetic granular filter media and nonmagnetic mesh member are located between the magnetism intensification plate and the magnet.
US07976701B2	Drain trap To provide a drain trap which makes it possible to easily clean the interior of a main body and accurately seal a junction between storage space and discharge space partitioned by a partition. The drain trap includes the main body which has a tubular shape with a closed end and includes inner space communicated with a receiving unit and a discharge unit; a lid; and the partition which partitions the inner space of the main body into the storage space and discharge space, in which the partition can be inserted into the inner space, sealing units are installed on the partition and a side wall of the main body to bring part of the partition into intimate contact with part of the side all by exerting a vertical force component under a vertical pressing force, and the partition is equipped with a valve disc which floats up to allow liquid to flow from the storage space to the discharge space when the liquid in the storage space reaches or exceeds a set amount as well as with a valve seat which catches and supports the valve disc.
US07976699B2	Distillation apparatus and method of use A method and apparatus is provided for distilling and processing chemicals. The apparatus is particularly suited for processing and distilling difficult to distill compounds, and is capable of producing diesel fuel and other products from used oil at a quality level similar to that of products produced from virgin crude oil.
US07976695B2	Hydrocarbonaceous material processing methods and apparatus Methods and apparatus are disclosed for possibly producing pipeline-ready heavy oil from substantially non-pumpable oil feeds. The methods and apparatus may be designed to produce such pipeline-ready heavy oils in the production field. Such methods and apparatus may involve thermal soaking of liquid hydrocarbonaceous inputs in thermal environments (2) to generate, though chemical reaction, an increased distillate amount as compared with conventional boiling technologies.
US07976693B2	Hydrogen generation process with dual pressure multi stage electrolysis A multi-pressure hybrid sulfur process (2) contains at least one electrolyzer unit (16) which provides liquid H2SO4 to a preheater/vaporizer reactor (20) operating at a pressure of from 1 MPa to 9 MPa to form gaseous H2SO4 which is passed to a decomposition reactor (14) operating at a pressure of from 7 MPa to 9 MPa, where decomposed H2SO4 is passed to at least one scrubber unit (14) and at least one electrolyzer unit (16) both preferably operating at a pressure of 0.1 MPa to 7 MPa, where an associated Rankine Cycle power conversion unit (50) supplies electricity.
US07976689B2	Gas sensor The invention relates to a gas sensor for determining the oxygen concentration in a gas mixture, especially in the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines. Said gas sensor comprises a pump cell having an outer pump electrode, exposed to the gas mixture, and an inner pump electrode, exposed to the gas mixture via a diffusion barrier, and a solid electrolyte body interposed between the outer pump electrode and the inner pump electrode. The gas sensor also has a reference electrode, exposed to a reference gas, and a sensor heating device. The outer pump electrode is connected to a circuit arrangement via a pump current line, the inner pump electrode via a measuring line, the reference electrode via a reference current line and the sensor heating device via two heating lines. The invention is characterized in that the pump current line and one heating line are electrically interconnected and grounded, the pump current can be supplied via the measuring line and the Nernst voltage can be tapped between the measuring line and the reference pump current line and the reference pump current flows from the reference electrode to the outer pump electrode.
US07976688B2	Method for making anodes for aluminium production by fused-salt electrolysis, resulting anodes and use thereof Method for manufacturing anodes used for the production of aluminium by fused bath electrolysis, said anodes comprising an anode stem made of a conducting metal and at least one block made of carbonaceous material called an anode block, said method including at least the following steps: a) obtain an anode stem; b) obtain a new anode block; c) fix one end of the anode stem onto the anode block, so as to give good mechanical attachment and good electrical connection between said stem and said anode block; said method being characterised in that before, during or after step c), but before placement of said anode in the electrolytic cell, a protective layer with a controlled thickness, typically between 5 and 25 cm composed of a material resistant to temperature and corrosion by the medium above the electrolytic bath is at least partially deposited on the upper surface of said anode block.
US07976683B2	Machine for producing a fibrous web A machine for producing a fibrous web, in particular a paper web, paperboard web or tissue web, includes a former on which the fibrous web is formed on a structured belt and is dewatered between said structured belt and a forming belt, and a drying apparatus for the further dewatering of the fibrous web, through which the fibrous web is guided together with the structured belt and in which hot air flows through the permeable structured belt and the fibrous web. The forming fabric is formed by a printed forming fabric or a DSP fabric with zonally different permeability.
US07976678B2	High-yield paper and methods of making same A high-yield paper sheet generally includes at least about 50 weight percent mechanical pulp, wherein the basis weight of the sheet is in the range of about 24 to about 60 pounds, and wherein the porosity of the sheet is in the range of about 40 to about 100 Sheffield porosity.
US07976676B2	Process of bleaching softwood pulps in a D1 or D2 stage in a presence of a weak base This invention relates to an improved bleaching process for bleaching pulp comprising at least one bleaching stage which comprises treating a softwood pulp with a bleaching agent comprising ClO2 in the presence of a weak base such as, for example, Mg(OH)2 preferably at pH from about 3.5 to about 6.5. The invention is also relates a bleaching process for bleaching pulp having two or more bleaching stages, at least one of which and preferably two of which comprises treating a softwood pulp with a bleaching agent comprising ClO2 in the presence of a weak base such as, for example, Mg(OH)2 preferably at pH from about 3.5 to about 6.5.
US07976674B2	Embedded multi-inductive large area plasma source Plasma generating devices, systems and processes are provided in which hybrid capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources use a plurality of primary plasma generating cells embedded into large area electrode or elsewhere in communication with a plasma processing chamber. Plasma is generated and maintained by a shaped low-inductance element within each of a plurality of locally enhanced ICP micro-cells coupled to the chamber through a CCP electrode. The source is suitable for processing large diameter (300 mm and larger) semiconductor wafers and large area panels, including plasma screen displays.
US07976673B2	RF pulsing of a narrow gap capacitively coupled reactor An apparatus for providing a plasma etch of a layer over a wafer is provided. A capacitively coupled process chamber is provided. A gas source is provided. A first and a second electrode are provided within the process chamber. A first radio frequency power source is electrically connected to at least one of the first and second electrodes, where the first radio frequency power source provides radio frequency power. A second radio frequency power source is electrically connected to at least one of the first and second electrodes. A first modulation control is connected to the first radio frequency power source, to provide a controlled modulation of the first radio frequency power source.
US07976672B2	Plasma generation apparatus and work processing apparatus A plasma generation apparatus is provided which includes: a microwave generation portion which generates a microwave; a gas supply portion which supplies a gas to be turned into plasma; a plasma generation nozzle which includes a reception member receiving the microwave, and turns the gas into plasma based on the energy of the received microwave and emits the plasma gas; and a photo-detection unit which detects light emitted by the plasma gas and generates electrical information.
US07976666B2	Poorly air-permeable rubber laminate composed of poorly air-permeable resin and rubber composition, and method for production thereof A method for producing a laminate (E) of a low air permeable resin/rubber composition comprising: laminating a laminate (D) of a low air permeable resin (A) layer having an air permeation coefficient of 1.0×10−12 cc·cm/cm2·sec·cmHg or less and an average thickness d (μm) of 0.05
US07976664B2	Method for producing a packaging material A method for producing packaging material in web form comprising a carcass layer having through holes, openings or slits, a barrier layer on one side of the carcass layer, a plastic lining arranged outside the barrier layer, and a laminant thermoplast arranged between the carcass layer and barrier layer. The method involves bringing the barrier layer at the same time as the carcass layer to adhere to the plastic lining and/or to the laminant thermoplast film in a press nip. The press nip comprises an impression roller exhibiting a jacket surface faced with an inner facing layer of elastic material possessing a first hardness and a first thickness, and an outer facing layer of elastic material possessing a second hardness and a second thickness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
US07976663B2	Method of making a screen element Methods of manufacturing screen elements for use with vibratory separators are disclosed. The screen elements include a curved structural frame with perforations therein, the perforations designed to maximize both open area and process liquid throughput. At least one layer of screen cloth is attached to the curved structural frame by means of fluidized powdered epoxy resin.
US07976662B2	Laminate containing a fluorinated nonwoven web An elastic laminate that contains a nonwoven web bonded to an elastic layer is provided. The elastic layer contains one or more elastomeric polymers that are generally polar in nature, such as polyurethanes. To the contrary, the nonwoven web is formed from a material that is non-polar in nature. Nevertheless, one or more surfaces of the nonwoven web are fluorinated so that the resulting surface tension is increased. In this manner, the present inventors have discovered that, despite the difference in polarity between the layers, good attachment may be achieved without necessarily requiring an adhesive. Not only will such layers remained attached, but the functionality of the resulting laminate is also not adversely affected.
US07976650B2	Method for production of sheet of austenitic iron/carbon/manganese steel and sheets produced thus The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a corrosion-resistant cold-rolled sheet of iron-carbon-manganese austenitic steel, comprising the following steps: a sheet whose chemical composition comprises, the contents being expressed by weight: 0.35%≦C≦1.05%, 16%≦Mn≦24%, the balance of the composition consisting of iron and inevitable impurities resulting from its smelting, is provided; said sheet is cold-rolled; and a recrystallization annealing treatment is carried out on said sheet in a furnace containing a gas chosen from gases that are reducing with respect to iron, the parameters of said annealing being chosen in such a way that said sheet is covered on both its sides with an essentially amorphous (Fe,Mn)O oxide sublayer and with an external crystalline manganese oxide (MnO) layer, the total thickness of these two layers being equal to or greater than 0.5 microns.
US07976648B1	Heat treatment for cold worked nitinol to impart a shape setting capability without eventually developing stress-induced martensite Cold worked nickel-titanium alloys that have linear pseudoelastic behavior without a phase transformation or onset of stress-induced martensite as applied to a medical device having a strut formed body deployed from a sheath. In one application, an embolic protection device that employs a linear pseudoelastic nitinol self-expanding strut assembly with a small profile delivery system for use with interventional procedures. The expandable strut assembly is covered with a filter element and both are compressed into a restraining sheath for delivery to a deployment site downstream and distal to an interventional procedure. Once at the desired site, the restraining sheath is retracted to deploy the embolic protection device, which captures flowing emboli generated during the interventional procedure. Linear pseudoelastic nitinol is used in the medical device as distinct from non-linear pseudoelastic (i.e., superelastic) nitinol.
US07976645B2	Method of production of grain-oriented electrical steel sheet having a high magnetic flux density In a production of grain-oriented electrical steel sheet that is heated at a temperature of not higher than 1350° C., (a) the hot-rolled sheet is heated to a prescribed temperature of 1000° C. to 1150° C., and after recrystallization is annealed for a required time at a lower temperature of 850° C. to 1100° C., or (b) in the hot-rolled sheet annealing process decarburization is conducted to adjust the difference in the amount of carbon before and after decarburization to 0.002 to 0.02 mass %. In the temperature elevation process used in the decarburization annealing of the steel sheet, heating is conducted in the temperature range of 550° C. to 720° C. at a heating rate of at least 40° C./s, preferably 75 to 125° C./s, utilizing induction heating for the rapid heating used in the temperature elevation process in decarburization annealing.
US07976644B2	Method of production of grain-oriented electrical steel sheet with high magnetic flux density The present invention provides a method of production of grain-oriented electrical steel sheet comprising making a slab heating temperature 1280° C. or less, annealing hot rolled sheet by (a) a process of heating it to a predetermined temperature of 1000 to 1150° C. to cause recrystallization, then annealing by a temperature lower than that of 850 to 1100° C. or by (b) decarburizing in annealing the hot rolled sheet so that a difference in amounts of carbon of the steel sheet before and after annealing the hot rolled sheet becomes 0.002 to 0.02 mass % and performing the heating in the temperature elevation process of the decarburization annealing under conditions of a heating rate of 40° C. or more, preferably 75 to 125° C./s while the temperature of the steel sheet is in a range from 550° C. to 720° C. and utilizing induction heating for rapid heating in the temperature elevation process of decarburization annealing.
US07976643B2	Production method for nanocomposite magnet A nanocomposite magnet containing an Fe particle in the grain boundary of an Nd2Fe14B compound particle is produced by mixing a dispersion of the Nd2Fe14B compound particle in a solvent containing a surface-active agent and a dispersion of the Fe particle in a solvent containing a surface-active agent, and then supporting the Fe particle on the surface of the Nd2Fe14B compound particle by stirring the mixture of the dispersions while adding an amphiphilic solvent, and then performing the drying and the drying and the sintering.
US07976642B2	Box cleaner for cleaning wafer shipping box The present invention relates to a box cleaner including an ultrasonic cleaning bath having a receiving space to be filled with DIW and an ultrasonic wave generator arranged at a bottom thereof; a tray for loading a wafer shipping box thereon; a lift for providing a driving force to put the tray into the ultrasonic cleaning bath and take the tray out of the ultrasonic cleaning bath; and a drying system for drying the cleaned shipping box, wherein a gas sprayer is installed in the ultrasonic cleaning bath for spraying gas into the cleaned shipping box to push the DIW out of the shipping box, thereby draining the DIW.
US07976639B2	Method for determining the percentage of allergens picked up from a surface A test method is disclosed that can be used to test cleaning products. The test method includes applying a known amount of test material to a surface, cleaning the surface and calculating the amount of allergens picked-up from the surface. The calculated amount of allergens picked-up is then corrected for several measurable variables to provide a more accurate determination of the percentage of allergens picked up with the cleaning product.
US07976637B2	Substrate processing system, substrate surface processing apparatus, substrate surface inspecting apparatus, substrate surface inspecting method, and storage medium storing program for implementing the method A substrate processing system which enables a minute pieces of foreign matter attached to a substrate surface to be detected and are suitable for mass production of substrates. The substrate processing system has a substrate processing apparatus that carries out predetermined processing on a substrate. The substrate processing system comprises a substrate surface processing apparatus having a fluid supply unit that supplies onto a surface of the substrate a fluid containing an altering substance that alters a substance exposed at the surface of the substrate, and a substrate surface inspecting apparatus that inspects the surface of the substrate onto which the fluid has been supplied.
US07976635B2	Dual substrate loadlock process equipment One embodiment relates to a loadlock having a first support structure therein to support one unprocessed substrate and a second support structure therein to support one processed substrate. The first support structure is located above the second support structure. The loadlock includes an elevator to control the vertical position of the support structures. The loadlock also includes a first aperture to permit insertion of an unprocessed substrate into the loadlock and removal of a processed substrate from the loadlock, as well as a second aperture to permit removal of an unprocessed substrate from the loadlock and insertion of a processed substrate into the loadlock. A cooling plate is also located in the loadlock. The cooling plate includes a surface adapted to support a processed substrate thereon. A heating device may be located in the loadlock above the first support structure.
US07976634B2	Independent radiant gas preheating for precursor disassociation control and gas reaction kinetics in low temperature CVD systems A method and apparatus for delivering precursor materials to a processing chamber is described. The apparatus includes a gas distribution assembly having multiple gas delivery zones. Each zone may include a plenum having an inlet for receiving a precursor gas and at least one source of non-thermal energy, such as an infrared light source. The at least one source of non-thermal energy is may be varied to control the intensity of wavelengths from the infrared light source.
US07976632B2	Vacuum processing apparatus A vacuum processing apparatus includes a transfer unit disposed at a center thereof, plural processing chambers, each processing chamber having a processing table for supporting an object to be processed and carrying out processing using a gas, and a mass flow controller unit interposed between two of the processing chambers for supplying gas to the chambers.
US07976629B2	Crystal film fabrication Processes and machines for producing large area sheets or films of crystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous material are set forth; the production of such sheets being valuable for the manufacturing of solar photovoltaic cells, flat panel displays and the like. The surface of rotating cylindrical workpiece (10) is implanted with ion beam (30), whereby a layer of weakened material is formed below the surface. Sheet (20) is detached and peeled off, producing arbitrarily large, monolithic sheets. The sheet may be supported on a temporary or permanent handle (50) such as a glass sheet or a polymer film. Pinch roller (60) may assist in the lamination of handle (50) to sheet (20) before or after the point of separation of sheet (20) from workpiece (10). The implantation, annealing and separation processes are adapted to encourage the material to separate along the implanted layer rather than a particular crystal plane.
US07976627B2	Method and device for the production of a hydraulic binding agent The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for the production of a hydraulic binding agent from a plurality of raw material components (12a to 12e), wherein the raw material components are ground to a raw meal, the raw meal is burned to clinker in a combustion plant (2) and finally the clinker is ground together with further inter-grinding materials. Moreover, the mineralogical and/or chemical composition of the raw meal and/or the clinker is analyzed, at least two separate raw meal silos/clinker silos (4a to 4h, 5a to 5g) are provided in each case for the raw meal and/or the clinker and are filled with raw meal/clinker of different mineralogical and/or chemical composition. Furthermore the composition of the raw meal to be burned and/or of the clinker to be ground is fixed by controlled extraction as a function of the analysed composition of the raw meal/clinker from one or a plurality of raw meal silos/clinker silos.
US07976626B2	Fiber reinforced cement composition and products and manufacturing process The problems to be solved by the invention are to provide a fiber reinforced cement composition for obtaining a fiber reinforced cement product which is inexpensive and economical, and to provide pushing forward disposal of defective products.Namely, the fiber reinforced cement composition comprises a hydraulic inorganic material, a siliceous material, a woody reinforcement, a finely dividing fiber reinforced cement product and/or a finely dividing intermediate of fiber reinforced cement product which is produced by said raw materials.
US07976625B2	Compounds and methods for treating fly ash A compound and method for treating fly ash includes an amphoteric, alkyl polyglycoside, ester, derivative of triglyceride, fatty alcohol, alkoxylated fatty alcohol, alkoxylated polyhydric alcohol, and mixtures thereof, wherein the treated fly ash is incorporated into a cement admixture, and is effective in blocking absorptive carbon. Also, a method is included that reduces the amount of Portland cement by substituting up to 40 by total weight of the cement in a mixture with an equal amount of fly ash treated with an an amphoteric, alkyl polyglycoside, ester, derivative of triglyceride, fatty alcohol, alkoxylated fatty alcohol, alkoxylated polyhdric alcohol, and mixtures thereof.
US07976623B2	Ink-jet inks containing sulfonated aromatic compounds for reducing ozone fade In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an ink-jet ink can comprise a dye and a liquid vehicle carrying the dye. The liquid vehicle can include a sulfonated aromatic compound present in the ink-jet ink at an effective concentration to cause improvement of ozone fastness of said ink-jet ink.
US07976621B2	System for recovering water from flue gas A power plant may include a combustion apparatus (11) producing an exhaust gas (12), an absorber (20) receiving the exhaust gas (12), the absorber (20) including a desiccant and producing a first stream of desiccant solution containing water and a first concentration of desiccant, and an apparatus (29, 70, 94) for dehydrating the first stream of desiccant solution while maintaining the water in a liquid phase. The apparatus (29, 70, 94) may include a heat exchanger (71, 110), a crystallizing heat exchanger (74, 96), a separator (78, 98) and a flash tank (112) for dehydrating the desiccant solution while maintaining water in a liquid phase and subsequently recovering water from the solution.
US07976620B2	Methods for hydrogen storage and refrigeration A hydrogen storage system for storing hydrogen gas at elevated pressures and cryogenic temperatures is disclosed. The hydrogen gas is fed to a storage container which contains a physisorption type material and a volatile liquid container for liquid nitrogen. Cryogenic conditions are maintained within the storage container during the periods of storage and the periods where the hydrogen gas is removed from the storage system.
US07976618B2	Motor vehicle A motor vehicle has a filter device for purifying untreated gases. The filter device has a filter housing and at least one filter element, in particular an adsorber element, which is arranged therein, with an auxiliary filter that is positioned outside and above the filter housing being provided. The auxiliary filter, which is disposed in an auxiliary filter housing, has at least one auxiliary filter element which is connected in a communicating fashion to and in series with the filter element in the filter housing.
US07976615B2	Electro-kinetic air mover with upstream focus electrode surfaces An electro-kinetic air mover for creating an airflow using no moving parts. The electro-kinetic air mover includes an ion generator that has an electrode assembly including a first array of emitter electrodes, a second array of collector electrodes, and a high voltage generator. Preferably, a third or leading or focus electrode is located upstream of the first array of emitter electrodes, and/or a trailing electrode is located downstream of the second array of collector electrodes. The device can also include an interstitial electrode located between collector electrodes, an enhanced collector electrode with an integrally formed trailing end, and an enhanced emitter electrode with an enhanced length in order to increase emissivity.
US07976609B2	Method for manufacturing metal nanorods and use thereof A method for manufacturing metal nanorods includes: a step of adding a reducing agent to a metallic salt solution; a step of radiating light into the metallic salt solution containing the reducing agent; and a step of leaving the light-radiated metallic salt solution containing the reducing agent stationary in a dark place so as to grow metal nanorods. Metal nanorods can be also grown by forming a mixed solution by fractionating the above light-radiated metallic salt solution and mixing the fractionated metallic salt solution into a non-radiated metallic salt solution containing the reducing agent, or mixing a non-radiated metallic salt solution and the reducing agent into the above light-radiated metallic salt solution; and leaving the mixed solution stationary in a dark place so as to grow metal nanorods.
US07976608B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing low melting point metal fine particles In a solder paste which is a mixture of a flux and low melting point metal particles, low melting point metal fine particles manufactured by a conventional method or apparatus therefor include particles having widely varying particle diameters. Accordingly, the solder paste could not completely fill the minute holes in a mask for application to minute solder portions by printing, or mask removability was poor. According to the present invention, a mixture of a heat resistant continuous phase liquid and coarse metal particles in molten state is passed through a porous membrane to form the coarse low melting point metal particles into fine particles with a predetermined diameter. An apparatus according to the present invention comprise a porous membrane between a heating and dispersing mechanism and a cooling mechanism, and a pressure vessel connected to the heating and dispersing mechanism for applying a high pressure to the heating and dispersing mechanism.
US07976607B2	Cemented carbide with refined structure The present invention relates to a WC—Co cemented carbide alloy. By adding an extremely small amount of Ti, V, Zr, Ta or Nb or a combination of these, a grain refined cemented carbide structure with less abnormal WC-grains has been obtained.
US07976606B1	Filter assembly with integral adhesive structural framework A filter assembly for removing unwanted contaminants and other impurities from a filtrant stream entering the intake region of an underlying device. The filter assembly comprises a filter media appropriate for segregating and separating the impurities and contaminants from the filtrant stream, and a surrounding collar for providing structural support to the filter media that simultaneously provides a self-adhesive material. Such collar is formed from a self-adhesive material, and a binding solution like printers ink, which interact in conjunction with the portion of such filter media not constituting the filtering region, so that the resulting support collar is integrally connected to the filter media, and is non-tacky on its top surface. At the same time, the adhesive retains its adhesive properties on the bottom surface of the collar.
US07976604B2	Filter housing with quick release clip adapted to disengage the filter element Disclosed is a filter housing having two abutting filter housing portions with a filter element sized and configured to be installed the housing. At least one quick release retention clip is pivotally secured to the filter housing and operable between an engaged and a disengaged position. In the engaged position the retention clip retentively closes the housing. In the disengaged position the retention clip is operable to apply a separating force urge the filter housing portions to separate and release the filter element.
US07976603B2	Filter housing The invention concerns a filter housing (1), in particular of an air filter for motor vehicles, that extends axially along a longitudinal axis (2) and comprises two detachably connected housing parts (3, 4). A locking connection (5) acting in the direction of the longitudinal axis (2) is provided between the two housing parts (3, 4), wherein the locking connection (5) in at least one rotational direction (6) of the first housing part (3) about the longitudinal axis (2) relative to the second housing part (4) can be brought into a position in which the housing parts (3, 4) are detachable in the axial direction.
US07976602B2	Filter, especially air filter A filter has a housing and a filter element with a first filter medium, wherein the filter element is arranged in the housing. A releasable lid is provided at an end face of the housing and closes off the housing. The releasable lid and the filter element together form a unitary component and the releasable lid forms a terminal disk at a first end of the filter element. The releasable lid forming the terminal disk of the filter element is glued to an end face of the first filter medium. The unitary construction of the filter element and the lid simplifies changing the filter element.
US07976597B2	Cyclonic separation apparatus A cyclonic separation apparatus comprises a plurality of series-connected separation stages 50,51, each comprising a plurality of cyclone separators 16/23 connected in parallel and disposed in a generally annular arrangement about a main vertical axis of the apparatus, with their respective longitudinal cyclone axes extending parallel to the main axis. The successive separation stages 50,51 in the direction of fluid flow are disposed radially inwardly of each other with respect to the main axis of the apparatus and are also vertically staggered upwardly, so that the outlet 20 of one separation stage 50 leads directly into the inlet 22 of the next downstream stage 51. The multi-stage, series connected cyclone separators of the apparatus provide a high separation efficiency, yet the annular arrangement of the stages 50,51 makes the apparatus compact and enables the apparatus to be utilized in a vacuum cleaner.
US07976595B2	Method of gasification burner online feeding A method of gasification burner online feeding for a coal-water slurry gasifier, where a coal-water slurry line and an oxidizer line are both protected by shield gas. The method may realize online, pressurized and continuous feeding of the gasification burners which are fixed after they stalled for other reasons than their own, thus greatly reducing the probability of accidental shutdown of gasifiers and improving the reliability of long-term service of the multi-nozzle opposed gasifier.
US07976594B2	Method and system for vaporization of liquid fuels A method and a system for the vaporization of a liquid fuel is provided and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel and an oxidant, atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant, vaporizing the fuel in thermal radiation, catalytically reacting the fuel oxidant mixture, and providing an ignition source for initiating the catalytic reaction. A hydrocarbon fuel can be mixed with oxygen, as a constituent of air, preferably forming a fuel rich fuel air mixture that passes through a catalytic reactor having an ultra-short channel length metal monolith substrate. The fuel air mixture is vaporized and partially oxidized.
US07976590B2	Fuel or fuel additive composition and method for its manufacture and use Embodiments of a composition useful as a fuel or fuel additive are provided. Certain disclosed embodiments of the composition comprise mid to low flash point naptha, at least one alcohol having a ratio of between about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms to 1 hydroxyl functional group, at least one lubricating oil, and at least one oxygenated natural aromatic compound, wherein the oxygenated natural aromatic compound has a flash point between about 60° C. and about 160° C., has at least one oxygenated functional group, and is soluble in the composition.
US07976589B1	Chemical deoxygenation of hydrocarbon liquids using temperature triggerable reactive core-shell materials Nanoscopic core-shell material additives for high temperature jet aviation fuels are disclosed. The nanometer dimensions of these core-shell material additives materials provide extremely large surface areas to promote chemical reactivity while permitting suspension in liquid fuels and providing unlimited access to all components of an aircraft fuel system. Core-shell technology involves additive encapsulation in a protective, fuel-mimicking shell material.
US07976588B2	Storage battery with expanded grid A storage battery is provided in which an expand grid is improved with respect to the widths of grid wires 1b, the sectional areas of nodes 1e, and the shapes of meshes 1c, whereby the productivity of the expand grid can be enhanced and the life performance can be improved. As means for attaining the object, a storage battery in which an expand grid is used as a battery plate, the expand grid being a grid member which is formed by expanding a side portion of a collector frame portion 1a of a metal sheet 1 to connect a large number of grid wires 1b to one another in a net-like shape, is configured so that widths of grid wires 1b of a row which is directly connected to the collector frame portion 1a of the expand grid, and a lateral end row are larger than widths of grid wires 1b of at least one of intermediate rows.
US07976587B2	High energy density ultracapacitor The invention is directed to a carbon composition produced from a carbon precursor, a carbon precursor modifier, and an additive, wherein a mixture of the recited components is formed, the carbon precursor is cured, the resulting mixture carbonized to produce a porous carbon composition. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the carbon composition and for using the carbon composition to fabricate electrodes and electric double layer capacitors comprising the carbon composition.
US07976582B2	Bleaching of substrates The present invention concerns the treatment of a cellulose material in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, hydrogen peroxide whilst maintaining the pH of the treatment mixture.
US07976580B2	Semi-constrained 1st carpometacarpal implant arthroplasty and method A first carpometacarpal joint implant. One embodiment of the invention includes proximal and distal components. The proximal component includes a fixation portion for attachment to one or more elements of a patient's distal carpal row, a ball-type joint portion cantilevered off the fixation portion, and a skid having a concave surface opposite the ball-type joint for engaging a patient's scaphoid bone. The distal component has a fixation portion for attachment to a patient's thumb metacarpal, and a socket-type joint portion that cooperates with the ball-type joint portion of the proximal component.
US07976577B2	Corneal optic formed of degradation resistant polymer Disclosed are mask optics configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient. In one embodiment, the body of the optic has a light transmitting portion, a light blocking portion disposed about the light transmitting portion, and an outer periphery surrounding the light blocking portion. The optic is adapted to reside between two intracorneal layers of a cornea. The mask optic may be formed from a material comprising a highly fluorinated polymeric material and an opacification agent. Preferred highly fluorinated polymeric materials include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and preferred opacification agents include carbon. The highly fluorinated polymeric material is preferably resistant to degradation upon exposure to ultraviolet light.
US07976571B2	Photodynamic therapy irradiation system for the treatment of superficial hyperproliferative tissue growth A device and method is described for photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat hyperproliferative tissue growth in an underskin area within a few centimeters of the skin surface that is not accessible by conventional topical irradiation. The device comprises a plate having an array of openings with hollow micro-needles mounted therein that extend to a specified length on each side. Optical fibers are individually threaded through the micro-needles from the side opposite the treatment area and may be kept together as a bundle for attachment to a laser radiation source. The optical fibers have output ends made to provide a uniform radiation pattern to the underlying tissue. A photosensitizer is administered either systemically or locally and allowed a sufficient time to diffuse into the area of treatment. The laser of selected wavelength is coupled to the fiber bundle which then directs the radiation through the optical fibers to the treatment site.
US07976570B2	Bone plate A bone plate includes an upper surface, a bone contacting surface, and at least one hole extending through the upper and bone contacting surfaces. The bone plate defines a longitudinal axis. The at least one hole defines a central axis and is elongated in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis. The hole may include a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion, and the threaded portion may extend through an angle of between about 190° and about 280° with respect to the central axis.
US07976564B2	PFO closure devices and related methods of use Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together. If the device is left within the PFO track, the device is flattened from an expanded configuration to a flattened configuration, and the walls of the PFO track, adhering to the outer surface of the device, are pulled toward each other as the device flattens. The device may also include interior structure to hold the device in a flattened configuration.
US07976560B2	Embolic filtering devices An expandable frame for an embolic filtering device used to capture embolic debris in a body vessel includes a first half frame having a first control arm connected to a second control arm by a partial loop and a second half frame having a first control arm connected to a second control arm by a partial loop. The partial loops cooperatively form a composite loop for attachment of a filtering element which will expand in the body vessel to capture embolic debris entrained in the fluid of the vessel. The lengths and positioning of the first and second control arms of each half frame can be varied to create an expandable frame which conforms to the size and shape of the body vessel in which the filtering device is deployed. Additionally, the radius of the partial loops, along with the length of the arc of the partial loops, can be varied on each of the frames to create a composite filtering assembly that can easily adapt to the size and shape of the body vessel. Additionally, the control arms of the half frames can be disposed either proximally or distally of the composite loop to create a distinct filtering structure.
US07976558B2	System for withdrawing body fluid The present invention relates to a compression device for stimulating the efflux of a body fluid from a body part. The device has a compression unit with a pressure-application region made of a deformable material, the region being formed to generate a repulsive force between the body part and the compression unit. The repulsive force passes through a force maximum then decreases to serve as an indication that the body part is guided sufficiently firmly and far enough onto the compression unit.
US07976556B2	Anastomosis apparatus and methods A system for anastomosing a first tubular structure to a second tubular structure having an opening formed therein comprises a support device having a plurality of arms forming spaces therebetween. The support device is adapted to support the first tubular structure within an opening in the second tubular structure to facilitate anastomosing the tubular structures together. The arms can be configured to urge the first tubular structure against the portion of the second tubular structure surrounding the opening to form a seal therebetween. According to one embodiment, a plurality of discrete fasteners are provided to pass through the support device spaces and the first and second tubular structures.
US07976554B2	Devices, tools and methods for performing minimally invasive abdominal surgical procedures Methods, systems, devices and assemblies are provided for treating a patient by: making an incision or puncture though the patient's skin over the abdominal cavity; establishing an initial tract through an opening formed by the incision or puncture; advancing an instrument through the tract; contacting a distal end portion of the instrument against an inner surface of the abdominal cavity; driving at least one stitching needle through the inner surface of the abdominal cavity, continuing the driving until the at least one stitching needle exits the inner surface of the abdominal cavity, anchoring a suture carried by each of the at least one stitching needle to a suture anchor at an exit location, respectively; and applying tension to each of the sutures.
US07976548B2	Surgical tool holder for facilitated sterilization A surgical tool holder aids a surgeon in controlling the use of a tool during, for example, preparation of a femoral cavity for reception of hip joint prosthesis. The holder has a housing that encloses a mechanism having, at a far end, a tool-engaging interface, and at the opposite end, a handle which facilitates manipulation of the tool during use in preparing a bone site by the surgeon. The holder enables easy orientation of the tool attached to its end, which is important because control of the tool is critical in order to accurately prepare a recess for reception and installation of a prosthesis.
US07976547B2	Cement restrictor with integrated pressure transducer and method of measuring the pressure at the distal end of a bone canal A cement restrictor for use in surgical procedures such as total hip replacement, for example, includes a pressure transducer and a transmitter electrically coupled to the pressure transducer. The cement restrictor is configured to be placed at a distal end of a pre-drilled bone canal in a patient's femur, for example, such that the pressure transducer may generate an output signal in response to the presence of bone cement injected into the bone canal and around the cement restrictor. The transmitter is configured to transmit this output pressure signal to an external receiver outside the patient's body.
US07976541B2	Contact sensitive probes with indicators Probes that are sensitive to electrode/tissue contact and that are configured to connect an electrode to a power supply and/or provide an indication when the desired level of electrode/tissue contact has been achieved.
US07976540B2	Electrosurgical medical system and method A medical device system and method provide an RF electrosurgical generator coupled to an electrosurgical electrode via a patient box disposed in close proximity to the patient. An RF signal is delivered from the generator to the patient box where signal power is increased and the RF signal delivered to the electrosurgical electrode. The patient box is coupled to the electrosurgical electrode by a short cable capable of carrying an HV, high frequency 5 MHz signal without leakage. An electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode is monitored and a desired RF power output and duty cycle maintained by adjusting DC input voltage applied to an RF amplifier, responsive to the monitoring. The system determines when the electrosurgical cutting electrode has started cutting and switches from a start mode to a run mode having a different RF duty cycle and a reduced RF power output controlled by a servo system.
US07976533B2	Drainage apparatus and method An apparatus for removing body fluids from a body cavity by suction, such as a thorax, gastric or any other human body cavity or a wound, comprises means (9) to increase the pressure difference between a pressure in a drainage lumen (3) and a pressure in the atmosphere when an auxiliary lumen (5) is open. The apparatus enables removal of clots or other plugs of the catheter and drainage tube in an efficient and not patient disturbing way.
US07976531B2	Coronary sinus lead delivery catheter A guide catheter for accessing the coronary sinus ostium has a proximal portion and a distal portion formed into a preformed shape including a curved segment. The preformed shape includes a first arc, a second arc, a third arc, a fourth arc, and a generally straight terminal portion. The preformed shape is generally a J-shape, having a terminal portion generally parallel to the proximal portion, a generally closed arc or a generally open arc.
US07976527B2	Device and method for controlling injection of liquid embolic composition A liquid embolic delivery system is provided for trapping an injected liquid embolic composition to prevent the liquid embolic from solidifying or otherwise passing outside of an embolization area. The delivery system includes a catheter for delivery of a liquid embolic composition and a containment member positioned at a distal end of the catheter which is shaped to trap the liquid embolic composition delivered through the lumen of the catheter. The containment member is formed as a brush, nest, sponge, swab, flexible sack, or other shape into and around which the liquid embolic composition is injected. The liquid embolic composition is trapped or meshes with the containment member during solidification containing the liquid embolic and preventing the embolic composition from passing into the blood stream.
US07976524B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article, in which an erroneous impression of replacement time is not given to a wearer, includes an absorbent body, a front sheet covering the absorbent body, and a rear sheet, a pair of masking members being disposed along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent body, close to two ends of a short direction of the absorbent body, the masking members being of porous film having pores continuous in the direction of thickness, the thickness thereof preferably being 0.4 mm or greater under a load of 20 g/cm2. By this means, seepage of fluid at the side margins of the front sheet is deferred and misunderstanding of replacement time by the wearer is prevented.
US07976521B2	Body fluid suction reservoir The present invention provides a body fluid suction reservoir including a flexible bag, two plates for supporting the bag, and a spring put between the two plates. The body fluid suction reservoir further includes a lock having a hook and a release part and consisting of a member different from the two plates, by which lock the spring is held in a state compressed between the two plates, and the held state is releasable. The lock has flexibility and is held by one of the plates so as to be deformable from a first state in which the hook is engaged with the other plate to a second state in which the hook is not engaged, and the lock is urged to take the first state.
US07976519B2	Externally-applied patient interface system and method A tissue closure treatment system and method are provided with an external patient interface. A first fluid transfer component (FTC1) can be placed directly on a suture line for transferring fluid exuded therethrough. An underdrape is placed over FTC1 and includes a slot exposing a portion of same. A second fluid transfer component (FTC2) is placed over the underdrape slot in communication with FTC1. Negative pressure is applied to FTC2 through a connecting fluid transfer component (FTC3). The tissue closure method includes a manual operating mode using a manual suction device with an automatic shut off for discontinuing suction when a predetermined volume of fluid has been drained. An automatic operating mode utilizes a microprocessor, which can be preprogrammed to respond to various patient and operating conditions. The method proceeds through several phases with different components in place and different patient interface functions occurring in each.
US07976518B2	Tubing assembly and signal generator placement control device and method for use with catheter guidance systems A tubing assembly having a signal generator placement control device for use in conjunction with electronic catheter guidance systems. The control device facilitates control of the position the guidance systems' signal generator relative to the end of the tubing assembly. The tubing assembly includes a tubular insulator coupled to one end of the control device, and the tubing assembly includes a tubular connector attached to the other end of control device. Also, the tubing assembly includes a catheter attached to the tubular connector and an end member attached to the catheter.
US07976516B2	Medical device having mechanically interlocked segments A biocompatible medical device having a segmented element including a first segment having a first shaped interface and a second segment having a second shaped interface configured to operably couple the first shaped interface. When the first shaped interface is engaging the second shaped interface to form a joined segmented element, the first segment and the second segment cannot be decoupled by movement along an axis through the element. The medical device further includes a locking element configured to engage the joined segmented element with a sliding motion to prevent decoupling of the first segment with respect to the second segment by preventing significant relative movement of the segments with a component of the movement perpendicular to the axis.
US07976514B2	Automatic injection device with temporizing means The present invention relates to an injection device (1) comprising:—a container (5) receiving a product, and provided with an injection needle (6),—a housing (9, 11) receiving said container, said container being movable relative to said housing between an initial position, an insertion position, and a final position,—retaining means (12, 15), for maintaining said container in said insertion position,—deactivating means (20), for releasing said retaining means, said device being characterized in that it comprises:—temporizing means (19, 26, 27), for controlling the release of said retaining means until substantially all of the product contained within said container has passed through said injection needle before said container moves to said final position, and—a needle shield (2) coupled with said housing (9, 11) removal of said needle shield being with limited or no rotation of said needle shield. The invention also concerns a kit comprising such a device.
US07976512B2	Syringe control pistol A syringe control pistol for holding in a user's hand to control the dispensing of fluid from a syringe generally includes front and rear arms pivotly connected at their bottom ends. The front arm includes a front face for receiving pressure from the fingers of the user's hand and a top end including a barrel holder for holding the barrel of the syringe such that its barrel cannot move forward and its plunger extends rearward. The rear arm includes a rear face for receiving pressure from the user's palm and a top end including a roller for bearing against the bearing surface of the plunger for pushing the plunger forward in the barrel to disperse fluid from the syringe as the user's hand squeezes front and rear arms toward one another. A plurality of barrel holders for holding syringes of different sizes is selectively attachable to the front arm.
US07976511B2	Hand-held aspiration syringe and methods A hand-held aspiration apparatus includes a handle configured for suspending and using the syringe with a single hand. The handle includes pivotally connected first and second members. The members of the handle may be pivotally connected at intermediate positions along the lengths thereof. The first member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe barrel, while the second member is associated with, and may be pivotally connected to, a syringe plunger. The members are configured and associated with one another in such a way that movement of portions thereof toward each other moves the plunger proximally through the barrel, which may create a vacuum in the barrel that may facilitate aspiration, and that movement of portions of the members away from one another moves the plunger distally through the barrel. The aspiration apparatus may be configured for a single-use (i.e., it may be disposable). Applications of use and methods of using a hand-held syringe are also disclosed.
US07976509B2	Injection device with secured dosing button An injection device including an accommodating device for a substance to be delivered, e.g. a vial or ampoule holder, which is insertable into and can be displaced relative to the injection device or a part thereof; an adjusting element for adjusting a dose to be administered from the injection device, which element is inserted in the injection device; and a coupling element for coupling the accommodating device to the adjusting element so that the adjusting element is at least partially moved out from the injection device when the accommodating device is inserted. A method for preparing an injection device using a dual chamber vial or ampoule to administer a substance, wherein the method involves using an adjusting device which is released, extended or pushed out from the injection device not before or after the substance to be administered from dual chamber vial or ampoule is mixed.
US07976504B1	Needle catheter with axially elongating and contracting needle A needle catheter with an axially elongating and contracting needle and methods of using for delivering therapeutic materials to the heart are disclosed.
US07976490B2	Medicinal implant cartridge The invention includes a cartridge for use in a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen having a uniform cross-section sized to contain the medicament therein, a substantially stationary member disposed within the lumen of the retractable chamber and having a uniform cross-section sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen suitable to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member upon actuation of the device; and means for retracting the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member while maintaining the substantially stationary member in a substantially stationary position upon actuation of the device.
US07976489B2	Device for delivering medicinal implants The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, the device including a cartridge for containing the medicament therein, the cartridge including a housing, a retractable chamber disposed within the housing and having a lumen, a substantially stationary member disposed within the lumen of the retractable chamber and having a uniform cross-section sized to provide a sliding fit within the lumen to provide for retraction of the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member upon actuation of the device, and means for retracting the retractable chamber about the substantially stationary member while maintaining the substantially stationary member in a substantially stationary position upon actuation of the device; the device further including means for activating the means for retracting the retractable chamber.
US07976486B2	Apparatus for facilitating circulation A circulation facilitating apparatus comprising a pneumatic assembly and first and second leg assemblies. The pneumatic assembly comprises a pump assembly, a control assembly, an air controller assembly and an energizing assembly. The control assembly controls the pump assembly. The control assembly includes a microprocessor and a system for programming the microprocessor. The programming system programs at least a cycle time and at least a hold time. The air controller assembly is coupled to the pump assembly. Each leg assembly includes a bladder, an air passage assembly and a housing. A treatment method is likewise disclosed.
US07976485B2	Massager moves on undulated track The present invention is to provide a massager moves on a pair of undulated tracks. The massager comprises a massaging core 1, and a base 2, which includes a tow unit 3, a shank 4, a pair of tracks 51 and a pair of undulated tracks 52. The tow unit 3 is slided along the tracks 51, the tow unit is connected to the massaging core 1 by a pivotal axle. And the massaging core 1 is further guided to move along the undulated tracks 52. Tow unit 3 meshed with the shank 4 can be driven by a driving unit and a transmission unit, thereby, the tow unit 3 can be glided along the shank 4 and the track 51. The massaging core 1 connected to a tow unit 3 can slide along a pair of undulated tracks similar to waist, back, and neck portions of human body.
US07976483B2	Ultrasound assembly with increased efficacy A catheter system is disclosed. The catheter system includes a catheter body having an external surface and an ultrasound transducer having a side between a first end and a second end. A first medium is positioned adjacent to the first end of the ultrasound transducer and a second medium is positioned adjacent to the external side of the ultrasound transducer. The second medium is harder than the first medium to encourage flexibility of the catheter body adjacent to the first end of the ultrasound transducer and efficient transmission of ultrasound energy from the external side of the ultrasound transducer.
US07976481B2	Apparatus for detecting endometriosis A vaginal probe includes a metal detection sensor for detecting the presence of ferrous-laden endometriotic tissues. The probe is electrically connected to external electronic circuitry for interpreting the readings taken by the sensor and for providing a qualitative or quantitative measurement of the amount of endometriotic tissues present. The probe is inserted in either the vagina or peritoneal cavity of a patient to detect the location and the relative amounts of iron or ferrous-laden tissues in the pelvic area of the patient. Using the probe and monitoring the readings over time as part of pelvic exams assists in determining the early onset or progression of endometriosis and/or the response to one or more therapies being provided to the patient to treat the disease.
US07976474B2	Ear canal obstruction detecting acoustical stimulation ear probe An illuminated acoustical stimulation ear probe with outer ear illumination and a probe-fit status indicator.
US07976470B2	Apnea type determining apparatus and method An apnea classification system provides for apnea monitoring and differentiation based on several sleep apnea related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such sleep apnea related parameters allows the apnea classification system to differentiate among the different types of apnea. This information may then be used to determine the best method of therapy, or adjust current therapy parameters to more effectively treat a subject.
US07976467B2	Method of inputting data into analyte testing device A meter is provided that includes an improved user interface that enables the user to take a specific action, leading them directly to data input options. Such a user interface could be used to input first selected information, such as whether a test was premeal or postmeal, immediately after receiving a result. Optionally, the user interface may include the ability to add an additional comment after inputting the first selected information. Provision of such a user interface would facilitate simpler capture of the first selected information each time the user performs a test, leading to an enhanced understanding of a patient's level of glycemic control. Designing a user interface to enable first selected information to be entered by a user directly after receiving a result is more likely to engage a patient by making it easy and simple to enter important information. This may enable capture of the information thought to be most pertinent e.g. premeal and postmeal information, enhancing the understanding by patients and their carers of the patient's control.
US07976463B2	Instruments and methods for minimally invasive tissue retraction and surgery Methods and devices retract tissue for minimally invasive surgery in a patient. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from a first configuration for insertion that minimizes trauma to skin and tissue to an enlarged configuration after insertion to further retract skin and tissue in a minimally invasive manner. An optional intermediate retractor assembly is positionable between the first and second retractor portions to provide further tissue retraction capabilities.
US07976458B2	Independent articulating accessory channel Devices and methods useful for delivering tools and/or materials to a surgical site are disclosed. In one embodiment, an accessory device for an endoscope is provided and can include an elongate sheath and an accessory channel. The elongate sheath can be adapted to receive an endoscope therein, and it can include a mating element extending longitudinally between proximal and distal ends thereof. The accessory channel can be adapted to receive a tool therethrough and it can also have a mating element extending between proximal and distal ends thereof and adapted to slidably mate to the mating element formed on the elongate sheath. In certain exemplary embodiments, a distal portion of the accessory channel can be adapted to derail from at least a distal portion of the elongate sheath while a proximal portion of the accessory channel remains mated to a proximal portion of the elongate sheath. In use, the elongate sheath and the accessory channel can each provide a pathway for delivering tools and/or materials to a surgical site. The distal ends of elongate sheath and the accessory channel can be detached and positioned independently of one another to afford improved positioning or placement of the tools and/or materials received therethrough.
US07976454B2	Cardiac harness A cardiac harness for treating or preventing congestive heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart so as to apply a mild compressive force on the heart. In one embodiment, the cardiac harness is configured so that the variation of load as a function of expansion through a selected range of expansion is represented generally in the form y=ax+b, and the value of “a” does not increase as the percent expansion increases.
US07976452B2	Long term ambulatory intro-aortic balloon pump with percutaneous access device Disclosed herein are embodiments of long-term ambulatory intra-aortic balloon pump systems for providing left ventricular cardiac assistance to a patient. The systems can comprise an external drive system for supplying a compressed fluid, the drive system operating in accordance with a control program stored in memory, an intra-luminal balloon pump having an elongate inflatable chamber positionable to be lying completely within a descending aorta of the patient, and a percutaneous access device. The percutaneous access device can be a biocompatible implantable portal comprising a communicative passage through an interior bore and an exterior having a neck region adapted to promote autologous cell growth thereon in an implantable region, the neck region having a plurality of channels extending about the neck region.
US07976451B2	Transcranial magnetic stimulation system and methods A system and methods for transcranial magnetic stimulation, the system including a helmet, a positioning portion, a stimulator and a cooling system, are disclosed. The helmet includes a coil for deep brain magnetic stimulation. The coil has a base portion, and return portions, which may include a protruding return portion and a contacting return portion. The coil is designed to minimize unintended stimulation of portions of the brain, while reducing accumulation of surface charges. The coil is stimulated at several locations and/or at different times so as to focus the electrical field on a specific deep neuronal structure.
US07976450B2	Post-processing apparatus and recording material processing apparatus used therewith A post-processing apparatus, includes: a restraining unit that restrains a periphery of the back portion of the booklet; a pressing unit that presses the back portion of the booklet restrained by restraining unit so that a curved back face of the back portion of the booklet is formed into a flat back face; an expanding amount judging unit that judges the expanding amount of the booklet in a thickness direction thereof before the pressing operation by the pressing unit; and a relief amount adjusting unit that, based on the judgment result of the expanding amount judging unit, adjusts a deformation amount of the back portion of the booklet in the thickness direction thereof caused by the pressing operation of the pressing unit, the relief amount adjusting unit being located between the restraining unit and the pressing unit.
US07976446B2	Exercise apparatus An exercise apparatus containing a supporting stand and at least one force transmission element, which is associated with a handle element and a pressure exerting element, the apparatus being suitable to exert pressure onto the knee area of a human user and the apparatus allowing the movement of the pressure-exerting element from a first position, in which the pressure-exerting element is in an anterolateral position relative to the body of the user, to a second position of the pressure exerting element, in which the pressure-exerting element is in an posterolateral position, while the pressure-exerting element exerts pressure onto the knee area of the human user. In another aspect, the invention encompasses an exercise apparatus containing a supporting stand and at least one force transmission element, which is associated with a handle element and a pressure-exerting element, in which the force transmission element is movable about a first pivot, wherein the first pivot is positioned in a ventral position relative to the body of a human user.
US07976442B2	Apparatus for exercising multiple body parts An exercise apparatus for exercising multiple body parts includes a frame and a front user bearer assembly which is angularly and height adjustable relative to the frame. The front bearer assembly is mounted to a guide for guiding upward and downward movement of the front bearer assembly. A compensator to ensure that the front assembly travels in a substantially vertical plane during exercise includes a number of support elements, which are pivotally mounted.
US07976441B2	Moment arm weight resistance mechanism and weight training machines utilizing the same A weight training machine having a moment arm weight resistance means for creating a weight resistance or weight load.
US07976440B2	Upper back exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting user support An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support frame pivotally mounted relative to the main frame for rotation between start and end positions. The user support frame supports spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames and has at least one handle gripped by the user in performing exercises, and a connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage. The user engagement device is at least partially non-rigid to allow a user to define the path of the handle and thus the type of back exercise performed.
US07976436B2	Aero hydraulic exercise and physical therapy equipment and method An air spring is used as a resistance device in exercise equipment having a lever arm for exercising arms and legs. In one embodiment, the equipment can be adapted to be used as a stair stepper. In another, it can be adapted to be used on a table surface for exercising hands, wrists and forearms. In still another embodiment, it can incorporate a bike pedal assembly to simultaneously aerobically exercise the legs and arms. The equipment includes resistance level regulating components and a visual indicator using a gauge or similar device to monitor resistance levels.
US07976431B2	Method for shifting actuation of an automated group transmission A method for shifting an automated transmission situated in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an engine and a drive axle and having at least one multi-speed main transmission and a two-speed range change group rear-mounted thereon. The main transmission has at least one counter shaft with a transmission brake. A clutch engages the prime mover and the main transmission and the range change group is shifted via unsynchronized dog clutches which are combined in pairs in a common shift set and have two shift positions and one neutral position such that, during a range change gear shift both in the main transmission and the range change group a change between two ratio stages occurs. A range change up-shift includes synchronizing the input shaft and the target gear utilizing the transmission brake and passively synchronizing the dog shifted transmission parts by the edge beveling of the concerned dog clutches.
US07976430B2	Driver intention detection algorithm for transmission control A system and method for providing TCC control and/or transmission gear shift control by considering the rate of change of the accelerator pedal or throttle position. The method determines whether the rate of change of the throttle position exceeds a predetermined positive rate of change or a predetermined negative rate of change and, if so, releases the TCC to provide TCC control. Alternatively, or additionally, the method can provide a transmission gear down-shift or up-shift depending on which direction the throttle position is changing. Once the TCC and/or gear shift control has been initiated, the method can start a timer and then return to normal TCC and/or gear shift control after the timer has expired. The TCC and/or gear shift control can also return to normal if the rate of change of the throttle position indicates that the throttle is being returned to its previous position.
US07976429B2	Continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission for a motorcycle that provides appropriate engagement of a centrifugal clutch when a clutch shoe is worn. A control unit controls a change gear ratio to a TOP side to engage the centrifugal clutch when the centrifugal clutch is disengaged and an engine rotational speed is higher than a predetermined first rotational speed.
US07976428B2	Control system for drive unit of vehicle A control system for a drive unit of a vehicle, in which a power distribution mechanism is arranged on a route from a prime mover to a wheel, and a transmission is arranged on an output side of the power distribution mechanism. The control system includes a revolution frequency controller that restrains a variation in a revolution frequency of the prime mover by controlling a revolution frequency of the reaction force establishing device until a predetermined time elapses since a commencement of a shifting operation of the transmission. The control system is capable of restraining a variation in an output torque, in case of carrying out a shifting operation of a transmission arranged on an output side of a prime mover.
US07976426B2	Continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a number of tiltable ball-leg assemblies configured angularly about a longitudinal axis. Each ball-leg assembly is in contact with, and guided through a tilting motion by an axially translating shift cam having a convex shape. The convex shape of the shift cam can have a profile defined by a set of parametric equations. In one embodiment, the profile of the shift cam vary according to the location of the contact point between an idler and the ball-leg assembly as well as the amount of relative axial motion between the ball-leg assembly and the idler. In some embodiments, the profile of the shift cam can be configured to control the axial translation of the idler relative to the change in tilt angle of the ball-leg assembly. In other embodiments, a roll-slide factor can be used to characterize the axial translation of the idler relative to the tilt angle of the ball-leg assembly.
US07976422B2	Differential with cross pin retention system and method for assembly A differential assembly includes a retainer for a cross pin having a bore aligned with a bore formed in a differential housing. The cross pin retainer is positionable at partially-inserted and fully-inserted positions within the cross pin and differential bores. At a first rotational orientation, the cross pin retainer is positionable in its partially-inserted position to temporarily retain the cross pin within the differential housing. At a second rotational orientation, the cross pin retainer is positionable in its fully-inserted position to retain the cross pin within the differential housing. Features of the cross pin retainer cooperate with surfaces formed in the differential housing to allow the cross pin retainer to be fixedly positioned and secured within the differential housing.
US07976415B2	Racket with versatile handle A racket. In an illustrative embodiment, the racket includes plural handle portions, including a first handle portion and a second handle portion, which are equipped with a first gripping surface and a second gripping surface, respectively. A first mechanism couples the first handle portion and the second handle portion to the racket so that the first gripping surface is angled relative to a first plane coincident with a hitting surface of the racket. In a more specific embodiment, the first handle portion and the second handle portion are integrated with the racket. Alternatively, the first handle portion and the second handle portion are removably attached to the racket. The first and second handle portions form obtuse angles between the hitting surface and the handle portions.
US07976414B2	Method of a player using ball throwing device A method of a player using a ball throwing device comprising a flexible but substantially non-stretchable flexible line attached at one end to the baseball or softball. The method comprises attaching the substantially non-stretchable flexible line to a non-throwing arm of a player, and using the throwing arm to throw the ball such that it travels along a path which arcs around a non-throwing side of the player to a location in front of the player where the ball may be caught.
US07976412B2	Golf ball Golf ball 2 has spherical core 4, cover 6 positioned outside the core 4, mark layer 8 and paint layer 10. The resin composition of the cover 6 includes composite particles. The composite particle has a nucleus and a coat layer. The nucleus is constituted with aluminum oxide. The coat layer is constituted with titanium oxide. The composite particles are flaky. The amount of the composite particles is 0.1 parts by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the cover 6. The composite particles may be also dispersed in the paint layer 10. The amount of the composite particles in the paint layer 10 is 1 part by weight or more and 30 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the paint layer 10.
US07976411B2	Multi-layer core golf ball Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer.
US07976410B2	Golf ball The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The core is made of a material obtained by molding under applied heat a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber containing polybutadiene having a stress relaxation time (T80) of 3.5 or less, (b) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (c) an organic peroxide. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 50 to 80, the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 35 to 60 which is lower than the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer, and the outer cover layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized resin mixture. The golf ball as a whole has an excellent rebound, a good, soft feel on impact, an outstanding spin performance, and is capable of achieving an increased distance.
US07976409B2	Golf ball The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The core is made of a material obtained by molding under applied heat a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber containing polybutadiene having a stress relaxation time (T80) of 3.5 or less, (b) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (c) an organic peroxide. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 50 to 80, the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 35 to 60 which is lower than the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer, and the inner cover layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized resin mixture. The golf ball as a whole has an excellent rebound, a good, soft feel on impact, and an outstanding spin performance, and is capable of achieving an increased distance.
US07976406B2	Golf club head having a grooved and textured 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.
US07976402B2	Adjustable length and torque resistant golf shaft An adjustable golf shaft having an upper shaft member, a lower shaft member and an inner rod. The upper shaft member includes an elongated bore therein with an upper bushing fixed within an upper end of the elongated bore therein. The lower shaft member has an elongated bore therein with a middle bushing fixed within an upper end of the elongated bore therein. The inner rod includes a lower end dimensioned to be fixed to a lower bushing that can slide relative to the lower shaft member. The inner rod is adapted to slide within the middle bushing as the length of the shaft changes. The shaft also includes a fastener or locking mechanism, which secures the lower shaft member within the upper shaft member.
US07976400B1	Golf putter with adjustable lie A putter head is positioned to be even with the ball when the shaft is at the vertical plane of the ball. The lie of the shaft can be adjusted relative to the head between limits. An insert in the club head secures the tip of the crook of the shaft. A worm gear permits infinite adjustment of lie within a range. The insert can be of different weights to weight the club for various conditions.
US07976392B2	External interfaces for a 3D graphics system An advantageous set of external interfaces for home video game platform provide modularity and expandability while maintaining and preserving the proprietary nature of the platform. A disk drive interface provides flexible communications with an internal disk drive. Various serial bus interfaces provide expandability and interconnectability with a variety of internal and external devices including, for example, flash memory, broadband adapters, modems, and various other devices. A 4-port game controller interface provides serial interconnectability with handheld game controllers and various other input/output device. Power supply, digital and analog audio/video connections, and parallel memory expansion connections are also provided.
US07976391B2	Game system and replacement part There is provided a game system for improving a maintenance property of a game machine in which a replacement part is provided. A replacement part D has a part information recording device 34c in which uniquely given part identification information is recorded. A game machine main body K includes a part information obtaining device 24 and a server transmission device 23. The part information obtaining device 24 obtains the part identification information. The server transmission device 23 transmits to a center server CS, game machine identification information uniquely given to a game machine G together with the obtained part identification information. The center server CS has a server storage device 12 for storing the received part identification information and the received game machine identification information in association with each other.
US07976389B2	Method and apparatus for gaming machines with a tournament play bonus feature A tournament gaming system is disclosed including one or more gaming machines programmed for play of at least one tournament game. A plurality of gaming machines may be linked for tournament play, as through a host computer. Qualification for tournament play may be, at least in part, effectuated through participation in one or more primary games at a gaming machine programmed for tournament play. Tournament games may be conducted at a predetermined minimum rate of play. Variable rates of play responsive to specific game outcomes during tournament games are also disclosed.
US07976388B2	Oral care gaming system with electronic game An oral care gaming system and methods are provided for promoting and rewarding proper oral care techniques and behaviors and for controlling an electronic and/or video game. The system and methods enable a user to play an electronic and/or video game while performing certain oral care activities. The efficacy of a user's oral care techniques enables the user to improve their game play and to achieve the goals of the game. The system includes an oral care tool configured as a game enabler/controller and a base unit configured as an electronic gaming apparatus. Using the oral care tool, a user performs oral care and interacts with an electronic and/or video game the base unit implements and runs. The base unit includes a video display that displays video outputs of an electronic and/or video game. The oral care tool is actuated to enable an electronic and/or video game, and includes sensors for detecting characteristics of a user's oral care techniques and behaviors that serve as inputs to an electronic and/or video game.
US07976387B2	Free-standing input device A controller apparatus for manipulating objects in an electronic application. The controller apparatus comprises a free-standing graspable controller. The controller apparatus comprises a first optical component and a second optical component to determine the rotation direction and speed of the controller. The direction and speed data are relayed to the electronic device to produce an object manipulation in the electronic application.
US07976386B2	Mesh network game controller with voice transmission, search capability, motion detection, and/or position detection Systems and methods are disclosed having a mesh network such as a ZigBee mesh network, a game controller coupled to the mesh network; and a display device coupled to the mesh network.
US07976385B2	Game controller with sensitivity adjustment The disclosure relates to a game controller in electrical communication with a video game system adapted to display a video game. The game controller includes at least one control device adapted for substantially uninterrupted control of an aspect of the video game, the at least one control device having at least a first sensitivity level and a second sensitivity level, and an adjustment device adapted to change the first sensitivity level to the second sensitivity level of the at least one control device without interrupting the substantially uninterrupted control.
US07976384B2	Contactless card reading in a gaming machine A gaming machine may be activated by an individual player for subsequent play by displaying to the gaming machine, without physical contact with the gaming machine, a card carried by the player. The card carries indicia which may include suitable electronic memory, to be sensed by apparatus associated with the gaming machine, to cause the wireless transfer of individualized data concerning the player from the card to the gaming machine or to a computer network that is associated with the gaming machine. The data is evaluated against a stored database, which database may include identification of the card holder. The data is then evaluated against the stored database, and the gaming machine is activated for subsequent play upon favorable evaluation of the data.
US07976379B2	Gaming system and method having configurable bonus game triggering outcomes A gaming system and method which provides for one or more gaming device triggered bonus games to be skipped or otherwise not provided to the players at the gaming devices which triggered such bonus games. The average expected payouts of skipped gaming device triggered bonus games are contributed to a bonus accumulation pool or fund. The accumulation pool is subsequently utilized to provide one or more gaming system triggered bonuses to one or more players at one or more of the gaming devices in the gaming system. A player's accumulated triggering symbols determine, at least in part, the player's probability of winning part of the bonus accumulation pool and/or the player's portion of the bonus accumulation pool.
US07976377B2	Gaming machine with bonus feature A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The game includes a bonus feature which, when triggered, results in the display of a plurality of devices, each of which animates to reveal a number, a prize awarded being a product of the numbers displayed by the devices.
US07976376B2	Methods for providing amusement Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are disclosed which teach a method for playing a game comprising initiating a game play, displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, selecting a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along one or more columns, displaying a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia, achieving an award at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines. A payline can be selectively displayed to the user. Legal tender, a token, and a non-legal tender prize are non-limiting examples of the kinds of awards that may be awarded. The columns of indicia for the game are, for example, arranged as visually spinable reels. In certain embodiments a video display may be utilized to display the indicia.
US07976372B2	Gaming system having multiple player simultaneous display/input device A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players.
US07976371B2	Game device, game device control method, and information storage medium To provide a game device for producing, in a preferred mode with relatively simple processing, a picture in which a predetermined game event occurs as a result of involvement in multiple contacts. A contact determination unit (74) determines whether or not a predetermined contact condition is satisfied, based on the positions of the contact evaluation target object and the contacting candidate object. A contact evaluation point calculating unit (76) calculates, when it is determined that the predetermined contact condition is satisfied, a contact evaluation point of the contact evaluation target object, based on a state of at least one of the contact evaluation target object and the contacting candidate object in the virtual three dimensional space. A contact evaluation point cumulative value storage unit (78) stores the cumulative value of the contact evaluation point. A game event generation unit (injury event control unit (80)) generates a predetermined game event in association with the contact evaluation target object with a probability based on the cumulative value of the contact evaluation point of the contact evaluation target object.
US07976370B2	Method for performing games The invention relates to a method for carrying out a game of the type comprising the steps of noting written information on a writing surface with the aid of a writing means. The writing surface is provided with a position-coding pattern and the writing means is a combined writing and reading unit, which continually reads its movement across the writing surface. The information is converted into digital signals and is sent via a communication system to a recipient which returns feedback on the received information. Examples of games that can be performed by means of such a method are pools, lotto, betting and various other games comprising the use of pen and paper to be carried out.
US07976369B2	Biomass cleaner with improvements in crop harvesting machines and related methods A biomass cleaner, of a harvesting machine, includes at least a first sieve for sieving biomass and having one or more first sieve apertures that are openable and closeable in dependence on control commands. The biomass cleaner also includes an air fan, the speed of which is adjustable in dependence on control commands. The biomass cleaner has one or more control devices that generate the control commands. The first sieve defines a support for biomass that is sieveable via the sieve, and the biomass cleaner includes one or more pressure sensors for generating one or more signals that are related to the pressure of air in the vicinity of the biomass. At least one pressure sensor is operatively connected to supply the signals to a control device that derives therefrom further estimates of the sieve losses and/or the MOG content of the biomass, as defined herein, during operation thereof.
US07976366B2	Computer program products for packaging apparatus with interchangeable horns Computer program products are configured to allow dual operational modes of packaging systems to produce encased products using interchangeable first or second horns.
US07976361B2	Polishing apparatus and polishing method A polishing apparatus is suitable for use in polishing a periphery of a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer. The polishing apparatus includes a holding section configured to hold a workpiece and a polishing head configured to bring a polishing tape into contact with the workpiece. The polishing apparatus also includes a supply reel configured to supply the polishing tape to the polishing head, a rewind reel configured to rewind the polishing tape that has contacted the workpiece, and a swinging mechanism configured to cause the polishing head to perform a swinging motion with its pivot at a predetermined point.
US07976357B1	Bra saver device A bra saver device made for underwire and non-underwire bras to provide protection to the wearer from sudden exposure to underwires and to provide comfort between the wearer of a bra from friction caused by movement of a bra during normal use. The present invention easily attaches to the edge of a bra by opening the clip to the present invention and placing it over the bra where ever an underwire has become exposed and then closing the clip to securely attach the present invention to a bra. The present invention can also be attached to any section of the bra at the edge along the bra at the top or the bottom, front or back where the wearer of the bra experiences discomfort.
US07976355B2	Flexible toss toy A flexible toss toy is disclosed which includes a feature that makes it easier for a dog to pick up and retrieve the disc after being thrown. The disc is saucer-shaped and is made of a soft elastomeric material. The disc has an outer-diameter leading edge, an intermediate top deck surface, and a central portion. The intermediate top deck surface has a circumferential gripping projection. The circumferential gripping projection extends upward with respect to the intermediate top deck surface, and radially inward. The central portion has an elevated portion in a plane above the intermediate top deck surface. The circumferential gripping projection extends upwardly and radially inward to an extent that facilitates gripping by the teeth of a dog. Also, the circumferential gripping projection extends upwardly to an extent that is higher above the intermediate top deck surface than the elevated portion of the central portion.
US07976354B2	Outboard motor An operating handle of an outboard motor is provided with a rotatable grip and a low-speed mode switch unit. A controller performs control so that when the low-speed mode switch unit is “on,” the ratio at which the target speed varies with the manipulated variable of the grip is reduced in comparison with when the low-speed mode switch unit is “off.”
US07976350B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of electric terminals disposed in the insulating housing and an insulating cover assembly. An upper side and a lower side of the rear end of the insulating housing define a first locating cavity and a second locating cavity, respectively. The insulating cover assembly includes an upper cover and a lower cover mated with each other. The upper cover has a first locating portion protruded downward from a portion thereof. The lower cover has a second locating portion protruded upward from a portion thereof. When the insulating cover assembly is rightly assembled with the insulating housing, the locating portions are received in the corresponding locating cavities. When the insulating cover assembly is falsely assembled with the insulating housing, the locating portions are interfered with the insulating housing to prevent the false assembly of the insulating cover assembly and the insulating housing.
US07976348B2	Modular insert and jack including moveable reactance section Compensation schemes for a modular jack are provided according to the present disclosure. The compensation schemes advantageously include a first coupling of compensating crosstalk between a first pair of conductors and a second pair of conductors and a second coupling of compensating crosstalk between only a first conductor of the first pair of conductors and only a first conductor of the second pair of conductors, wherein the first and second couplings of compensating crosstalk are of opposite polarities. In exemplary embodiments, the first coupling of compensating crosstalk may be provided by a circuit board, such as a flexible circuit board including a plurality of interconnection elements, e.g., capacitors, for providing the first coupling of compensating crosstalk. Alternatively, the first coupling of compensating crosstalk may be provided by a plurality of plug interface contacts associated with the first and second pairs of conductors. Similarly, the second coupling of compensating crosstalk may be provided either by a circuit board associated with the first and second pairs of conductors or by a plurality of rear wire connection terminals associated with the first and second pairs of conductors.
US07976346B2	Interface connection management using a removable adapter for communications equipment An interface comprising a docking site having a first electrical connector adapted to interconnect a bus, and having at least one first retainer portion; and an adapter comprising: at least one second retainer portion, wherein the at least one second retainer portion and the at least one first retainer portion are adapted to releasably engage; a second electrical connector, wherein the second electrical connector and the first electrical connector are adapted to engage and interconnect; at least one port adapted to accept at least one modular connector having at least one electrical contact; and at least one electrical interconnect adapted to interconnect the at least one electrical contact with the second electrical connector.
US07976341B2	Shielded connector and method for producing the same The invention relates to a screened connector comprising a cable, which has at least one conductor and a screen braid, a contact support, which is provided with at least one contact element which holds a stripped end of the at least one conductor of the cable, and screening for the at least one conductor, the screening having a fastening region to which the screen braid of the cable is fastened, the screen braid being fastened to the outside of the screening.
US07976338B1	Junction box device A junction box device comprising a junction box mountable on a wall or a ceiling; a duplex receptacle attached in the inner cavity of the junction box, the duplex receptacle comprises a first outlet and a second outlet, the first outlet and the second outlet can engage a first plug of a light fixture or a second plug of a ceiling fan, respectively, wherein the duplex receptacle is operatively connected to a power source; and a first adapter plate attachable to the junction box, the first adapter plate functions to secure a threaded tube support component that extends from the junction box and can secure the light fixture, wherein the threaded tube support component can be threaded through a tube aperture disposed in the first adapter plate.
US07976335B2	LED connector assembly with heat sink A universal mounting supports high intensity LEDs in a lighting fixture with heat removal and electrical connection facilities. A holder includes a peripheral sidewall defining a cavity for accepting a printed circuit board assembly. A support member supports the printed circuit board assembly along the peripheral sidewall. Electrical contact elements are provided the printed circuit board. A thermal conduction member is in thermal communication with the printed circuit board assembly. The receptacle portion removably engages with the holder portion. A plurality of contact sockets conductively engages the electrical contact elements of the holder portion to interconnect the contact elements to external wires. An aperture in the receptacle portion accepts the thermal conduction member, wherein the thermal conduction member passes through the aperture and into a space for dissipating heat from the printed circuit board.
US07976331B1	Electric power connector and power cable retainer arrangement An electric power connector and power cable retainer arrangement includes an electric power connector for the connection of the electric plug or socket of an external power cable for power transmission, and a power cable retainer that has a holder base provided at the electric power connector and a clip extended from the holder base for securing the cable of the external power cable in place to prohibit disconnection of the electric plug or socket of the external power cable.
US07976330B2	Securely latched power connector assembly A securely latched power connector assembly includes a male connector and a female connector connected with a first leading wire and a second leading wire, respectively. A first conductive terminal of the male connector has a first buckle portion for retaining a core of the first leading wire. A second conductive terminal of the female connector has a second buckle portion for retaining a core of the second leading wire. When the connectors are combined, a hollow plug of the male connector is inserted into a hollow socket of the female connector, and the first coupling structures of the male connector and the second coupling structures of the female connector are firmly coupled, while the second pin of the second conductive terminal being inserted into the hollow plug to contact with the first pin of the first conductive terminal, thereby achieving electrical connection.
US07976329B2	Connector locking device Embodiments of the present invention relate to a connector locking device for network cables and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment of the present invention, a keyed-release connector locking device comprises a locking tongue support for supporting a locking tongue of a connector, the locking tongue of the connector consisting of a member biased about a front of the connector on a top surface thereof, extending towards a rear of the connector; a first retaining mechanism for engaging a portion of a body of a terminal, the body of the terminal comprising a structure having a housing on a top surface thereof for receiving the first retaining mechanism; and a key-accessible release arm for releasing the retaining mechanism from the portion of the body of the terminal when pivotably engaged.
US07976328B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector for a flexible printed circuit is provided. The electrical connector comprises a connector set, a terminal and a fasten assembly. The connector set has a base, a cover and a pin. The cover is pivotally connecting to the base by the pin and adapted to open or shut the receiving space defined by the base and the cover. The terminal is adapted to be detachably inserted into the receiving space to electrically connect the connector set. The fasten assembly is disposed on the base and the terminal respectively. When the terminal is inserted into the receiving space, the fasten assembly is adapted to fasten the terminal to the base.
US07976327B2	Card connector for receiving multiple cards A card connector is adapted to receive first and second electronic cards, each having a plurality of contact pads. The second card being wider than the first card. The connector includes an insulative housing with a plurality of first and second terminals mounted therein for engaging respective ones of the contact pads of the electronic cards when the cards are inserted into the connector. A cover member is pivotally mounted on the housing to permit movement of the cover member between an open position at which one of said first and second electronic cards may be inserted and a closed position at which the electronic card inserted into the cover is operatively positioned within the connector. The cover member has first and second sets of positioning members configured to position and hold electronic cards exclusively at the desired location for such card and wherein some of the positioning members of the first set also act as positioning members of the second set.
US07976326B2	Gender-neutral electrical connector An electrical connector assembly includes a pair of electrical connectors, each having a housing and a plurality of gender-neutral electrical contacts supported by the housing. The gender-neutral contacts of each connector are configured to mate with the gender-neutral contacts of the other connector, such that insertion forces associated with mating the contacts provide tactile feedback as the contacts are mated.
US07976321B2	Electrical connector with a ground terminal The electrical connector has a dielectric housing, a plurality of signal terminals which are arranged in the housing, at least one ground terminal with a first contact section and a first spring arm section, the first contact section having a first contact and a second contact being mechanically coupled.
US07976320B2	Power plug A power plug is proposed, comprising: an electrode terminal base having a pair of electrically conductive terminals and a ground terminal; a power cable having insulated wires respectively connected to the conductive terminals and the ground terminal; a conductive casing comprised of a casing body covering and connecting with the electrode terminal, an isolating portion disposed on the outer layer of the casing body for isolating outside electrical noise or electromagnetic interference, an insulating layer disposed on the inner layer of the casing body, a cable fastener disposed in the casing body for holding the cable in position and a conductive fixture electrically connecting with the electrode terminal base, thereby ensuring the quality of electric power transmission.
US07976319B2	Surface mount electrical connector having flexible solder tails An electrical connector includes a housing having a mating end and a board end. The housing has a plurality of contact cavities extending along a longitudinal axis between the mating and board ends. A plurality of contacts are received within the contact cavities. The contacts have a mating end and a mounting end, and the contacts have a flexible tail at the mounting end. The tail has a first portion extending along the longitudinal axis and a second portion angled with respect to the first portion with the second portion having a board mounting surface configured to mount to a circuit board. The tail includes a slot open along the board mounting surface.
US07976313B2	Interactive education system for teaching patient care A patient simulator system for teaching patient care is provided. The system includes a patient simulator. The patient simulator includes a patient body comprising one or more simulated body portions. A respiratory system is positioned within the patient body. The respiratory system includes a pair of lungs and is configured to simulate a respiratory pattern of a patient. A circulatory system is also positioned within the patient body. The circulatory system is configured to simulate at least one circulatory parameter of the patient. The system also includes a control system in communication with the patient simulator. The control system includes a respiratory physiological model for controlling the simulated respiratory pattern of the respiratory system and a circulatory physiological model for controlling the at least one circulatory parameter of the circulatory system. The respiratory physiological model is configured to adjust the simulated respiratory pattern of the respiratory system at least partially based on a treatment administered to the patient simulator by a user.
US07976312B2	Interactive education system for teaching patient care A patient simulator for teaching patient care is provided. The simulator includes a patient body comprising one or more simulated body portions and a pair of bladders positioned within the patient body for simulating a patient's lungs. A compressor is positioned within the patient body in communication with the bladders for selectively providing an air supply to the bladders to simulate a respiratory pattern. A master module is also positioned within the patient body and configured for communication with an external control system. A respiratory module system is positioned within the patient body and spaced from the master module. The respiratory module system controls the respiratory pattern of the patient simulator by controlling the air supply to and from the bladders. The patient simulator is operable without physical connection to an external device.
US07976310B2	Autorotation flight control system The present invention provides computer implemented methodology that permits the safe landing and recovery of rotorcraft following engine failure. With this invention successful autorotations may be performed from well within the unsafe operating area of the height-velocity profile of a helicopter by employing the fast and robust real-time trajectory optimization algorithm that commands control motion through an intuitive pilot display, or directly in the case of autonomous rotorcraft. The algorithm generates optimal trajectories and control commands via the direct-collocation optimization method, solved using a nonlinear programming problem solver. The control inputs computed are collective pitch and aircraft pitch, which are easily tracked and manipulated by the pilot or converted to control actuator commands for automated operation during autorotation in the case of an autonomous rotorcraft. The formulation of the optimal control problem has been carefully tailored so the solutions resemble those of an expert pilot, accounting for the performance limitations of the rotorcraft and safety concerns.
US07976309B1	Method and apparatus for simulating weapon explosions inside a chamber According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for simulating damage inside a chamber in response to receiving a detection signal from one or more sensors outside the chamber. The method includes receiving the detection signal from the one or more sensors located outside the chamber in response to the one or more sensors detecting a simulated hit to outside the chamber. In response, emitting light from one or more light sources to simulate damage inside the chamber.
US07976308B2	Dental wedges and methods Improved dental wedge having curved elongate body approximating the anatomical curvature of a tooth undergoing repair to hold the matrix in conformity with the anatomical curvature of said tooth. The wedges comprising a curved elongate body having proximal and distal ends and tapering from the proximal end to the distal end, the elongate body further having a bottom surface, an inside surface and an outside surface opposite the inside surface, the curvature of the elongate body being towards the inside surface, and the bottom surface adjacent the insertion portion being curved upwards relative to the remainder of the bottom surface. The elongate body may be generally triangular in cross-section, and the inside surface is concave and the outside surface is convex transversely to the elongate body.
US07976307B2	Light curing device The invention relates to a light curing device (10) having a light source (14), which is mounted such that it is thermally conductively connected to a heat sink (12), with electrical components which are fitted to a printed circuit board. The components are at least partially arranged in the cooling air stream of the heat sink (12) and the cooling air stream is at least partially guided by the printed circuit board.
US07976305B2	Cigarette lighter with alarm A cigarette lighter includes a reservoir for storing fuel and a head formed on the reservoir. Moreover, the cigarette lighter includes a valve for releasing the fuel from the reservoir, a nozzle put in the head for spraying the fuel from the valve, an ignition device for igniting the fuel sprayed from the nozzle, a cover for covering the head and an alarm for providing only one round of a message every time the cover is lifted.
US07976294B2	Scroll fluid machine having stationary and orbiting scrolls having a coupling mechanism to allow the orbiting scroll to orbit relative to the second scroll A scroll fluid machine has a stationary scroll having a stationary scroll lap and an orbiting scroll having an orbiting scroll lap that orbits relative to the stationary scroll lap. The orbiting scroll lap engages with the stationary scroll lap to form a closed compression chamber. An intermediate ring is positioned to surround the orbiting scroll lap. A plurality of first plate springs connect the intermediate ring and the orbiting scroll, while supporting the intermediate ring to enable the intermediate ring to move in a first direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the machine. A plurality of second plate springs connect the intermediate ring and the stationary scroll, while supporting the intermediate ring to enable the intermediate ring to move in a second direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the machine as well as orthogonal to the first direction.
US07976291B2	Motor cooler A cooling fan includes an outer housing. A motor support is fixed to the outer housing and a motor is mounted to the motor support. A hub is coupled to the motor and, with the motor support, forms a motor enclosure that substantially surrounds the motor. Multiple blades extend radially from the hub and are arranged so as to generate a flow of air around the motor enclosure when the blades are rotated. The cooling fan also includes a motor cooler including a flow path through the motor enclosure, wherein the flow path has a first opening and a second opening, wherein the second opening is disposed within an area of lowered downstream pressure so as to develop a differential pressure between the first and second openings and generate a flow of air through the motor enclosure as the motor operates.
US07976289B2	Capacity variable type rotary compressor and driving method thereof A capacity variable type rotary compressor and a driving method thereof are provided. The compressor includes bypass holes that connect a compression chamber and a suction chamber of a cylinder divided from each other by a vane formed at a sub bearing, a sliding valve that opens and closes bypass holes installed at the sub bearing, and a pressure difference maintaining device that enables the sliding valve to perform a capacity exclusion driving, thereby lowering a cooling capability at the time of the capacity exclusion driving. By maintaining the capacity exclusion driving for a long time, an air conditioner is variously controlled and unnecessary power waste of the compressor and the air conditioner to which the compressor is applied is decreased. A back pressure of the sliding valve is fast and precisely switched by a pilot valve having a high reliability, so that the compressor is widely applied to an air conditioner thereby to enhance the efficiency thereof.
US07976283B2	Noise reducer for rotor blade in wind turbine A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a noise reducer configured on a surface of the rotor blade. The noise reducer includes a plurality of reinforcing members and a plurality of noise reduction features. Each of the plurality of reinforcing members extends outwardly with respect to the rotor blade. Each of the plurality of noise reduction features is connected to one of the plurality of reinforcing members and defines a width. Each of the plurality of reinforcing members causes the connected noise reduction feature to have a variable stiffness throughout at least a portion of the width of the connected noise reduction feature.
US07976282B2	Preform spar cap for a wind turbine rotor blade A spar cap for a wind turbine rotor blade. The spar cap may include multiple preform components. The multiple preform components may be planar sheets having a swept shape with a first end and a second end. The multiple preform components may be joined by mating the first end of a first preform component to the second end of a next preform component, forming the spar cap.
US07976277B2	Air-cooled component A component such as a turbine blade of a gas turbine engine has a cooling arrangement comprising a cascade impingement array in which cooling air flows from a supply chamber through impingement passages in webs to an internal passageway comprising first and second limbs. The cooling air flow through the limbs, provides improved heat transfer compared with continued impingement cooling in the chordwise direction of the blade.
US07976276B2	Noise reducer for rotor blade in wind turbine A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a tip and a root, the rotor blade further defining a pitch axis. The rotor blade assembly further includes a noise reducer mounted to the rotor blade. The noise reducer includes a base plate defining a base line, a plurality of noise reduction features extending from the base line, and a plurality of apertures defined in the base plate. Each aperture is positioned on an opposite side of the base line from the plurality of noise reduction features such that the aperture is fully defined in the base plate.
US07976274B2	Methods and apparatus for assembling turbine engines A method facilitates the assembly of a gas turbine engine. The method of assembly comprises providing a turbine nozzle including an inner band, an outer band, at least one vane extending between the inner and outer bands, and at least one leading edge fillet extending between the at least one vane and at least one of the inner and outer bands, wherein a leading edge of the at least one vane is downstream from the leading edges of the inner and outer bands, and coupling the turbine nozzle within the gas turbine engine such that the leading edge fillet is configured to facilitate minimizing vortex formation along the vane leading edge adjacent at least one of the inner and outer bands.
US07976269B2	Wind turbine with mixers and ejectors A Mixer/Ejector Wind Turbine (“MEWT”) system is disclosed which routinely exceeds the efficiencies of prior wind turbines. Unique ejector concepts are used to fluid-dynamically improve many operational characteristics of conventional wind/water turbines for potential power generation improvements of 50% and above. Applicants' preferred MEWT embodiment comprises: an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud with an inlet; a ring of stator vanes; a ring of rotating blades (i.e., an impeller) in line with the stator vanes; and a mixer/ejector pump to increase the flow volume through the turbine while rapidly mixing the low energy turbine exit flow with high energy bypass wind flow. The MEWT can produce three or more time the power of its un-shrouded counterparts for the same frontal area, and can increase the productivity of wind farms by a factor of two or more. The same MEWT is safer and quieter providing improved wind turbine options for populated areas.
US07976266B2	Power system A power system includes a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine may include a first portion, a second portion, and a longitudinal axis. The power system may also include a first moveable support engaged to the first portion of the gas turbine engine. The first moveable support may be operable to at least partially constrain movement of the first portion of the gas turbine engine during operation of the gas turbine engine. Additionally, the first moveable support may be operable to at least partially support the first portion of the gas turbine engine as the first portion of the gas turbine engine is moved away from the longitudinal axis independently of the second portion of the gas turbine engine.
US07976263B2	Integrated wafer transfer mechanism An integrated high speed robotic mechanism is disclosed for improving transport equipment, integrating an object movement with other functionalities such as alignment or identification. The disclosed integrated robot assembly typically comprises an end effector for moving the object in and out of a chamber, a rotation chuck incorporated on the robot body to provide centering and theta alignment capability, and an optional identification subsystem for identifying the object during transport. The present invention also discloses a transfer robot system, employing a plurality of integrated robot assemblies; a transfer system where a transfer robot system can service a plurality of connected chambers such as FOUP or FOSB; a front end module (FEM); or a sorter system. Through the use of these incorporated capabilities into the moving robot, single object transfer operations can exceed 500 parts per hour.
US07976261B2	Apparatus for moving and securing a substrate An apparatus for transferring and securing a substrate is shown. A pressure source is provided that is adapted to provide positive and negative pressure. A vacuum chuck is provided having a top side with a plurality of vacuum chuck portals formed therein. Each vacuum chuck portal is in fluid communication with the pressure source. The substrate is secured to the top side of the vacuum chuck when the pressure source provides negative pressure to the vacuum chuck portals. An intermediate member that selectively cooperates with the vacuum chuck to support and transfer the substrate between the vacuum chuck and the intermediate member is provided. The intermediate member has a plurality of receiving spaces and a plurality of transfer members. The receiving spaces and transfer members are adjacent to one another in an alternating pattern, and each transfer member has a top side with a plurality of transfer member portals formed therein. Each transfer member portal is in fluid communication with the pressure source. A carriage extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the vacuum chuck and along at least a portion of the periphery of the intermediate member is provided. The carriage engages at least a portion of the substrate when the pressure source provides positive pressure to the vacuum chuck portals and transfer member portals to transfer the substrate between the intermediate member and the vacuum chuck.
US07976260B2	Work handling apparatus A work handling apparatus includes a pair of traveling guides (20, 20′) provided so as to extend in a front-and-rear direction X at right and left sides, and a pair of direct-acting arms (30, 30′) provided so as to travel independently on the pair of traveling guides. The direct-acting arms are extendable from contracted positions, at which the arms oppose each other and avoid mutual interference in a right-and-left direction Y, to extended positions at which the arms overlap with each other. An operation spot (41) is arranged in an operation area (40) sandwiched between the pair of traveling guides for performing a predetermined operation to a work. Also, work tools (60, 60′) are attached to the pair of direct-acting arms (30, 30′), respectively, for transferring the work between a work storage area (50) and the operation spot (41) or performing an operation after transfer.
US07976253B2	Locking chuck A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a housing and a rotatable drive shaft extending therefrom is provided. The chuck includes a generally cylindrical body member having a nose section and a tail section. Each of a plurality of jaws is slidably positioned in one of a plurality of angularly disposed passageways in the body. Each jaw has a jaw face formed on one side thereof and threads formed on the opposite side thereof. A nut is rotatably mounted on the body in engagement with the jaw threads so that rotation of the nut moves the jaws axially within the passageways. A locking member, in a first axial position, is rotatable with respect to the driver housing. In a second axial position, it operatively engages the housing and the nut so that the locking member is rotationally held to the housing and the nut so that the nut is rotationally held to the housing. The locking member is axially reciprocal between the first axial position and the second axial position.
US07976252B2	Pocket hole jig tool system A pocket hole jig tool system includes a base on which a workpiece is supported. A drill guide support is slidably mounted to the base. Drill guide bushings are movably mounted relative to the drill guide support for clampingly engaging the workpiece and for guiding a drill for engaging the workpiece. A stop collar assembly is adjustably mounted relative to the drill guide bushings to automatically ensure a proper pocket hole location and depth for the workpiece inserted in the tool system.
US07976251B2	Indexable insert An indexable insert has a rake face on which a first ridge (2) and a second ridge (3) are provided. The first ridge (2) protrudes from a boss surface (1) towards a nose, and the second ridge (3) extends continuously from the first ridge (2) to a slope (8) connected to a cutting-edge land (7) of a linear cutting edge (6). The second ridge (3) has a height lower than that of the first ridge (2) and is convex-curved towards a bisecting line (CL) of an apex angle of the nose in plan view, thereby achieving both enhanced chip processability and reduction of load received when raking a chip.
US07976249B2	Side milling cutter for manufacturing a stone or rock drill, a method of manufacturing a stone or rock drill with a side milling cutter, and a side milling cutter and a cutting insert therefor Side milling cutter for manufacturing a stone or rock drill in which the cutting inserts each have a bearing lug with sloped sides, as well as a method of manufacturing a stone or rock drill with such a side milling cutter, and a cutting insert therefor having a bearing lug with sloped sides.
US07976247B1	Dual pressure cylinder A self contained dual pressure cylinder for use in tensioner assemblies for oil and natural gas floating vessels. The self contained dual pressure cylinder can have a high pressure outer barrel surrounding a high pressure inner barrel, forming a high pressure gas channel, a low pressure outer barrel surrounding a low pressure inner barrel, forming a low pressure fluid channel. A high pressure gas port connected to a high pressure gas reservoir, a low pressure fluid port connected to a low pressure gas reservoir, a low pressure fluid compression area connected to the low pressure fluid port, a hollow rod slidingly engaged each inner barrel, a dual pressure capture plate with moveable rod seals and moveable rod wear, a piston a low pressure elastomeric seal, a low pressure/high pressure separator, and a high pressure elastomeric seal.
US07976246B1	System for deploying a deepwater mooring spread A system for deploying a deepwater mooring spread from a floating vessel using at least two cranes each having a main block, a deepwater deployment system connected to at least one of the cranes, a reel drive, a structure for supporting the reel drive and a hang-off, a plurality of neutral buoyancy polymer lines deployable by the reel drive connectable to each other and the hang-off with chains and/or with remote operated vehicle connectors, at least two suction piles with anchor chains, and at least two buoys, one for each suction pile for connecting to the neutral buoyancy polymer lines.
US07976243B2	Methods and apparatus for installing conduit underground Apparatus and methods for forming an underground passageway and simultaneously laying therein a conduit or other elongate components comprises a rotary drill member coupled to a rotary and axially movable drill stem. The coupling is one which virtually automatically enables the drill stem to be coupled to and uncoupled from the drill member and comprises interlocking driving lugs carried by the drill stem and the drill member. The driving lugs are sandwiched between telescoped portions of the drill member and the drill stem and thereby are reinforced by such portions of the drill stem and the drill member in such manner as to preclude movement of the driving lugs in both radially inward and radially outward directions.
US07976239B2	End of a moldboard positioned proximate a milling drum In one aspect of the present invention, the present invention is a system for removing aggregate from a paved surface. The system includes a motorized vehicle with a degradation drum that is connected to the underside of the vehicle. The degradation drum is enclosed by a milling chamber. The milling chamber is defined by having a plurality of plates, including a moldboard positioned rearward of the milling drum. The moldboard comprises an end that is disposed opposite the underside. The end comprises a section that is proximate the milling drum.
US07976238B2	End of a moldboard positioned proximate a milling drum In one aspect of the present invention, the present invention is a system for removing aggregate from a paved surface. The system includes a motorized vehicle with a degradation drum that is connected to the underside of the vehicle. The degradation drum is enclosed by a milling chamber. The milling chamber is defined by having a plurality of plates, including a moldboard positioned rearward of the milling drum. The moldboard comprises an end that is disposed opposite the underside. The end comprises a section that is proximate the milling drum.
US07976237B2	Metal sheet, method for fixing said metal sheet by flow drilling and assembly comprising same A metal sheet includes a surface and a tubular extension projecting from the surface of the sheet. The tubular extension includes a first part and a second part that define a through-hole. The second part extends from the surface to the first part. A cross-sectional shape of the second part is hexagonal. A diameter of the hole in the first part is constant. A diameter of a circle inscribed in the second part increases from the first part to the surface. A screw can be screwed into the first part.
US07976233B2	Winding apparatus A winding apparatus for use in a copier, a printer, and other devices for ejecting a printed sheet in a rolled form of a cylinder without having a core includes a gripping mechanism for gripping the leading end of a sheet when the sheet is rolled into cylindrical form. The gripping mechanism is disposed on a cylindrical member provided to each of both ends of the sheet in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the sheet and moving with the conveyance of the sheet. The on and off states of gripping to the leading end of the sheet can be controlled. The gripping mechanism is turned to the off state, and the cylindrical member is retracted from the sheet.
US07976228B2	Mirror A device for hands-free self-examination is provided comprising a viewing component having a mirror which is attached to a compliant receptacle. The receptacle being configured to receive filler material thereby enabling the device to be positioned on an irregular surface such that it substantially conforms thereto and enabling the mirror to be manipulated to any orientation.
US07976226B2	Optical sub-assembly with electrically conductive paint, polymer or adhesive to reduce EMI or sensitivity to EMP or ESD Disclosed are various embodiments of an optical wavelength division demultiplexer or multiplexer sub-assembly configured to receive or transmit optical signals conveyed thereto or therefrom by a fiber optic cable. Selected portions of external surfaces of the sub-assembly are coated with an electrically conductive paint, polymer or adhesive to provide an EMI, EMP or ESD shield. Typically, the sub-assembly comprises an integrally molded plastic optical block and a separate integrally molded coupling module with a ferrule and fiber optic cable receptacle. In one embodiment, selected external surfaces of the optical block and coupling module are coated with a coating having a predetermined electrical conductivity to provide a desired degree of EMI, EMP or ESD shielding.
US07976224B2	Eccentric thrust bearing assembly The invention provides an eccentric thrust bearing assembly capable of bearing axial loads in opposite directions.A first aspect of the invention relates to a thrust bearing assembly a1 wherein a first radially outside member and a second radially inside member oppose each other at first positions a21 separately located and clamp therebetween a rolling element a8 disposed at each of the first positions a21, whereas a second radially outside member and a first radially inside member oppose each other at second positions a22 of a different phase from that of the first positions a21 and clamp therebetween a rolling element a8 disposed at each of the second positions a22. In this bearing assembly a1, respective certain portions of the rolling elements are present on the same plane.
US07976222B2	Drivetrain connection having film bearings A drivetrain for use with a power unit. The drivetrain may have a driving member, a driven member, and a sleeve disposed between the driving member and the driven member. The drivetrain may further have a first oil film bearing disposed between the sleeve and one of the driving member and the driven member.
US07976220B2	Film bag A film bag formed by folding a film has a front surface, a back surface, a laid-in first side fold, and a laid-in second side fold. The bag is closed off by a longitudinal sealing seam and a head sealing seam. The head sealing seam has a step shape, with a first head sealing seam segment extending from the outside edge of the second side fold to the ends of the re-closure strip attached to the inside of the front and back surfaces, and a second head sealing seam segment that follows the first in step shape and connects a bag segment that projects upward, at the edges, forming a seal, and extends to the outside edge of the bag, along the first side fold. The projecting bag segment can be removed entirely or in part, along a separating line disposed above the re-closure strip.
US07976219B2	Closing device with slider for sachet, comprising anti-engagement means The present invention relates to a closing device for sachets comprising at least two complementary closing elements (200, 300) and an associated slider (100) comprising a central bead (140), adapted for modifying the joining state of said two elements (200, 300) so as to respectively separate or engage the latter according to its direction of motion, characterized in that the slider (100) comprises at least one flexible lip (145, 146) placed on the apex of the central bead (140) opposite a lead angle (216, 316) provided on the closing element (200, 300), according to a configuration such that any attempt to pull back the slider results in autolocking hanging of the lip (145, 146).
US07976218B2	Apparatus for providing shielding in a multispot x-ray source and method of making same A modular x-ray source for an imaging system includes a structure forming a cavity and having a first wall and a second wall, at least one target positioned on the first wall within the cavity and configured to receive a first electron beam at a first spot position and a second electron beam at a second spot position, and a shielding material positioned on the second wall.
US07976217B2	Screening system and method for analyzing a plurality of biosensors A screening device and a method are described herein which can automatically handle and measure (interrogate) a plurality of sensor carriers (i.e., multiwell plates, microplates) with multi-dimensionally arranged, temperature-compensated or temperature-compensatable optical sensors, while maintaining a substantially constant temperature gradient for a relatively long period of time around the optical sensors where temperature compensation has been performed on the sensor carriers.
US07976203B2	Vehicle lamp A vehicle lamp including a light-emitting semiconductor device can have high visibility even in an area outside of the standard light distribution pattern. The vehicle lamp can include at least one light-emitting semiconductor device and at least one lens that includes both a first lens formation and second lens formation. An optical axis of the at least one lens can correspond with that of the at least one light-emitting semiconductor device. The first lens formation can receive a strong light that is within the range of a half-value angle of light emitted from the at least one light-emitting semiconductor and which forms a standard light distribution pattern. The second lens formation can receive a weak light that is beyond the range of the half-value angle and forms a light distribution pattern in an area outside of the standard light distribution formed by the first lens formation.
US07976200B2	Optical projection device The invention relates to an optical projection device. Said optical projection device comprises a plurality of light-emitting diode chips and at least one optical element comprising a light input surface which is associated with at least one of the light-emitting diode chips. The light decoupling surface of the light-emitting diode chip, which is adapted to the refraction index, is optically connected to the light input surface of the associated optical element.
US07976198B1	Method and apparatus to provide up-light for aerial viewing and effectively control glare and spill light An apparatus, method, and system to provide, as one example, up-light for aerial viewing from downwardly aimed wide area, high intensity, lighting fixtures. The method controls a small percentage of light from the fixture to pass up and away for up-light, with the remainder used to produce a controlled, concentrated beam to a target. Some embodiments include a substantial amount of glare and spill light control. An apparatus can include a lamp and fixture with a visor length that is shorter than most conventional spill and glare control visors. The visor allows a controlled, relatively small percentage of direct light from the fixture for a desired or needed level of aerial illumination, but efficiently directs other light to the target. Optionally, a reflective plate is positioned inside the visor to reflect a small percentage of light from the fixture upwardly for up-light. Another embodiment can shift a fraction of light in direction(s) different than the main light output of the fixture.
US07976196B2	Method of forming LED-based light and resulting LED-based light A method of forming a LED-based light for replacing a conventional fluorescent bulb in a fluorescent light fixture includes shaping an elongate sheet of highly thermally conductive material to fashion a heat sink. Shaping the heat sink allows fashioning the heat sink to define cover and end cap attachment structures, surfaces for mounting LEDs at various angles, and a high surface area to width ratio for dissipating heat.
US07976192B2	Remotely lit optical signature lamp A lighting system and a method for providing a lighting pattern are disclosed, wherein the lighting system and method minimize non-uniform color and intensity in the lighting pattern, offers unique styling features, and provides design flexibility for the LED package and associated heatsinking devices. The lighting system including a light source, a first light bending device disposed adjacent the light source and adapted to receive light rays emitted from the light source and direct the light rays in a first desired lighting pattern, and a second light bending device disposed around the first light bending device, wherein the optical device is adapted to receive the directed light rays from the first light bending device and direct the light rays in a second desired lighting pattern.
US07976191B2	Light string of LEDs An LED light string includes series-connected groups of individual LEDs or sets of LEDs, with each LED or set of LEDs in each group being electrically in parallel with each other LED or set of LEDs and with a parallel group device that regulates voltage within the group when LEDs in that group fail. The current to the LEDs is rectified, either in the light string plug or receptacle, preferably the latter. The color of each light in the group, or colors of each set in the group must be the same but successive groups can include LEDs of different colors. In an alternative embodiment, the LEDs can be oriented so that half light on during the first half of an alternating current cycle and the other half light during the second half of an alternating current cycle.
US07976189B2	Skylight LED lighting system A skylight LED lighting system is described. The system utilizes LED lights attached to or near a skylight in order to provide a user with the ability to increase the amount of light being directed into an area. The system can utilize a LED controller to allow the user to control the light output intensity. The LED controller provides a smooth range of changing brightness levels. The system can utilize one or more solar cells and batteries to power the LED lights. The system can be controlled via a radio frequency remote control. Additionally, the system can utilize a flexible, skylight-shaped installation housing that can be inserted into the skylight under compression. When the compression is released, the ring expands to press against the inside of the skylight and holds the skylight LED lighting system in place.
US07976187B2	Uniform intensity LED lighting system Light emitting device multi-chip lighting fixtures are disclosed. According to one aspect, a lighting fixture is provided, the lighting fixture having a plurality of light-emitting devices operable for emitting light onto a light diffuser. Where each of the light-emitting devices produces light having a non-uniform luminous intensity, each of the light-emitting devices is positioned with respect to one another to illuminate the surface of the light diffuser with an aggregate light having a substantially uniform luminous intensity. In this way, the light cast by the lighting fixture appears to have a substantially uniform luminous intensity.
US07976181B2	Display cabinet illumination An illuminator comprises an elongate body; and engagement means for engaging a display cabinet shelf at a front edge. Light emitting diodes are mounted on inner surfaces of the body for product illumination. The diodes are mounted for mutually divergent and at least partially inwardly-directed fields of illumination. The diodes include a top set of diodes arranged for illumination above a shelf and a bottom set of diodes for illumination below a shelf. The illuminator may further comprise a light guide for direction of light from behind the diodes to an outer surface of the body, and the diodes being mounted on a transparent substrate. The body may comprise a label holder for supporting a label across an outer surface of the body.
US07976180B1	Solar powered rechargeable street light with tamper resistant networkable system A solar powered rechargeable street light, which can be networked to a system. The modular and tamper resistant street light and system can be used with individual street lights or a network of street lights. The system can be powered from a central controller, which can detect tampering by individuals or harsh weather conditions.
US07976177B2	Internally lighted bottle Bottles containing LED circuits positioned in LED chambers for selectively illuminating the bottle or its contents. The LED circuits can be positioned in a translucent or transparent base and can be activated so as to illuminate or cease to illuminate one or more LEDs by reed-type hermetic switches, contact switches or push switches when a base to the bottle is twisted, the bottle is opened, the bottle is closed or the bottle is lifted from a flat surface. The LED circuits can alternatively be attached to the bottle by way of a shrink-wrapped layer over the base and/or sides of the bottle with the LED Circuits interposed between the translucent shrink-wrap and the bottle.
US07976175B2	Ring lamp for illuminating a delimited volume and the use thereof A ring lamp includes a light source having a first hollow cylinder with a lighting device disposed therein. The light source has an emitting surface with a light-emitting direction oriented toward an axis of the hollow cylinder. The lamp also includes a light directing device configured to direct light emission. The light directing device includes a lens system having a lens formed as a second hollow cylinder and configured to focus light into a radial plane which is orthogonal to the axis. The lens system has a ring-shaped aperture diaphragm disposed centrally in an optical path of the light emission behind the lens. The emitting surface of the light source and the lens system have a same length, are coaxial and axially aligned with each other. A radial surface which is defined by an inner radius of the lens system and the length of the lens system spans a delimited volume.
US07976174B2	Method and apparatus for projecting an optical projection onto a projection surface In a method for projecting at least one optical projection onto at least one projection surface a monitoring zone that contains and/or surrounds a first projection surface is scanned with the aid of a working laser beam, which is not hazardous for the human eye, by the positioning the working laser beam on various scanning positions located in the monitoring zone, and a measured signal for light from the working laser beam that is reflected from the scanning positions is acquired. The measured signal is compared with the reference signal. Depending on the result of this comparison, the optical projection is projected onto the first projection surface by means of a projection laser beam, which has a greater radiant power than the working laser beam. With the aid of the working laser beam, a second optical projection is projected onto a second projection surface that is located outside of the monitoring zone.
US07976173B2	Projector and control method therefor Disclosed herein is a projector for projecting an image to a screen, including: a lamp configured to emit light; an elliptic reflecting mirror configured to reflect and condense the light from the lamp; an image display device configured to modulate the light reflected and condensed by the elliptic reflecting mirror with image data corresponding to the image to convert the reflected light into image light; a projection lens disposed between the screen and the image display device and configured to project the image light from the image display device to the screen; and a position adjustment mechanism configured to displace the bright point of the lamp from a first focus of the elliptic reflecting mirror to adjust the position of the lamp so as to decrease the effective light amount of the image display device.
US07976171B2	Projector cooling system with time dependent temperature threshold The image projection apparatus includes a temperature detector that detects a temperature inside of the apparatus, and a controller that performs a protection operation when the temperature detected by the temperature detector is higher than a predetermined temperature. The controller measures an elapsed time from when a power of the apparatus is turned on, and changes the predetermined temperature in accordance with the elapsed time. This apparatus can avoid mistaken activation or inactivation of a protection function at the time of re-lighting of the light source due to the influence of the residual heat after the light source is turned off.
US07976167B2	LED illumination system with polarization recycling A light engine has a light source front surface that emits non-collimated light. A collection lens collects the non-collimated light and provides incompletely collimated light. A collimating lens receives the incompletely collimated light and provides a collimated image. A non-orthogonal polarizing filter receives the collimated image and passes a polarized portion of the collimated image as a direct component of the polarized light engine image. The non-orthogonal polarizing filter reflects a recycled image back to the front surface. The non-orthogonal shape of the polarizing filter is selected according to the pattern of light on the light source front surface.
US07976164B2	Rear projector and rear projecting method The application relates to a rear projector and a rear projection method. There is provided at least one projection screen, at least two beamers, each of the at least two beamers generating one view of a scene into at least one viewing direction and projecting the view onto the rear side of the projection screen, at least one switcheable diffuser which is switcheable between a transparent state and a diffuse state, wherein in the transparent state each beamer generates a different view of a scene, and wherein in the diffuse state the beamers generate one view of a scene.
US07976155B2	Adapter for coupling a laser processing device to an object An adapter to be applied in contact with an anterior corneal surface. The adapter includes a contact glass portion having a corneal contact surface curvature that is flatter than the undeformed anterior corneal surface. When the contact glass is applied the cornea assumes a deformed state corneal curvature that is parallel to the flatter corneal contact surface curvature. A mount portion circumferentially surrounds the contact glass portion and defines a suction duct that is structured to secure the adapter to the cornea by negative pressure when the suction duct is brought into contact with a surface of the eye surrounding the contact glass portion. The suction duct is partially defined by a peripheral edge of the mount that extends outwardly away from the mount portion and toward but not intersecting or extending beyond a geometric continuation of the corneal contact surface curvature.
US07976153B2	Inkjet printer with retractable cover serving as media guide An inkjet printer comprises a body housing a print engine configured to transport and print upon print media; a cover pivotally mounted relative to the body and able to be pivoted to form a guide which can guide print media to the print engine for printing; a support configured to support the print media guided to the print engine and pivotally mounted relative to the cover so that the support can be retracted between the cover and the body; and a stepper motor for driving a sheet feed roller and a paper transport. The stepper motor drives the paper transport when operated in a forward direction, and drives the sheet feed roller when operated in the reverse direction.
US07976149B2	Ink set, and recording method, recording system, and recorded matter using the ink set It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink set that has a wide color reproduction range, has high saturation, produces a glossy recorded image with no pronounced granularity caused by dot expression, greatly suppresses granularity caused by dot expression particularly when applied to a medium having a coating layer, and allows a recorded image with outstanding coloration to be obtained when applied to plain paper. The present invention provides an ink set comprising at least yellow ink (Y), magenta ink (M), cyan ink (C), and red ink (R), wherein the L* values in the Lab colorimetric system specified by CIE for aqueous solutions of each ink diluted 1000 times are within the following ranges. (Y): at least 89 and no more than 94, (M): at least 76 and no more than 93, (C): at least 74 and no more than 87, (R): at least 55 and no more than 74.
US07976145B2	Recording method A recording method is provided for recording images based on image data on a recording area of a recording medium using a first color liquid and a second color liquid containing coloring material and a colorless liquid not containing the coloring material, the recording medium being transported along a predetermined transport direction, the method including: a consumption amount calculation step of calculating a consumption amount of the first color liquid consumed when recording the images based on the image data on the recording medium, the consumption amount being obtained by subtracting the content of the coloring material from a total consumption amount of the first color liquid, and the consumption amount being calculated for each unit area of the recording area of the recording medium.
US07976142B2	Ink cartridge with an internal spring assembly for a printer A printer ink cartridge with a spring assembly pressurising the ink to dispense it when the outlet establishes fluid communication with the printer. The cartridge has an outer portion with the spring assembly and a base portion containing a deformable ink membrane for containing ink. At least part of the base portion slides against the outer portion, and the spring assembly presses the deformable ink membrane to dispense ink as the at least part of the base portion slides within the outer portion by application of a force. The cartridge also has an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printer.
US07976140B2	Liquid droplet ejecting apparatus A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus is provided. The liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid storage container for storing a liquid therein; a carriage configured to reciprocate; an ejecting head mounted on the carriage and configured to eject liquid droplets; a liquid tank which is mounted on the carriage and is connected to the ejecting head and which is connected to the liquid storage container via a flexible tube; an air supply and discharge unit configured to supply air to the liquid tank and discharge air from the liquid tank; and a pressure controller controls the air supply and discharge unit so as to reduce a pressure fluctuation in the internal pressure of the liquid tank generated due to an inertial force applied to a liquid in the tube when the carriage changes a moving direction thereof.
US07976138B2	Data-providing-component securing mechanism for printing apparatus reservoir The present invention pertains to a data-providing component securing mechanism for a printing apparatus reservoir. According to embodiments of the present invention, a securing mechanism is provided with an image-formation-material reservoir. The securing mechanism includes a drawer-style support feature having two guiding regions that interact with sides of the data-providing component when it is inserted therein. Upon complete or substantially complete insertion of the data-providing component into the drawer-style support feature, a retention feature is engaged at an opening end of the drawer-style support feature in order to retain the data-providing component in its engaged position. Consequently, the data-providing component can be secured without the use of external bonding agents, and can be removed from the drawer-style support feature intact, thereby allowing such data-providing component to be reused.
US07976137B2	Print cartridge having enlarged end reservoirs A print cartridge is provided having an elongate body defining a number of printing fluid reservoirs along the elongate length with end reservoirs being larger than reservoirs interposed between the end reservoirs, a lid covering the body to seal the reservoirs, and a printhead on the body in fluid communication with the reservoirs.
US07976134B2	Method of manufacturing liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus A method of manufacturing a liquid ejecting head includes: inserting a piezoelectric element unit into a storage portion of a case head while causing a fixed substrate to be struck to an inner surface of the storage portion of the case head by a magnetic force; and joining the piezoelectric element unit and the case head in a state of bringing at least part of side surfaces of the piezoelectric element unit into abutment with an alignment surface of the inner surface of the storage portion.
US07976129B2	Nozzle structure with reciprocating cantilevered thermal actuator A nozzle structure for an inkjet printer printhead includes an ink ejection port; a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink ejection port and an ink supply channel of the inkjet printer printhead; and a cantilevered thermal actuator terminating in a free end over the ink supply channel. The thermal actuator includes a serpentine heater layer connected to a CMOS drive circuitry layer of the printhead. The thermal actuator is adapted to reciprocate towards and away from the ink ejection port in response to signals from the drive circuitry layer.
US07976124B2	Ink jet device and method of manufacturing the same An ink jet device including a plurality of ink channels that are arranged side by side and are covered by a flexible sheet, and a corresponding number of actuators are arranged to exert an actuating force onto the sheet through a bump that has a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration wherein the bumps are formed on the sheet in such an orientation that their trapezoidal cross-section diverges towards the actuator, and the bumps are bonded to the actuators by means of an adhesive.
US07976123B2	Rotatable printhead array According to the present disclosure, a printer apparatus may include a chuck configured to support a substrate thereon, a rail spaced apart from the chuck, a printhead carriage frame coupled to the rail, and a printhead carriage pivotally coupled to the printhead carriage frame.
US07976122B2	Printhead maintenance system for stationary pagewidth printhead A printhead maintenance system comprises: a stationary pagewidth printhead having an ink ejection face; an elastically deformable roller having a contact surface for contacting the ink ejection face; and a mechanism for rolling the roller across the face. In use, the printhead remains stationary when the roller is rolled across the face.
US07976120B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus including a printing ink tank to contain a printing ink, a nozzle unit having a nozzle part to eject the printing ink and to move between a printing section and a cleaning section, a cleaning ink tank to contain a cleaning ink to clean the nozzle part, and a control part to control supply of the printing ink to the nozzle part when the nozzle unit is positioned in the printing section and to control supply of the cleaning ink to the nozzle part when the nozzle unit is positioned in the cleaning section. The Image forming apparatus may further include a cleaning ink collecting unit which collects the cleaning ink discharged from the nozzle part and returns the collected cleaning ink to the cleaning ink tank.
US07976115B2	Printhead nucleation detection using thermal response A method for determining the pulse width for driving printhead nozzles in a thermal inkjet printer. The printhead is preheated to a desired temperature during a maintenance mode. The printhead nozzle heaters are successively driven in respective heating intervals, where each successive heating interval is characterized by shorter drive pulse width pulses occurring at a higher pulse frequency. The printhead temperature data received during each heating interval is processed to determine a respective temperature slope. The temperature slopes are compared to a desired threshold temperature slope, and when a match is found, the pulse width associated with the matched temperature slope is used to drive the nozzle heaters during subsequent printer operations to print characters on a print medium.
US07976114B1	Inkjet printer with carbon copy capability A printer operable to print on a multi-layer print media includes a non-impact printhead, an impact printhead, and a controller operable to control the non-impact printhead to produce an image on a first layer of the print media and to control the impact printhead to produce a corresponding image on a second layer of the print media.
US07976113B2	Home bar for refrigerator Provided is a home bar for a refrigerator that has an improved structure for easy door opening and closing. The home bar includes a home bar frame, a home bar door, a fixing unit, and an elastic member. The home bar frame includes an opening. The home bar door is configured to close the opening. The fixing unit is disposed on the home bar frame and configured to latch the home bar door. The elastic member is disposed at a side of the fixing unit and configured to apply an elastic force for opening the home bar door. Although the home bar does not have an expensive latch structure, the home bar door can be easily opened, closed, and latched. The opening is large such that foods can be easily accessed through the opening. An additional insulating layer can be provided in the home bar door for improving insulating efficiency.
US07976112B2	Cabinet drawer and stationary drawer glide A stationary drawer glide and cabinet drawer are provided. The stationary drawer glide and cabinet drawer incorporating the drawer glide allow for a user to easily slide open and closed a cabinet drawer without causing damage or warping to the cabinet drawer, even if there are heavy objects in the drawer. The drawer glide includes a fastening portion adapted to be affixed to an interior cabinet wall, and top and bottom portions for supporting a drawer. The drawer glide may be made of a material with a smooth surface with a low coefficient of friction to facilitate easy gliding of the cabinet drawer.
US07976111B2	Support structure for a clothes washing machine A support structure for a clothes washing machine is provided. The support structure includes a frame supporting a washing tub rigidly attached thereto, and a drum arranged inside the tub to rotate with respect to a substantially horizontal or slightly tilted axis, the frame having supports for installing a motor for driving the drum. The frame is made up of resistant elements including metallic plate elements shaped by cutting and folding, assembled and joined together by screw or deformation attachment devices, or by welding. The frame can be linked by a suspension system to a base constructed in a similar way, or the frame can be rigidly joined to the base.
US07976109B2	Failsafe operation of a hybrid brake system for a vehicle A hybrid brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a front hydraulically actuated brake circuit, a rear electrically actuated brake circuit, and a controller. The front hydraulically actuated brake circuit includes a master cylinder for providing pressurized fluid to the front brake circuit in response to an input applied to the master cylinder for applying a frictional front braking force. The rear electrically actuated brake circuit is controllable in response to the input for providing a frictional rear braking force. The rear brake circuit is controlled in accordance with a first predetermined relationship between the input and rear braking force during normal operation of the front brake circuit. If the controller detects a degradation of front braking force, the rear brake circuit is controlled in accordance with a second predetermined relationship between the input and the rear braking force, to thereby compensate for the degradation of front braking force.
US07976107B2	Vehicle wheel rim having lateral balance plane A wheel rim with a circumferential area on a inner surface of the wheel rim. The circumferential area coinciding with the intersection of the inner surface with the lateral balance plane of the wheel rim, the circumferential area being visibly distinguishable from the rest of the inner surface and where the circumferential area is made visibly distinguishable from the rest of the inner surface during the manufacturing of the wheel rim.
US07976101B2	Seating apparatus including vehicle container An airplane seating apparatus includes a lifejacket container arranged, at least in open and closed states, exclusively on a side of a front boundary area that faces the seating apparatus. The front boundary area is formed by an area which runs through a seat front side perpendicularly to a seat mounting surface.
US07976100B2	Handle device for infant car seat A handle device for an infant car seat includes a handle member and a pad. The handle member has two ends coupled respectively to two opposite sides of the infant car seat, and an inner surface formed with a positioning groove. The pad is disposed within the positioning groove in the handle member, and has a coupling face confronting the inner surface of the handle member, and a soft contact face opposite to the coupling face.
US07976097B2	Cowl structure of vehicle A cowl structure including a cowl box having a partition panel joined to both rear and bottom walls thereof inside the cowl box. The partition panel constitutes, together with the rear and bottom walls, a hollow member portion extending in a vehicle width direction. An outside air introducing port is provided in the cowl box, for introducing outside air into the cowl box outside of the member portion. A communication port is provided in the partition panel, for allowing the inside and outside of the member portion to communicate with each other inside the cowl box. An air supplying port is provided in the rear wall at a location spaced upward from the bottom wall, for allowing the inside of the member portion and a vehicle compartment to communicate with each other. The communication port and the air supplying port overlap each other in the vehicle width direction.
US07976096B2	Air drag reduction apparatus for tractor-trailers An air drag reduction apparatus includes left and right panels and top and bottom panels for mounting to the rear doors of a tractor trailer along the top, bottom and side edges thereof. Hinges are interposed between the panels and the doors so that the panels can pivot about the hinges between an extended drag-reducing position and a collapsed position generally adjacent the rear doors. Stop devices releasably secure the panels in the extended position, and biasing devices such as tensioning springs are operative to bias the panels outwardly and rearwardly to the extended position and are further operative to permit the panels to pivot between the extended position towards and to the collapsed position upon impact and contact from an external object occurring and then return to the extended position substantially immediately upon contact ceasing thereby significantly reducing the impact damage. The apparatus also includes a ramp and wheel arrangement to facilitate opening and collapsing of the panels. The apparatus of the invention also includes an outwardly extending panel protection member projecting from the lower corner of the panel in a position for being contacted by external objects during movement of the vehicle to thereby prevent direct contact between an external object and the panel and cause the panel to move toward its collapsed position.
US07976095B2	Integrated switch mount and harness hook A single-piece switch mount and harness hook that provides routing control of an interior vehicle door harness.
US07976092B2	Vehicle safety seat A vehicle safety seat may comprise, among other things, a vehicle seat having a seat base configured to be mounted to a support surface of a motor vehicle, and a roll sensor mounted to the seat base. The vehicle seat may be a suspension seat. The vehicle seat may have other sensors, event detection systems or the like mounted thereto. The vehicle seat may include a number of vehicle/occupant safety mechanisms integral therewith.
US07976091B2	Rear vehicle body structure In a rear vehicle body structure, a spare tire is received in a spare tire pan in a rear end up slanted orientation, the front end of the spare tire is prevented from forward movement by a spare tire pan cross member, and a rear bottom of the spare tire pan is reinforced. At the time of a rear end crash, the spare tire is tilted substantially to an upright orientation around the front end, and the spare tire pan is deformed in such that the rear bottom folded upon a front bottom wall in the shape of letter Z as seen from side so that the spare tire pan provides a long deformation stroke, and is utilized for absorbing the impact energy of the rear end crash. Preferably, the rear bottom comprises an elevated horizontal part and a stepped portion defining a front edge of the elevated horizontal part.
US07976086B2	Safety locking device for a lifting hook A safety locking device for a lifting hook comprising a lifting part and a hook part having a first and a second shank arranged in the same plane, the first shank being attached to the lifting part. The safety-locking device is pivotably attached to either of the shanks or the lifting part and comprises a spring means formed integrally with the safety locking device, one end of which is attached to the safety locking device diametrically opposed its fastening point to either shank or the lifting part and the other end is arranged to bear on the opposite shank or the lifting part, to which the safety locking device is pivotably attached to automatically bring the safety locking device to bear on the lifting part or the opposite shank so as to prevent unhooking of a hoisting cable or similar means introduced into the hook part.
US07976084B2	Light weight liftting tool for lowering and retrieving SubSea equipment A light weight lifting tool (10) for lowering and retrieving subsea equipment to and from the sea bed is disclosed. The equipment includes an upper coupling part in the form of a connector spool piece (15) having at least one circumferential ring groove (16) for use in making engagement with the lifting tool (10). The lifting tool (10) includes a housing (1) designed to enclose and receive the connector spool piece (15). The lifting tool (10) further includes a number of latch segments (8) having at least one radially inwards directed projection (8′) designed for engagement with the at least one ring groove (16), and an activating device (6) arranged to bring the latch segments (8) in and out of engagement with the at least one ring groove (16) by operation of the activating device (6).
US07976076B1	Traction material dispensing apparatus The traction material dispensing apparatus mounts within the wheel well of a fender of a vehicle and is therefore visually and physically unobtrusive. The apparatus selectively dispenses traction material both in front of and behind a vehicle tire. A driver-accessed switch controls the apparatus dispensing of material. Of importance is that the manifolds, funnels, and nozzles are gravity fed by the vessel so that agitators and pressurized material flow assistance is not needed. Flappers within each manifold are controlled by the driver-actuated switch and control delivery of the traction material to the nozzles. As with the flappers, flow from the nozzles is controlled by a miniature DC (direct current) motor powered by the vehicle's electrical system. Screens ensure breakup of any clumps and therefore proper dispersion of traction material to the roadway.
US07976069B2	Rotary joint and housing segments of rotary joint A rotary joint and a housing for a rotary joint include an insertion hole for receiving a rotary shaft, a plurality of housing segments arranged along the shaft, and a housing communicating hole formed in at least one of the housing segments. An annular groove permits communication between the shaft communicating hole and the housing communicating hole. An annular leakage-preventing member between the shaft and the housing blocks fluid movement in an axial direction of the shaft. The shaft includes a cylindrical shaft portion and a small-diameter portion formed at one end. At least one pair of rotating supports support the shaft and the housing. One of the rotating supports is disposed on the small-diameter portion. An outside diameter of one of the rotating supports is smaller than an outside diameter of the shaft and also is smaller than inside diameters of the plurality of housing segments.
US07976068B2	Double-blind security features A compound security feature is formed by printing latent images together with visually integrated settings using an invisible ink. Even if illuminated by a wavelength capable of rendering the inks visible, the latent images remain visually indistinguishable from their visually integrated settings. However, the latent images and visually integrated settings differ in one or more less obvious ways so that the latent images can be distinguished by using a visual aid.
US07976062B2	Airbag module with an airbag and a tubular gas generator that can be fastened to a module housing An airbag module comprising an airbag and a tubular gas generator that can be fastened to a module housing is provided. Said gas generator having gas outlet openings along the periphery thereof. The tubular gas generator can be fastened to the module housing using two clamp rings which can move along the tubular gas generator and along sections of the module housing. The module housing comprises an opening at the base thereof for introducing the tubular gas generator. A support for the tubular gas generator is disposed at the module housing below said opening, wherein the support has a smaller length than the tubular gas generator.
US07976061B2	Combustion chamber unit for an airbag module A combustion chamber assembly for an airbag module of a motor vehicle is provided. The combustion chamber assembly comprising a combustion chamber housing, which encloses a combustion chamber, and a housing receptacle, in which the combustion chamber housing is to be disposed such that the combustion chamber housing with the outer surface thereof is running along an inner surface of the housing receptacle. Discharge regions being respectively provided in the combustion chamber housing and in the housing receptacle, said regions being spatially associated with one another such that gas generated in the combustion chamber may discharge through the discharge regions of the combustion chamber housing and the housing receptacle into the surroundings. At least one indentation is formed on the combustion chamber housing and/or on the housing receptacle.
US07976059B2	Air bag device An air bag device includes a retainer to which an inflator and a folded air bag are attached. The retainer is fixed to a steering wheel armature and has a plurality of hooks formed in a side wall portion thereof. A module cover covers the air bag and each hook of the plurality of hooks is engaged with an opening of a leg piece portion projected from a rear side. The module cover can be vertically moved with respect to the retainer. A horn plate has a plurality of contacts attached along a circumferential edge of the module cover and moved integrally with the module cover at a horn operating time. A contact plate is attached to the retainer. A horn spring is arranged between the horn plate and the retainer. The contact plate includes a clip portion fastened to the retainer and a leaf spring portion abutting against one of the contacts of the horn plate at the horn operating time.
US07976056B2	Fastener clip and method of fabricating the same A fastener clip includes a body having an opening extending therethrough, and a rigid retaining pin inserted through the opening, the rigid retaining pin having a first end secured within the body and a second end disposed outside the body, the retaining pin configured to limit the movement of a vehicle trim piece with respect to the vehicle chassis when an airbag is deployed. The fastener clip also includes a plurality of molding gates formed at an intersection between the body and the rigid retaining pin, the rigid retaining pin being subsequently movable with respect to the body after the molding gates are broken. The fastener clip further includes a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the fastener clip to a vehicle chassis and a pair of flexible retention legs adapted to secure the trim piece to a vehicle chassis.
US07976055B2	Curtain airbag module A curtain airbag module may include an inflator provided above an upper end portion of a B-pillar, a mounting bracket for mounting the inflator, an airbag disposed along a roof side rail under the inflator and connected at a central portion thereof to the inflator, a guide ramp disposed around an upper end portion of a B-pillar trim and holding the airbag therein, thus allowing the airbag to be deployed without being interfered with by the B-pillar trim, and a mounting flap connecting the mounting bracket and the guide ramp.
US07976051B1	Dolly alignment guide for large, multi-trailer/van rigs An alignment guide and remotely operated latch mechanism for use in coupling a towing dolly of a two trailer rig, the towing dolly being connected to a first trailer of the two trailer rig and used to pull a second trailer of the two trailer rig behind the first trailer, the alignment guide facilitating coaxial alignment of the towing dolly with the first trailer by pulling the first trailer and towing dolly forward with a tractor, and the alignment guide further facilitating the coaxially aligned first trailer and towing dolly to be backed up together for hitching the towing dolly to the second trailer.
US07976050B1	Side-mountable chain-tensioning device for a load-compensating trailer hitch A tensioning device for connecting a trailer to a spring bar of a load-compensating apparatus includes a body unit for securement to a frame member of a trailer; a reel unit having an off-center hub portion with a slot and rotatively secured to the body unit about a pivot axis; a rotation-limiting element which limits rotation of the reel unit to approximately 180° about the pivot axis; a linked chain having a proximal end thereof releasably secured to the slot of the off-center hub portion and a distal end thereof connected to the spring bar of the load-compensating apparatus; a latching element including a biased latch pin; and a lug and removable handle for rotating the reel portion to, and the latching element releasably locks the reel portion in, a chain-tensioned configuration.
US07976049B2	Assembly and positioning mechanism for wheelchair and auxiliary operating lever An assembly and positioning mechanism for wheelchair and auxiliary operating lever. The assembly and positioning mechanism has a swinging angular adjustment seat and a liftable pivoting seat of operating lever. The angular adjustment seat has an assembly side of locating rack and an assembly side of pivoting seat. The assembly side of locating rack is pivoted onto the locating rack via an adjuster, and the angular adjustment seat can swing rotarily. The pivoting seat of operating lever consists of a connecting side and a mating side of operating lever. The pivoting seat of operating lever can move vertically via a limiting portion. The mating side of operating lever is fitted with a limiting rabbet and a guide opening extended in an outward-dipping state. The mechanism can swing and also shift vertically, making it possible to control the guide opening of the mating side of operating lever for outward-dipping extension.
US07976045B2	Bicycle front fork assembly A bicycle front end assembly is provided which is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. In particular, an axis shaft of a fork may be mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame. A fork head may be disposed in front of the head tube for providing a front end assembly which is aerodynamically configured while providing an increased moment of inertia compared with traditional designs to reduce drag of the bicycle and increase steering stiffness. Also, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head such that when the bicycle is steered to the left, the fork head is rotated toward the left and when the bicycle is steered to the right, the fork head is rotated toward the right. In this manner, the fork head is alignable to the travel direction of the bicycle.
US07976043B2	Movable step for motorcycle A simply-structured movable step for a motorcycle. A step lifting and lowering mechanism includes a securing plate secured to a body frame with a shift cover attached to the securing plate so as to be movable upwardly and downwardly. A step plate is attached to the shift cover to support a foot-resting step. A lock mechanism is provided for locking the step plate at different height-positions. A gas spring expands and contracts in response to the upward and downward movements of the step plate for smoothly moving the step plate by the gas spring.
US07976041B2	Bicycle mudguard with clamping assembly A front bicycle mudguard is detachably coupled with a clamping assembly. The mudguard has a main body, and a head portion is defined on an end of the main body, with a fixed end provided on an extremity of the head portion. The clamping assembly includes one first clamping device and two second clamping devices. The first clamping device includes a tightening member and a clamping member. The tightening member is inserted into an orifice of a front fork of the bicycle, with an end of the clamping member engaged with the tightening member. Another end of the clamping member is detachably installed to the fixed end. Each second clamping device includes a belt adapted to quickly attach to/detach from the front fork.
US07976040B2	Axle air dump for multiple axle vehicles A system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir of pressurized air and associated leveling valve that uses a relay valve to improve refill times when the vehicle returns from a dump mode operation to normal operation. The process reduces pressure in one or more of the axles when maneuvering the vehicle at predetermined slow speeds and maintaining that first predetermined pressure while the other axle(s) is at a greater pressure than the first axle. By preventing complete exhaustion of pressure from the suspension system, restoring air pressure is attained more quickly. Also, use of a relay valve enables higher flow rates to improve the refill time of the pneumatic suspension system after the dump operation.
US07976039B2	Upper support apparatus for a vehicle suspension An upper support apparatus for use in a suspension system of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes an upper support plate defining at least one aperture, the upper support plate coupled to a body of the vehicle. The upper support apparatus further includes a resilient member coupled to an underside of the upper support plate, wherein at least one portion of the resilient member is adapted to protrude through the at least one aperture and wherein the at least one portion of the resilient member prevents direct contact between the upper support plate and the body of the vehicle.
US07976037B2	Front vehicle body structure Front vehicle body structure (10) includes a front sub frame (16) disposed under and fixedly connected to left and right side frames (11, 12), and a steering gear box (18) is mounted on the front sub frame to extend transversely along the width of the vehicle body. The body structure also has support portions (44, 45, 46) provided in left-right symmetrical arrangement on the front sub frame, and the steering gear box is mounted on the support portions via respective bushes.
US07976036B2	System and method for adapting a unit bearing front driving axle A steering knuckle for adapting a unit bearing front axle of a vehicle using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) spindle and wheel hub assembly parts to replace the unit-bearing wheel assembly, wherein the steering knuckle comprises a first side of the steering knuckle that is configured to receive one or more components of the OEM spindle and wheel hub assembly. The steering knuckle includes a boring for receiving a spindle hub on an OEM spindle, and one or more apertures circumferentially spaced around the boring and for alignment with holes on a spindle flange of the OEM spindle. Studs are inserted through the apertures of the steering knuckle for securing the OEM spindle to the steering knuckle. A second side of the steering knuckle is configured to be affixed in pivoting relationship to an axle housing of the vehicle wherein the axle housing is originally manufactured to be linked to a unit-bearing steering knuckle.
US07976035B2	Foldable scooter A foldable scooter includes a footboard, a steering column and a connecting member in between. The connecting member includes a stopper for engaging the connecting member with the notches disposed at a front portion of the footboard in the open condition. The connecting member also includes a rotatable locking member having a first biasing device for biasing the locking member against the connecting member in the open and folded conditions, an actuating end, a first locking end and a second locking end rotatable to a first and second locked position correspondingly for locking the connecting member to the footboard in the open and folded conditions. The locking member can be easily and conveniently released from the first and second locked positions by pressing the actuating end.
US07976032B1	Pallet jack apparatus The pallet jack apparatus provides lateral fork adjustment between the two forks, each having a forwardly disposed pivoted wheel for added fork support. The lateral fork adjustment is controlled by the horizontal control lever on the stem. The lateral fork adjustment is via a motor with pinion gear which directly drives the first and second fork gears. The apparatus further provides height adjustment for the forks via the vertical control lever on the stem. The control levers are positioned within the handle interior of the oblong circular handle which guards against inadvertent control movements while providing superior leverage for positioning the apparatus.
US07976029B2	Airplane trailer A trailer having a frame movable between a raised position, suitable for towing of the airplane on a roadway, and a lowered position, allowing the airplane wheels to be in contact with a common surface with the trailer wheels when the trailer is under the airplane. A hitch assembly, suitable for towing the trailer in a closed position with the frame in the raised position, is coupled to the front of the frame. The open position allows the airplane to be loaded/unloaded on land from the front of the frame when the frame is in the lowered position. The airplane may be loaded/unloaded from the rear of the frame when the airplane trailer is placed in water. Also, a method of loading the airplane onto the trailer from the rear in water and unloading the airplane from the front on land.
US07976023B1	Image capturing card shuffler The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before playing a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winnings hands.
US07976021B2	Sheet discharge device and image forming apparatus A sheet discharge device includes: a sheet discharge path for discharging a sheet to be discharged; a plurality of sheet discharge trays disposed along the sheet discharge path; a plurality of switching guides disposed in the sheet discharge path corresponding to the sheet discharge trays, and being changed a position between a retracting position for being retracted so that the sheet being conveyed can pass through, and a distributing position for distributing a sheet being conveyed to the sheet discharge tray; and a switching mechanism which changes the position of the switching guide between the retracting position and the distributing position. This switching mechanism includes: a switching piece which interferes with the switching guide to switch the position of the switching guide, one transporting member which moves the switching piece among the plurality of switching guides, and a drive member driving the transporting member.
US07976019B2	High throughput sheet accumulator An improved sheet accumulator for stacking serially fed sheets transported on a paper path includes a guide deck. Above the guide deck, a plurality of parallel belts are positioned to provide a driving force for sheets on the deck. Within the accumulator, a ramp apparatus is positioned across the paper path whereby sheets driven by the belts on an upstream portion of the accumulator deck are driven over the ramp apparatus and deposited in an accumulating region of the accumulator deck on a downstream side of the ramp apparatus. Sheets are stopped by an accumulator stop mechanism located at a downstream end of the accumulating region that prevents movement of sheets by the belts while sheets for an accumulation are being collected. When an accumulation is completed, the accumulator stop mechanism allows sheets to be transported from the accumulating region.
US07976017B2	Sheet-supply apparatus, and image recording apparatus including sheet-supply apparatus A sheet-supply apparatus, including a sheet accommodating portion which includes a support portion that supports, on a support surface thereof, a plurality of cut sheets such that the cut sheets are stacked on each other; a sheet-supply roller which is adapted to supply the cut sheets accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion, one by one in a sheet-supply direction; a main side guide which is slidably movable on the support portion in a widthwise direction of the sheet accommodating portion perpendicular to the sheet-supply direction and which guides a side edge of each of the cut sheets accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion, the side edge being parallel to the sheet-supply direction; and a sub-side guide which is located inside of the main side guide in the widthwise direction and which is pivotable about a pivot axis between a standing position and a lying position based on the widthwise sliding movement of the main side guide.
US07976016B2	Medium transferring mechanism and medium processor with medium inserting portion A medium transferring mechanism that includes a medium inserting portion into which a sheet medium is inserted, the medium inserting portion defined by a bottom face and by a first side face and a second side face which extend from the bottom face and are opposed to each other; wherein a first guide face extending toward the first side face is formed at a forward end portion of the second side face; a second guide face extending from the second side face so as to gradually get close to a medium transferring path towards a medium transferring direction is formed above the first guide face; and a third guide face inclined downward from a lower edge of the second guide face toward an upper edge of the first guide face, is formed between the first guide face and the second guide face.
US07976015B2	Feed device and recording device with gate member Provided is a feed device including: a loading unit in which a plurality of sheet members is loaded in a stacked state; a delivery member which performs a feed operation in a state in which a contact surface thereof is in contact with an uppermost sheet member of the sheet members loaded on the loading unit and delivers the sheet member in a feed direction using friction force with the uppermost sheet member as the feeding force; a gate member which is configured to move in a direction to and from the contact surface of the delivery member and has an inclined surface with which a front end of the sheet member delivered by the delivery member collides with; and a gate energizing member which energizes the gate member in a direction approaching to the contact surface of the delivery member.
US07976014B2	Feeding device and recording device with downstream separating member from delivering member A feeding device includes a mounting portion capable of having mounting a plurality of recording media mounted in a stacked state thereon, a delivering member which performs a feeding operation in a state in which its contact surface is in contact with a top recording medium of the recording media mounted on the mounting portion to perform delivery of the recording media by using the frictional force generated between the delivering member and the top recording medium as the transporting force, a separating member having an inclined surface against which the leading end of the recording medium delivered by the delivering member can hit up against, the separating member being fixed in place at a downstream side of the mounding portion in a feeding direction of the recording media, a gate member, and a gate urging member.
US07976009B2	Method and device of controlling sheets in a digital printing machine The invention relates to a method of controlling sheets in a digital printing machine, wherein the arrival of at least one sheet in a transport path is detected at least once at at least one marked location of said transport path to improve the control of the sheets themselves during the printing operation. This is achieved in that at least one signal having a countable pulse is generated, in that a freely selectable but then fixed start of these pulses is assigned to the position of at least one frame (occupiable field) of frames—into which the minimum of one transport path segment is divided—relative to said marked location, and in that the minimum of one sheet is controlled with the use of this pulse at at least one other marked location of the transport path.
US07976006B2	Continuous feed remote control for slow speed paper motion Systems and methods are described that facilitate remotely controlling paper feed-forward mechanisms on multiple printers in a continuous feed print line, to reduce operator movement during simplex and/or duplex printing and increase print line throughput. The remote control detects a print line (e.g., by user input, a beacon signal provided by the print line, or by some other means), and retrieves IP addresses for printers in the detected print line. A display is provided by which the user selects an identified printer to control, and by which the user then activates and/or deactivates the feed-forward mechanism on the selected printer. Optionally, the remote control functionality is provided as a software package installed on a personal digital assistant (PDA) or smartphone.
US07976000B2	Sheet stacking apparatus, sheet processing apparatus and sheet stacking method A sheet stacking apparatus includes a first and a second guide plate having a guide surface inclined to a perpendicular plane to take an open state having a gap of a first interval in a direction crossing the inclination direction and a closed state of a second interval narrower than the first interval, a sheet take-in portion standing by under the first and second guide plates to support sheets dropped from the guide surfaces with the leading edge thereof in a conveying direction directed downward in a standing position, and a controller configured to permit the first and second guide plates to enter the closed state and guide another sheets conveyed following the sheets supported internally by the sheet take-in portion by the guide surfaces and then to enter the open state and drop the another sheets from the gaps onto the preceding sheets.
US07975995B2	Engine mount of vehicle An engine mount of a vehicle may include a main rubber body defining a main liquid chamber, wherein a fastening bolt for assembling a vehicle engine is coupled to the main rubber body, an inner case supporting the main rubber body, and a housing enclosing the main rubber and the inner case, wherein at least a protrusion is formed on an outer circumference of the inner case, and wherein at least a groove is formed in the housing and the at least a protrusion of the inner case is coupled to the corresponding at least a groove of the housing.
US07975990B1	Misting array assembly having adjustable nozzles Various methods and apparatus are disclosed that relate to one or more aspects of an abatement system that removes heat and/or one or more byproducts of combustion from a gas flow. In various aspects a misting array assembly is provided that includes at least one nozzle tubing having at least one nozzle coupled thereto.
US07975989B2	Multiple brand ice beverage dispenser A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages includes a touch panel assembly, removable fittings in a carbonator, a carbonator probe, and a carbonator pump assembly removable from a front of the beverage dispenser. The touch panel assembly includes a light source for backlighting a user interface and providing the dispenser with a visual presence. Electrode traces in the touch panel assembly detect interruptions in electrode fields and are accepted as user inputs for dispensing a beverage. A controller conducts the lighting, dispensing, and reconfiguring operations for the flavor selection areas on the user interface. The touch panel assembly further includes provisions for increasing a user interface area to increase visibility of a particular flavor, as well as bonus flavors on a beverage dispenser. The removable fittings each include an orifice for entry of water to be carbonated into the carbonator. The carbonator probe is a single wire probe with timed refill.
US07975987B2	Wire-twisting prevention device of lifting reel with four-line wire structure and lifting reel having the same A lifting reel with a four-line wire structure includes a fixed body fixed to a ceiling of a structure, first and second drums installed to the body at a predetermined interval and rotated by a driving motor, wires respectively connected to the first and second drums, and first, second, third and fourth guide rollers arranged on a top of a lifting body at regular intervals and suspended on the wires to form a four-line wire. A wire-twisting prevention device is installed between an end of the wire connected to the first drum and an end of the wire connected to the second drum so as to connect both wires with each other. The wire-twisting prevention device includes bearings installed to the ends of the wires to be rotatable, respectively. The bearings prevent the wires from being twisted while the wires are wound around or unwound from the drums.
US07975982B2	Electromagnetic valve In an electromagnetic valve, a stator assembly includes an electrically energizable coil and a thin-walled core which receives and reciprocally supports an armature. The thin-walled core has a closed end and an open end, the open end being in fluid communication with a fluid flow passage within a valve member. The valve member reciprocates with the armature to control flow rate in the flow passage. A flange integral with the thin-walled core extends about the open end. A washer receives the thin-walled core and abuts the flange. The flange and the washer are received in a recess in the valve body and are permanently and sealingly fixed therein by a swaged joint in the valve body.
US07975981B2	Actuator for controlling material flow and related system and method An apparatus (such as a valve assembly or other actuator) includes a pressure plate having a first hole and a second hole. The apparatus also includes a plunger configured to selectively cover the second hole of the pressure plate. The apparatus further includes a coil configured to move the plunger away from the pressure plate to uncover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to allow a material to flow through the apparatus. The coil is also configured to move the plunger towards the pressure plate to cover the second hole of the pressure plate in order to block the material from flowing through the apparatus. Pressure may equalize on a first side and a second side of the pressure plate after the plunger covers the second hole of the pressure plate.
US07975971B2	Suction cup device A suction cup holding device that effectively conforms to soft surfaces and complex curves which may be present in the target surfaces such as a dash board of a modern automobile. The suction cup device includes a housing having a recess therein with an opening formed in a first surface, wherein a first portion of the housing adjacent to the first surface is substantially flexible and a second substantially inflexible portion thereof is structured for mounting thereto; a low durometer suction cup having a resiliently deformable central portion that is structured to be drawn into the recess of the housing; and means for drawing the central portion of the suction cup into the recess.
US07975964B2	Airplane wing, method for manufacturing an airplane wing and use of a welding process for welding a wing spar An airplane wing has a lower wing cover, an upper wing cover and a wing spar. A first end portion of the wing spar is welded to the lower wing cover and/or a second end portion of the wing spar is welded to the upper wing cover.
US07975959B2	System and method for transferring airplanes A method for transferring airplanes and an unmanned airplane transfer system. The airplane transferring system includes: receiving a transfer signal responsive of a movement of an airplane control component; and transferring an airplane, by an unmanned airplane transfer system, in response to the transfer signal.
US07975958B2	Modular articulated-wing aircraft Systems and/or methods for forming a multiple-articulated flying system (skybase) having a high aspect ratio wing platform, operable to loiter over an area of interest at a high altitude are provided. In certain exemplary embodiments, autonomous modular flyers join together in a wingtip-to-wingtip manner. Such modular flyers may derive their power from insolation. The autonomous flyers may include sensors which operate individually, or collectively after a skybase is formed. The skybase preferably may be aggregated, disaggregated, and/or re-aggregated as called for by the prevailing conditions. Thus, it may be possible to provide a “forever-on-station” aircraft.
US07975955B2	Continuous sheet processing apparatus and method of setting a roll body in the continuous sheet processing apparatus A continuous sheet processing apparatus has a frame, a roll body accommodating portion disposed inside of the frame for accommodating a roll body formed of a wound continuous sheet, and a cover mounted for undergoing pivotal movement between open and closed positions relative to the frame so as to allow the insertion of the wound continuous sheet into the roll body accommodating portion in the open position of the cover. A processing portion has a processing head and a platen roller confronting the processing head. The processing head performs a processing operation with respect to the continuous sheet drawn out from the roll body accommodating portion in a state in which the cover is in the closed position. The platen roller transports the continuous sheet in a state in which the cover is in the closed position.
US07975953B2	Storage system for waste monofilament fishing line A device for collection and storage of waste monofilament line or similar materials. The device has a rotating spool mechanism in the form of an inner spool with an outer surface to which line adheres rotated by a rotation operator coupled to the spool. An outer cylinder encloses the spool mechanism. Monofilament line is passed through a window in the outer cylinder and adheres to the outer surface of the spool. The rotation operator is rotated, drawing the line into the device for storage and later disposal.
US07975950B2	Memory disk crusher and method An apparatus and method are provided for destroying memory devices like hard drives by compression and positive predetermined bending of the memory media inside the memory device. The apparatus includes a pair of opposed compression plates with one being movable toward the other by a linear motion force applying drive. An automatic stripper is provided to strip any memory device retained on one of the compression plates.
US07975946B2	Combined salt and pepper mill A spice mill for cutting up two different spices, in particular salt and pepper, is disclosed. Two spice containers (17, 18) and two grinding mechanisms (50, 50′) are arranged in a base part (10). A cover part (20) can be removed from the base part (10) and serves as a rotary handle. When the cover part (20) is removed, filling openings (15, 16) for the spice containers (17, 18) are opened up. An encapsulated gear mechanism (30) is arranged in the base part (10) between the cover part and the grinding mechanisms. When the cover part (20) is rotated in a first direction of rotation, the gear mechanism (30) drives the first grinding mechanism (50). By contrast, upon rotation in the opposite direction, the second grinding mechanism (50′) is driven. In a preferred embodiment, the gear mechanism is arranged in an upper region of the base part and, together with the base part, bounds the filling openings.
US07975944B2	Modular system for connecting attachments to a construction machine A modular system for connecting attachments to the extension arm of a construction machine, wherein each module has a standardized coupling arrangement. As a result, each module is compatible with another module to provide great versatility in configuring the machine. Additionally, the system includes a variety of different modules and a mechanism for remotely activating the coupling between modules.
US07975943B1	Pill grinder An apparatus for grinding pills having a chamber with an abrasive floor and a plurality of blades which will grind pills against the floor. The blades can be electrically or mechanically operated. The floor has a portion open to a lower chamber and which allows the powder to fall into the lower chamber for retrieval. In addition, an implement having a brush on one end and a spoon on the other is included to help remove the powder from the chambers.
US07975942B2	Modular air knife and wear plate for cyclonic comminuter An air knife module assembly and a replaceable wear plate member are provided for a cyclonic comminuting and dehydrating machine. The air knife and wear plate can be formed in a modular configuration with the wear plate being mountable into an opening formed in the side wall of the cylindrical chamber of the cyclonic comminuter. The air knife module can be formed separately of the wear plate member and mounted into an opening formed in the wear plate module. The wear plate module can be secured to the side wall of the cylindrical chamber by removable fasteners while the air knife module can be secured by clamping members mounted on the wear plate module. Sensors in the air discharge detecting hazardous material above a predetermined threshold are operable to affect a de-naturing of the ground material discharge for removal thereof from the discharged stream of material.
US07975941B2	Shredder head having motor driven shredder blades and an associated safety feature and/or a method of shredding material A shredder having a safety feature(s) that reduces potential safety hazards by detecting the temperature of a shredder motor and issuing a warning as an predetermined overheat temperature approaches.
US07975938B2	Coating system Disclosed is a coating system for the selective application of coatings to substrates to apply a uniform coating to selected areas of the substrate without the need for masking. The system comprises a first coating applicator for coating large areas of the substrate, a second coating applicator for coating small areas of the substrate, a motion and positioning system for both coating applicators and a system controller. Also disclosed is an ultrasonic spray coating system comprising an ultrasonic transducer with spray forming head, integrated fluid delivery device with air and liquid supply passage ways, support brackets and an ultrasonic power generator.
US07975935B2	Cost effective paint system A paint system includes at least one modular paint delivery system module, each module having a shipping container configured for transport via a transport infrastructure, and at least one paint delivery system preassembled into an operational paint circulation unit and configured to be shipped and operated within the shipping container. A method for deploying a system includes building at least one modular paint delivery system module at a building site, each module having a shipping container configured for transport via a transport infrastructure, and at least one paint delivery system preassembled into an operational paint circulation unit and configured to be shipped to and operated within the shipping container at an installation site, transporting the module to the installation site location from the building site via the transport infrastructure, and connecting at least one resource connection and at least one distribution piping to the module at the installation site location.
US07975932B2	Track structure for railborne vehicles, particularly trains A track structure for railborne vehicles comprising a bed on which rails fastened to sleepers are seated. The structure comprises a concrete trough seated on a substructure and having walls extending in the longitudinal direction. The side walls are spaced apart parallel to one another at least by a sleeper length. A method of manufacturing of the structure is also provided.
US07975929B1	Optical signature system and method A system and method for creating a unique optical signature that use an unstructured, random arrangement of objects, such as optical beads. Disturbance of the arrangement of the objects irreversibly changes the unique optical signature that is created, effectively preventing replication of the unique optical signature if the arrangement of the objects is disturbed. The disturbance and resulting destruction of the optical signature can occur without the application or presence of electrical power.
US07975926B2	Paper money, coin, valuable instrument, certificates, tag, label, card, packing containers, documents, respectively installed with integrated circuit Although a product having such the IC chip has been diffused, information on the product may be capable of being perceived, abstracted, falsified, or the like by a third person with his external device during distribution of the product or after purchase of the product. Further, privacy may be seriously infringed. Paper money, various products, and the like are disclosed according to the present invention with an integrated circuit device having a switching memory for controlling reading and writing of information (lock/unlock of information) in order to protect the information recorded and stored in the integrated circuit such as an IC chip installed to the product or the like.
US07975924B2	Computer generated bookmarks for scanning and transmission to platform aggregator or search engine to add additional information to printed material Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of conveying information related to a printed publication. A label having a readable code for attachment to or insertion into a printed publication is used. A reader adapted to read the code on the label or insert and to communicate the code to a computer or device including a microcomputer may be incorporated. An internet site or platform is adapted to receive the code from the computer or a device including a microcomputer and correlate the code to the information. The information related to the code can be displayed at the computer or device including a microcomputer.
US07975921B2	NFC reader having a passive operating mode with low electrical consumption An inductive coupling reader includes a passive interface circuit for modulating the impedance of an antenna circuit and extracting from the antenna circuit a data signal and a RF clock signal, and circuitry for coupling the reader to a removable security module. The reader includes an emulation circuit for opening a RF transmission channel with another reader, a non-removable electrical link linking the emulation circuit to the passive interface circuit, by which the data signal and the RF clock signal are supplied to the emulation circuit, and a data bus clocked by a bus clock signal having a frequency inferior to the frequency of the RF clock signal, for linking the emulation circuit to the removable security module. The reader has low electrical consumption.
US07975920B2	Electronic voting method and system employing a machine readable ballot envelope A method for reading a sheet or a paper ballot enclosed in a ballot envelope comprises decoding a machine readable envelope identifier from each ballot envelope, displaying at least the decoded envelope identifier and a signature from each ballot envelope for determining from the envelope identifier, the signature, or both, whether a valid sheet or ballot is presented. If the sheet or ballot is valid, then the sheet or ballot is removed from its envelope and the selections marked on the sheet or ballot may then be determined and processed.
US07975919B2	Secure vote by mail system and method A method of enabling a voter to vote by mail by using a secret vote code (SVC) that includes translating the SVC into a one-time code (OTC) valid only for the election, storing the OTC, and mailing to the voter a ballot, a return envelope, and a mechanism for enabling the SVC to be translated into a translated format. Further, the method includes receiving the return envelope from the voter that includes a completed ballot, the voter's signature, and the translated format, determining whether the signature obtained from the envelope matches a stored signature for the voter, obtaining a second one-time code based on the translated format and determining whether the second one-time code matches the stored one-time code. The ballot is counted only if it is determined that: (i) the signatures match, and (ii) the second one-time code matches the stored one-time code.
US07975918B2	Baggage check-in using short message service A check-in method for airlines allows passengers to use Short Message Service (SMS) to check-in themselves and baggage. A passenger requests to check-in via SMS from practically anywhere and not limited to the airport. After receipt of the request, a confirmation message is sent back to the passenger's registered mobile phone number by SMS. The system will ask the passenger for, and receive from the passenger, the number of bags they intend to check-in for the flight. The passengers can in some embodiments drop the baggage off without any required further action. The system issues an SMS-based cryptographically secure code, such as a bar-code boarding pass to the passenger once the baggage (if any) is successfully transferred and registered to existing baggage management systems through the process above. This code, when scanned, recognized and authenticated provides identification and security clearance for the passenger to board the aircraft.
US07975917B2	Providing directed content to anonymous customers A method includes electronically identifying a first item that a customer intends to purchase while the customer is shopping and electronically providing content to the customer in response to the identifying to entice the customer to purchase a second, different item.
US07975912B2	Method and system for operating a hybrid card reader This disclosure provides for a method and system for operating a hybrid card reader that is operable to read magnetic stripe cards and that, upon the receipt of one or more signals, becomes operable to read integrated circuit cards. The hybrid card reader receives one or more signals from one or more remote devices. Such signals may be transmitted wirelessly or over one or more communication lines. When the one or more signals reach the hybrid card reader, they are used to enable a latching mechanism and an integrated circuit card reading function. This permits an integrated circuit card that is inserted into the hybrid card reader to be latched into place so that the data on the card can be read by the integrated circuit card reading function.
US07975909B2	Device of Supplying Paper Medium Disclosed are an automatic transaction machine and method of rejecting a paper medium in the automatic transaction machine. The automatic transaction machine includes a medium storage portion; a first medium transfer module transferring a paper medium in a sheet unit from the medium storage portion; a temporary stack portion provided adjacent to an outlet of the first medium transfer module, stacking the paper medium, and having a vertically movable supporter; a second medium transfer module for transferring, to a medium outlet, the paper medium transmitted from the supporter having been upwardly moved; and a rejection portion positioned below the supporter, and including a rejection inlet vertically movable together with the supporter.
US07975900B2	Ignition source system for an exothermic reaction mold device An ignition source system for an exothermic reaction mold device for welding conductors. The system includes a crucible in a block with an open top so that the crucible receives an exothermic weld material. The conductors to be welded exothermically are placed in the weld cavity of the mold. A lid covers the open top wherein the lid has an opening therethrough. An electronic thermal igniter assembly has an ignition component receivable through the opening in the lid so that the exothermic weld material may be ignited by the electronic thermal igniter assembly. The igniter plug rests on top of the lid and the ignition body is retained in a recess within the igniter plug.
US07975899B2	Work clamp and wire bonding apparatus A work clamp and a wire bonding apparatus that can sufficiently restrain oxidation of a bonding area even while reducing an amount of antioxidant gas that is used are provided. The work clamp includes an interior hollow portion 10 providing an atmosphere of the antioxidant gas, a lower opening portion 11a provided below the interior hollow portion, for containing the bonding area in the interior hollow portion, an upper opening portion 11 provided above the interior hollow portion, for exposing the bonding area, a cavity 13 covering the interior hollow portion and having an area larger than an opening area of the upper opening portion, gas introduction ports 14a, 14b provided at the cavity, for introducing the antioxidant gas into the cavity, and holes 21 connected to below the cavity, for blowing the antioxidant gas introduced from the gas introduction port to a portion other than the bonding area of the work.
US07975895B2	Tissue tensioner assembly and approximation mechanism for surgical stapling device A surgical stapling device having an approximation mechanism for treating hollow tissue organs is provided. The stapling device includes a handle, a body portion extending distally from the handle, a distal head portion at a distal end of the body portion, and an approximation mechanism. The head portion includes an anvil assembly having an anvil head and an anvil shaft. The approximation mechanism includes a rotatable approximation knob, a first member, and a second member. The rotatable approximation knob is operably connected to the first member to effect movement the first member over a first distance. The second member is rotatably coupled to a proximal end of the anvil shaft of the anvil assembly to operably connect the anvil shaft to the first member such that movement of the first member over the first distance effects movement of the anvil shaft in relation to the first member over a second distance.
US07975894B2	Sensing surgical fastener Embodiments include a surgical device and a method. An embodiment of the surgical instrument includes at least one grasping jaw, the at least one grasping jaw being adapted to deliver surgical fasteners by a force generated from a force generator mechanism that is contained within the at least one grasping jaw or is in a proximity to the at least one grasping jaw. Another embodiment includes at least one grasping jaw, at least one actuation mechanism adapted to deliver surgical fasteners, the actuation mechanism being located in a proximity to or contained within the at least one grasping jaw, the surgical fasteners containing at least one shape-transforming material, at least one sensor, at least one chemical tissue sealant and at least one cutter. A method includes: grasping a body tissue with at least one grasping jaw, adjusting a configuration of the grasping in response to a signal or a datum or an image, and releasing a surgical staple or fastener in response to the signal, datum or image.
US07975892B2	Magazine front end retaining structure for hammer tacker A magazine front end retaining structure for hammer tacker includes a case body head cap connected to a front end of a case body of a tacker case of the hammer tacker; a retaining push member pivotally mounted to a front opening of the case body head cap; an outer staple channel head cap connected to a front end of an outer staple channel of a magazine, which and a magazine cover are coaxially pivotally connected at respective rear end to a rear end of the case body, and a catch section located at a front end of the outer staple channel head cap for the retaining push member to hook thereto, so that a front end of the magazine is held to the tacker case. To release the front end of the magazine from the tacker case for loading staples, simply pushes the retaining push member with one hand.
US07975890B2	Switching mechanism for stapling modes of a stapler The purpose of this invention is to provide a switching mechanism for switching stapling modes of a stapler, which mainly comprises a trigger, a supporting member, a slide member, a spring, a hooking member and a torsion spring. When the safety device of the stapler is pushed, the slide member is pushed to open the air valve, and if the trigger is further pressed at this particular moment, the stapling counterforce will make the slide member escape the pressure from the safety device so as to finish a single stapling process. When the trigger is pressed first and then the safety device is pushed, the slide member is pushed to open the air valve, which makes the stapling process to continuous until the trigger is released. In other words, the above process makes a continuous stapling process.
US07975889B2	Disposable ampoule openers A disposable ampoule opener, in combination with ampoule, is disclosed, which may include a first housing section having a substantially convex outer surface and a substantially concave inner surface shaped to receive at least a portion of the ampoule and a second housing section having a substantially convex outer surface shaped to receive at least a portion of the ampoule, wherein the ampoule has a lower liquid portion capable of containing liquid and an upper tip portion that is narrower in diameter than the lower liquid portion, the ampoule further having a neck portion disposed between the lower liquid portion and the upper tip portion, and wherein the second housing section is coupled to the first housing section, and which may also include ribs along one of the inner concave surfaces and ridges alone one of the outer convex surfaces.
US07975885B2	Garment hanger A garment hanger includes a body having a hook member that extends outwardly from a cross bar that has a first end and an opposite second end. The cross bar has a first end portion that terminates at the first end, a second end portion that terminates at the second end, and a central portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The hook member is coupled to the central portion, wherein a cross-section of each of the first and second end portions has a first shape and a cross-section of the central portion has a second shape that is different than the first shape. In one embodiment, the first shape is an I-shape and the second shape is a Z-shape.
US07975879B2	Temperature controlled liquid dispenser, containers therefore, and bag-in-box container construction A dispenser for relative rapid cooling or heating of the contents of a liquid storage container provides a receptacle for receiving the liquid storage container therein and positioning a thermal transfer portion of the liquid storage container in thermal conductive relationship with a thermal conduction pad associated with the receptacle. Thermal energy is effectively and efficiently transferred from the thermal conduction pad to the liquid in the liquid storage container. The thermal conduction pad is controlled to provide and maintain the desired temperature to the liquid. The liquid is dispensed directly from the container. Various types of containers can be used in the dispenser, with a special bag-in-box container having a inner container and outer box with thermal conduction windows in the box to provide good heat transfer between the thermal conduction pads and the inner container constituting an aspect of the invention. A special rigid container can also be used.
US07975875B2	Mechanical gas bottle dispensing machine An entirely mechanical gas bottle dispensing machine that allows to either only dispense by gravity a filled bottle upon insertion of a first token or dispense a filled bottle with return of an empty bottle upon insertion of a second token.
US07975873B2	Bracket type biogas gas-storage cover A bracket type biogas storage cover includes a cover with an exhaust vent, characterized in that there are at least two brackets which are used to fix the cover to a biogas digester's opening on the lower edge of the cover.
US07975870B2	Ring seal having sealing lobes A ring seal includes a body portion and a tail portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has, when viewed in cross-section and in an uncompressed state, an axially outboard surface and an axially inboard surface. The outboard surface defines a first sealing lobe, and the inboard surface defines a second sealing lobe that shares an axial centerline with the first sealing lobe.
US07975869B2	Fuel tank assembly with a baffle plate A fuel tank assembly includes a baffle plate mounted under the upper part of the fuel tank to form a predetermined distance between the baffle plate and the fuel tank bottom. The fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank, a baffle plate having an upper plate in which a penetration hole is formed and a side wall integrally formed at an edge of the upper plate. A bracket mounts the fuel tank and the baffle plate, wherein, the upper plate and the side wall of the baffle plate are mounted to the fuel tank and have a predetermined distance therebetween.
US07975866B2	Stackable container systems Systems and methods for providing a stackable container are provided herein.
US07975865B2	Cargo basket Embodiments provide a cargo basket including a frame, the frame including a base, the base including a pair of elongated first and second lower side members, the base including a pair of elongated first and second lower end members, the frame including a floor supported by the base, the frame including four corner posts extending from the base at respective of the four base corners, the frame including an elongated primary side wall supported by the base, the frame including a spaced pair of first and second end walls supported by the base, the frame including a spaced pair of first and second terminal side walls supported by the base, an access portal defined between the pair of terminal side posts, and a pair of gates supported for pivotal movement relative to respective of the terminal side posts.
US07975863B2	Beverage bottling plant with a beverage bottle closing machine for applying a screw-top bottle closure to a beverage bottle Beverage bottling plant with a beverage bottle closing machine for applying a screw-top bottle closure to a beverage bottle. The ring portion of the screw-top bottle closure has engaging surfaces which engage with engaging surfaces of the bottle to essentially prevent or minimize the rotation of the ring portion upon unscrewing of the screw-top bottle closure.
US07975859B2	Interactive white board track system A track system for slidably mounting a frame. The track system includes an upper track parallel to a lower track, and the tracks may be mounted to a wall. A left carriage upright and a right carriage upright are aligned orthogonally to the tracks, and the carriage uprights are slidably connected to the tracks on each end through a roller assembly, each roller assembly having a wheel that is slidably mounted to the corresponding track. The wheel is kept on the track by a stop at either end of the track. A stabilizing support structure fixes the left carriage upright parallel to the right carriage upright. Finally, the carriage uprights each have a bracket at each end, the brackets adapted to hold a frame and projector screen in front of the carriage uprights. The projector screen, frame, carriage uprights, and stabilizing support structure may then slide laterally as a whole.
US07975858B2	Product display shelf with compliant member A product display shelf comprising a bottom surface, a rear surface and at least one compliant member is disclosed. The bottom surface is configured to support at least one product thereon. The rear surface extends upwardly from the bottom surface. The at least one compliant member is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the rear surface and is configured to substantially prevent the product supported by the bottom surface from movement relative to the bottom surface upon movement of the product display shelf.
US07975849B2	Packaging case of wiper blade Disclosed herein is a packaging case of a wiper blade used to wipe a windscreen of automobiles. The wiper blade includes a wiper strip to wipe a windshield of an automobile. The packaging case includes a body having an accommodation space to accommodate the wiper blade and an opening to open the accommodation space, a cover connected pivotally to a first side of the body via a first connecting part to cover the opening, and a locking section connected pivotally to a second side of the body, opposed to the first side, via a second connecting part to be engaged with the body with one end of the cover interposed between the locking section and the body. The packaging case can protect the wiper blade from external force and prevent damage of the wiper blade during delivery and distribution, and can ensure simple, compact and tight packaging of the wiper blade.
US07975848B2	Container and liner thereof A container having a top cover and a bottom cover is provided, which includes a canopy disposed on the bottom cover to form therewith a space to accommodate an article. A plurality of locators is disposed on a surface of the bottom cover so that when the bottom cover is tightly combined with the top cover, the locators are clipped between the bottom cover and the top cover to orient the canopy in a fixed position.
US07975847B2	Insert for container packaging A container insert for taking up extra space may be placed in a container intended for storage and/or shipment of material to an end user. The insert may be generally longitudinal having a helical configuration that may be expanded and constricted for taking up different volumes of space within the container respective of the amount of material stored therein. The insert may also be elastically deformable or generally pliable and may absorb impact forces for preventing or minimizing damage to the material.
US07975845B2	Durable container for elongated measuring devices A sturdy container to store, transport and securely maintain a measuring device, for example, a spirit level or electronic equivalents thereof. The container comprises an elongated conduit constructed from for example, an organic polymeric material (PVC), carbon fiber, fiberglass or metal. The elongated conduit includes an interior cavity dimensioned to fully encompass one or more measuring device(s) to be securely maintained therein. A head cap assembly is generally provided at a first longitudinal end of the elongated conduit, the head cap including an aperture in communication with the interior cavity, and the aperture dimensioned to receive at least one of the measuring devices therethrough. A door is provided on the head cap and is dimensioned to lateral span the aperture when disposed in a closed position. A lockable latch is provided to maintain the door in the closed position. An end cap is provided on a second longitudinal end of the elongated conduit. A counterforce element may be disposed within the elongated conduit in proximity to or incorporated into the end cap. The counterforce element is aligned to generate a longitudinal counterforce on the measuring devices when an end of the measuring device(s) compressively engages the counterforce element.
US07975844B2	Optical media disc case A one-piece, injection-molded case (10) for containing an optical media disc (85), the case (10) comprising: a front cover (20): a back cover (40); a spine (30) to pivotally connect the front and back covers (20, 40); a flexible, polymeric sleeve (70) to wrap around an external surface of the front and back covers (20, 40) and spine (30); wherein the front and back covers (20, 40) have voids defining cut-out portions (50, 60) to reduce the weight of the case (10).
US07975843B2	Packaged sheet media and method of using same A package of sheet media includes a stack of individual sheets of media and a packaging wrap extending at least partially around the stack. An outer wrap at least partially covering the stack and the packaging wrap can optionally be used. A method of loading the package of sheet media on a printing system is also provided.
US07975842B2	Outer packaging system for medical consumables The invention relates to a packaging system for medical consumables, in particular test elements. The packaging system comprises an outer packaging, which accommodates a first desiccant supply, and a magazine with an unused test element supply. In the closed state of the outer packaging, the first desiccant supply of the outer packaging acts on the interior of the magazine via a connection that permits water vapor diffusion. In exemplary embodiments, the magazine includes a second desiccant supply. The communication of water vapor between the magazine and outer package reduces the load on the desiccant supply in the magazine.
US07975840B2	Flat wire conveyor belt system A flat wire conveyor belt system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods and a plurality of rows of pickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, each of the rows of pickets including a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links, the plurality of first links have a first spacing and the plurality of second links have a second spacing, the first spacing being less than the second spacing. The system further includes a sprocket, wherein the plurality of first links are configured to engage the sprocket teeth thereof.
US07975837B2	Conveyor with safety gate A conveyor (10) includes an elongate tray (12) for supporting goods thereon, and a powered drive (16) to move goods along the tray. In one embodiment, a gate (24) is supported on this tray for closing an opening in the tray or for opening to allow goods to drop through the tray opening. The gate has a first magnet (34) supported thereon. A gate drive (22) moves the gate between the open and closed positions, and has a second magnet (32) which cooperates with the first magnet such that the magnets separate if the gate encounters an obstruction when closing.
US07975836B2	Horizontal conveyor for transporting bulk materials A horizontal conveyor for transporting bulk materials, in particular of containers for food, has at least one conveyor belt encompassing at least one assembly surface for the material to be conveyed. There is at least one sliding part, which is moveably guided parallel to the conveying direction thereof, be arranged below the assembly surface of the conveyor belt. At least one drive is assigned to the sliding part for its positively driven motion. There is at least one height-adjustable actuator for the material to be conveyed, arranged on the sliding part. The actuator is capable of being brought into an entrainment position, that projects into the plane of the assembly surface by means of a lifting device. A discontinuous conveyance of materials is possible in a simple manner with this horizontal conveyor.
US07975833B2	Material handling system and method A material handling system for moving material from a storage device to a receiver comprises a counter rotating double screw feeder extending from the storage device to the receiver. The counter rotating double screw feeder comprises an outer screw feed member; an inner screw feed member; where the outer screw feed member being positioned in an outer screw feed member tube; and the inner screw feed member being positioned in an inner screw feed member tube. The material is feed from the storage device to the process tube via the outer screw feed member; the inner screw feed member removes gas and byproducts from the receiver.
US07975829B2	Tire conveyor assembly and components thereof An improved conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt for conveying a product to one or more product operations is disclosed. Such conveyor assembly includes a pair of spaced apart side frames that support the conveyor belt and between which the conveyor belt rotates. The side frames are formed from an upstanding member and a inwardly extending horizontal member. Both the frame upstanding member and the frame horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. One or more L-shaped brackets are formed from a generally upstanding member and an inwardly extending member. Both the bracket upstanding member and the bracket horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. The bracket horizontal member slots are configured to overlay the frame elongate horizontal member slots, and the bracket upstanding member slots are configured to overlay the frame upstanding member slots for attaching components to the frames.
US07975828B2	Apparatus for processing elongate products such as cucumbers Apparatus for processing generally elongate curved products having two ends and having a longitudinal axis extending in the elongate direction, in particular vegetables or fruit, for instance cucumbers, the processing comprising in succession at least: conveying the products with an endless conveyor in a conveying direction T in a substantially horizontal plane, the products positioned with their longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction T; orienting these products with an orienting unit, and taking up the oriented products with a take-up unit for a further handling; wherein the orienting unit comprises two supporting points for each product, with at least one supporting point situated at some distance from an end of the product, wherein the orienting unit is configured for orienting during conveying, and wherein the products upon orienting rotate substantially about their longitudinal axis.
US07975826B2	Stacker and card processing apparatus equipped with the stacker A stacker is composed of a bottom plate, a containing section for storing a plurality of cards by stacking it on the bottom plate and a guiding section for guiding each card entering into the containing section. The guiding section is composed of a sidewall for restricting movement of an entering card when entering into the stacker in a first moving direction and a slanted section for slanting the card against the first moving direction. The slanted card moves in a second moving direction intersecting with the first moving direction at approximately a right angle by the gravitational force.
US07975825B2	Stop module, in particular for automated machining and conveyor devices In a stop module, in particular for automated machining and conveyor systems, a stop element for objects moving in a direction of motion in a movement plane is located on a base body, and the stop element is movable by an electrical rotary drive between a first terminal position, in which the stop element protrudes into the movement plane of the objects, and a second terminal position, in which the stop element enables a motion of objects in the movement plane. The motion of the stop element in and out of the movement plane of objects is implemented by a toggle lever device cooperating with the electrical rotary drive, which toggle lever device has at least two lever elements, connected to one another via a first pivot point, and the electrical rotary drive cooperates with the first pivot point.
US07975822B2	Multi-plate frictional engagement apparatus Three external tooth wet friction materials are each composed of an external tooth plate and a lining adhered to one surface thereof along an entire circumference. Three internal tooth wet friction materials are each composed of an internal tooth plate and a lining adhered to one surface thereof along an entire circumference. Then, the three external tooth wet friction materials and the three internal tooth wet friction materials are disposed side by side so as to constitute a multi-plate frictional engagement apparatus. A thickness of the internal tooth plate is made thinner in view of its good heat discharge capability, and the thickness of the external tooth plate is made thicker by that much.
US07975819B2	Bushing-type roller overrunning clutch with a solid outer ring A bushing-type roller overrunning dutch comprising an inner and/or outer ring (4), clamping ramps (2) adapted to the needles or rollers (5), a cage (6), pressure springs (7) for the needles or rollers (5), a bushing (1) with integrally formed clamping ramps (2), and a solid inner or outer ring (4) in or on which the bushing (1) is fixed.
US07975816B1	Pull-rod computer bag The present invention provides a pull-rod computer bag including a bag body, internally defining a hold space; a pull rod, assembled scalably onto one side of the hold space; a roller set, assembled at one corner of the bag body; and a housing cover with a computer hold tank. The housing cover is laterally connected with the bag body, enabling opening and closing and having a faceplate and a peripheral portion, such that the computer hold tank is formed between the faceplate and peripheral portion. A buffer pad is assembled on the faceplate and a retractable side wall is assembled onto the peripheral portion of the housing cover, enabling the peripheral portion to be expanded or reduced with respect to the area. A flexible control member is used to locate the shrinking state of the retractable side wall.
US07975813B2	Electromagnetic suspension system for a seat assembly and machine using same A suspension system for a seat assembly of a machine includes an upper support member and a lower support member. A pair of scissors linkages interconnect the upper and lower support members. Each of the scissors linkages includes first and second arms pivotably attached at central portions thereof. An electronic controller is in communication with a pair of electromagnetic devices positioned at first ends of the first arms. The electronic controller is configured to energize the electromagnetic devices in response to a sensor output.
US07975805B2	Lubrication system A system for lubricating a lubrication target located within a refrigerated atmosphere. The system includes a lubricant source, a pressurized air source, and at least one pneumatically-activated pump in connection with the lubricant and air sources. The pump output is connected to a conduit that terminates at a spray nozzle for delivering the lubricant to the target in a controlled fashion. Pressurized air may be used to better control the lubricant delivery. The temperature of the lubricant and air flowing through the conduits is regulated so that the fluids will flow predictably at very cold temperatures.
US07975804B2	Lubricating structure for transmission A lubricating structure for a transmission includes an axial hole formed penetrating through a gear shaft in an axial direction thereof and having a first opening at one axial end of the gear shaft for supplying therein a lubricant and a second opening at the other axial end thereof, a first oil hole provided on the gear shaft in a radial direction thereof to establish communication between the axial hole and an outside of the gear shaft, and a tapered groove provided on an inner wall of the axial hole in the axial direction thereof, wherein the lubricant is supplied to a portion needing lubrication via the axial hole or via the axial hole and the first oil hole, and the tapered groove is deeper at the second opening side than the first opening side.
US07975803B2	Dismantlable scaffold and a railing adapter for it The invention relates to dismantlable scaffolding comprising accessible platforms on a plurality of levels and a multitude of vertical supports carrying said platforms. Said vertical supports preferably consist of several sections which can be fixed one on top of the other, are arranged at a distance from each other, and are preferably connected by means of platform bars at predetermined vertical distances. Said supports carry perforated anchor plates at predetermined vertical distances. Connecting railing elements can be applied to adjacent vertical supports. In order to apply at least one railing element above a platform, at least the highest railing elements of a level can be applied to the associated perforated anchor plate by means of a railing adapter element. When applied to the perforated anchor plate, said adapter carries a railing holding element above the anchor plate. The distance between the anchor plate and the railing holding element is smaller than the distance between two vertically adjacent anchor plates.
US07975799B2	Method and apparatus for storing and supplying a fluid for use by an engine An apparatus and method for storing and supplying a fluid for use by a motorcycle engine includes a fluid tank assembly that can be mounted so that at least a portion of it is integral with a motorcycle frame. The assembly includes a center block that is mounted within a cavity in the motorcycle frame and two fluid reservoir housings, each mounted on opposite sides of the frame exterior and adjacent to the center block. The center block includes a hole of sufficient diameter that reservoir chambers, defined by the two reservoir housings, are in a free-flowing, fluid communication with one another via the center block hole. Moreover, the center block is a structural element thereby providing strength to the motorcycle frame.
US07975798B2	Method and device for controlling automatic emergency braking A method and a device for controlling automatic emergency braking of a motor vehicle to reduce the severity of a collision of a vehicle with an object, the position and/or speed of the object with respect to the host vehicle being determined via an object detection device, and this information being sent to a collision detection device which ascertains whether a collision with an object is imminent and, on detecting a collision, triggers emergency braking and ascertains a collision instant, emergency braking being terminated after the period of time until the determined collision instant has elapsed.
US07975797B2	Vehicle pop up hood apparatus In a configuration in which a rod is extended by an actuator and raises a hood at a time of a collision with a collision body, when a collision load greater than a predetermined value is input to near a hood pushed up area, the collision energy is efficiently absorbed.In a state in which a hood (12) is maintained in a pushed up position, when a collision load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is input from a hood upper side, a distal end portion (54) of a rod (20) slides towards a vehicle rear side along a pushed up surface (38) of a hood rear portion, while deforming the rod (20) by bending, thereby absorbing collision energy. At this time, before a base of a hinge arm (30) contacts a cowl top side (22), distal end portion (54) of rod (20) catches against a bending portion (60) such that rod (20) is bent further. As a result, when distal end portion (54) catches against bending portion (60), an intermediate reactive force is generated and a base contact load at a final stage of energy absorption can be decreased.
US07975795B2	Arrangement structure of radiator reservoir tank of motorcycle An arrangement structure for a radiator reservoir tank for a motorcycle that makes it possible to appropriately dispose a reservoir tank of a radiator in the vicinity of an engine. A main frame is provided that extends to the rear side from a head pipe disposed at the front of a main body. An engine is disposed under the main frame, the engine includes a cylinder extending upward from a crankcase with an intake port open at the rear side of the cylinder. A throttle body is connected to the intake port with a reservoir tank of a radiator being disposed in a space S above the crankcase, behind the cylinder, and under the throttle body.
US07975791B2	Hybrid vehicle drive control system A hybrid vehicle drive control system has a first clutch interposed between an engine and a motor/generator, a transmission including several gear position clutches arranged between the motor/generator and a drive wheel, and a controller. The controller selectively starts the engine using torque from the first clutch during a drive mode change from an electric drive mode to a hybrid drive mode. When an engine start command and a gear shifting operation occur during a drive mode change, the controller selects the gear position clutch that is a common engaged clutch from among the engaged gear position clutches constituting the vehicle running gears occurring from immediately before starting the engine until immediately after starting the engine as a second clutch to be controlled. Then, the controller executes a slip control of the second clutch when the first clutch is being connected to start the engine during the drive mode change.
US07975789B2	Wheel assembly with in-wheel motor A wheel assembly with an in-wheel motor includes a motor for driving a wheel, which is arranged in the wheel; a reduction mechanism that reduces the rate of rotational output of the motor and transmits the resultant rotational output to the wheel; an oil tank in which oil collects; an oil pump that is driven by rotational output of the motor; and an oil flow path that leads oil from the oil pump to at least one of the motor and the reduction mechanism. The oil tank is arranged below the reduction mechanism, farther toward a vehicle inside in a vehicle width direction than a brake dust cover, and farther toward the vehicle outside in the vehicle width direction than a lower ball joint.
US07975788B2	Moving body Water contained in exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack 22 is separated by a gas-liquid separator 48 and is accumulated in a recovery tank 54. The procedure of the invention sets a release amount of water and selects one or multiple positions for water release, based on the driving conditions including the vehicle speed and the acceleration, the turning state, activation or non-activation of skid reduction control, the distance from any object detected by clearance sonars 94a through 94d, a distance from a subsequent vehicle measured by an extremely high frequency radar 92, and the presence of raindrops detected by a raindrop detection sensor, and releases the water accumulated in the recovery tank 54 from water outlets at the selected one or multiple positions among water outlets 58a through 58f at multiple different locations. This arrangement ensures adequate release of the water produced by the fuel cell stack 22 to the atmosphere.
US07975785B2	Drilling systems including fiber-containing diamond-impregnated cutting tools Diamond-impregnated cutting tools including fibers and drilling systems incorporating such tools are described. The cutting tools contain a diamond-impregnated cutting portion that contains fibers made from carbon, glass, ceramic, polymer, and the like. The fibers may be used to both control the tensile strength and the erosion rate of the matrix to optimize the cutting performance of the tools. Additionally, the fibers may also weaken the structure and allow higher modulus binders to be used for the cutting tools at a lower cost, allowing the amount of fibers to be tailored to retain the diamonds in the cutting portion for the desired amount. As the cutting portion erodes, the fibers may also increase the lubricity at the face of the cutting portion. Using the fibers allows the cutting tools to last longer and make them safer and more economical because they need to be replaced less often.
US07975783B2	Reaming and stabilization tool and method for its use in a borehole In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a drilling tool includes a tubular body defining a longitudinal axial cavity extending therethrough and defining at least one cutter element recess. The drilling tool also includes a cutter element at least partially disposed within the at least one cutter element recess and includes at least first and second cutting arms at least substantially disposed within the cutter element recess in a retracted position. The first and second cutting arms are operable to move from the retracted position to an extended position in which the first and second cutting arms extend at least partially beyond a periphery of the tubular body. The first and second cutting arms and the tubular body enclose a space when the first and second cutting arms are in the extended position.
US07975779B2	Threaded cone retention system for roller cone bits An apparatus for retaining a roller cone on a bearing pin of a drill bit body that includes a drill bit body; a bearing pin coupled to the drill bit body; a retention member coupled to the bearing pin; a roller cone coupled to the retention member; and a torque transfer member coupled to the retention member and the roller cone adapted to selectively transfer torque between the retention member and the roller cone.
US07975778B2	Borehole drilling control system, method and apparatus One embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a steerable well bore drilling tool having a main tool body. The steerable well bore drilling tool includes an inertial measurement unit to output a measurement used to determine an azimuthal deviation and inclination of the steerable well bore drilling tool during a drilling operation.
US07975777B2	Cellular foam bumper for nailer A device for impacting a fastener in one embodiment includes a drive channel, a cylinder opening at an end portion to the drive channel, a microcellular polyurethane elastomer (MPE) bumper fixedly positioned at the end portion of the cylinder, the MPE bumper including a drive bore extending therethrough and aligned with the drive channel, and an outer wall defining a plurality of grooves extending radially about the MPE bumper, and a drive mechanism including a drive blade aligned with the drive bore.
US07975775B2	Furrow clearing apparatus for the preparation of seed beds An apparatus assists in clearing furrows in a plowed field. A plurality of furrow assist members line up with a plurality of plowshares on a furrow roller which is towed around a field. The furrow roller may have one or more cylindrical rollers that may include extension rollers that are foldable for storage. Plowshares are moveably attached to rigid beams and positioned to engage the ground and dig irrigation furrows. The cylindrical rollers smooth and compact seed beds in a uniform manner. Furrow assist members, in accordance with embodiments, are selectively deployed and positioned to be substantially in line with the plowshares to clear and distribute any soil or other materials that may be in the furrows following the passage of the cylindrical rollers.
US07975771B2	Method for running casing while drilling system At least a portion of a subsea well is drilled casing-while-drilling techniques. A landing shoulder is formed within an outer string of a casing. The outer string of casing is secured to an outer wellhead housing above the landing shoulder and lowered into the wellbore. A casing hanger is attached to an inner string of casing and lowered through the outer string of casing into the wellbore. A drill bit at the at the lower end of the inner string of casing is rotated to deepen the well. The string of inner casing moves downward as the well is being deepened until landing the casing hanger on the load shoulder. A tieback member is attached to an inner wellhead housing and lowered into sealing engagement with the casing hanger. The inner wellhead housing lands in the outer wellhead housing.
US07975766B2	Top filling tubing A method of top-filling a drill pipe string comprises injecting fluid into the upper end of the string. Apparatus for use in top-filling a drill pipe string comprises an injector adapted to co-operate with the upper end of a drill pipe string, whereby fluid may be pumped through the injector and into the string.
US07975763B2	Process for enhanced production of heavy oil using microwaves A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.
US07975762B2	Biogenic fuel gas generation in geologic hydrocarbon deposits A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.
US07975760B2	Tool wrench assembly A tool wrench assembly for a blasthole drill includes a fork pivotally fixed relative to at least one actuator that moves the fork between an engaged and a disengaged position.
US07975759B2	Temperature control method, temperature control apparatus and high/low temperature processing system A temperature control apparatus that controls a temperature of a target object by a heat exchange between a temperature control liquid and the target object. The apparatus includes a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the temperature control liquid to increase a boiling point thereof; a heating unit that increases a temperature of the temperature control liquid to become higher than or equal to a boiling point of the temperature control liquid observed at a normal pressure; and a heat exchanging unit that exchanges heat between the target object and the temperature control liquid whose temperature has been increased to become higher than or equal to the boiling point of the temperature control liquid observed at the normal pressure.
US07975758B2	Condenser tubes cleaning system The present invention relates to a condenser tubes cleaning system for alleviating the common disadvantage of the prior arts includes a flow diverter, a first branch pipe, a second branch pipe, a three-way valve, a first one-way valve, a bypass pipe, a ball barrel, a liquid supply pipe, a cleaning ball supply pipe, a cleaning ball return pipe, a liquid return pipe, a second one-way valve, a normally open two-way valve, and a ball trap. Thus, the flow diverter is provided with the three-way valve, and the ball trap is provided with the normally open two-way valve, so that the flow diverter and the ball trap have a bypass function that the prior arts do not have, to maintain the constant flow rate in the main supply pipe and the main return pipe without increasing the electrical power load of the main circulating pump.
US07975756B2	Long wear side dams The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting having a side dam assembly. The side dam assembly includes a side dam having opposite outer surfaces, one surface contacting molten metal and the opposite outer surface having fastening portions capable of attaching the side dam to a side dam holder, to hold the side dam in place during casting without exposed portions of the side dam holder extending substantially beyond the opposite outer surface toward the outer surface for contacting molten metal.
US07975753B2	Method and apparatus for controlling the flow of molten steel in a mould Method for controlling a flow of molten steel in a mould by applying at least one magnetic field to the molten steel in a continuous slab casting machine. Controlling a molten steel flow velocity on a molten steel bath surface to a predetermined molten steel flow velocity by applying a static magnetic field to impart a stabilizing and braking force to a discharge flow from an immersion nozzle when the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus is higher than a mould powder entrainment critical flow velocity. Controlling the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus to a range of from an inclusion adherence critical flow velocity or more to a mould powder entrainment critical flow velocity or less by applying a shifting magnetic field to increase the molten steel flow when the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus is lower than the inclusion-adherence critical flow velocity.
US07975750B2	Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotors A Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotor, wherein damping is provided Coulomb friction in generally coextensive relation with the braking surfaces of the one or more rotor cheeks. The Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotor has at least one interfacial boundary formed in at least one rotor cheek disposed in generally coextensive relation to the braking surface thereof. The interfacial boundary provides a mechanically distinguishable surface boundary between two surfaces which are in mutual contact such that a state of Coulomb friction exists therebetween.
US07975749B2	Method of removing excess metal from casting with press, and cutter used therefore A set of dies are composed in order to remove excess metal from a casting with a press. A method of removing the excess metal from the casting includes the steps of attaching a cutter to one of the stationary die side or the movable die side; setting a work on the other side; and punching excess metal of the work into a recess shape by one punching motion of the movable die with a plurality of blades from the first blade, which is smaller, to the final blade, which is larger and protruded, when the excess metal of the work is removed by a punching motion of the movable die conducted on the stationary die. A cutter includes a row of blades in which a plurality of blades are arranged step-wise having a change in the form from the first blade, which is smaller than the final shape of the excess metal to be punched, to the final blade, the shape of which is the same as the final shape. The row of blades from the first blade to the final blade are arranged so that the first small blade can be used ahead of other blades and the other blades can be used in the order of punching motions.
US07975747B2	Roman shade with hidden ropes A Roman shade includes a top box and a shade including a first layer and a second layer is connected to the top box. The first layer includes multiple pocket portions formed thereon and the pocket portions each are defined by folding a part upward to define a passage which extends transversely through the first layer. Multiple first holes and second holes are defined through the first layer. The pocket portion is located between the first and second holes. The second layer is located on a first side of the first layer and two control ropes each have a top end connected to the top box and a lower end of each control rope extends through the first hole from the first side of the first layer and passes over a second side of the first layer and then extends through the second hole in sequence.
US07975745B2	Transfer tool In order to provide a good transferable and extremely usable transfer tool in which consumable supplies can be easily replaced while increasing rigidity in use and case assembling procedure is also simple, the transfer tool (A) includes a case body (1) which incorporates a transfer material (T), the case body (1) having a first case (2) for holding replacement parts including at least the transfer material (T); and a second case (3) engageable with and disengageable from the first case (2), for holding unchangeable parts constituting at least a part of feeding mechanism parts which feeds out the transfer material (T) to a transferred object, wherein a holding portion (K) for holding the case body (1) to a base (4) in a state where the first case (2) and the second case (3) are engaged, and a pivoting support portion (L) for pivotably supporting the second case (3) to the base (4) between a use position (P) in which the case body (1) is held to the base (4) by the holding portion (K) and a releasing retention position (Q) in which a holding state held by the holding portion (K) is released to enable the first case (2) and the second case (3) to be engageable/disengageable are formed.
US07975744B2	High-throughput bond tool A substrate bonding apparatus comprises a platen and a press. The press is movable relative to the platen for pressing at least one substrate stack between the press and platen. In one embodiment, a consumable compliant member is disposed between the press and the platen. In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a substrate carrier adapted for holding and carrying more than one substrate stack in and out of the apparatus. A method for bonding substrates is also described.
US07975743B2	Labeller A labeler is supported on a frame and includes a waste liner rewind mechanism. The frame may be a two-piece frame, wherein each piece supports a plurality of labeler components. A waste liner rewind wheel is rotatably mounted on one of the frame members, and is capable of supporting the release liner of the label web after the labels have been removed and applied to items. A rewind drive is connected to the waste liner rewind wheel for advancing the waste liner rewind wheel to wind the release liner about the waste liner rewind drive wheel. The rewind mechanism actuates the rewind drive as a function of the amount of tension on the release liner. The labeler may also include a print mechanism positioned along the label web path for printing a desired printed information on the individual labels.
US07975742B2	Motorcycle tire for off-road A tire (2) according to the present invention includes a tread (4), a pair of beads (8), and a carcass (10) having a radial structure. The carcass (10) has a first ply (32) and a second ply (34). The first ply (32) has a first cord. The first cord is formed by twisting three yarns. The yarn is constituted by an aramid fiber. A fineness of the yarn is equal to or higher than 800 dtex and is equal to or lower than 1100 dtex. The second ply (34) has a second cord. The second cord is formed by twisting three yarns. The yarn is constituted by the aramid fiber. A fineness of the yarn is equal to or higher than 800 dtex and is equal to or lower than 1100 dtex.
US07975739B1	Rotary union assembly for use in air pressure inflation systems for tractor trailer tires Preferably, a tire inflation system includes a hub cap secured to a wheel attached to an axle of a vehicle, which provides a source of pressurized air. The tire inflation system preferably includes a rotary union assembly with a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, the rotating portion attachable to the exterior of the hub cap for rotation with the hub cap. The non-rotating portion preferably includes a stationary shaft in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air, the stationary shaft defining an air passage therethrough which participates in conducting pressurized air to the tire. An end of the stationary shaft preferably provides a first bearing surface and a housing is rotatably mounted thereon for rotation with the hub cap. The rotating portion preferably includes a rotary member rotating with the housing, the rotary member defining a second bearing surface disposed in abutment with the first bearing surface.
US07975738B2	Pneumatic tire with tread having lateral grooves Provided is a pneumatic tire which employs pitch variation for suppressing pattern noise and has uniformity further improved. Pitches 3a, 3b and 3c with different pitch lengths are formed so that a pitch with a larger pitch length is set to have a smaller groove area ratio, and to have a larger groove wall angle α on the obtuse angle side that is formed by a groove wall of a lateral groove 2 and the direction tangential to the thread surface.
US07975734B2	Lighted funnel A lighted funnel, particularly a lighted funnel used to fill the fuel reservoir of an automobile, comprises (a) a funnel, (b) a handle, and (c) a means of automatically illuminating the funnel, such as a micro switch that is closed by the gravitational force on a weight. When the funnel is oriented in the upright position, the illumination means automatically lights the funnel and indicates to the user that the funnel is in a substantially level position. When the funnel is oriented in the downward position, the illumination means is automatically switched off.
US07975733B2	Fluid transfer device A fluid transfer device for transferring fluid from a first fluid container to a second fluid container such as a piercing member protection device is provided. The fluid transfer device can include a longitudinal axis and a first connection part having a connection means for connecting to a first fluid container. The fluid transfer device can further include a second connection part rotatably mounted to the first connection part by mounting means, and the second connection part can further include connection means for connecting a second fluid container. The mounting means can enable turning of the second connection part with respect to the first connection part. Such a device can allow a user to safely turn e.g., a syringe after assembly to read a volume indication or similar.
US07975732B2	Device for holding sacks and bags open A device (1) for holding sacks open, with a frame (2), wherein the frame (2) forms the opening (5) of the device (1) for holding sacks open, and the opening (5) can be closed by means of a cover element (3), which is mounted in a pivotable manner on the frame (2), the frame (2) having at least one guide element (2a), by means of which the cover element (3) can be moved from a first position into a second position, wherein the cover element (3) in the first position can be pivoted and optionally closes or exposes the opening (5) of the frame (2), and in the second position the cover element (3) serves as a ramp over the side web (2j) of the frame (2), lying on the ground, and is held on the frame (2) in a manner secure against rotation.
US07975731B2	Method and apparatus for evacuating and filling tires with high purity nitrogen A method and an apparatus for filling tires with high purity nitrogen involves evacuating and then filling tires with nitrogen. An automated apparatus has a mode of operation which can be selected from among a four tire service, a spare tire service and a top off service, with or without vacuuming during evacuation. With the four tire service, four tires connected to the apparatus are evacuated and then filled to set front and rear tire pressures. With the spare tire service a single tire connected to the apparatus is evacuated then nitrogen filled to a set tire pressure. A five tire service for evacuating and filling two front and two rear tires and a spare tire is also disclosed. The top off service of a tire connected to the apparatus involves sensing the tire pressure and then evacuating or nitrogen filling to obtain a set tire pressure. Evacuation of a tire is automatically stopped when a set minimum pressure level or a set maximum time limit for evacuation is reached. The apparatus permits accurate filling of tires with high purity nitrogen in an efficient manner without requiring the operator to attend the apparatus during the process after initial setup.
US07975730B2	Colouring apparatus Coloring apparatus comprises a first marker pen having a housing including an absorbent nib containing a liquid or dye of a first color, and a second marker pen having a housing including an absorbent nib containing a liquid or dye of a second color. The housings of the marker pens are dimensioned and shaped to engage opposing end portions of a tubular docking member with their absorbent nibs spaced one from the other. Means are provided to enable relative movement to take place between the pens while in position within the docking member thereby causing the absorbent nibs selectively to make contact with one another within the docking member and to be released from such contact.
US07975727B2	Line for guiding a medium An arrangement for guiding a medium, preferably compressed, gaseous hydrogen, is described. The arrangement encompasses a medium line, a cooling medium return line which surrounds the medium line, and a cooling medium feed line. The cooling medium return line and the cooling medium feed line are hereby preferably arranged in direct heat contact. The arrangement can furthermore be surrounded by a jacket tube.
US07975723B2	Controlling fluid through an array of fluid flow paths A method of controlling fluid through a layer of a soft compressible (e.g., gel) material including an array of fluid flow paths. The fluid flow paths are normally open, allowing fluid flow. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the material closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.
US07975715B2	Trailer spring brake valve A valve for use in a pneumatic system of a truck-trailer having a source of air under pressure, a reservoir, at least one spring brake unit and a brake service line is provided. The valve includes a housing, a pressure protection valve portion, a spring brake actuation valve portion and an anti-compounding valve portion. The housing has a supply passage in communication with the source of air under pressure. The pressure protection valve portion is disposed within a first chamber of the housing. The first chamber has an inlet in communication with the supply passage and an outlet in communication with the reservoir. The pressure protection valve portion is configured to selectively block the flow of pressurized air from the supply passage to the reservoir through the first chamber. The spring brake actuation valve portion is disposed within a second chamber of the housing.
US07975711B2	Secure mechanism of portable accessory device for shading device A portable accessory device includes a housing having a mounting slot, an accessory unit supported in the housing, and two adjustable retainers for adjusting the size of the mounting slot for a shaft of a shading device. Each of the adjustable retainer includes a retention arm, having a pusher surface facing towards the mounting slot, slidably mounted at the housing, wherein the pusher surfaces of the retention arms are facing with each other and are arranged for biasing against an outer surface of the shaft of the shading device until the shaft thereof being fitted at the mounting slot so as to substantially mount the housing at the shaft of the shading device. Therefore, the portable accessory device is adapted to detachably mount at the shading device to provide an additional function via the accessory unit for users to have high quality shading device.
US07975708B2	Proximity head with angled vacuum conduit system, apparatus and method A proximity head including a head surface. The head surface including a first flat region and a plurality of first conduits. Each one of the plurality of first conduits being defined by corresponding one of a plurality of first discrete holes. The plurality of first discrete holes residing in the head surface and extending through the first flat region. The head surface also including a second flat region and a plurality of second conduits. The plurality of second conduits being defined by a corresponding plurality of second discrete holes that reside in the head surface and extend through the second flat region. The head surface also including a third flat region disposed between and adjacent to the first flat region and the second flat region and a plurality of third conduits. The plurality of third conduits being defined by a corresponding plurality of third discrete holes that reside in the head surface and extend through the third flat region. The third conduits being formed at a first angle relative to the third flat region. The first angle being between 30 and 60 degrees. A system and method for processing a substrate with a proximity head is also described.
US07975702B2	System and method for laser lipolysis A device and related method for the removal of subcutaneous adipose layers comprises a laser source; an optical fiber for conveying a laser beam emitted by the laser source; and a hollow cannula for guiding the fiber to the subcutaneous treatment area. The cannula has a curved portion at its distal end, where the curved portion can be shaped to roughly conform to the contour of the patient's body structure. In this way, laser energy from the fiber, applied to the adipose layers, is generally directed away from the lower dermis of the patient, minimizing the risk of non-reversible damage to the dermis, including skin necrosis. In another embodiment, the optical fiber is a side-firing fiber that directs the laser energy away from the dermis. In other embodiments, a radiation detector, such as a thermal or optical sensor, monitors the temperature at the surface of the skin above the treatment area to warn the operator of harmful temperatures in the lower dermis. In another embodiment, a temperature sensitive material is applied to the surface of the skin above the treatment area to warn of harmful dermal temperatures. In another embodiment, a cooling mechanism cools the surface of the skin above the treatment area to prevent damage to the dermis.
US07975696B2	Voice prosthesis dilator/sizer A voice prosthesis dilator and sizer device is provided including an elongated member having a first end with a tip and a flange and a second end with a stop portion. The elongated member includes an intermediate portion with a measuring area disposed adjacent to the flange and including measuring indicia thereon and having a dilation area adjacent to the second end. The elongated member also includes a recessed region adjacent to the flange to receive the flange in a folded position upon insertion into the non-dilated fistula. The dilation area has a larger diameter than the measuring area.
US07975694B2	Non-intrusive mask interface with nasal support A patient interface includes a body member, a partition, a nasal seal portion, and a port. The partition is integral with the body member, and separates an interior of the member into a first chamber configured to receive a nose of a patient and a second chamber. The nasal seal portion is integral with the partition, and projects therefrom into the first chamber. The nasal seal portion includes a seal surface and a gas passage therethrough. The seal surface is configured to conform with a lower portion of the nose that is surrounding nasal passages of the patient, without entering the nasal passages of the patient, when the patient interface is mounted operatively on the face of the patient. The port integral with the member is in fluid communication with the second chamber for delivery of gas to the patient via the gas passage in the nasal seal portion.
US07975693B2	Adjustable gas delivery mask having a flexible gasket In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an adjustable gas delivery system is provided. The system may include a face mask, an arm apparatus, and a gasket. The face mask may be configured to deliver gas to a subject, and may include a flexible cushion portion configured to interface with the subject's face and a rigid base portion configured to support the cushion portion, the rigid base portion including a gas inlet. The arm apparatus may be configured to deliver gas to the face mask. The arm apparatus may include a gas outlet having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the gas inlet of the base portion of the face mask. The gasket may couple the gas outlet of the arm apparatus with the gas inlet of the face mask. The gasket may be flexible such that the orientation of the face mask relative to the arm apparatus is adjustable.
US07975691B2	Continuous positive airway pressure device by controlling the pressure in the face mask A CPAP device includes an air stream generator for generating positive pressure, a face mask connected to the air stream generator through a flow supply catheter, a pressure sensor measuring pressure in the face mask, a control circuit controlling the air stream generator, and a pressure detection pipe having a first side and a second side. The pressure sensor is connected to the second side of the pressure detection pipe to measure pressure of the detection hole formed at the first side of the pressure detection pipe and outputs the measured pressure value to the control circuit. The control circuit distinguishes average positive pressure from pressure caused by spontaneous breathing of patient according to values of the pressure in the face mask, which are input from the pressure sensor, and controls a speed of the air stream generator such that preset positive pressure is supplied to the patient.
US07975683B1	Spring action paintball marker A paintball marker using a piston and compression spring mounted in an air focus tube for generating compressed air for launching a paintball down a barrel. A trigger and sear are used to catch the compression spring when it is compressed to control the launching of the paintball. Exterior pull handles mounted behind the marker, and slideably mounted on the barrel are described for compressing the spring. Also, a pivotally mounted barrel is provided as another embodiment for compressing the spring.
US07975678B2	Exhaust- gas recirculation control responsive to a load signal at an in line injection pump An exhaust gas recirculation control system for internal combustion engines includes an intake pipe (1) for delivering combustion air to the individual combustion chambers, an exhaust pipe (2) for discharging the exhaust gases from the combustion chambers, an exhaust gas recirculation line (3) that connects the intake pipe (1) and the exhaust pipe (2), and a mechanical injection pump (4) which is controlled by a control rod (5) is disclosed. An electrically controlled EGR valve (exhaust gas recirculation valve) (6) is located in the exhaust gas recirculation line (3) in order to control the effective cross section of the exhaust gas recirculation line (3) while an electrical pick-off device (7) determines the position of the control rod (5) and then controls the EGR valve (6).
US07975674B2	Fuel pump and a method for controlling a fuel pump A fuel pump and a method for controlling a fuel pump. At least two pumps run at a mutual phase displacement such that they are able to receive fuel during different periods of time. A control unit causes a valve, which is only settable in an open position and a closed position, to lead a desired amount of fuel to the respective pump. The control unit places the valve in the open position for a variable portion of the periods so that an individually controlled amount of fuel is led to the respective pump during those periods. Maintenance of good efficiency of the fuel pump and low noise emissions is thus made possible in operating situations where the fuel pump delivers a reduced amount of fuel.
US07975673B2	Injection arrangement for a piston engine A fuel injection arrangement for a piston engine, the arrangement comprising an injector nozzle (1) for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber (6) of the cylinder. A Theological actuator (15) is arranged in connection with the injector nozzle (1), the actuator comprising a space (18) containing Theological fluid and an apparatus (19, 20) by means of which the viscosity of the Theological fluid can be changed for controlling the fuel injection.
US07975663B2	Dual-equal cam phasing with variable overlap A cam phaser assembly may include a drive plate assembly, a cavity plate, and a driven plate assembly. The drive plate assembly may include a drive plate and a first vane fixed for rotation with the drive plate. The cavity plate may be rotationally driven by the drive plate and may define first and second chambers. The first vane may extend into the first chamber. The driven plate assembly may be rotationally driven by the drive plate assembly and may include a driven plate and a second vane fixed for rotation with the driven plate that extends into the second chamber.
US07975661B2	Fuel tuned variable valve timing A system and method for fuel tuned variable valve timing is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder being further associated with at least two exhaust valves. A first exhaust valve operates according to a first valve lift curve that is tuned for combustion of gasoline. A second exhaust valve operates according to at least two different valve lift curves that are tuned for E85 fuel. The second lift curve is associated with high engine speeds and the modified second lift curve is associated with low engine speeds.
US07975659B2	Cylinder/crankcase group for two-stroke internal combustion engines provided with means for supercharging the engine A fuel injection system for a two-stroke internal combustion engine (1), elastically housed internally of a chamber, comprises a carburetor (30) to which are associated an induction port (9) for an air/fuel mixture and a fuel supply conduit (10) intercepted by means for metering housed in a recess (16) communicating with a second aperture (15) located above the induction port (9), which is in turn connected by an accumulation conduit (12) to a first aperture (14) located below the induction port (9), the apertures (14, 15) being alternatively opened by the piston skirt (3); the accumulation conduit is entirely afforded in the cylinder body.
US07975658B2	Air port and smelt spout cleaner and drop jaw tip An air port or smelt spout cleaning tip presents a wider cleaning area configuration on an insertion phase, and on retraction, the tip collapses to provide a smaller size to prevent against hanging up on adjacent structures.
US07975655B2	Dog training and exercise apparatus A device for use in connection with training a dog to retrieve a ball that allows the user to repeatedly launch the ball with a reduced amount of effort while also eliminating the need for the user to physically touch the ball. The device includes a ball receiving portion and a handle that extends outwardly therefrom. The handle includes an integrated treat storage compartment and a dispenser configured to deposit treats onto the ball receiving portion. The user launches the ball and then dispenses a treat onto the ball receiving portion so that upon returning with the ball, the dog can deposit the ball onto the ball receiving portion in exchange for the treat.
US07975652B2	Livestock blow dryer with turbulator plate A blower system for livestock may include a housing. An air inlet may be located on the housing. One or more motors may be located in the housing. One or more fans may be coupled to at least one of the motors. The fans may be located in the housing. The fans may draw air in through the air inlet and expel air out through an air outlet located on the housing. A hollow plate may be coupled to the air outlet. The hollow plate may include a plurality of holes to allow air to exit the plate at a variety of angles and at pressures sufficient to create a whirlpool effect in a volume of water. The blower system may be portable.
US07975651B2	Method of sequestering carbon dioxide in aqueous environments The present invention provides a method of sequestering carbon dioxide in aqueous environments. In a first step, an area is assessed to determine whether the area is capable of supporting the addition of organisms of higher trophic level (OHTL). Next, OHTL are added to the area in order to produce enough rapidly sinking and refractory particulate matter (PM) to sequester carbon dioxide above the level of carbon dioxide sequestration that exists before the addition of OHTL. Preferably, the PM produced by the OHTL sinks at rates significantly greater than and/or is significantly less biodegradable than that produced by other components of the biological carbon pump. Finally, this increase in the level of carbon dioxide sequestration is quantified. The method of the present invention may also include the step of reporting the quantified increase in the level of carbon dioxide sequestration.
US07975650B2	Washable absorbent article and uses therefor A liquid absorbent pad particularly useful for pet maintenance activities.
US07975649B2	Livestock waterer A livestock waterer for use in frigid climates includes a lid which floats on the surface of the water in each basin of the waterer. The lid is hollow with a convex upper surface and with baffle walls depending from the underside of the lid. The baffle walls interrupt wave action on the surface of the water created by depression of the lid into the water when an animal presses down on the lid to gain access to the water. The floor of each basin is provided with an integrally formed mounting post to support a heater within the basin. The baffles walls prevent exhaustion of water within the basin thereby preserving submersion of the heater at all times.
US07975648B2	Animal feeder with adjustment of a feed discharge opening An animal feeder includes a hopper above a shelf onto which feed can fall to be taken by the animal or dropped into a trough below the shelf. The height of the shelf is adjustable in a course movement to move the shelf from a low height for smaller animals to a raised height for the animal after they have grown. The shelf is also adjustable in fine movement to change the width of the opening through which the feed passes to control feed rate. The shelf is carried on straps which extend along the end walls of the hopper and are movable by an adjustment linkage defined by a plate carried on the end wall and a manually adjustable lever mounted for pivotal movement on the plate. The lever has two pivot positions on the plate providing the two course adjustments and two graduated scales for the fine adjustment each cooperating with a respective pivot position.
US07975640B1	Vehicle expansion retainer A method and apparatus for retaining accessories to a vehicle.
US07975637B1	Temperature control system for a hybrid vehicle A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of batteries in a hybrid marine vessel utilize a compartment to store the batteries and various conduits to conduct air to and from that compartment. A heat exchanger can draw air from the compartment and cool the air for use in the cabin of the marine vessel. The air from the cabin can be directed into the compartment to provide a flow of air that carries heat away from the batteries in the compartment and toward the heat exchanger.
US07975635B2	Furling and unfurling device for asymmetric sails An asymmetric sail furling and unfurling device comprises a tubular outer foil and an inner stay foil, the inner and outer foils providing a foil assembly adapted to transmit a torque for furling an unhoisted sail, which is furled on a sheath foil fitted on the outer foil, with the assembly of the foils and sheath being flexible.
US07975627B2	Table with combined and upstanding legs A table including a tabletop and numbers of legs. A number of connecting positions for connecting with the legs are arranged in a bottom surface of the tabletop. The legs are connected with the connecting positions and extend transversely from the tabletop. The connecting positions and the upper ends of the legs are connected together by screw threads. Each of the legs include a recessed tool receptacle for receiving a tool to rotate the legs.
US07975624B2	Multi-purpose table with electrical features A multi-purpose table including a channel that either forms a portion of, or is attached to, a horizontal support structure of the work surface of the table. The channel includes at least one trough for managing cables and cords associated with electrical and communication outlet modules. The electrical and communication outlet modules may be installed within the channel with the outlets accessible to a user of the table when the work surface is positioned in each of a horizontal use position and a vertical storage position. In one embodiment, individual outlet modules are installed within the channel by a snap-fit engagement. In another embodiment, the outlet modules are provided as part of a harness or bus assembly that is slidably installed and retained within the channel.
US07975622B2	System and method for reinforcing railway tank cars An apparatus for reinforcing a railway tank car includes a tank shell. A plurality of attachment pads are welded to the tank shell to form a tank assembly. The tank assembly is subjected to a post-weld heat treatment. A plurality of shield plates may each be welded directly to at least one of the plurality of attachment pads. The shield plates are not subjected to the post-weld heat treatment.
US07975621B2	Rail firefighting platform An apparatus for fighting fires comprises a rail carriage, a base mounted upon the rail carriage and an enclosure mounted upon the base. The enclosure includes a top wall having an aperture defined therein. At least one vertically extendible lift is mounted within the enclosure and carries a liquid discharging device. A pressurizer and connecting conduits deliver liquid from a liquid source to the liquid discharging device.
US07975618B2	Hybrid wheel and hybrid roadway The invention is a hybrid wheel apparatus with a hybrid roadway apparatus that greatly reduces the energy lost due to rolling resistance where operation is on the hybrid roadway, but the system is configured to allow operation on conventional roads as needed.The hybrid wheel system is a steel wheel used in combination with a rubber tired wheel. The hybrid roadway is a low profile steel rail fixed to the otherwise conventional road surface, which is preferably concrete but could also be the very common asphalt composition.Where roadways are appropriately equipped with rails, the rail top surface is elevated over the roadway surface, and dimensions are set so that most of load force is carried on the steel wheel for general forward travel. Where the rail is absent the load is carried on the rubber tire, and the steel wheel is elevated above the roadway surface such that contact between the steel wheel and the roadway is prevented.
US07975613B2	Blasting system and method The invention provides a blasting system which includes a plurality of electronic detonators which are configured in a blast array which has at least one row and a plurality of detonators in the row, each detonator including a memory in which is stored at least a respective identity code which is dependent, at least, on the row on which the detonator is, and on the detonator's position in the row, a harness which interconnects the detonators, and at least one control unit, connected to the harness, which generates a signal to fire the detonators.
US07975610B2	Printing units comprising several printing groups, and printing tower The invention relates to a printing unit (16; 17) comprising several printing groups (03; 04; 21; 22; 28; 29; 31; 32), each of which is provided with at least one plate cylinder (07) and at least one transfer cylinder (06) that is arranged so as to cooperate directly with the plate cylinder (07). The printing unit (16; 17), which is embodied as a nine-cylinder satellite printing unit (16; 17), is equipped with four plate cylinders (07) and a counterpressure cylinder (18) that is configured as a satellite cylinder (18). At least one inking roller of an inking group (09) is disposed so as to cooperate directly with the plate cylinder (07). One respective plate replacing mechanism (11; 11a; 11b), which encompasses a front section facing the associated plate cylinder (07), is assigned to at least two plate cylinders (07) that are placed next to each other in a horizontal direction.
US07975609B2	Printing unit having a blanket cylinder which can be moved between a throw-on position and a throw-off position and corresponding printing press A printing unit is provided including a frame and at least a first printing group having a first plate cylinder and a first blanket cylinder which is intended to co-operate with a pressing cylinder. The printing group further includes a mechanism by means of which the first blanket cylinder can be moved between at least one throw-on position, in which it is pressed against the first plate cylinder and against the pressing cylinder, and a throw-off position, in which it is spaced apart from the first plate cylinder and the pressing cylinder. The support mechanism includes at least one main connection rod which can be moved relative to the frame and which carries the blanket cylinder. The main connection rod can be moved in rotation relative to the frame about the centre axis of the first plate cylinder.
US07975606B2	Auxiliary device for harvesting pasture An auxiliary device for harvesting pasture prevents clogging at a roll baler to increase speed of harvesting pasture and decrease occurrence of troubles and enhance density of roll package. The auxiliary device for harvesting pasture includes tires having a predetermined width and weight as a rolling body, a holding portion to rotatably hold the tires, and an attaching portion to attach the holding portion to the front of a tractor which tows a roll baler. In the constitution of the auxiliary device for harvesting pasture, the attaching portion is attached to the front portion of the tractor and a line of collected grass is subject to rolling pressure by rolling of tires in accordance with movement of the tractor. Instead of the tires, a cylindrical body or a columnar body, or either one which is made in the form of metal cylindrical body or columnar body can be mounted.
US07975605B2	Food processing device A food processing device, e.g. a salad spinner, has a housing with a lid, a basket supported in the housing for rotation, and a drive mechanism supported by the lid for rotating the basket to spin water from salad in the housing. The drive mechanism has a crank handle and a drive transmission system coupling the handle to the basket to transmit a rotational driving force from the handle to rotate the basket. The drive transmission system has a first rotary gear arranged to receive the rotational driving force from the handle and a second rotary gear in driving engagement with the first gear for receiving the rotational driving force from the first gear to rotate the basket. The first and second gears have corresponding serial formations, e.g., recesses and protrusions, of respective circular cross-sections that are inter-engageable, one in the other, for transmission of the driving force.
US07975600B2	Axial piston machine, recoil plate and method of manufacturing a recoil plate The invention relates to an axial piston machine, in addition to a swash-plate for said machine and a method for producing a swash-plate. The swash-plate (24) is configured as a disc and has a central bore (32), which is encompassed by a collar (39), extending in an axial direction from a first surface (34, 34′) of the swash-plate (24). In addition, the swash-plate (24) has several sliding block receiving openings (36), each of the latter (36) being encompassed by a guide collar (38), which extends in an axial direction from a second surface of the swash-plate (24), in the opposite direction to the collar (39) of the central bore (32).
US07975597B2	Hydraulic machine, in particular hydraulic motor, with a reciprocating movement Hydraulic machine includes: a casing; a piston slidable therein and separating two chambers; hydraulic switching elements for supplying liquid to and for evacuating the chambers, including at least one connecting rod acting on a distribution member which can adopt two stable positions; and initiating elements having a pusher which, at the end of the piston stroke, can cause a sudden change in the position of the switching elements, under the action of an elastic member to reverse the stroke. Each end of the elastic member is secured to an articulation member respectively accommodated in a housing provided on the connecting rod and on another moving part, each housing being open in a direction substantially opposed to the direction of the force exerted by the elastic member, such that each articulation member can be removed from its open housing against the action of the force, thereby simplifying assembly and disassembly.
US07975594B2	Device for defense from projectiles, particularly shaped charge projectiles A device for defense and protection from projectiles, especially shaped charge projectiles, is provided with at least one grille-type protective barrier for the protection of an object by deflection, partial release, release and/or damage to the shell projectile. The protective barrier includes a netting forming meshes that are rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, polygonal and/or rhomboid. Such a device is lighter and easier to install in comparison to conventional protective grilles.
US07975588B2	Scribing method, a cutter wheel, a scribing apparatus using the cutter wheel, and an apparatus for producing the cutter wheel In a glass cutter wheel where a blade edge is formed on a disk-shaped wheel, grooves having a predetermined shape are formed at a predetermined pitch in a 1/4 or smaller or 3/4 or smaller blade edge line portion of the entire perimeter of the blade edge. The ratio of the groove portion to the entire perimeter, which largely contributes to a scribing characteristic, is changed such that a desired scribing characteristic can be obtained.
US07975585B1	Saw guard A table saw guard has opposed rubber fingers extending from opposite supports. The fingers meet near slots in a saw table along a saw slot and provide visual and tactile warning of approaching the saw blade. The fingers bend as a board is pushed into contact with a saw. Friction between the bent fingers and the board resist unwanted bounce-back of the board while being sawed.
US07975578B2	Tool for installing and removing male F-type coaxial cable connector A tool includes a first and a second socket wrench pivotally turnably connected to two ends of a link. Each of the first and second socket wrenches includes a wrench portion and a circular end portion having an axial slot extended through them. The wrench portion of the first socket wrench is internally formed of a hexagonally shaped portion for fitting around a hexagonally-shaped outer surface of a connecting ring of a male F connector to tighten or loosen the connecting ring to or from a female F connector, and the wrench portion of the second socket wrench is internally formed of a constant-torque shaped portion for fitting around the hexagonally-shaped outer surface of the connecting ring to prevent the tool from applying an excessive torque on the connecting ring when turning the same. The tool can be used without being hindered by bent or closely arranged cables.
US07975575B2	Positioning device for rotary wrench A rotary wrench includes a handle having a clamping portion with two arms. Each arm includes a holding portion having a hole. At least one of the holding portions includes a positioning section. Two axles are respectively formed on two sides of a head and rotatably engaged in the holes. At least one of the sides of the head includes a positioning portion releasably engagable with the positioning section so that the head is rotatable relative to the handle about an axis and positionable relative to the axis in one of a plurality of angular positions surrounding the axis. An adjusting member is mounted to the arms and operable to adjust the spacing between the arms to move the arms between a clamping position clamping the head and a releasing position not clamping the head.
US07975573B2	Hand tool with stepless locking mechanism A ratchet mechanism contains a chamber defined by at least one gear surface, a rotating member positioned at least partially within the chamber, a gear member rotatably attached to the rotating member and positioned at least partially within the chamber, and a stop member engaging the rotating member, such that the rotating member and the stop member rotate in unison. The center of rotation of the gear member is offset from the center of rotation of the rotating member. The gear member includes a gear body having a plurality of gear teeth around an outer periphery thereof. At least a portion of the gear teeth engage the gear surface. The gear member can rotate freely in a first rotational direction, and a portion of the stop member abuts a portion of the gear member to prevent rotation of the gear member in a second, opposed rotational direction.
US07975572B2	Methods and apparatus for make up and break out of tubular connections A gripping apparatus and a method apparatus for making up and breaking out tubular connections. In one embodiment, the gripping apparatus comprises an outer gear, a plurality of rollers coupled to the outer gear, an inner ring, a passive jaw, and a pair of active jaws pivotably coupled to the inner ring. The active jaws include camming surfaces for positioning, securing, actuating, and retracting the active jaws upon rotation of the outer gear. The gripping apparatus may further include a control switch operable to maintain the gripping apparatus in a make up mode or a break out mode regardless of rotation of the outer gear.
US07975571B2	Hybrid drive device An output shaft of a rotating electrical machine and a drive device input shaft are disposed at different shaft center positions. A first gear meshing with a second gear provided on the output shaft of the rotating electrical machine for reducing rotation and transmitting the reduced rotation to a transmission input shaft is provided coaxially with the drive device input shaft, and at least a part of the clutch is disposed at an inner-diameter-side position so as to overlap a gear portion of the first gear in an axial direction.
US07975550B2	Micromachined sensor for measuring vibration There is provided a micromachined sensor for measuring a vibration, based on silicone micromachining technology, in which a conductor having elasticity is connected to masses moving due to a force generated by the vibration and the vibration is measured by using induced electromotive force generated due to the conductor moving in a magnetic field.
US07975546B2	Angular velocity sensor and angular velocity sensing device An angular velocity sensor of a horizontally located type, which can easily remove the translational acceleration influence thereto from the lateral direction, is provided. It includes a fixed portion fixed to the surface of a sensor element supporting portion of a casing, an upper detection arm and a lower detection arm, each of them being connected to the fixed portion on sides opposite to each other and extending along a plane parallel to the surface place of the sensor element supporting portion, and a pair of upper vibration arms connected to the fixed portion in such a manner as to form a pair of arms with the upper detection arm in between and extending in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the upper detection arm.
US07975544B2	Gravity gradiometer A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured. The sensor masses not only serve to provide measurements of the gravity gradient tensor but also provide signals indicative of angular movement of the mounting and therefore form one of a plurality of angular accelerometers for detecting angular movement so that control signals can be generated to stabilize the mounting (5).
US07975540B2	Methods and apparatus for tire tread measurement Methods and apparatus are provided for evaluating tread depth on at least one tire. One or more laser scanners are positioned at an offset position from a tire path of the at least one tire. A profile of the at least one tire is obtained and the tread depth is determined from the profile. Additional information, such as identifying information and mileage information, can optionally be obtained from the at least one tire.
US07975537B2	Systems and methods for sensing an ammonia concentration in exhaust gases Systems and methods for determining an NH3 concentration in exhaust gases from an engine are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes generating a first signal from an NH3 sensor fluidly communicating with the exhaust gases. The method further includes generating a second signal from an air humidity sensor disposed proximate to an air intake manifold of the engine indicating a humidity level. The method further includes determining an air/fuel ratio associated with the engine. The method further includes determining an NH3 deviation value in a calibration table based on the second signal and the air/fuel ratio, utilizing a controller. The method further includes determining an NH3 concentration value based on the first signal and the NH3 deviation value, utilizing the controller. The NH3 concentration value is indicative of the NH3 concentration in the exhaust gases. The method further includes storing the NH3 concentration value in a memory device, utilizing the controller.
US07975536B2	Method to detect the presence of a liquid-cooled engine supplemental heater A method for detecting an engine block heater includes block heater detection logic and a data table containing calibration thresholds. The method determines a time-series of delta (Δ) engine coolant temperatures (ECT), which represent the respective differences between a start-up ECT and a plurality of operating ECT values measured thereafter. The method integrates the time-series to obtain a Δ ECT integral. The method also maintains an integrated engine speed parameter accumulated over the course of the detection period. Throughout the detection period, the method retrieves a threshold value from the table based on the integrated engine speed (Y-axis) versus an elapsed time (X-axis) since the detection period began. When the calculated Δ ECT integral value exceeds the retrieved threshold, the method determines that the block heater was operated, which can thereafter be used to suppress sensor rationality testing or reporting of results thereof.
US07975533B2	System and method for monitoring combustion chamber pressure and control system using the same In a monitoring system and method for monitoring pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, a sensor is operable to sense movement of a valve while the valve is in its closed position. The sensor generates data indicative of the sensed movement of the valve. A control system is in communication with the sensor to receive the data indicative of the sensed movement of the valve in the closed position thereof. The control system is operable to determine the pressure in the combustion chamber based at least in part on the sensed movement of the valve. In other aspects, operation of the engine is adjusted based at least in part on the determined pressure in the combustion chamber.
US07975528B2	Fueling system vapor recovery and containment performance monitor and method of operation thereof A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors. The disclosed methods and apparatus also provide for the determination of fuel dispensing system vapor containment integrity, and the differentiation of true vapor recovery failures as opposed to false failures resulting from the refueling of vehicles provided with onboard vapor recovery systems.
US07975518B2	Re-keyable lock with improvements for preventing incomplete re-keying A re-keyable cylinder lock includes a plug inserted into a lock housing and having a plurality of radial holes connected to a key hole. The lock housing has a first engaging element provided in an inner surface thereof. A limit unit has a second engaging element and is inserted into one of the radial holes located at a predetermined depth of the key hole. The first engaging element engages the second engaging element to limit the plug from rotating when a replacement key which is inserted into the key hole for re-keying does not reach a predetermined depth of the key hole. Incomplete re-keying can therefore be prevented.
US07975516B2	Electric steering lock apparatus An electric steering lock apparatus includes a cam plate rotated in an unlocking direction and a locking direction by driving a motor unit, and a lock shaft shifting between a lock position at which the rotation of the steering shaft is prevented and an unlock position at which the rotation of the steering shaft is permitted, following to the sliding surface of the cam plate, wherein, at the position of the cam plate at which the lock shaft is located at the unlock position, the center of rotation of the cam plate is set at an eccentric position with respect to the position of the center of gravity of the cam plate so that the rotation torque resulting from the own weight of the cam plate acts in the unlocking direction.
US07975513B2	Turning device for tubular knitted articles, particularly for sewing or looping stations for the automated closing of tubular articles at an axial end thereof A turning device for tubular knitted articles, particularly for sewing or looping stations for the automated closing of tubular articles at an axial end thereof comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, which are arranged respectively below and above an intermediate region at which elements are or can be positioned for supporting the tubular article to be turned, which hangs at one of its axial ends and is arranged substantially vertically, a tubular body, which can be inserted from the bottom upwardly, with its upper axial end, through the axial end of the article that hangs from the supporting elements, so as to evert the article onto the outer lateral surface of the tubular body, extracting it progressively from the upper axial end of the tubular body. Auxiliary sliding elements are provided, which can move on command with respect to the tubular body, parallel to the axis of the tubular body, and can engage and disengage cyclically the article everted onto the outer lateral surface of the tubular body in order to produce its sliding toward the lower axial end of the tubular body.
US07975508B2	Method for producing high silicate glass and high silicate glass The present invention provides: a method for producing high silicate glass which has a low Fe concentration and can achieve a high UV transmittance while retaining advantages of Vycor glass that mass-production at low cost is feasible and that complex formation with various photofunctional ions can be effected; and high silicate glass of a high UV transmittance. For obtaining the above high silicate glass, the method is characterized by comprising the steps of: heating borosilicate glass including a heavy metal or rare-earth element (preferably a high-valence heavy metal or rare-earth element) so as to phase-separate the borosilicate glass; subjecting the phase-separated borosilicate glass to acid treatment so as to elute a metal; and sintering the acid-treated borosilicate glass.
US07975505B2	Arrangement having a turbomachine, a cooler and a carrying frame An arrangement has a turbomachine, a cooler, and a carrying frame that accommodates the turbomachine and the cooler, with frame segments. The cooler has at least one essentially pipe-shaped cooling element disposed horizontally, and the frame segments are disposed at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the cooling element, and have contact points on the underside to support the arrangement on a floor surface or a base frame. The at least one cooling element is attached to the frame segments by way of flexible sections for accommodating thermal deformations of the cooling element.
US07975503B2	Ice making device and refrigerator having the same A refrigerator includes a main body which forms an external appearance and has a storage chamber to be opened at a front side, and an ice making device which is disposed in the storage chamber to make ice. The ice making device includes an ice making tray which has ice making grooves for making ice, an ejector which rotates and separates the ice made in the ice making grooves, blocking members which are disposed at an upper portion of one side of the ice making grooves to prevent the ice separated from the ice making grooves through the other side of the ice making grooves from returning to the ice making grooves, and a guide member which is disposed above the other side of the ice making tray to guide the ice separated from the other side of the ice making grooves by the ejector toward the blocking members.
US07975502B2	Heat pump apparatus and operating method thereof In a heat pump apparatus of the invention, a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor 31, a radiator 32, a first throttle apparatus 33, a heat exchanger 34, a second throttle apparatus 35 and an evaporator 36 in this order. The heat exchanger 34 can be utilized as both a radiator and an evaporator by operating the first throttle apparatus 33 and the second throttle apparatus 35. Therefore, even if the outside air temperature is high, discharge pressure and suction pressure of the compressor do not rise, the heat pump apparatus can be operated in a stable refrigeration cycle, and energy can be saved.
US07975501B2	Air conditioning system for a motor vehicle An auxiliary air conditioning system (7) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a first heat exchanger (17) adapted to be installed inside a passenger compartment (4) of the motor vehicle and an external unit (43) comprising an auxiliary engine (8), an auxiliary compressor (12) driven by the auxiliary engine (8) and a second exchanger (17). The system comprises a switching valve (20) for selectively setting a first refrigerating cycle operating mode in which the first heat exchanger (17) serves as an evaporator and the second heat exchanger (14) serves as a condenser, and a second heat pump operating mode, in which the first heat exchanger (17) serves as a condenser and the fluid of the second heat exchanger (14) is cut off and the operative fluid is allowed to flow through a heating device (30) to receive thermal power independently from the outside environment temperature.
US07975497B2	Refrigeration unit having variable performance compressor operated based on high-pressure side pressure In a refrigeration unit including a variable performance compressor driven by an inverter motor, a sensor is configured to detect a physical amount corresponding to a refrigerant pressure on the high-pressure side of a refrigerant circuit. A measured value of the physical amount is compared with a first reference value corresponding to a first predetermined pressure of the refrigerant and a second reference value corresponding to a second predetermined pressure lower than the first predetermined pressure. A protective operation can start if the comparison result indicates that an actual refrigerant pressure is higher than the first predetermined pressure. The performance of the compressor can be gradually lowered if the comparison result indicates that an actual refrigerant pressure is between the first predetermined pressure and the second predetermined pressure.
US07975491B2	Heat exchange system for a pump device A heat exchange system selectably controls the temperature of a fluid being delivered to a patient's body by a pump device. The heat exchange system includes a thermal element and a heat exchanger that is removably coupled under pressure to the thermal element. The heat exchanger includes a first half made from thermally conductive material that correspondingly mates with the thermal element, a second half made from thermally conductive material opposite the first half, and an internal heat exchange zone existing between the first half and the second half, wherein fluid flows therethrough. The thermal element of the heat exchange system may controllably and safely warm and/or cool the fluid prior to delivery.
US07975488B2	Low profile attachment hanger system for a cooling liner within a gas turbine engine swivel exhaust duct An exhaust duct assembly includes a cooling liner spaced apart from an exhaust duct case that articulate for use in a short take off vertical landing (STOVL) type of aircraft. The cooling liner assembly is attached to the exhaust duct case through a foldable attachment hanger system. The foldable attachment hanger system provides a low profile (foldable up/down) for a limited access installation envelope typical of a three bearing swivel duct (3BSD) which rotates about three bearing planes to permit transition between a cruise configuration and a hover configuration. In this way, each cooling liner segment may be formed as a complete cylindrical member requiring joints only between the swivelable duct sections.
US07975487B2	Combustor assembly for gas turbine engine A combustor liner assembly includes a liner assembly, including a hot dome, a hot wall, and an impingement shield. The liner assembly further includes a convector assembly. The combustor liner assembly further includes an impingement dome assembly, including a ring-shaped portion defining a plurality of apertures configured to receive a plurality of fuel injectors, and a face. The ring-shaped portion and the face define an annular passage, and the face defines a plurality of apertures and a plurality of orifices. The convector assembly and the impingement dome assembly are operably coupled to one another, and the plurality of orifices of the face are configured such that the hot dome is exposed to air flowing in the annular passage of the impingement dome assembly. The combustor liner assembly is configured to provide flow communication between the annular passage of the impingement dome assembly and the plurality of fuel injectors.
US07975486B2	Burner for premix-type combustion The invention relates to a burner for premix-type combustion having a cavity which has at least one tangential air inlet slot for the supply of a combustion air flow, a device for the injection of fuel into the cavity which is provided in the region of a burner axis, and a device for the injection of premix fuel into the air inlet slots which is provided centrally in the inflow region of the combustion air flow. The device for the injection of premix fuel into the air inlet slots has at least one fuel supply, the fuel outlet openings of which are arranged in such a way that the premix fuel is introduced into the combustion air flow on both sides of the at least one fuel supply related to a cross-sectional plane at right angles to the burner axis.
US07975480B2	Apparatus, system, and method for preventing overspeed of a turbocharger An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for preventing overspeed of a turbocharger. The apparatus includes a two-stage turbocharger system with a high pressure and a low pressure turbocharger. A bypass valve that divides an exhaust flow into a primary exhaust flow and a bypass flow. A relief valve vents a portion of the primary exhaust flow around the high pressure turbocharger. The low pressure turbocharger receives the bypass flow, the primary exhaust flow, and the vented portion of the primary exhaust flow. The apparatus includes a controller having a protection condition module that determines a protection indicator, and a relief valve control module that controls the relief valve according to the protection indicator.
US07975479B2	Bi-material corrosive resistant heat exchanger A heat exchanger for a fluid handling system is disclosed. The heat exchanger may have an inlet configured to receive a fluid at a first temperature, and an outlet configured to discharge the fluid at a second temperature lower than the first. The heat exchanger may also have at least one fluid passageway disposed to conduct the fluid from the inlet to the outlet. The at least one fluid passageway may have a first section fabricated from a first material, and a second section fabricated from a dissimilar second material. At least one of the first and second materials may include a thermally conductive polymer.
US07975477B2	Driving device and method of manufacturing the same A driving device and driving device manufacturing method that ensure stable fixing of an SMA, without causing difficulties in downsizing the device, and without adversely affecting the performance of the SMA. A driving device equipped with a string-shaped shape memory alloy as a drive source includes a base member constituting a basis of the driving device, and a rod-like member which penetrates the base member and is made of the metal fixed onto this base member. The rod-like member is caulked on one end of this rod-like member so that the aforementioned shape memory alloy is pinch-held in-between, whereas power-feeding members to apply current to the shape memory alloy are arranged on the other end of the rod-like member.
US07975470B2	Apparatus for judging condition of injection of reducing agent incorporated in exhaust gas purification system In relation to an exhaust gas purification system that mixes a liquid reducing agent with air and injection-supplies this mixture into an exhaust gas flowing on an upstream side of a reduction catalyst (20) to thereby effect reduction purification of NOx in exhaust gas, a technical attention is directed to the relation of respective elements of; the travel distance, the fuel consumption, the air consumption, or the running time and the like, and the liquid reducing agent consumption, to constitute a configuration such that a continual monitor as to whether the injection condition of liquid reducing agent is normal or abnormal is executed by judging whether or not the amount of liquid reducing agent consumed for a predetermined travel distance, a predetermined fuel consumption, a predetermined air consumption, or a predetermined running time, is within a predetermined range.
US07975469B2	Electrically heated particulate filter restart strategy A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a propagation module that estimates a propagation status of combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A regeneration module controls current to the particulate filter to re-initiate regeneration based on the propagation status.
US07975468B1	Actuators for gun-fired projectiles and mortars An actuator stack is provided and having two or more individual actuators stacked in a longitudinal direction. Each of the two or more actuators having a solid detonation charge; a primer for igniting the detonation charge; and detonation wiring for powering the primer; and wherein at least one of the two or more individual actuators comprise an accelerating nozzle having at least a convergent section terminating at a throat.
US07975464B2	Guide rail for cable protection and guide device A guide rail for a cable protection and guide device in which lateral run out of the cable protection and guide device is suppressed is disclosed and claimed. Excellent traveling stability is realized and sliding of the cable protection and guide device is suppressed so that wear is decreased. Dovetail grooves (110a) are formed in the longitudinal direction of opposite surfaces of a pair of aluminum extrusion molded rails (110). A plurality of resin rollers (140), each shaft-supported by a shaft-supporting member (120), are engaged with the dovetail grooves of the rail (110a) and are movable in the longitudinal direction of the rail.
US07975461B2	Tobacco cutting machine A harvesting apparatus for row crops that includes a self-propelled carrier unit and a harvesting device. The carrier unit is a motor-driven vehicle. The harvesting device consists of an upper frame in sliding engagement with a pair of vertical members coupled to a cutting platform, lifting means for raising and lowering the cutting platform, and means for positioning the cutting platform along the length of the upper frame. The cutting platform includes a base having opposing ends, each end having a pair of base guides that define a longitudinal passage, a cutter blade assembly having a blade with a cutting edge, which cutting edge is in communication with the longitudinal passage such that when the blade is in use, and when a tobacco plant passes along the longitudinal passage the blade will cut the plant by a slicing operation. The frame further includes front and rear wheel assemblies, and a shield that is attached to each of the vertical members.
US07975460B1	Stabilization system for a crop harvesting header A stabilization system used with a crop harvesting header includes a frame carrying a belt to deliver a crop to the header. The frame is independently movable between a first angle between the frame and the header and a second angle between the frame and the header. A member has an inside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a first structure of one of the frame or the header, and an outside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a second structure of the other of the frame or the header. In response to rotational movement of the first structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the inside surface, rotational movement of the first structure occurring with respect to the second structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the outside surface, the member provides a stabilizing torsional force between the frame and the header between the first and second angles.
US07975459B1	String trimmer attachment for a riding lawn mower A mower attachment, such as a string trimmer, is removably connectable to the forward end of a riding mower, such as a zero turn mower. The attachment is easily connected to and removed from the mower. The attachment has a control lever which is positioned on the attachment such that the attachment can be activated and deactivated by the mower operator using his or her feet, such that operator can operate the attachment and yet maintain his or her hands on the mower controls.
US07975457B2	Apparatus for making fluid filled units The present invention concerns a machine and a method for converting a web of preformed pouches to dunnage units. In one exemplary embodiment the machine includes a drive, a blower, and a sealing mechanism. The drive is arranged to move the web of preformed pouches along a path of travel through the machine. The blower is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to inflate the preformed pouches. The sealing mechanism includes a heating element support and a heating element. The heating element support includes a sealing side and a belt preheating side. The heating element is disposed around at least a portion of the heating side and at least a portion of the belt preheating side. The drive includes a belt that is disposed around the heating element. The sealing mechanism is positioned with respect to the path of travel, to provide seals to the pouches to form inflated dunnage units. The heating element support is configured to maintain the heating element in contact with the heating element support preheating side.
US07975453B2	Apparatus for molding and assembling containers with stoppers and filling same A stopper and container body are molded in the same molding machine. An assembly device, such as a pick and place robot, transfers the stopper from one mold cavity into the opening in the container body located within another mold cavity, or vice versa, to assemble the stopper and container body. Then, the assembled container body and stopper are removed from the molding machine and transported to a needle filling and laser resealing station for filling and laser resealing. A laminar flow source directs a substantially laminar flow of air or sterile gas over the mold surfaces, stoppers and container bodies, and assembly device, to prevent contamination during assembly.
US07975449B2	System, article and method for prepping/flattening a floor An article, system and method for flattening a three dimensional depression within a substrate floor. A straight edge is applied in a progressive X and Y grid fashion across the depression, with varying levels of shims defining contact locations, thereby establishing a floor template identifying common depths of depression at overlapping perimeter defined boundaries. One or more thermo-polymer sheets is resized to define an outer perimeter matching that of a perimeter boundary. A subset thickness of the sheet is incised around its outer perimeter to establish a feathering effect upon the sheet prior to it overlaying the boundary perimeter and prior to sizing and application of additional overlapping sheets up to an outermost boundary corresponding to a shallowest depression.
US07975448B2	Drywall channel with pre-punched locating tabs A wall channel for a drywall ceiling has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a vertical leg interconnecting two generally-horizontal legs. The lower horizontal leg is adapted to support an inverted tee-runner that has a vertical web and opposed flanges, the opposed flanges being adapted to rest on the horizontal leg of the wall angle. The lower horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs that are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the opposed flanges of the tee-runner. The upper horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs that are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the reinforcing bulb of the tee-runner.
US07975447B1	Decorative trim assembly A decorative trim assembly is provided for decorating a building exterior. The assembly includes a plurality of trim modules that may be assembled together to form various trim subassemblies. Each trim module includes a decorative portion and at least one rail portion coupled to the decorative portion. The rail portions have end portions and define channels having heights and widths that permit other rail portions to be inserted and retained therein. Some of the rail portions may be cut to facilitate joining with other rail portions, and screw blocks, angle adapters, and end caps are provided to further facilitate the assembly of various trim modules to one another and to the building's exterior. Additionally, customizable trim modules permit the insertion and removal of various emblems, characters, symbols, or the like from the trim modules.

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