最新美国发明专利第2011-08-30期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08008097B2	MgO tunnel barriers and method of formation MgO tunnel barriers are formed by depositing a thin layer of Mg on a suitable underlayer, and then directing oxygen and additional Mg towards the Mg layer. The oxygen reacts with the additional Mg and the Mg in the Mg layer to form a MgO tunnel barrier that enjoys excellent tunneling characteristics. The MgO tunnel barriers so formed may be used in magnetic tunnel junctions having tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) values of greater than 100%. The highest TMR values are observed for junctions that have been annealed and that have a (100) crystallographic orientation.
US08008092B2	CCR3 inhibition for ocular angiogenesis and macular degeneration Provided are methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of ocular angiogenesis and neovascularization. Administration of inhibitors of the CCR3 receptor or its ligands eotaxin (CCL11), eotaxin-2 (CCL24) or eotaxin-3 (CCL26) inhibits ocular angiogenesis.
US08008091B2	Micro analysis system A micro integrated analysis system includes a testing chip, system main body and heat insulating section. The chip has a pump connecting section to communicate with micro pumps; a mixing flow path for mixing a specimen and reagent and for reaction processing by heating; and a testing flow path for performing a predetermined test of a mixed solution heated and processed for reaction. The system main body has a holding section to hold the testing chip; micro pumps for injecting a specimen and reagent; a heating section for heating the mixing flow path; and a detection section for performing a test in the testing flow path. The heat insulating section insulates flow path portions continuing from both an inlet end and outlet end of a heated flow path area of the mixing flow path, from heat of the heating section so as to prevent a rise in temperature.
US08008089B2	Method and system for checking measurement result A system for checking measurement results is provided with a urine qualitative analyzer for measuring the specific gravity of a urine, urinary particle analyzer for measuring urine conductivity, and a computer. The urine specific gravity measured by the urine qualitative analyzer, and the urine conductivity measured by the urinary particle analyzer are respectively transmitted to the computer. The correlative relationship between urine specific gravity and urine conductivity is stored in the memory of the computer, and the computer determines whether or not the received urine specific gravity and conductivity match the correlative relationship, and this determination result is output.
US08008088B2	SMMR (small molecule metabolite reporters) for use as in vivo glucose biosensors Small Molecule Metabolite Reporters (SMMRs) for use as in vivo glucose biosensors, sensor compositions, and methods of use, are described. The SMMRs include boronic acid-containing xanthene, coumarin, carbostyril and phenalene-based small molecules which are used for monitoring glucose in vivo, advantageously on the skin.
US08008087B1	Analysis of silicon concentration in phosphoric acid etchant solutions Low concentrations of silicon in an etchant solution are analyzed by adding a predetermined concentration of fluoride ions to a test solution comprising a predetermined volume of the etchant solution, and measuring the concentration of fluoride ions in the test solution. Reaction with silicon ions in the test solution reduces the concentration of fluoride ions, which are present in stoichiometric excess, so that the silicon concentration of the etchant solution can be calculated from the difference between the predetermined and measured concentrations of fluoride ions in the test solution. The method is especially suited for analysis of silicon nitride etchants comprising a high concentration of phosphoric acid.
US08008085B2	Method of measuring HbA1c A method of measuring HbA1c is provided that, even with a whole blood sample after storage, measurement accuracy substantially equal to a whole blood sample right after collection can be maintained. Whole blood is stored in a presence of a glycolytic inhibitor and protease is added to the stored whole blood sample to cleave hemoglobin in the whole blood sample. Then a glycated part of a hemoglobin fragment thereby obtained is treated with fructosyl amine oxidase. Thereafter, a glycation degree of HbA1c is determined by measuring a redox reaction between the glycated part and the fructosyl amine oxidase. Further, instead of storage of the whole blood in a presence of the glycolytic inhibitor, a strong electrolyte substance such as KCl, K2SO4, KNO, NaCl, Na2SO4, NaNO, MgCl2, MgSO4, Mg(NO)2, etc. is added to the whole blood after storage and a protease treatment is performed in a presence of the strong electrolyte substance. According to these methods, fluctuation in a measurement value of HbA1c due to storage of the whole blood can be avoided.
US08008084B1	Method for determining whether or not a mammal is affected with a lung cancer The present invention relates to a method for determining whether or not a mammal is affected with a lung cancer. The method for determining whether or not a mammal is affected with a lung cancer of the present invention includes the steps of: (a) measuring a concentration of 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid contained in the urine excreted from the mammal; and (b) determining that the mammal is affected with a lung cancer if the concentration measured in the step (a) is 13.2 μM or more.
US08008082B2	Solution dispensing system A method and system for switching the dispensing of a first solution from a first vessel to dispensing a second solution from a second vessel when a parameter of the first solution crosses a threshold is described. In one embodiment, a fluid dispensing apparatus includes a first vessel and a second vessel. The first vessel includes an output conduit adapted to dispense the first solution from the first vessel into a fluid receiving region. The second vessel includes an output conduit adapted to dispense the second solution from the second vessel into the fluid receiving region. The apparatus includes a first sensor positioned to measure a parameter of the first solution before the first fluid enters the fluid receiving region. The apparatus also includes a second sensor positioned to measure a parameter of the second solution before the second solution enters the fluid receiving region.
US08008074B2	Compositions and methods for improving bone mass through modulation of receptors of PTH and fragments thereof The present invention relates to the discovery of novel receptors for the signaling of PTH and/or fragments of PTH, and the role of cPTH in bone development. The novel PTH receptors identified are selected from the group consisting of LRP5/6, TGFβRII, BMPRII (long form and short form), ActRIIA, and ActRIIB. Specifically, the present invention provides a novel screening tool for identifying compounds that improve bone mass by affecting certain pathways that promote or downregulate bone-forming activity. This promotion of bone-forming activity could provide for treatments for bone-loss or bone density disorders and/or kidney disease. The invention further encompasses the compounds, PTH ligands, and fragments of PTH ligands described herein; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, PTH ligands, or fragments of PTH ligand; and methods of increasing bone density using the compounds, PTH ligands, or fragments of PTH ligands.
US08008069B2	Apparatus and method for machining microchamber for cell culture This invention relates to a method and apparatus for process cell cultures. The apparatus comprises a micro-chamber comprising no more than one absorption layer and at least one gel layer, in this order, laminated on a transparent base plate having no conspicuous absorbency in visible and infrared regions, and at least one light source. The absorption layer has absorbency in visible and infrared regions, and the gel-like material is a substance which has a gel dissolution temperature of 100 degree C. or less, solates when heated and is in a gel state at room temperature and has absorbency for a specific wave length of visible and infrared regions. The light source is monochromatic light in the specific wave length. The light source is disposed such that it irradiates on the absorption layer and/or gel layer, with the exception that when no absorption layer is provided, at least two layers each composed of a gel-like material are laminated on the transparent base plate.
US08008068B2	Nonhemolytic optical sensor with enhanced reflectance A nonhemolytic sensor for determination of analytes in erythrocyte-containing biological fluids is disclosed that comprises an optical material having a deposit on a surface thereof, where this deposit includes an analyte-reactive reagent and a particulate means for suppressing hemolysis of erythrocytes in an erythrocyte-containing biological fluid, such as whole blood. Thus, a porous array of negatively charged particles, e.g., polymeric beads having a plurality of carboxylate surface groups, are disposed on a sampling surface of an optical sensor, and suppress hemolysis of erythrocytes coming into contact with the sampling surface. In the case of an optical sensor, such particles can simultaneously enhance reflectance of a light beam transmitted through the optical material to the sampling surface site.
US08008067B2	Microwave trigger metal-enhanced chemiluminescence (MT MEC) and spatial and temporal control of same The present invention relates to a method of imaging structures and features using plasmonic emissions from metallic surfaces caused by chemiluminescence based chemical and biological reactions wherein imaging of the reactions is enhanced by the use of microwave energy and further enhanced by using metallic geometric structures for spatially and temporally controlling the biological and chemical reactions.
US08008066B2	System for performing multi-formatted assays An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.
US08008063B2	Individual-cell electroporation using area-focused electric fields Electroporation is performed on a population of cells, liposomes, vesicles, or other membrane-encased structures with uniform results regardless of size variations within the population, by drawing the membrane-encased structures into micron-sized openings that contain paired electrodes. An electric potential is then imposed between the paired electrodes to permeabilize only that portion of each cell that extends into the openings and resides within the electric field focused in the area between the electrodes.
US08008062B2	Production of (R)- and (S)-4-(1-aminoethyl) benzoic acid methyl ester sulfate by lipase acylation of racemic 4-(1-aminoethyl) benzoic acid methyl ester and sulfuric acid precipitation A method for preparing optically active methyl 4-(1-ammoniumethyl)benzoate sulfate by reacting racemic methyl 4-(1-aminoethyl)benzoate with an acylating agent in the presence of a lipase to give methyl 4-(1-aminoethyl)benzoate and subsequently precipitating methyl 4-(1-ammoniumethyl)benzoate sulfate by adding sulfuric acid.
US08008061B2	Trophic conversion of obligate phototrophic algae through metabolic engineering Most microalgae are obligate photoautotrophs and their growth is strictly dependent on the generation of photosynthetically-derived energy. In this study it is shown that the microalga Phaeodaclylurn tricornutum can be engineered to import glucose and grow in the dark through the introduction of genes encoding glucose transporters. Both the human and Chlorella kessleri glucose transporters facilitated the uptake of glucose by P. tricornutum, allowing the cells to metabolize exogenous organic carbon and thrive, independent of light. This is the first successful trophic conversion of an obligate photoautotroph through metabolic engineering, and it demonstrates that methods of cell nourishment can be fundamentally altered with the introduction of a single gene. Since strains transformed with the glucose transport genes are able to grow non-photosynthetically, they can be exploited for the analysis of photosynthetic processes through mutant generation and characterization. Finally, this work also represents critical progress toward large-scale commercial exploitation of obligate phototrophic algae through the use of microbial fermentation technology, eliminating significant limitations resulting from light-dependent growth.
US08008060B2	Method for growing Cordyceps sinensis on a substrate Two different strains of Cordyceps sinensis are placed at two different locations in a medium containing purified rattle snake venom and the two strains are allowed to grow until they meet in a boundary zone where a hybrid strain is formed due to exchange of genetic material. The hybrid strain is allowed to grow and is harvested and can be analyzed for the presence and quantity of desired medicinal substances. The amount of N6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine in a Cordyceps sinensis strain or product sample is a reliable indicator of the overall health benefiting qualities of the strain or sample.Strains of Cordyceps sinensis, are grown in a substrate at 20 to 22° C. at sea level atmospheric pressure for 28 to 30 days in diffuse light, and thereafter in an atmosphere containing approximately 50% of oxygen of the sea level atmosphere, at approximately 3° C. with exclusion of light, for approximately 15 to 20 weeks to provide a Cordyceps sinensis product that has the characteristic analytical signature of wild Cordyceps sinensis and includes substantial quantities of the health benefiting compounds of the strain found in the wild.
US08008056B2	Variant Hypocrea jecorina CBH2 cellulases Described herein are variants of H. jecorina CBH2, a Cel6A enzyme. The present invention provides novel cellobiohydrolases that have altered thermostability.
US08008051B2	Butynol I esterase The invention relates to novel proteins from Pseudomonas glumae, having esterase activity, in particular butynol I esterase activity, to nucleic acid sequences coding therefore, to expression cassettes, vectors and recombinant microorganisms; to methods for preparing said proteins and to the use thereof for enzymic, in particular enantioselective enzymic, ester hydrolysis or transesterification of organic esters.
US08008050B2	Methods for discouraging bacterial growth in culture medium Methods for production of highly unsaturated fatty acids by marine microorganisms, including the heterotrophic marine dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium, using low levels of chloride ion are disclosed. Specifically, methods of increasing production of highly unsaturated fatty acids by marine microorganisms while growing in low chloride media by manipulating sodium ion and potassium ion levels. The invention also relates to methods of production of highly unsaturated fatty acids by marine organisms at low pH levels, and includes methods for generation of low pH tolerant strains.
US08008047B2	L-amino acid producing bacterium which has enhanced expression of at least one of the nhaA gene, the nhaB gene, the nhaR gene, the chaA gene, the mdfA gene and a method of producing L-amino acid L-amino acid is produced by culturing a bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family which has L-amino acid-producing ability and is modified so that expression of the nhaA gene, nhaB gene, nhaR gene, chaA gene, mdfA gene, or combinations thereof is enhanced.
US08008041B2	Site-specific incorporation of redox active amino acids into proteins Compositions and methods of producing components of protein biosynthetic machinery that include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases, which incorporate redox active amino acids into proteins are provided. Methods for identifying these orthogonal pairs are also provided along with methods of producing proteins with redox active amino acids using these orthogonal pairs.
US08008039B2	Polydiacetylene-containing solid colorimetric and /or fluorescent detector, method for its preparation and uses thereof A colorimetric and/or fluorescent detector, which comprises a film of polydiacetylenes and lipids deposited on a substrate, wherein said film is coated with one or more layers, wherein at least one of said layers is capable of supporting the growth of microorganisms. Also provided are processes for preparing the novel colorimetric and/or fluorescent detector and uses thereof in the detection of bacteria.
US08008031B2	Competitive receptor binding assay for detecting beta-glucans The present invention provides a method for detecting a beta-glucan having immunomodulatory activity in a human cell, which uses a test cell line that stably expresses human dectin-1 molecule on the cell surface and does not express other glucan receptors and a specific amount of a marker beta-glucan that specifically binds to human dectin-1 molecule for detection.
US08008024B2	Methods, products and treatments for diabetes The invention involves assays, diagnostics, kits, and assay components for determining levels of K41-glycated CD59 in subjects. Treatments for subjects based upon levels of K41-glycated CD59 also are provided.
US08008017B2	Compositions and methods for detecting the presence of cryptosporidium organisms in a test sample The present invention describes novel oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acid sequences derived from Cryptosporidium organisms, and Cryptosporidium parvum organisms in particular, which are useful for determining the presence of Cryptosporidium organisms in a test sample. The oligonucleotides of the present invention include hybridization assay probes, helper probes and amplification primers. The present invention further describes a novel method for obtaining purified ribonucleic acid from viable oocysts.
US08008011B2	Genetic variation in pro-melanin-concentrating hormone gene affects carcass traits in cattle An A-to-T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identified at position −134 relative to the ATG start codon, in the Pro-Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (PMCH) gene of Bos taurus and Bos indicus animals of both British and Continental type, is associated with changes in the average fat and grade fat. The A allele occurred in 67% of cattle examined and was associated with higher average fat and grade fat levels. The cattle industry may make use of these findings to genetically select for, and/or sort, cattle using this SNP.
US08008009B2	Method for ProNGF assay for in vitro diagnosis of cancer in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer and therapeutic use of ProNGF The present invention concerns a method for in vitro diagnosis of cancer, in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer, which consists in determining the presence of ProNGF in a biological sample derived from a patient suspected of suffering from cancer, in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer. Said method may be used for early diagnosis, screening, therapeutic follow-up, prognosis and for diagnosing relapses in cancer and in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer.The present invention also concerns the use of a ProNGF inhibitor for preparing a drug, said drug being in particular useful for blocking remote dissemination and cell invasion in patients suffering from cancer, in particular breast, thyroid or lung cancer.The invention is applicable in the field of diagnosis and therapeutics.
US08008007B2	S-adenosyl-L-methionine analogs with extended activated groups for transfer by methyltransferases S-Adenosyl-L-methionine analogs of formula (I): are disclosed wherein R comprises a carbon-carbon double bond, carbon-sulfur double bond, carbon-nitrogen double bond, -a carbon-carbon triple bond, carbon-nitrogen triple bond or an aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic system in β-position to the sulfonium center, X{circle around (−)} is an organic or inorganic anion carrying one or more negative charges, Z is —CR1R2—, —O—, —S— or —NR3— and R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from H, D and C1—C alkyl; as well as complexes with a methyltransferase, pharmaceutical compositions, methods for modifying a biomolecule, and methods for detecting sequences specific methylation of biomolecules.
US08008002B2	Nucleic acid sequencing A method is disclosed for determining a target nucleic acid sequence, where the target nucleic acid sequence is comprised in a preparation comprising a non-target nucleic acid sequence, the target nucleic acid sequence and the non-target nucleic acid sequence each having a first region of common sequence upstream of a first region of dissimilar sequence upstream of a second region of dissimilar sequence, and includes the steps of contacting the preparation with an oligonucleotide primer complementary to at least a portion of the first region of common sequence, under conditions to hybridise the primer thereto; contacting the preparation with a first labelled nucleotide bearing a first label, wherein the first labelled nucleotide is complementary to a first template nucleotide comprised in the first region of dissimilar sequence of either the target nucleic acid sequence or the non-target nucleic acid sequence, under conditions to incorporate the first labelled nucleotide either into the primer hybridised to the target nucleic acid sequence or into the primer hybridised to the non-target nucleic acid sequence but not into both; and subjecting the preparation to a sequencing reaction, thereby extending the primer to form one or more first-labelled sequencing products comprising the first labelled nucleotide and one or more non-first-labelled sequencing products comprising no first labelled nucleotide; and determining at least a portion of the sequence of the first-labelled sequencing products and/or the non-first-labelled sequencing products, thereby determining at least the second region of dissimilar sequence of the target nucleic acid sequence.
US08007999B2	Real-time detection of influenza virus The present invention provides system and methods for detecting an analyte indicative of an influenza viral infection in a sample of bodily fluid. The present invention also provides for systems and method for detection a plurality of analytes, at least two of which are indicative of an influenza viral infection in a sample of bodily fluid.
US08007998B2	Polymerized conjugates for biological applications Polymerized conjugates of at least two proteins that have increased sensitivity for detecting proteins in biological assays such as gels and blots, and methods of preparing the conjugates, and a protein assay detection kit using the conjugates. In one embodiment, proteins are polymerized by reacting a carbohydrate group on the protein that has been oxidized with an amine group.
US08007994B2	Compositions and methods of modulating cholesterol metabolism The present invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing cholesterolemia and its effects. More specifically, the invention is directed, in one embodiment, to methods for screening for compounds that affect cholesterol levels generally, and in particular, that affect the absorption of cholesterol. The invention also is directed to methods of screening for compounds that increase bile acid synthesis. In so doing, the inventors describe useful transgenic cells and animals which lack one or both alleles of the LXRα gene. Also provided are therapeutic methods designed to reduce cholesterol levels in suitable subjects. The reduction may be effected by decreasing cholesterol absorption, increasing bile acid synthesis, or combinations thereof. Particularly useful in decreasing cholesterol absorption are RXR agonists, for example, rexinoid compounds. Therapeutic intervention in cholesterol biosynthesis and diet are additional adjunct therapies. In addition, the present invention relates to candidate compounds that modulate the expression of ABC-1 in a cell that expresses RXR. Methods of identifying and making a modulator of ABC-1 are disclosed.
US08007986B2	Immersion lithography fluids Suitable additives that may be added into immersion fluids, immersion fluids comprising at least one carrier medium selected from an aqueous fluid, a non-aqueous fluid, and mixtures thereof, and immersions fluids comprising at least one carrier medium and at least one additive useful for performing immersion lithography at an operating wavelength ranging from 140 nm to 365 nm are disclosed herein.
US08007984B2	Method for producing flexographic printing forms by thermal development Flexographic printing plates are produced by thermal development by a process in which an imagewise exposed flexographic printing element is developed by heating and removing the softened, unpolymerized parts of the relief-forming layer, the flexographic printing element containing a styrene/butadiene block copolymer as a mixture with a plasticizer, and the proportion of butadiene which is present in 1,2-linked form being from 15 to 50% by weight, based on the block copolymer.
US08007983B2	Photosensitive resin composition, photosensitive element using same, method for forming resist pattern, and method for producing printed wiring board The photosensitive resin composition of the invention is characterized by comprising (A) a binder polymer, (B) a photopolymerizing compound with at least one polymerizable ethylenic unsaturated bond in the molecule, (C) a photopolymerization initiator and (D) a compound represented by the following general formula (1). In formula (1), R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen or a compound of the following general formula (2). In general formula (2), R5 represents a C4-30 hydrocarbon group.
US08007982B2	Optical information recording medium An optical information recording medium, which is made of a resin provided with photoreactivity containing organometal compound, has a recording layer on which, after a photoreaction are brought about when predetermined initialization light is irradiated to the medium and then the resin is hardened, at a time of recording information, a recording mark is formed when predetermined recording light is condensed to the medium, and a temperature of the medium near a focal point of the recording light is increased and the organometal compound is transubstantiated, and at a time of reproducing information, the information is reproduced based on returned light according to predetermined reading light being irradiated.
US08007976B2	Electrostatic image developing toner, toner kit and image forming apparatus A toner is provided that comprises a colorant and a binder resin, wherein the binder resin comprises a polyester resin that is prepared by a polycondensation reaction in the presence of at least a titanium-containing catalyst expressed by General Formula (II) or (II), the toner has a volume average particle diameter of 2.0 μm to 10.0 μm and a ratio Dv/Dn within a range of 1.00 to 1.40, in which Dv represents a volume average particle diameter and Dn represents a number average particle diameter, Ti(—X)m(—OH)n General Formula (I) O═Ti(—X)p(—OR)q General Formula (II) in General Formulas (I) and (II), X represents a residue of a mono-alkanolamine of 2 to 12 carbon atoms or a polyalkanolamine from which a hydrogen atom of one hydroxyl group is removed; other hydroxyl group(s) and still other hydroxyl group(s), within the polyalkanolamine molecule that has a directly bonding Ti atom, may polycondense to form a ring structure; other hydroxyl group(s) and still other hydroxyl group(s) may polycondense intermolecularly to form a repeating structure; and the polymerization degree is 2 to 5 in a case of forming the repeating structure; R represents one of a hydrogen atom and alkyl groups of 1 to 8 carbon atoms that may have 1 to 3 ether bonds; “m” is an integer of 1 to 4; “n” is an integer of 0 to 3; the sum of “m” and “n” is 4; “p” is an integer of 1 or 2; “q” is an integer of 0 or 1; the sum of “p” and “q” is 2; and in a case that “m” and “p” is 2 or more, the respective Xs may be identical or different each other.
US08007975B2	Colorant and toner A colorant comprising an aggregate of a molecule having a squarylium skeleton and having a maximum absorption wavelength at about 500 nm to about 600 nm in a molecular dispersion state.
US08007969B2	Tri-level xerography for hypochromatic colorants A xerogrpahic system and method use a tri-level development process in which at least one xerographic imaging unit includes a photoreceptor and a pair of developer units. A first developer unit includes a conventional first toner of a given color (CYMK) and a second developer unit includes a hypochromatic light form of the first toner. By use of a specific tri-level process, excellent color-to-color registration can be achieved for each processed color separation because overlap between colorants can be prevented. Moreover, by use of two forms of the same colorant, a smoother tone reproduction curve can be achieved when an aggressive blending strategy is used. Gamut loss and ink limit violation can be avoided by adjusting the blending curve in certain situations. An exemplary implementation uses a four drum, eight color tandem architecture with formulations of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, as well as corresponding hypochromatic light colorants of light Cyan, light Magenta, light Yellow, and light Black (gray).
US08007968B2	Substrate processing method, program, computer-readable storage medium and substrate processing system In the present invention, patterning for the first time is performed on a film to be worked above the front surface of a substrate, and the actual dimension of the pattern formed by the patterning for the first time is measured. Based on the dimension measurement result of the patterning or the first time, the condition of patterning for the second time is then set. In this event, the condition of the patterning for the second time is set so that a difference between the dimension of the patterning for the first time and its target dimension is equal to a difference between the dimension of the patterning for the second time and its target dimension. Thereafter, the patterning for the second time is performed under the set patterning condition.
US08007965B2	Optical wavelength division multiplexed multiplexer/demultiplexer for an optical printed circuit board and a method of manufacturing the same The invention provides an optical mux/demux for an optical printed circuit board. The mux/demux comprises: a first waveguide formed on a support layer for carrying a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal; a separator/combiner for separating the wavelength division multiplexed signal into component signals of corresponding wavelengths or for combining component signals into the said wavelength division multiplexed signal; and plural second waveguides, each for receiving or providing one or more of the said component signals, wherein the separator/combiner is at a predetermined location relative to the waveguides.
US08007963B2	Photomask A photomask or equivalent optical component includes a scattering element in the medium of a substrate, which actively modifies (adjusts/filters the intensity, shape, and/or components of) light that propagates through the substrate. The substrate has a front surface and a back surface and is transparent to exposure light of a photolithography process, i.e., light of given wavelength, at least one mask pattern at the front surface of the substrate and the image of which is to be transferred to an electronic device substrate in a photolithographic process using the photomask, a blind pattern at the front surface of the substrate and opaque to the exposure light, and the scattering element. The scattering element, in addition to being formed in the medium of the substrate, is situated below the blind pattern as juxtaposed with the blind pattern in the direction of the thickness of the substrate. Also, a section of the photomask substrate is irradiated with energy which does not melt and/or vaporize the medium of the photomask substrate to form the scattering element. To this end, a femtosecond laser may be used.
US08007961B2	Mask blank substrate set and mask blank set A substrate set is a mask blank substrate set including a plurality of substrates each for use in a mask blank for producing a photomask to be chucked on a mask stage of an exposure apparatus. In each of the substrates in the mask blank substrate set, a main surface, on the side where a thin film for forming a transfer pattern is to be formed, has a convex shape being relatively high at its center and relatively low at its peripheral portion. In each substrate, the flatness in a 142 mm square area, including a central portion, of the main surface is 0.3 μm or less and the difference upon fitting to a reference main surface of a reference substrate is 40 nm or less.
US08007959B2	Photomask and pattern formation method using the same A photomask includes a transparent substrate having a transparent property against exposing light and a halftone portion formed on the transparent substrate. In the halftone portion, a first opening having a first dimension and a second opening having a second dimension larger than the first dimension are formed. A light-shielding portion is formed on the transparent substrate to be disposed around the second opening.
US08007952B2	Fuel cell A DMFC is provided in which the structure is simplified and the thickness is reduced without impairing diffusibility of fuel, air and generated products. An anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer sandwich an electrolyte membrane. Liquid fuel stored in a fuel chamber is directly supplied to the anode catalyst layer. Current collectors are respectively provided adjacent to the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. Each of the current collectors is formed of a flat conductive sheet in which a plurality of fine pores are provided to extend through the current collector in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar direction.
US08007951B2	Fuel cell compression retention system using compliant strapping A fuel cell system is provided including a fuel cell stack having a first end and second end. The fuel cell stack includes at least one fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly disposed between adjacent gas diffusion layers. The fuel cell system further includes a compression retention system having a plurality of compliant straps adapted to apply a compressive force to the fuel cell stack. The plurality of compliant straps are further adapted to accommodate an expansion of the fuel cell stack during an operation thereof and maintain the compressive force within a desired range.
US08007950B2	Fuel cell stack Each of the fuel cell units making up a fuel cell stack includes a first separator, a second separator, and a third separator. A predetermined number of load receivers are provided integrally on outer ends of the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator. The load receivers of the second separator protrude toward the casing beyond the other load receivers. Resin clips are inserted into the load receivers, such that the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator are fixed together by the resin clips.
US08007942B2	Ion-dissociative functional compound, method for production thereof, ionic conductor, and electrochemical device Disclosed herein are an ion-dissociative functional compound, a method for production thereof, an ionic conductor, and an electrochemical device, the ion-dissociative functional compound being thermally and chemically stable under the condition required of fuel cells and being suitable for use as a material such as protonic conductor in fuel cells.The proton-dissociative functional compound shown in FIG. 1A is composed of a fullerene C60 molecule and about 10 sulfonic acid groups —SO3H as proton-dissociative groups each attached to the fullerene through a difluoromethane group —CF2—. The proton-dissociative functional compound shown in FIG. 1B is composed of fullerene molecules three-dimensionally connected to each other through a linking group —CF2SO2NHSO2CF2—. It contains, as the proton-dissociative group, sulfoneimide groups —SO2NHSO2— and sulfoneamide groups —SO2H2 in addition to sulfonic acid groups. These compounds are prepared by introduction of difluoro(fluorosulfonyl)methyl groups into fullerene molecules, and ensuing imidization and hydrolysis.
US08007941B2	Positive active material for rechargeable lithium battery and method of preparing same A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery. The positive active material includes a core and a surface-treatment layer on the core. The core includes at least one lithiated compound and the surface-treatment layer includes at least one coating material selected from the group consisting of coating element included-hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, oxycarbonates, hydroxycarbonates and any mixture thereof.
US08007940B2	High discharge capacity lithium battery A lithium/iron disulfide electrochemical battery cell with a high discharge capacity. The cell has a lithium negative electrode, an iron disulfide positive electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The iron disulfide of the positive electrode has a controlled average particle size range which allows the electrochemical cells to exhibit desired properties in both low and high rate applications. In various embodiments, the iron disulfide particles are wet milled, preferably utilizing a media mill or milled utilizing a non-mechanical mill such as a jet mill, which reduces the iron disulfide particles to a desired average particle size range for incorporation into the positive electrode.
US08007938B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte solution and lithium secondary battery using same A non-aqueous electrolyte solution is provided that realizes a large capacity, exhibits high storage characteristics and cycle characteristics, and is capable of inhibiting gas generation. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a lithium salt; at least one non-aqueous solvent selected from the group consisting of a chain carbonate, a cyclic carbonate, a chain carboxylic acid ester, a cyclic carboxylic acid ester, a chain ether, and a cyclic ether; and a compound expressed by the following formula (II)a wherein R41-R52 independently of each other, represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms that may be substituted by a fluorine atom, an alkenyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms that may be substituted by a fluorine atom, an aryl group having 6-12 carbon atoms that may be substituted by a fluorine atom, or an aralkyl group having 7-12 carbon atoms that may be substituted by a fluorine atom, wherein each group R41-R52 may have an ether linkage in its chain, and R41 may be linked with R42, and R43 may be linked with R44, to form a ring, said ring optionally comprising an oxygen atom.
US08007931B2	Magnetic recording medium A perpendicular magnetic recording medium including: a substrate; a perpendicular magnetic recording layer disposed over the substrate; a soft magnetic underlayer disposed between the substrate and the perpendicular magnetic recording layer; a shunting layer disposed under the soft magnetic underlayer; and an isolation layer disposed between the soft magnetic underlayer and the shunting layer and providing magnetic isolation between the shunting layer and the other layers disposed over the shunting layer are provided. The shunting layer is magnetically separated from the other magnetic layers disposed over the shunting layer, and shunts a magnetic field generated by the magnetic domain walls of the soft magnetic underlayer such that the magnetic field cannot reach a magnetic head, thereby increasing a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
US08007929B2	Surface coated cutting tool A surface coated cutting tool having, on a surface of a substrate, a hard coating layer including at least an aluminum oxide layer, the surface having a rake face on a main face thereof and a flank on a side face thereof, wherein, when a value calculated by the following equation (I) is a texture coefficient TC of the (HKL) plane of the aluminum oxide layer, a ratio of a texture coefficient TCR on the rake face to a texture coefficient TCF on the flank, TCF/TCR, is in a range of 0.3 to 0.95. TC = I ⁡ ( HKL ) / I O ⁡ ( HKL ) 1 / 6 ⁢ ⁢ ∑ [ I ⁡ ( hkl ) / I 0 ⁡ ( hkl ) ] ( I ) where I(HKL), I0(HKL) and Σ[I(hkl)/I0(hkl)] are as described in the specification.
US08007928B2	Coated article with black color An article is coated with a coating having a black color. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a nickel or polymer basecoat layer, and a first color layer comprised of oxygen-rich refractory metal oxycarbides, a second color layer comprising oxygen-rich refractory metal oxycarbides and a top layer of refractory metal oxides.
US08007923B2	Metallic member being subjected to rust-preventive treatment A metallic member, which is subjected to rust-preventive treatment, includes a metallic substrate, a zinc composite coating film, and a coating layer. The metallic substrate is formed as a predetermined configuration. The zinc composite coating film is disposed on the metallic substrate. The coating layer is made by coating and drying a coating composition on the zinc composite coating film. The coating composition includes a coating vehicle, a body pigment, and a rust-preventive pigment. The coating vehicle includes an organic solvent, and a resinous material being dissolved in the organic solvent. The body pigment is dispersed in the coating vehicle. The rust-preventive pigment is dispersed in the coating vehicle.
US08007918B2	Plasticizers for improved elevated temperature properties in cellulose esters In one aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising a cellulose ester and a high boiling plasticizer having a boiling point greater than 370° C., wherein the composition has a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than a similar composition having triphenyl phosphate (TPP) plasticizer substituted for the high boiling plasticizer. The invention also related to articles and films made therefrom. This invention also relates to methods of making the compositions, articles and films.
US08007916B2	Process for production of a composite A composite part is produced by a process in which at least one of components a) and b) of said composite part is treated with an Openair plasma on a contact surface between said components a) and b) prior to production of the composite part, followed by molding-on of the other component; wherein said components are as follows: a) a part which entirely or to some extent comprises a molding composition comprising at least 40% by weight of a polyamide whose monomer units contain an average of at least 8 carbon atoms, and b) a part comprising another molding composition.
US08007915B2	Resin composition, molded component, electrophotographic transfer film and image-forming apparatus A resin composition comprises a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a nylon resin having a χ-parameter of less than 1.3 at 25° C., and has one glass transition temperature, and an image-forming apparatus comprises a latent-image supporting member, and an intermediate transfer member that supports a toner image transferred thereon from the latent-image supporting member, transfers the supported toner image onto an image receiving material, the intermediate transfer member comprising a polyphenylene sulfide resin and a nylon resin having a χ-parameter of less than 1.3 at 25° C., and has one glass transition temperature.
US08007914B2	Two layer LTO temperature oxide backside seal for a wafer A two layer LTO backside seal for a wafer. The two layer LTO backside seal includes a low stress LTO layer having a first major side and a second major side, the first major5 side of the low stress LTO layer adjacent to one major side of the wafer. The two layer LTO backside seal further includes a high stress LTO layer having a first major side and second major side, the first major side of the high stress LTO layer adjacent the second major side of the low stress LTO layer.
US08007912B2	Fuser member with intermediate adhesive layer In accordance with the disclosure, a fusing member is provided comprising, in order, a base member, a cured liquid silicone rubber substrate layer, an amino silane, and an anhydrous solvent containing adhesive layer. The fusing member further comprises a fluoroelastomer fusing surface topcoat layer including poly (vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene).
US08007908B2	Single walled carbon nanohorn adsorptive material and method for production thereof A single walled carbon nanohorn adsorptive material which comprises a single walled carbon nanohorn and a lanthanide metal deposited thereon and has methane absorptivity is produced, whereby a single walled carbon nanohorn adsorptive material which can adsorb much methane and is effective as a methane adsorbing material is provided.
US08007907B2	Glass-containing molding composition and process for production of the same A glass-containing molding composition is prepared by incorporating glass powder into a thermoplastic resin at a glass load ratio of 40 to 70 percent by weight, in which the glass powder is composed of solid spherical glass particles which have an average particle size of 10 to 40 μm and whose surfaces are totally covered with a silane compound and which exhibits reduction ratios of melt flow rate on a parabolic curve with the increase of glass load ratios and has a reduction ratio of melt flow rate of 3/4 to 1/4 within a glass load ratio in a range of 40 to 64 percent by weight.
US08007903B2	Method for manufacturing ceramic member, and ceramic member, gas sensor device, fuel cell device, filter device, multi-layer piezoelectric device, injection apparatus and fuel injection system A ceramic member in which the metal layers with high void ratio are sufficiently sintered to lower a residue of resin is produced. The method for manufacturing a ceramic member which comprises a step of forming a stacked compact from a plurality of metallic paste layers containing a metal component M1 that are stacked one on another via ceramic green sheets, and a step of firing the stacked compact, wherein at least one of plural metallic paste layers is formed as a second metallic paste layer that has the mass percentage X higher than that of the metallic paste layer that adjoin therewith in the stacking direction and a ceramic powder is contained in the second metallic paste layer in the step of forming the stacked compact, the mass percentage X being the proportion of the metal component M1 to the total metal content in the metallic paste layer.
US08007901B2	Optical article having an antistatic, antireflection coating and method of manufacturing same An antireflection, antistatic transparent coating for an optical article, comprising at least one electrically conductive layer, wherein said electrically conductive layer contains at least one metal and has a thickness lower than or equal to 1 nm. The invention also relates to a an optical article having two main faces, at least one which being coated with the above antireflection, antistatic transparent coating and a process for depositing the above antireflection, antistatic transparent coating onto said optical article.
US08007897B2	Insulating sheet and method for producing it, and power module comprising the insulating sheet An insulating sheet includes an adhesive component of a thermosetting resin and containing a filler member. Heat conductivity of an adhesive face region of the insulating sheet is smaller than heat conductivity of an inner region of the insulating sheet.
US08007894B2	Process and equipment for manufacture of advanced composite structures A process for continuous, tailored lamination of aligned composite materials in such a way that either pre-formed or pre-consolidated sheets are made available for subsequent infusion molding or stamping processes, the process comprising the steps of: material placement, consolidation/stabilization, cut and kit, fabrication, and final trim. A tailored blank machine is also described. The blank machine includes a series of material placement heads arranged in a linear or serial fashion along a single moving placement table, wherein each head lays down a single angle of the prescribed stacking sequence as the conveyer passes under the head at a constant speed wherein the angle is proportional to head traverse rate divided by conveyer speed.
US08007888B2	Fire protection blanket and associated method A fire protection blanket comprising: at least two fibrous subassemblies arranged substantially parallel to a principal surface of the blanket in which each fibrous subassembly comprises at least two mineral fiber wool layers, substantially parallel to the principal surface of the blanket, separated by at least one mineral fiber fabric and in which refractory particles are arranged inside at least one mineral fiber wool layer; at least one layer of refractory adhesive attaching the fibrous subassemblies to each other; and a covering comprising a mineral fiber fabric impregnated with a fire-resistant silicone and enclosing all of the fibrous subassemblies.
US08007883B2	Container comprising a transparent cylindrical container wall The invention relates to a container (1) comprising a transparent cylindrical container wall (2) and an envelope (8) covering the entire container wall. Such containers are used in the form of a vial, an ampulla or a syringe, for example, in clinical tests of medicaments or remedies. According to the invention, the envelope is embodied in an opaque manner such that it can be determined whether undissolved particles are still present in the liquid, but the actual color of the content cannot be determined.
US08007880B2	Insert for a pressurized container of liquid The invention relates to an insert that is to be added to a gas-pressurized liquid in a container. Said insert comprises a pressure-activated body with at least one cavity, said body being connected to a positioning device. According to the invention, (a) the pressure-activated body (4) comprises at least one opening (10) with a reduced diameter, which connects the cavity to the environment of the insert and is situated in a location that lies above the level of liquid when the insert is floating on said liquid and (b) the positioning device comprises a floating body (1, 2; 1, 2, 6) with a small opening (3), which is submerged in the liquid when the insert is placed on the latter, a ventilation opening (5), which communicates directly with the external environment (14) of the insert and a minimum volume (11), which when filled with liquid enables the insert to sink into the liquid. The inventive insert can be added to liquids that are sealed under pressure. It floats to the surface of said liquid, but sinks after a period of time. Its pressure-activated body is charged with the internal pressure of the sealed container and when the container of liquid is opened, said pressure is used in a known manner to achieve effects such as an improved foaming of beer or to mix a substance, which up to the point of opening has been stored separately in the container, with the liquid.
US08007876B2	Liquid crystal display and fabrication method thereof A liquid crystal display (LCD) and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The LCD includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. At least two layers of cholesteric liquid crystal layers are disposed between the first and the second substrates, wherein chiral dopants with different optical activities are respectively added in the cholesteric liquid crystal layers, and the chiral dopants have the same chemical structure. The fabrication method includes providing a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. A plurality of chiral dopants with different optical activities and having the same chemical structure are mixed into the same liquid crystal host respectively to form at least two kinds of cholesteric liquid crystal materials. Then, the cholesteric liquid crystal materials are disposed between the first and the second substrates to form at least two layers of cholesteric liquid crystal layers.
US08007875B2	Method of forming a carbon nano-tube In a method of forming carbon nano-tubes, a catalytic film is formed on a substrate. The catalytic film is then transformed into preliminary catalytic particles. Thereafter, the preliminary catalytic particles are transformed into catalytic particles. Carbon nano-tubes then grow from the catalytic particles. The carbon nano-tubes have relatively high conductivity and high number density.
US08007863B2	Multi-layer articles and method for improving the release life of the same A multi-layer article including a foodware substrate and a fluoropolymer composition having a copolymer consisting of from 80 to 94% by weight tetrafluoroethylene, from 6 to 20% by weight of one or more perfluorovinyl ethers of the formula CF2═CFO(RafO)n(RbfO)mRcf, where Raf and Rbf are independently selected from linear or branched perfluoroalkylene groups of 1-6 carbon atoms, m and n are each independently 0-10 and Rcf is a perfluoroalkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms, where when the perfluorovinyl ether content is less than 7% by weight, the fluoropolymer has an MFI of 5 or less; and/or a copolymer comprising from 80-94% by weight tetrafluoroethylene, from 5-20% by weight of a perfluorovinyl ether of the formula CF2═CFO(RafO)n(RbfO)mRcf where Raf, Rbf, m, n and Rcf are the same as defined above, and up to 15% by weight of one or more additional monomers based on the total weight of the fluoropolymer.
US08007861B2	Ink jet applicator An ink jet applicator includes an ink jet head having nozzle via which liquid droplets are jetted, a seal mechanism sealing the nozzle using a pressure vessel; a solution supply mechanism supplying a solution to the nozzle at a predetermined pressure.
US08007860B2	Method for manufacturing magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus There is provided a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium which can easily produce a magnetic recording medium, the magnetic recording medium having a plurality of magnetically separated recording layers suitable as the recording layers in a discrete track medium or patterned medium, and also having excellent surface flatness, in which spaces between the adjacent recording layers are filled in with a non-magnetic material.Such a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium is a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium (10) including: a step for forming a magnetic layer on top of a non-magnetic substrate (1), and then forming a resist pattern constituted of a non-magnetic material on top of the magnetic layer; a step for forming a concave section (4a), which is to become a separation layer (5), and a plurality of recording layers (4) that are magnetically separated in plan view by the concave section (4a) by removing the magnetic layer that is exposed from the resist pattern; and a step for forming the separation layer (5) by melting the resist pattern to prepare a melted resist and filling in the concave section (4a) with the melted resist, followed by curing of the melted resist.
US08007855B2	Method for coating implantable medical devices A method of coating an implantable medical device is disclosed, the method includes applying a composition onto the device and drying the composition at elevated temperature in an environment having increased relative humidity.
US08007854B2	Ceramic coating and method of preparation thereof A ceramic coating with gradient density/porosity and/or incorporated biologically active agents can be fabricated on the surface of substrates, including the surface of implantable medical devices.
US08007852B2	Method for production of frozen vegetables or fruits The present invention relates to a method for producing frozen and dehydro-frozen vegetables and fruits, wherein the method includes the method of cryogenically freezing the fruits or vegetables.
US08007850B2	Method for making a powder containing crystalline particles of glucopyranosyl-alditols The invention relates to a method for making a powder containing crystalline particles of glucopyranosyl-alditols, including the continuous mixing of a glucopyranosyl-alditol syrup with a dry matter content of at least 80% by weight and a glucopyranosyl-alditol content of at least 95% by weight, preferably of at least 98% by weight based on dry matter, the mixing being carried out by simultaneously dispersing the glucopyranosyl-alditol syrup and germs containing glucopyranosyl-alditols in an open rotary container containing (glucopyranosyl-alditol)-based granules, whereby the glucopyranosyl-alditol syrup and the germs containing glucopyranosyl-alditols are mixed at the surface of the (glucopyranosyl-alditol)-based granules contained in the container, recovering the (glucopyranosyl-alditol)-based granules from the container and crystallizing the glucopyranosyl-alditols contained in the granules, the (glucopyranosyl-alditol)-based granules in the container being kept in motion by rotating the container.
US08007849B2	Unsaturated cyclic and acyclic carbamates exhibiting taste and flavor enhancement effect in flavor compositions The present invention relates to novel compounds having sweet, salt or umami taste enhancement qualities. These compounds have the structure: where R1 is H or methyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C4 alkyl, alkenyl; R3 is selected from the group consisting of H, phenyl, C1-C10 straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkyldienyl, acyclic or containing no more than one ring, which contains no more than a total of five heteroatoms selected from F, O, S, N, and P; and if R1═H, R2 and R3 taken together can represent cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, or cyclohexenyl, which contains no more than two of each heteroatom selected from N, O, and S; or if R1, R2 and R3 taken together can represent one, or two aromatic rings, which contain no more than three of each heteroatom selected from F, N, S, and O. R4 is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl or ethyl; R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl and ethyl; R6 is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C9 straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkyldienyl, acyclic or containing no more than one ring; except for in the case of structure 1 when if R4═H or methyl and R5═H or methyl, R6 as described above and phenyl; or when R4, R5, and R6 taken together can be equal to R7 is selected from the group consisting C1-C4 alkyl, or alkenyl.
US08007847B2	Feeding formula appliance A device for preparing a fluid food at a desired consumption temperature on demand, comprising two reservoirs of water, a container containing a formula, a data processor and a controller for dispensing water of the correct temperature from each of the reservoirs and the formula from the container into a vessel. Also provided are methods for preparing specialized foods at desired consumption temperatures on demand, and methods for marketing both foods and food-preparation devices.
US08007846B2	Mixed amino acid/mineral compounds having improved solubility Mixed amino acid/mineral compounds can include at least two amino acids bound to a central mineral atom. The combination of amino acids can be tailored to provide improved solubility, absorption, and/or bioavailability of the mineral. Optionally, organic acids can be bound to the mineral or combined with the chelate in order to further improve solubility, absorption, and/or bioavailability. Compositions including one or more mixed amino acid/mineral compounds can be included in therapeutic regimens for indications in which the mineral may treat and/or prevent a condition or symptom.
US08007844B2	Process for producing a cheese with a natural moldy rind Process for producing a soft cheese with a natural moldy rind, the starting material being a milk, this process comprising the steps of preparing a cheese slurry, inoculation with microorganisms, ripening, heat treatment by immersing in an atmosphere saturated with steam or in a water bath. This process makes it possible to obtain a cheese which may be packaged and preserved in the form of slices.
US08007840B2	Conjugated dienamides, methods of production thereof, compositions containing same and uses thereof Described are mixtures of at least four of the alkadienamides defined according to the structure: wherein R represents C1-C2 n-alkyl; R1 is 2-methyl-1-propyl and R2 is hydrogen, or R1 and R2 taken together is a moiety having the formula —(CH2)n—, wherein n is 4 or 5, or compositions containing substantial concentrations of such mixtures, prepared according to novel processes: (a) extraction of a ground substantially dried fruit of one of the Piper species, Piper longum Linn or Piper peepuloides; (b) natural product-forming synthesis; or (c) synthetic product-forming synthesis. Also described are uses of the thus-formed products for augmenting, enhancing or imparting an aroma, taste, chemesthetic effect and/or antibacterial effect in or to a consumable material and/or in the oral cavity and/or on the mammalian epidermis.
US08007833B2	Method of reducing infections and/or air embolisms associated with vascular access procedures A method of reducing infections associated with vascular access procedures. A powder containment device (PCD) is preferably adhesively attached to a skin area, the PCD having a hole formed centrally therethrough adapted to completely surround the catheter wound site. The open cavity formed by the PCD being attached to the skin is filled with a hemostatic agent of a salt ferrate and an insoluble cation exchange material. The salt ferrate combines with blood to form a trivalent Fe+++ ion promoting blood clotting and producing oxygen at the wound site for bacteria reduction. The cation exchange material also forms a protective cover over the wound site as the trivalent Fe+++ ion is formed. Semi-occlusive pressure is applied against the hemostatic agent for a time sufficient to arrest blood flow from the wound site right after inserting or removing the catheter. The PCD and hemostatic agent are then covered with an adhesive dressing. The occurrence of air embolisms introduced around the catheter is also reduced after the hemostatic agent has interacted to arrest blood flow around the catheter.
US08007827B2	Pharmaceutical dosage forms having immediate release and/or controlled release properties The present invention relates generally to pharmaceutical dosage forms comprising: an absorption window active agent; a controlled release component comprising enteric-coated controlled release beads, wherein the enteric-coated release beads comprise at least two pH-sensitive polymer layers. The controlled-release dosage forms provide good bioavailability of absorption window active agents.
US08007823B2	Microporous articles comprising biodegradable medical polymers, method of preparation thereof and method of use thereof The present invention relates to a highly controlled method of preparation of a microporous biodegradable polymeric article. Firstly, at least one biodegradable polymer A, one polymer B, biodegradable or not, partially or totally immiscible with A, and a compatibilizer C for A and B are selected. Secondly, the selected polymers are melt-blended, thereby preparing a polymer blend, wherein said polymers A and B have an essentially continuous morphology. Thirdly, after cooling, polymer B and compatibilizer C are selectively extracted from the polymer blend by dissolution in a solvent that is a non-solvent of polymer A. The resulting polymeric article has an essentially continuous porosity with a void volume between 10 and 90% and a unimodal diameter distribution set to a predefined unimodal peak location. It can be used in tissue engineering, for controlled release applications or as an implantable medical device.
US08007817B2	Compositions and methods for treating microbial infections The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treatment of microbial infections and for the enhancement of resistance to infection. The invention comprises administration of an effective amount of bacterial lysate compositions for the treatment of pathological conditions of microbial infections. The present invention can also be used to enhance the immune system to prevent infections by the administration of an effective amount of the compositions.
US08007816B2	Yeast-based therapeutic for chronic hepatitis C infection Disclosed are compositions, including vaccines, and methods for vaccinating an animal against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and for treating or preventing hepatitis C viral infection in an animal. The invention includes a variety of novel HCV fusion proteins that can be used directly as a vaccine or in conjunction with a yeast-based vaccine vehicle to elicit an immune response against HCV in an animal. The invention also includes the use of the HCV fusion gene and protein described herein in any diagnostic or therapeutic protocol for the detection and/or treatment or prevention of HCV infection.
US08007808B2	Composition and method for facilitating the internalization of a therapeutic agent into a cell The present invention is a composition and method for facilitating the internalization of a therapeutic agent into a cell. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of the extracellular domain of basigin-2, cyclophilin, or anti-basigin-2 antibody or antibody fragment as a delivery moiety for internalization of a therape.
US08007806B2	Vaccine composition comprising a fibronectin binding protein or a fibronectin binding peptide The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one fibronectin binding protein, and/or at least one a truncated fibronectin binding protein and/or at least one fibronectin binding peptide, all comprising at least one fibronectin binding domain; and at least one Iscom matrix complex and/or liposome and/or at least one lipid and at least one saponin, whereby the at least one lipid and the at least one saponin may be in complex, solution or suspension. Further, it regards use thereof for the production of a vaccine against a micro organism that comprises at least one one fibronectin binding domain. It also regards a kit of parts comprising at least two compartments, wherein one compartment comprises at least one truncated fibronectin binding protein and/or a fibronectin binding peptide, that comprises at least one fibronectin binding domain, and another compartment comprises an instruction for use and/or an Iscom matrix complex and/or an iscom complex and or a liposome. Further it relates to a method for vaccination of an individual.
US08007804B2	Complement receptor 2 targeted complement modulators Modulation of the complement system represents a therapeutic modality for numerous pathologic conditions associated with complement activation. In a strategy to prepare complement inhibitors that are targeted to sites of complement activation and disease, compositions comprising a complement inhibitor linked to complement receptor (CR) 2 are disclosed. The disclosed are compositions can be used in methods of treating pathogenic diseases and inflammatory conditions by modulating the complement system.
US08007798B2	Treatment of complement-associated disorders The present invention concerns a recently discovered macrophage specific receptor, CRIg, and its use in the prevention and treatment of complement-associated disorders, including complement-associated eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
US08007797B2	Junctional adhesion molecule-C (JAM-C) binding compounds and methods of their use The present invention relates to the use of a compound that specifically binds to JAM-C or JAM-B for the treatment of gliomas. More specifically the invention relates to the use of an antagonist of JAM-B or JAM-C for the treatment of glioma, in particular astrocytoma.
US08007795B2	Anti-tissue factor antibodies and methods of use thereof The invention includes antibodies that provide superior anti-coagulant activity by binding native human TF with high affinity and specificity. Antibodies of the invention can effectively inhibit blood coagulation in vivo. Antibodies of the invention can bind native human TF, either alone or present in a TF:FVIIa complex, effectively preventing factor X or FIX binding to TF or that complex, and thereby reducing blood coagulation. Preferred antibodies of the invention specifically bind a conformational epitope predominant to native human TF, which epitope provides an unexpectedly strong antibody binding site. Also provided are humanized antibodies and fragments thereof that bind to the TF.
US08007793B2	Stabilized liquid anti-RSV antibody formulations The present invention provides liquid formulations of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof that immunospecifically bind to a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen, which formulations exhibit stability, low to undetectable levels of aggregation, and very little to no loss of the biological activities of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, even during long periods of storage. In particular, the present invention provides liquid formulations of SYNAGIS® or an antigen-binding fragment thereof which immunospecifically binds to a RSV antigen, which formulations are substantially free of surfactant, inorganic salts, and/or other common excipients. Furthermore, the invention provides method of preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with RSV infection utilizing liquid formulations of the present invention.
US08007772B2	Compositions to be applied to the skin and the integuments The present disclosure relates a cosmetic composition comprising in a physiologically acceptable medium at least one composite pigment comprising an inorganic core at least partially coated with at least one organic coloring substance, wherein the color variation ΔE between the color of the bulk composition and the color after application is less than about 20.
US08007771B2	Flavors for oral compositions The present invention relates to oral care compositions comprising stannous ions, a mint-type flavor oil, a protectant component that prevents generation of off odor and off taste in the composition, and orally acceptable carriers. The mint-type oils include peppermint, spearmint and corn mint. Suitable protectant components include copper salts and carbonyl compounds such as ascorbic acid; cis-jasmone; 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone; 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone; vanillin; ethyl vanillin; anisaldehyde; 3,4-methylenedioxybenzaldehyde; 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde; 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde; 2-methyoxybenzaldehyde; 4-methoxybenzaldehyde; benzaldehyde; cinnamaldehyde (3-phenyl-2-propenal); hexyl cinnamaldehyde; α-methyl cinnamaldehyde; ortho-methoxy cinnamaldehyde; α-amyl cinnamaldehyde; and combinations thereof. The oral care composition may be a dentifrice.
US08007768B1	Pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition of the nanoparticles composed of chitosan, a negatively charged substrate, a transition metal ion, and at least one bioactive agent for drug delivery. The nanoparticles are characterized with a positive surface charge configured for promoting enhanced permeability for bioactive agent delivery.
US08007760B2	Process for producing enhanced alumina The present invention provides an essentially dry method for preparation of enhanced alumina powders. The first step involves rapid calcination of an aluminum compound to produce alumina powder. The alumina powder is mixed with solid ammonium carbonate and a small amount of water. This mixture heats itself although some external heat is helpful to produce ammonium aluminum hydroxycarbonate (dawsonite-type) NH4AlCO3(OH)2 upon curing which is then decomposed to produce enhanced alumina having a specific desired morphology and nano-sized dimensions.
US08007758B2	Metal delivery system for nanoparticle manufacture Described is a method for the production of pure or mixed metal oxides, wherein at least one metal precursor that is a metal carboxylate with a mean carbon value per carboxylate group of at least 3, e.g. the 2-ethyl hexanoic acid salt, is formed into droplets and e.g. flame oxidized. The method is performed at viscosities prior to droplet formation of usually less than 40 mPa s, obtained by heating and/or addition of one or more low viscosity solvents with adequately high enthalpy.
US08007753B2	Catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbon gas A process for the catalytic oxidation of a hydrocarbon gas comprising the steps of releasing pulses of a compressed hydrocarbon gas into an expansion chamber (8) and passing the expanded hydrocarbon gas over a catalytic converter (11) to oxidize the hydrocarbon gas.
US08007752B2	Process for preparing oral calcium compositions A process for the preparation of an orally administrable calcium composition comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a physiologically tolerable particulate calcium compound having a mean particle size in the range of 3 to 40 μm, having a crystalline structure and having a surface area of 0.1 to 1.2 m2/g; (ii) mixing the calcium compound with a water-soluble diluent and an aqueous solution of a water soluble binder in a fluid bed granulation apparatus and dying the resulting mixture to produce a first granulate; (iii) optionally mixing the first granulate with one or more further components to produce a second granulate; and (iv) optionally compressing the first or second granulate to form tablets.
US08007747B2	Automated fluid handling cartridge, fluid processing system, and methods The present invention relates to a cartridge, system, and methods that can be used for automated handling of fluids, such as blood. The cartridge can be configured to obtain a fluid sample from a sealed container, e.g., a septum sealed container. The system can be configured to handle the cartridge for operations such as obtaining a sample and/or dispensing the sample from the cartridge into, for example, a microtiter plate. The method of the invention can employ the cartridge or system of the invention.
US08007746B2	Microfluidic devices and methods of using same An M.times.N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.
US08007742B2	IRIS digester-evaporator interface A digester-evaporator for partially digesting a sample and for evaporating the solvent after partial digestion. The digester includes at least one reaction coil; a heating element arranged along a portion of the reaction coil; at least a portion of the reaction coil proximate to its output being preheated by the heating element to a degree sufficient to convert a partially digested sample into vapor; a collector spoon with carrier water for collecting sample vapor; and an evaporator portion including an evaporation chamber including a substantially vertically-oriented tube The collector spoon is arranged in the top of the substantially vertically-oriented tube, and a gas supply tube for supplying a preheated gas provided in a top of the substantially vertically-oriented tube so as to create a cyclonic gas flow into the chamber and carry the sample to a container area in a bottom portion of the chamber.
US08007731B2	Fluid treatment device having a multiple ceramic honeycomb layered structure A device for treating fluids, such as automotive exhaust gases is provided, as well as a method of manufacturing such a device. The device provides a honeycomb structure, a matrix of ceramic walls that defines a plurality of parallel, fluid-conducting cells oriented along an axis, arranged in a stacked or discontinuous configuration between an inlet and outlet, where adjacent layers of honeycomb structure are separated by layers of air spaces. Each matrix layer has opposing faces that defines the inlets and outlets of the cells, and a peripheral portion or peripheral region including an outer skin. The peripheral portions or peripheral regions of adjacent stacked ceramic layers are mutually contiguous to prevent fluid flowing through the stacked ceramic layers from leaking between said outer skins.
US08007730B2	Synthetic method and automation device for fluorine-18-ACETATE An automatic synthesis device for fluorine-18-ACETATE ([18F]fluoroacetate) consists of a machinery housing that has multiple reactors and multiple raw material containers, and uses multiple control valves between each reactor and container, and operates the control valves through a control system to charge the raw material from each container to each reactor in an automatic and sequential fashion to execute the six procedures: fluorination, azeotropic dewatering, synthesis (reaction with precursors), purification and separation, hydrolysis and neutralization, purification and collection. The operation simply requires adding raw materials to the containers in advance, turning on power, charging reactive gases. In 50 minutes, the process to produce the product will be completed. The operation is really simple and can effectively improve production efficiency.
US08007727B2	Virtual semiconductor nanowire, and methods of using same A multiple-gate field-effect transistor includes a fluid in a top gate, two lateral gates, and a bottom gate. The multiple-gate field-effect transistor also includes a patterned depletion zone and a virtual depletion zone that has a lesser width than the patterned depletion zone. The virtual depletion zone width creates a virtual semiconductor nanowire that is lesser in width than the patterned depletion zone.
US08007726B2	Microarray bioprobe device integrated with an amplifier having bottom-gate thin film transistors The present invention provides a microarray bioprobe device integrated with an amplifier having bottom-gate thin film transistors. The present invention utilizes a micro-electro-mechanical process as well as a semiconductor process to integrate microarray bioprobes and an amplifier having bottom-gate thin film transistors on a flexible substrate. As such, a signal obtained by the microarray bioprobes can be amplified nearby to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and impedance matching. The microarray bioprobes are formed on the flexible substrate such that the present microarray bioprobe device can be disposed to conform to the profile of a living body's portion so as to improve electrical contact between the bioprobes and the living body's portion.
US08007721B2	In Situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. The reaction conditions for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.
US08007719B2	Method and device for disinfecting a microtome cryostat A device and a method for disinfecting a microtome cryostat with introduction of a disinfection agent (3) into the cryostat chamber (2), action of the disinfection agent on the cryostat chamber, removal of the disinfection agent (3) by precipitation in a colder area (6) and drainage away from there. To enable such a microtome cryostat (1) to be disinfected several times per day without prolonged interruption of operation, a disinfection agent is used (3) that is effective below 0° C. and is introduced as a mist into the cryostat chamber (2) at below 0° C., the disinfection agent (3) being effective as a frost deposit in the cryostat chamber, wherein the frost deposit is displaced into a colder area (6) by sublimation and is converted to liquid by sporadic defrosting phases of this area (6) and thus removed.
US08007714B2	Earth-boring bits The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one of carbide, nitride, boride, oxide, and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron and, optionally, at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. In addition, the hard particles may comprise at least one of (i) cast carbide (WC+W2C) particles, (ii) transition metal carbide particles selected from the carbides of titanium, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, and tungsten, and (iii) sintered cemented carbide particles.
US08007712B2	Reinforced refractory crucibles for melting titanium alloys Reinforced crucibles for melting titanium alloys having a facecoat including at least one facecoat layer, a backing including at least one backing layer, and at least one reinforcing element applied to at least a portion of one or more of the facecoat layer, the backing layer, or a combination thereof where the reinforcing element includes at least one composition selected from ceramic compositions, metallic compositions, and combinations thereof.
US08007706B2	Method for the production of a molded part The invention relates to a method for the production of a molded part which comprises a base part consisting of a plurality of layers and a thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material bonded therewith, the bond of the base part with the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material being formed such that the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material is deformed under a pressure to become flowable, or that it is introduced already liquefied under pressure and forms a bond with the base part. According to the invention, the production of the base part and the production of the bond of the thermoplastic or duroplastic synthetic material with the base part is carried out in the same die.
US08007702B2	Methods of manufacturing linearly expandable ureteral stents A method includes forming an elongated member having a tubular shape. The elongated member includes a sidewall that defines a lumen. A spiral-shaped opening is formed in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a distal retention structure. The distal retention structure can be disposed at a distal end of the elongated member and can define a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.
US08007701B2	Positionable gas injection nozzle assembly for an underwater pelletizing system A positionable gas nozzle assembly having a nozzle tube for injecting and directing pressurized air or other inert gas into a pellet slurry so as to increase the velocity of the slurry from a pelletizer to and through a dryer. The variably positionable nozzle tube can be inserted, retracted and/or intermediately positioned either manually or using an automated control system. The automated control system preferably includes a pneumatic cylinder movably engaged with a carriage that is fixedly coupled to the nozzle tube. The pneumatic cylinder contains a piston that is magnetically coupled with the carriage such that movement of the piston in response to the injection of pressurized air into the cylinder also moves the carriage and the nozzle tube to obtain the variable positions.
US08007700B2	Coaxial cable of low dielectric constant, and a fabrication method and tool therefor An electric cable for conveying signals, the cable having a diameter of less than 2 mm and comprising at least one conductor in an insulating sheath, the sheath having a dielectric constant ε of less than 1.7. To achieve this, the sheath is made of PTFE and it includes at least one continuous cell. Fabrication is preferably by performing the following operations: compressing a lubricant-impregnated PTFE powder in a converging chamber arranged in an extrusion die and around a guide for guiding said at least one conductor, the impregnated PTFE powder thus being thrust towards an extrusion orifice to form an extrudate; causing said extrudate to pass from said orifice along an extrusion passage inside the die, in which it is shaped around the conductor(s), and of inside section that corresponds to the outline desired for the sheath; passing said extrudate around at least one solid bar presenting, at least over a distance within the extrusion passage, the same section as said cell and thereby preventing the extrudate from occupying the section that is to be occupied by said cell, the cell(s) being formed from the downstream end surface(s) of the bar(s) and extending downstream therefrom; extracting the lubricant by evaporation; and sintering the resulting assembly.
US08007699B2	Process of making bicomponent fiber Bicomponent fibers, methods of forming bicomponent fibers and articles formed from bicomponent fibers are described herein. The bicomponent fibers generally include a sheath component and a core component, wherein the sheath component consists essentially of a first metallocene polypropylene and the core component consists essentially of a second metallocene polypropylene.
US08007698B2	Wood composites bonded with phenol-formaldehyde by steam injection pressing The present invention relates to a method for preparing a wood composite, and the related wood composite itself formed by steam injection pressing using a phenol-formaldehyde resin binder composition capable of rapidly curing in a saturated or superheated steam atmosphere.
US08007696B2	Method for preparing a porous ceramic material with high heat resistance The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous ceramic material, particularly for thermal insulation, comprising the steps of: providing a first composition in the form of a stable aqueous colloidal solution of silica and oxides of alkaline metals; providing a second stable composition in the form of a suspension in an organic liquid of inorganic and/or organic particles, the second composition containing compounds which, when the second composition is mixed with the first composition, can destabilize the first composition, forming gel, and can form an organic polymeric net together with a blowing agent; mixing the first composition and the second composition to form a mixture; forming from the mixture a porous structure in gel form, where an organic structure supports inorganic structures being formed; solidifying the porous structure in gel form, obtaining a porous ceramic material in which an organic polymeric net surrounds inorganic portions.
US08007692B2	Coating liquid for nickel film formation, nickel film, and production method thereof It is aimed at providing: a coating liquid for nickel film formation suitable for forming a nickel film combinedly possessing an excellent electroconductivity and an excellent film-forming ability (surface flatness), by a coating method, particularly inkjet printing; a nickel film obtained by using the nickel film formation coating liquid; and a production method of such a nickel film.A coating liquid for nickel film formation comprises: nickel formate; and an amine based solvent having a boiling point within a range between 180° C. inclusive and 300° C. exclusive, as a main solvent, thereby allowing obtainment of a coating liquid for nickel film formation suitable for inkjet printing; and there can be obtained a uniform and flat nickel film having a low resistance and being excellent in film strength (adhesion force), by coating the nickel film formation coating liquid onto a substrate; drying the coated coating liquid; and subsequently calcining the dried coating liquid at a temperature of 200° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere or reducing atmosphere.
US08007685B2	Red light phosphor and multilayer photo-transforming film The present invention relates to a red light phosphor, which is based on sulfide and activating agent containing rare earth strontium or hafnium. It is characterized by that the aforementioned materials are a fluorine-sulfur oxide containing lanthanum-yttrium-zirconium and/or hafnium with its stoichiometric formula as (La1-x-y-zYxAyMez+4O)2S1(F−1)2z, and activating agent based on A=(TR+3=Σ Eu, Sm, Gd, Tb)+(TR+4═Pr+4), in which Me+4=Zr+4 and/or Hf+4. Compared with standard materials, the luminous intensity of the phosphor according to the present invention is increased to 1.6-2.4 times. Further, the red light phosphor according to the present invention has a mean diameter of d50≈0.6 μm. The present invention also discloses a multilayer photo-transforming film, in which the three-layer agro-film is filled with phosphor. The agro-film is based on polythene and its derivatives and added with photostabilizer.
US08007677B2	Azeotrope compositions comprising 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene and hydrogen fluoride and uses thereof Disclosed herein are azeotrope and near-azeotrope compositions comprising E-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (E-HFC-1225ye) and hydrogen fluoride. The azeotrope and near-azeotrope compositions are useful in processes to produce and in processes to purify E-HFC-1225ye and/or Z-1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (Z-HFC-1225ye). Also disclosed are processes for the extractive distillation to separate E-HFC-1225ye from Z-HFC-1225ye.
US08007675B1	System and method for controlling an etch process for a single crystal having a buried layer A system and method is disclosed that terminates an etch process of a semiconductor crystal material at a precisely located depth. The semiconductor crystal is made of a first material and has a buried layer of a second material that is stoichiometrically different than the first material. The buried layer is located at a depth in the first material at which it is desired to terminate the etch process. During the etch process an optical emission spectrum of the first material is monitored. The intensity of the spectrum decreases when the etch process reaches the second material of the buried layer. The etch process is terminated when the decrease in spectrum intensity is detected.
US08007674B2	Method and devices for preventing restenosis in cardiovascular stents Described herein are devices and methods fabricating devices having nanostructures that allow adhesion or growth of one cell type, such as endothelial cells, more than another cell type, such as smooth muscle cells. In particular, stent covers having such nanostructures are described, and methods for fabricating these stent covers. Also described herein are methods for optimizing the nanostructures forming the devices.
US08007673B2	Method of manufacturing circuit board An adhesive layer, an insulating layer and a copper foil are laminated together on both surfaces of a metallic base material by way of for example thermal press molding. In this case, openings (window holes) are formed in opposed positions on a portion of the adhesive layer. A circuit pattern is formed by etching on the copper foil in this state, followed by an external shape machining step of executing separation treatment reaching the metallic base material in predetermined positions including the openings. After that, a part of the insulating layer is cut off along the edge of the opening to obtain a circuit board with the end of the metallic base material exposed.
US08007670B2	Laminated cassette device and methods for making same A filtration cassette is described. The filtration cassette can include one or more filtrate channel spacers and one or more feed channel spacers. Each of the feed channel spacers and each of the filtrate channel spacers define an open interior volume bounded by an inner perimeter and include at least one feed port and at least one filtrate port. The filtrate channel spacers and the feed channel spacers are arranged such that the feed ports and the filtrate ports are positioned in respective alignment. The filtration cassette further includes one or more membranes disposed between the filtrate channel spacers and the feed channel spacers, and one or more retaining members at either end of the filtration cassette. A thin film of adhesive binds together the filtrate channel spacers, the feed channel spacers, and the membranes.
US08007665B2	Advanced wastewater treatment device having movable dividers Disclosed herein is an advanced wastewater treatment device. The device includes a wastewater treatment bath having an anaerobic bath in which phosphorus is discharged, an anoxic bath in which denitrification of nitrate nitrogen is performed, and an aerobic bath in which decomposition and nitrification of organic matter is performed. A first movable divider separates the anaerobic bath from the anoxic bath and is movably provided in the wastewater treatment bath to change relative volume of the anaerobic and anoxic baths. A second movable divider separates the anoxic bath from the aerobic bath and is movably provided in the wastewater treatment bath to change relative volume of the anoxic and aerobic baths. A divider moving unit moves the first and second movable dividers. An air supply unit includes air nozzles, an air pump, and valves. A recycling unit recycles activated sludge of the aerobic bath to the anoxic bath.
US08007664B2	Floating dispenser for dispensing a solid dissolvable chemical into ambient water A floating dispenser is provided for dispensing a solid, dissolvable water treatment chemical into ambient water. The dispenser includes a bucket having top and bottom ends, a top wall covering the top end, an opening for admitting ambient water into the bucket interior, and a floatation ring that keeps only the top end above water such that the interior is water filled when the dispenser floats. A basket is disposed in the interior of the bucket for carrying a solid, dissolvable water treatment chemical, such as calcium hypochlorite. The basket is buoyant and movable vertically toward the top wall of the bucket. The dispenser includes a refill indicator that indicates when most of a full load of said chemical has dissolved. The refill indicator includes a pair of tabs that are connected to the basket and slidably mounted in slots in the top wall. The tabs extend above the top wall when the buoyant basket floats upwardly, providing a visual indication of the need for a refill that can easily be seen from a side angle.
US08007663B2	Mesostructured zeolitic materials and methods of making and using the same One aspect of the present invention relates to mesostructured zeolites. The invention also relates to a method of preparing mesostructured zeolites, as well as using them as cracking catalysts for organic compounds and degradation catalysts for polymers.
US08007662B2	Direct feed/effluent heat exchange in fluid catalytic cracking Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes are described, in which hydroprocessed hydrocarbon streams or other hydrocarbon feed streams having a low coking tendency are subjected to direct heat exchange with the FCC reactor effluent, for example in the FCC main column. The processes operate with sufficient severity such that little or no net FCC main column bottoms liquid (e.g., with a 343° C. (650° F.) distillation cut point) is generated. Regeneration temperatures with the representative low coking tendency feeds are beneficially increased by using an oxygen-enriched regeneration gas stream.
US08007659B2	Reduced puffing needle coke from coal tar distillate A reduced puffing needle coke is formed, which includes a reduced nitrogen content within the coke so that the coke particles do not experience as much puffing during the formation of graphitized carbon articles produced from such coke upon heating to graphitization temperatures.
US08007656B2	Enzymatic electrochemical biosensor An electrochemical sensor strip has a base and a first electrode and a second electrode on the base. An oxidoreductase enzyme and a mediator are on the first electrode, and a soluble redox species is on the second electrode. The soluble redox species may be an organotransition metal complex, a transition metal coordination complex, an electroactive organic molecule, or mixtures thereof.
US08007653B2	Method and appartus for operation of pool cleaner with integral chlorine generator An automated self-propelled pool cleaner having a housing, a water pump for moving water through the housing, drive means for moving the pool cleaner over the surface of the salt water pool to be cleaned, and an integral electrochemical chlorine generator mounted in the housing, includes a processor/controller that is programmed to activate the chlorine generator, the pump and drive means in predetermined operational sequences that minimize wear and tear on the water pump and drive means, while at the same time distribute and maintain a safe level of sanitizing chlorine in the pool, to thereby obviate the need for an in-line chlorinator or other chemical additive treatments; an optional automated sensor device can be provided to activate a secondary maintenance program which enables the pool cleaner to operate over prolonged periods of time as the sole means for filtering and sanitizing the pool water. An electrochemical cell manual mounting system permits the cell to be secured in place for operation and manually removed for maintenance, repair or replacement by the user without special tools or training.
US08007648B2	Integrated electrokinetic devices and methods of manufacture Devices with electrokinetic elements are disclosed as well as their method of microfabrication for use in micro-scale analysis, mixture separation and reaction. The devices consist of solid hydrophilic-matrix films that have been microfabricated into a variety of micro-scale structures. These structures include hydrophilic-matrix conductors for electrokinetic species transport and separation. They also include hydrophilic-matrix cladding containing chemical species adjacent to either an open conduit or a hydrophilic matrix conductor. Also described are other integrated microstructures consisting of hydrophilic-matrix materials such as micro-reaction zones for retaining chemical species for on-chip chemical reactions and integrated detection structures for on-chip species detection. In general, a hydrophilic matrix on a substrate functions as a conductor that is covered by an electrically insulating, preferably water permeable material.
US08007647B2	Retention of counterions in the separative bioreactor A bioreactor with an anode and a cathode, and a plurality of reaction chambers each having an inlet and an outlet and each including a porous solid ion exchange wafer having ion-exchange resins. Each of the reaction chambers is interleaved between a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane or between either a cation or an anion exchange membrane and a bipolar exchange membrane. A product chamber is separated from one of the reaction chambers by either a cation or an anion exchange membrane. Recirculation mechanism is provided for transporting material between the reaction chamber inlets and outlets. A method of producing organic acids, amino acids, or amines using the separative bioreactor is disclosed.
US08007646B2	Fluorescent detection of proteins in polyacrylamide gels The mechanism of the UV light-induced reaction between the indole moiety of tryptophan and chloroform, and the structure of the modified tryptophan and polypeptides including such modified tryptophan residues. The excited indole moiety, which is formed upon UV light irradiation, emits a solvated electron which initiates a series of events that yield fluorescent derivatives that have CHO group covalently bound to the indole moiety. These derivatives are herein referred to as formyltryptophan, and are relatively stable. Similar reactions are observed when 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-fluorotryptophan, or N-methylindolacetate are used in place of tryptophan, or when other haloalkanes, such as trichloracetic acid, trichlorethanol, trichlorethane, bromoform, and iodoactetate are used in place of chloroform. The derivatives can be used in a variety of applications in fluorescence spectroscopy, and for nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography, infra-red spectroscopy, circular dicroism and mass spectroscopy. Additionally, the UV light-induced reaction between the indole moiety of tryptophan and haloalkanes can be used to prepare derivatives of tryptophan for chemical cross-linking studies of proteins and peptides.
US08007644B2	Inclined carrier transferring apparatus An inclined carrier transferring apparatus for use inline sputtering equipment. The inclined carrier transferring apparatus includes rollers and a guiding portion. The rollers transfer and support the bottom of a carrier. The guiding portion is installed diagonally with respect to the rollers, to support the top of the carrier in a non-contact manner.
US08007638B2	Sheet-like products exhibiting oleophobic and hydrophobic properties A method of manufacturing a cellulosic sheet having at least one of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties comprises the steps of depositing a stock of cellulosic fibers onto at least one forming fabric at an impingement zone and forming a web therefrom in a formation process; combining a water-based composition comprising an adhesion promoter, an organic nanoparticulate polymer and a fluorocarbon with the web at a preselected combination stage prior to a heating stage at which the web is subjected to a temperature exceeding 60° C.; and heat-curing the composition with the web during a drying process. A water-based composition for imparting at least one of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties to a cellulosic sheet during manufacture comprises an adhesion promoter, an organic nanoparticulate polymer and a fluorocarbon. A cellulosic sheet or layer thereof has at least one of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. Improved resistance of cellulosic sheets to oil or water is obtained.
US08007635B2	Lignocellulosic materials and the products made therefrom A process comprising treating a lignocellulosic material preferably pulp in the presence of a transition metal catalyst with a oxidizing agent selected from a group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, hypochlorous acid and any combination thereof to form a treated lignocellulosic material having a viscosity equal to or less than about 17 cp and having reducing functional groups selected from the group consisting of aldehyde and aldehyde type functional groups at the C6 and C1 positions but predominating at the C1 position.
US08007630B1	Method of multilayer film dry lamination of airbag fabrics An inflatable automotive protective cushion and method of formation. The protective cushion includes a multilayer film coating with an adhesive layer and an overlying barrier layer. The adhesive layer is adapted to bond to a textile substrate and the barrier layer is adapted to block air permeability.
US08007629B2	Method of manufacturing multi-layer circuit board A method of manufacturing a multi-layer circuit board including preparing a laminated member formed of (i) a core circuit board having a circuit pattern thereon and (ii) a prepreg sheet having a through-hole filled with conductive paste, forming a laminated structure such that the laminated member is sandwiched by lamination plates, and applying heat and pressure to the laminated structure. According to this method, selecting a lamination plate that has a thermal expansion coefficient that is equivalent to that of a core circuit board will protect the conductive paste from distortion, thereby offering a high-quality multi-layer circuit board having a reliable connection resistance.
US08007628B2	Cellular composite grid-stiffened structure A cellular composite structure includes a grid having groups of angularly intersecting ribs. The ribs of each group are oriented substantially in the same direction to each other and angularly oriented from the other rib groups. An additional rib defines a composite structure outer perimeter wall and can be differently angularly oriented from the other ribs. A contiguous rib wall is created by segments of ribs defined by rib intersections. The contiguous rib wall bounds a cavity. A multilayer sheet cap member with extending walls to engage the contiguous rib wall is positioned within the cavity. The engagement walls extend from individual sheet perimeter portions angularly oriented to the sheet. The ribs and cap member have pre-impregnated resin. Heating the cap member and ribs activates the resin and co-cures the composite structure.
US08007623B2	Apparatus and method for intermittent application of stretchable web to target web Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for cutting a stretchable first web into segments and securing the segments to a second web. The apparatus includes an infeed rate adjustment apparatus, a tension control device, a cutting apparatus, and means for securing the segments to the second web. The infeed rate adjustment apparatus is sized and configured to adjust the speed of the infeed of the first web to the cutting apparatus to space apart the segments.
US08007620B2	Translucent, flame resistant composite materials A translucent composite material that can be used in various airplane interior applications that allows sufficient light transmissivity while preferably meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flammability requirements for overhead materials in the cabin of a commercial aircraft. The material also meets FAA standards regarding vertical burn, smoke emissions tests, and toxic fume emissions tests. The composite material is formed by laminating long glass fibers and (PPSU) into a composite sheet under controlled heat and pressure. The composite sheet is then cut, bent or thermoformed to form the desired part. The parts formed are available for a wide variety of uses within the passenger cabin of a commercial aircraft. The long glass fibers may be unidirectional or weaved into a glass cloth like material. While preferably formed for airplane interior applications, these components may also be used in other aerospace or non-aerospace applications.
US08007619B2	Ceramic sanitary fixture A ceramic sanitary fixture, in particular a ceramic toilet bowl (1) made by casting in resin or porous molds comprises: a first, bottom component (2) comprising a liquid collection pan (3) and a siphon portion (4) for draining out the liquids; a second, top component (5), or rim, composed of a front portion (6) forming the upper edge of the pan (3) and a rear extension (7) comprising a channel (8) for the passage of liquids; the first component (2) and the second component (5) of the bowl (1) are made in one piece in the mold to form a single part (2-5) and there is also a third, covering component (10), or outer casing, in which the single part (2-5) can be housed, the latter being able to be associated and assembled with the casing (10) at least at its upper edges.
US08007618B2	Image displaying medium with metallic image and thermal transfer sheet The present invention provides an image displaying medium with a metallic image, which comprises a metallic image formed on a transfer receiving material with a color image formed thereon, wherein the metallic image is formed by using a thermal transfer sheet in which at least a resinous peelable layer and a metal thin layer are provided on one surface of a substrate film in this order, the resinous peelable layer comprising a pigment and a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or higher and the metal thin layer comprising a composition containing an aluminum pigment prepared by forming an aluminum film by deposition on a carrier sheet with a releasing layer provided thereon, and peeling the aluminum film from the carrier sheet to finely divide it, and a binder of a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50 to 150° C., and the 60°, 45°, 20° specular reflection of the image surface on which the metallic image is formed is 100% or greater, and a brightness (L*value) is 20 or greater.
US08007617B2	Method of transferring carbon nanotubes Provided is a method of transferring carbon nanotubes formed on a donor substrate to an acceptor substrate which may include vertically forming carbon nanotubes on a first substrate, providing a second substrate, aligning the first substrate with the second substrate so that the carbon nanotubes face the second substrate, and transferring the carbon nanotubes onto the second substrate by pressing the first substrate onto the second substrate.
US08007615B2	Method of manufacturing versatile flexible cover A flexible cover is formed from a rectangular sheet of plastic film material and a continuous elastic or rubber band. The sheet has a predetermined amount of material cut from each corner. The sheet is placed onto a table between four posts that extend from the table. The sheet is positioned so that a post lines up with each corner of the sheet. A rubber band is stretched across the four posts into a similar shaped rectangle and rests just above side edges of the sheet. The side edges of the sheet are folded inward and over the stretched band and heat sealed directly to the sheet. The band is now sealed within a pocket formed along the sides of the sheet. Each corner of the stretched band is released from its post, allowing the band to relax and pull the formed pockets toward the center.
US08007613B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing tyres The constituent elements of a carcass structure of a tire are formed by laying elementary components on a building support including an inflatable bladder set in an inflated condition in which it substantially reproduces the inner configuration of the carcass structure to be obtained. A belt structure carrying a tread band, both produced separately, is coaxially disposed around the carcass structure formed on the building support and applied thereto following a radial expansion of the inflatable bladder. In a vulcanization mold, the building support is submitted to an over-inflation step to press the tire against the inner walls of the mold. The circumferential edges of the inflatable bladder are in engagement with respective anchoring flanges with possibility of movement in a radial direction, so as to be submitted to an elastic expansion during the over-inflation step.
US08007610B2	Process and device for gluing dried fibres designated for the production of fibreboards Dried fibers which are designated for the production of fiber boards are supplied to a fiber roller (17) from a metering device through a feed chute (10) which is subjected to negative pressure, which fiber roller is provided on its surface with a plurality of pins (18) and rotates in such a manner that the fibers (14) are deflected by the pins (18), are directed along a chute section (22) defined by means of a partial section (20) of the periphery of the fiber roller (17) and an opposite-lying wall (21) and gluing means and said fibers are accelerated to approximately the peripheral speed of the fiber roller (17) by means of the pins (18) and an air flow generated by said pins. The fibers (36) lie against a section of the wall and are glued in the region of or adjacent to one end of the wall section and exit at an outlet orifice (23) of the chute section (22). In the case of an alternative process, after exiting the chute section substantially horizontally the fibers are deflected in an upward or downward direction and are glued in this region by means of at least one spray nozzle.
US08007608B1	Infrared tracer composition and tracer projectile The present invention is directed to a tracer composition for tracer bullets and other projectiles. One preferred formula of the tracer composition generally includes about 58 parts by weight of magnesium, about 38 parts by weight of polytetraflouroethylene, about 4 parts by weight of acrylic rubber, and a burn rate stabilizer such as about 1.5 parts by weight of carbon black or graphite. Tracer bullets including the tracer composition of the invention tend to exhibit a projectile path that is almost unnoticeable to the naked eye but quite visible through the use of equipment detecting energy in the near infrared range.
US08007606B2	Salvage process for spring elements An improved method for salvaging a spring element with a degraded force constant for return to a work environment. The spring element is subjected to a high temperature and extended duration annealing treatment alone or in combination with other treatments. The resultant salvaged spring is characterized by a more durable force constant relative to the original spring when it was new.
US08007605B2	Method of forming a non-circular stent A method for manufacturing a stent, includes the steps of winding stent wire around the outer surface of a longitudinal axis of a mandrel into a desired final shape that is polygonal in an elevation orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and forming a stent by setting the wound stent wire in the desired polygonal final shape. The outside diameter of the stent formed will be in co-columnar apposition with a blood vessel in which it is implanted. The mandrel employed in the methods can have a multiple-sided outer surface and a longitudinal axis.
US08007598B2	Dishwasher having multiple spray zones A method and apparatus for providing multiple spray zones, including a localized spray zone for an upper rack and a silverware spray zone for a silverware basket, within the wash chamber of a dishwasher.
US08007590B2	Electronic device including a guest material within a layer and a process for forming the same There is provided a portable substrate carrier enclosure. The carrier enclosure has a carrier support; a displaceable cover; spacers between the support and cover; a gas inlet; and a removable lid. There is also provided an assembly and a process for depositing an air-sensitive material onto a substrate using the portable substrate carrier enclosure.
US08007584B2	Compositions for use in construction and methods of applying the same A composition for use in construction that is substantially free of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that when applied to a surface produces a smooth or textured, water-shedding (hydrophobic properties), aesthetically-pleasing, protective continuous coating. The coated surface as well as the method of preparing and applying the composition is also provided.
US08007582B2	UV curable coating composition and method of making The present invention relates to solid, particulate free film-forming compositions, multi-layer composite coatings comprising such film-forming compositions and methods of applying such multi-component composite coatings to a substrate. The solvent free film-forming compositions include UV-curable powder coating compositions comprising an amorphous (meth)acrylate terminated poly(ester-urethane) and optionally a second (meth)acrylate terminated polyurethane.
US08007581B2	Incorporation of drilling cuttings into stable load-bearing structures Cuttings from drilling through or into natural rock and/or soil can be incorporated into useful, high quality load-bearing structures such as vehicle roads and pads for deep drilling rigs. This process recycles a material previously regarded as valueless at best and often as a pollution hazard. The cuttings, optionally mixed with drilling mud and/or soil, are converted to the useful structures by pozzolanic and/or cementitious reactions after being mixed with suitable other materials and/or are bonded into the useful structures by asphaltic materials.
US08007580B2	Material used to combat thermal expansion related defects in high temperature casting processes An additive to foundry sand molding and core aggregates is used to produce sand cores and molds comprising kyanite, spodumene, titanium dioxide, ilmenite and black iron oxide. The additive produces a sand-based foundry molding and core aggregate which resists the formation of some of the defects commonly associated with the production of castings produced by silica sand-based molding and core aggregates. In particular, the additive improves the quality of castings poured at temperatures higher than those of the pouring temperatures of molten iron, such as in steel castings, and in iron castings with “hot spots.”
US08007576B2	Chrome-free corrosion inhibitor composition A chrome-free corrosion inhibitor composition includes: titanium chloride; a stabilizer including a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and at least a compound selected from nitric acid, persulfate, nitrate, and chlorate; and a film-forming enhancer selected from monosaccharide, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, derivatives of saccharide, and combinations thereof.
US08007573B2	Filter and associated method A filter includes a membrane having pores and that is air permeable. A nanoparticle precursor is dispersed throughout the pores, and the nanoparticle precursor is responsive to a stimulus to form a catalytically active nanoparticle. An associated method is also provided.
US08007572B2	Filter element, air cleaner, and methods A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.
US08007571B2	System for separating a waste liquid from a produced gas and injecting the waste liquid into a well Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.
US08007570B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for capturing CO2 using a solvent Systems, methods, and apparatus for capturing CO2 using a solvent are provided. A gas that includes carbon dioxide may be mixed with a solvent that is operable to absorb at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the gas. The solvent containing the carbon dioxide may be provided to at least one removal system operable to remove at least a portion of the liquid contained in the solvent. The solvent output by the removal system may be stripped to extract at least a portion of the carbon dioxide from the solvent.
US08007569B2	Method for removing hydrogen sulphide and other acidic gas components from pressurized technical gases The invention relates to a method for removing hydrogen sulphide and other acidic gas components from pressurized technical gases by means of a physical detergent and for obtaining sulphur from hydrogen sulphide by using a Claus system. The hydrogen sulphide and the other acidic gas components are removed in an absorbent manner from the physical detergent, the physical detergent undergoes multi-step regeneration, said multi-step regeneration comprising at least one device for CO enrichment, a device for H2S enrichment, a device for CO2 stripping and a device for thermal regeneration. The various regeneration steps consist of various pressure steps and have a lower pressure than that of the absorption. A hydrogen sulphide rich Claus gas is withdrawn from one of the regeneration steps and is guided to a Claus system where sulphur is produced. The residual gas exiting from the Claus system is hydrated and is condensed under pressure, corresponding to one of the regeneration steps. The condensed residual gas is guided into said device which is used for CO enrichment. Said device for CO enrichment can be embodied as a flash column.
US08007564B2	Manufacture method of briquette for use as metal stock and manufacturing apparatus thereof A manufacture method of briquette for use as metal stock is provided which increases the efficiency of drying porous masses so as to shorten a drying time, and which provides a simplified constitution for reducing an installation area of a system and for reducing the running cost and initial cost of the system. The porous masses are formed by compression molding a recyclable material containing metallic powder. The compression molded porous masses are fed into a tubular member, into which hot air is blown for drying the porous masses.
US08007561B2	Cermet insert and cutting tool A cermet insert having a structure composed of a hard phase and a binding phase and, as a sintered body composition, containing Ti, Nb and/or Ta, and W in a total amount of Ti in terms of carbonitride, Nb and/or Ta in terms of carbide and W in terms of carbide of 70 to 95 wt. % of an entirety of the microstructure, and containing W in terms of carbide in an amount of 15 to 35 wt. % of the entirety of the microstructure, the sintered body composition further containing Co and/or Ni. The hard phase has one or two or more of the phases: (1) a first hard phase of a core-having structure whose core portion contains a titanium carbonitride phase and a peripheral portion containing a (Ti, W, Ta/Nb)CN phase, (2) a second hard phase of a core-having structure whose core portion and peripheral portion both contain a (Ti, W, Ta/Nb)CN phase, and (3) a third hard phase of single-phase structure including a titanium cabonitride phase. Moreover, the titanium carbonitride phase includes a W-rich phase unevenly distributed in the titanium carbonitride phase.
US08007556B2	Block for filtering particles contained in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine A block, particularly for filtering particulates present in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, includes a plurality of flow channels for the gases (14e,14s), each of the channels (14e,14s) being bounded by a side wall (22), a plug (15e,15s) and an opening (19e,19s) terminating outwardly. The block according to the invention is remarkable in that a first portion (34) of the side wall (22) of at least one of the channels (14p,14p″), called the “reinforced channel”, includes a reinforcement compared to the rest of the side wall (22) forming a second portion (36) of the side wall (22), the ratio (R) of the thickness of the first portion (34) to the thickness of the second portion (36), in any transverse plane of section (P), being between 1.1 and 3.
US08007555B2	Filter with multiple sections of different media A panel air filter assembly, for use in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which has a single filter element with multiple portions. The single filter element is sectioned into substantially equally-dimensioned and separate filter portions. Each of the filter portions includes a specific type of medium and is distinct from one another, so as to remove different types of contaminants from the outdoor supply air before entering heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. A waterproof paperboard frame securely supports the filter element at the filter element's marginal edges.
US08007553B2	Ceiling type air conditioner There is provided a ceiling type air conditioner capable of controlling the operation of at least one of a moving unit for moving a brush assembly or a suctioning unit for suctioning foreign matters stored in the brush assembly based on the position of the brush assembly for collecting and storing the foreign matters filtered by a filter. Therefore, it is possible to properly control the movement of the brush assembly to effectively collect and store the foreign matters filtered by the filter. In addition, since a user does not have to exchange or clean the filter, it is possible to prevent inconvenience from being caused by exchanging or cleaning the filter and to prevent the filter from being contaminated.
US08007551B2	Super finishing stone and super finishing method The super finishing stone has such a shape that a width of an abrasive surface in a direction perpendicular to a radial direction becomes gradually narrower from outside to inside in the radial direction, when the raceway surface and the abrasive surface in contact with the raceway surface are seen at a plurality of sections perpendicular to the radial direction of the object to be worked, so that the abrasive surface and the raceway surface in contact with the raceway surface may intersect with each other at a constant angle at opposite side edges of the abrasive surface.
US08007548B2	Pretreatment fluid and method of making and using the same A pretreatment fluid includes an effective amount of a fluorinated surfactant and a vehicle. The fluorinated surfactant is selected from at least one non-ionic fluorinated surfactant, at least one ionic fluorinated surfactant, and combinations thereof. The effective amount is selected based upon: a system in which the pretreatment fluid is used, an ink composition used in the system, system pretreatment time, pretreatment vehicle components, or combinations thereof.
US08007541B2	Suction stent The present invention relates to a stent for introduction into a hollow organ, in particular the gastrointestinal tract, of a human or animal patient, which brings about vacuum sealing of leaks, such as anastomosis insufficiencies, in the hollow organ.
US08007539B2	Metal-on-metal modular hybrid liner A prosthetic joint assembly that includes a shell including an inner surface. The assembly also includes a bearing member including an outer surface. The bearing member is received by the shell such that the outer surface of the bearing member is adjacent the inner surface of the shell. Furthermore, the joint assembly includes a compressible member that is rigidly fixed to the inner surface of the shell or the outer surface of the bearing member to only cover a portion thereof. The compressible member is made of a material that is different from the shell or the bearing member.
US08007538B2	Shoulder implant for glenoid replacement The invention features a glenoid (shoulder socket) implant prosthesis, a humeral implant prosthesis, devices for implanting glenoid and humeral implant prostheses, and methods of their use for the treatment an injured or damaged shoulder.
US08007537B2	Interspinous process implants and methods of use Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer extending from the first wing, and a distraction guide. The distraction guide is arranged in a first configuration to pierce and/or distract tissue associated with adjacent spinous processes extending from vertebrae of a targeted motion segment. The implant can be positioned between the adjacent spinous processes and once positioned, the implant can be arranged in a second configuration. When arranged in a second configuration, the distraction guide can act as a second wing. The first wing and the second wing can limit or block movement of the implant along a longitudinal axis of the implant.
US08007535B2	Interbody fusion ring and method of using the same The present invention provides an injectable annular ring useful in treating a deteriorating spinal disc. When used, the annular ring may be collapsed or folded in order for it to be placed through a small opening in a prepared intervertebral space within the annulus using minimally invasive techniques. Deployment or unfolding the ring in the intervertebral space provides an interior cavity bordered by the ring that is in direct contact with the vertebral endplates. When an internal volume of the ring is inject or filled with a load-bearing, hardenable material, the filled ring maintains the intervertebral spacing and prevents the ring from being expelled from the interior cavity through the small annular opening.
US08007534B2	Expandable implant with expander An at least in part cylindrical threaded interbody spinal fusion implant having an expandable height.
US08007530B2	Tool and method for implanting an annuloplasty prosthesis A simplified and more easily employed tool for holding an implantable annuloplasty prosthesis during passage of sutures through the prosthesis and for conveniently and efficiently releasing the prosthesis from the tool. Separation of the implantable prosthesis and the tool may be conveniently accomplished without requiring the use of a sharp instrument. Attachment between the prosthesis and its surgical carrying tool can be accomplished in a suture-less fashion. The tool includes a suture management device in some embodiments for selectively receiving and maintaining sutures otherwise securing the prosthesis to tissue.
US08007524B2	Heat treatment and heat loss reduction for treating meibomian gland dysfunction A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. A force may also be applied to the tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in the tissue that causes convective heat loss. Thus, the application of force can further increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels for removing obstructions. Reaching increased temperature levels may improve the melting, loosening, or softening of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands while reducing the amount of time to reached desired temperature levels and/or aid in reducing discomfort to the patient during treatment.
US08007522B2	Methods for correction of spinal deformities A method of treating a spinal column shape deformation includes fixing at least two fixation screw assemblies to respective vertebrae, sliding a rod between the arm extensions on each of the fixation screw assemblies, swinging the channels of the screw assemblies relative to the fixation screws so that the channels become less inclined to the axes of the fixation screws, and so that the rod is located generally posteriorly of the spinal column, locking the channel against swinging relative to the screw, rotating the rod about its axis relative to at least one of the channels, and locking the rod against movement relative to the channel.
US08007521B2	Percutaneous spinal implants and methods A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.
US08007516B2	Instruments and methods for manipulating vertebra A method for manipulating a vertebra includes connecting a first bone anchor to a first vertebra, connecting a second bone anchor to a second bone anchor, positioning a spinal rod in a receiving member of the first bone anchor and in a receiving member of the second bone anchor, connecting a first instrument to the receiving member of the first bone anchor, and manipulating the first instrument to rotate first bone anchor and the first vertebra relative to the second vertebra.
US08007511B2	Surgical instrument design A surgical instrument system having an instrument member or shaft with a distal portion positionable through an incision of a patient to an internal site and for operation by a surgeon from outside the patient. A tool is carried at the distal end of the instrument shaft controlled by the surgeon in performing a procedure at an operative site of the patient. At least first and second turnable members are spacedly disposed along the instrument shaft distal portion, both disposed within the internal site, and each controlled from outside the patient for providing at least respective first and second degrees of freedom of control of the tool. The turnable members may be either a pivot joint or a bendable section.
US08007508B2	System for tissue dissection and retraction A system for tissue dissection and retraction is disclosed herein. A tissue dissection assembly generally comprises an elongate body shaft, an actuation member movable relative to the elongate body shaft, and at least one dissector arm member having at least a first end attached to the elongate body shaft, wherein the at least one dissector arm member is adapted to reconfigure within a plane from a low profile to an expanded profile when urged via the actuation member, and wherein the at least one dissector arm is further adapted to dissect tissue within the plane. In use, the assembly dissects tissue within the plane typically by advancing the elongate body shaft into the tissue region where the dissector arm member or members are then reconfigured within the plane from its low profile to its expanded profile to thereby dissect the tissue region along the plane.
US08007504B2	Device and method of use for functional isolation of animal or human tissues A method and apparatus for functionally occluding the lumen of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is provided. Access to the LAA is through an epicardial approach. The devices function to capture the LAA through various non-invasive means. After capturing the LAA with the devices and methods provided, a clamping device is preferably disposed about the base of the appendage. In certain embodiments, the appendage remains viable subsequent to the functional occlusion of the lumen.
US08007502B2	Laser-resistant medical retrieval device A medical device used for retrieving material from within a body includes an engaging assembly in which at least a portion of the engaging assembly is resistant to laser energy-induced damage.
US08007501B2	Curved positioning and insertion instrument for inserting a guide wire into the femur A curved positioning and insertion instrument for inserting a guide wire into the femur has a curved guide tube with a distal end to be placed on the trochanter and/or the medial muscle and a proximal end for inserting a guide wire. The instrument also has a holding arm that links the guide tube to a handle. A positioning hook fitted with at least one correction bore for receiving the guide wire or another guide wire is arranged at the distal end of the guide tube. This structure makes it possible to easily insert further or additional guide wires relative to a reference guide wire.
US08007500B2	Extractable filler for inserting medicine into animal tissue An extractable device is used to insert a medicinal filling into an animal tissue. The device comprises a filling member and a pasty medicine. The filling member is made of a flexible and permeable wall and is provided with a holding portion and an injection port via which the pasty medicine is injected into the holding portion after the filling member is inserted into the animal tissue. The holding portion is provided with an opening which is releasably lashed by one end of one or more threads so as to make the opening leakproof. Upon completion of solidification of the pasty medicine in the holding portion of the filling member, other end of the thread is pulled to unlash the opening of the holding portion, thereby enabling the filling member to be extracted from the animal tissue so as to leave only the medicine in the animal tissue.
US08007493B2	Methods and devices for treating tissue The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
US08007492B2	Cannula for receiving surgical instruments A cannula (10) for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a tubular structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The tubular structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16). The expandable portion (40) of the tubular structure (12) has a slot (100) and a guide member (114) disposed in the slot. The guide member (114) is movable from a first end (102) of the slot (100) toward a second end (104) of the slot to enable the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) to increase. The expandable portion (40) has a stop (106) between the first and second ends (102 and 104) of the slot (100) engageable with the guide member (114) to retain the guide member in a position relative to the slot and resist movement of the guide member from the position relative to the slot.
US08007490B2	Reduced width dual-lumen catheter A dual-lumen catheter for use in a body vessel. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis and defining at least a first and a second lumen. The elongate shaft has a cross sectional width normal to the longitudinal axis and a webbing section disposed between the two lumens. The webbing section has a webbing length less than the cross sectional width to reduce a tendency of the shaft to bend perpendicular to the webbing length when the shaft is rotated.
US08007483B2	Ostomy bag filter with interactive surfaces An ostomy bag with a filter assembly having a gas filter and a pre-filter for preventing or delaying solid/semisolid matter and liquid from reaching the gas filter. The pre-filter is at least substantially flat and comprises a number of constrictions, such as ribs extending along and between two inner surface parts of the channel. These constrictions/ribs form narrower and wider passages where the gas may more quickly pass a narrow passage and where the wider passages tend to receive and hold the liquid, solid matter and semisolid matter. At least a part of one of the surfaces may comprise an interactive agent adapted to interact with the fluid passing through the gas channel.
US08007480B2	Delivery device, delivery container, and eye dropper provided with the same The present invention has an object to provide a delivery device that is capable of preventing a content liquid from flowing back and achieving aseptic delivery of liquid drop (dripping), and provide a delivery container, and an eye dropper that can eliminate or reduce the use of an antiseptic agent and achieve smooth delivery of the liquid. The delivery device 10 of the present invention comprises the outlet portion 11 of a substantially bottomed tubular shape having the outlet orifice 12, the valve element support portion 13 of substantially cylindrical shape that is secured in the outlet portion 11 with a distal end 13a thereof exposed through the outlet orifice 12 to the outside of the outlet portion 11, and a valve element 14 that is secured in the outlet portion 11 with a distal end 14a thereof exposed through the outlet orifice 12 to the outside of the outlet portion 11. The distal end 14a of the valve element makes contact with the valve element support portion 13 so as to close the outlet orifice 12 when there is no liquid pressure applied to the distal end portion from the upstream U, and deforms so as to form a flow passage between the distal end portion and the valve element support portion 13 when subjected to liquid pressure applied from the upstream U. The delivery container 30 of the present invention has the delivery device 10 installed at the mouth 31a of the squeeze bottle 31.
US08007479B2	Implantable injection port A surgical fastening system for implantable devices is disclosed. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.
US08007478B2	Portable type hygiene washer A portable type hygiene washer comprises bottle body, fixing cover, adjusting cap, dispense lever and valve device, wherein fixing cover being lockingly combined with bottle opening of bottle body is protrudingly made with a liquid dispense ring and a vent hole; the adjusting cap is centrally made with a liquid dispense hole thereon and is made with a positioning ring flange to be sleevedly combined with liquid dispense ring of the fixing cover; the dispense lever having several nozzle holes at front end thereof is lockingly engaged with the top section of adjusting cap; the valve device comprising a tube piece, a ball and a ball retainer with a ball being contained inside thereof is sleevedly affixed to bottom end of tube piece; as such to allow woman in menstruation to thoroughly cleanse vagina or to wash anal area after toilet use thereby achieving multiple useful results.
US08007477B2	Surgical access port and method of using same A surgical access port for insertion into a body cavity can have an elongate tubular body extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, and a tip at the distal end of the tubular body for penetrating through a body wall and into the body cavity. The distal tip moves from a first, penetrating position to a second, retaining position when the body wall has been traversed. The surgical access port may further comprise a seal housing connected to the proximal end of the tubular body, the seal housing having an access port providing an opening into the tubular body to allow passage of surgical instruments. The distal tip may be sharp, pointed or bladed. The distal tip may also be substantially blunt or have a conical surface. The access port may further comprise a retention member for connecting the tubular body and the distal tip.
US08007474B2	Implantable medical device with reversible attachment mechanism and method An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.
US08007473B2	Access assembly with multi-flapper design An apparatus for the reception of an instrument inserted through a surgical portal apparatus includes a valve mount, a major opening through the valve mount, a primary valve for selectively sealing the major opening, a minor opening through the primary valve, and a secondary valve for selectively sealing the minor opening. Components of both the major valve and the minor valve may be displaced to permit passage of a broad instrument, while components of only the secondary valve may be displaced to permit passage of a narrow instrument.
US08007472B2	Universal seal for use with endoscopic cannula A universal seal is shown with orbital movement of a center opening for use in endoscopic surgery. A two part seal housing encloses the universal seal in an annulus surrounding an insertion port. The outer periphery of the universal seal is clamped between the two parts at the outer edge of the annulus. An inner ring of the universal seal is free to move from side-to-side inside the annulus while maintaining rubbing contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the annuluses for vertical support. The seal housing and universal seal are mounted on a proximal end of a cannula which allows access therethrough for the endoscopic surgery. The center opening of the universal seal is in general alignment with the insertion port of the seal housing, but the center opening and inner ring may move from side to side when medical instruments are inserted through the insertion port, the center opening, and the cannula and moved from side to side.
US08007471B2	Medical instrument with laterally displaceable seal A medical instrument has a cannula, a seal disposed in said cannula, said seal has an opening for guiding a shaft of another instrument through said seal in a sealed manner. An expansion device serves for expanding said opening in said seal. Said expansion device has an expansion cone comprising a plurality of slats mounted pivotably on an annular body at a first end, a second end of said slots opposite to said first end being connected to said seal in an area of said opening. A flexible casing structure is provided accommodating said seal and said expansion device.
US08007470B2	Minimally invasive medical device and method for delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents into a vessel wall The invention relates to minimally invasive device for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents into a vessel wall. The device includes an introducer tube, a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen extending therebetween, the tubular member being slidably disposed within the introducer tube; a plurality of hollow delivery struts, each delivery strut adapted to pierce through inner most layers of the vessel wall and each comprising at least one exit port and at least one stopper to prevent the delivery strut from piercing through the outer most layers of the vessel wall. The delivery struts are disposed on the distal end of the tubular member and are in fluid communication with the first lumen. The invention also relates to methods of delivering the device of this invention and methods of treating conditions or diseases of body lumens.
US08007469B2	Medical instrument inserter A catheter system for positioning an instrument within a body that includes a hub defining a lumen therethrough for passage of the instrument toward the body. The catheter system also includes an elongate tubular member defining a lumen therethrough. The lumen of the elongate tubular member is in communication with the lumen of the hub for further passage of the instrument toward the body. The system also includes a slitter member that is coupled to the hub. The slitter member is disposed to slit the elongate tubular member as the elongate tubular member moves relative to the hub.
US08007466B2	System and method for delivering fluid into flexible biological barrier A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles (12) inserted into the biological barrier (14) is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles (12) project from a relief surface (16) which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region (18, 26) of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region (18, 26) is brought into contact with the biological barrier (14) and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary (20) between a stretched portion (22) and a non-stretched portion (24) of the barrier. Typically concurrently with this motion, the microneedles (12) penetrate into the flexible biological barrier such that, at the end of the motion, the microneedles extend into the flexible biological barrier from the boundary region (20) in a direction towards the non-stretched portion (24). Fluid is then injected through the bores of the hollow microneedles towards non-stretched portion.
US08007464B2	Tissue approximation device A medical device includes a first catheter; a second catheter slidably disposed within the first catheter; a first expansible member disposed about the first catheter; a second expansible member disposed about the second catheter; and a locking mechanism for interlocking the first catheter and the second catheter to prevent relative movement between the first catheter and the second catheter. The first expansible member and the second expansible member are structured so as to approximate a first vessel and a second vessel.
US08007459B2	Ocular implant with anchoring mechanism and multiple outlets Devices and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One ocular implant, has a substantially straight, rigid, elongate body. The body has a self-trephinating distal portion that narrows toward a distal end, and at least one inlet that communicates with at least one inner lumen that communicates with a plurality of outlets. The lumen has a sufficient length to extend from an anterior chamber of an eye to a physiologic outflow pathway. An anchor member extends from the implant.
US08007452B2	Medical slings A medical sling made from material that is suitably shaped for use in a medical application has sides, portions of which are smoothed to prevent abrasion of surrounding tissue.
US08007450B2	Systems, devices, and methods for interpreting movement According to some exemplary embodiments, a method or system can involve associating a plurality of biokinetographic comparison results with a first specific dysfunction from a group of specific dysfunctions, each of the biokinetographic comparison results obtained from a comparison of a biokinetographic value to a standard for a corresponding biokinetographic variable.
US08007448B2	System and method for performing arthroplasty of a joint and tracking a plumb line plane A method of performing an arthroplasty of a ball and socket joint with a surgical navigation system includes the step of digitizing landmarks to provide geometrical parameters of the joint and a limb depending there from, including digitizing aspects of a socket region of the ball and socket joint. A range of motion parameter is determined. A soft tissue tension parameter is determined. A functional goal is computed based on landmark data, the range of motion parameter, the soft tissue tension parameter, and a database of potential implants. An optimal socket position is solved for to minimize impingement of potential implants. An implant is chosen based on the optimal socket position and the functional goal. The joint is prepared to receive the chosen implant. The chosen implant is installed into the joint.
US08007445B2	Analytical aid The present invention relates to an analytical aid comprising a base body, a lancet and a test element. The base body comprises two subsidiary bodies hingedly connected to one another, the first subsidiary body carrying the lancet with lancet tip, and the second subsidiary body carrying the test element with test field and a sample application site. In an unused position of the analytical aid, the subsidiary bodies are arranged substantially in a common plane and the lancet is protected by a seal connected to the first subsidiary body and is separated from the test field of the test element. The two subsidiary bodies are pivotable relative to one another out of the common plane and the seal is openable so that the lancet tip is released for use.
US08007444B2	Catheters with fluorescent temperature sensors A catheter with a fluorescent temperature sensor is shown and described. The catheter includes a lumen, a fiber-optic cable that extends through the lumen. A distal end of the fiber-optic cable is coated with a fluorescent material and a proximal end of the fiber-optic cable is connected to a console. The console includes a light source for transmitting light through the fiber-optic cable for exciting the fluorescent material. The console further includes a photo multiplier tube for converting light emitted by the excited fluorescent material to a plurality of analogue voltage signals. The console further includes a digital oscilloscope linked to the photo multiplier tube for converting the plurality of analogue voltage signals to at least one digital signal. The console further includes a processor linked to the digital oscilloscope for converting the at least one digital signal to a temperature value for the distal end of the fiber-optic cable.
US08007441B2	Pulse oximeter with alternate heart-rate determination A pulse oximeter which determines multiple heart rates, and selects between them based on the metrics of only one of the heart rate calculations. A primary heart rate calculation method is selected, and is used unless its metrics indicate questionable accuracy, in which case an alternative rate calculation is available and is used instead.
US08007438B2	Ultrasound probe and ultrasound elasticity imaging apparatus An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe which transmits/receives an ultrasound wave with respect to a subject to be diagnosed, an ultrasound wave transmit section which transmits an ultrasound wave for driving the ultrasound probe, a pressing section which applies an external pressure to the subject, a displacement measuring section which obtains two tomographic image data different in time series from a reflected echo signal received from the ultrasound probe and measures a displacement of each part in the subject based on the two tomographic image data, an image generating section which generates an elastic image from elasticity information based on the displacement of each part measured by the displacement measuring section, and a display section which displays the generated elastic image. Further, a pressing decision section decides whether or not the pressing operation by the pressing section is proper.
US08007437B2	Method and apparatus for interactive 4-dimensional (4D) virtual endoscopy A method of performing 4-dimensional virtual endoscopy includes acquiring a sequence of cardiac images of a patient's heart from an imaging device; acquiring an electrocardiographic signal exhibiting cardiac cycles of the heart; and utilizing the electrocardiographic signal to gate the images for deriving respective 3-dimensional views in succession at corresponding cardiac cycles, from respective cardiac images at a selected phase point common to each of the corresponding cardiac cycles.
US08007430B2	Apparatus and method for treating female urinary incontinence The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra, the implant comprising a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors that do not penetrate the lower abdominal wall and are attached at either side of the suburethral support. The soft tissue anchors retain each anchor in soft tissue, suspending each side of the suburethral support. The suburethral support passes under the urethra to support the urethra. The implant has uses including treating urinary incontinence and uterovaginal prolapse.
US08007421B2	Trunk rotation This trunk rotation device uses dynamic movement of one's body such as, shoulder, hip, knee, back, thigh, and abdominal musculature. The device provides a method for exercising the spinal column and the muscles of the torso, including those in the abdominal lumbar and thoracic regions involving rotational torque. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a golf exercise and flexibility apparatus. The golf exercise apparatus provides resistance to a golfer during a golf swing to strengthen and condition the muscles of the axial skeleton of the golfer in a functional posture.
US08007420B2	Portable exercise device and system including same A portable exercise device. The portable exercise device includes a recoil assembly, a clutch assembly, an adjustable resistance assembly, a housing assembly, and a flexible cable member. The clutch assembly is coupled to the recoil assembly. The adjustable resistance assembly is coupled to the clutch assembly. The housing assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defines and opening therethrough and surrounds the recoil assembly and the clutch assembly. The second portion is rotatably coupled to the first portion, defines a configured projection, and surrounds the adjustable resistance assembly. The flexible cable member is coupled to the recoil assembly, and extends through the opening defined by the first portion of the housing assembly.
US08007415B1	Adjustable dumbbell and system An adjustable weightlifting device having selectable weights. The adjustable weightlifting device allows users to select a desired number of weight plates, and then couples the selected weight plates to retention members disposed in the handle of the device.
US08007411B2	Apparatus for positioning a component of an exercise device An exercise device including at least one positionable component configured to be positioned by a user. The exercise device includes a frame to which a collar is mounted. The positionable component includes a member slidably received within the collar that may be positioned therein by sliding. A locking assembly is coupled to the collar and operable to lock the member in a selected position within the collar, release the member from the locked position, and when released, allow the member to slide within the collar. The locking assembly includes a cam pivotably mounted to the collar and a cam follower assembly selectively biased by the cam against a portion of the member disposed inside the collar. The locking assembly also includes a pair of engagement members disposed inside the collar opposite the cam. The engagement members are moveable relative to one another and biased by the cam against member.
US08007408B1	Treadmill speed control system A treadmill apparatus having a non-motorized tread, a sensor for sensing a parameter indicative of the tread speed, and a controller operatively connected to an angle adjustment mechanism to increase and decrease the angle of the tread. During operation of the treadmill, the controller compares the speed of the tread to a target speed, and based on the comparison, adjust the angle of the tread so that the operator's weight will adjust the speed of the tread.
US08007406B2	Complete body fitness machine A “Complete Body Fitness Machine” that provides for a muscle building workout as well as a cardiovascular workout for the total body consists generally of an adjustable seat and two arms on either side, which are adjustable in height and have an infinitely and independently variable resistance possible in either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The arms are designed to have several types of mechanisms attached, so as to be able to work with a variety of body parts including, but not limited to, hands, arms, legs, feet, torso, neck and shoulders. When the proper attachment is used, the resistance for each direction of rotation of the arm is set, and the exercise is conducted. Depending on the workout desired, the seat and arms could be adjusted to different positions as well as the seat can be free-moving. This, combined with the fact that the arms can rotate 360-degrees, allows the user to simulate rotational cardiovascular exercises such as cycling, rowing, rotation of the arms in a circular motion (similarly to how the legs rotate in the cycling motion), and even running. The two independent arms are infinitely and separately adjusted for resistance in either rotational direction. This means that the body's natural design of using opposing muscle groups such as the bicep and triceps to bend and straighten the arm can be not only be utilized, but also maximized for efficiency of operation and workout.
US08007405B2	Rehabilitation and exercise machine An improved rehabilitation and exercise machine is provided which allows a person with physical limitations, disabilities or chronic conditions to use the machine in order to rehabilitate their muscles, improve joint flexibility, and enhance cardiovascular fitness.
US08007404B2	Transmission shift signal for aftertreatment device control Discontinuous torque ratio shifts by a transmission can result in complex transient exhaust conditions that can adversely affect exhaust air-fuel ratio control, which can result in ineffective regeneration. In extreme cases, the result can be irreversible damage to exhaust system components. The inventors' concept is to alter either regeneration scheduling or shift scheduling to avoid shifting while regenerating.
US08007403B2	Work vehicle having hydraulic stepless speed changing apparatus A work vehicle includes a hydraulic stepless speed changing apparatus and a gear type speed changing apparatus operable to receive output from the hydraulic stepless speed changing apparatus to convert it into a plurality of stages of speed. A return oil passage connected to a high-pressure side circuit of the hydraulic stepless speed changing apparatus is connected to a hydraulic tank. The return oil passage incorporates an unload valve and a throttle valve, between which an operably coupling mechanism is provided. This operably coupling mechanism switches over the unload valve to an unload condition in response to an operational displacement of a brake operating member for operating a brake to its braking side.
US08007402B2	Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle drive system A control apparatus for a drive system of a hybrid vehicle including (a) an engine, (b) an electrically controlled differential portion which has a first electric motor, and a differential mechanism operatively connected to the engine and the first electric motor and a differential state of which is controlled by controlling an operating state of the first electric motor, (c) a mechanical transmission portion constituting a part of a power transmitting path, and (d) a second electric motor connected to a power transmitting path between the electrically controlled differential portion and a drive wheel of the hybrid vehicle, the control apparatus including a control portion which is operable when a terminal portion of a shifting action of the mechanical transmission portion and a starting operation of the engine overlap each other, the control portion being configured to implement one of the shifting action and the starting operation prior to the other.
US08007398B2	Multi-speed transmission having at least ten speed ratios A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.
US08007397B2	Multi-speed transmission An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either brakes or clutches. Eight forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse are achieved by engaging various combinations of the brakes and clutches.
US08007396B2	Planetary transmission having common carrier for generating six forward and two reverse drive ratios An automatic transmission includes a first planetary gearset having a first planet pinion set rotatably supported on a common carrier and drivingly engaged with a first sun gear and a first composite gear that acts both as a first ring gear and a second sun gear. A second planetary gearset includes a second planetary pinion set rotatably supported on the common carrier and drivingly engaged with a third sun gear, the first composite gear and a second composite gear that acts both as a second ring gear and a third ring gear. A third planetary gearset has a third planet pinion set rotatably supported on the common carrier and drivingly engaged with a third sun gear and the second composite gear. A series of nested clutches and multiple bakes are employed to establish six forward speed ratios and one reverse ratio using a single carrier.
US08007392B2	Automatic transmission A second clutch (C2) which couples a carrier (Cr) of the compound planetary gear set (6) to a speed ring gear (Rf) of the single planetary gear set (5) is arranged between the single planetary gear set (5) and the compound planetary gear set (6). Then, a first clutch (C1) which couples a second sun gear (Sr2) of the compound planetary gear set (6) to a carrier (Cf) of the single planetary gear set (5), and a third clutch (C3) which couples a sun gear (Sr1) of the compound planetary gear set (6) to carrier (Cf) of the single planetary gear set (5) are arranged at the side of the compound planetary gear set (6) opposite to the single planetary gear set (5).
US08007389B2	Heavy object turning apparatus A technique of a heavy object turning apparatus that is compact, is enabled to reduce the distance between the center of gravity of a heavy object and a pivot positioned on an axis, and is configured so that a turning arm and a drive unit has a length in the direction of an axis passing through the pivot around which the heavy object is turned. A control unit fixes a support base onto a stand. An orthogonal axis reduction gear serves as an anterior reduction gear and has a configuration in which an output shaft is on an axis of a planetary gear type reduction gear serving as the posterior reduction gear. An input shaft is perpendicular to the axis. The orthogonal reduction gear is constituted by a hypoid reduction gear or a worm-geared reduction gear. A motor is disposed on the bottom surface of the orthogonal reduction gear.
US08007385B2	Sliding contact guide for transmission device In a sliding contact chain guide of the kind used in the timing transmission of an internal combustion engine, the back of the guide shoe, which engages a metal guide base, is formed with two, spaced longitudinal ribs, having between them a set of ribs formed in a lattice. The longitudinal ribs are wider than the ribs of the lattice.
US08007383B2	Low profile rear derailleur A bicycle rear derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member that supports a chain guide including a pulley that rotates around a pulley axis, and a linking member coupled between the base member and the movable member so that the chain guide moves laterally relative to the base member between a first lateral position and a second lateral position. Examples of features include the linking member being coupled to the base member through separate pivot pins, the linking member straddling the base member, and the base member having link coupling projections with different thicknesses.
US08007380B2	Racket with moveably mounted bridge The disclosure relates to a racket for ball games, and in particular, a tennis or squash racket, with a head region for receiving a stringing defining a stringing plane, a grip portion for holding the racket, and a heart region wherein the heart region has two arms and a bridge. The bridge may be pivot-mounted on both arms relative to an axis substantially perpendicular to the stringing plane. The present disclosure further relates to a method for manufacturing a racket including the step of manufacturing a racket frame with a head region, two arms, and a grip portion in a blow molding process. The method may also include manufacturing a bridge for a racket frame in the blow molding process. The method may further include connecting the bridge with the remaining racket frame.
US08007379B1	Tennis racket with adjustable balance and method for using the same This invention provides a racket that allows for the adjustability of balance within the structure of the racket. The racket's adjustment mechanism and its function are easy to use and optimize any player's game. The adjustment mechanism resides in the handle in a manner that does not substantially (or in any way) alter the aerodynamic profile of the racket or affect its usability by providing unwanted external structures. Rather a movable mass/weight is contained within a hollow space of the handle and can be moved upwardly and downwardly along the handle using a guide mechanism and fixing or locking structure that can be illustratively activated by rotating a knob at the lower end of the racket handle (or by another low-profile external trigger). This can comprise a shaft with a thread or key that engages a corresponding thread or key slot on the mass/weight. The knob can include an indexing mechanism that facilitates rotatable restraint and/or alignment of the knob when not in use.
US08007370B2	Metal injection molded putter The present invention relates to a method for forming golf club head using metal injection molding and the resulting golf club head. The method of the invention allows for a lower volume of powdered metal than current metal injection molding processes thereby decreasing overall production cost.
US08007369B2	Golf club head with stiffening and sound tuning composite member A golf club head with sound tuning composite members forming at least a portion of the surface of the golf club head is disclosed herein. The composite members being a composite layer made out of a sandwiched core layer that is interposed inside the midsection of the composite member to provide vibration damping and sound tuning characteristics.
US08007368B2	Methods, apparatus, and systems to identify address position of golf club heads Embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems to identify address position of golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08007367B2	Miniature radar for measuring club head speed and tempo A golf club head swing timing device that uses radar to measure the duration of a golf swing. Club head speed measurement is also provided. The details of the disclosed embodiments include the ability of detecting the start and end of a golf swing, and to do so from information from the radar signal. Preferably, RF Doppler radar is used. Various modes of use and display are provided.
US08007362B2	Method of displaying multiple kinds of independently processed display data A terminal apparatus executes different kinds of network games provided by a server group. The user of the terminal apparatus can register other users who become acquainted with the user through network games in a friend list provided for each user. While the terminal device runs different game programs for different kinds of games, the terminal apparatus runs a common friend list program regardless of the game types. When the display of a game image is set to a window mode, the friend list program displays a friend list in a friend list window that is set separate from a game window. When the display of a game image is set to a full-screen mode, the friend list program displays a friend list synthesized with the game image in the form of a semi-transparent image.
US08007361B2	Facilitating a flat rate play session with a parallel game A gaming device adapted to operate in a flat rate play mode has two credit meters. The first credit meter shows a credit balance associated with the flat rate play session. The second credit meter shows a concurrent credit balance associated with a parallel transactional play session. The player may cash out the balance of one, but not both credit meters.
US08007360B2	Gaming machine A gaming machine according to one embodiment of the invention has a rotating reel display device that variably displays a plurality of kinds of identification information required for a game, and a transmissive image display device 30 to enable symbol information of the rotating reel display device to be visually recognized. The transmissive image display device 30 has a liquid crystal panel 34 that displays an image, and a light guide plate 37 that is provided on the back side of the display panel 34 and that irradiates the display panel while having display windows 37L, 37C and 37R formed therein to cause the symbol information of the rotating reel display device to be visually recognized, and prism sheets 40, each of which deflects the introduced light introduced to inside the light guide plate 37 toward the vertex area of the rotating reel, are provided in frame portions 37L, 37C and 37R of the display windows.
US08007355B2	Electronic roulette-type betting device having different odds at different points in time An electronic roulette-type betting device and method is disclosed. The device comprises a display unit and an associated display control unit for the graphic reproduction of a roulette bowl device together with a rotating ball, at least one input unit for inputting symbols on which to bet, a time control unit for setting time limits for the betting process, said limits being reproducible on the display unit as ball rotating limits by means of the display control unit, an odds determining module that determines different winning odds for the individual symbols according to the pre-defined time limits supplied by the time control unit, a random generator for producing and transmitting random variables as winning symbols, and a comparison and evaluation unit for comparing the symbols bet on with winning symbols, and for determining and displaying wins in the event of a correlation of the symbols.
US08007354B2	Method and system for fixed odds exotic and straight betting with pari-mutuel rules The system and method disclosed facilitates betting that allows the punter, bettor or wagerer to know the exact current odds and specify the minimum fixed odds and/or payout that will be received on a successful bet if the wager is accepted, while also assuring that the betting pool created is a true pari-mutuel. The disclosed system and method also guarantees that there will always be at least one winner of the betting pool regardless of the number, pattern and distribution of the bets placed. The system's features, in ensemble, make horse race wagering a much more analytic sport, where betting skills bring significant rewards. It elevates horse race wagering to a level where risk can be properly evaluated in terms of potential gain and maximizes the likelihood that a bet will be accepted at the most favorable odds possible. The present invention defines the winner of the pool as the bet that “most correctly” selects the winning combination from among the bets entered into the pool, which might not necessarily be the actual winning combination in the race(s). Determining the most correct punter ensures there is a winner from among the bets placed.
US08007352B2	Outside air introduction grill for inducting natural convection in air influx room The present invention discloses that outside air flows into an APU room by using a difference in pressure of the inside and the outside of the APU room during driving of a bus to induct a natural convection in the APU room and thus cool an air drier provided in the APU room, and is discharged from the APU room. Accordingly, an increase in temperature of air drier is prevented and the high temperature compressed air generated in compressor is subjected to active heat exchanging in respects to the outside while passing through air drier, thereby preventing formation of moisture according to a change in temperature of the compressed air.
US08007350B2	Apparatus for the payout of coins from a pair of neighbouring coin tubes An apparatus for the payout of coins from a pair of neighbouring coin tubes, in which one stack of coins at a time is supported on the bottom of a coin tube, with a payout disc below the coin tubes, which is rotatably mounted around an axis parallel to the axis of the coin tubes and which has a payout element on the side facing the coin tubes, which is moved along a curved slit in the bottom of the respective coin tube in an angular rotation of the payout disc, in order to capture the respective lowermost coin and to push it out, with an electric drive motor for the payout disc and a control device, which triggers the drive motor such that departing from a rest position, the payout disc is rotated at option about a limited rotational angle up to a final position, and is consecutively turned back into the rest position, wherein the payout disc has an extension in the rotational direction by which the stack of coins rests on the payout element in the final position of the payout disc, characterised in that on the lower side of the payout disc a stopper element is provided, which co-operates near the final positions with one dead stop at a time, the payout disc has a first mark on the side opposite to the stopper element which is detectable by two sensors arranged side by side, the payout disc has further one second mark at a time at both sides of the stopper element which is detectable by a sensor, wherein the second marks are situated in the region of the sensor when the payout disc is in one of the final positions, and the sensors are connected to the control device and the control device reduces the speed of the drive motor when one of the second marks reaches the sensor which is the first one in the rotational direction and reverses its rotational direction when it reaches the second sensor.
US08007348B2	Tools and methods for making and using tools, blades and methods of making and using blades, and machines for working on work pieces Methods and apparatus for making and using tools, for example concrete cutting blades, may use laminations. They may also include inserts, such as structural inserts, damping inserts and fluid flow elements. Fluid flow elements may include a tube, a transition element including an inlet fitting, a fluid pressure containment structure inserted into the channel of the blade, an added material resistant to effects of the fluid including plastics, coatings and films, and other structures. Additional nozzle structures may be included. Methods and apparatus for making and using tools including concrete cutting blades having improved damping characteristics may include inserts, plugs and other structures, including those made from materials softer or more ductile than the tool material. Methods and apparatus for making and using tools including concrete cutting blades having improved flow directing capabilities may include inserts or other structures having vanes, foil structures, fluid diverting surfaces, baffles or other structures for affecting fluid flow in the area of the tool.
US08007343B1	Bust support A bust support device utilizing a pillow member having a top, a bottom, and a pair of curving side portions to permit the pillow to be placed in the cleavage area of the bust. The side portions adjoining the bottom of the pillow underlie the breasts. The pillow may be supported to a garment worn by the user, or directly to the torso of the user by a pair of straps.
US08007342B2	Exercise or toy foam sword and method of making same A foam sword having a sword blade made from a flexible, soft foam material having a blade-shaped, generally constant cross-section with a major dimension and a minor dimension is provided, having blade edges defined in a direction of the major dimension. The blade has first and second ends, and a longitudinally extending opening extends therethrough from the first end to the second end. The blade includes a reinforcing rod that extends partially therethrough from the first end to provide some rigidity and to which the sword handle is connected, and a plug closes the opening in the second end of the foam sword blade to present a sword-like appearance.
US08007338B2	Construction system and applications thereof A construction system includes a plurality of construction elements having body member and a plurality of coupling members, each of said coupling members having an exterior portion and an interior locking device of hermaphroditic type. The interior locking device includes protrusions and a receiving block. A first coupling member belonging to one construction element can interlock with a second coupling member belonging to another element, so that the protrusions of the first coupling member resiliently deflect away from each other and subsequently retract, and settle, into provided recesses in the receiving block of the second element. Concurrently, the protrusions of the second coupling member settle into corresponding recesses in the receiving block of the first coupling member. Applications of the construction system in toy construction sets, construction puzzles and board games are provided.
US08007334B2	Display panel and manufacturing method of display panel A manufacturing method of a display panel including a light emitting element including a first electrode, a carrier transporting layer constituted of at least one layer and a second electrode so as to layer the first electrode, the carrier transporting layer and the second electrode, and the manufacturing method includes forming the first electrode in a predetermined region on a substrate, forming an opening from which only a predetermined region of the first electrode is exposed by patterning an insulation film by carrying out an etching after forming the insulation film on the substrate including the first electrode and forming the carrier transporting layer at least on the first electrode which is exposed from the opening.
US08007326B2	Connector capable of suppressing board—induced contact damage A connector capable of preventing a contact portion of a contact from being damaged. The contact is held by a housing having an accommodating portion for accommodating an inserting portion of an inverter board. The contact has a contact portion which is capable of being brought into contact with the inserting portion accommodated in the accommodating portion along the direction of the thickness of the inverter board. A slider which brings the contact portion of the contact into and out of contact with the inserting portion of an inverter board by sliding is slidably mounted on the housing.
US08007324B2	Electrical connector with improved fastening device An electrical connector includes a housing located in the front of the electrical connector, a plurality of contacts received in the housing, a plurality of cables connected to the contacts, and a cover assembled on the housing. The housing further includes a base portion, a mating portion frontward extending from the base portion and defining a mating direction, and a fastening portion rearward extending from the base portion. The fastening portion includes a bottom surface defining an inclined plane, and an angle is formed between the horizontal plane and the inclined plane.
US08007312B2	Modular test plug A modular test plug assembly is disclosed having a design which may be arranged in a plurality of different configurations. The test plug assembly includes a plurality of modules, having blades for insertion into a test switch assembly. The modules are positioned in a stacked arrangement and are secured together by end plates and a rod extending therebetween.
US08007307B2	Connector with fastening and extension plates for fastening cover thereof to body thereof A connector is provided. The connector includes a connector body, a signal transmitting unit, a cover, a fastening plate, and an extension plate. The connector body has side walls to enclose an assembly hole. The signal transmitting unit is disposed in the assembly hole. The cover has a first end, a second end, and a first pivot and is disposed outside the assembly hole. The first end and the first pivot are disposed on two ends of a side case of the cover. The second end is opposite to the first end while the first pivot is axially connected to one side of the assembly hole. The fastening plate has a second pivot opposite and parallel to the first pivot. The second pivot axially connected to the side wall around the assembly hole. One end of the extension plate has a third pivot parallel to the first pivot and is rotatably connected to the fastening plate. The other end of the extension plate has a pressing portion to press the second end of the cover from outside to make the cover rotates toward the connector body and press the signal transmitting unit.
US08007302B2	Plug type connector The invention relates to a plug-type connector with a cable, which has at least one line, a contact carrier, which has at least one contact element, which is connected to the at least one line of the cable, and an encapsulation, which is injected around the cable and the contact carrier, wherein a sealing element for sealing the encapsulation off from the outer sheath of the cable is provided.
US08007296B2	Safety gates for electrical outlets A safety gate for selectively covering socket holes of an electrical outlet comprises an upper slide plate comprising an upper space with an upper recessed platform on a first side and an upper slant on an opposed side. A lower slide plate comprises a lower space with a lower slant on a first side and a lower recessed platform on an opposed side. The upper and lower spaces allow load plug pins to pass through, and the intervals of the spaces correspond to the interval of load plug pins. The upper slide plate is stacked with the lower slide plate to overlap the upper recessed platform with the lower slant and the upper slant with the lower recessed platform. The upper slide plate slides relative to the lower slide plate. Load plug pins slide along the inclined slopes of the upper and lower slants to slidingly displace the upper and lower slide plates a distance that is no less than the thickness of a pin.
US08007294B2	Connector A connector is provided which makes it possible to have the soldered states of contacts thereof checked or have itself removed with ease. A row formed by terminal portions of first and second signal contacts and terminal portions of ground contacts is disposed rearward in the fitting/removing direction with respect to rows formed by terminal portions of contacts for non-high-speed transmission. The terminal portions of contacts for non-high-speed transmission are disposed between the contact portions and terminal portions of the first and second signal contacts and the ground contacts. The terminal portions of the first and second signal contacts and the terminal portions of the ground contacts are formed to have a surface-mount type planar shape. The terminal portions of the contacts for non-high-speed transmission are each formed to have a through hole insertion-type pin shape.
US08007293B2	Grounding rebar connector Disclosed herein is an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a bolt member, a first connector member, and a second connector member. The bolt member has a general “U” shape. The first connector member includes a first surface, a second surface, and first openings. The second connector member includes second openings. The second connector member is a one-piece member. The first end and the second end of the bolt member extend through the first and second openings. The electrical connector is adapted to receive a bar member between the bolt member and the first connector member. The electrical connector is adapted to receive an electrical conductor between the first connector member and the second connector member. The first surface of the first connector member is adapted to electrically contact the bar member. The second surface of the first connector member is adapted to electrically contact the electrical conductor.
US08007288B2	Apparatus for connecting a multi-conductor cable to a pin grid array connector An apparatus for connecting a multi-conductor cable of a first device to a pin grid array connector of a second device, wherein said apparatus comprises a first printed circuit board (PCB) for terminating the conductors of the cable, which are connected to a first PCB surface mounted connector mounted on the first PCB. The first PCB surface mounted connector is mated with a second PCB surface mounted connector mounted on a second PCB, on which a PCB surface mounted socket grid array is also mounted for mating to the pin grid array connector of the second device. This apparatus allows the same (i.e., standardized) multi-conductor cable with the same first PCB and the same first PCB surface mounted connector to be used regardless of what style connector is used by the second device.
US08007287B1	Connector system having contact overlapping vias An electronic connector system includes an electronic package and an interposer connector assembly. The electronic package has a body with a conductive member disposed on a mating surface of the body. The conductive member is coupled with a conductive via that extends into the body and is oriented along a center axis. The interposer connector assembly includes a substrate with an elongated conductive pad mounted to the substrate and a contact joined to the conductive pad. The contact engages the conductive member when the electronic package mates with the interposer connector assembly such that the center axis extends through the contact.
US08007285B2	Circuit device and manufacturing method therefor A circuit device is made smaller in higher. The circuit device includes a wiring substrate, a first circuit element, and a second circuit element. The circuit substrate includes an insulating resin layer, a wiring layer provided on a main surface of the insulating resin layer, and a wiring layer provided on the other main surface of the insulating resin layer. The wiring layer includes first interconnectors to which the first circuit element connects, and wiring portions. The film thickness of the first interconnector is made thinner than that of the wiring portion. The wiring layer includes second interconnectors and wiring portions. The first interconnectors and the second interconnectors are connected through the medium of conductors.
US08007283B2	Reorientable electrical receptacle There is provided systems and methods for a reorientable electrical outlet. In one embodiment, a system includes a housing configured to be coupled to an electrical power source, the housing having a first rotation stop, and an electrical plug receptacle, mountable within the housing, the insert having a second rotation stop, the first and second rotation stops configured to cooperate with each other to limit rotation of the insert within the aperture at a number of degrees, wherein the plug receptacle is configured to receive an electrical plug.
US08007281B2	Laparoscopic and endoscopic trainer including a digital camera with multiple camera angles A videoendoscopic surgery training system includes a housing defining a practice volume in which a simulated anatomical structure is disposed. Surgical instruments can be inserted into the practice volume to access the anatomical structure. A digital video camera is disposed within the housing to image the anatomical structure on a display. The position of the digital video camera is supported within the practice volume by a camera bracket that enables a position of the video camera relative to the bracket to be selectively changed, thereby changing a viewing angle achieved by the video camera. In one embodiment the camera bracket is coupled to a boom, a proximal end of which extends outside the housing to enable additional positioning of the digital video camera by user adjustment of the proximal end of the boom. The housing preferably includes a light source configured to illuminate the anatomical structure.
US08007274B2	Fuel nozzle assembly A fuel nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer nozzle body having a first end and a second end and at least one inner nozzle tube having a first end and a second end. One of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel plenum and a fuel passage extending therefrom, while the other of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel injection hole slidably aligned with the fuel passage to form a fuel flow path therebetween at an interface between the body and the tube. The nozzle body and the nozzle tube are fixed against relative movement at the first ends of the nozzle body and nozzle tube, enabling the fuel flow path to close at the interface due to thermal growth after a flame enters the nozzle tube.
US08007273B2	Premixing burner for generating an ignitable fuel/air mixture A premixing burner has a swirl generator with at least two burner shells (1) which jointly enclose an axia conically widening swirl space and delimit tangential air inlet slits (3) through which combustion supply air passes into the swirl space in which an axially propagating swirl flow is formed, and with fuel injection devices at least partially along the tangentially running air inlet slits (3). The fuel injection devices include a fuel line (6) separate from the burner shell (1) and which is firmly attached to the burner shell (1) so as to be longitudinally movable with respect to the burner shell (1) and releasable perpendicularly to the surface of the burner shell (1). In the burner shell (1), orifices (4) are provided, into which issue fuel injectors (7) which are provided along the fuel line (6) and which project beyond the circumferential edge of the fuel line (6).
US08007268B2	Clamp assembly for clamping injection molding component A clamp assembly includes a base, a clamp, a cutting blade, and a connecting shaft. The clamp includes a first claw pivotably connected to the base via a first rotating shaft, and a second claw movable relative to the first claw and pivotably connected to the base via a second rotating shaft. The cutting blade is coupled to an end of the second rotating shaft away from the clamp. The connecting shaft has one end fixed to the second claw and the other end fixed to the cutting blade for making the cutting blade capable of rotating along the second rotating shaft together with the second claw.
US08007267B2	System and method for making lab card by embossing In one aspect of the invention, systems, methods, and devices are provided for creating microfluidic and nanofluidic structures. In some embodiments, such systems, methods, and devices are used to create features with high aspect ratios in lab cards.
US08007266B2	Compression moulding apparatus An apparatus comprises: forming means movable along a first path for compression moulding doses of plastics; a plurality of transfer means for transferring said doses to said forming means; a plurality of arm means, each arm means being associated with a corresponding transfer means for moving said transfer means along a second path having a portion substantially coinciding with a further portion of said first path.
US08007265B2	Positioning mechanism for use in mold structure A positioning mechanism (24) for use in a mold structure (100) to position a film (30) within the mold structure is provided. The mold structure includes a core mold portion (10) and a cavity mold portion (20) mating with the core mold portion. The core mold portion includes a core plate (12) and a core insert (14) formed on the plate. The cavity mold portion includes a positioning mechanism having a moveable cavity insert (242) and an elastic member (244) for outwardly biasing the cavity insert.
US08007264B2	Positive displacement pump apparatus and method An improved positive displacement rotary pump apparatus and method is provided. The pump may include a front cover, a rotor body forming a chamber with the front cover, a gear case supporting a pair of hollow drive shafts, and a pair of rotors disposed in the chambers and each detachably mounted to one end of a respective hollow drive shaft via a stud that extends from the rotor through the hollow shaft to a fastener.
US08007259B2	Stator system The invention relates to an eccentric screw pump and a method for its operation. Unlike the previously known prior art, where changes to the internal geometry of the pump stator caused by wear were always remedied with radially acting clamping measures, the invention is based on bringing this about by a change in the length of the lining.
US08007256B2	Electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device An electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device in which a movable member is equipped with permanent magnets, resists a torque rotating the movable member about an axis thereof in the reciprocating direction. The electromagnetic reciprocating fluid device has a pair of electromagnets facing each other, and permanent magnets disposed in a space between the opposed electromagnets and held by a movable member. When an alternating current is applied to coils formed in the electromagnets, a magnetic force is generated between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets, whereby a driving force for reciprocation is applied to the movable member. One end of the movable member is connected to a piston of a first piston-cylinder assembly, while the other end is connected to a piston of a second piston-cylinder assembly. The first and second piston-cylinder assemblies are arranged such that an axis line of the first piston-cylinder assembly and an axis line of the second piston-cylinder assembly are non-coaxial and vertically offset from an axis of the movable member.
US08007255B2	Inverter-integrated electric compressor with inverter storage box arrangement An inverter-integrated electric compressor enhances vibration resistance of an inverter apparatus integrated with a housing without degrading cooling performance, reduction in weight, or the ease of assembly of the inverter apparatus. An inverter-integrated electric compressor has an inverter apparatus integrated with an inverter storage box of housing. The inverter apparatus includes a metal plate secured in an inverter storage box, a plurality of power semiconductor switching elements mounted on the metal plate, a power substrate on which a power-related control circuit for operating the power semiconductor switching elements is mounted, and a busbar assembly formed by integrating a plurality of busbars with an insulator. The metal plate includes a protrusion extending in a width direction perpendicular to a motor shaft direction of an electric motor.
US08007252B2	Wave powered pumping apparatus An apparatus is disclosed for an improved float type wave powered pump that uses the continuous rising and falling wave action in a body of water to pump a fluid. The pump includes piston and cylinder assemblies that are configured for relative reciprocal movement therebetween. One of the assemblies is anchored to the floor of the body of water and the other is vertically moveable in response to a drive float riding on a wave. The pump selectively includes a tide compensating device to reduce the ratio of vertical travel of the drive float to vertical travel of the moveable assembly. The pump also selectively includes a fluid inlet check valve incorporating a support plate of the piston assembly with openings therein and a cover for the same. The pump further selectively includes a directional pressure-activated seal at the point of sliding connection between the piston rod and the cylinder.
US08007251B2	Radial piston fuel supply pump A high pressure radial piston fuel pump is featured having an hydraulic head with two or three individual radial pumping pistons and associated pumping chambers, annularly spaced around a cavity in the head where a rotating eccentric drive member with associated actuation ring are situated. A rolling interaction is provided between the actuation ring and the inner ends of the pistons for intermittent actuation. Relative rotation is provided between the actuation ring and the drive member. Respective inlet and outlet valve trains are situated in the head. The head is attachable to a removable mounting plate, and the drive member is rigidly carried by a drive shaft that is supported by two bushings, one located in the mounting plate and the other in the hydraulic head.
US08007248B2	Engine speed dependent oil pump pressure regulation In an exemplary embodiment, the momentum of oil-containing air rotating with a crankshaft counterweight in an engine crankcase is converted to static pressure by blocking the flow and directing the resulting static pressure through an orifice to a vent chamber wherein the pressure acts against a cam ring of a variable displacement oil pump. The arrangement modifies the action of an oil pressure control by increasing the effective pump outlet pressure as a function of engine speed using relatively low cost modifications of the engine and oil pump. This pressure may also be used in various ways to modify the control functions of other devices.
US08007245B2	Shank shape for a turbine blade and turbine incorporating the same A turbine includes a turbine wheel having a plurality of buckets, each of the buckets including a bucket airfoil, a bucket dovetail to connect the bucket to a turbine wheel and a shank shape to connect the airfoil to the bucket dovetail, the shank having an uncoated nominal profile including a concave, pressure side, substantially in accordance with Cartesian values of X, Y and Z′ set forth in Table I wherein the Z′ values are non-dimensional values in a range from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z′ values by shank height in inches, and a convex, suction side, substantially in accordance with Cartesian values of X, Y and Z′ set forth in Table II wherein the Z′ values are non-dimensional values in a range from 0 to 1 convertible to Z distances in inches by multiplying the Z′ values by the shank height in inches. The X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define a shank profile section at each distance Z, the profile sections being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete shank shape.
US08007243B2	Blower including blades attached to a boss A blower that can reduce noise and enhance efficiency by improving a blade structure of the blower used for, for example, an outdoor equipment of an air conditioner. An impeller includes plural blades attached to a peripheral surface of a boss at intervals in a peripheral direction, and a trailing edge of the blade has a protrusion-shaped part in which its central part in a radial direction is curved to expand to a suction side. With such a structure, a discharge velocity of air can be made uniform along the radial direction of the blade, and it becomes possible to reduce noise and to enhance efficiency.
US08007241B2	Bi-directional cooling fan A radial fan comprises a base with a plurality of straight primary blades radially oriented and substantially uniformly spaced around the circumference of the base. A like plurality of splitter vanes are interspersed between successive primary blades. The splitter vanes have a length that is about 50-70% of the length of the primary blades. The inner edges of the splitter vanes are angled to improve airflow through the inlet area between primary blades while reducing the occurrence of vortices and recirculation. The addition of splitter vanes increases the airflow capacity of the fan without any significant increase in operating noise.
US08007240B2	Impeller of centrifugal fan and centrifugal fan disposed with the impeller An impeller of a centrifugal fan includes an end plate, a plurality of blades and an end ring. The blades include blade bodies that are annularly disposed around a shaft and fixed to the end plate. The blades further include blade covers that are attached to the blade bodies. The blade covers and the blade bodies form a hollow space. The end ring is disposed such that it sandwiches the plural blades between itself and the end plate in a shaft direction. The blade covers form at least part of negative-pressure surfaces.
US08007239B2	Cooling fan having protrusion at air outlet thereof A cooling fan (20) includes a housing (22) and an impeller (24). The housing has a base (221), a sidewall (222) extending from a periphery of the base with an air outlet (226) defined therein, and a cap (223) covering the sidewall. The impeller has a plurality of blades (242) rotatably received in the housing for generating an airflow. An air channel (225) is formed between tip portions of the blades and an inner face of the sidewall. The air outlet has a near section (226A) and a far section (226C). The airflow first reaches the near section and then the far section. The base of the housing has a protrusion (227) extending into the air outlet for guiding the airflow flowing towards the far section from the near section of the air outlet.
US08007238B2	Hanging fan with a ceiling mount structure A hanging fan with a ceiling mount structure includes a ceiling mount disc mounted to a ceiling, an external disc portion having a plurality of arc slots, a cover having a transversal extending portion, and a fixing portion disposed at the extending portion, such that the fixing portion of the cover is passed through the arc slot and fixed with the ceiling mount disc to form the hanging fan structure of the invention.
US08007237B2	Cooled airfoil component A gas turbine engine airfoil component having an airfoil body with a core cavity, an end opening in communication with the core cavity, and a wall having a plurality of cooling holes defined therein, each cooling hole being oriented such that the respective hole axis extends out of the core cavity through the end opening.
US08007236B2	Supporting system for suspended wind turbines In a preferred embodiment, a supporting system for suspended wind turbines placed in mountainous areas and cliff seashores. The system includes: substantially vertical support the turbine is attached to and a turbine coupled using a mechanism allowing a full-circle rotation of the turbine around the support. A carrying cable stretched over the ground carries downward vertical loads applied to the system, and a number of guy ropes, placed angularly to each other, carry applied wind loads. In the second and the third versions of the invention it is disclosed modifications of the main structural system for supporting vertical-axis wind turbines and the turbines placed in cliff seashore.
US08007235B1	Orthogonal power unit Orthogonal power unit contains a turbine with a shaft and blades of hydrofoil profile fixed around and along the shaft and the power generator. The turbine has six layers, and each layer has one blade fixed at the shaft. The blades of turbine layers are located uniformly in the peripheral direction around the turbine shaft forming three pairs of the adjacent blades. In each pair the blades are located at the opposite sides relative to the shaft, the blades in the utmost pairs have the same length L and the blades in the middle pair have the bigger length L0=L 20.25 each. The traverse masses of the middle and utmost blade pairs have the same ratio. The same balancing effect achieved by having the uniform length of all blades with the relative shift of balanced pairs of blades at 60° and with the uniform traverses masses.
US08007231B2	Flowing water energy device This device transforms the energy of flowing water into useable energy and includes one or more flow diversion structures, one or more paddlewheels, and one or more generators. A gearbox or transmission may be added to increase the rotational speed of the generators. A subsea cable can be included to transmit the electrical energy from device to shore.
US08007225B2	Cross flow fan An improved cross flow fan assembly applicable but not limited to a panel meter of fitness equipments includes: a housing and a cross flow fan made of plastic; a fan body, having symmetric circular flanges integrally formed on both lateral ends by plastic injection molding; two side covers, embedded into two circular flanges; and a shock absorption positioning member, installed at an external side of the right panel, and including: an axle center with a front section embedded into a bushing of the right cover and a rear section sheathed into a bearing, and a rubber pad, embedded into a circular hole of the right panel by its circular groove at the periphery for wrapping the bearing, so as to constitute a plastic cross flow fan module, and achieving a fast and convenient assembling and a vibration resisting effect, and the fan comes with a smooth operation to reduce noises.
US08007221B1	Lifting apparatus for remote controlled robotic device A retrofittable lifting apparatus for use on an articulated robotically controlled device is disclosed. The lifting apparatus includes a structure for mating the apparatus to the robotic device and a mechanism for the remotely controlled lifting of an ordnance or other object. Actuation of the lifting mechanism may be provided by existing sources of motion on the robotic device, or by additional sources of motion attached to the robotic device.
US08007219B1	Sweep tarp The sweep tarpaulin has an upper sheath, a bottom sheath and an intermediate sheath. An upper tube is housed in the upper sheath. A lower tube is housed in the bottom sheath. An intermediate tube is housed in the intermediate sheath. The sides of the tarpaulin engage the container side walls. Left and right resilient members hold the upper tube in a loading position. The bottom sheath and the lower tube are supported on a reciprocating floor slat conveyor. Cargo and the lower tube move toward the rear during unloading. The left and right resilient members are deformed to release the upper tube. A winch returns the upper tube to the cargo receiving position. The left and right resilient members are deformed when the upper tube returns.
US08007217B2	Arrangement for the backlining or the headbanding of a book block spine An arrangement performs backlining or headbanding of a spine of a book block conveyed on a conveying section of a book production line through a backlining station. A feeding device feeds backlining material in a transfer direction perpendicular to a book block conveying direction. A unit includes a cross cutter to cut the backlining material into backlining sections, a transfer mechanism to transfer the backlining sections onto the book block spine, and a support table to support the backlining section being transferred onto the book block spine. A guide element is disposed above and at a distance to a book block spine in a production position, which guide element is advanced to bridge the book production line to transfer the backlining material through the book production line to allow at least one of outfitting or retrofitting of the backlining station.
US08007209B2	Milling tool for the processing of workpieces by cutting A milling tool for the processing of workpieces by cutting is provided with multiple cutting flanks (3) and flutes (4) arranged in between these. The cutting flanks (3) have cutting edges (6) along the cutting side (5) of which bezels (10) are provided. At least one bezel (10) extending along a cutting edge (6) has an effective cutting angle (y2) that differs from the effective cutting angles (y2′, y2″, . . . ) of the bezels (10) extending along the further cutting edges (6). This asymmetric arrangement of the bezels (10) in a tool results in a calmer running of the tool which impacts the surface quality of the processed surface and results in a better serviceable life of the tool.
US08007207B2	Cutting tool with replaceable insert supporting cassette A cutting tool includes a cutting insert, the insert including a cutting edge. The cutting tool also includes a cassette including an insert clamp for clamping the insert relative to an abutment surface of the cassette, and a generally cylindrical base portion. The cutting tool also includes a tool holder body, the tool holder body having a cylindrical opening in which the base portion of the cassette is disposed. A cassette clamp including a wedge is provided for clamping the cassette relative to the tool holder body. The cutting edge extends beyond a periphery of the tool holder body when the insert is clamped relative to the abutment surface of the cassette and the cassette is clamped relative to the tool holder body.
US08007199B2	Dowel device with closed end speed cover Disclosed are a concrete dowel placement devices and a method of utilizing the same. A metallic stud is driven, screwed, or otherwise attached to a form. The stud may be a unitary structure, or may be a hollow tube with conventional fastening means such as nails and screws extending through and holding the hollow tube to the form. A cover having an interior compartment substantially equal in diameter to the stud is slidably placed thereon, and a first enclosed area is developed with a plurality of forms. Concrete is poured into the first enclosed area, and upon curing, the form and the stud are removed, leaving the cover embedded in the concrete. A metallic dowel is inserted into the cover, and a second enclosed area is developed with like configured forms. The metallic dowel extends into the second enclosed area. Upon pouring concrete into the second enclosed area, a cold joint is formed between the concrete of the first enclosed area and the concrete of the second enclosed area, supported and braced by the metallic dowel.
US08007196B2	Small handling pole locking assembly In various embodiments, the system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. Additionally, the system includes a locking nut including a body portion and a neck portion and is threadingly engaged with the male end portion. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly that includes a locking sleeve having an internal cavity such that the locking sleeve fits over the locking nut neck portion, and a biasing device located within the interior cavity of the locking sleeve for applying opposing forces to the locking nut and the locking sleeve.
US08007195B2	Writing implement with pivoting roller A writing implement that includes a body which extends longitudinally along a central axis Z; an ink reservoir, and a roller having a radial outer writing surface being located at one of the ends of the body, which is connected to the ink reservoir and is mounted so that it is able to rotate around the primary axis Y. The ink roller is also mounted so that it is able to pivot around a second axis X, which is perpendicular to the primary axis Y and the secondary axis X being secant to the primary axis Y.
US08007193B2	Laterally-actuated dispenser with one-way valve for storing and dispensing substances A dispenser for dispensing a substance, such as a pharmaceutical, ophthalmic, dermatological, cosmeceutical, cosmetic or other product, has a body with a variable-volume storage chamber for storing the product. A dispensing portion of the dispenser is connected with the body and has a compression chamber in fluid communication with the storage chamber for receiving substance therefrom, and an outlet aperture coupled in fluid communication with the compression chamber. A one-way valve of the dispenser includes an axially-extending valve seat and an axially-extending flexible valve cover seated on the valve seat and defining a normally-closed, axially-extending seam therebetween forming a fluid-tight seal between the valve cover and valve seat. The flexible valve cover is movable relative to the valve seat and the seam is connectable in fluid communication with the outlet aperture to allow the passage of substance through the seam and out of the dispenser.
US08007190B2	Tape drive and printing apparatus A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.
US08007188B2	Stabilized mount for, and method of, steadily supporting a motion-sensitive, image capture device A stabilized mount stably supports a motion-sensitive, image capture device, such as a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant, on a support surface, such as a tripod or analogous camera equipment. The device is operative for capturing an image over a field of view along an optical axis perpendicular to an image plane. The mount includes a holder for holding the device during image capture, and a fixed base integral with the holder and lying in a base plane perpendicular to the image plane when the base is supported by the support surface in a supported orientation. The base is operative for steadily positioning the holder and the device on the support surface in the supported orientation during the image capture.
US08007182B2	Asymmetrical triple-row anti-friction bearing The invention relates to an anti-friction bearing comprising a first bearing race, a second bearing race and a plurality of anti-friction bodies that are located between the first bearing race and the second bearing race. According to the invention, the anti-friction bearings are arranged in several rows, which are asymmetrical in the longitudinal direction of the anti-friction bearing in relation to any plane that runs perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction of the anti-friction bearing.
US08007180B2	Sealing arrangement The invention relates to a sealing arrangement that seals at least one radial intermediate space between at least one inner bearing ring and at least one outer bearing ring. Said sealing arrangement comprises at least one first support that supports at least one elastic seal and a second support which supports at least one encoder located outside the intermediate space. The encoder is radially oriented towards at least one sensor that is disposed above the encoder in a radially outward direction.
US08007178B2	Bearing materials and method for the production thereof A plain bearing and a method for the production thereof is described, the method being for the deposition on a substrate of a layer of material having a metallic matrix, the method comprising the steps of: producing a powder of a desired aluminium-based alloy composition having a predetermined oxide content; depositing said aluminium alloy powder onto a bearing substrate by a metal spraying technique.
US08007173B2	Calibration of imaging geometry parameters Some embodiments include determination of a first projection image of a phantom based on first imaging geometry parameters associated with a first radiation-based imaging system and on a virtual model of the phantom, acquisition of a second projection image of the phantom based on radiation emitted from the first radiation-based imaging system, the phantom located at a first position and determination of a difference between the first projection image and the second projection image. Second imaging geometry parameters are determined based on the first imaging geometry parameters and the difference between the first projection image and the second projection image, a third projection image of the phantom is determined based on the second imaging geometry parameters and on the virtual model of the phantom, and a fourth projection image of the phantom located at the first position is acquired based on radiation emitted from the first radiation-based imaging system. A difference between the third projection image and the fourth projection image is determined and it is determined that the difference between the third projection image and the fourth projection image is less than a threshold.
US08007172B2	Imager based object positioner system and method An apparatus and a method for guiding the placement of an object to a desired location based on an image generated by an image intensifier where the apparatus includes a first coupling mechanism that is configured to be releasably attachable to one of the transmitter and receiver of the image intensifier and a second coupling mechanism that is coupled to the first coupling mechanism and includes an object holding mechanism, the object holding mechanism is configured to releasably hold the object and where at least a portion of the second coupling mechanism is visible in the image generated by the image intensifier when the apparatus is attached to the image intensifier.
US08007170B2	Electronic sensor and method for the manufacture of a sensor The present invention relates to an electronic sensor, particularly an inductive sensor, comprising a casing sleeve, a sensor element for measuring a physical measurand, the sensor element being placed at a measurement end of the casing sleeve, an electronic module located in the casing sleeve and a connector, which is placed on a connection end of the casing sleeve opposite to the measurement end. According to the invention, the sensor is characterized in that the casing sleeve is provided with a plastic internal lining, which is closed at the measurement end of the casing sleeve and that the internal lining extends to the casing sleeve connection end to such an extent that the connector is in a sealing engagement with the internal lining. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a sensor.
US08007160B2	Display device, image forming apparatus having the same, and light guide for display device Disclosed are a light guide which distributes light, transmitted from a light source, uniformly to a light emission surface of the light guide, and a display device and an image forming apparatus using the light guide. The light guide includes a light incidence part having a diffusion structure diffusing light, a reflecting surface reflecting the light diffused by the diffusion structure to reduce a light loss from the light guide, and a light guide part guiding light between the light incidence part and the light emission part.
US08007159B2	Surface illuminator and liquid crystal display having the same The invention provides a surface illuminator capable of achieving high display quality by employing an array of discrete light sources constituted by a plurality of LEDs and a liquid crystal display having the same. The surface illuminator includes an LED module which is a plurality of LEDs alternately and discretely provided along a light entrance surface and a color irregularity correcting resistor which is connected in parallel with a predetermined LED at an end of the LED module and which provides a bypass for a current supplied to the LED.
US08007155B2	Camouflaged composite military vehicle lamp A composite lamp assembly for use on a camouflaged military vehicle comprises a lamp housing colored to match the camouflaged scheme of the vehicle. The lamp housing defines an interior space, a first opening and a plurality of second openings in communication with the interior space. The lamp assembly includes a clear lens attached to the housing to occupy the first opening and a plurality of diffusers attached to the housing to occupy the plurality of second openings, the diffusers being colored to match the camouflaged scheme of the vehicle. The lamp assembly further includes a circuit board arranged within the interior space of the lamp housing having first and second pluralities of LEDs mounted thereto. The first plurality of LEDs is positioned to provide light through the clear lens and the second is positioned to provide light through the diffusers.
US08007150B2	Vehicular illumination lamp A vehicular illumination lamp includes a convex lens positioned on an optical axis in a vehicular longitudinal direction and a light emitting element positioned in a proximity of a rear side focal point of the convex lens. The vehicle lamp is configured so as to form a light distribution pattern that has a horizontal cut-off line and an oblique cut-off line in an upper end portion thereof by exercising deflection control, with a use of the convex lens, over light directly emitted from the light emitting element. The light emitting element includes a light emitting chip that has a rectangular light emitting surface.
US08007149B2	Vehicle lighting assembly and light guiding lens for use in vehicle lighting assembly A vehicle lighting assembly is provided which uses a light guiding lens without a dedicated light source. The vehicle lighting assembly can include: a light source configured to emit light rays used at least for forming a target light distribution; a light guiding member made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, the light guiding member including a plurality of individual reflective light emitting surfaces configured to be illuminated with light rays entering the light guiding member from the light source, the light guiding member including another reflective light emitting surface configured to be illuminated with parallel light rays entering the light guiding member; and a reflector having a first reflective surface configured to reflect light rays emitted from the light source for use in forming the target light distribution and a second reflective surface configured to adjust a leak portion of light rays that are not for use in forming the target light distribution so that the leak portion of light rays are made parallel with each other.
US08007148B2	Vehicular illumination device In a vehicular illumination device which illuminates a lower part around an opened part of a door at a side of a vehicle, a side sill garnish is provided below the door-opened part, and a lamp and a lamp garnish which retains the lamp are arranged on a lower face of the side sill garnish. As the lamp is retained by the lamp garnish, the lamp can efficiently and appropriately illuminate an underfoot floor when a person rides on and off the vehicle. Moreover, the lamp garnish has a recess, and an edge which is provided around an opened part of the recess. As the lamp is arranged in the recess, the lamp is not visually recognized directly from the exterior of edge parts, thereby preventing a following vehicle from falsely recognizing the lamp as a backup lamp.
US08007142B2	Lamp with fastening device A lamp includes a lamp head, a lamp rod and a fastening device fixing the lamp head onto the lamp rod. The fastening device includes a tube-shaped lamp seat extending from the lamp head, a tightening device disposed in the lamp seat, a connecting device connecting the tightening device to the lamp seat, and a locking device mounted to the lamp seat. The tightening device includes an inner face and an outer face opposite to the inner face. The inner face of the tightening device and an inner face of the lamp seat sandwiching an end of the lamp rod therebetween. The tightening device can move along a radial direction of the lamp seat. The locking device presses the tightening device toward the end of the lamp post to urge the tightening device to tightly press the lamp rod.
US08007138B2	Lighting device A lighting device can be configured to prevent light beams emitted from a light source from passing through an outer peripheral surface of a lens and from being projected outside of the illumination direction of the lighting device. In the lighting device, the light source can be disposed within a lighting chamber defined by a substrate and the lens. The lens can have a lens cut portion on the rear surface thereof. A reflection surface can be formed in the outer peripheral surface of the lens. The substrate can also have a reflecting portion configured to project light beams reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the lens in the illumination direction. The reflecting portion can be disposed on the front side of the substrate. Light beams emitted from the light source at a certain angle with respect to the main optical axis of the light source cannot be reflected by the lens cut portion but can be reflected by the front surface of the lens toward the outer peripheral surface of the lens to be allowed to pass therethrough.
US08007133B2	Light source device and projector A light source device adapted to generate an illumination light beam for illuminating an illuminated surface includes a light source adapted to emit a light beam, a light path conversion member adapted to rotate around an axis perpendicular to a center axis of the light beam emitted from the light source to convert a light path of the light beam emitted from the light source, an overlapping illumination element adapted to overlap a light beam emitted from the light path conversion member on the illuminated surface, the overlapping illumination element having an entrance position of the light bream input to the overlapping illumination element varies with time, and a rotating section adapted to rotate the light path conversion member.
US08007132B2	Electric torch An electric torch includes a main body, a holder and a connecting portion. The main body includes a lamp shade and a light emitting portion. The lamp shade defines a receiving space. The light emitting portion is secured in the receiving space and configured for emitting light. The holder is rotatably connected to the main body via the connecting portion and configured for supporting the main body. The connecting portion includes a protrusion, a locating rod and a torsion spring. The protrusion is extended from the main body and communicates with the receiving space of the lamp shade. The locating rod is inserted into the protrusion and received in the holder with two ends fixed to the holder. The torsion spring is sleeved on the locating rod with one end attached to the lamp shade and another end attached to the holder.
US08007131B2	LED lamp having enhanced waterproofing An LED lamp includes a heat sink, a plurality of LED modules attached to the heat sink, and an envelope disposed on the base of the heat sink. The heat sink includes a base and a plurality of fins extending from the base. The envelope defines a receiving groove therein surrounding the LED modules. The receiving groove is stepped to have an upper portion and a lower portion recessed downwardly from a bottom of the upper portion. The LED lamp further includes an annular waterproof gasket. The waterproof gasket includes a main body received in the upper portion of the receiving groove and an engaging portion protruding downwardly from a bottom thereof and engagingly received in the lower portion of the receiving groove. The lower portion and the upper portion of the receiving groove are both rectangular in cross-section.
US08007129B2	LED-based christmas light string assembly with parallel-wired lighting units An LED light string assembly has a plug for providing a low DC voltage, an extension socket, a light string connected between the plug and the extension socket. The light string has multiple LED Christmas bulbs connected in parallel. Each LED Christmas bulb includes an LED and a resistor connected in series. Even one of the LED Christmas bulb burns out, all the remaining LED Christmas bulb of the light string will not be affected and still can be normally turned on as required to generate light.
US08007127B2	Lens for LED outdoor lamp, and its applied road lamp, security lamp, tunnel lamp, park lamp, guard lamp, industrial flood lamp, and outdoor lamp Disclosed is a lens for an LED outdoor lamp, and a road lamp, a security lamp, a tunnel lamp, a park lamp, a guard lamp, an industrial flood lamp, and an outdoor lamp using the lens. There is an advantage in that the shape of a light field can be a square shape by controlling light distribution. Brightness is very uniform within a available illumination range, and stray light is hardly generated outside of the range.
US08007123B2	Blacklight with power supply clips and liquid crystal display device including such backlight A backlight includes a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, a container for receiving the same and a liquid crystal display, device having the container. The lamp includes a lamp tube, a first electrode having a first end disposed inside the lamp tube and a second end disposed outside the lamp tube and a second electrode plated on an outer surface of the lamp tube. The cold cathode fluorescent lamp is easily coupled/separated to/from the container having a clip type power-supplying module in a clip-coupling manner. In addition, a shock absorbing member is installed at the clip type power-supplying module so as to absorb an impact applied to the cold cathode fluorescent lamp.
US08007120B2	Safety flag A safety flag includes reflective material, a light source and a controller. The safety flag meets legal requirements when used for extended loads in vehicles in day and night use.
US08007118B2	Direct-lit backlight with angle-dependent birefringent diffuser A direct-lit backlight includes a diffuse reflector disposed in front of a light source. The diffuse reflector has a continuous phase material and a disperse phase material, at least one of which is birefringent, and the disperse phase material is formed into particles having a transverse dimension less than 1 micrometer for efficient visible light scattering. The continuous and disperse phases have refractive indices tailored so the diffuse reflector transmits light from the light source substantially more strongly for obliquely incident light than for normally incident light to provide bulb-hiding characteristics.
US08007115B2	Lamp driving apparatus and control method thereof A lamp driving apparatus configured to drive a plurality of types of lamps, each of the plurality of lamps is attached with lamp identification information for uniquely identifying the lamp. The lamp driving apparatus includes: a lamp power supply configured to drive the lamp; a read circuit configured to read the lamp identification information from the lamp; and a control circuit configured to control the lamp power supply on the basis of a result of identification obtained by use of the read lamp identification information. The control circuit, if the lamp is found to be authorized, makes the lamp power supply drive the lamp.
US08007112B2	Image display apparatus having a plurality of light-shielding members An image display apparatus includes a light source, a color separation unit configured to separate light from the light source into colored light beams, liquid crystal display devices each configured to modulate a corresponding one of the colored light beams in accordance with an image signal, light-shielding members each configured to block light that enters an area outside an effective display area of a corresponding one of the liquid crystal display devices, a color combination unit configured to combine the colored light beams that have been modulated by the liquid crystal display devices, and a projection unit configured to project light produced by combining the colored light beams with the color combination unit, wherein the liquid crystal display devices are fixed to a heatsink, and wherein the light-shielding members each include a base member fixed to the heatsink and a mask member detachably mounted on the base member.
US08007111B2	Projector having image pickup unit, distance measuring unit, image signal processing unit, and projection unit and projection display method A projector includes: an image pickup unit which obtains an image of a subject; an image signal processing unit which cuts an image corresponding to a projection display area of the subject contained in an image obtained by the image pickup unit, and processes an image signal such that the cut image has a predetermined size to produce a projection image signal; and a projection unit which produces an image according to the image signal produced by the image signal processing unit and projects the image.
US08007107B2	Illuminating apparatus for an operating microscope The present invention relates to an illuminating apparatus for an operating microscope comprising two observation beam paths (152, 154) for a first observer (main surgeon) and two observation beam paths (156, 158) for a second observer (assisting surgeon), comprising an illuminating system (102; 106a, 108a, 172) and deflecting means (118, 120, 170), for deflecting light emanating from the illumination system onto an object (200) that is to be observed, wherein the deflecting device comprises a first deflecting element (118) which is associated with a first observation beam path (152) of the first observer and a first observation beam path (156) of the second observer, and a second deflecting element (120) which is associated with a second observation beam path (154) of the first observer and a second observation beam path (158) of the second observer.
US08007103B2	System and method for prescription of visual aids In one aspect, the invention features a method for determining an eyeglass prescription for an eye. The method includes obtaining a measurement of a wavefront indicative of the refractive properties of the eye, establishing an optimization space corresponding to a plurality of possible prescriptions for the eye, determining a value for a merit function for each of the possible prescriptions in the optimization space, where the merit function value corresponds to a visual function of the eye when corrected using the corresponding possible prescription, generating a representation of the merit function values, and outputting the representation to an eye care professional.
US08007098B2	Inkjet printer and printing method An inkjet printer using solvent ink containing an organic solvent and a colorant. The inkjet printer includes an inkjet head configured to eject the solvent ink to a medium, and a microwave irradiation unit configured to irradiate the medium, to which the solvent ink was ejected, with microwaves.
US08007096B2	Ink compositions for use in highlighter markers and associated methods Highlighter ink compositions can be prepared which provide improved abilities to reduce smear during highlighting. Highlighter ink compositions can include an acid buffer having a pKa from about 2 to about 6, a highlighter colorant, and a liquid vehicle. The image for highlighting can be formed on the substrate using any conventional printing technique, such as ink-jet printing or other printing techniques. Application of the highlighter ink compositions of the present invention to a printed image results in a reduced degree of image smear, particularly when the image was produced by an ink-jet printing process. Further, the acid buffer can be configured for reducing mobility of specific ink-jet colorants. In this way, the highlighter ink composition can be specifically tailored for reducing smear of various printed inks.
US08007093B2	Print engine for inkjet printer A print engine for an inkjet printer includes an inkjet cartridge having a cartridge body, a pagewidth printhead, a capper unit extending a length of the pagewidth printhead and housing a capping element which is movable between a capped position in engagement with the pagewidth printhead and a retracted position spaced from the pagewidth printhead, and an ink supply. The cartridge body supports the pagewidth printhead, the capper unit and the ink supply for simultaneous removal and replacement as a unitary component. The print engine further includes a cradle having a body for receiving the removable inkjet cartridge and to control the operation of the printhead for printing, the cradle having a capper drive for engaging the capper unit and drawing the capping element to the uncapped position; and a print controller board received in the cradle, the print controller board including one or more electrical terminals for engaging with corresponding electrical terminals on the inkjet cartridge. The cradle is secured to the inkjet printer to receive print media from a media input tray and to deliver printed media to a media output tray via a media feed path extending between the pagewidth printhead and the capping element. The print controller board is pivotally received in the cradle to pivot into and out of contact with the corresponding electrical contacts of the inkjet cartridge in response to the actuation of a cover assembly for covering the cradle unit.
US08007087B2	Inkjet printer having an ink cartridge unit configured to facilitate flow of ink therefrom Provided is an inkjet printer having an ink cartridge unit. The cartridge unit includes a main body defining a number of ink reservoirs. Each reservoir has a layered stack of absorbent material arranged to form a micro-capillary array for suspending ink inside said reservoir. A base of each ink storage reservoir is provided with a raised portion which surrounds an ink outlet. The raised portions are molded into the main body to separate each outlet from the base of the ink storage reservoir to facilitate a sufficient flow rate of ink from the reservoir. The cartridge unit also includes a lid assembly covering the main body to seal ink inside the ink reservoirs, as well as a printhead assembly operatively fed with ink via the ink outlets from the ink reservoirs in the main body for printing onto a printing medium.
US08007078B2	Microfluidic device and a fluid ejection device incorporating the same A microfluidic device includes first and second substrates bonded together. The first substrate has first and second opposed surfaces. A die pocket is formed in the first opposed surface, and a through slot extends from the die pocket to the second opposed surface. The second substrate is bonded to the second opposed surface of the first substrate whereby an outlet of a channel formed in the second substrate substantially aligns with the through slot. The channel of the second substrate has an inlet that is larger than the outlet.
US08007075B2	Printhead having nozzle plate formed on fluid distributors A printhead is provided having a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles defined therethrough and a plurality of adjacently arranged structures on which the nozzle plate is formed. The structures have a plurality of passages for distributing fluid to the nozzles and each structure has elongate apertures to the passages. The long dimension of the elongate apertures in the abutting sides of adjacent structures are angled relative to each other.
US08007073B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and method of wiping liquid discharge head in liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting apparatus includes two liquid discharge heads, a wiper unit, and an actuating mechanism. Each of the two liquid discharge heads has a nozzle face on which at least one nozzle opening for discharging liquid is formed. The two liquid discharge heads are located so that the nozzle faces of the two liquid discharge heads face each other. The wiper unit is pressed against each of the nozzle faces of the two liquid discharge heads at a position at which the wiper unit is placed between the nozzle faces of the two liquid discharge heads. The actuating mechanism reciprocally moves the wiper unit relatively along the nozzle faces of the two liquid discharge heads.
US08007064B2	Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and recording medium storing program that causes the apparatus to execute the method An image forming apparatus includes ink cartridges, image forming units, an ink-remaining-amount manager, a maintenance determiner, an information writer, an ink-amount estimator, and a maintenance-executability determiner. If an ink near-empty or empty state occurs in one of the ink cartridges due to image formation, the ink-amount estimator estimates an amount of ink required to execute the maintenance on the other ink cartridges based on the at least one of the need for and the type of maintenance determined by the maintenance determiner. If the maintenance-executability determiner determines that the maintenance is unexecutable on at least one of the other ink cartridges based on the required ink amount and a remaining ink amount, the maintenance-executability determiner determines that the unexecutable ink cartridge is at an ink near-empty or empty state and stops writing or updating information indicative of a spent state on the memory of the unexecutable ink cartridge.
US08007061B2	Storage panel guiding device with a magnetic damper Embodiments of the present invention may provide a storage panel guiding device, which is configured to dampen movement of a storage panel movement using magnetic attractive force to thereby reduce damper friction. The storage panel guiding device of the present invention comprises the following: a magnetic damper including a first magnetic body, a second magnetic body and a thin plate interposed therebetween; a storage panel to which the first magnetic body is attached; a guide panel to which the second magnetic body is attached; a slide rail having a slot in which the guide panel can move; and a storage case accommodating the magnetic damper, the storage panel and the guide panel.
US08007060B2	Slide assembly with locking device A slide assembly includes an outer slide, a blocking member mounted on the outer slide, an inner slide slidably attached to the outer slide, a sliding block slidably mounted on the inner slide, and a long bar slidably attached to an inner side of the inner slide. A groove is defined in the blocking member. The sliding block is inserted in the groove to fix the inner slide on the outer slide. A slanted protrusion extends from the long bar. When the long bar is pulled towards a first direction, the slanted protrusion pushes the sliding block. The sliding block moves towards a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction to disengage the inner slide from the outer slide.
US08007056B2	Brake control apparatus and control method thereof A brake control apparatus has first and second wheel cylinders; a master cylinder unit; first and second systems; a separation valve; a pressure control mechanism that controls the working fluid pressure transferred to at least one of the first and second wheel cylinders independently of the brake operation, and a brake ECU. The brake ECU generates a differential pressure across the separation valve by operating the pressure control mechanism when there is no brake operation while a running drive source of a vehicle is stopped to determine whether the separation valve has a leakage abnormality.
US08007054B2	Vehicle brake hydraulic pressure control apparatus A control unit 20 includes an initial current value calculation unit 22 for calculating an initial current value when a caliper pressure shifts to a pressure increasing state, a target current value setting unit 23 which, when no pressure increasing cycle was performed last time, estimates a road surface friction coefficient, determines a target differential pressure based on the road surface friction coefficient so estimated, and sets a current value corresponding to this target differential pressure as a target current value, and a valve opening amount adjusting unit 25 which reduces an energization amount from the initial current value towards the target current value with a predetermined gradient.
US08007050B2	Degradation assembly A degradation assembly comprises a rotating portion and a fixed portion. The rotating portion comprises a wear resistant tip bonded to a carbide bolster. The bolster is attached to a shaft adapted for a rotatable connection within a bore of the fixed portion. The fixed portion is adapted for a rigid connection to a driving mechanism. The fixed portion includes an O-ring slot formed within its bore and with an O-ring being disposed therein. The O-ring is at least 15 percent compressed such that the O-ring resists rotation of the shaft.
US08007049B2	Breaking or excavating tool with cemented tungsten carbide insert and ring An exemplary breaking or excavating tool includes a body having a mounting end and a working end. A seating surface at the working end includes a cavity and axially projecting sidewalls formed integral to the body, an insert mounted within the cavity has a tip at an axially forwardmost end, a tapered forward surface, a side surface and a transition edge at an intersection of the forward surface and the side surface. A ring located radially outward of the projecting sidewalls is formed of a material harder than the body of the tool. The transition edge and an axially forwardmost surface of each of the sidewalls and the ring are arranged in an axially rearwardly extending stepped configuration. A material removal machine on which the breaking or excavating tool is mounted and a method of manufacturing the breaking or excavating tool are also disclosed.
US08007047B2	Mine refuge A mine refuge for use in a mine includes a chamber having an interior space sized and shaped for occupancy by at least one person. An oxygen supply is installed in the chamber for supplying oxygen to the chamber. A mask is operatively connected to the oxygen supply and is adapted for donning by the person to supply oxygen to the person. In some embodiments, an air supply in addition to the oxygen supply is provided.
US08007043B1	Child car seat with enhanced features A child car seat with electronic entertainment features is herein disclosed, comprising an integral sound system with pre-recorded sounds or music, and a pair of speakers embedded in the car seat near the child's head. Also, a plurality of flashing lights that can be synchronized with the music is provided along a perimeter region. Finally, a vibrating mechanism in the base of the seat may operate in a synchronous manner with the music or provide a soothing and comforting effect thereto the child to lull the child to sleep. The seat is capable of manual or automatic operation as selected using a front-mounted switch control panel or may be controlled remotely via a handheld wireless controller. The car seat is powered by connection to a cigarette lighter socket within the vehicle.
US08007026B2	Lockout feature for full open hinge A hinge mechanism having a vehicle bracket that includes a pawl engagement member extending therefrom. A horizontally-rotating swing arm is rotatably coupled with the vehicle bracket. The hinge mechanism includes a pawl with an engagement portion and an abutment portion. The pawl is connected with the swing arm and operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A door bracket is rotatably coupled with the swing arm. A lever actuation member extends from the door bracket and is aligned to engage the abutment portion of the pawl.
US08007025B2	Fastening device for hinges of a motor vehicle door In a preassembly position, the hinge elements of the two hinges of the vehicle door are each connected fixedly to the vehicle door via a pivotable hinge element of the two hinges. The vehicle door is held in position with precise gap positioning in a side wall door cutout of the vehicle body. In a final assembly position, the positionally fixed hinge element of the two hinges is connected to outer and inner wall parts of a vehicle pillar of the vehicle body via fastening screws and via a torque strut.
US08007021B2	Mounting system for mounting a body to a vehicle tailgate A mounting system for mounting a body to a tailgate having first and second latch assemblies that engage a pair of striker plates. The mounting system includes a first mounting bracket having a first striker plate to engage the first latch assembly and a second mounting bracket having a second striker plate to engage the second latch assembly. The first and second mounting brackets mount the body on the tailgate when the first and the second mounting brackets are attached to the body and when the first and second striker plates are engaged with the first and second latch assemblies.
US08007019B1	Clamp having symmetrical configuration A clamp includes a pivot, a first lever, a second lever, and two stretched resilient members. The first and second levers are pivotally coupled to each other via the pivot. Each of the first and second levers includes a first handle and, a second handle arranged at opposite sides of the pivot. Each of the first and second levers includes a first jaw member arranged on a distal end of the second handle thereof and a second jaw member arranged on a distal end of the first handle. One of the stretched resilient members is interconnected between the first handle of the first lever and the second handle of the second lever, and the other of the stretched resilient member being interconnected between the second handle of the first lever and the first handle of the second lever.
US08007016B2	Grease interceptor latching and riser system and method of use thereof A riser kit for a grease interceptor having upwardly extending walls, an open top and a cover to close the open top. The riser kit comprises at least one collar extension having, a lower edge for engaging an upper edge of the upwardly extending walls of the grease interceptor, a middle portion forming an upward wall extension for the grease interceptor, and, a top edge sized and shaped to engage the cover to permit the cover to be secured to the extended grease interceptor. The riser kit also has a means to secure the collar extension to the grease interceptor. Also disclosed is a latch assembly for securing a cover onto a container, the latch assembly comprising a catch member secured to the container transverse to a container wall at an upper end thereof, a latch member pivotally mounted to the cover adjacent an edge thereof and positioned to register with the catch member. The latch member has a hook portion and a lever portion wherein pivoting the lever portion when the cover is positioned on the container causes the hook portion to engage and disengage with the catch member. A method of installing a wastewater grease interceptor is also disclosed.
US08007008B2	Foldable media holder and related method for blocking wind A foldable media holder for blocking wind includes a foldable frame and a flexible sheeted material. The foldable frame has an erect configuration and a folded configuration and the flexible sheeted material is attached to the foldable frame. The foldable frame includes first, second, third, fourth, and central elongated support members, each having first and second ends. The first and second elongated support members have first and second pivots, respectively. The first end of the central elongated support member is operatively connected to first end of the first elongated support member and the second end of the central elongated support member is operatively connected to the first end of the second elongated support member. When the foldable frame is in the erect configuration the central elongated support member is positioned substantially parallel to the third and fourth elongated support members and is about centrally positioned therebetween.
US08007005B2	Vehicle body frame structure A vehicle body frame structure includes, in a front frame assembly, a front suspension supporting section having paired right and left cushion top end supporting parts, paired right and left upper arm supporting parts, paired right and left upper arm supporting parts, paired right and left lower arm supporting parts, and paired right and left lower arm supporting parts. In the vehicle body frame structure, the front frame assembly has a configuration which is vertically bisected chiefly into an upper front frame and a lower front frame. The upper front frame includes the right and left cushion top end supporting parts. The lower front frame includes the right and left upper arm supporting parts, the right and left upper arm supporting parts, the right and left lower arm supporting parts, and the right and left lower arm supporting parts.
US08007002B2	Air bag with fill hose and method of assembly An air bag module (60) including an inflatable air bag (50) having a first region formed by opposing edge borders (102, 104) of two facing panels or panel pieces (52, 54), the first region initially open to receive a gas distribution hose (40), the gas distribution hose comprising a tubular portion (42) and a flat portion (44) integrally formed with the tubular portion, the tubular portion configured to receive inflation gas at one portion and having openings (49) therein to permit the egress of inflation gas; the flat portion of the hose located between the opposing edge borders of the facing panels; and a seam or seams (110) extending through the facing borders to join the flat portion of the hose between the facing edge borders in a gas tight manner.
US08007001B2	Auxiliary inflatable belt device and auxiliary supporting belt device An auxiliary inflatable belt device is provided on a seat and includes an inflatable belt body, an inflating device and a fixing device. The interior of the inflatable belt device is formed with an air chamber and provided with at least one inflating port. The inflating device is communicated with the inflating port of the inflatable belt body. The fixing device is connected to the inflatable belt body. After the inflatable belt body is inflated completely, it forms a cubic body for allowing the body and head of a user to rest thereon and supporting the person who sleeps on the seat. Thus, the sleep quality can be enhanced. The present invention further provides an auxiliary supporting belt device.
US08006997B2	Air bag device for pedestrian An air bag device for pedestrian includes an inflator which discharges an inflating gas, in operation, and an air bag which is inflated with the inflating gas supplied from the inflator thereby to cover a front face of the front pillar. The air bag is contained in a folded state, in an area covered with the front fender panel which is positioned in front of a front pillar and outside of a vehicle along a lateral direction of a hood panel. The front fender panel includes a cover part which is positioned at its back edge close to the front pillar, and arranged so as to cover an upper part of the air bag in the folded state. The cover part is deformed and opened, when it is pressed with the air bag which is being inflated, thereby to protrude the air bag so that the air bag can cover the front face side of the front pillar.
US08006988B1	Self-leveling air spring suspension system A suspension system includes a plurality of suspension members, each suspension member including a housing having an interior surface that bounds a chamber and a piston slidably disposed within the chamber. The piston seals against the interior surface of the housing so as to separate the chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, the first compartment and second compartment being filled with a gas. A first gas lines extends in fluid communication between the first compartment of a first suspension member and the second compartment of a second suspension member. A second gas lines extends in fluid communication between the second compartment of a first suspension member and the first compartment of a second suspension member.
US08006984B2	Stackable dolly The dolly is constructed with wheels to provide mobility and with posts to allow for stacking of one dolly on another for storage purposes and return shipment purposes. A long dolly may also be provided with laterally mounted posts for receiving and supporting a shorter, but wider, dolly thereon. Each corner post is provided with a dependent pin that is able to fit into an opening in the upper end of a post of a dolly below. Removable support feet are provided for supporting a loaded dolly for transport with the wheels in an elevated position.
US08006982B2	High temperature dynamic seal A high temperature dynamic seal and methods of assembly and use. The dynamic seal is provided as a rotating seal, which includes a stationary ring and rotating ring assembly, with a seal ring that is positioned between the stationary ring member and the rotating ring assembly. One or more high temperature seals create a seal between the stationary ring member and a device in which the dynamic seal is used. Similarly one or more high temperature seals create a seal between the rotating ring assembly and a rotating shaft of the device. One or more of the high temperature seals are formed from a metallic material with various cross-sectional shapes.
US08006981B2	Moving target system for defensive training A moving target system for defensive training includes an elongated ground-based track defining a track axis, a trolley operable to move along the track, the trolley having a target support facility, a driver operable to move the trolley along the track, and the target facing in a direction angularly offset from perpendicular to the track axis. The target support facility may be operable to fall from a vertical position when the trolley reaches an end of the track. There may be an actuator operably connected to the driver to initiate movement of the trolley when actuated.
US08006979B1	Game for sculpting objects and method of playing same A multi-player game for sculpting a designated object by players of the game and judging said designated object by a judge, wherein the players earn points for each sculpted object chosen by the judge as most representing the designated object. The game broadly comprises a judge's board, a plurality of player's boards, sculpting dough, a plurality of object cards, a smasher, an eye mask, a timer, a plurality of points indicators, and a game box for storing the above-listed items. A method of performing the game broadly comprises the steps of (a) selecting a judge from the plurality of players for a round of play of the game; (b) selecting an object to be sculpted; (c) preventing the selected judge from visually seeing the sculpting of the objects; (d) sculpting the selected object; (e) presenting the sculpted objects to the judge; and (f) selecting a winning sculpted object.
US08006977B1	Wheel indicator and progressive bonus apparatus A game system including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. In an exemplary embodiment, the progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined result on a game unit, they receive an award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of a game with a rotating wheel.
US08006975B2	Method and apparatus for conveying a sheet back into the overlapping stream in the event of a machine stop A method and an apparatus are provided to convey and align sheets being fed to a processing machine. In the event of a machine “stop,” a sheet, which has been separated from an overlapping stream, is conveyed back into the overlapping stream by raising the rear sheet edge with a mechanical or pneumatic device.
US08006974B2	Paper feeding module and multi-function peripheral having the same A multi-function peripheral includes a main body and a paper feeding module. The paper feeding module includes a supporting base, a feeding element and a paper separating elastic element. The supporting base is disposed on the main body. The supporting base is suitable for supporting multiple paper sheets and defines a paper feeding path. The feeding element is disposed above the supporting base for feeding the paper sheets along the paper feeding path. The paper separating elastic element has a fixed end connected to the supporting base and a free end disposed on the paper feeding path. When the feeding element feeds the papers along the paper feeding path, the free end applies a frictional force on the paper sheets such that one paper sheet passes the paper separating element and keeps moving while the rest of the paper sheets are blocked from moving by the paper separating elastic element.
US08006973B2	Replaceable unit, sheet conveyance apparatus and image forming device A replaceable unit includes a feeding roller that feeds a sheet from a sheet accommodation portion that accommodates the sheet; a conveyance roller that conveys the sheet fed by the feeding roller downstream; a first frame body that supports the feeding roller and the conveyance roller so as to be rotatable; and a second frame body that supports the first frame body so as to be movable and is removably mounted at a position at which the feeding roller can touch against the sheet accommodated at the sheet accommodation portion.
US08006972B2	Paper sheet processing apparatus A paper sheet processing apparatus has a take-in device which takes in notes set in a setting unit, a judgment device which judges the quality and condition of a note taken in by the take-in device, a stacking box which stacks the note judged the quality and condition by the judgment device, a backup which is provided movably up and down in the stacking box and stacks notes, and a control device which variably controls the position of the backup based on the result of judgment by the judgment device.
US08006966B2	Glass support pin A glass support pin for supporting a glass substrate for use with a liquid crystal display device is provided. In one embodiment, the glass support pin includes a plurality of branch pins, and one or more elastic members. The plurality of branch pins is structured to have top ends. The top ends of the branch pins are spread outwardly in the radial direction. The one or more elastic members are attached to the branch pins. The glass support pin is open by pulling the top ends of the branch pins outwardly according to a longitudinal movement of the glass support pin.
US08006965B2	Vibration isolator A vibration isolator having an inner passage of a communication tube that communicates the negative pressure chamber with the valve chamber. A pipe connection part and a supply/discharge pipe communicate the valve chamber with the supply/discharge port of a switching valve on the outside of the vibration isolator. The switching valve selectively communicates the supply/discharge port to either an intake manifold as the negative pressure supply source, or an atmosphere space. The negative pressure chamber communicates with the valve chamber through the communication tube on the inner peripheral side of the outer cylinder member. Thus, either of a negative pressure and an atmospheric pressure, which is same as a pressure in the valve chamber, can be supplied into the negative pressure chamber, by supplying either of the negative pressure and the atmospheric pressure into the valve chamber through the supply/discharge pipe and the pipe connection part.
US08006961B1	Apparatus and method for treating process fluid In an improvement of the apparatus and method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,029 B1, a Process Fluid Treating Apparatus includes an ejector assembly fluidically connected to a process fluid supply assembly. A Coanda airfoil is located in the ejector assembly. Primary fluid is injected into the ejector duct and forms a Coanda layer, flowing adjacent to the walls of a Coanda Airfoil. A process fluid, or part of it, flows toward the ejector assembly through the Process Fluid Supply Assembly, which forces the process fluid to flow through a plurality of fluid ports to separate that process fluid into a plurality of separate streams and turns those separate streams of process fluid through its perforated tip towards the Coanda layer whereby the contact between the process fluid and the Coanda layer is controlled. Shear and other forces and pressure gradients associated with the Coanda layer serve to transport the process fluid from the source and to operate on the process fluid to atomize the process fluid and/or to de-agglomerize solid particles entrained in the process fluid. Alternatively, a mechanical pump could be used for process fluid delivery to the Coanda layer.
US08006956B2	Tarp loading structure and method for using same A building structure for covering a large object with a cover comprising: multiple frames, each frame being part of a building structure); at least one motor suspended from at least one of said plurality of frames and connected to one or more spools; and an arm lifting structure suspended from the frame and comprising: at least two arms; a plurality of lifting connectors, each attached on one end to an arm on a first end and attached to one of the spools on a second end; and at least one fastening roller member mounted to each arm for temporarily securing the cover to the arms. Alternate embodiments of the building structure include laterally and/or longitudinally translating motors and/or guides for ensuring that the arms are raised and lowered straight up and down.
US08006950B2	Apparatus support An apparatus support (11) with a damping characteristic comprises a rigid reinforcing component, in particular a steel plate (19), encapsulated by a body (16) of compliant material, particularly a composite of particulate mineral material and synthetic binder. The plate (19) defines an opening (19a) at spacing from the upper side of the body (16) and a mounting ring (21) is embedded in the body so as to be disposed at least partly above the opening. The ring (21) has a peripheral flange (21a) which is spaced from the plate (19) and from the upper side of the body and overlaps the plate in vertical projection. Material of the body is thus disposed above the flange (21a) and also sandwiched between the flange and the plate so that a damping zone is present around the ring both above and below the flange.
US08006949B2	Seat slide device for vehicle A seat slide device includes a handle rotatably supported in holding holes provided respectively at a pair of upper rails to rotate a radial projection portion for releasing a lock mechanism, and a bearing member having an outer edge portion disposed between the upper rail and the radial projection portion formed at the handle, a holding portion disposed between the upper rail and the outer periphery of the handle, and a cushioning portion allowing the handle to move in an axial direction. The bearing member is disposed to fit into the holding hole for supporting the handle.
US08006947B1	Spiral/coil wrap stand Coil/helix shaped stands and methods of using and installing the stands that can be wrapped about elongated supports. The stands can have looped holders for supporting objects such as planters and pots, off ground level. The looped holders can be adjustable so as to remain level with different size diameter elongated supports. The stands can be aesthetically pleasing and attractive and be easy to assembly and mount. The stands are easily removable. Additionally, the coil stands can support other objects such as tables, flagpoles and umbrellas.
US08006944B2	Fixing device A fixing device for a bicycle includes a base, a bracket member, a pin and a band. When fastening of the band is loosened, the bracket member comes to be rotatable in a direction of an arrow DR20 with respect to the base, allowing adjustment of a component angle. When fastened to the pipe by the belt, the base and the bracket member are engaged with each other and held in the engaged state, so that bracket cannot be rotated in a direction of an arrow DR20 with respect to the base.
US08006938B2	Spacecraft servicing vehicle with adaptors, tools and attachment mechanisms An in-space spacecraft servicing system (10) includes a servicing spacecraft (22) and a propellant module (24). The servicing spacecraft includes a client servicing system (136), as well as navigation avionics (108) for independent flight operation and a servicing propellant tank (170). The propellant module moves the servicing module from an upper stage drop off location and releases it in proximity to a client spacecraft (16) for a servicing mission. It has a propellant tank (172) with capacity for multiple missions and is used to refill the servicing spacecraft's propellant tanks between missions. Either or both the servicing spacecraft and the propellant module may have navigation avionics. The servicing spacecraft also has a universal docking adaptor (70) for different client spacecraft, and can convert a client spacecraft from non-cooperative to cooperative.
US08006936B1	Parachute deployment control In one form of the invention, a deployment control for releasing a rocket recovery device such as a parachute includes an electrical heating element extensible along a heat-severable reach of an elongate retainer capable of being wrapped closely about the recovery device to retain the recovery device in a compact form until the reach is severed as the result of electricity being supplied to the heating element to thereby release and deploy the recovery device. In other forms, an apparatus for cutting a heat meltable retainer to release and deploy a rocket recovery device includes a heating element extending along at least a short reach of the retainer, and a control device for supplying electricity to the heating element for heat severing the retainer reach.
US08006935B2	Channel slide cargo handling system and method A cargo handling system and method employing a plurality of slide units and tracks. The tracks are mounted in or on a floor of a cargo area of a mobile platform, and also on a ramp of the mobile platform. The slide units slide within the tracks and enable container roll in, roll out platforms (CROPs) and 1077 flatracks to be slidably moved into and out from the cargo area. The slide units are arranged at the four corners of each CROP or 1077 flatrack and can be positively locked to a CROP or 1077 flatrack by a standard ISO twist lock assembly. The slide units eliminate the need for a K-loader and a crane to be present at the site where loading or unloading is to occur. Instead, suitable vehicles such a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTTs), which are more readily transported to remote cites, can be used to assist in slidably loading and offloading CROPs and 1077 flatracks.
US08006931B2	Aircraft wing arrangement comprising an engine attachment pylon defining, in the forward region, a lateral airflow channel An aircraft wing arrangement including a wing and at least one strut for attaching the aircraft engine suspended under the wing and including a front zone situated projecting towards the front with respect to a leading edge of the wing. The front zone includes a lateral projection delimiting a lateral air flow channel while being projected towards a proximal end of the wing.
US08006927B2	Attenuated seatbelt stopper A force limiting device for use with a safety belt retractor is provided. The safety belt retractor includes a spool and a safety belt webbing attached to and wound around the spool for payout of the webbing under the influence of forwardly directed movement of a vehicle occupant. The force limiting device comprises a fixed member, a shaft connected to the fixed member and a coupling received on the shaft and operatively connected to the spool. The coupling is configured to move along the longitudinal extent of the shaft towards the fixed member during payout of the webbing. Engagement of the coupling with the fixed member prevents further payout of the webbing. The shaft is configured to limit movement of the coupling along the shaft during payout of the webbing to control effective belt force on the vehicle occupant during a crash condition.
US08006924B2	Refiner plate assembly and method with evacuation of refining zone A refiner plate assembly and method includes an annular arrangement of adapter subplates that mount to a refiner disk of a disk refiner using a conventional mounting technique, such as bolted in a standard pattern associated with the particular disk refiner. The adapter subplate arrangement remains mounted to the disk and provides a universal mounting surface for an annular arrangement of individual removable refiner segments. A steam and/or accept evacuation channel is provided in this assembly via filter passages at a radially intermediate location in one or more refiner segments which communicate with a recess or channel in one or more associated adapter subplates that direct the steam and/or accepts through outlet ports in the outer rim of the adapter subplate(s). Refining efficiency is provided in a universal refiner plate assembly by eliminating steam volume and already refined pulp from outer portions of the refining zone. The filter section(s) can be placed at an optimal location of high volume fraction of pulp fibers where mounting hardware is typically located in conventional refiner segments.
US08006919B2	Sprinkler with dual shafts In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
US08006909B2	Methods of forming and detecting non-visible marks and articles marked in accordance with the methods The present invention provides methods of forming and detecting non-visible marks and articles marked in accordance with the methods. In accordance with the methods of the invention, a marking material is applied to a substrate to form a mark that is contrastable from the substrate in one or more regions of the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The mark is covered with a film, which can be a bonded coating or a non-bonded covering sheet, that comprises an amount of one or more inorganic pigments such that the film appears opaque in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum but is sufficiently transmissive in one or more regions of the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to facilitate the detection of the mark covered by the film. The non-visible marks can be applied to articles such as automobile parts, aircraft parts and other articles of manufacture to deter counterfeiting.
US08006908B2	Data support with identifications written thereon by means of a laser beam and method for production thereof The invention relates to a data carrier into which, by a laser beam, identifiers (20, 22) are introduced in the form of patterns, letters, numbers and/or images that are visible due to local changes in the optical properties of the data carrier, effected by the laser beam and resulting from material transformations. According to the present invention, the data carrier comprises a laser-sensitive recording layer (26) that is transparent in the visible spectral range and that is provided with a surface relief in the form of a lens grid (28). The identifiers are introduced with the laser beam from different directions through the lens grid (28) into the recording layer (26) and are perceptible when later viewed from those same directions. The data carrier is transparent at least in the area of the introduced identifiers (20, 22).
US08006905B2	Method of reducing noise in an optically read image using an optical collection device A system and method of reading an indicia and rejecting ambient light is disclosed. An imaging signal and an ambient signal are received by the system where the imaging signal corresponds to indicia information and a first portion of the ambient light, and the ambient signal corresponds to a second portion of the ambient light. The imaging signal and the ambient signal are mathematically manipulated to subtract the contribution of the first portion of the ambient light from the imaging signal.
US08006903B2	Proximity-based inventory management system using RFID tags to aid in dispensing and restocking inventory An apparatus is provided that includes a processor configured to operate a software application, which is configured to receive selection of a number of discrete groups into which to divide a plurality of identified products. The products are located at respective storage locations in a collection of storage locations. The software application is therefore configured to divide the identified products into discrete groups such that the areas of the resulting groups of products at respective storage locations are substantially non-overlapping. The software application is further configured to assign the groups of products to respective workstation computers, each of which is configured to generate and transmit, for each of one or more of the products of a respective group, a signal to an associated RFID tag to thereby direct the RFID tag to generate a notification signal. A method and a computer program product for managing inventory are also provided.
US08006899B2	Entrance ticket with lighting effect A ticket having an embedded processor in a substrate for creating a synchronous lighting effect at a controlled access venue and a method for creating a lighting effect at a controlled access venue while controlling access to the venue simultaneously using a ticket that coordinates with the performance allowing a holder of the ticket to perform with the performance.
US08006895B2	Apparatus and method for providing payment service in mobile communication system An apparatus and a method for providing payment service in a mobile communication system. According to the method, when an event for processing a credit payment is detected, a first FACILITY message requesting a credit payment process is created and transmitted to a mobile communication network. Accordingly, a portable terminal can provide a credit payment service even if it does not have a communication module or chip for payment processing.
US08006878B2	Splitting method and device for connecting rod A splitting devices for a connecting rod, having a fixed stage fixed on a base, a movable stage installed so as to be approachable and departable from the fixed stage, a load mechanism for applying a breaking load to a press fit direction of a wedge member, and second hydraulic cylinders for clamping a cap section by pressing from above an end section of third work support members. The third work support members and the second hydraulic cylinders are individually fixed to the movable stage so as to be displaceable together with the movable stage.
US08006877B2	Backpack for self contained breathing apparatus A backpack assembly for a self contained breathing apparatus comprises a plurality of components positioned in housings that define a body for the backpack assembly. The body is assembled to a back frame. A pivoting and swiveling hip plate is connected to the back frame in multiple distinct positions to provide a customizable and comfortable fit for the wearer.
US08006872B2	Pressure package system A pressure package system for providing a working pressure on a fluid included in a pressure package, the system being provided with a pressure package (2) in which a product chamber (4) is included for holding the fluid and in which a working pressure chamber is included for keeping a propellant at the working pressure, the system being further provided with a pressure controller (5) and a high-pressure chamber (6) connected with the pressure controller for keeping the propellant in supply at a relatively high pressure, the pressure package system being further provided with a wall (7) which is designed to be movable relative to the pressure controller, a first side (8) of the wall bounding the working pressure chamber at least partly and a second side (9) of the wall, facing away from the working pressure chamber, bounding the product chamber at least partly.
US08006867B2	Caulking gun A caulking gun includes an easily repositionable handle for better ergonomic balance. The handle, able to slide along the length of the gun below the cartridge holder, is engaged and disengaged using the trigger. The handle disengages from the cartridge holder when the trigger is cocked upwards, and then relocks on the cartridge holder when the trigger is squeezed. A nozzle cutter is positioned away from the action of the trigger and handle and a retractable, adjustable arm clip provides a positive secure secondary connection with the user. A trigger bar connects the trigger to an actuator plate, is aligned with a restraining plate and set to engage and disengage with the plunger advancing mechanism such that the plunger shaft slides rearward slightly relieving a cartridge's internal pressure each time the trigger is released.
US08006865B2	Disc feeding apparatus A disc feeding apparatus comprises a supporting base, a pusher and an electric driving device. The pusher is driven by the electric driving device to back and forth, such that one edge of the disc is protruded out of the first protruding portion of the supporting base, and the other edge of the disc is limited by the avoiding groove of the second protruding portion and will be pushed by the pusher. Thereby, the disc will fall out of the disc feeding apparatus, thus finishing the feeding of the disc. The present invention can use the precise control electric driving device to cooperate with other structures. With the simplified structure design, the present invention can perform the disk feeding operation efficiently and precisely for a long tome.
US08006862B2	Holder, system and/or method for insulating and/or for supporting a cup A holder, a system and/or a method insulate and/or support a cup. A handle assists a consumer in drinking a beverage from the cup. A cover, a liner and a spine are assembled to form the holder. The cover and the liner are attached to form a pocket for holding the spine. The handle is rigidly attached to the spine. A rigidity of the spine may support a wall of the cup. A force placed on the cup when using the handle is distributed by the spine around the wall of the cup to reduce a likelihood of failure and/or of deformation of the cup. The cover, the liner and the spine retard heat transfer to and/or from a beverage in the cup.
US08006861B2	Holder for disposable paper container A disposable paper container holder in the form of a circular-truncated-cone-shaped casing having open top and bottom ends. The disposable paper container holder comprises a body having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of dimples distributed throughout the body of the casing. The dimples comprises a plurality of debossed dimples protruding inwardly from the body and a plurality of embossed dimples protruding outwardly from the body to maximize a distance between the inner and outer surface of the body, thereby providing an improved heat-shielding effect. The disposable paper container holder can be integrated with a disposable paper container to provide an integrated disposable paper container.
US08006859B2	Dispensing device A dispensing device comprising a housing having an upper loading chamber, a dispensing chamber located beneath the loading chamber and a gate movable between a first, open position and second, closed position to allow selective communication of the loading chamber and the dispensing chamber, entry to the lower chamber being by way of a door, the device further comprising a lock which prevents the door from opening when the gate is in the open position and which prevents opening of the gate, when the door is open.
US08006854B2	Container A container for mounting on the neck of a bottle or other vessel having an annular abutment surface thereon, the container including a wall formed of two or more wall sections and an opening formed in the wall for receiving the neck of the vessel. The two wall sections are joined together by a frangible seal which allows the customer to open the container in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the contents of the container.
US08006853B2	Closure cap and a receptacle fitted therewith A closure cap may include: a base portion that is provided with at least one dispenser orifice, and that is configured to be fastened onto a receptacle body; a lid that pivots relative to the base portion; and an opening control element configured to control opening of the lid. The opening control element may include a skirt that surrounds at least a portion of the base portion, and that is connected to the base portion via at least one elastically-deformable connection element.
US08006848B2	Filter and manufacturing method therefor A filter includes a first case member and a second case member that are made of synthetic resin and are mutually joined to form a filter chamber, and a filter element including a filtering medium and a holding frame that is made of synthetic resin, which holds a peripheral portion of the filtering medium and is held between joining ends of the case members. Weld portions formed by laser light are provided at a contact area extending in a joining direction between the holding frame of the filter element and at least one joining end of the joining ends of the case members.
US08006846B2	Portable medicine case A portable carrying case is described to hold medicine vials during travel, doctors' visits, etc. The case includes an open-topped box with a hinged lid and attachment means to secure the lid to the box. The case further includes a vial support platform, which may be the upper surface of the box, or a separate platform attachable to the box bottom wall. The platform has a plurality of spaced, parallel divider walls having lower edges attached to the support surface and upper edges. The divider walls have aligned left holes and aligned right holes. An elastic cord is slidable through aligned holes to cord ends outside an end divider wall. A cord lock is used to adjust the length of the cord. The support surface, walls and cord form a plurality of adjustable vial receiving compartments, with the force on each vial being equal regardless of differences in vial sizes.
US08006845B2	Lockable pill container and methods A lockable pill container includes a holder defining at least one compartment having an access opening providing access to a pill holder interior volume. At least one lid is moveable between a covering position and an open position. The lid includes a first locking member that is sized to project into the holder when the respective lid is in the covering position. A second locking member is moveable between a locking position and a release position. The locking position includes a position in which the second locking member engages a first locking member of the at least one lid in the covering position. The release position includes a position in which the second locking member is disengaged from all of the first locking members. The second locking member includes opposite first and second ends. The second locking member is moveable from the locking position to the release position by application of a force against the second end. The second locking member is moveable from the release position to the locking position by application of a force against the first end. A visual indicator, such as color, can be used to help the user know when the container is locked or not locked. A tactile indicator can be used to help the user know when the container is locked or not locked.
US08006843B1	Stackable food service tray and combination A stackable food and beverage service tray includes a substantially planar tray bottom and a sloping side wall extending upwardly and outwardly from an inner peripheral edge of the tray bottom so as to surround said tray bottom. The tray bottom has an upper floor surface and an underside surface. The tray's sloping side wall has an inner surface and an outer surface with the side wall's outer surface adjoining the tray's underside surface at a peripheral bottom edge of the tray. A raised rib is provided on the inner surface of the sloping side wall. Feet are also provided on the tray's underside surface along the bottom edge of the tray. The tray's raised rib and feet cooperate to define a space between stacked trays through which air can flow to facilitate drying of the stacked trays after they have been washed.
US08006841B2	Stackable nuclear fuel storage element and storage module formed by a stack of such elements A storage element for the storage of cases (16) full of nuclear fuel in the horizontal position, said element comprising ventilation means (19, 32) arranged on the sides of the element, so that storage stacks according to this invention can be created. The storage elements may have a cross-section in the shape of regular hexagon to optimise the storage density.
US08006840B2	Adapter for wire dispensing carton An adapter for inserting into a carton containing a non-reel coil of filamentary material or wire has a shaft-receiving sleeve supported by a box structure. The adapter's box structure has top and back walls joined at right angles and reinforced by side walls. Knobs extend outwardly from the side walls and have openings therethrough. Ribs on the underside of the top wall define a channel which is aligned with the openings in the knobs. The ribs, top wall and knobs define a sleeve which is oriented such that it may receive a shaft or rod of a wire pulling rack. Alternatively, said adapter having a box structure with walls only in two perpendicular planes. At least two of said walls forming a channel extending outwardly that may receive a shaft or rod.
US08006834B2	Co-packaged articles A pack for a co-packaged article with an inner flange member and an outer flange member. A first cavity is defined by the inner flange member and the outer flange member. The first cavity has an outer surface and a first internal wall. A second cavity is defined by the inner flange member and the outer flange member. The second cavity has an outer surface and a second internal wall spaced apart from the first internal wall. The second internal wall has at least one protrusion with a first position and a second position. The protrusion is spaced apart from the first internal wall in the first position and contacts the first internal wall in the second position limiting inward flexing of the first and second cavities toward each other.
US08006833B2	Flexible package with opening feature A flexible package has a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one side wall together defining an interior volume of the package. An opening device is attached to the top surface and is at least in part detachable from the top surface to provide access to the interior volume. An article is secured to the opening device for conjoint movement with the opening device upon detachment of the opening device from the top surface of the package. In another embodiment, a portion of the side wall extends outward beyond the top surface to a free edge. A closure system is operable on the extended portion of the side wall to permit selective closing and opening of the package.
US08006828B2	Reciprocating slat conveyor with moving slats between fixed slats Movable conveyor slats (10, 10′) have side parts (14, 14′, 16, 16′) which rest on top parts (94) of bearings (92). The bearings (92) have a generally U-shaped cross section and they fit on wings (72, 74) which extend outwardly and upwardly from the sides of a fixed conveyor slat (12). The movable slats (10, 10′) have a web (22, 24) and lower flange portions (26, 28) which with the side parts (14, 16) form laterally outwardly opening channels. The wings (72, 74) and the bearings (92) are received within the channel spaces.
US08006825B2	Transferring device for repositioning articles A transfer arrangement (10) for gripping articles (at 60) comprises a central wheel body with a multiplicity of arms (20), which can be pivoted about a first axis (23) in each case, articulated along its periphery. The arms (20) have a gripper (60) for receiving in each case one or more articles (15). Each gripper (60) can be rotated about a second axis (33) for predetermined positioning of the articles, while the connecting body (30) can be rotated about the first axis (23). The rotary movement of the gripper (60), then, can be transferred to the gripper (60), rotating about the second axis (33), via a shaft (28) arranged along the first axis (23), with the aid of a transfer element (25, 26, 27). Finally, a third axis (43) is arranged on the connecting body (30), between the first and second axes (23, 33). This allows rotation of the connecting body (30) to be transferred in a controlled manner to the connecting body (30), at the location of the first axis (33), via a shaft (49) arranged along the third axis (43), with the aid of a transfer element (45, 46, 47). This means that articles (15) can be tracked.
US08006824B2	Storage system and storage method A storage system of the present invention includes a storage area for arranging and storing articles (W), a carrying-in line (200) for carrying in the articles (W) toward the storage area, and a transfer mechanism (300) arranged on an upper region of the storage area in order to transfer the articles (W) carried in by the carrying-in line to the storage area. The storage area includes a supporting table (100) for arranging and supporting a plurality of pallets (P) capable of loading the articles (W), and the transfer mechanism (300) transfers the articles (W) to the pallets (P) supported on the supporting table (100). Since an operation for transferring the articles stored directly on the floor face as before to the pallets is not required, a carrying-out process is simplified and efficiency of storage process of the articles as a whole (carrying-in from the outside, transfer to the storage area, carrying-out to the outside) is improved.
US08006810B2	Quick-release device of a bicycle brake cable A quick-release device of a bicycle brake cable includes a main frame mounted to a handlebar of the bicycle, a lever pivotally mounted to the main frame and a push device mounted in the main frame to normally push the lever for selective changing the position between the lever and the push device and the tension of the brake cable.
US08006808B2	Managing an encoder malfunction in an elevator drive system An encoder failure in an elevator drive system is detected and managed. A velocity of the elevator drive system is provided by an encoder signal (60) and compared with a minimum velocity threshold (62). An encoder fault timer is incremented when the velocity is less than the minimum velocity threshold (64). The elevator drive system is disabled when the encoder fault timer reaches a fault threshold time (66).
US08006806B2	Emergency brake of elevator According to an emergency brake device for an elevator, a brake body is capable of coming into and out of contact with an outer periphery of a sheave which is rotatable, and is capable of being displaced to a rotation direction of the sheave while maintaining a contact with the outer periphery of the sheave. Further, the brake body is arranged between the sheave and a gripper metal. The gripper metal includes an inclined portion which is caused to incline with respect to the outer periphery of the sheave. When the brake body is displaced in the rotation direction of the sheave, the brake body is meshed between the outer periphery of the sheave and the inclined portion. To the brake body, a connecting portion capable of being displaced with respect to the sheave is connected. The connecting body is displaced in a direction in which the brake body comes into and out of contact with the outer periphery of the sheave by a brake drive device.
US08006804B2	System and method for improving the satisfaction of customers of a high-volume restaurant A bakery-cafe is arranged and operated in a manner that efficiently moves a customer within the bakery-cafe to, for example, improve customer satisfaction by minimizing customer wait times.
US08006800B2	Storage box for electronic apparatus A box-shaped enclosure of a storage box includes a deadening wall or walls defining a storage space between first and second planes. The storage space is open at the first and second planes. A deadening wall member extends along the first plane. An auxiliary box-shaped enclosure is connected to the box-shaped enclosure so as to close the first plane of the box-shaped enclosure. The auxiliary box-shaped enclosure defines an auxiliary space isolated from the storage space with a deadening wall member. The storage space is connected to the fresh air through the ventilation opening and the auxiliary space. The deadening wall or walls of the box-shaped enclosure and the deadening wall member serve to prevent the leakage of the operating sound.
US08006799B2	Vehicle steering system A configuration is provided which includes a differential gear-type transfer ratio varying mechanism interposed between an input shaft which rotates as a steering wheel is operated and an output shaft which rotates in conjunction with operation of a steering mechanism for permitting a differential operation between both the shafts, the configuration including a transfer ratio control motor for applying a rotational force to the output shaft, a reaction force control motor for applying a rotational force to the input shaft, and a steering control unit for controlling and driving the transfer ratio control motor to obtain a rotation transfer ratio that is predetermined according to operation of the steering wheel and controlling and driving the reaction force control motor to apply a predetermined reaction force to the steering wheel.
US08006798B2	Vehicle having a shift lever on a handlebar thereof A vehicle (10) has a frame (12), at least two wheels (14, 16), a straddle seat (28), a handlebar (18) having first (20) and second (22) handles, an engine (30), a semi-automatic transmission (32), and a housing (24) disposed adjacent the first handle. A shift lever (108) is pivotally connected to the housing. At least a portion of the shift lever extends away from the handle side of the housing towards an end of the first handle and is disposed at least in part vertically below the first handle. The shift lever has rear (140) and front surfaces (142). The shift lever is movable to an up-shift position by pressing one of the front and rear surfaces, is movable to a down-shift position by pressing a remaining one of the front and rear surfaces, and is biased towards a rest position intermediate the up-shift and down-shift positions. The shift lever is operatively connected to the semi-automatic transmission.
US08006796B1	Personal vehicle A personal vehicle has a fore section and an aft section. The fore and aft sections each have a frame, a transaxle mounted to the frame, and a wheels attached to the transaxle. The wheels of the aft section are vertically articulated relative to the frame of the aft section. A seat is disposed on the frame of the fore section. A joystick and interface are mounted to the fore section. A motor is mounted to the frame of the aft section. A hydraulic system is operatively connected to the motor. A shaft is operatively connected to the motor. A fender assembly is mounted to the fore and aft sections. A rollover structure is mounted to the fore and aft sections. The hydraulic systems controls the directional movement of the personal vehicle and includes a hydraulic pump, rotovalves, a null valve, a drive cylinder, and a steering cylinder.
US08006795B2	Device and method for regaining balance A device and method for assisting a user in regaining his balance is disclosed. The device comprises: at least one sensor for sensing changes in weight distribution on any of the feet of the user, at least one propulsion unit to be coupled to any of the feet of the user for displacing a foot of the user when a change in the weight distribution on that foot reaches a predetermined condition; and a controller for receiving signals from the sensor indicative of the predetermined condition and activating the propulsion unit. When the predetermined condition is determined the propulsion unit displaces a foot of the user mechanically in a direction that results in the repositioning of the support area of the user beneath the center of mass of the user, thus allowing the user to regain balance.
US08006794B2	Kinetic energy storage device A kinetic energy storage device includes first and second counter-rotating variable flywheels coupled to a differential. A control mechanism coupled to both flywheels allows the moment of inertia of each flywheel to be adjusted so that the flywheels, differentia, and control mechanism operate as a true infinitely variable transmission. The differential includes an output to allow kinetic energy to be extracted from and added to the device. The counter-rotating flywheels provide stability and controllability making the device suitable for use with short duty-cycle vehicle motivation. Also disclosed is a vehicle drive train configured to be driven by said kinetic energy storage device and a fixture for providing initial kinetic energy to the device.
US08006792B2	Vehicle cowl for deflecting road debris A vehicle cowl may comprise a receiving portion formed as a local depression, and one or more openings formed on sides of the receiving portion. The vehicle cowl may be configured to be disposed rearward of a front wheel of a vehicle, the one or more openings to face rearward and the local depression to extend rearward when the vehicle cowl is in place on the vehicle. The receiving portion may be configured to receive and/or deflect an object or substance splashed or thrown up by the front wheel, such as water, mud or road debris, in a position rearward of the front wheel. Moreover, air can flow through the one or more openings on the sides of the receiving portion, to cool heat-generating parts such as the radiator and engine. The vehicle may be a motorcycle.
US08006783B2	Helical drilling apparatus, systems, and methods A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing.
US08006777B2	Hand-held power tool A hand-held power tool for driving a cutting or grinding working tool (11) includes a running gear (13) having a roller (15) and a support section (14) for supporting the roller (15), and a locking device (20) for locking the roller (15) against rotation relative to the support section (14).
US08006776B1	Sliding pressure control valve for pneumatic hammer drill A pneumatic device control apparatus and method comprising a ported valve slidably fitted over a feed tube of the pneumatic device, and using a compliant biasing device to constrain motion of the valve to provide asymmetric timing for extended pressurization of a power chamber and reduced pressurization of a return chamber of the pneumatic device. The pneumatic device can be a pneumatic hammer drill.
US08006773B2	Swellable packer construction for continuous or segmented tubing A swellable packer construction for continuous or segmented tubing. A method of constructing a swellable packer on a continuous tubular string includes the steps of: attaching a swellable seal material to the tubular string to thereby form the packer; and then wrapping the tubular string with the packer on a spool. A swellable packer includes a tubular body portion for incorporation into a tubular string, and a seal material wrapped about the body portion, the seal material being swellable in response to contact with a fluid. A method of constructing a swellable packer for a tubular string includes the steps of: wrapping a seal material about a tubular body portion to thereby form the packer; and then swelling the seal material in response to contact with a fluid. A continuous tubular string includes a seal material attached to a body portion of the tubular string to thereby form a swellable packer; and the packer wrapped with the tubular string on a spool.
US08006770B2	Expandable casing with enhanced collapse resistance and sealing capability An expandable casing with enhanced collapse resistance and sealing capability. An expandable tubular for use in a subterranean well includes multiple recesses extending into a wall of the tubular, with the recesses being longitudinally spaced apart along the wall. A method of expanding tubulars in a subterranean well includes the steps of: expanding a tubular in the well, the tubular including multiple recesses extending into a wall of the tubular; and after the expanding step, allowing the wall of the tubular to retract radially inward more at each of the recesses than between the recesses.
US08006767B2	Flow control system having a downhole rotatable valve A flow control system includes a pump positioned in a well to remove liquid from the well. An isolation device having a valve body and a valve spool is positioned downhole of the pump. The valve spool is rotatably received by the valve body and is capable of rotating between an open position and a closed position. During removal of the liquid from the well, the valve spool is in the closed position to substantially reduce fluid flow past the valve spool and thus gas interference at the pump.
US08006752B2	Guide tube for continuous rod A guide tube for continuous rod has a sections pivotably connected together by at least one translatable pivot. The tube connects to a rig at a fixed pivot and is initially folded on the rig for transport. To unfold and raise the tube for operation, a rig operator pivots a support rod pivotably connected to the tube away from the rig using a rope. This pivoting support rod moves the attachment point of a winchline extending from the rig to the rod beyond the tube's fixed pivot. Also, the pivoting rod tensions a sling having a fixed length that extends from the rod to the tube's translatable pivot. In this way, the winchline can be tensioned without the need for rig operators to perform a substantial amount of manual labor as conventionally done. Once the outer sections of the guide tube are lowered to the ground, the entire guide tube can be unfolded and raised with the tensioned winchline.
US08006751B2	Automated system for positioning and supporting the work platform of a mobile workover and well-servicing rig A method and apparatus for positioning and supporting the work platform of a mobile workover rig is disclosed. The work platform of the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a unique support structure and automated positioning system for positioning the work platform at the desired height above the wellhead equipment. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a specialized automated “pinning” system that secures the work platform at the desired height. Additionally, the present invention utilizes one or more support cylinders to position and support the work platform in the horizontal position over the wellhead equipment. The automated positioning and pinning system of the present invention is a unique system that significantly reduces the time required to position the work platform of a mobile workover rig in the operating position, as well as significantly reduces the risk of injury to rig personnel assisting in the positioning operations.
US08006750B2	Method for sealing heat exchanger tubes The present invention comprises a heat exchanger and method for sealing a heat exchanger tube to a header of the heat exchanger. The method comprises melt-bonding the tube to a header of the heat exchanger to form a bond and sealing the bond with a sealant material to form a seal.
US08006739B2	Architectural mesh sunscreen with varying shading characteristic An architectural mesh sunscreen panel having at least a first portion including a first architectural mesh assembled from a plurality of first interwoven helically-wound spiral units and first connector rods; and a second portion including a second architectural mesh assembled from a plurality of second interwoven helically-wound spiral units and second connector rods. The first architectural mesh defines a first shading characteristic that is different from a second shading characteristic defined by the second architectural mesh.
US08006736B2	Skew adjustment device for coverings for architectural openings A device for correcting skew in roll-up retractable coverings for architectural openings includes a friction device positioned within the head rail for movement between releasably fixed positions and disposed for engagement with the fabric of the covering to regulate the rate at which the fabric is wrapped about a roller in the covering at selected locations along the length of the roller to correct for any inherent skew in the covering.
US08006732B2	Pneumatic tire with sidewall decorative band A tire 10 has an endless decorative band 2 on a surface of a sidewall 1. The decorative band 2 has one or more first indicative sector 3 and one or more second indicative sector 4 which are arranged alternately and consecutively in the circumferential direction. The first indicative sector 3 consists of a background portion 5 which continuously leads to the sidewall portion 1 adjacent to the first indicative sector with a uniform surface roughness value, and a foreground portion 6 which is arranged in the background portion 5 and forms marks by having a surface roughness value larger than that of the background portion 5. A background portion 7 constituting a part or whole of the second indicative sector 4 has a surface rougher than any of the sidewall portion 1 and the background portion 5 of the first indicative sector 3.
US08006731B2	Apparatus and system for integration of a central tire inflation valve into a wheel This is an apparatus and system for integration of Central Tire Inflation (CTI) valve functionality directly into a wheel. The CTI valve may be attached to the wheel or integrated into the wheel. In addition, the CTI valve may have a valve body or the valve components can be installed directly into the wheel. An air passageway between the vehicle air source and the CTI valve and/or an air passageway from the CTI valve to the tire cavity can also be employed.
US08006730B2	Pneumatic tire with tread having circumferential main grooves A pneumatic tire of the invention includes: a stepped-shaped raised area provided in the main groove positioned at a center area of the tire so as to be continued circumferentially of the tire, connected to either the main groove walls, and raised from the groove bottom; and a ridge lower than a tread surface of the tire in each of the main grooves on both outsides of the main groove at the center area of the tire so as to be raised from the center of the groove bottom continuously along the length thereof without being joined with the groove walls, and the angle of inclination of the main groove walls with respect to the normal line of the tangential line on the tread surface of the main groove portion is parallel to each other or is 5° or smaller.
US08006725B2	Log splittter A log splitter having a bed for accepting a log. The bed has an operating length between first and second components, with the former a wedge. The log splitter can be placed in: (a) a first operative state wherein the bed has a first operating length; and (b) a second operative state wherein the bed has a second operating length. With the log splitter in the first operative state, the wedge is movable: (a) from a first starting position in a first lengthwise direction to effect splitting of a log; and (b) thereafter, oppositely to the first lengthwise direction back into the first starting position. In the second operative state, the wedge is movable: (a) from a second starting position to effect splitting; and (b) thereafter, back into the second starting position. The log splitter further has an operating assembly to move the first component.
US08006719B2	Electrohydraulic valve having a solenoid actuator plunger with an armature and a bearing A solenoid operated valve has a valve body with a plurality of ports and a spool slideable within the valve body to interconnect the ports in different combinations. An actuator drives the spool into several operating positions. The actuator has a solenoid assembly with an armature that moves within a bore in response to an electromagnetic field. A push member projects from the armature and has a bearing secured thereto. The bearing has a cage that retains a plurality of rollable elements in slots separated by walls that are resilient enabling the rollable elements to be forced into the slots during assembly and thereafter be captured in the cage when the walls return to their original positions. A latch on the cage engages the push member to affix the bearing in place.
US08006715B2	Valve with thin-film coating A fuel system component is provided. The fuel system component may comprise a valve body having a substantially conical surface region including a first coating. The component may further include a valve seat having a first surface region with a substantially conical surface including a second coating. The coating of the valve seat is configured to engage at least a portion of the coating of the substantially conical surface region of the valve body.
US08006712B2	Faucet control system and method A faucet control system comprises a valve apparatus, sensors or a motion detector to be activated by a user, and a controller that controls the valve apparatus. A first sensor may start fluid flow and a second sensor may alter the proportion of fluids delivered from two fluid sources. The sensors may be activated without being touched and may include infrared and/or photodiode sensing elements. In a sink embodiment, when a user approaches the sink to wash hands, water flow is activated. Optionally, the initial water flow may be cold water, to prevent energy wastage. A second sensor may be placed elsewhere on the sink, such as on the left hand side of the faucet spout. Consequently, when the right hand, for example, is placed below the faucet spout, the water flow is activated with the first sensor. The left hand may be placed above a second sensor and, by waiving the left hand, the hand sensor will cause the hot valve to allow hot water to mix with cold water from the cold valve, should the user wish a warm temperature water flow. If the user wishes hot water, the user will then waive his or her hands over the second sensor, which will close the cold valve and open only the hot valve, thus allowing only hot water to flow from the spout.
US08006707B2	Rotating dial sifter Described herein are containers having a bottom portion, a bottom sifter, a dial sifter, and a removable cover having pins. A bottom sifter and a dial sifter are rotatably engaged, and both have at least one sifting hole for sifting materials with a powder-like consistency. Either the surface of the bottom sifter facing the dial sifter or the surface of the dial sifter facing the bottom sifter may have at least one raised portion, and the remaining surface may have at least one recessed depression. The dial sifter may have one or more cavities to engage the pins in the cover, thereby rotating the dial with the rotation of the cover.
US08006704B1	Pet nail filing device A pet nail filing device for filing down a pet's nails in a quick and painless fashion. The filing device has a housing and a rotating grinding drum within the housing. A motor is connected to a drive belt which causes the grinding drum to rotate while isolating the grinding drum, and thus the animal, from vibration. The grinding drum has an outer surface covered with grit. When the pet's nail is brought into contact with the drum outer surface, the grit coupled with the rotation of the drum both conditions the nail for grooming by causing the vein to retract, and also causes the nail to be filed down. A mask cover exposes only a portion of the grinding drum through openings therein, and thereby avoids trauma to the animal.
US08006698B2	Aerosol therapy device The invention regards a therapeutic aerosol device in which a main aerosol flow, which is generated with the help of a compressed gas and is supplied to one of the nostrils of a user, is superimposed by pressure fluctuations. The superimposition of the pressure fluctuations occurs directly at one of the two nostrils of the user. A flow resistance is provided in the other nostril.
US08006690B2	Reservoir pressure system for medicament inhaler An inhaler includes an accurate and consistent mechanical dose metering system that dispenses dry powdered medicament in discrete amounts or doses for patient inhalation, a pressure relief system that manages pressure within a medicament reservoir of the inhaler to ensure consistently dispensed doses, and a dose counting system indicating the number of doses dispensed by or remaining in the inhaler.
US08006687B2	Appliance with a vacuum-based reverse airflow cooling system An appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a main body defining a cavity and an air channel which is in flow communication with an outside of the appliance; an access door supported by the main body for selectively closing the cavity, the access door having an airway in flow communication with the outside of the appliance and the air channel; a fan disposed in the air channel; and an Human Machine Interface disposed on or in the access door. When activated, the fan causes ambient air from the outside of the appliance to pass through the airway before entering the air channel so that the access door is cooled off by the ambient air.
US08006686B2	High efficiency combustion stove The invention is a stove that is portable, has a double walled external structure for the passage of air used in combustion of the fuel, which air also maintains the external surface at a cool enough temperature that it can be touched, and which air flow prevents the waste of heat laterally to the ambient air from a hot outer surface. This increases cooking efficiency, because almost all heat that reaches the air flow between the two walls is drawn right into the combustion chamber in the form of preheated air by reason of the chimney effect. Thus almost no heat can escape the outside wall except by reaching the cooking pot bottom and pot sides after passing out the cover vents as exhaust. The stove is preferably powered with coal, and uses about half as much coal as a conventional coal fired stove resulting from cooking efficiency.
US08006682B2	Adjustable archery bow monopod and quiver apparatus and methods A support tube is attachable via a bracket to the riser of an archery bow, the support tube being bored to accept the diameter of a sheath tube of a telescoping leg, and the sheath tube of the telescoping leg having a connection means for a cap to secure it in said support tube. The telescoping leg is optional, having lockable segments and a removable foot to provide secure footing on a variety of surfaces. The quiver portion of the apparatus is also optional and comprises an upper hood portion and a lower notched plate, both attachable to the support tube, together or separately. Methods for assembly and use are provided.
US08006681B2	Firing structure of paintball marker A firing structure of a paintball marker includes a marker body and a firing cylinder. The marker body includes a barrel with mutually communicating first and second gas chambers. A stop edge is formed in the barrel at a junction between the first and second gas chambers. An O-ring is embedded in an inner wall of the barrel at a position inside the second gas chamber. The firing cylinder and a rear guide rod are put sequentially into the gas chambers. The firing cylinder has an outer periphery formed with a stop portion in the first gas chamber. The stop portion has a front edge mounted with a buffer washer corresponding in position to the stop edge of the barrel and having a planar surface. Thus, the process yield of the marker body can be increased, and the firing cylinder remains stable in high-speed action regardless of its position.
US08006680B1	Magnetic paint ball gun apparatus A paint ball gun barrel indexing pin includes a plunger, cover, body, and first and second magnets that bias the plunger within the barrel. Magnetic coupling is used between rigid components that are used to position paint balls within a paint ball gun. In a “push-push” arrangement, a pair of magnets are oriented with like poles facing each other. When force is applied to one of the pair of magnets, the force will be transmitted through the magnetic fields to the second magnet. This magnetic coupling offers low resistance to movement when the magnets are in an initial substantially spaced apart relationship. Such low force coupling ensures gentle handling of the paint balls. However, as the limits of travel are approached, the magnetic coupling will exponentially increase forces between the magnets, preventing a “bottoming out” of the coupling.
US08006679B2	Two-track system for dual cam compound bow The present invention comprises a two-track cam assembly wherein the cam assembly has a bowstring component for housing the bowstring and a power cable component that allows for the take up and let out of the power cable on opposing ends of the power cable component, effectively creating a two-track cam assembly. The efficiency rating of the device achieves 95.8%. The cam assembly can come in a unitary or modular form and further each component (i.e. the bowstring or power cable component) can be in a circular or non-circular form.
US08006678B2	Igniter system A coil failure detection circuit detects a rise of a collector current of an IGBT and a timer circuit measures the length of a rise period. If the rise is not a normal one, an electronic control unit judges that a coil failure has occurred. The electronic control unit turns off the IGBT to prevent misfires and stops a flow of fuel gas to a combustion chamber to prevent melting or deterioration of a catalyst.
US08006677B2	Fuel control system and associated method A fuel control system and method for providing fuel to an internal combustion engine are provided. The fuel control system generally includes at least one valve device structured to deliver a fuel supply to the engine, a first fuel source structured to provide a primary fuel to the valve device, a second fuel source structured to provide an alternate fuel to the valve device, and an electronic controller structured to control the valve device. The electronic controller controls the valve device as a function of various data to selectively deliver the primary fuel and the alternate fuel to generate a fuel supply, e.g. as a mixture of the two fuels. The data used to control the fuel supply may include GPS data, engine data, environmental data, and/or other operational data.
US08006674B2	Vapor control system A valve is disposed between a fuel tank and an engine intake manifold in a small engine fuel system equipped to recapture running loss evaporative emissions. The valve includes a resilient diaphragm that blocks the flow path When vapor pressure in the fuel tank reaches a predetermined level, the diaphragm opens and allows the vacuum forces in the manifold to purge the vapors in the fuel tank by drawing the vapors into the manifold to be burned in the engine. The diaphragm isolates the fuel tank vapor dome from the vacuum pressure generated in the manifold, thereby preventing the engine from being starved of fuel. The valve may be integrated with a liquid discriminating valve to form a valve assembly.
US08006669B2	Sealing arrangement of a piezoactuator for a fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine A sealing arrangement of a piezoactuator (12) for a fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine, has connecting pins (14) projecting out of the piezoactuator (12) and a head arrangement (16, 18) placed on to the piezoactuator (12), which is provided with openings (20) for the penetration of the connecting pins (14), wherein a liquid-tight sealing element (30) abuts against the outer surfaces of the connecting pins (14) on one side and also against the head arrangement (16, 18) on the other. In order to ensure a reliable seal with this arrangement, in particular also over extended periods of time, the sealing element (30) abuts against the outer surfaces of the connecting pins (14) located inside the openings (20), and sealing element sections (32) located inside the openings (20) are radially compressed in the openings.
US08006668B1	Electronic pressure regulator The invention includes a very fast voice coil actuator, in the range of 2-5 millisecond full stroke response with high force, a circuit board located in the enclosure, a pressure sensor sensing pressure internal to the system which in the preferred embodiment is located in the actuator cap assembly but could be located in other locations, a diaphragm, a link plate, a mating ring, and a mechanical pressure regulator. An electronic pressure regulator receives pressure commands from the engine control module in a manner similar to receiving pulse width from an engine control module to an injector and calculates the required new pressure command. A novel feature of the present invention includes the Delta P control and the control of the regulator based on direct feedback of pressure.
US08006664B2	Device for supplying air to a multiple-cylinder engine head A device including two air distribution chambers configured to be fixed on a cylinder head and an air distributor and/or an air transfer pipe, the air transfer pipe and the air distribution chambers including, in the immediate surroundings of their nozzles, for being relatively positioned and assembled together: between the air distributor and one of the air distribution chambers, a positioning and supporting mechanism for support and precise relative centering, substantially without clearance, except for possible pivoting about the axis of engagement, once the centering has been provided along the axis, and, between the air distributor and the other air distribution chamber: an additional support mechanism and locating mechanism. A fixing mechanism locks, at the required swivel angle and in relative support, each air distribution chamber and the air distributor.
US08006663B2	Post-start controller for diesel engine A glow power selected from a map based on a coolant temperature and an intake air temperature is applied to a glow plug provided at a combustion cylinder after an engine starts. Air-fuel mixture is heated and combusted, and then a rotation variation is calculated from a difference between a maximum rotating speed and a minimum rotating speed of the combustion cylinder. If the rotation variation is outside an allowable range with reference to an average rotation variation for four cylinders, the glow power corresponding to the combustion cylinder is corrected by a correction value set based on the rotation variation, thereby equalizing rotation variations for all cylinders.
US08006660B2	Device for variably adjusting the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine A device (10) for variably adjusting control times of gas exchange valves (9a, 9b) of an internal combustion engine (1) is provided, having an external rotor (22) and an internal rotor (23) that is arranged such that it can rotate in relation to the external rotor. One of the components is drivingly connected to the crankshaft (2) and the other component is drivingly connected to the camshaft (6, 7). At least one pressure chamber (33) is provided and each of the pressure chambers (33) is divided into two counter-working pressure chambers (35, 36). One of the pressure chambers (35, 36) of each pressure chamber (33) acts as an advance chamber and the other pressure chamber (35, 36) as a trailing chamber. At least two rotation angle limiting devices (42, 43) are provided, each of the rotation angle limiting devices (42, 43) being able to assume an unlocked state and locking state. The locking state can be adjusted by supplying or withdrawing a pressure medium to and from the respective rotation angle limiting devices (42, 43).
US08006658B2	Variable valve actuation apparatus of internal combustion engine A variable valve actuation apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a multinodular-link motion converter, to vary at least a working angle. A position of rotation of a control shaft, variably adjusting the attitude of the motion converter, is set, so that, at a peak lift during a valve opening period, an angle γ2 between an extension line of a line segment connecting a first fulcrum corresponding to a drive-eccentric-cam center and a second fulcrum provided on a rocker arm and a line segment connecting the second fulcrum and a third fulcrum provided on the rocker arm at a position different from the second fulcrum at a middle working-angle control mode is less than both an angle γ1 between the two line segments at a minimum working-angle control mode and an angle γ3 between the two line segments at a maximum working-angle control mode.
US08006650B2	Bicycle tethering device for pets A tethering system is used with a bicycle and a pet. The system has: a flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end of the flexible tube having a plate connector having a bike attachment system and a removable connection with the flexible tube, the connector configured to attach to a position on a two-wheel bicycle within 15 cm of a rear axle on the two-wheel bicycle; and the distal end of the flexible tube having a connection system for a leash.
US08006649B2	Animal control system having correction monitor A receiver for an animal control system having a correction monitor which indicates that the animal has attempted to challenge the system, as determined by the occurrence of one or more correction events within a specified period of time. A correction event occurs when a stimulus is applied to the animal. The stimulus may be an audible alert, or may be an electrical shock. The correction monitor is operative to monitor correction events and to provide an indication that an event has occurred. In one embodiment, the correction event can be signaled to a user at the receiver by use of an LED or other indicator or display which is latched on for a defined period of time. In another embodiment, the correction event can be signaled to a user at a central location, such as by an indicator or display in the animal owner's house. The correction event may also be signaled remotely via a communications path or network, and displayed in any suitable manner at one or more remote locations. The time of correction events and location information can be provided in association with the event indication.
US08006648B1	Power-actuated paw cleaning device and associated method A power-actuated animal paw cleaning device including an elongated handle having an anchor rod statically coupled to a distal end thereof, a casing pivotally mated to the anchor rod such that the casing is freely pivotal thereabout while the handle and anchor rod remain stationary, a splash guard pivotally coupled to the anchor rod and adjoined to an interior surface of the casing respectively, and a paw cleaning mechanism attached to the casing and the handle respectively. Such a paw cleaning mechanism is preferably provided with a brush head rotatably situated within the casing. In one embodiment, the present invention may further include a reservoir containing a liquid cleaning solution therein. Such a liquid cleaning solution may be directly deposited onto a paw of the animal prior to or during cleaning procedures for loosening debris, for example.
US08006647B2	Grooming tool An animal grooming tool. The animal grooming tool comprises a handle having a proximal end, a distal end and a gripping portion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The handle delimits an internal channel disposed therein. The tool also comprises a brush head integrally attached to the distal end and extending therefrom, the brush head further delimiting the internal channel disposed therein. The brush head has a top wall, a bottom wall and sidewalls connecting the top wall and the bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a plurality of openings defined therethrough and communicating with the channel. The tool further comprises a stabilizer inserted into and extending within the channel. The stabilizer has an open first end, a closed second end and a body disposed between the open first end and the closed second end. The body has a plurality of apertures defined therethrough and aligned with the openings of the bottom wall. During operation, fluid discharges through the open first end flows through the plurality of apertures and out of the plurality of openings and onto the animal.
US08006646B2	Self cleaning aquarium system An aquarium system for containing water and aquatic life therein is disclosed that includes a reservoir and an aquarium that is mounted generally above the reservoir. The aquarium has an outlet in liquid communication with the reservoir through an outlet conduit that includes a discharge mechanism, preferably an inverted U-shaped siphon conduit, that periodically discharges a portion of the water from the aquarium to the reservoir therethrough once the water has reached a maximum water level. A pumping mechanism pumps water from the reservoir up to the aquarium through an inlet conduit that is in fluid communication with the reservoir and an inlet of the aquarium. As such, when the water reaches the maximum level in the aquarium, the siphon conduit substantially fills with water which begins to flow out through the outlet conduit, drawing a portion of water from the aquarium rapidly through the outlet conduit until the water in the aquarium reaches the open bottom end of the siphon conduit. Air in the aquarium thereafter enters the siphon conduit to break the siphon. Water leaving the output conduit enters a filter means to filter and clean the water before it is returned to the aquarium by the pump. An embodiment emulates the current of a river, wherein the aquarium takes the shape of an elongated, substantially transparent tube or trough. A wave surge mechanism may be included for producing periodic wave surges in the aquarium.
US08006645B2	System and method for aquaculture of marine life forms Disclosed is a system for aquaculturing marine life forms such as coral utilizing a rotating tray that exposes the marine life forms to variable water flow conditions during each revolution of the tray.
US08006644B1	Fishbowl cleaning method and apparatus A pitcher is provided as a preferred form of apparatus for use in a fishbowl cleaning procedure. The pitcher has a side wall extending from a floor to a rim. Holes are formed in the side wall spaced above a floor and below the rim. Water and fish can be poured from a fishbowl into the pitcher. The fish and residual water remain within the pitcher below lowermost holes in the side wall. Excess water drains through the holes in the side wall. The fishbowl can then be cleaned or otherwise reconfigured. Finally, the pitcher can be tilted to pour the residual water and the fish from the pitcher back into the fishbowl.
US08006639B2	Catalytic enhanced chemical vapor deposition apparatus having efficient filament arrangement structure The present invention provides a catalytic enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus capable of maximizing efficiency of gas use to 80% or more, and obtaining a uniform thin film by efficiently arranging filaments mounted on a shower head of the catalytic enhanced CVD apparatus, thereby uniformly decomposing a deposition source gas. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating an organic electroluminescent device with an inorganic film formed through the catalytic enhanced CVD apparatus.
US08006634B2	Whistle An object of the present invention is to provide a whistle which has a resonance frequency shifted to the low-frequency side and a pleasant tone while retaining a compact size and light weight. In order to attain this object, a whistle comprises a mouthpiece portion, inside which an air passageway is formed and in which an air opening is opened, and a body portion, in which a connected resonance chamber that is connected to the air passageway is formed; the connected resonance chamber comprises a first resonance chamber, a second resonance chamber in which a sound-emitting opening is opened, and an orifice connecting the first resonance chamber and the second resonance chamber.
US08006633B2	Embroidered electrode An embroidered electrode (10) consists of embroidered elements (12, 13, 14) of electrically conductive thread sewn on a backing material (11). Within a given element the orientation of stitching is selected to be parallel to the direction in which the element extends.
US08006630B2	High-strength, lightweight blow-molded plastic structures Blow molded plastic structures are provided for use in various structures such as, but not limited to, tables, chairs, walls, backboards, storage bins, sports equipment and the like. The blow molded plastic structure has a first surface and a second surface extending between a first end and a second end and forming a chamber there between. A plurality of depressions is formed on the second surface and extends into the chamber. The depressions are usually unitary structures formed by a depression wall. Generally, the steeper the depression wall, the more strength is provided to the structure. In addition, where the plurality of depressions has a low profile and a greater density, increased strength is provided to the structure. The depressions may or may not be joined to the first surface.
US08006616B2	Ink applicator for printing roller A printing roller has an outer surface and is rotatable in a rotational sense about a roller axis. A liquid applicator has an upstream blade having an edge engageable with the roller surface and a downstream blade having an edge engageable with the roller surface downstream in the sense from the upstream-blade edge. The blades form a compartment fillable with a liquid to be applied to the roller outer surface. The upstream blade is shifted on rotation of the roller between an engaged position with the respective edge engaging the surface and a disengaged position with the respective edge spaced radially from the surface.
US08006615B1	Stencil stamp set A stencil stamp includes a number of stencils having openings with various shapes, with the stencils being individually attached to a housing of the stencil stamp so that the stencils can be easily and cleanly changed. The stencil stamp also includes a cover for preventing the evaporation of ink from a pad within the stencil stamp. In a first version, a stencil and/or the cover is slid into a slot within the housing. In a second version, the housing includes a threaded surface for the attachment of a stencil and/or the cover.
US08006610B2	Axial piston machine in a swash-plate construction having an adjusting device An axial piston machine in a swash-plate construction with an actuating device. The actuating device comprises a actuating piston and a mating piston. The actuating piston and the mating piston are connected to the swash plate each with the first end thereof and can be applied with the second end thereof with a force acting in the direction of the first end. For resetting the swash plate in the direction of a resting position, an elastic element is provided on the actuating piston and on the mating piston, which is supported on a spring bearing arranged on the first side facing the swash plate of the actuating piston or of the mating piston. In the other direction, the elastic element is supported on a second spring bearing arranged on the end facing away from the swash plate of the actuating piston or of the mating piston. When the swash plate is deflected from the resting position, the second spring bearing of the actuating piston or of the mating piston is supported on a counter bearing on the housing side. The second spring bearing of the respective other actuating bearing or mating bearing is supported on a counter bearing on the piston side.
US08006608B2	Method of providing a defense against a shaped charge A method of providing a defense against a shaped charge. An outer and an inner armor layer are provided with a medial space between these outer and inner armor layers. One or more defensive shaped charges are positioned in the medial space. If the outer armor layer is attacked by ordnance having an offensive shaped charge, one or more of the defensive shaped charges positioned in the medial space is detonated so as to degrade the effectiveness of the offensive shaped charge and prevent penetration of the inner armor layer.
US08006607B2	Protective module using electric current to protect objects against threats, especially from shaped charges A device is disclosed for protecting an object from shaped charge jets comprising an electrode arrangement which is provided with at least one electrode facing the object and one electrode facing away from the object between which an electrical voltage can be applied. The invention is distinguished by the object-facing electrode having at least one area with a spatially heterogeneous electrode material.
US08006605B2	Armor panel system An armor panel system has a strike face assemblage formed of a hard material layer of discrete elements or tiles and a fiber reinforcement bonded to the tiles. The fiber reinforcement includes a layer of cup-shaped staples aligned and bonded to an inner surface of an associated tile and having legs that extend into gaps between side edges of adjacent tiles. The tiles and fiber reinforcement are encapsulated in a matrix material. The armor panel system also includes a support and containment assemblage having a support plate and a containment element. The containment element is fastened to and supported by the support plate along a periphery by stitching, which allows the containment element to act as a net to catch and contain fragments. A bonding layer joins the strike face assemblage and the support and containment assemblage. The bonding layer includes a mesh embedded in an adhesive material.
US08006604B2	Ballistic resistant gun case and method of usage A gun case that facilitates safe handling of a gun to be contained therein. The gun case includes a pair of side walls with at least one of the side walls being formed with a ballistic resistant layer and one of the side walls being formed with a target indicia on an outer side thereof. During handling of the gun, the gun muzzle is held in close proximity to and pointed toward the target indicia such that an accidentally discharged bullet from the gun during handling will impact the ballistic resistant layer to prevent or minimize bodily injury or property damage.
US08006600B2	Multiple blasting treating method A method of blasting hazardous substance or explosive in a pressure vessel is provided to improve efficiency while suppressing enlargement of the pressure vessel. To achieve it, the method includes an installing step of installing two or more articles to be treated at a certain spacing in the pressure vessel, an initial blasting step of blasting one of the articles to be treated, and a following blasting step of blasting the article to be treated next to the previously blasted article to be treated after a particular time from the instant of the previous blast. Each of the articles is blasted sequentially through the initial and following blasting steps.
US08006595B2	Apparatus and method for detecting dangerous conditions in power equipment Woodworking machines are disclosed having electrically conductive cutting tools adapted to cut workpieces. The machines include a contact detection system capacitively coupled to the cutting tool, and adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutting tool. The machines also include a reaction system configured to cause one or more predetermined actions to take place upon detection of contact between a person and the cutting tool by the contact detection system.
US08006594B2	Catheter cutting tool Systems and methods for cutting, or trimming, a catheter at a specified location along the length of the catheter. The catheter preferably includes a stop feature comprising a difference in a physical characteristic between a first portion of the catheter and a second portion of the catheter which interacts with an elongate member of the cutting system to determine the catheter is in a proper position to be cut.
US08006590B2	Open-faced rod spinner An open-faced rod-spinning device configured for making and/or breaking joints between threaded drill rods. The rod-spinning device may include a drive gear with an open face. The drive gear may also be coupled to a plurality of drive pins. The rod-spinning device may include a carriage assembly including an open face for receiving and rotating about a drill rod. The carriage assembly may include a plurality of gripping lobes configured to be engaged and rotated by the drive pins about pivot pins. The drive gear may be configured to rotate relative to the carriage assembly to cause the drive pins to engage and rotate the gripping lobes.
US08006589B2	Engine flywheel In a flywheel in which narrow portions to be engaged with a coil spring included in the flywheel are formed of recessed portions made by recessing the surface of a flywheel cover, the portions of a sensor plate welded to the front cover, which confront with the recessed portions are made more fragile than adjacent portions of the sensor plate. With this configuration, when the front cover is deformed, stress applied to welded portions adjacent to the recessed portions can be suppressed since the fragile portions are easily deformed. Accordingly, even if the recessed portions are formed to the surface of a flywheel cover, stress can be prevented from being concentrated on the coupling portions of the flywheel cover and the sensor plate.
US08006587B2	Adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle An adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle includes a setting unit displaceable in at least one setting direction, a holding unit nondisplaceable in this setting direction, and a securement device. In the opened state of the securement device, the setting unit is displaceable with respect to the holding unit for setting the position of the steering column and, in the closed state of the securement device, the setting unit is secured with respect to the holding unit by the securement device. The securement device includes a clamp bolt penetrating openings in the setting unit and holding unit, at least one tooth plate penetrated by the clamp bolt, which tooth plate comprises at least one toothing (set of teeth) with teeth directed away from the clamp bolt. The holding unit has at least one toothing (set of teeth), facing the clamp bolt for cooperation with the at least one toothing of the tooth plate in the closed state of the securement device. The tooth plate is implemented elastically flexibly and disposed between the holding unit and a press-on part, penetrated by the longitudinal axis of the clamp bolt, by which it is pressed onto the holding unit in the closed state of the securement device. The at least one toothing of the tooth plate in the opened state of the securement device is spaced apart by spring force in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamp bolt from the at least one toothing of the holding unit.
US08006585B2	Actuating cylinder for vehicle gearboxes A vehicle transmission having a housing (5) with a region in which a connection plate (7) can be firmly attached. The connection plate includes areas for receiving at least parts of the actuating elements, which actuate the torque-transmitting components, and/or parts of the actuating elements, which actuate a transmission shifting device. At least one required actuating cylinder (3) is formed by a first cylinder part, that is located within the connection plate, and a second cylinder part, that is located within the transmission housing. A stop ring (10), provided in the cylinder (3), is configured in such a way that the sealing contact surfaces of a piston (2), in the transmission housing and/or the connection plate, are formed by a bushing-shaped expansion (10′, 10″) of the stop ring (10).
US08006584B2	Shifter assembly including bezel lock and release mechanism A shifter assembly includes a base. A light box is disposed about the base. The shifter assembly also includes a ratchet system for adjusting the light box relative to the base.
US08006583B2	Forcing device for a moving lever A fixed support is provided on a base member near a moving lever. A moving support is provided on the moving lever. A coil spring comprises a coil and a pair of arms extending from the coil. The fixed support is wound with the coil. The moving support is held between the two arms of the coil spring and pressed by outward force of the coil spring thereby assuring smooth reverse of a direction of the force.
US08006582B2	Gear, and image forming apparatus provided with the same A gear is made of resin and includes: a support cylindrical portion; a teeth-formed cylindrical portion arranged coaxially with the support cylindrical portion on a radially outer side of the support cylindrical portion and formed with a plurality of teeth in its outer periphery; and a web connecting an outer peripheral surface of the support cylindrical portion and an inner circumferential surface of the teeth-formed cylindrical portion, and an axial thickness of at least a part of the web becomes thinner gradually from the outer peripheral surface of the support cylindrical portion to the inner circumferential surface of the teeth-formed cylindrical portion.
US08006571B2	Air flow measurement An arrangement for measuring air flow includes a source of measurement values and a processing unit. The source of measurement values is operable to generate measurement values representative of a difference in pressure from air obtained on a first side of an obstruction and air obtained on a second side of the obstruction. The processing unit is configured to, in one case, convert any negative measurement values of the measurement values to a less negative value. The processing unit is further configured to perform low pass filtering on the measurement values and convert the filtered measurement values to a flow value.
US08006568B2	Fixture for mechanical analysis of a hollow tube A test fixture for use with a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) restrains a hollow cylindrical tube for purposes of performing either a tensile or transverse/bending load test. The fixture includes a clamp that is configured to restrain the tube without imparting a preload or changing a mechanical property of the tube.
US08006566B2	Screening of silicon wafers used in photovoltaics A method for screening silicon-based wafers used in the photovoltaic industry is provided herewith.
US08006558B2	Measuring a sample A sample 10 is measured by generating ultrasound at 12, for example by using a laser 22 and spatial light modulator 26. The ultrasound is detected at 16, for example by optical beam deflection techniques. A characteristic of the generation at 12 is swept across a range of values to vary the efficiency of generation of ultrasound. The value of the characteristic, which corresponds with the peak amplitude detected at 16, is identified to provide a measure of the acoustic velocity at the region 12. The method is executed at a plurality of sites 12, 20 to provide a set of spatially resolved measurements of the sample 10. This allows an image of the sample to be created.
US08006555B2	Cap member for covering sensor unit A cap member for covering a sensor unit such as a rotational speed sensor is composed of a cylindrical wall, a thin bottom wall and an open end to be closed with a closing member. The cap member is formed by molding a resin material. Molten resin is injected into a cavity formed by an inner die and an outer die. After the injected resin is cooled, the inner die is separated from the molded cap member. If the molded cap member adheres to the inner die, it would be difficult to separate the inner die from the cap member by pulling out the inner die in the axial direction. A structure anchoring the cap member to the outer die is formed on an outer surface of the cylindrical wall. The anchoring structure may be formed in a shape of a ring or rings surrounding the center axis of the cap member. Alternatively, the anchoring structure may be formed in a shape of a depressed groove or grooves.
US08006554B2	Filter and SPE plate clogged well detection The invention provides a method, a system, and a computer readable medium for determining the fill-ready status of one or more wells of a plurality of wells formed in a filter or solid-phase extraction (SPE) plate. In the method, a signal is directed toward a well of the plurality of wells. A reflected signal is received from the well responsive to the directed signal. The fill-ready status of the well is determined based on the received reflected signal. The steps may be repeated until the fill-ready status of each of the plurality of wells has been determined. In the method and the apparatus, the directed signal may be generated by a piezoelectric crystal. Some of the reflected vibrations impact the piezoelectric crystal, which oscillates in response. The piezoelectric crystal transmits a signal to a processor, the signal corresponding to the height of the liquid or other material in the well.
US08006552B2	Wind turbine generator system and method thereof for judging lightning energy level A wind turbine generator system that can quantitatively determine the energy of a lightning strike on a wind turbine blade is provided. In the wind turbine generator system generating electricity by driving an electrical generation mechanism through rotation of a rotor head to which wind turbine blades are attached, an electrically conductive shield tape for judging the charge quantity (C) of a lightning strike is bonded to surfaces of the wind turbine blades.
US08006548B2	Engine bench system control system It is a challenge to make it possible to produce a resonance suppression effect, and perform a stable control even in a case where a spring rigidity of a shaft significantly varies. The challenge is achieved as follows. In an engine bench system in which an engine 1 to be tested and a dynamometer 2 are coupled together by a coupling shaft 3, and a shaft torque control of the dynamometer is performed, a controller 5 includes: an integral element having an integral coefficient KI for a deviation (T12r−T12) between a shaft torque command T12r and a measured shaft torque T12; a differential element having a differential coefficient KD for the measured shaft torque T12; and a proportional element KP for the measured shaft torque T12. The controller 5 obtains a torque control signal T2 by subtracting the differential element and the proportional element from the integral element. Control parameters (KI, KP, KD, f1) are determined according to control characteristic parameters (a4, a3, a2, a1) set in a function calculation section 6, inertia moments J1, J2 of the engine and the dynamometer, and spring rigidity K12 of the coupling shaft.
US08006544B2	Apparatus and methods for testing performance of a material for use in a jet engine An apparatus for testing failure of a material used in a jet engine, and more particularly to an apparatus that uses one or more model jet engine components made from a material used in a full-size jet engine and desired to be tested. The apparatus permits easy removal and disassembly of a jet engine mounted thereon as well as real-time measurements of run-time parameters. The methods and apparatus provide for predicting and analysing failure by a number of fatigue-related mechanisms including creep, fatigue, crack growth, foreign object damage, fretting, erosion, and stress corrosion.
US08006539B2	Actuation system A method and system for creating highly nonlinear solitary waves for use in performing nondestructive evaluation of structures and materials. The method and system use an apparatus having a spring loaded adjustable striker, a chain of granular particles, and a reloading device that allows for repeated activation of the adjustable striker.
US08006536B2	Die transfer apparatus A mechanism for forming thin metallic skin enclosures from blanks. The apparatus includes a forming assembly including a plurality of die stations. The stations are stepped farther away from an axis in a direction of which blanks being processed are positioned at a plurality of die stations. Grippers spaced along the axis and away from the axis at distances substantially the same as are die stations are carried by the transfer assembly. An actuator is used to move the transfer assembly reciprocally in directions generally parallel to the axis between first and second axial positions. A ram is provided to move the transfer assembly between first and second stepped positions relative to the axis.
US08006529B2	Methods for manufacturing coil springs The systems and methods include a feed mechanism supplying multi-strand wire to a coil-spring winder. The coil spring typically has a plurality of turns and is resilient. The multi-strand wire is typically steel, but may be of other suitable material, or a combination of materials. The coil-spring winder receives wire from a spool of wire and forms that wire into a coil spring. Typically, but not always, the coil-spring winder cuts the coil spring to a desired length, and thereby forms a plurality of coil springs of the type that can be employed in mattresses, furniture, car seats, for industrial machines, or for any other application. To feed the coil-spring winder, the systems include a wire holder that supplies the wire to the coil-spring winder along a feed direction. The wire holder is supported for rotation about an axis that may be aligned with the feed direction. The rotation of the wire holder may be substantially synchronous with the formation of the turns of the coil spring. In one embodiment, the spool of wire is mounted onto a wire holder rotatable about a holding axis for reducing torque about a cross section of the wire. Thus, as the spool of wire revolves around the central spool axis, the spool also revolves around a second axis, which typically is orthogonal to the spool axis. In this way, it is understood that the coil-spring winder can pull wire off the spool without it causing twisting that may unravel or snap the multi-strand wire.
US08006528B2	Method for producing duplex stainless steel pipe, method for straightening, method for regulating strength, and method for operating straightener In straightening a duplex stainless steel pipe on a multi-roll pipe straightener, the value of A defined by the formula (1) is set to not more than 2.0% when it is not necessary to improve the mechanical strength of the pipe, and the value of A is set to more than 2.0% but not more than 3% when it is necessary to improve the mechanical strength of the pipe. Thereby, the mechanical strength of the duplex stainless steel pipe is regulated, A=(Di−Hi)/Di (1) where each of the symbols in the formula (1) indicates the following: Di: the outer diameter (mm) of the pipe at an entry side of an i-th stand in the straightener, and Hi: the gap (mm) between groove bottom portions of the rolls at an i-th stand in the straightener.
US08006526B2	Steering shaft lock actuator A steering shaft lock actuator including at least one motor having an output shaft; a drive train coupled to the output shaft, a locking pawl coupled to the drive train; and a housing for at least partially enclosing the motor, the drive train, the locking pawl and the locking pin. The drive train may be configured to linearly urge the locking pawl and a locking pin between a locked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin extend at least partially out of the housing and unlocked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin are retracted toward the housing relative to the locked position. The locking pawl may be positioned to prevent rotational movement of the steering shaft when in the locked position. The locking pin may be positioned to lock the actuator to a steering shaft interface when in the locked position.
US08006521B2	Locking device for the closing lid of washing machines A locking device for the closing lid of washing machines having a containing body that houses a cursor equipped with an opening capable of receiving the hook mounted on the lid. A delaying device is capable of locking the cursor in a position retaining the latch. In order to ensure that the user operates under safe conditions, the device provides a lever that is equipped with a device to lock the cursor, and is connected to the body by a link.
US08006520B2	Sueded knitted fabrics A sueded knitted fabric is provided, comprising a technical face, a technical back, and a knitted body extending between the technical face and the technical back. The technical face, technical back, and knitted body comprise sueded yarns throughout.
US08006518B2	Method for manufacturing a preform for optical fibres The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a preform for optical fibers, wherein deposition of glass-forming compounds on the substrate takes place. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing optical fibers, wherein one end of a solid preform is heated, after which an optical fibre is drawn from said heated end.
US08006516B2	Tongue and mouth stud for dispensing a substance The present invention discloses a tongue and mouth stud for dispensing a substance such as a chemical, breath freshener, pleasant flavor, or medication into the mouth of a wearer. This tongue and mouth stud includes a means for dispensing a substance comprised of an internal cavity for storing and dispensing the substance contained within through one or more openings in the surface of the tongue stud that are contiguous with the internal cavity. Furthermore, the means for dispensing a substance may include a sponge positioned within the internal cavity of the mouth and tongue stud.

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