最新美国发明专利第2011-09-06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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US08012554B2	Bags having odor management capabilities Bags or liners having incorporated therein an effective amount of odor management agents including a counteractant agent, a neutralizing agent and optionally, a masking agent, whereby the odor management agent imparts no perceptible scent to the bags or liners, such that the bags or liners are substantially free of fragrance while the odor management agent reduces malodor emanating from products disposed within the bag. Further, the invention is drawn to web materials for use in forming the bags or liners having odor management agents. The odor management agent is disposed within the bag or dispersed substantially uniformly throughout the web.
US08012553B2	Biodegradable stretch mold container having excellent heat resistance A stretch mold container of the present invention is obtained by draw-forming a resin composition containing a poly-L-lactic acid (A) and a poly-D-lactic acid (B) at a molar ratio A:B in a range of 95:5 to 60:40, and has an amount of heat shrinkage of 5.0% or less under heat treatment conditions of 65° C.×24 hours. Despite of being made from the polylactic acids, the stretch mold container exhibits excellent heat resistance.
US08012549B1	Simulated balloon system A simulated balloon system for that does not utilize a pressurized gas. The simulated balloon system generally includes a simulated balloon unit having a first portion and a second portion defining a lower opening when attached, a plurality of fasteners connected to the simulated balloon unit for removably attaching the first portion and the second portion, a support member extending from the lower opening of the simulated balloon unit, and a base attached to a lower end of the support member. The base may be comprised of a magnet for attaching to a metal object such as a vehicle.
US08012545B2	Film forming method, film forming apparatus, method of manufacturing device, and apparatus for manufacturing device The invention provides a film forming method that improves throughput in a preliminary discharge. The film forming method according to the present invention can include a preliminary discharge step of preliminarily discharging liquid droplets from a head and a liquid droplet discharge step of relatively moving the head and the work to discharge the liquid droplets onto the surface of the work from the head. The preliminary discharge of the liquid droplets is carried out while the head and the work are moved relative to each other.
US08012544B2	Silicone MQ resin reinforced silicone elastomer emulsions An aqueous silicone emulsion forms a resin reinforced elastomeric film upon water evaporation. The emulsion composition contains a dispersed phase consisting of a silicone mixture composed of (i) a linear hydroxy terminated polydiorganosiloxane, (i) a silicone MQ resin, and (iii) an organofunctional polysiloxane. The aqueous silicone emulsion is prepared by mixing ingredients (i) to (iii) to form a mixture, adding emulsifiers and water to the mixture, mixing the ingredients to obtain an aqueous base emulsion, adjusting the pH of the base emulsion to an acidic or basic pH to facilitate crosslinking, and subsequently neutralizing the emulsion. Elastomeric films can be obtained by drying the emulsion on a substrate at ambient conditions.
US08012538B2	Method of manufacturing at least one projecting section of nozzle plate, nozzle plate, inkjet head and image forming apparatus A method of manufacturing at least one projecting section of a nozzle plate used in a liquid ejection head, includes: a partial lyophilic rendering step of rendering a lyophilic characteristic to a portion of a lyophobic film provided on an ejection surface side of a substrate in which a nozzle is formed, so as to form a lyophobic portion and a lyophilic portion on the ejection surface side of the substrate; a resin deposition step of depositing a curable resin on the lyophilic portion which has been rendered the lyophilic characteristic; and a curing step of curing the resin deposited on the lyophilic portion in such a manner that the cured resin forms the projecting section.
US08012536B2	Method of forming metal-containing layer using organometallic compounds Methods of forming metal-containing layers are provided where heteroleptic organometallic compounds containing at least one formamidinate ligand are conveyed in a gaseous form to a reactor; and films comprising a metal are deposited on a substrate. These heteroleptic organometallic compounds have improved properties over conventional vapor deposition precursors. Such compounds are suitable for use as vapor deposition precursors including direct liquid injection. Also provided are methods of depositing thin films, such as by ALD and CVD, using such compounds or their solutions in organic solvents.
US08012534B1	Thermosetting coatings for particulate materials and methods of application A process is provided for coating particulate materials with a thermoset polymeric coating that is less prone to creep or abrasion than a thermoplastic coating. The process provides for the coating of water-reactive and water-soluble materials which require a non-aqueous media for processing and also provides for the coating of particulate materials which must be processed in water. Also, all organics may be recovered, and there is no solvent contamination of water. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims.
US08012530B2	Organic thin-film photoelectric conversion element and method of manufacturing the same The objectives of the present invention are to enable the manufacturing of an organic thin-film photoelectric conversion element under normal atmosphere, improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the element, and enhance its durability. A hole-blocking TiO2 layer is created between the photoelectric conversion layer and the electrode by a wet process. In the manufacturing process, the hole-blocking TiO2 layer is air-dried so that it will be an amorphous layer. It is possible to provide a concentration gradient layer of PCBM/P3HT in which the PCBM concentration is higher in a region close to the hole-blocking TiO2 layer. This structure will reduce the electric resistance of that region and minimize the current loss within the photoelectric conversion element. In the vicinity of the hole-blocking TiO2 layer, the PCBM concentration is increased, which in turn makes it easier for electrons to flow into the TiO2 layer since PCBM is electrically conductive. Due to these features, the organic thin-film photoelectric conversion element having the gradient structure of the present embodiment has a high level of photoelectric conversion efficiency and good durability.
US08012529B2	Light emitting element and manufacturing method thereof According to the invention, an insulating or semi-insulating barrier layer which has a thickness where a tunnel current can flow through is provided between a hole injection electrode and an organic compound layer with hole transport characteristics (a hole injection layer or a hole transport layer). Specifically, a thin insulating or semi-insulating barrier layer which contains silicon or silicon oxide; silicon or silicon oxide and a light transmitting conductive oxide material; or silicon or silicon oxide, a light transmitting conductive oxide material, and carbon may be provided between a light transmitting conductive oxide film formed of a light transmitting conductive oxide material, such as ITO and a hole injection layer containing an organic compound.
US08012527B2	Manufacturing method of display device and display device therefrom A method of manufacturing a display device includes forming a thin film transistor on an insulating substrate, forming an electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor, forming a wall surrounding the electrode, ejecting ink comprising an organic material and a first solvent on the electrode, and supplying a second solvent to the ink. Thus, an organic layer of uniform quality is formed in the display device formed by the method.
US08012525B2	Whole soybean powders Compositions having whole soybean powders and soymilks produced therefrom are described.
US08012524B2	Mousse-type spread and mousse-type edible oil The present invention aims at providing novel spread and edible oil having excellent characteristics as a spread or an edible oil. An edible oil and a suitable emulsifier, in a water-in-oil type emulsion is filled with a suitable gas propellant into an aerosol container, and the emulsion is discharged as mousse form at the time of jetting.
US08012522B2	Method and apparatus for vacuum forming contoured edible pieces The described apparatus and method enable the production of thin edible products having complex contoured shapes that cannot be made using conventional molding technology. In particular, chocolates having detailed surface topology can be made utilizing a pliable substrate and a vacuum mold. The process may be made substantially continuous.
US08012513B2	Method for promoting eye health The present invention relates to a method for promoting eye health by administering to a companion animal a composition comprising at least one polyphenol selected from the group consisting of rosemary, rosemary extract, coffeic acid, coffee extract, turmeric extract, cucurmin, blueberry extract, grapeseed extract, rosemarinic acid, tea extract, and mixtures thereof.
US08012511B1	Acidic composition of matter for use to destroy microorganisms A composition of matter and the method of making that provide a low pH acidic composition that is useful for destroying microorganisms that are undesirable and useful for destroying or reducing melanoma on human skin. The composition and method include a strong, low pH acid combined with distilled water and urea or an ammonium compound, such as ammonium sulfate or other metallic sulfates, including but not limited to, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, and copper sulfate, under at least 15 psi pressure in pressurized container, all of which is heated to approximately 800° F. or more for at least 3 hours. The final cooled mixture is stabilized with 10 to 15 percent of the original mixture. The resultant composition is useful for preserving food, such as fresh fish, and for skin treatment of melanoma and as bactericides, fungicides, or viricides.
US08012510B2	Nutraceutical for the prevention and treatment of cancers and diseases affecting the liver A composition comprising vegetable/herbal-based dietary ingredients, or extracts, which contains vitamins and nutrients that provide a novel nontoxic treatment for liver cancers, hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis. The composition can be taken as a daily dietary supplement to enhance normal physiological functions of the body. The said composition, or extracts thereof, are useful and effective in the treatment and prevention of liver and possibly other cancers. The compositions are also useful for administration to patients with pre-existing hepatitis and/or liver cirrhosis. The compositions or extracts thereof may be useful for treating other cancers and other disorders, diseases, or conditions.
US08012509B2	Milk fractions and milk preparations for treating and/or preventing COX-2 mediated diseases The present invention pertains to nutritional and pharmaceutical compositions for treating and preventing cyclooxygenase-2 mediated diseases and to a process for increasing the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibiting activity of a product. In addition thereto, the present invention relates to the use of one ore more milk protein fractions and/or one ore more milk protein preparations for inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in particular for the preparation of a medicament or a functional food for treating and preventing cyclooxygenase-2 mediated diseases.
US08012506B2	Tannate compositions, methods of making and methods of use Tannate compositions containing active pharmaceutical ingredients to be used for treating nausea, vomiting, pain, convulsions, and insomnia and manufacturing processes for preparing the tannate compositions.
US08012503B2	Method of enhancing absorptions of transmucosal administration formulations A method for enhancing absorption of a compound in a medicament that is suitable for administering transmucosally to a subject is conducted in an environment having a suitable pH. The suitable pH is determined based on the ionization constant (dissociation constant) of the compound in water, the solubility of the ionized form of the compound, and the solubility of the non-ionized form of the compound.
US08012490B2	Recombinant influenza viruses expressing tumor-associated antigens as antitumor agents The present invention relates to the engineering of recombinant influenza viruses that express tumor-associated antigens. Expression of tumor-associated antigens by these viruses can be achieved by engineering specific epitopes into influenza virus proteins, or by engineering viral genes that encode a viral protein and the specific antigen as independent polypeptides. Tumor-bearing patients can be immunized with the recombinant influenza viruses alone, or in combination with another treatment, to induce an immune response that leads to tumor reduction. The recombinant viruses can also be used to vaccinate high risk tumor-free patients to prevent tumor formation in vivo.
US08012489B2	Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vaccines for viral hemorrhagic fevers Recombinant VSV viral particles and the use thereof as vaccines for immunization are described.
US08012488B2	Polyoxyalkylene derivative A novel polyoxyalkylene derivative represented by the following formula (1), wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, which has a functional group capable of reacting with various physiologically active substances according to the object is provided.
US08012486B2	Composition for treating atopic dermatitis comprising hirsutenone as an active ingredient The present invention relates to a composition for treating atopic dermatitis comprising hirsutenone as an active ingredient. Hirsutenone as the active ingredient of the present composition decreases the number of eosinophil and the level of IgE increased in atopic dermatitis and remarkably reduces expression amounts of immune regulatory cytokine (e.g., IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) associated with atopic dermatitis. In addition, hirsutenone decreases COX-2 and iNOS expression. Hirsutenone as the active ingredient of the present composition could be effectively used in drugs, cosmetics and foods for treating atopic dermatitis or relieving a symptom of atopic dermatitis.
US08012485B2	Drug conjugate composition The invention provides a lyophilized composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a conjugate comprising an antibody chemically coupled to a maytansinoid. The invention further provides a method for killing a cell in a human comprising administering to the human the reconstituted composition such that the antibody binds to the surface of the cell and the cytotoxicity of the maytansinoid is activated, whereby the cell is killed.
US08012483B2	Phosphorylcholine conjugates and corresponding antibodies IgG and IgM autoantibody levels against phosphorylcholine in subjects with hypertension (diastolic pressure >95 mmHg) were determined at baseline in order to determine the importance of antibodies for the development of atherosclerosis. The results show that increases in intima-media thickness (IMT) at a follow-up four years after baseline were significantly less prevalent in subjects having high autoantibodies particularly high IgM autoantibodies, to phosphorylcholine. The presence or absence of autoantibodies, particularly IgM autoantibodies, against phosphorylcholine is thus related to an increased or decreased risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases. A method to determining antibodies, particularly IgM antibodies, toward phosphorylcholine is proposed in this invention to identify subjects at risk of developing ischemic cardiovascular diseases. Animal experiments show that medium to high levels of antibodies, particularly IgM antibodies, can be detected in plasma after active immunization with a keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH-phosphorylcholine conjugate. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a phosphorylcholine conjugate (active immunization) or an antibody preparation, for example a monoclonal antibody, with specificity to a phosphorylcholine conjugate (passive immunization) is proposed and the use of these compositions as active or passive immunogens is the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis.
US08012474B2	Anti-RANTES antibodies The invention relates to fully human monoclonal antibodies, and fragments thereof, that bind to the chemokine Regulated upon Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed, and Secreted (RANTES, CCL5), thereby modulating the interaction between RANTES and one of more of its receptors, such as, e.g., CCR1, CCR3, CCR4 and CCR5, and/or modulating the biological activities of RANTES. The invention also relates to the use of these or any anti-RANTES antibodies in the prevention or treatment of immune-related disorders and in the amelioration of one or more symptoms associated with an immune-related disorder.
US08012472B2	Compositions and methods for suppressing fibrocytes The present invention relates to the ability of anti-FcγR antibodies to suppress fibrocytes. Methods and compositions for suppressing fibrocytes are provided. These methods are useful in a variety of applications including treatment and prevention of conditions resulting from fibrosis in the liver, kidney, lung, heart and pericardium, eye, skin, mouth, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, brain, breast, bone marrow, bone, genitourinary system, a tumor, or a wound.
US08012471B2	Screening and treatment methods using IGS5 enzymes of the metalloprotease family Polypeptides which are related to the neprilysin enzyme family and have zinc metalloprotease activities and are referred to as IGS5, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, vectors containing such polynucleotides, host cells containing such vectors, processes for producing such polypeptides and/or polynucleotides, screening methods for identifying compounds which stimulate or inhibit IGS5 polypeptides and/or polynucleotides, and the use of such polypeptides and/or polynucleotides in therapy of various dysfunctions, disorders or diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease.
US08012468B2	Dendrite cells transduced with recombinant adenovirus AdVCEA which generate CEA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, vaccine and pharmaceutical composition comprising the same The present invention relates to an antitumor immune response, and in more detail, to a method for inducing cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific to a tumor-associated antigen that acts specifically on tumor cells.Immunotherapy using the present invention may be most effective among immune therapies that use immunity of our body, because in the present invention, CEA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be induced in vitro by using a dendritic cell transduced with a recombinant adenovirus.Further, immunotherapy using the present invention can function as a powerful tool for tumor prevention or treatment, if being used in combination with antitumor vaccines or other treatments.
US08012465B2	Methods for treating renal cell carcinoma Methods for treating renal cell carcinoma using low doses of IL-2 are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to methods of treating metastatic renal cell carcinoma in patients who are renally impaired and/or intolerant of high dose IL-2 therapy. The therapeutic regimen described herein significantly inhibits tumor growth with reduced toxicity and adverse side effects compared to high dose IL-2 therapy.
US08012463B2	Coordination complex of diaminocyclohexaneplatinum(II) with block copolymer containing poly(carboxylic acid) segment and antitumor agent comprising the same A coordinate complex of diaminocyclohexane platinum (II) with a block copolymer comprising a poly(ethylene glycol) segment and a poly(carboxylic acid) segment is provided. The complex can be effectively used in treatments for tumors, in particular malignant tumors.
US08012459B2	Fine-texture cosmetic composition The present invention relates to a pulverulent cosmetic composition, comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, an amount effective as binder of at least one short ester and of at least one silicone derivative, wherein: the mass content of short ester(s) is greater than the mass content of silicone derivative(s); and/or the said amount is less than 8% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
US08012458B2	Rare-earth amidate coordination compounds The invention is directed to a lanthamide chelate composition having a lanthamide, a charged amidate ligand, and a mono- or bidentate neutrally charged coordination compound, the composition being represented by structure I or structure II wherein Ln3+ designates lanthamide, R1 is alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; R2 is alkyl, aminoalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; M is a neutrally charged monodentate coordination compound, M′ is a neutrally charged bidentate coordination compound, a=1 or 2; and wherein M and M′ comprise N, S, or O. It extends to the process of making the composition.
US08012457B2	Ultrasound contrast agent dosage formulation Clinical studies have been conducted and specific dosage formulations developed using polymeric microparticles having incorporated therein perfluorocarbon gases that provide significantly enhanced images of long duration. The dosage formulation includes microparticles formed of a biocompatible polymer, preferably including a lipid incorporated therein, and containing a perfluorocarbon that is a gas at body temperature. The microparticles are provided to a patient in an amount effective to enhance ultrasound imaging in the ventricular chambers for more than 5 minutes or in the mycocardium for more than a minute, in a dose ranging from 0.025 to 8.0 mg microparticles/kg body weight. Preferably the dose ranges from 0.05 to 4.0 mg microparticles/kg body weight. The dosage formulation typically is provided in a vial. A typical formulation is in the form of a dry powder that is reconstituted with sterile water prior to use by adding the water to the vial or syringe of the dry powder and shaking to yield an isosmotic or isotonic suspension of microparticles.
US08012456B2	Biological models capable of exhibiting secondary disease manifestations and useful for developing therapeutic drugs, diagnostic products and therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, methods of using same, and cells, tissues and organs derived therefrom This invention provides novel animal models for a human pathogen that is capable of exhibiting analogous secondary disease manifestation. Other animal models for a human pathogen are provided by this invention which are capable of exhibiting analogous secondary disease manifestations and are also capable of responding to therapeutic or preventive measures to such secondary disease manifestations. Other animal models for human retrovirus infections are provided including lower primates and primate excluding any members of the order Anthropoidea. Compositions, drugs, products and procedures for therapeutic and diagnostic applications derived from the animal models of this invention are also described and provided.
US08012455B2	Radioactive source materials formable into various shapes The present invention provides an integral source material, the integral source material has at least one nuclide that is an integral source material having at least one nuclide that is activatable by exposure to radiation, the nuclide is a chemically bound constituent of a polymer of the integral source material, wherein the integral source material is configured before activation to provide a device.
US08012453B2	Carbon sequestration and production of hydrogen and hydride This invention describes a complete sequestration of carbon (CO2 and CO) from coal burning plants. In this process, hydrogen can be generated which in turn permits the reduction in the cost of hydride synthesis. The hydrides store hydrogen for on-board application for automobiles and fuel cells. Hydrogen generation and synthesis of hydrides is accomplished by using an integrated approach in which coal is used as a fuel and carbon is sequestered in the process. The CO and or CO2 produced in coal burning power plants and the heat is used when available for producing hydrogen and hydrides. Carbon is used both as a reactant and as a fuel. Economically hydrogen production cost is comparable to or less than the current price of hydrogen produced from fossil-fuel with the added benefit of carbon sequestration and reducing global warming. Specific processes for synthesizing important hydrogen storage materials, hydrides are described. A hydrogen based automobile becomes viable as the cost of the hydrogen production and hydride synthesis is reduced. Although coal-burning power plant is specified here, any power plant, coal- or natural gas-burning, can be subjected to similar treatment.
US08012446B1	Recycle TSA regen gas to boiler for oxyfuel operations NO2 may be removed from a carbon dioxide feed gas comprising NOx and at least one “non-condensable” gas as contaminants by passing the feed gas at a first elevated pressure through a first adsorption system that selectively adsorbs at least NO2 to produce at least substantially NO2-free carbon dioxide gas. The adsorption system is at least partially regenerated using a carbon dioxide-rich gas recovered from the substantially NO2-free carbon dioxide gas after purification. The invention has particular application in removing NOx and water from flue gas generated by oxyfuel combustion.
US08012442B2	Method of forming mixed rare earth nitride and aluminum nitride films by atomic layer deposition A method is provided for depositing a gate dielectric that includes at least two rare earth metal elements in the form of a nitride or an aluminum nitride. The method includes disposing a substrate in a process chamber and exposing the substrate to a gas pulse containing a first rare earth precursor and to a gas pulse containing a second rare earth precursor. The substrate may also optionally be exposed to a gas pulse containing an aluminum precursor. Sequentially after each precursor gas pulse, the substrate is exposed to a gas pulse of a nitrogen-containing gas. In alternative embodiments, the first and second rare earth precursors may be pulsed together, and either or both may be pulsed together with the aluminum precursor. The first and second rare earth precursors comprise a different rare earth metal element. The sequential exposing steps may be repeated to deposit a mixed rare earth nitride or aluminum nitride layer with a desired thickness. Purge or evacuation steps may also be performed after each gas pulse.
US08012439B2	Filter A filter for filtering particulate matter (PM) from exhaust gas emitted from a positive ignition engine, which filter comprising a porous substrate having inlet surfaces and outlet surfaces, wherein the inlet surfaces are separated from the outlet surfaces by a porous structure containing pores of a first mean pore size, wherein the porous substrate is coated with a washcoat comprising a plurality of solid particles wherein the porous structure of the washcoated porous substrate contains pores of a second mean pore size, and wherein the second mean pore size is less than the first mean pore size.
US08012438B2	Wet scrubber additive for simultaneous removal of oxides and metals from a gas A method for controlling multipollutant (e.g., SO2, NOx, Hg0 and Hg2+) emissions from a gas stream of a stationary combustion source, an apparatus for controlling multipollutant emissions, and a wet scrubber additive composition for controlling multipollutant emissions are disclosed.
US08012436B2	Quenching vessel A quenching vessel being, in use, vertically elongated and provided with an inlet for gas at its upper end, an outlet for cooled gas at its lower end defining a pathway for a gas flow directed downwardly, the vessel being provided at its upper end with a first internal tubular wall part which wall part has an opening fluidly connected to the inlet for gas and wherein the tubular wall part is connected at its lower end with a divergent conical part having walls which are inclined outwardly in the direction of the pathway for gas, wherein an arrangement of more than one nozzle for atomisation and spraying a liquid quench medium in a downward direction into the pathway for the gas flow are present in the space enclosed by the divergent conical part.
US08012435B2	Natural gas production utilizing a gas dynamic laser, with cogeneration of electrical power A system and method for producing natural gas is provided. a gas dynamic laser is powered by a gas, such as carbon dioxide, while the same gas is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas. Excess heat and/or by-products of the process can be used to produce electricity.
US08012434B2	Anti-clogging device and method for in-gel digestion applications An integrated proteomics sample preparation device and method for in-gel digestion of proteins and for desalting and concentrating samples prior to further analysis such as by MALDI TOF and/or electro-spray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of wells in fluid communication with a an outlet or drainage opening containing a three dimensional structure comprising a plurality of sorptive particles entrapped in a porous polymer matrix so as to form a device capable of carrying out solid phase extraction. In a preferred embodiment, the wells are configured so as to prevent a sample carrier present in the wells from clogging the outlet when subjected to a driving force such as vacuum. The device also reduces or eliminates overflowing of a well in the event a drain becomes clogged during automated operation.
US08012432B2	Disposable apparatus for use in blood testing A disposable apparatus for use in blood testing and being adapted for simultaneous dilution of a blood sample into two different dilution ratios, said apparatus including a block-shaped housing having integrated therein a first and a second receptacle, one of which as a first blood sample receiver being adapted to receive a blood sample; a first and a second container, each containing a defined volume of a diluting agent; a valve including a valve body having three valve body channels extending therethrough and being positionable in three distinct positions, one of which putting the receptacles in simultaneous communication with a respective one of the containers through pairs of the channels; and displacers for displacing the diluting agent and the diluted sample through said channels between said containers and said receptacles.
US08012427B2	Apparatus and method for detecting an analyte An apparatus assembly for detecting an analyte in a sample of material includes a valve, a frame, and a plurality of housing segments. The valve may be actuated to adjust a flow path and flow rate through the housing segments.
US08012425B2	Apparatus for deactivating instruments and devices An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.
US08012421B2	Concentration monitor A concentration monitor for monitoring a concentration of a plurality of use solutions, each of the plurality of use solutions being, at least, a concentrate in a diluent, each of the plurality of use solutions having a resistivity which varies as a function of both temperature and an amount of the concentrate contained in a given amount of the diluent. A resistivity probe is adapted for use with at least one of the plurality of use solutions for taking a measurement related to the resistivity of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions. A temperature sensor is adapted for use with the at least one of the plurality of use solutions for taking a measurement related to the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions. A controller calculates the concentration of the at least one of the plurality of the use solutions based upon a predetermined algorithm using the resistivity and the temperature for the particular one of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions, the algorithm being based upon knowledge of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions being measured.
US08012415B2	Sterilization method and plasma sterilization apparatus An object to be sterilized is disposed inside a vacuum chamber, and the inside of the vacuum chamber is evacuated. When the pressure inside the vacuum chamber reaches 3 Pa, a cutoff valve disposed between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump is closed. High-frequency power is supplied to an electrode. Oxygen gas is introduced into the vacuum chamber for 0.1 sec. Thereafter, the pressure is held constant for 3 sec. Until the pressure inside the vacuum chamber reaches 10 kPa, introduction of oxygen gas into the vacuum chamber is repeated. When the pressure reaches 10 kPa, the cutoff valve is opened to evacuate the inside of the vacuum chamber and the supply of the high-frequency power is stopped. Introducing the oxygen gas and determining pressure inside the vacuum chamber is repeated, and after 90 min, the pressure inside the vacuum chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure.
US08012411B1	Enhanced toxic cloud knockdown spray system for decontamination applications Methods and systems for knockdown and neutralization of toxic clouds of aerosolized chemical or biological warfare (CBW) agents and toxic industrial chemicals using a non-toxic, non-corrosive aqueous decontamination formulation.
US08012410B2	High silicon niobium casting alloy and process for producing the same An iron-based high-silicon alloy contains (in weight percent) 2.6-3.5% carbon, 3.7-4.9% silicon, 0.45-1.0% niobium, up to 0.6% manganese, up to 0.02% sulfur, up to 0.02% phosphorus, up to 0.5% nickel, up to 1.0% chromium, up to 0.1% magnesium, and the balance iron and up to 0.2% of other elements. The alloy is heat resistant and is suitable for use in producing, among other things, turbochargers, center housings, back plates, exhaust manifolds, and integrated turbo manifolds that are used in the automotive and truck manufacturing industries.
US08012400B2	Surface and site-specific polymerization by direct-write lithography Polymeric microstructures and nanostructures can be prepared with use of a tip to pattern a surface. A tip can be used to pattern a structure which can initiate polymerization. The structure can be then exposed to monomer to induce polymerization at the structure. Alternatively, a tip can be used to pattern a surface with a monomer in which the surface is treated with polymerization catalyst so that polymerization occurs at the patterning site. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization can be carried out with use of the tip to control the polymerization. The tip can be a sharp tip as used in for example an atomic force microscope tip. Norbornene types of monomers can be used. Biological macromolecules can be also prepared.
US08012399B2	Formation of nano-or micro-scale phenolic fibers via electrospinning Electroprocessed phenolic nanofibers, microfibers, beads, and films and materials including these electroprocessed materials are prepared using a delivery means (10), a grounded collecting means (20) and a power supply (30) for generating an electric field.
US08012398B2	Housing of an electronic device formed by doubleshot injection molding A method for forming an enclosure for enclosing internal electronic components of an electronic device is provided, which comprises: performing a first injection molding process, the first injection molding process forming at least a first wall of the enclosure; allowing the at least a first wall of the enclosure to solidify; thereafter performing a second injection molding process, the second injection molding process forming at least a second wall of the enclosure, the at least a second wall of the enclosure fusing with the at least a first wall of the enclosure during the second injection molding process, the at least second wall of the enclosure forming at least one different side of the enclosure than the at least first wall of the enclosure; and allowing the at least a second wall of the enclosure to solidify, the at least a second wall of the enclosure being integrally formed with the at least a first wall of the enclosure to thereby form a single-piece multi-walled enclosure.
US08012395B2	Template having alignment marks formed of contrast material Imprint lithography substrates may include alignment marks formed of high contrast material. Exemplary methods for forming alignment marks having high contrast material are described.
US08012394B2	Template pattern density doubling A sub-master template is patterned to provide at least double the density of features of a master template. The sub-master template and master template may employ the use of alignment marks during the patterning process.
US08012385B2	Method of forming color filter layer and method of fabricating liquid crystal display device using the same The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and more particularly, to a method of fabricating a color filter for an LCD device.A method of fabricating a color filter uses a mold (PDMS mold) having a plurality of grooves.Particularly, the mold (PDMS mold) is attached to a substrate such that the plurality of grooves face into the substrate. When a color resin is dropped into a side opening of each groove, the color resin is injected into each groove of the mold (PDMS mold) by a capillary force.After the mold (PDMS mold) having the injected color resin is cured, the mold (PDMS mold) is detached from the substrate and a color filter pattern is formed at a desired position.As compared with a method of fabricating a color filter according to the related art, since an exposure step and an etching step are not required in a method of fabricating a color filter of the present invention, a method of fabricating a liquid crystal panel of high resolution does not have a limitation due to an exposure apparatus, and material cost and production time are reduced.
US08012382B2	Molded waveguides Chemically or biochemically active agents or other species are patterned on a substrate surface by providing a micromold having a contoured surface and forming, on a substrate surface, a chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor of a structure. A chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor also can be transferred from indentations in an applicator to a substrate surface. The substrate surface can be planar or non-planar. Fluid precursors of polymeric structures, inorganic ceramics and salts, and the like can be used to form patterned polymeric articles, inorganic salts and ceramics, reactive ion etch masks, etc. at the surface. The articles can be formed in a pattern including a portion having a lateral dimension of less than about 1 millimeter or smaller. The indentation pattern of the applicator can be used to transfer separate, distinct chemically or biochemically active agents or fluid precursors to separate, isolated regions of a substrate surface. Waveguide arrays, combinatorial chemical or biochemical libraris, etc. can be made. Differences in refractive index of waveguide and cladding can be created by subjecting the waveguide and cladding, made of indentical prepolymeric material, to different polymerization or cross-linking conditions. Interferometers are defined by coupling arrays of waveguides, where coupling can be controlled by altering the difference in refractive index between cladding and waveguide at any desired location of the array. Alteration and refractive index can be created photochemically, chemically, or the like. Sensors also are disclosed, including biochemical sensors.
US08012378B2	Nickel ink Disclosed is a nickel ink comprising a dispersion medium and nickel particles dispersed in the medium and containing a methyldimethoxysilane coupling agent. The dispersion medium comprises a glycol having a boiling point of 300° C. or lower at ambient temperature, an alkoxyethanol having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and an ether having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. The ink preferably has a surface tension adjusted to 15 to 50 mN/m and a viscosity at 25° C. adjusted to 0.6 to 60 mPa·sec. The ink is preferably used in inkjet printing.
US08012377B2	Doped semiconductor nanocrystals and methods of making same A method of synthesizing doped semiconductor nanocrystals. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of combining a metal oxide or metal salt precursor, a ligand, and a solvent to form a metal complex in a reaction vessel; admixing an anionic precursor with the metal complex at a first temperature, T1, sufficient to form a plurality of host nanocrystals; doping a metal dopant onto the plurality of the host nanocrystals at a second temperature, T2, such that a layer of the metal dopant is formed substantially over the surface of a host nanocrystal that receives a metal dopant; and adding a mixture having the anionic precursor and the metal oxide or metal salt precursor at a third temperature, T3, into the reaction vessel to allow regrowth of host nanocrystals on the surface of the layer of the metal dopant formed substantially over the surface of a host nanocrystal that receives a metal dopant to form a plurality of doped nanocrystals, wherein the doped nanocrystals show a characteristic of semiconductor.
US08012375B2	Temperature indicating paint A temperature indicating paint comprises 4 wt % to 40 wt % sodium alumino sulpho silicate, 1 wt % to 38 wt % nickel antimony titanate and the binder comprises 25 wt % to 50 wt % silicone resin 10 wt % to 30 wt % acrylic resin each excluding solvent. This composition undergoes color changes occur, these are; Blue 520-560° C.; Light Blue 950-990° C.; Light Yellow 1000-1040° C.; Glazed Black 1160-1200° C. The color changes are particularly distinct and enable accurate analysis particularly, but not exclusively, in gas turbine engines.
US08012374B2	Slow-release inhibitor for corrosion control of metals The present invention provides for a slow-release inhibitor that is applied to a metal surface, such as by way of a paint or primer coating, for corrosion control of the metal. An exemplary embodiment of the slow-release corrosion inhibitor includes a water-soluble particle, or pigment, and an organic polymeric film that encapsulates the particle. This water-soluble particle may be either organic or inorganic and, preferably, is non-carcinogenic and non-toxic. An additional water-soluble particle having an encapsulating, organic polymeric film further may be provided along with a water-soluble, organic compound to form the corrosion inhibitor. The polymeric film(s) are of a desired hydrophobicity and permeability to permit, upon interaction of the particle(s) with water, controlled diffusion of particle ions therethrough.
US08012367B2	Pulverulent materials Pulverulent materials which contain surface-modified and structure-modified pyrogenically prepared metalloid or metallic oxide for the purposes of improvement.
US08012363B2	Metal film protection during printhead fabrication with minimum number of MEMS processing steps A method of fabricating a printhead having a hydrophobic ink ejection face, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle chambers and a nozzle plate having relatively hydrophilic nozzle surface, the nozzle surface at least partially defining the ink ejection face of the printhead; (b) depositing a hydrophobic polymeric layer onto the nozzle surface; (c) depositing a protective metal film onto at least the polymeric layer; (d) depositing a sacrificial material onto the polymeric layer; (e) patterning the sacrificial material to define a plurality of nozzle opening regions; (f) defining a plurality of nozzle openings through the metal film, the polymeric layer and the nozzle plate; (g) subjecting the printhead to an oxidizing plasma; and (h) removing the protective metal film, thereby providing a printhead having a relatively hydrophobic ink ejection face.
US08012362B2	Electromagnetic shielding light-transmitting member and method for manufacturing same Disclosed is an electronic shielding light-transmitting member having an adhesive (2) and an electromagnetic shielding material (3) between two release films (1) and (4). By removing one of the release films (1) and (4) from the electronic shielding light-transmitting member and bonding the member to an optical filter or a plasma panel, there can be obtained an optical filter or a plasma panel having an electromagnetic shielding layer of excellent transparency.
US08012361B2	Method of manufacturing magnetic recording medium According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes forming a first hard mask, a second hard mask and a resist on a magnetic recording layer, imprinting a stamper to the resist to transfer patterns of protrusions and recesses to the resist, removing residues remaining in the recesses of the patterned resist, etching the second hard mask by using the patterned resist as a mask to transfer the patterns of protrusions and recesses to the second hard mask, etching the first hard mask by using the second hard mask as a mask to transfer the patterns of protrusions and recesses to the first hard mask, removing the second hard mask remaining on the protrusions of the first hard mask, and deactivating the magnetic recording layer exposed in the recesses by means of ion beam irradiation.
US08012359B2	Filtration apparatus A radial or crossflow media filter comprising a housing such as a vessel or tank (1), the housing containing filter media (9), a contaminated flow inlet (2) and a discharge outlet (8), the inlet comprising a manifold (5) situated within the housing, the manifold (5) having flow outlets (6) which are directed laterally, away from the discharge outlet (8). The flow inlet may comprise a substantially vertically aligned elongate tubular manifold (5) with a plurality of flow distribution holes or slots disposed along its length. Furthermore, the discharge outlet (8) may be accessed through a chamber within the housing which contains a second filter media (11) which is of larger average particle size than the first filter media (9).
US08012352B1	Optimized nutrient removal from wastewater Methods and systems are provided for reducing ammonia partially by a denitrification process. A stream containing ammonia is contacted with oxygen to form a first product stream in low dissolved oxygen conditions. The ratio of oxygen to nitrogen is about 2.28 g O2/g N—NH3 (2.28 grams of oxygen per gram of nitrogen in ammonia) or less. The first product stream is then exposed to organic matter in an amount of 0.57 g COD/g N—NH3 (0.57 grams of chemical oxygen demand per gram of nitrogen in ammonia). This microbial reaction ultimately produces nitrogen gas, water, and carbon dioxide.
US08012351B2	Fluid concentrator A concentrator is used for concentrating a fluid, particularly a plasma component out of blood, for treatment of a patient. The concentrator apparatus includes a main housing defining a centrifuge chamber, that also holds the filter. The concentrator allows viewing of the fluid after centrifuging, with an outlet port positionable at a height corresponding to the level of the fraction of the fluid to be further concentrated. Once the fluid is centrifuged, a portion of the fluid is drawn through the outlet, and then pressured past the filter to further concentrate the fluid using the same vessel as used for centrifuging. The same plunger is preferably used to draw centrifuged fluid from the centrifuge chamber as to pressure the centrifuged fluid past the filter.
US08012347B2	Device for separation of fluid, in particular oil, gas and water A device for separation of fluid, in particular oil, gas and water, in connection with the extraction of such a fluid from formations under the surface of the earth or the sea bed. The fluid is transported in a supply pipe or transport pipe (4) to a separator (1) in the form of a tubular separator body, a gravitation tank or similar. The separated components, water and oil, are passed out of the separator separately via outlet pipes. The fluid upstream of the separator (1) is subjected to shear forces so that the drops in the supply flow are torn up to form drops that are so small that the interface generally becomes new and “uncontaminated” by surfactants. The shear forces are supplied by a phase inversion device (6) in the form of a valve or similar. Water can expediently be added to the fluid upstream of the phase inversion device (6) to achieve the desired phase inversion.
US08012338B2	Method for preparing biomedical surfaces A method for selectively dissolving the beta (β) phase of a titanium alloy out of the surface of the alloy, thereby leaving behind a nano-scale porous surface having enhanced bonding properties with either a biological tissue, such as bone, or an adhesive material, such as a polymer or ceramic by immersing the alloy in an ionic aqueous solution containing high levels of hydrogen peroxide and then exposing the alloy to an electrochemical voltage process resulting in the selective dissolution of the beta phase to form a nano-topographic metallic surface.
US08012336B2	Method for collection of valuable metal from ITO scrap Proposed is a method for collecting valuable metal from an ITO scrap in which a mixture of indium hydroxide and tin hydroxide or metastannic acid is collected by subjecting the ITO scrap to electrolysis in pH-adjusted electrolyte, and roasting this mixture as needed to collect the result as a mixture of indium oxide and tin oxide. This method enables the efficient collection of indium hydroxide and tin hydroxide or metastannic acid, or indium oxide and tin oxide from an ITO scrap of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) sputtering target or an ITO scrap such as ITO mill ends arisen during the manufacture of such ITO sputtering target.
US08012335B2	Method for collection of valuable metal from ITO scrap Proposed is a method for collecting valuable metal from an ITO scrap including a step of collecting tin by subjecting the ITO scrap to electrolysis. Further proposed is a method for collecting valuable metal from an ITO scrap including the steps of providing an ITO electrolytic bath and a tin collecting bath, dissolving the ITO scrap in the electrolytic bath, and thereafter collecting tin in the tin collecting bath. Additionally proposed is a method for collecting valuable metal from an ITO scrap including the steps of dissolving the ITO scrap by subjecting it to electrolysis as an anode in electrolyte, precipitating only tin contained in the solution as tin itself or a substance containing tin, extracting the precipitate, placing it in a collecting bath, re-dissolving this to obtain a solution of tin hydroxide, and performing electrolysis or neutralization thereto in order to collect tin. Consequently, provided is a method for efficiently collecting tin from an ITO scrap of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) sputtering target or an ITO scrap such as ITO mill ends arising during the manufacture of such ITO sputtering target.
US08012334B2	Metal plating compositions and methods Disclosed are metal plating compositions and methods. The metal plating compositions provide good leveling performance and throwing power.
US08012333B2	Aluminium alloy sheet with roughened surface There is disclosed a process for producing an aluminium alloy sheet, which comprises subjecting a surface of the sheet to anodising conditions to form on the surface an aluminium oxide barrier layer of thickness 10 to 50 nm and treating the oxide layer with an aqueous solution of alkali to remove the layer, thereby leaving a roughened surface on the alloy sheet.
US08012326B2	Conducting polymer nanofiber sensors Polymer nanofibers, such as polyaniline nanofibers, with uniform diameters less than 500 nm can be made in bulk quantities through a facile aqueous and organic interfacial polymerization method at ambient conditions. The nanofibers have lengths varying from 500 nm to 10 μm and form interconnected networks in a thin film. Thin film nanofiber sensors can be made of the polyaniline nanofibers having superior performance in both sensitivity and time response to a variety of gas vapors including, acids, bases, redox active vapors, alcohols and volatile organic chemicals.
US08012325B2	Plural-cell gas sensor with heater A plural-cell gas sensor including at least an oxygen pump cell (40) comprising a solid electrolyte ceramic layer; an internal space (210) formed between the cells; and a heater substrate (190) arranged on the side of the oxygen pump cell; the heater substrate heating the oxygen pump cell that pumps oxygen out of the internal space.
US08012322B2	Biosensor for disease diagnosis The present invention relates to a biosensor including: a bottom plate having a base film having a lead mounted at one side of the top surface thereof, an electrode member formed on the base film, a spacer formed on the top surface of the electrode member so as to secure a recess having a predetermined width formed on the electrode member, and an enzyme reaction layer formed transversely on the top surface of the electrode member in such a fashion as to be positioned in the recess of the spacer; and a top plate formed integrally with the bottom plate and having the same configuration as the bottom plate.
US08012321B2	Biosensor chip, biosensor system and measuring instrument thereof In a biosensor system and its measuring instrument which determine that a biosensor chip has been inserted and measure biological information on a biological material supplied to the biosensor chip, the size of the biosensor chip is made small, the reliability of the measuring instrument is improved, and the product life becomes long. In addition, a measurement error of the biological information is suppressed in measuring the biological information by inserting a biosensor chip, which has a sensor electrode formed of an electrode member with an electric resistance value higher than a conductive metal, into the measuring instrument.
US08012320B2	Device for supporting electrodes in an electrolysis installation The invention relates to a device for supporting electrodes in an electrolysis installation, said support comprising a busbar having electrodes fastened thereto, said electrodes being disposed on either side of the busbar and extending vertically below said busbar, the busbar and said electrodes being designed to be immersed at least in part in an electrolyte that gives off one or more gaseous species of a corrosive nature. The device further comprises a protective element of carbon/carbon material placed under the busbar, the protective element being of length and width that are not less than the length and the width of the busbar.
US08012314B2	Manufacturing method and apparatus of phase shift mask blank There is disclosed a manufacturing method of a phase shift mask blank in which dispersions of phase angle and transmittance among blanks can be reduced as much as possible and yield is satisfactory. In the manufacturing method of the phase shift mask blank, a process of using a sputtering method to continuously form a thin film on a transparent substrate comprises: successively subjecting a plurality of substrates to a series of process of supplying the transparent substrate into a sputtering chamber, forming the thin film for forming a pattern in the sputtering chamber, and discharging the transparent substrate with the film formed thereon from the sputtering chamber; supplying and discharging the transparent substrate substantially at a constant interval; and setting a film formation time to be constant among a plurality of blanks.
US08012313B2	Drying process and apparatus This technology relates to a process and associated apparatus for use in spray freeze drying a fluid substance such as fruit juice, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, tea and coffee. The method includes the steps of: holding a chamber at a temperature and pressure below the triple-point of the liquid substance; injecting and/or atomizing the liquid substance into the chamber through at least one injection port to generate a frozen liquid substance portion having a predetermined particle size and a first evaporated liquid substance portion; collecting the FLS portion as a layer on a conveying surface; and exposing the collected layer of FLS portion to a heating means thereby inducing sublimation and generation of a second evaporated liquid substance portion and a product, wherein the conveying surface conveys the collected FLS portion at a rate which achieves substantially a monolayer thickness of the FLS portion to accumulate on the conveying surface.
US08012311B2	Method and assembly for the manufacture of an absorbent sheet, and absorbent sheet obtained The invention relates to a process for manufacturing an absorbent sheet comprising at least two plies of cellulose wadding, consisting in combining said plies under pressure by passing between two steel cylindrical components, the first being smooth on the outside and the second being equipped with raised components on the outside and the hardness of the first cylindrical component being lower than that of the second cylindrical component. According to the invention, the first cylindrical component has a treated hardened surface layer and a deformable underlayer; the second cylindrical component has a hardened outer surface, and the sheet, when it passes between the two cylindrical components is compressed at a specific pressure between 40 and 250 N/mm2. Another subject of the invention is an assembly of steel cylindrical components intended for the manufacture of multiply absorbent sheets.
US08012305B2	Exhaust assembly for a plasma processing system An exhaust assembly is described for use in a plasma processing system, whereby secondary plasma is formed in the exhaust assembly between the processing space and chamber exhaust ports in order to reduce plasma leakage to a vacuum pumping system, or improve the uniformity of the processing plasma, or both. The exhaust assembly includes a powered exhaust plate in combination with a ground electrode is utilized to form the secondary plasma surrounding a peripheral edge of a substrate treated in the plasma processing system.
US08012296B2	Process for making disposable wearing article In a process for making disposable wearing article, a composite web running in a machine direction is formed with a pair of rectilinear slits extending in a cross direction and a notch intersecting these paired slits. A region surrounded by these slits and notch is cut away from the composite web to form a gap. In a step before the composite web is formed with the gap, second fastener means supported on a fastener base sheet strip are engaged with the associated pair of first fastener means previously bonded to the composite web opposed to each other about the gap as viewed in the machine direction and thereby the fastener base sheet strip is attached to the composite web so as to stride over the gap.
US08012287B2	Via hole forming method using electrophotographic printing method A via hole forming method and a multilayered board manufacturing method improve manufacturing yield by reducing the required processes. The via hole forming method includes a first step of forming a toner image by attaching toner particles, containing a conductive material and having a protruding portion, onto the surface of a first photosensitive member so that the protruding portion is directed to the outside; and a second step of opposing the surface of the first photosensitive member to one principal surface of a green sheet containing an insulating material and transferring the toner image to the one principal surface of the green sheet so that the protruding portions of the toner particles protrude into the green sheet so as to reach the other principal surface of the green sheet and the toner particles are buried in the green sheet. The via holes are formed using an electrophotographic printing method.
US08012285B2	Polymeric binders having specific peel and cure properties and useful in making creped webs This invention is directed to alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE)-free polymer binders formed by aqueous free radical emulsion polymerization and having specific peel and cure properties. The APE-free polymeric binders have a peel value, when adhered to a heated metal surface, of 35% to 200% of the peel value shown by a standard APE-based polymer binder control and exhibit a cure profile such that at least 55% cure is achieved within 30 seconds at a temperature required for cure, and a wet tensile strength at 30-seconds of cure of at least 1000 g/5 cm. Wet tensile strength is used as a measure of cure. Binders having the peel and cure properties described herein can be considered for use in crepe processes, especially DRC processes.
US08012283B2	Method for producing fiber-reinforced resin composition A method for producing a fiber-reinforced resin composition including supplying a plurality of fiber bundles (1) into an impregnation chamber (10); supplying a molten thermoplastic resin from a resin flow inlet (4) into the impregnation chamber (10) so that the amount of the resin flow is almost the same on on each side the direction perpendicular to the fiber bundle (1) progress direction; contacting the molten thermoplastic resin with the fiber bundles (1) to impregnate the fiber bundles (1) with the molten thermoplastic resin; and withdrawing the fiber bundles (1) impregnated with the molten thermoplastic resin from the impregnation chamber (10).
US08012280B1	Window film applicator The present invention discloses a film applicator tool for installing a tint film on the window of an automobile or building. The applicator tool includes a body having a tapered front end, and a blade comprising plastic or urethane rubber disposed along a lateral edge of the body. The applicator tool further includes a control recess formed within the top portion of the body for receiving a finger of a hand. The control recess allows a user to control the position and pressure of the tool when applying a tint film on a window. A thumb opening is formed within the body for wrapping about a thumb of the user. The film applicator tool performs as a squeegee to properly install a tint film material on a window.
US08012278B2	End-to-end joining of nanotubes A method for joining nanotubes end-to-end, includes contacting the nanotubes with a joining fluid. The joining fluid has at least one property that is different from at least one property associated with ends of the nanotubes. In one embodiment, the method further includes contacting the nanotubes with a first, treating fluid and removing the bulk first fluid before the nanotubes are contacted with the joining fluid. The joining fluid is immiscible in the treating fluid to effect end-to-end joining of the nanotubes.
US08012277B2	Ionic liquid and a method of synthesizing an ionic liquid An ionic liquid is disclosed A precursor composition that comprises at least one ionic liquid and at least one energetic material is also disclosed, as is a method of synthesizing an ionic liquid and a method of desensitizing an explosive composition.
US08012276B2	Method for manufacturing a steel sheet for tin plated steel sheet and tin-free steel sheet each having excellent formability The invention provides a steel sheet for hard tinplate and a TFS steel sheet each having an excellent formability and a temper grade of T4 to DR9, and an efficient manufacturing method capable of selectively manufacturing these steel sheets by using raw materials having the same composition, wherein, the steel sheet for hard tinplate and a TFS steel sheet having a temper grade of T4 to DR9 is manufactured from raw materials having the same composition by changing a reduction ratio of temper rolling or double reduce rolling for ultra-low carbon aluminum killed steel C and P contents of which are so regulated as to satisfy a specific formula <1>: 1.6×C×104+0.93×P×103≧70 <1>.
US08012275B2	Method for manufacturing material for forming composite metal and method for manufacturing article formed from composite metal In a method for manufacturing a composite-metal-forming material, heating a metal material a Mg alloy or an Al alloy is heated to a temperature in a region where a solid and a liquid are both present to thereby yield a semi-molten metal material in a semi-molten state. An additive material is introduced to the semi-molten metal material and kneading is performed to obtain a composite metal material. The composite metal material is heated to a solution temperature of the metal material and a solution treatment is performed to thereby yield a composite-metal-forming material. The additive material introduced is a carbon nano-composite material formed by mixing a carbon nanomaterial and a metal powder to obtain a carbon nano-composite metal powder, compacting the carbon nano-composite metal powder into a solid to obtain a preform, heating the preform in a vacuum, inert gas, or non-oxidizing gas atmosphere to a temperature in a region where a solid and a liquid are both present, and applying pressure to the heated preform.
US08012274B2	Mechanical parts having increased wear-resistance The present invention relates to wear-resistant mechanical parts.
US08012273B2	Producing metallic articles by reduction of nonmetallic precursor compounds and melting A metallic article is produced by furnishing one or more nonmetallic precursor compound comprising the metallic constituent element(s), and chemically reducing the nonmetallic precursor compound(s) to produce an initial metallic particle, preferably having a size of no greater than about 0.070 inch, without melting the initial metallic particle. The initial metallic particle is thereafter melted and solidified to produce the metallic article. By this approach, the incidence of chemical defects in the metal article is minimized. The melted-and-solidified metal may be used in the as-cast form, or it may be converted to billet and further worked to the final form.
US08012272B2	Tool steels and manufacturing method thereof The present invention provides a tool steel containing, by mass percent, 0.55 to 0.85% of C, 0.20 to 2.50% of Si, 0.30 to 1.20% of Mn, 0.50% or less of Cu, 0.01 to 0.50% of Ni, 6.00 to 9.00% of Cr, 0.1 to 2.00% of Mo+0.5 W, and 0.01 to 0.40% of V, with the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, in which, when an area rate of a coarse carbide having a circle equivalent diameter of 2 μm or more in a cross section parallel to a forging direction is represented by L(%) and an area rate of the coarse carbide in a cross section perpendicular to the forging direction is represented by T(%), the area rate L is 0.001% or more, the area rate T is 0.001% or more, and the ratio L/T is within a range from 0.90 to 3.00. The tool steel of the invention exhibits an isotropic size change in quenching and tempering.
US08012271B2	Material for components of a gas turbine The presently described technology relates to a material for components of a gas turbine, in particular for components of a gas turbine aircraft engine, having a matrix of an iron-based alloy material, wherein the matrix of the iron-based alloy material being hardened by means of an intermetallic material of the Laves phase.
US08012267B2	Machine dishwashing method with separately metered liquid cleaning agents A method of machine cleaning dishes in a dishwasher, wherein over the course of a cleaning program, having a pre-rinsing operation and a cleaning operation, two liquid cleansers A and B having the following composition: A:—10 to 75 wt % of builder(s); −0.1 to 10 wt % of enzyme(s); −24.9 to 89.9 wt % of solvent; and B: −10 to 74.9 wt % of builder(s); −25 to 89.9 wt % of solvent; are metered into the wash bath at two successive times t1 and t2. The liquid cleanser A has a pH value (20° C.) of between 6 and 9 and is metered in at time t1, while the liquid cleanser B has a pH value (20° C.) of between 9 and 14 and is metered in at time t2.
US08012264B2	Method and apparatus for cleaning tire vulcanization mold A tire vulcanization mold cleaning method for cleaning a molding surface of a sector of the tire vulcanization mold for molding a tread portion of a pneumatic tire by using plasma created in an atmosphere of a reaction gas which chemically reacts with dirt attached to the molding surface of the sector. The method comprises the steps of placing the sector on a electrode table in a cleaning tank with the molding surface of the sector facing a discharge electrode, supplying the reaction gas to the cleaning tank while pressure in the cleaning tank is reduced, supplying a high-frequency power to the discharge electrode to create the plasma between the discharge electrode and the molding surface of the sector, and applying to the electrode table a high-frequency voltage having a frequency lower than a high frequency wave supplied to the discharge electrode to make the electrode table generate a negative self-bias.
US08012256B2	Method of fabricating a quasi-substrate wafer and semiconductor body fabricated using such a quasi-substrate wafer Disclosed are a method of fabricating a quasi-substrate wafer with a subcarrier wafer and a growth layer, and a semiconductor body fabricated using such a quasi-substrate wafer. In the method of fabricating a quasi-substrate wafer, a growth substrate water is fabricated that is provided with a separation zone and comprises the desired material of the growth layer. The growth substrate wafer is provided with a stress that counteracts a stress generated by the formation of the separation zone, and/or the stress generated by the formation of the separation zone is distributed, by structuring a first main race of the growth substrate water and/or the separation zone, to a plurality of subregions along the first main face. The growth substrate wafer with separation zone exhibits no or only slight bowing.
US08012255B2	Method and apparatus for controlling diameter of a silicon crystal ingot in a growth process An improvement to a method and an apparatus for growing a monocrystalline silicon ingot from silicon melt according to the CZ process. The improvement performs defining an error between a target taper of a meniscus and a measured taper, and translating the taper error into a feedback adjustment to a pull-speed of the silicon ingot. The conventional control model for controlling the CZ process relies on linear control (PID) controlling a non-linear system of quadratic relationship defined in the time domain between the diameter and the pull-speed. The present invention transforms the quadratic relationship in the time domain between the diameter and the pull-speed into a simile, linear relationship in the length domain between a meniscus taper of the ingot and the pull-speed. The present invention applies a linear control (modified PID) which operates in the length domain, and controls a system that has a linear relationship between the ingot taper and the pull-speed in the length domain to control the diameter of a growing silicon ingot.
US08012254B2	Nanosized particles of benzimidazolone pigments A nanoscale pigment particle composition includes an organic benzimidazolone pigment, and a sterically bulky stabilizer compound, wherein the benzimidazolone pigment associates non-covalently with the sterically bulky stabilizer compound that is a substituted pyridine derivative; and the presence of the associated stabilizer limits the extent of particle growth and aggregation, to afford nanoscale pigment particles.
US08012253B2	Efficient matting agents based on precipitated silicas Precipitated silicas and wax-coated precipitated silicas, their preparation, and their use as matting agents in inks and paints, the precipitated silicas characterized by: BET350-550 m2/g DBP number320-400 g/100 g d505-15 μm, and tamped density20-90 g/l.
US08012247B2	Gas treatment units A gas treatment unit includes an absorber, a liquid-jet ejector, a gas-liquid separator, a regenerator and a pump. A liquid outlet of the regenerator is connected to an inlet of the pump. An outlet of the pump is connected to a liquid inlet of the absorber. A liquid outlet of the absorber is connected to a liquid inlet of the jet-ejector. A regenerator gas outlet is connected to a gas inlet of the liquid-jet ejector. A liquid-gas outlet of the liquid-jet ejector is connected to an inlet of the separator. A liquid outlet of the separator is connected to a liquid inlet of the regenerator.
US08012245B2	Method and device for reducing formation of particulate matter in gas streams A method and device for the reduction of particulate forming vapors in gases, the method comprising passing the gas stream through at least one channel (12) that has a wall temperature that is lower than the condensation temperature of the vapor, the at least one channel having a hydraulic diameter (Dh) satisfying the condition that Dh<[24/(Nπdo)]1/2, where N is the number of nuclei present in the gas stream and do is the initial diameter of the nuclei.
US08012243B2	Gas dehydrator for a well An apparatus is disclosed for removing water from gases produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir penetrated by a well, the apparatus comprising: a first conduit extending through the well for producing gases; a second conduit extending through the well for producing liquid hydrocarbons; a pump connected to pump liquid hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir through the second conduit; and a gas dehydrator located in the first conduit below a ground surface for removing water from produced gases flowing through the first conduit. A method is also disclosed for removing water from gases produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir penetrated by a well, the method comprising: flowing gases from a hydrocarbon reservoir through a first conduit extending through the well; at least partially dehydrating the gases by flowing the gases through a gas dehydrator located in the first conduit below a ground surface; and pumping liquid hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir through a second conduit extending through the well.
US08012241B2	Method and apparatus for condensing ozone gas The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for condensing ozone arranged so as to efficiently take out the ozone gas of a predetermined concentration, although its construction is simple. The method for condensing the ozone gas comprises acting ozone-oxygen mixture gas on an adsorbing cylinder which is filled in its interior area with an adsorbent so as to selectively adsorb the ozone gas to an adsorbent and desorbing the selectively adsorbed ozone gas so as to condense and purify the ozone gas. The method further includes acting the ozone-oxygen mixture gas on the adsorbent in non-cooled state to selectively adsorb the ozone gas to the adsorbent and vacuuming the adsorbing cylinder on performing desorption-operation of the ozone gas to desorb the ozone gas from the adsorbent.
US08012237B2	Process for producing molten iron A process for producing molten iron is a process in which while an inert gas is blown into a molten iron layer in an iron bath type melting furnace through bottom-blown tuyeres provided in a hearth bottom thereof to stir the molten iron layer, a carbon material, an additive flux, and solid reduced iron obtained by heating reduction of carbon composite iron oxide briquettes are charged into the above melting furnace, and top blowing of an oxygen-containing gas is performed through a top-blown lance provided for the melting furnace, so that the solid reduced iron is melted by combustion heat obtained by combusting the carbon material and/or carbon in molten iron to form molten iron.
US08012230B2	Structure of an impurities collecting bucket for an air separator and purifier A structure of an impurities collecting bucket for an air separator and purifier, primarily structured from a bucket and an air guide cover, wherein the air guide cover covers an opening at an upper end of the bucket, and is provided with an air inlet and an air suction port. A guide pipe extends from the air inlet and connects to a work place, and another guide pipe connects the air suction port to an air inlet of an air separator and purifier for series operation.
US08012225B2	Filter support for a vacuum cleaner A filter support for a vacuum cleaner is provided with a frame suitable for supporting a filter and with a shaking device for making the frame vibrate in use, which has an actuator provided with a fan that is rotated by an air flow that in use passes through the frame.
US08012220B2	Specific monocationic monochromophoric compounds of hydrazone type comprising a 2-, 4-pyridinium or 2-, 4-quinolinium unit, synthesis thereof, dye compositions containing them, and method for dyeing keratin fibres The present disclosure relates to monocationic monochromophoric compounds of formula (I) and (II) and dyeing compositions and multicompartment devices comprising monocationic monochromophoric compounds of formula (I) and (II). The disclosure also relates to methods for preparing monocationic monochromophoric compounds of formula (I) and (II), and also to methods for dyeing comprising applying monocationic monochromophoric compounds of formula (I) and (II) to keratin fibers.
US08012214B2	Joint prosthesis A novel and improved elbow prosthesis and method of implanting same including a novel aggregate prosthesis having a retaining system in conjunction with a set plate.
US08012212B2	Cervical intervertebral disk prosthesis A cervical intervertebral disk prosthesis has two cover plates, at least one of which is provided with a wedge-shaped connection surface for connection to a vertebral body and which is wider than it is deep. The dorsal edge of the connection surface may be set back from the dorsolateral edge of the cover plate having the connection surface and be connected to the dorsal edge, protruding above it, via a rounding or bevel.
US08012211B2	Semi-biological intervertebral disc replacement system The present invention is a system for a partially biological disc replacement that stimulates natural fibrous, cartilaginous or other tissue growth in the DDD cavity, resulting in a partial biological disc replacement. Multiplicities of fibronous pieces of fibro-cartilaginous tissue promoting material are inserted into the DDD cavity inducing tissue growth.
US08012197B2	Hybrid ballon expandable/self-expanding stent A stent comprises a tubular member having openings therein and having a plurality of interconnected members and one or more frangible restraining members. The frangible restraining members break upon partial expansion of the stent. Thereafter, the stent self-expands.
US08012196B2	Flexible segmented stents A radially expandable segmented stent, the stent including annular metallic stent segments and connectors interconnecting each segment, the interconnectors are formed from a biodegradable polymer material.
US08012189B1	Method and vestibular implant using optical stimulation of nerves An optical-signal vestibular-nerve stimulation device and method that provides different nerve stimulation signals to a plurality of different vestibular nerves, including at least some of the three semicircular canal nerves and the two otolith organ nerves. In some embodiments, balance conditions of the person are sensed by the implanted device or external device, and based on the sensed balance conditions, varying laser nerve-stimulation signals are sent to a plurality of the different vestibular nerves.
US08012185B2	Pedicle screw systems and methods of assembling/installing the same The pedicle screw system may be used for fixation of spinal segments and may be advantageous when minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are employed. The pedicle screw system includes a tulip assembly comprising of a tulip body, a inner member, and an expansion member.Installation of the pedicle screw system into pedicles of the spine, for example, includes inserting the pedicle screw into a portion of the spine and then coupling the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw. The tulip assembly may be locked onto the pedicle screw before a rod is placed in the tulip assembly. After the rod is placed in the tulip assembly, the tulip body and the inner member can be rotated relative to one another to lock the rod into the tulip assembly. In addition, the relative rotation may also provide additional locking of the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw.
US08012182B2	Semi-rigid linking piece for stabilizing the spine The invention relates to a connecting member for maintaining the spacing between at least two anchor members screwed into vertebrae. The connecting member comprises: a flexible part (10) divided into two branches (12, 14), the ends of said branches being interconnected in pairs and defining a first median plane (Pm), and two rigid rod-forming parts (20, 22) each having a fixing first portion (20′, 22′) and a second portion (20″, 22″), each of said second portions (20″, 22″) of said two rigid parts (20, 22) extending respective ends of said branches interconnected in pairs in opposite directions, so that said connecting member, whose fixing portions (20′, 22′) are fixed to respective anchor members, is able to bend elastically in a direction perpendicular to said median plane (Pm).
US08012181B2	Modular in-line deflection rod and bone anchor system and method for dynamic stabilization of the spine A dynamic spine stabilization component suitable for use in stabilizing of the spine. The component is selectably attachable to a bone anchor for implantation in a bone of the spine. The dynamic spinal stabilization component includes a deflectable post connectable to a bone anchor. Deflection of the deflectable post is controlled by a compliant member. The force/deflection properties of the deflectable post may be adapted to the functional requirements and anatomy of the patient. The dynamic spinal stabilization component, when secured to a bone anchor, provides load sharing while preserving range of motion and reducing stress exerted upon the bone anchor and spinal anatomy.
US08012177B2	Dynamic stabilization assembly with frusto-conical connection A dynamic fixation medical implant for attachment to at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having first and second rigid sections, at least one section having a convex or frusto-conical surface held in spaced relation with the other section by an elastic spacer. The spacer may be an over-mold that connects the first and second rigid sections. Some embodiments include an inner, tougher spacer and a separate over-molded spacer.
US08012174B2	Method for double row fixation of tendon to bone A system and method for soft tissue to bone repair employing at least one suture anchor combined with at least one knotless fixation device. The method for soft tissue to bone fixation includes: (i) providing a first medial row constructed with a first plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the first plurality of fixation devices is an anchor; and (ii) providing a second lateral row constructed with a second plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the second plurality of fixation devices is a knotless fixation device, and suture or tape or allograft/biological component extending over the soft tissue and secured in place by the anchors in the first and second medial rows.
US08012172B2	High strength suture with coating and colored trace A high strength abrasion resistant surgical suture material with improved tie down characteristics is color coded for visualization and identification purposes. The suture features a multifilament cover formed of strands of ultra high molecular weight long chain polyethylene braided with polyester, nylon or a bioabsorbable material. Selected nylon fibers in the cover are provided in a color contrasting with the other cover fibers to provide an identifiable trace. The cover surrounds a core formed of twisted strands of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The suture, provided in a #2 size, has the strength of #5 Ethibond, is ideally suited for most orthopedic procedures, and can be attached to a suture anchor or a curved needle.
US08012168B2	Access and closure device and method Devices and methods for accessing and closing vascular sites are disclosed. Self-sealing closure devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can make a steep and controlled access path into a vascular lumen is disclosed. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.
US08012167B2	Vascular wound closure device and method A method and apparatus for closing a vascular wound includes an apparatus that can be threaded over a guidewire into place at or adjacent the wound. The apparatus includes a chamber that encloses a hemostatic material therein. When the apparatus is positioned adjacent the wound as desired, the hemostatic material is deployed from the chamber. Blood contacts the hemostatic material, and blood clotting preferably is facilitated by a hemostatic agent within the material. Thus, the vascular puncture wound is sealed by blood clot formation.
US08012165B2	Removable sleeve A removable sleeve is provided, which comprises a shaft portion configured to engage at least a portion of a percutaneous device. The shaft portion may be substantially fitted to the external dimensions of a percutaneous device. The removable sleeve also comprises a handle portion at a proximal end of the shaft portion. The handle portion is positioned such that upon proper introduction of the percutaneous device, the shaft portion may easily be moved proximally to expose an operative region of the percutaneous device.
US08012162B2	Surgical ring featuring a reversible diameter remote control system The present invention concerns a surgical ring, configured to be implanted around a biological organ having a pouch or a duct shape. A surgical ring according to the present invention forms a closed loop around the organ, altering its diameter. Variations in ring diameter are reversibly controlled by a system that, in one embodiment, includes a flexible filiform element slidably disposed within the body of the ring and coupled to a first extremity of the ring and also to an actuator disposed near a second extremity of the ring.
US08012158B2	Device for fragmenting substances A device for fragmenting substances comprises a probe having an elongate probe shaft on the distal end of which a probe head is arranged, said probe head comprising an electro-hydraulic converter with which electrical energy, delivered via the probe shaft from the proximal direction, is converted in shock-like manner into mechanical kinetic energy, said converter comprising a housing which accommodates a liquid chamber and a shock-transmitting element which is designed as a piston and which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the housing from a proximal end position to a distal end position, the distal end position being defined by an abutment on the housing, which abutment is struck by a counter-abutment arranged on the shock-transmitting element. The abutment and the counter-abutment are designed in such a way that, during its movement from the proximal end position to the distal end position, the counter-abutment comes directly into contact with the abutment, and the shock-transmitting element is moved back again to the proximal end position essentially by the impact on the abutment.
US08012156B2	Intersomatic cage, clamp for manipulating it and procedure for inserting the intersomatic cage between vertebrae The invention relates to an intersomatic cage for intervertebral inclusion and fixing of said vertebrae, provided on its side face with at least one orifice or recess allowing it to be held by the holding clamp; this clamp is provided with hinged arms that can slide relative to one another, their sliding motion being controlled from their rear. The clamp body includes a copying device that reproduces at all times the position of the intersomatic cage as it is held by the clamp, always showing its intervertebral location. The invention is completed by the procedure for placing the intersomatic cages between the vertebrae.
US08012153B2	Rotary electrosurgical apparatus and methods thereof Electrosurgical systems, apparatus, and methods for the controlled removal and treatment of a target tissue. An instrument of the invention includes a rotating member housed longitudinally within a shaft, a tissue removal port disposed at the shaft distal end portion, and an active electrode disposed at the instrument distal end. The active electrode is adapted to electrosurgically remove at least a portion of the target tissue as the rotating member rotates within the shaft. According to alternative embodiments, the active electrode may be disposed on the rotating member or on the shaft.
US08012152B2	Treatment and diagnostic catheters with hydrogel electrodes Straight and curved catheters for treatment or diagnoses of tissue, including cardiac tissue, using hydrogel virtual electrodes and hydrogel sensing electrodes are disclosed. Each catheter comprises at least one conductive hydrogel electrode, whether a virtual electrode or a sensing electrode. Hydrogel virtual electrodes may be used to deliver ablative energy or chemotherapeutic agents to tissue. Hydrogel sensing electrodes may be used to map various electrical activity of tissue. The ablation catheters include a variety of hydrogel delivery features to deliver the conductive hydrogel electrodes against or adjacent to tissue to be treated. Each hydrogel delivery feature comprises at least one opening in the distal portion of the catheter and may also include a permeable or semi-permeable membrane. The mapping catheters include conductive hydrogel disks (i.e., conductive hydrogel sensing electrodes) and nonconductive hydrogel disks. Methods of treating and diagnosing tissue using hydrogel virtual electrodes and hydrogel sensing electrodes are also disclosed.
US08012150B2	Method and system for programming and controlling an electrosurgical generator system A method and system are disclosed enabling configuration of a control system for an electrosurgical generator system for creating new surgical applications without changing the underlying software system. The system includes an outer loop controller for generating a control signal in accordance with at least a first subset of sensor data from at least one sensor; an inner loop controller for generating a setpoint control signal which is provided to an RF stage in accordance with at least the control signal generated by the outer loop controller and a second subset of sensor data from the at least one sensor; and a configuration controller for generating configuration data and providing first and second configuration data sets of the configuration data to the inner loop and outer loop controllers, respectively, for configuration thereof to provide a type of control selectable from a variety of types of control.
US08012149B2	Methods and systems for determining physiologic characteristics for treatment of the esophagus A method and apparatus for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus is disclosed, such that the depth of the treated tissue is controlled. The depth of ablation is controlled by monitoring the tissue impedance and/or the tissue temperature. A desired ablation depth is also achieved by controlling the energy density or power density, and the amount of time required for energy delivery. A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring an inner diameter of a body lumen, where a balloon is inflated inside the body lumen at a fixed pressure.
US08012143B1	Intrapericardial delivery tools and methods An introducer sheath is disclosed herein. The sheath includes a tubular body. The tubular body has a proximal zone, an intermediate zone and a distal zone. The proximal zone is generally straight. The intermediate zone extends from a distal end of the proximal zone and curves in a first direction. The distal zone extends from a distal end of the intermediate zone and curves in a second direction different from the first direction.
US08012141B2	Suction wand A suction wand assembly includes a suction wand connected to a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a pressable button or similar device for allowing a user to regulate suction force through the suction wand. The valve assembly optionally includes a locking mechanism for holding the valve in a closed position. The suction wand assembly may be stored in a holster, which optionally includes an instrument support for holding a tip of the suction wand above a base region of the holster.
US08012139B2	Devices and methods for delivering medical agents Described are novel methods for delivering a medical agent to a plurality of locations within a patient tissue volume such as the interior space of a spinal disc, and also for removing material therefrom during medical agent delivery to enhance the delivery. Also described are medical delivery devices such as needle assemblies configured to facilitate the regional delivery of medical agents to patient tissue.
US08012137B2	Packaged body adhering absorbent article and method of applying such article to a wearer In a packaged feminine care absorbent article and method of applying such an article to a wearer, an absorbent article includes an absorbent structure and a shell, with the absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region. The shell is configured for supporting the absorbent structure and has adhesive on a body-facing surface thereof for adhering the shell directly to the wearer. The absorbent article has a packaged configuration and a use configuration, at least a portion of the absorbent article being in overlapping relationship with another portion of the absorbent article in the packaged configuration, and with these respective portions being free from overlapping relationship in the use configuration. The article may be adhered to the wearer while in its packaged configuration and then converted to its use configuration.
US08012131B2	Extractable dose setting knob An injection device for dispensing a dose of a substance, the device including a housing, a dispensing element which can be displaced relative to the housing and a locking element which can be coupled with the dispensing element during or after a substance dispensing operation so that after the dispensing element has effected a dispensing operation once, it can no longer be operated to dispense another dose, and a method of locking an injection device after a substance has been dispensed once, whereby a dispensing element operated to dispense the substance is locked or blocked before, during or after dispensing a set dose so that no more substance can be dispensed.
US08012130B2	Plaster device for supporting a bended length of a tube A plaster device serves for fixating a length of a medical tube in relation to a skin surface of an individual having the tube inserted into a body part via an opening. The plaster device has an adhesive part having an upper side, an adherent lower side for attaching the plaster device to the skin, a through-opening for receiving the tube, a support part at least partly attached to the upper side of the adhesive part and arranged for supporting a bent length of the inserted tube, and a fastener for securing the tube on the support part. The support part is an integral unit having a branched-off portion defining at least one recess for accommodating at least a part of the fastener, preferably a fastener that is elastic. A frictional force between the tube and the fastener guarantees that the tube is prevented from moving or displacing to the patient's discomfort. The convex shape of the upper supporting surface provides a smooth anti-kinking support and guidance for the bended tube.
US08012128B2	Button latching system for a trocar A trocar housing for a trocar assembly includes a first housing member selectively coupled to a second housing member, wherein the first and second housing members include aligned apertures shaped and dimensioned for passage of an instrument therethrough. A button latch mechanism selectively couples the first housing member and the second housing member, the button latch mechanism including a latching member which slides about a central axis of the first and second housing members for selectively coupling the first and second housing members.
US08012124B1	Front loaded medical fluid syringe mounting Various sealing structures are used in a front-loading injector, for preventing leakage of spilled fluid from an external surface of a syringe into the vicinity of the drive ram. For example, a sealing gasket may be incorporated into the front face of the injector housing, for mating to the rearward circular edge of the cylindrical body of a syringe. Alternatively, sealing and locking functions may be performed by a single structure on the rearward end of the syringe. Further, leakage may be prevented by including a non-planar sealing flange on the syringe, positioned on the syringe forward of the locking structure, or by a two-piece structure, including a syringe and a separate leakage stopping washer for surrounding the syringe to halt the flow of fluid along the exterior of the syringe. As part of this aspect, or as an independent feature, the syringe may include an annularly discontinuous flange forward of the locking structure, for providing mechanical support for the syringe against the injector. Alternatively, an iris-like structure may be incorporated into the front surface of the injector, for closing about the syringe upon insertion of the syringe into the injector.
US08012118B2	Artificial kidney dialysis system The present disclosure relates to a wearable dialysis system and method for removing uremic waste metabolites and fluid from a patient suffering from renal disease. Uremic waste metabolites can be removed by a wearable peritoneal dialysis device that regenerates the peritoneal dialysis solution without removing positively charged, essential ions from the solution and, consequently, the patient. Fluids can be removed from the blood of the patient by an implantable fluid removing device. Fluids are delivered to the bladder and preferably removed from the body of the patient through urination. The wearable dialysis system may be operated continuously or semi-continuously and be comfortably adapted to the body of the patient while allowing the patient to perform normal activities.
US08012112B2	Orthopedic braces and casts with aerating arrangements A brace for providing therapeutic pressure to a person's or animal's body part is provided together with a venting device for use with a cast or brace. The brace has a rigid exterior shell which is perforated over a substantial portion of its surface. An interior resilient liner is arranged in the shell and this liner is also perforated. At least a portion of the liner has two inner and outer layers of flexible material and spacer members connecting these layers and forming air passageways. At least the inner layer is porous. The venting device can have two half sections which, when combined together, enclose a body part. Each half section is preformed to closely fit around a curved side of the body part and has spaced-apart inner and outer layers of flexible, material with at least the inner layer being porous. Again, spacer members are arranged between and connect these layers and form air passageways.
US08012110B2	Angular adjusting mechanism for use in massage device of massage machine An angular adjusting mechanism for use in a massage device of a massage machine comprises a frame including a swing seat axially disposed thereon for pivotally rotating the angle and including upper and lower massage rollers provided thereon, and between the frame and the swing seat being defined with an angular adjusting mechanism, wherein the angular adjusting mechanism includes a bush axially fixed on the frame, the swing seat includes a driver attached thereon for urging the rotation of a screw, and another end of the screw screws with the bush; thereby during the rotation of the screw, the screw may vertically displace along the bush and actuate the swing seat to axially rotate along the frame for adjusting the swing angle and increasing the support strength of the upper and lower massage rollers.
US08012103B2	Catalysts for body fluid sample extraction An arrangement for producing a sample of body fluid from a wound opening created in a skin surface at a sampling site includes at least one skin-penetration member having a first end configured to pierce the surface of the skin, and a inner lumen in communication with the first end; at least one actuator operatively associated with the at least one skin-penetration member; and at least one catalyst device configured to cause perfusion of body fluid at the sampling site; wherein the at least one actuator is configured to locate the at least one skin-penetration member so as to obstruct the wound opening while transporting body fluid through the inner lumen. Associated methods are also described.
US08012102B2	Quick cycle biopsy system A method for extracting a tissue sample includes altering the pressure inside the lumen of a cannula to facilitate extraction of a tissue sample from the cannula. One aspect of the invention includes a biopsy apparatus comprising a valve for controlling the pressure inside the lumen of the cannula. In one variation, the pressure/vacuum generating device is connected to a cannula with a closed distal end and an orifice located on a circumferential surface of said cannula. A cutting sheath is slidably disposed over said cannula. The valve may be provided between the pressure/vacuum generating device and the cannula to control the pressure within the lumen of the cannula.
US08012099B2	Process and device for operating a respiration system A process for operating a respiration system (3) makes it possible, rapidly and with simple means, to operate the respiration system (3). The system and method use respiratory flow sensor-specific, patient- and/or treatment-related operating data and a respiratory flow sensor (1). A reading unit present in the respiration system (3) reads the contents of a transponder (2) connected to the respiratory flow sensor (1), so that the respiration system (3) is ready to operate only after the operating data have been read.
US08012095B2	Immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached by a mutually formed probe/seal valve to the tip end of an ultrasound probe. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.
US08012092B2	Method of using a combination imaging and therapy transducer to dissolve blood clots A combined ultrasound imaging and therapy transducer includes a linear array of imaging transducer elements. First and second linear arrays of therapy transducer elements extend longitudinally along respective first and second sides of the imaging transducer elements and are canted inwardly toward each other. The imaging and therapy transducer is used with an ultrasound imaging system to locate clots in a region of interest. After the region of interest has been perfused with a microbubble contrast agent, the therapy transducer elements are driven by an amplifier located in the transducer to dissolve the clot. The use of the imaging transducer elements and the therapy transducer elements can be interleaved so that the therapy can be conditioned on an ultrasound image showing substantial destruction of the contrast agent microbubbles, re-perfusion of microbubbles in the region of interest, or the continued presence of the clot.
US08012090B2	Method and apparatus for real time ultrasound multi-plane imaging An ultrasound system is provided that includes a probe for successively acquiring ultrasound information from an object along at least three distinct scan planes. The scan planes intersect one another along an axis extending from the probe through the object. A memory is included for storing data slices corresponding to the at least three distinct scan planes based on the ultrasound information. Also included is a processor that accesses the memory to select and obtain the data slices and generates ultrasound images based on the data slices. A display is included for co-displaying the ultrasound images.
US08012083B2	Atraumatic arthroscopic instrument sheath A removable, resilient atraumatic sheath for arthroscopic instruments. The sheath covers sharp edges on the arthroscopic instrument, particularly the distal tip of the rigid cannula, and thereby protects tissue and objects near a surgical site from accidental trauma. The sheath may be provided in the form of an inflow/outflow sheath that allows a surgeon to irrigate and drain a surgical field without the use of a separate irrigation instrument. The distal tip of the sheath may comprise a dissimilar material of a higher modulus of elasticity than the material comprising the remainder of the tube.
US08012070B2	Portable mountable upper-body exercise device An exercise apparatus includes a handle bar and a resistance assembly, coupled to the handle bar. The resistance assembly includes a housing having first and second opposed parts, and permitting movement of the handle bar about a rotational axis upon applying force to the handle bar. A resistance mechanism resists movement of the handle bar about the rotational axis. A screw, mounted lengthwise along the rotational axis, and engaging a threaded receptacle, adjustably compresses the spacing between the housing parts and modifies resistance to movement of the handle bar. One of the screw and the receptacle is coupled to an adjustment knob setting a user-defined resistance. A clamp, coupled to the housing, removably attaches the exterior of the first housing part to a member. A user grasps the handle bar and moves it by applying force corresponding to the resistance setting. The clamp can be utilized without operating the knob.
US08012068B1	Cushioned treadmill A cushioned treadmill is provided for cushioning impact between a runner's feet and the treadmill platform. The cushioned treadmill includes a base and a platform coupled to the base. The platform has a first side and a second side. A belt assembly is coupled to and extends between the first side and the second side of the platform. The belt assembly includes a movable belt forming a running surface designed for supporting a user on the platform. A cushioning material is contained in a flexible bladder positioned in the platform beneath the running surface.
US08012060B2	Speed change control system for automatic transmission To provide a speed change control system capable of carrying out an entire speed change operation of a transmission in which speed change operation of a first and a second speed change units are carried out simultaneously in directions opposite to each other, without deteriorating shocks even in case a speed change operation of one of the speed change units is restricted.For this purpose, there is provided a speed change control system for an automatic transmission, which has a first and a second speed change units, and in which a speed change ratio of the second speed change unit is changed in a direction opposite to a changing direction of a speed change ratio of the first speed change unit when changing the speed change ratio of the first speed change unit, comprising: a speed changing rate setting means for setting a speed changing rate of the second speed change unit in accordance with a progression of a speed change operation of the first speed change unit.
US08012059B2	Multi-speed automatic transmission A multiple speed automatic transmission includes an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the plurality of planetary gear sets has a sun gear, a planet carrier with a plurality of planet gears and a ring gear. The torque transmitting devices include three clutches, a conventional first brake and a second brake comprising a parallel combination of an overrunning clutch and a light duty or coast clutch. Eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by selective engagement of the five torque transmitting devices.
US08012051B2	Oil pressure control apparatus An oil pressure control apparatus includes a belt-driven continuously variable transmission, a primary regulator valve that regulates a line oil pressure that becomes a source pressure of oil pressure of various parts, and a gear oil pressure control valve that supplies gear oil pressure to a driving-side pulley of the belt-driven continuously variable transmission. A failsafe valve is provided between the gear oil pressure control valve and the driving-side pulley. When the gear oil pressure control valve or a linear solenoid valve that controls the gear oil pressure control valve fails, the failsafe valve is switched so as to supply the line oil pressure to the driving-side pulley, and other than during such the gear oil pressure control valve's failure or the electromagnetic valve's failure, the failsafe valve is switched so as to supply the gear oil pressure to the driving-side pulley.
US08012047B2	Football pass receiving trainer The football pass receiving trainer includes a cord extending between a first support and a second support and includes a pad selectively positionable along the length of the cord, wherein the pad is sized so a receiver must catch a football around the pad with the hands and extended arms and elbows. The cord stretches upon contact with the foam pad and is selectively tensioned between the first support and the second support. The football pass receiving trainer is usable as a stand-alone unit via a free-standing base and plurality of slidingly engageable feet or through use of a hook and stabilizing cord that cooperate to selectively secure the support to the chain link fence.
US08012045B2	Golf club fitting system and method A method and system of fitting golf clubs to a person includes generating a dimensional reference number from a golfer's physical characteristics and applying an algorithm to determine desired parameters of golf clubs for the golfer from the dimensional reference number.
US08012044B2	Multi-layer golf ball Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less, and particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.
US08012042B2	Golf club head A head (2) includes an outer shell portion (4) forming an external surface of the head and a hollow portion (16) of the head, an inside extended portion (18) extended from the outer shell portion (4) to an inner part of the head, a housing portion (s1) formed by the outer shell portion (4) and the inside extended portion (18), and an adjusting material (w1) disposed in the housing portion (s1). The outer shell portion (4) is formed by bonding a plurality of outer shell forming members (26) and (28) formed integrally respectively. The outer shell forming member (26) has the inside extended portion (18), and the outer shell forming member (28) has the outer shell portion (4) to be a part of the housing portion (s1). One of the outer shell forming members may have the whole housing portion (s1) and may be formed by casting a metallic material.
US08012040B2	Iron golf club head A golf club head (1) comprises a head main body (10) having a concave portion (11) formed in the face side and a face plate (20) fixed to the head main body (10). The face plate (20) is mounted on the head main body (10) such that a concave step portion (21) engages with a convex step portion (16a) of the head main body (10), and the upper edge portion, lower edge portion, and toe-side edge portion of the face plate (20) abut against edge portions (13), (14), and (15) of the head main body, respectively. The face plate (20) is laser-welded along its perimeter and fixed to the head main body (10).
US08012038B1	Golf club head A golf club head is described, in one embodiment, including a body with an exterior surface defining a first body volume of at least about 400 cm3. The body has a bottom portion, a top portion, a front portion, and a back portion. A face positioned at the front portion of the body and is configured to receive an impact. A top portion silhouette profile located along a perimeter of the top portion is further described. The top portion silhouette profile defines the outer bounds of the top portion in an X-direction and Y-direction. At least one indentation is located on the bottom portion below the crown silhouette profile. The removal of the at least one indentation from the bottom portion creates a second body volume that is at least 12 cm3 larger than the first body volume.
US08012035B2	Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described.
US08012034B1	Wood-type golf club head with adjustable sole contour A wood-type golf club head with an adjustable keel zone member is disclosed herein. The golf club head includes a body and an adjustable keel zone member. The body has a front portion, a crown portion and a sole portion. The body also having a heel end, a toe end and an aft end. The sole portion has only a single keel point. The adjustable keel zone member is disposed within a keel zone of the sole and located preferentially with respect to the center of gravity. The keel zone member is capable of adjusting the face angle of the wood-type golf club head.
US08012032B2	Personal driving range apparatus A personal driving range apparatus is provided including a platform, a ball having at least one aperture that passes through the ball, at least one line having a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably connected to the platform, and the at least one line is drawn through the at least one aperture of the ball so that the ball is slidably disposed on the at least one line extending from the platform. The apparatus also includes a strap disposed at the second end of the at least one line for detachably securing the at least one line to a stationary object.
US08012031B2	Revolving water ride and method of moving ride participants between pools of different height A water ride for transporting ride participants between portions of a water attraction disposed at different heights, for example, pools situated at various levels in a water leisure park, includes an outer support tube within which a hollow spiral coil (screw) is constructed internally of the tube and securable to the tube. Advantageously, the manner of securement permits removal of at least a portion of the spiral coil as necessary or desirable for performing maintenance and/or replacement. The spiral coil sufficiently engages the inside of the tube, thereby creating at least a restriction to the passage of water between adjacent pockets contained between the thread pitch defined by the spiral coil. Ride participants are moved along with water pockets trapped between the pitch of the internal profile presented by the combination of spiral coil and tube from one end of the tube/spiral coil combination to the other end by rotation of the tube in an appropriate direction.
US08012027B2	Rotating quick release button panel A gaming machine having a support bracket coupled to a cabinet front of the gaming machine, and a modular user interface hingedly coupled to the support bracket with at least one connector, the modular user interface having a button panel and a wrist support, wherein the modular user interface is configured to rotate along an axis of the at least one connector to expose an interior portion of the gaming machine.
US08012018B2	Game apparatus and storage medium storing game program A video game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU executes a game according to a game program in a virtual space. During the game, the player selectively displays a 2D game screen and a 3D game screen by operating a controller. It should be noted that a player character, etc. is subjected to a modeling process in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the image is photographed by a virtual camera so as to be displayed as a 2D or 3D game screen on a monitor. If it is determined whether or not the player character and the predetermined object are contacted with each other, collision data for 2D display or collision data for 3D display set in advance to the object is utilized.
US08012016B2	Squad command interface for console-based video game A squad command interface for a squad-based shooter video game maps character selection and command selection to actuators on a game controller. Players can select squad characters and issue a single order to multiple characters with few controller actuations.
US08012014B2	Gaming system having awards provided based on rate of play A gaming system and method for operating a gaming system is provided. The gaming system includes a central server that is linked to a plurality of gaming devices. The central server monitors wager and play activity on the gaming devices during a period of time. Based at least in part on the wager and play activity, the central server determines a ranking for one or more players or for one or more gaming devices in the gaming system. The central server selects which player(s) will be provided one or more awards based on the determined ranking. The determined ranking is based, at least in part, on the speed, skill and/or wagering activity of the one or more players.
US08012013B2	Method and apparatus for offering a guaranteed win A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
US08012012B2	Slot machine A processor selects either a first game mode or a second game mode based on the operation by the operator carried out at a server 102. If the first game mode has been selected, a payout is calculated and awarded based on a fixed payout set in advance for each winning combination. Alternatively, if the second game mode has been selected, a payout is calculated and awarded based on a progressive payout and a fixed payout which was set in advance for each winning combination.
US08012010B2	Reel blur for gaming machines having simulated rotating reels Gaming machines, systems and methods for emulating rotating physical reels on a display screen are disclosed. Graphics for “static” reel symbols are intentionally blurred for those reel symbols “in motion.” Gaming machines include an exterior housing, master gaming controller, display device and virtual reels. Virtual reels include reel stops, static reel symbols and corresponding dynamic blurred reel symbols. A blurred reel symbol generator provides corresponding blurred reel symbols for existing static reel symbols, and can be located at a remote host and/or within the gaming machine. A remote host can provide downloadable virtual reel strips, reel symbols and blurred reel symbols to gaming machines. The blurred reel symbol generator can accept manually entered blurred reel symbol images, and/or can also generate blurred reel symbol images itself in automated fashion. Blurred reel symbols can be generated on the fly at runtime, or can be taken from a stored location.
US08012009B2	Server based gaming system having system triggered loyalty award sequences A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming tables. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming table at which that the player is currently playing.
US08012004B2	Computer-readable storage medium having game program stored thereon and game apparatus While a ball is rising, a point of attention of a virtual camera is set at the current position of the ball. At the instant when the movement of the ball is changed from rising to falling, the point of attention of the virtual camera is moved from the position of the ball to the position of the shadow of the ball. While the ball is falling, the point of attention of the virtual camera is set at the position of the shadow of the ball. Thus, in a baseball game or the like, a game image capable of providing a realistic feeling to the player and also allowing the player to grasp an area below the ball before the ball drops on the ground can be generated.
US08012003B2	Baseball videogame having pitching meter, hero mode and user customization features A sports videogame such as a baseball videogame allows a user to control the release time of a pitch in order to control the timing of a break on the pitched ball. Other implementations of a baseball videogame allow a user to put extra spin on a pitched ball to thereby create a greater break on the pitch or allow the user to play in a hero mode which enables the user to control a videogame character in a series of specific game play scenarios designed to allow the user to immediately control the videogame character to perform unique skills. Game play may also be customized by allowing the user to incorporate user-created images into screens of game play and/or allow the user to incorporate recorded audio messages into game play.
US08012002B2	Animal cleaning system Systems and methods for cleaning animals are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for cleaning a plurality of carcasses of harvested animals includes a track system configured to convey the carcasses through a plurality of carcass disassembly stations. The apparatus also includes a spray system for directing a fluid at a portion of at least one of the carcasses. The spray includes a plurality of nozzles configured to rotate relative to the track system. The spray system directs the fluid onto each of the carcasses in a tracking manner as the carcass moves from a first carcass location to a second carcass location. In another embodiment, a method for cleaning a plurality of carcasses of harvested animals includes providing an assembly line for conveying the carcasses through a plurality of carcass processing stations. At least one of the stations comprises a spray nozzle assembly for directing a fluid in a rotating path at a portion of each of the carcasses. The method also includes directing the fluid onto each of the carcasses in a tracking manner as the carcass moves from a first location to a second location on the assembly line.
US08011999B2	Polishing pad, method for manufacturing the polishing pad A polishing pad with first plural concave portions regularly allocated with prescribed spacing or/and a groove formed on the surface of the polishing pad; and a second concave portion randomly allocated without corresponding to the first plural concave portions or/and the groove formed on the surface of the polishing pad.
US08011996B2	Polishing head for a polishing machine A polishing head for polishing machines, in particular for polishing optical surfaces, has a polishing plate that is connected to a rotationally drivable drive shaft. The polishing plate is articulated to, and rotates with, the drive shaft. A ball hexagonal socket joint provides the articulated connection. Rotating by means of the articulated connection, the polishing plate can follow the surface of the workpiece to be processed, so that the polishing covering on the polishing plate always rests on a maximally large area on the surface of the workpiece.
US08011995B1	Electromagnetic action toy system The present invention is typically configured as toy racecars and tracks, or model train sets but other toy and non-toy configurations are possible. It has a power supply, controller, track, and moveable object(s) such as a racecar or train. The moveable object(s) is a permanent magnet, or contains one or more permanent magnets, or one or more electrical conductors acting as electromagnets, positioned so as to travel general parallel to the surface of the track. The controller has operator interfaces such as switches and/or a potentiometer(s) for speed/motion input. The track is preferably one or more printed circuit boards with conductive traces configured such that the controller can power them. Current passes through the traces in a repetitive sequential order that causes the magnet/moveable object to be propelled along the track due to the Lorentz force generated by the electromagnetic field(s) acting on the conducting traces and the magnet(s).
US08011991B2	Apparatus for facilitating the construction of a snow man/woman A building component for facilitating a construction of a snow man/woman. A spherically-shaped body is provided that has an outer surface and an interior, the interior substantially lighter than when the interior is filled with snow. An adhesion surface is provided on the outer surface of the spherically-shaped body that substantially increases the ability of the outer surface to adhere snow to the spherically-shaped body. The spherically-shaped body and adhesion surface form a building component for facilitating the construction of the snow man/woman. The adhesion surface may be an electrically charged surface in combination with a texture or alone. The electric charge may be generated by a generator that may be disposed with the body.
US08011990B2	Process for improving the emission of electron field emitters This invention provides a process for improving the field emission of an electron field emitter comprised of an acicular emitting substance such as acicular carbon, an acicular semiconductor, an acicular metal or a mixture thereof, comprising applying a force to the surface of the electron field emitter wherein the force results in the removal of a portion of the electron field emitter thereby forming a new surface of the electron field emitter.
US08011989B2	Method of making a plasma display panel with a novel connection structure A plasma display apparatus comprising a connector is provided. The plasma display apparatus comprises a plasma display panel comprising an electrode of a predetermined width and a connector comprising an electrode line of a width narrower than the predetermined width of the electrode to supply a driving signal to the electrode. A distance between the electrode line and an adjacent electrode line is longer than a distance between the electrode and an adjacent electrode.
US08011988B2	Method for assembling indirectly-heated cathode assembly A width of a groove of a cathode holder and a thickness of a cathode conductor are determined so that a dimension which is obtained by subtracting the thickness from the width is equal to a gap length which has a predetermined length, and which is between a filament and a cathode. Then, the cathode holder is rearward pushed to cause a front end face of the groove 26 to butt against the cathode conductor, and the cathode conductor and filament conductors are coupled and fixed to each other via an electrically insulating material. And then, the filament is forward moved to butt against the cathode, and the filament is fixed to the filament conductors. After that, the cathode holder is forward pulled to cause a projection to butt against the cathode conductor, and the cathode holder is fixed to the cathode conductor.
US08011987B2	Organic EL device and its manufacture method A TFT is formed on a substrate. TFT has first and second regions as a source and a drain, a channel region between the first and second regions, and a gate electrode. An interlayer insulating film is formed on the substrate, covering the thin film transistor. A pixel electrode disposed on the interlayer insulating film is electrically connected to the first region of TFT via a via hole formed in the interlayer insulating film. A cover film covers the edge of the pixel electrode, exposes the inner area of the pixel electrode, and covers the surface of the interlayer insulating film in the area superposed upon the channel region of the thin film transistor to shield an ultraviolet ray. An organic light emission layer and an upper electrode are disposed on and above the pixel electrode.
US08011986B1	Inflatable buoyant tent apparatus The inflatable buoyant tent apparatus provides a buoyant shelter for use on water. The apparatus is deflatable and inflatable except for the battery pack, alarm, pump, and pressure sensor. The apparatus is therefore compactly transported. The included switched air pump provides for automatic inflation. The most complete apparatus embodiment provides a spine and ribs that ensure rigidity of the tent. Rigidity for the float chamber is aided by corrugations that extend from the chamber first end to the chamber second end. The pressure sensor provides constant monitoring of the inflatable apparatus, with automatic pump operation initiated at a given low pressure setting, and automatic pump cessation upon the apparatus reaching a given air pressure. The beacon atop the tent provides clear visibility of the apparatus, especially at night, to ensure the safety of the apparatus and anyone within the tent. Tent flaps are provided for each end of the tent.
US08011984B2	Boat propulsion system A boat propulsion system that easily and finely adjusts the rotational speed of a propeller includes an outboard motor including an engine, a propeller, a shift mechanism, and a control device. The control device controls engaging states of clutches so that the rotational speed of a second power transmission shaft is substantially the same as the rotational speed of a third power transmission shaft in a first mode in which the shift position is a forward or a reverse position. The control device controls the engaging states of the clutches so that the rotational speed of the third power transmission shaft is lower than the rotational speed of the second power transmission shaft in a second mode in which the shift position is the forward or the reverse position.
US08011980B2	Side-loading compact crimp termination An implantable medical lead comprising a conductor extending along the lead and a crimp connector secured to the conductor comprising a body with an outer surface, an inner surface, proximal and distal ends, and first and second lateral edges, the lateral edges having edge features extending there from, the edge features adapted to opposingly interleave with one another. Methods of assembling a crimp connector with a cable conductor including parallel and cross-wise assembly are also encompassed.
US08011979B1	Terminal strip A terminal strip fixed to a plating machine has a main strip, a plurality of auxiliary strips extended from a side of the main strip, a plurality of terminals extended from a lateral side of the auxiliary strip. A free end of the terminal has an elastic arm extended opposite to the main strip, a free end of the elastic arm is extended beyond the auxiliary strip and forms a contacting portion. When the main strip is pulled for plating the contacting portions along a direction parallel with the main strip, it is feasible to try to avoid the other part of the elastic arm being plated, so as to save the gold and cut down the plating cost.
US08011978B2	Retainer, lay-in lug assembly nut plate retainer The present invention relates generally to a lay-in lug nut plate retainer. More particularly, the invention encompasses a nut plate retainer for a lay-in lug assembly nut plate. The present invention is also directed to a novel lay-in nut plate retainer which provides an alternative way to secure a nut plate to a lay-in lug body during shipping and/or the installation process. The inventive nut plate retainer has a cover with an open area and at least two legs to surround a portion of the lay-in lug and the nut plate.
US08011974B2	Patch panel with a motherboard for connecting communications jacks An active jack, which is a powered device, is installed as the network connection at a workstation which provides the capability to determine the physical location of a destination device, such as a VOIP phone, in real time. Uninterruptible power supplies may be used to provide power to network components, for example during an emergency. Power-and-data deployments are shown for powering network components and destination devices.
US08011965B2	Electrical card connector An electrical card connector includes an insulative housing (1), a number of contacts (3) assembled in the insulative housing, a pair of metal pads (5) assembled to the side walls of the insulative housing, and a metallic shell (2). The insulative housing has a base portion (10) and a pair of side walls (11) extending from the base portion. Each metal pad has a cavity (501) and an elastic tongue portion (53) extending into the cavity. The metallic shell forms a pair of pivots (220) extending through and movable in the cavity. The elastic tongue portion is resiliently engageable with the pivot in response to a movement of the pivot along an inner edge of the cavity.
US08011960B2	Electrical connector assembly with assembled main shell and sub-shell An electrical connector assembly (100) comprises an insulative body (1) integrally including a forward part (12) and a backward part (11). A main shell (32) includes a front pocket (320) enclosing the forward part (12), and a back segment (322) covering an upper portion of the backward part (11) of the body (1). A sub-shell (31) is assembled with the main shell (32), and includes a lower piece (316) covering a lower portion of the backward part (11). Therefore, the main shell (32), the sub-shell (31) are assembled with each other to provide a good shielding enclosure for the insulative body (1), where the contact terminals (2) are held therein.
US08011953B2	Relay connector A relay connector for electrically connecting a board and a coaxial connector including a shell GND, a dielectric member and a core conductor, includes: a conductive first block including a first surface from which the core conductor is projected and a second surface to which the shell GND is fixed, and provided with a guide pin extending in a first direction parallel to the first surface; a conductive second block including a board rest part on which the board is to be mounted and a guide hole into which the guide pin is inserted, and being electrically connected to the first block; an operating member, provided on the first block at an opposite side to the second block; an elastic member provided between the operating member and the first block in a contracted state; and a coupling member, one end of which is fitted into and fixed to a first groove of the second block, the other end of which is fitted into and fixed to a second groove of the operating member.
US08011951B2	Rail mounting apparatus Rail mounting apparatus including a base having a mount surface including at least one tab for mounting a first edge of the rail relative to the mount surface, a side surface including a guide clip, and a connector guide slot extending from the side surface; a mounting clip including: a body slidingly mounted in the guide clip, a rail engaging member at a first end of the body for engaging a second edge of the rail, a connector mount at a second end of the body; and a connector extending through the guide slot and received in the connector mount of the mounting clip, wherein coupling of the connector to the connector mount slidingly moves the mounting clip in the guide clip to engage the rail engaging member with the second edge of the rail and hold the second edge of the rail relative to the mount surface of the base.
US08011945B2	Locking device and high voltage shield connector having the same The present invention provides a locking device and a high voltage shield connector having the same. The locking device of the present invention preferably includes a mounting hole configured to penetrate the circumferential surface of a female housing, a support member configured to be supported on an edge of the mounting hole, a restraining member extending to a lower portion of the support member and projecting to the inside of the female housing, and a locker formed on a male housing to restrain the restraining member to be connected to the female housing.
US08011944B2	Electrical connector assembly An electrical connector assembly includes a cable connector; a receptacle connector connected to the cable connector in a first direction; and a locking protruding portion disposed on one of the cable connector and the receptacle connector. The locking protruding portion has a first length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The electrical connector assembly further includes a locking groove portion disposed in the other of the cable connector and the receptacle connector. The locking groove portion has a second distance in the second direction smaller than the first length, so that the locking protruding portion can be inserted into the locking groove portion only in an inclined state and the receptacle connector is not disconnected upwardly from the cable connector when the locking protruding portion is situated in the locking groove portion.
US08011943B2	Electrical connector and assembly having same An exemplary electrical connector for connecting an electronic device to a main circuit board is provided. The electronic device includes a secondary circuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulating housing shell, a first sidewall, a second sidewall facing the first sidewall, and a third sidewall interconnecting the first and second sidewalls. The first, second and third sidewalls cooperatively define a housing space. There is an electrically conductive member mounted at the third sidewall. The electrically conductive member is electrically connected to the main circuit board. The housing space is configured for housing the electronic device therein in a manner so as to enable the secondary circuit board of the electronic device to be electrically connected to the electrically conductive member.
US08011942B2	Connector There is provided a connector that allows easy engagement even when visual judgment is not possible and that has superior durability as well. In a connector for connecting a first connecting cable connected to one end of a socket and a second connecting cable connected to one end of a plug, through engagement between the socket and the plug, the socket includes a cutout portion formed by cutting away at least one portion from one opening of a cylinder along the peripheral direction thereof, the cutout portion having a V-shape at its deepest portion, a first guiding portion projecting from at least one portion of the opening along the peripheral direction, the first guiding portion having a substantial V-shape at its leading end, and a retaining portion to be retained to a lateral face of the cylinder at the time of engagement with the plug, thus retaining this engagement. The plug includes a second guiding portion engageable into the cutout portion and having a substantial V-shape at its leading end and a pawl portion to be retained to the retaining portion at the time of the engagement with the socket.
US08011941B2	Dust-tolerant electrical connector A connector assembly includes releasably mateable plug and receptacle units. At least one socket is enclosed within the receptacle unit and is aligned with at least one permeable membrane disposed in the front end of the receptacle unit. The plug unit includes a body slidably mounted within a longitudinal bore therein. At least one pin extends from the front end of the body and is aligned with at least one permeable membrane disposed in the front end of the plug unit. The plug unit is biased toward a first, de-mate position in which the body is extended rearwardly such that the pin is enclosed with the plug unit and is slidable to a second, mate position in which the body is compressed forwardly such that the pin projects through the permeable membranes of the plug and receptacle units to electrically connect with the socket.
US08011937B2	Unitary member with multiple outlets having surge protection circuitry A unitary body has both a plurality of outlets and protection circuitry integrated therein. An indicator device in the body provides a visual signal to indicate normal operation of the outlets. The protection circuitry may be a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), and/or an integrated circuit breaker. Another indicator device provides an audible signal in accordance with failure of the protection circuit. In a particular embodiment, the body has six outlets and the protection circuitry is a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS). The visual signal is provided by an LED, and an alarm buzzer sounds when the TVSS is disabled.
US08011929B2	Method for coloring a coloring card A coloring method has acts of: (a) preparing a substrate having at least one display surfaces and each display surface printed with an ink layer to form a coloring area having multiple resin units mounted in the coloring area; (b) coloring the coloring area of the substrate with water-based colorants; and (c) rubbing the coloring area of the substrate. The coloring area is colored and rubbing alternately to display a special effect, like colored leather. Moreover, the coloring area can be colored by blending red, blue and yellow to obtain various colored results. The present invention is able to stimulate, inspire and develop color sensibility for children.
US08011926B2	Polymeric dental implant assembly A dental implant assembly (20) including an anchor (26, 126, 226) and a support ring (52, 152, 252) disposed about the anchor (26, 126, 226) and with a ring top end (54, 154, 254) engaging the bottom of the tooth-replicating device (24) to receive an impact force and to transfer the impact force to the bone (22) of a human. The anchor (26, 126, 226) is made of a first material being fracturable in response to a predetermined force and the support ring (52, 152, 252) is made of a second material being fracturable only in response to a force greater than the predetermined force for avoiding fracture of the anchor (26, 126, 226).
US08011925B2	Methods for manufacturing dental implant components A method of manufacturing a rapid prototype overmold for locating a dental implant analog in a modified stone model for use in creating a tooth prosthesis is provided. An impression of a mouth having a first installation site that has a dental implant and a gingival healing abutment with at least one informational marker installed is taken. A stone model based on the impression is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the installation site on a CAD program using data from the scan is created. The at least one informational marker is determined to gather information about the location of the dental implant. Abutment dimensional information based on the three-dimensional image and the at least one informational marker is developed. Overmold rapid prototype dimensional information based on the three-dimensional image is developed. The overmold rapid prototype adapted to fit over the modified stone model is fabricated.
US08011924B2	Clamping cord with polymeric wedge component, and method of affixation The present invention relates to the affixation of dental dams and Class III matrixes utilized in conservative dentistry and oral surgery. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for retaining and stabilizing a dental dam or Class III matrix, or other device, in the mouth of the patient, which can be clamped between two adjacent teeth.
US08011920B2	Valve assemblies for heating devices In certain embodiments, a valve assembly includes a housing. The housing can define a first fuel input and a second fuel input. The housing can further define a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a fourth flow path. The assembly can include a fluid flow controller configured to selectively permit fluid communication between the first fuel input and either the first flow path or the second flow path, and configured to selectively permit fluid communication between the second fuel input and either the third flow path or the fourth flow path. The assembly can further include a first nozzle member defining an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the first nozzle member can be in fluid communication with the first flow path. The assembly can further include a second nozzle member defining an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the second nozzle member can be in fluid communication with the second flow path.
US08011919B2	Mould base for moulds for manufacturing thermoplastic containers and moulding device equipped with at least one mould equipped with such a base The invention relates to a mold base (1) for a mold that is used for the blow molding or stretch-blow molding of thermoplastic containers (2) having a petaloid-shaped base. The mold base (1) includes several cavities (11) separated by radiating ridges (13) with concave crests (14), the bases (15) of the cavities (11) being distributed along a circular contour. As seen radially on either side of the deepest point thereof, each cavity (11) is defined towards the exterior by a curved surface portion (18) having a circular arc radial cross-section and towards the interior by a broken-plane surface portion (19) with at least two slopes that intersect the curved surface portion (18) at a straight edge (20). The plane (T) which contains the aforementioned edge (2) and which is tangent to the curved surface portion (18) is perpendicular to the axis (12) of the mold base. Moreover, the portion of plane (21) adjacent to the curved surface portion (18) has a slope (a) of between 12° and 8° in relation to the tangent plane (T).
US08011917B2	Compression molding of an electronic device A compression molding system comprising first and second mold halves is provided for an electronic device wherein a plurality of cavities are formed in the first mold half corresponding to molding locations on the electronic device. A plurality of plungers are located in the first mold half, each of which is drivable against a side of a respective cavity for applying a compacting force to encapsulation material located in the cavity during molding. A motor is operatively connected to the plungers for driving the plungers relative to the cavities.
US08011914B2	Food supply system for a food patty molding machine A patty-forming machine includes a food supply system where the drive mechanism for feed screws use integrated and compact motor and gearbox assemblies. The feed screws have heavy wall thickness flights and the feed screw shafts are journaled through modular bearing assemblies. A conveyor that forms the bottom of the hopper uses a sealed drum motor housed in the drive roller to drive the conveyor. A food supply system includes independent sensing means for indicating whenever the moldable food material accumulated at one end of the hopper exceeds a given level.
US08011913B2	Method of melt blending curable polymer compositions using silicone hydrides Provided in one aspect is a method of melt blending comprising providing an extruder possessing addition points from a zero point to a 100 point the length of the extruder; adding at least one thermoplastic and at least one curable polymer at the zero to 10 point of the extruder; adding at least one silicone hydride at the 5 to 30 point of the extruder; adding at least one metal catalyst at the 20 to 60 point of the extruder, with the proviso that the metal catalyst is added at least 5 points farther down the extruder than the silicone hydride. Provided in another aspect is a hydrosilylation curative composition comprising a silicone hydride having the formula wherein H is hydrogen, and each R′ is independently selected from hydrogen and C1 to C10 alkyl groups; R″ is selected from C1 to C10 alkyl groups; n is an integer from 5 to 45; and m is an integer from 5 to 45.
US08011911B2	Method and system for pelletizing sulfur Relatively uniform spherical shaped solid pellets (prills) may be created by passing molten sulfur through a nested strainer to remove particles that would otherwise become trapped in the system, a drip tray with a heating channel attached on its underside, an injection conduit for delivery of a cooled zone of water to create solid prills, and thereafter moving the prills through a stationary curved screen to remove most of the excess water and a vibrating screen.
US08011905B2	Surgical cassette A surgical system and cassette, the cassette having an identification method that is specific to the cassette. Suitable methods include bar coding or Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”). Cassette information that may be encoded include features such as lot number and performance characteristics, such as pressure sensor calibration data, flow and pressure data and any other performance characteristics of the cassette captured during testing of the cassette at manufacture.
US08011904B2	Gas feed assembly A gas feed assembly (30) comprises a compressor arrangement (32) comprising first and second compressor (34, 36). The gas feed assembly includes an outlet (42) for gas for the first and second compressors (34, 36). The gas feed assembly includes a first inlet (38) for the first compressor (34) and a second inlet (40) for the second compressor (36). The gas feed assembly further includes a valve assembly (52, 64) for allowing gas to enter either, or both, of the first and second compressors from at least one gas source.
US08011902B2	Drive control device of fuel pump A drive control device of a fuel pump for sucking fuel in a fuel tank supplying the fuel to an internal combustion engine, and using a motor with a brush as a drive source thereof. The drive control device includes a starting current reduction control device that starts the fuel pump in a state where a drive current of the fuel pump is reduced.
US08011901B2	Discharge pressure actuated pump A pump has a pump barrel formed from a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section. Each section has a biased piston moveable within the section and the pistons are connected together to form a variable volume chamber between the pistons. As the connected pistons move toward the larger diameter section, a volume of fluid is moved through an inlet valve into the variable volume chamber of increasing volume. When the pistons are moved toward the smaller diameter section, a differential volume of fluid is discharged from the variable volume chamber of decreasing volume through a discharge valve into a discharge conduit. The pistons are actuated to move within the pump barrel by application and release of pressure at a remote end of the discharge conduit.
US08011890B2	Air-cooled component An air-cooled component such as a turbine stator vane, has a row of cooling passages extending from the interior of the vane to the exterior. The passages are inclined to a plane perpendicular to the row. The angle of inclination of each passage varies with the position of the passage along the row. The arrangement assists in avoiding local overheating of the vane surface.
US08011889B1	Turbine blade with trailing edge tip corner cooling A turbine blade for use in an industrial gas turbine engine, especially for the first stage turbine blade, in which the blade includes a squealer tip with a pressure side tip rail extending all the way top the trailing edge of the tip and a suction side tip rail with a cut back adjacent to the trailing edge to form a cooling air flow path from the squealer pocket and up and over the cut back in the suction side tip rail. The floor of the squealer pocket includes a series of skewed trip strips in the location of the cut back in the tip end, the trip strips being skewed in a direction to direct the cooling air toward the cut back. Rows of film cooling holes extend along the pressure and suction sides of the blade just below the tip rails to provide cooling for the tip rails. Tip cooling holes are located on the squealer pocket floor upstream from the trip strips and along the tip rail walls to provide cooling within the pocket. The skew trip strips begin just upstream from the cut back and extend along the pocket toward the tip end, extending substantially from the pressure side tip rail to the suction side tip rail.
US08011888B1	Turbine blade with serpentine cooling A turbine rotor blade with a first cooling circuit to provide cooling for the leading edge region of the airfoil and a suction side surface of the blade tip, and a second cooling circuit to provide cooling for the mid-chord region of the blade and the pressure side surface of the blade tip. The first cooling circuit includes a cooling air supply channel connected to a leading edge impingement cavity having showerhead arrangement of film cooling holes. The cooling air supply channel is connected to the suction side tip cooling channel that extends along the tip. The second cooling circuit includes a 3-pass forward flowing serpentine circuit with the third leg connected to a pressure side tip cooling channel that extends along the pressure side edge of the blade tip. Rows of tip cooling holes connect to both of the tip channels to discharge cooling air through the blade tip sections.
US08011887B2	Rotor blade assembly A rotor blade assembly is disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a main rotor blade, the main rotor blade including a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge, and an auxiliary rotor blade associated with the main rotor blade, the auxiliary rotor blade including a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The rotor blade assembly further includes a support member connecting the auxiliary rotor blade to the main rotor blade. The auxiliary rotor blade is configured to modify a lift force associated with the rotor blade assembly.
US08011885B2	Turbocharger sealing arrangement A turbocharger has a sealing arrangement between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing adjacent to the turbine and/or the compressor housings to restrict leaking of gas into the bearing housing. At least a pair of spaced sealing rings project from an annular surface of the bearing housing into corresponding annular recesses formed on the shaft. The trailing face of the second ring or the opposite surface of the recess has a plurality of radial grooves that define leak passages that serve to maintain a very small flow of gas from the turbine or compressor housing into the bearing housing. Alternatively there is a slot in the second ring to provide the leak passage. This ensures that there is a minimum gas flow so that a large pressure gradient is not applied across the second seal thereby avoiding wear, overheating and collapse of the ring.
US08011884B1	Fan blade assembly for a gas turbine engine A small twin spool gas turbine engine with a forward end of the engine supported by bearings that are cooled by passing a cooling fluid such as cooling air bled off from the compressor with a liquid lubricant sprayed into the cooling air that is then passed through the bearing to prevent overheating. The cooling fluid is then discharged from the bearing cooling circuit out the front end of the engine through a number of discharge holes formed within the threaded nut that secures the fan blade assembly to the low speed rotor shaft. The threaded nut includes a plurality of slanted holes that slant outward from the rotational axis in the direction of fluid discharge.
US08011881B1	Turbine vane with serpentine cooling A stator vane for a gas turbine engine having a cooling circuit that passes through the airfoil and both of the inner and the outer diameter endwalls to provide cooling for the airfoil and endwalls. Each endwall includes an intricate cooling circuit and is connected to the serpentine flow circuit within the airfoil to pass cooling air back and fourth from one endwall to the other through one of the legs in the serpentine flow circuit of the airfoil. A row of exit cooling holes is located in one or both of the endwalls and is connected to the last leg of the serpentine circuit to discharge cooling air. The airfoil and endwalls cooling circuit forms a series of passages that meander through the vane before discharging out through the exit holes.
US08011878B2	Centrifugal fan and electronic device using same A centrifugal fan includes a housing and an impeller. The housing includes a base plate, a side plate extending upwardly from a periphery of the base plate and a concave portion depressed downwardly from a central portion of the base plate. The concave portion includes a bottom wall spaced from the base plate and a side wall interconnects with the base plate. An air inlet is defined in the bottom wall. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades extending radially from the hub. The impeller is rotatably arranged on the bottom wall of the concave portion. A bottom face of each of the blades extends into the concave portion.
US08011877B2	Fiber composite reinforced aircraft gas turbine engine drums with radially inwardly extending blades A gas turbine engine assembly having one or more blade rows with blades extending radially inwardly from a rotatable drum, one or more composite fiber material rings disposed circumferentially around the rotatable drum, and the composite fiber material rings including circumferentially extending high strength fibers or filaments. The rings may be axially aligned with the blade rows. Ring widths of the rings may be less wide than blade widths at blade bases of the blades at a radially inner surface of the drum. The rings may be made of a material including a plurality of circumferentially extending reinforcing structural fibers or filaments disposed in an integral matrix. The rotatable drum, rings, and blades extending radially inwardly from the drum may be incorporated in a gas turbine engine booster having one or more rotatable booster stages or in a counter rotatable low pressure turbine.
US08011876B2	Wind driven power generator A wind driven power generator has a rotational shroud assembly for maximizing wind input and a turbine assembly with a shaft that rotates within the shroud assembly. The shaft end extends through the base of the shroud assembly. The turbine assembly has elongate arms attached to the top portion of the shaft of the turbine assembly. Each arm is essentially perpendicular to the shaft and has a vertical wind blade attached to each of the arm ends and spaced equidistance apart around the shaft of the turbine assembly. The shroud assembly covers approximately half of the turbine assembly during rotation and maintains a windward direction for maximum wind on the blade fronts while shielding the back sides of the blades from the incoming wind.
US08011875B2	Controllable transmission system and method thereof A controllable transmission system and a method thereof are provided. The controllable transmission system includes a first rotation device, a coupling device and a control device. The first rotation device includes a transmission shaft, a rotation body and a plurality of blade units connected with the rotation body, wherein each of the blade units includes an adjustable blade having a first and a second contact elements and having an opening corresponding to the adjustable blade. The coupling device is mounted beside the rotation device and includes a coupling unit having a first and a second contact surfaces. The control device is connected with the coupling device for controlling a movement of the coupling device to cause one of the contact surfaces positioned corresponding to a respective one of the first contact element and the second contact element.
US08011872B2	Loader frame assembly A loader frame assembly is provided which comprises a support member adapted to mount a loader thereto and first and second legs each having first and second ends. The first ends are connected to the support member and the second ends are adapted for connection to a vehicle. The legs are spaced apart such that they partially define an open area such that a load can extend through the loader frame assembly. The frame assembly adapted for a rear-mounted loader vehicle, in cooperation with a rotatably mounted loader, can encompass a work area that includes the vehicle bed, the area adjacent to each side of the vehicle bed, and the area behind the vehicle bed. Due to the open area, the loader frame assembly also can work in cooperation with vehicle configurations including vehicles equipped with pushing and dumping functionality, dosed compartments, and towed devices.
US08011867B2	Flush captive screw with retractable knurled knob A mounting device for a screw including a head and a tip, the mounting device comprising a body and a plunger. The body is attachable to the head of the screw, and the plunger is adapted to extend from within the body upon receiving a downward force. Additionally, the plunger includes a plurality of knurls adapted to transfer torque to the tip of the screw.
US08011864B2	Method for facilitating chatter stability mapping in a simultaneous machining application Systems and methods are provided for use in assessing the stability of simultaneous machining (SM) dynamics (which is also known as parallel machining). In SM, multiple cutters, which are generally driven by multiple spindles at different speeds, operate on the same work-piece. In an alternative implementation of SM, single milling cutters with non-uniformly distributed cutter flutes operate on a work-piece. When SM is optimized in the sense of maximizing the rate of metal removal constrained with or by the machined surface quality, “chatter instability” phenomenon appears. The present disclosure declares the complete stability picture of SM chatter within a mathematical framework of multiple time-delay systems (MTDS). A cluster treatment of characteristic roots (CTCR) procedure determines the regions of stability completely in the domain of the spindle speeds for varying chip thickness, thereby replicating the well-known “stability lobes” concept of STM for simultaneous machining.
US08011863B2	Monobloc surface milling cutter The monoblock surface milling cutter has a milling cutter body (10) to which cutting plates (16) made of polycrystalline diamond (PCD), monocrystalline diamond (MCD) or polycrystalline boron nitrite (PCB) are fastened in a material-to-material fashion. In order to improve the surface quality of the work pieces manufactured with the milling cutter, axially adjustable finishing inserts (18) are fixed in place in at least two substantially axially extending bores (26), which are open at the front, of the milling cutter body (10). The finishing inserts (18) can also be equipped with cutting plates made of PCD, MCD or PCB. Preferably the cutting edges (24) of the cutting plates (22) of the finishing insert (18) are forward curved. Their farthest forward point is located in relation to the axis of rotation of the milling cutter body (10) on a finishing circle diameter which is maximally 4 to 8 mm less than the diameter created by the cutting edges arranged on the exterior circumference of the milling cutter body (10).
US08011862B2	Carrier transportation system with brake valve device proximate to a carrier receiver A transfer system for a carrier that features a flow supply tube in fluid communication with a flow supply generator and in fluid communication with a carrier transport tube network dimensioned for transfer reception of the carrier. The carrier transport tube network has a first carrier reception chamber provided with a first carrier stop point and a second carrier reception chamber with second carrier stop point. The flow supply tube has a single point contact with the carrier transport tube network to provide a single tube based flow connection with the carrier transport. Also, with the single point connection there can be positioned a brake valve in line with a first section of the carrier transport tube network and in line with a first section of said flow supply tube just a few feet above the stop point of one or both of the reception chambers to provide for rapid travel to the brake valve and efficient braking within just a few feet of the stop point.
US08011858B2	Ram style tensioner with fixed conductor and floating frame A riser tensioner for an offshore floating platform has a frame stationarily mounted to the upper portion of the riser. Pistons and cylinders are spaced circumferentially around the riser and connected between the frame and the floating platform. A tubular guide member is mounted to the floating platform for movement in unison in response to waves and currents. The riser extends through the guide member. A guide roller support is mounted to and extends downward from the frame around the guide member. At least one set of guide rollers is mounted to the guide roller support in rolling engagement with the guide member as the guide member moves in unison with the platform.
US08011857B2	Extraction system for removable marine footing The present invention describes an extraction system (100,100a) for expediting removal of a footing (105) that is embedded in a seabed or marine floor. The extraction system provides a supply of pressurized fluid (140) to a chamber from where the pressurized fluid exudes through porous members (122,122a, etc) located on the base (114) of the footing (105). When an uplifting force is applied to the footing (105) for its removal, the pressurized fluid (140) exudes out through the porous member (122,122a, etc.) to compensate or reduce suction induced beneath the footing, without fluidizing or channeling of the seabed soil, thereby expediting removal of the footing (105).
US08011854B1	Fish passage apparatus with hydroelectric power generator and method An improved fish passage apparatus is combined with hydroelectric power generation to facilitate migration of fish between water bodies of different heights with minimal injury or trauma to fish. It may also be optimized for power generation when fish are not moving through it. The fish passage apparatus comprises a connecting tube providing fluid communication between upper and lower water bodies, an upper valve in the connecting tube adapted to control flow of water to or from an upper water body, a lower valve in the connecting tube adapted to control flow of water to or from a lower water body, and a working tube opening into the connecting tube between the upper and lower valves a working portion of which extends functionally vertical to above a water level of the upper body of water and to below a water level of the lower body and is vented at its top such that water can flow freely in and out of the working portion.
US08011852B2	Fluid and nutrient delivery system and associated methods A system and method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has a delivery portion positionable adjacent a root system of a plant and a lumen for channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the delivery portion. The tubing along the delivery portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress. A pressure regulating device is upstream of the tubing's inlet, and a reservoir adapted for holding the aqueous solution therein is situated in fluid communication with an upstream end of the pressure regulating device. Additional tubing can be provided for channeling a nutrient solution to the plant roots.
US08011842B2	Apparatus for ergonomic typing The subject matter described herein includes an apparatus for ergonomic typing. The apparatus includes a first surface having first set of keys including a plurality of alphabetic keys, where the first set of keys is operable by a user's thumbs. The apparatus includes a second surface having a second set of keys including a plurality of alphabetic keys, where the second set of keys is operable by the user's fingers. The second surface includes first structures for home positioning of fingers of the user's left and right hands and second structures for positioning of the fingers of the user's left and right hands when moving to and from home position keys during typing.
US08011839B2	Lens barrel and imaging apparatus A lens barrel includes: a barrel body; a mount that is attached to an end of the barrel body and has a connection portion to be connected to an imaging apparatus body; and a substrate that is disposed on an attachment surface of the mount that is attached to the barrel body and on which a controller for controlling the action of the barrel body is formed, wherein the mount has a locking member that protrudes from the attachment surface and locks an operation member for operating a mechanism in the barrel body, and the substrate has a clearance that prevents interference with the locking member.
US08011828B2	Shoulder joint A shoulder joint is provided. The shoulder joint includes a main support; a fold-out arm including an upper arm and a lower arm, the upper arm operable to pivot about a pin and the lower arm operable to pivot on a spindle on one end of the upper arm; and a first wheel attached to the pin, and a second wheel attached to the spindle. The upper arm and the lower arm are mechanically linked via the two wheels in such a way that rotation of the upper arm about the pin cause rotation of the second wheel and the lower arm relative to the upper arm, resulting in a bending or straightening of the arm.
US08011826B2	Phantom This invention provides an ultrasonic phantom that can respond to different ultrasonic intensities. Such ultrasonic phantom comprises a gel comprising a low-boiling compound in the form of droplets sealed therein. The invention also provides an assay technique using such phantom. This invention enables regulation of components of droplets, droplet size, and the ultrasonic intensity at which droplets are vaporized upon mixing of droplets with different sizes. This enables visualization of whether or not ultrasound beams that exceed relevant different ultrasonic intensities have been applied.
US08011824B2	Rod mixer comprising a plate support A rod mixer comprising a motor which is used to drive a processing worktool, and which is in contact with an electric circuit board which comprises at least one electric component which is used to control the motor. Said component can be modified by an associated, hand-operated actuator. The circuit board is introduced into a holder which comprises at least one bearing point, wherein the actuator is guided. The aim of the invention is to simplify mounting of the rod mixer such that the at least one actuator is premounted on the holder.
US08011823B2	Clay kneader A clay kneader has a drum having a pressure raising section on a supply opening side, an extrusion section having an inner diameter smaller than that of the pressure raising section on side of an extrusion opening for extruding clay as a columnar article, and a flow controlling section located between the pressure raising section and the extrusion section and being equipped with a supply opening for clay, a screw having a rotary shaft having a diameter which gradually decreases toward the extrusion opening in the flow controlling section and being ended around a boundary between the flow controlling section and the extrusion section, and a helical rotating blade provided along the rotary shaft for kneading the clay a rotary shaft.
US08011821B2	Planar illumination device A planar illumination device includes at least one light source, a housing structure, at least one light guide plate, and at least one light exiting surface. The at least one light source is received in the housing structure. The housing structure includes at least one light emitting surface through which the light emitted from the at least one light source exits the at least one housing. The at least one light guide plate includes at least one light incidence surface through which the light enters into the at least one light guide plate, and contacts with the at least one light emitting surface. The light exits the at least one light guide plate through the at least one light exiting surface. The at least one light exiting surface includes a plurality of continuously connected bulge points formed thereon.
US08011818B2	Lighting device including plural optical structures having at least two different refraction indices, and lighting methods A lighting device, comprising at least one solid state light emitter and one (or more) optical device(s) which (each) comprises at least first, second and third optical structures, first and second surfaces of the second structure being in contact with a surface of the first structure and a surface of the third structure, respectively. The third structure has at least one optical feature. The light emitter is positioned, the optical feature is positioned, and the regions of the structures have indices of refraction, such that if the light emitter is illuminated, at least a portion of the emitted light will enter into the second optical device structure and exit from the optical feature on the third structure. Also, a method of lighting comprising illuminating a light emitter in such a device.
US08011815B2	Light source device having heat dissipation module A light source device includes a first heat dissipation structure, an LED module, a heat energy convertor and a fan. The first heat dissipation structure includes a heat dissipation base, a first fin group attached on a top surface of the heat dissipation base. The LED module is attached on a bottom surface of the heat dissipation base of the first heat dissipation structure. The heat energy convertor is thermally connected to the heat dissipation base of the first heat dissipation structure through heat pipes, and configured for changing heat energy generated by the LED module into kinetic energy. The fan is disposed over the first fin group and driven by the heat energy convertor.
US08011810B2	Light integrator for more than one lamp A light integrator is provided, the light integrator comprising a body for integrating light, the body having a length and a light egress end. The light integrator further comprises a first light entrance device for accepting light from a first lamp into the body, the first light entrance device comprising a first light entrance face, the first light entrance device located distal the light egress end. The light integrator further comprises a second light entrance device for accepting light from a second lamp, the second light entrance device comprising a second light entrance face, the second light entrance device laterally displaced from the first light entrance device in a direction generally perpendicular to the first light entrance face, such that light from the first and second lamps independently enter the integrator via the first and second light entrance devices respectively, and exit the light egress end. The second light entrance device is further displaced from the first light entrance device along the body towards the light egress end, such that each of the first and second lamps may displaced from one another along the body.
US08011808B2	LED illumination device and light engine thereof An LED illumination device includes an optical section at a front end thereof, an electrical section at a rear end thereof, and a heat dissipation section between the optical section and the electrical section. The optical section includes an LED electrically connecting with the electrical section, and a light output housing around the LED. The heat dissipation section includes a U-shaped heat pipe, a heat sink and a mounting seat. The heat pipe includes an evaporation section and two condensation sections extending backwardly from two opposite ends of the evaporation section, respectively. The condensation sections are inserted into the heat sink. The mounting seat bestrides on the evaporation section. The LED thermally connects with evaporation section via the mounting seat.
US08011807B2	Method for enabling transmission of substantially equal amounts of energy The invention relates to a method for enabling transmission of substantially equal amounts of energy from at least one light source (LS) comprising intensity variations in time to at least two light sensitive points (LSP), said transmission being controlled by means of at least one illumination arrangement (1), and said method comprising establishment of a correlation between said intensity variations and at least one feature of said illumination arrangement. The invention furthermore relates to an illumination arrangement (1) for controlling transmission of energy to at least two light sensitive points (LSP), wherein said controlling transmission enables transmission of substantially equal amounts of energy to each of said at least two light sensitive points (LSP).
US08011805B2	Pointless illumination device The present invention relates to a pointless illumination device, comprising: a body; a cover, made of a light spreading material which can uniformly spread out the light of a plurality of light emitting devices; a light source module; a first contact portion; and a second contact portion. The light emitted from the light source module is uniformly spread through the cover so that the phenomenon of pointwise illumination does not exist in the illumination device.
US08011803B2	LED automotive fog lamp A fog lamp may include a Lambertian LED, a collimating lens encompassing the Lambertian LED, a collimating surface including a total internal reflective surface and encompassing the collimating lens, and a corrugated surface attached to the collimating surface at an acute angle with respect to an optic axis of the corrugated surface.
US08011796B2	Light source system and display apparatus comprising the light source system A light source system and a display apparatus comprising the light source system are provided. The display apparatus comprises the light source system and an imaging system. The light source system is configured to provide a light for imaging. The light source system comprises a mirror wheel and at least two light source modules, configured to provide at least two light beams respectively. These light beams are lit up according to a predetermined sequence. After being reflected by or directly passing through the mirror wheel, the light beams form a continuous light, traveling into the imaging system for imaging on a screen.
US08011790B2	Image display apparatus having casings foldable relative to each other An image display apparatus is provided that allows a user to check image content even in a place where there is no projection screen. A projector that is one mode of the image display apparatus includes a casing, a projection aperture provided in the casing, and an internal projection mirror and a built-in screen that are provided in a casing. When the projector is being folded, laser light emitted from the projection aperture is reflected by the internal projection mirror. The reflected light is projected onto the built-in screen, whereby an image is displayed.
US08011789B2	Rear projection display A rear projection display includes a projector for projecting light from a light source as an optical image, an exterior cabinet for enclosing the projector, a projection screen provided for the exterior cabinet on which the optical image is projected, and two or more optical sensors provided in a region where the optical image is projected from the projector other than an image display region.
US08011786B2	Multi-perspective rear projection system for autostereoscopic reproduction of three-dimensional displays Disclosed is a multiperspective backprojection system for autostereoscopically displaying three-dimensional representations. Said backprojection system comprises a backprojection screen (2) and an image generation unit (1) which is disposed behind the backprojection screen (2) and is provided with a projector (7a to 7p) for each perspective of the three-dimensional representations. The rear face (3) of the backprojection screen (2) is fitted with a first lenticular screen plate (8) while the front face (4) thereof is equipped with a second lenticular screen plate (9). The inventive backprojection screen (2) encompasses a third lenticular screen plate (10) between the first lenticular screen plate (8) and the second lenticular screen plate (9). The three lenticular screen plates (8, 9, 10) are provided with parallel cylindrical lenses. The first and the second lenticular screen plate (8, 9) have the same number of lenses while the third lenticular screen plate (10) has at least N times as many lenses as the first lenticular screen plate (8), N being equal to the number of perspectives.
US08011785B2	Optical alignment apparatus and method therefor An optical measurement apparatus comprises an optical system. The optical system comprises a source and an image capture device. The source is arranged to generate, when in use, a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Further, the optical system is arranged to direct the beam of electromagnetic radiation to a location to be measured. The optical measurement apparatus also comprises a feedback arrangement arranged to receive a reflected beam from the location to be measured and to provide feedback information in response to receipt of the reflected beam, the feedback information being indicative of degree of alignment of the location to be measured with the optical system.
US08011784B2	Polymerizable contact lens formulations and contact lenses obtained therefrom Contact lenses, such as hydrogel contact lenses, are described. The present contact lenses include a lens body that is the reaction product of a polymerizable composition. The polymerizable composition includes one or more monomers and a crosslinker that crosslinks the one or more monomers during polymerization. The polymerization of the one or more monomers occurs in the presence of a hydrophilic polymer that is present in the polymerizable composition, which comprises a polymer of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine. The present lenses are capable of releasing the hydrophilic polymer from the contact lens for prolonged periods of time and also have a reduced surface friction compared to similar lenses without the hydrophilic polymer. The present invention also relates to packaging systems for use with such lenses and methods of producing such lenses.
US08011778B2	Sealant for ink jet head, ink jet head, and ink jet recording apparatus A sealant for an ink jet head includes at least an oxetane compound having a biphenyl skeleton, an alicyclic epoxy compound, and a cationic polymerization initiator.
US08011777B2	Ink set, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, and ink jet recording apparatus An ink set includes a combination of a first ink and a second ink, the first ink containing a self-dispersion pigment having at least one hydrophilic group directly or through another atomic group bonded to the surface of the pigment particle, and ammonium ions, the second ink containing a pigment, a polymer having an acid value of 160 mg KOH/g or less, and alkali metal ions, wherein the first ink further contains a compound (A) selected from nonionic surfactants and/or a compound (B) selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 600 to 2,000, α,ω-alkanediol having six carbon atoms, and an imidazolidinone derivative.
US08011775B2	Ink set, ink system and method for printing an image An ink set includes a red ink and a magenta ink. The red ink includes an effective amount of a red pigment having a predetermined red/green lambda cutoff, and the magenta ink includes an effective amount of a magenta pigment having a predetermined red/green lambda cutoff that is substantially similar to the predetermined lambda cutoff of the red pigment.
US08011767B2	Ink cartridge loadable into chamber of casing by guide member An ink cartridge loading device has: a casing, a door, and a guiding member. The casing has a chamber that accommodates an ink cartridge, and an opening communicated with the chamber for loading and unloading the ink cartridge therethrough. The door is provided at the casing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The door closes the opening at the first position. The door opens the opening at the second position. The guiding member is provided on the door and partially guides the ink cartridge from the chamber through the opening to outside when the door moves from the first position to the second position. The guiding member supports the ink cartridge together with the door when the door is at the second position. The guiding member guides the ink cartridge into the chamber when the door is closing.
US08011764B2	Device including moveable portion for controlling fluid A device and a method of controlling fluid flow are provided. The method includes providing a moving fluid including a fluid flow characteristic; providing a fluid control device including a fluid control surface, a portion of the fluid control surface being moveable; causing the fluid to contact the fluid control surface of the fluid control device; and causing the fluid to interact with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device by moving the moveable portion of the fluid control surface while the fluid is in contact with the fluid control surface such that the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid after interacting with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device is different from the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid before interaction with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device depending on the position of the moveable portion of the fluid control surface.
US08011761B2	Liquid jet head and a liquid jet apparatus A plurality of pressure generating chambers being formed of a silicon substrate, in which a crystal face orientation of a surface is a (110) plane, and each pressure generating chambers communicating with nozzles in parallel. Piezoelectric elements are formed on one surface of the substrate with a vibration plate interposed therebetween and include a lower electrode film, a piezoelectric layer, and an upper electrode film. In each of the pressure generating chambers, an end surface is formed of a first (111) plane perpendicular to the (110) plane and an end surface in a longitudinal direction is formed of a second (111) plane inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the first (111) plane.
US08011758B2	Printer with ink cartridge for sealed connection with inlet valve prior to valve actuation An inkjet printer with a printhead assembly and at least one replaceable ink cartridge, has an ink inlet valve on the printhead assembly for sealed connection to an outlet on the ink cartridge. The inlet valve has an inlet opening and a movable valve member biased into sealing engagement with the inlet opening. The outlet has a complementary member for depressing the movable valve member out of engagement with the inlet opening to open the valve. The inlet opening has an external formation about its periphery for sealing against the outlet before the complementary member depresses the movable valve member.
US08011752B2	Image recording apparatus An ink jet printer has a carriage equipped with a recording head. The carriage is disposed downstream in a feeding direction of a recording medium. The carriage has an optical sensor for measuring dirt on a supply roller. When the supply roller is dirty, a cleaning operation is started to rotate the supply roller as being pressed onto a separation pad. The dirt on the supply roller is measured with the optical sensor, and the cleaning operation lasts until the dirt is removed from the supply roller.
US08011751B2	Inkjet printer and recovery method for a print head A recovery process starting unit extracts a low print demand period, and sets the extracted low print demand period as the start time for the print head recovery process. When the start time comes, the recovery process starting unit activates the head recovery drive control unit. When the start signal is received from the recovery process starting unit, the head recovery drive control unit operates the ink vacuum mechanism and head wiping mechanism of the recovery process unit by means of a drive, and runs the print head recovery process.
US08011749B2	Apparatus and method for measuring thickness of ink layer in pixel Provided are an apparatus and method for measuring the thickness of an ink layer in a pixel and a method of controlling nozzles of an inkjet head using the apparatus and method. The apparatus includes: a substrate; a plurality of pixels disposed on the substrate and filled with ink due to a printing operation; first and second electrodes corresponding to the pixels, the first and second electrodes disposed on opposite sides of each of the pixels; and a capacitance measurement circuit electrically connected to the first and second electrodes to measure the capacitance of each of the pixels.
US08011748B2	Inkjet printhead with variable drive pulse An inkjet printhead with an array of nozzles 26 and corresponding heaters 10 configured for heating printing fluid 20 to nucleate a vapor bubble 12 that ejects a drop 24 of the printing fluid through the nozzle. Drive circuitry 22 generates an electrical drive pulse to energize the heaters 10 and is configured to adjust the drive pulse power to vary the vapor bubble nucleation time. By varying the power of the pulse used to generate the bubble, the printhead can operate with small, efficiently generated bubbles during normal printing, or it can briefly operate with large high energy bubbles if it needs to recover decapped nozzles.
US08011745B2	In-car entertainment unit with inbuilt printer An in-car entertainment (ICE) unit includes a compact disc (CD) player configured to play a CD. A first user console is provided to permit a user to control operation of the CD player and the radio receiver. A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided which can be used to display information from the CD. A printer is configured to print the displayed information. A second user console is provided to permit a user to control operation of the printer.
US08011744B2	Refrigerator with tray cover A refrigerator includes a main body, a receiving portion defined within the main body, a shelf disposed within the receiving portion having at least one auxiliary hinge portion disposed at a rear thereof, a storage tray slidably extractable from within the receiving portion and adjacent the shelf when the storage tray is received within the receiving portion, and a front cover disposed on a front surface of the storage tray to be rotated upward and opened when the storage tray is extracted from within the receiving portion and having at least one holder portion disposed on a rear surface thereof to be coupled to the at least one auxiliary hinge portion. By the configuration, the front cover is structurally reinforced, and it is possible to prevent the front cover from drooping and prevent a gap between the front cover and the upper shelf.
US08011741B2	Flap drive system A flap drive system for moving a flap mounted in a movable manner on the body of a piece of furniture has a mechanical actuating unit with an actuating arm that can be linked to the flap, and has an energy accumulator that can apply a force to the actuating arm. The flap drive system also has an electric drive secured to the actuating unit for driving the flap. The electric drive has at least one electric motor and is designed as a self-contained component, such that the electric drive can be secured to the actuating unit even when the actuating unit is already mounted on the body of the piece of furniture.
US08011733B2	Wheel with thermoelectric energy conversion module A wheel includes a metal rim, an electrically conductive hub, a thermoelectric device, and a battery. The metal rim is exposed out of a circumference surface of the wheel for contacting with the ground. The thermoelectric device is connected between the metal rim and the electrically conductive hub for generating electric energy using temperature difference between the metal rim and the electrically conductive hub. The battery has two electrodes connected to the metal rim and the electrically conductive hub, respectively. The battery is configured for collecting electric energy generated by the thermoelectric device.
US08011732B2	Tiltable anti-pinch seat assembly and pinch guard A tiltable anti-pinch vehicle seat assembly for an associated vehicle is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat and a tilt assembly is provided for supporting the seat and is disposed between the seat and a chassis of the associated vehicle. The tilt assembly is capable of moving the seat between a forward tilted position and a rearward latched position. The tilt assembly includes a first latching member. A second latching member is secured to the chassis of the associated vehicle for selectively engaging the latch and the latch and the striker cooperate to maintain the seat in the rearward latched position. A pinch guard housing is disposed about the first and second latching members. The housing substantially covers the first latching member, the second latching member, and a pinch zone defined between the first latching member and the second latching member when the tilt assembly is in the forward tilted position.
US08011729B2	Seating element and seating system A seating element has an archable element with a first side to face an occupant of a seat when the seating element is installed in a seat and a second side opposite of the first side. A pneumatic arching element is arranged at the second side of the archable element.
US08011726B2	Vehicle seat with cushion plate A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a flexible plate member provided between the right and left side frames; a seat back cushion provided in front of the flexible plate member; a mechanism for pushing the seat back cushion to a front direction by forwardly protruding the flexible plate member that results from the flexible plate member being bent; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, wherein the headrest is forwardly movably connected to the right and left side frames via right and left link members; and a rear-end collision detecting plate disposed at a portion of the seat back frame behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detecting plate detects rearward movement of the seat occupant.
US08011725B2	Bicycle rider seat brace A bicycle rider seat brace for maintaining the buttocks of a bicycle rider in a stationary position on a racing bicycle seat during seated pedaling includes an elongate member for being attached to the bicycle at a position below the bicycle seat and having a rearwardly extending end positioned behind the bicycle seat, and a bracing element carried by the rearwardly extending end of the elongate member and positioned proximate a rearward most portion of the seat for engaging a central part of the buttocks of the rider and preventing the buttocks from moving rearwardly past the bracing element.
US08011724B2	Lever and wheel attachment device for chairs Lever and wheel attachment device (1) for a chair with a pair of front legs (X, Y) comprising: a) a pair of lever arms (10, 20) each having first and second ends, (10A, 10B: 20A, 20B), with the second ends (10B, 20B) being joined together, b) a foot pedal (40) at the second ends, c) a chair leg engaging member (14, 24) at each first end, d) a ground engaging wheel (15, 25) between the first and the second ends of each lever arm, each wheel (15, 25) providing a pivot point about its axis for each lever arm, in use the device (1) engages the pair of front legs and raises them off the ground, the chair is movable forward with the rear legs remaining on the ground, and the weight of the chair and a person is taken at least in part on the wheels.
US08011720B2	Apparatus to aid in the assembly of cables and electrical components An apparatus and method for aiding in the assembly of a substrate to a vehicle body structure wherein the substrate includes a cable configured to attach to an electrical component mounted onto the vehicle body structure. The substrate includes a retaining device selectively disposed on the substrate and configured to releasably retain the cable. The retaining device is disposed on the substrate so as to position the cable along the substrate in such a manner that the cable will not interfere with the attachment of the substrate to the vehicle body structure. Accordingly upon attachment of the substrate to the vehicle body structure, the cable is manually removed from the retaining device and attached to the electrical component thereby preventing the cable from being trapped between the substrate and the vehicle body structure during the assembly process.
US08011716B2	Motorcycle with cantilevered front windshield An assembly for mounting a windshield on a motorcycle including a mounting bracket and a pivotal master-link that includes a first pivotal connection with the windshield and a second pivotal connection with the mounting bracket that is fixed in relation to a triple clamp of the motorcycle. The assembly provides a cantilevered joint from the windshield to the first pivotal connection, through the master-link, from the master-link to the second pivotal connection and to the triple clamp of the motorcycle.
US08011715B2	Passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat To realizes an easy maintenance of the load sensor.A passenger's weight measurement device 1 comprises a left and right pair of fixed lower rails 3 which are fixed on the vehicle floor, a left and right pair of movable upper rails 4 which are disposed to move in a front-and-rear direction on the fixed lower rail 3, load sensors 50 and 60 which are fixed to an upper surface of the right movable upper rail 4, load sensors 70 and 80 which are disposed on the movable upper rail 4 to be movable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right movable upper rail 4, a sub frame 110 which is mounted on the load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80, side frames 141 and 142 which are welded to the sub frame 110, and a pan frame 143 which is detachably disposed to the side frames 141 and 142 to cover the front of the side frames 141 and 142. A gouged section 151 is formed on the side frame 141.
US08011714B2	Stowable seat and seat storage structure The present invention discloses a stowable seat and seat storage structure that affords for storing of the stowable seat in a vehicle and yet not use or occupy any floor or sub-floor cargo space. An interior side wall for the vehicle is also provided, the interior side wall having a recess that is dimensioned for the stowable seat to fit at least partially therewithin when it is detached from the floor and folded into a stowed configuration.
US08011713B2	Seat arrangement for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with such a seat arrangement A seat arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle with a first vehicle seat and a second vehicle seat that is arranged adjacent to the first vehicle seat in the transverse direction. The vehicle seats include, but are not are not limited to a seat part and a back rest. The first vehicle seat can be displaced in the transverse direction from a first position into a second position in which the first vehicle seat is offset in the direction of the second vehicle seat. The second vehicle seat can furthermore be folded from a service position into an idle position. The seat part of the second vehicle seat is lowered in the idle position such that the seat part of the first vehicle seat is arranged above the seat part of the second vehicle seat in the second position.
US08011712B2	Covering configuration A covering configuration has a loading space covering and is arranged behind a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle. The loading space covering extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is held at its longitudinal ends in corresponding receptacles on the vehicle. It is important that the receptacle on the driver side is configured such that the one longitudinal end of the loading space covering can be inserted horizontally while a receptacle on the passenger side is configured in such a manner that the other longitudinal end of the loading space covering can be pivoted counter to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle into the receptacle and can be latched therein, or vice versa. In this case, the receptacles on the driver and passenger sides are configured and arranged such that installation of the loading space covering is possible from a passenger compartment.
US08011710B2	Fixture element, in particular for motor vehicles, for holding a receptacle A fixture element is provided, in particular for motor vehicles, with an upwardly open casing for accommodating at least one receptacle, and the casing exhibits at least one lateral clamping element. The casing incorporates at least one hinged support, which is substantially parallel and spaced apart from the floor in a first latchable setting, as well as essentially perpendicular to the floor in a second setting. The respective clamping element is further arranged above the support relative to its first setting. In such a fixture element, it is proposed that the hinged support be able to pivot around an axis mounted in the casing, and the support exhibits two support sections interconnected so that they can pivot around an axis situated parallel to the casing axis. The two support sections are toggled and folded toward each other when the support is moved from the first setting to the second setting.
US08011705B1	Waste retrieval device with integral storage stand A waste retrieval device with integral storage stand. The integral storage stand provides for vertical storage of the waste retrieval portion and prevents any waste which may be adhering to the scoop jaws from contacting other surfaces.
US08011702B2	Outer operational device for panic exit door lock An outer operational device includes a cover mounted to a side of a door. An actuating member is mounted in the cover and includes an end engaged with a handle to rotate therewith. A sliding member is slideably received in the cover and operably connected to the actuating member, so that the sliding member slides when the actuating member rotates. A limiting member is pivotably received in the cover between a blocking position not allowing movement of the sliding member and a release position allowing movement of the sliding member. The handle is rotatable when the limiting member is in the release position. The handle is not rotatable when the limiting member is in the blocking position. A key-operable lock core is operably connected to the actuating member, so that the limiting member can be moved to the blocking position to provide a burglarproof function.
US08011701B2	Receptacle securing device A receptacle securing device designed to at least partially secure a receptacle in a generally static position during manipulation of contents in the receptacle. The receptacle securing device includes a base member that is designed to receive a bottom of a receptacle, at least one pressure pad that is designed to receive user generated pressure, and a plurality of arm members that are connected to the base member. At least one of the arm members is designed to pivot toward and grippingly engage the receptacle when the receptacle is positioned on the receptacle securing device. The receptacle securing device can be designed to be foldable upon itself to facilitate its shipping and transport by minimizing its size profile.
US08011697B2	Methods of using semiconductor fabrication techniques for making imagery Described herein are various embodiments of imagery or items comprising imagery using semiconductor processing or fabrication techniques and methods of using such techniques to make imagery. For example, according to one embodiment, a method of making imagery having nano-scale or micro-scale portions can include providing a silicon wafer, coating the silicon wafer with a layer of oxide, depositing a layer of photoresist onto the oxide layer, and removing a patterned portion of the photoresist to expose a patterned portion of the oxide layer. The method can also include removing at least some of the patterned portion of the oxide such that the patterned portion of the oxide layer has a predetermined thickness resulting in a predetermined viewable color. The patterned portion of the oxide layer can define at least one of the nano-scale or micro-scale portions.
US08011690B2	Trim panel breakaway feature A trim panel overlaying a pillar includes a first trim portion and a second trim portion separable from one another. A handle attaches to the pillar at first and second points by fasteners extending through the second trim portion, the first and second points being vertically spaced apart from one another. An airbag disposed between the trim panel and the pillar deploys such that the first trim portion completely separates from the pillar and the second trim portion along a predetermined separation line. The airbag extends along the pillar alongside at least one of the first and second points and alongside an area between the first point and the second point. The first trim portion and the handle are configured such that the first trim portion is restrained to a limited distance of movement away from the pillar by the handle in response to deployment of the airbag.
US08011688B2	Air bag door, method of controlling breakage of fracture lines, and method of deploying air bag An air bag door in which the remaining thickness of a substrate at a centerline of a fracture groove formed into the shape of an air bag door on a back surface of the substrate is set to be smaller than other portions, and dotted fracture perforations for braking the superficial material are selectively provided at the centerline portion and near meeting points between sidelines and the centerline.According to the invention described above, the substrate and the superficial material of the air bag door are broken in a desirable order of breakage by portions synchronously with each other when the air bag is expanded and deployed.
US08011687B2	Air bag module, air bag module arrangement, and method of fastening An air bag module arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle, which includes, but is not limited to an air bag module a one driver-side dashboard panel that is fastened to an internal transverse support. In order to allow a simply constructed and simple fastening, the air bag module is fastened to an external transverse support of the external vehicle structure. An air bag and a method for fastening an air bag module, in particular for producing an air bag module arrangement, are also provided for a motor vehicle.
US08011686B2	Folding wagon A folding wagon has a folding frame with a stowed position and an open position. The folding frame comprises a pair of front and rear vertical support. The folding frame further comprises a pair of front supplemental links and a pair of rear supplemental links. A plurality of flatbed supports form a central flatbed support joint in the middle of the wagon. The central flatbed support joint folds upward when the folding frame is being configured into stowed position, and the plurality of flatbed supports are pivotally connected to the pair of front vertical supports and the pair of rear vertical supports. Wheels attach to the folding frame.
US08011677B1	Pallet jack system and method for the transportation of stackable packaged goods pallets A system and method for delivery of packaged goods on a pallet with a pallet jack is described. The pallet jack enables substantially easy navigation over rough terrain through the configuration and placement of the left and right rear wheels and the configuration and placement of the left and right front wheels, as well as the design and implementation of handle bars. Other useful features include a basket for holding personal items, and jacks for retaining hand held devices that can be used to track and update deliveries and orders for goods. Accordingly, the pallet jack is preferably used to deliver consumer soft drink beverages but can be used to deliver any type of packaged product, goods and/or raw materials.
US08011675B2	Expansion actuator In an expansion actuator employing a screw feed mechanism, when a screw feed mechanism (60) formed from a male thread member (58) and a female thread member (59) that are screwed one into the other is driven by a motor (33) via a reduction gear (44), relative displacement between the male thread member (58) and the female thread member (59) in the direction of an axis (L) can be outputted as expansion and contraction due to relative movement of first and second housings (31, 32). Since the screw feed mechanism (60) is disposed so as to surround outer peripheries of the motor (33) and the reduction gear (44), which are disposed on the axis (L), compared with a case in which the motor (33), the reduction gear (44), and the screw feed mechanism (60) are disposed in series on the axis (L), it is possible to make the dimension of the expansion actuator (14) in the axis (L) direction smaller.
US08011672B2	Installation structure for lip type seal To enable to use a lip type seal at installation positions where shaft diameters are same but shaft hole diameters are different, an installation structure is made such that a lip type seal (1) is installed to an inner periphery of a shaft hole (72) via a cartridge (51) arranged at an outer peripheral side of the lip type seal, the cartridge (51) has a large-diameter tube portion (54) and a small-diameter tube portion (52) via a step portion (53), and is fitted to the inner periphery of the shaft hole (72) by an outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter tube portion (54), while the lip type seal (1) is fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the small-diameter tube portion (52), and only a diameter of the large-diameter tube portion (54) is set in conformity to a diameter of a shaft hole to be installed.
US08011671B2	Shaft seal having integrated removal feature A dynamic shaft seal assembly has inner and outer cases that are clamped together to secure a seal element therebetween for dynamic sealing about a rotatable shaft. The inner case is formed with integral pull tabs that are engageable by a seal removal tool to facilitate the removal of the seal assembly from a bore in which the seal assembly is installed.
US08011670B2	Sealing device A sealing device formed to seal between a fixed side member and a rotating side member, comprising a slinger having a fitting cylindrical part fitted to the rotating side member and a flange part formed at one end part of the fitting cylindrical part positioned on the outer side of a sealed portion so as to be extended in the radial direction. A core comprises at least a fitting cylindrical part fitted to the fixed side member. The sealing device is characterized in that one end part of the fitting cylindrical part positioned on the outer side of the sealed portion is positioned on the sealed portion side more than the sealed portion side inner surface position of the flange part of the slinger and a part of a seal lip part is formed to be projected from near one end part of the fitting cylindrical part of the core and to be brought into elastically slidable contact with the extended end face of the slinger.
US08011668B2	Close coupled mechanical seal The present invention provides a modular gland member for use in a mechanical seal, wherein the gland member has a radially or axially extending cavity adjacent to a seal face, and the cavity includes a solid or fluid thermal conducting member to dissipate heat from the seal face into the surrounding components.
US08011662B2	Three dimensional maze puzzle and game A hand-held opaque playing board has a different maze structure on each of two faces with holes passing through the board between the two maze structures. Each maze structure is divided approximately in half by an impassable barrier. Gravity moves the playing piece when the board is tilted. When the ball passes through the board from one maze structure to the other, the board must be turned over to view the other maze structure. The ball must travel from the start position at one end on one face through the maze structures back and forth through the board until the playing pieces lands in the finish position at the other end on the other face in the shortest time. The maze can also be played on a hand-held electronic device or on a stationary screen device, such as a computer, using a controller to simulate tilting and turning the board.
US08011659B2	Sheet transport direction switching device, and image forming apparatus incorporated with the same A sheet transport switching device include a rotary guide that is pivotal about an axis orthogonal to a sheet transport direction to align a guide passage with one of two discharge destinations. A stepping motor changes the posture of the rotary guide and a controller controls the stepping motor. A lead end in-timing acquirer acquires a timing when a lead end of the sheet enters the guide passage. The controller performs, in a state that the exit of the guide passage aligns with one of the two discharge destinations, an in-timing retaining operation of retaining a rotated position of the stepping motor by supplying an energizing current of a first current value to the stepping motor at the acquired lead end in-timing, and a pass timing retaining operation of reducing the energizing current to a second value when the lead end of the sheet passes the guide passage.
US08011657B2	Sheet transport device and image forming apparatus employing the same A sheet transport device comprises a sheet feeding path through which a sheet is transported, first and second elements which are located face to face with a particular point in the sheet feeding path and have first and second surfaces, respectively, constituting part of the sheet feeding path and arranged therealong, an interposed element disposed insertably into and withdrawably from a space formed between the first and second elements, and a discharge arrester disposed in first and second surfaces for providing protection against a discharge of static electricity from the sheet, the discharge arrester having a projecting part extending in a direction intersecting the sheet feeding path.
US08011656B2	Image forming apparatus There is provided an image forming apparatus which does not need height adjustment of the main body and the sheet post-processing device at the time of attaching the sheet post-processing device to the main body and which can prevent jam from occurring while securing the conveying force to convey paper sheets. In an image forming apparatus 11 including a main body 11a having a delivery section 41 and a sheet post-processing device 12 having a reception section 43 for receiving paper sheets S, the delivery section 41 has a first paper conveying unit 46 for conveying paper sheets S toward the reception section 43, the reception section 43 has a pair of fixed guides 49 for receiving the paper sheets S conveyed from the first paper conveying unit 46, a pair of movable guides 48 is provided between the first paper conveying unit 46 of the delivery section 41 and the pair of fixed guides 49 of the reception section 43, so that when the sheet post-processing device 12 is brought close to the main body 12a, the pair of movable guides 48 comes into sliding contact with the pair of fixed guides 49 and rotates around a shaft.
US08011653B2	Sheet-feeding device and method of feeding sheet media A sheet-feeding device includes a tray for holding sheet media of various widths and a shaft extending across the tray. A plurality of pick assemblies is mounted to the shaft. The pick assemblies are spaced along the shaft so that one or more of the pick assemblies contact sheet media in the tray depending on the width of the sheet media. Furthermore, the spacing of the pick assemblies is such that the pick assemblies in contact with the sheet media define a total offset relative to the centerline of the sheet media that is sufficiently small enough to avoid skewing of sheet media for a variety of different media widths.
US08011650B2	Image forming apparatus using sheet post-processing information There is set sheet post-processing (SPP) information having a post-processing-edge (PPE) code, a staple code and a punch code. When the staple code indicates one end of the PPE and the PPE is rotated towards the one end by 90° with respect to the center of the sheet, the SPP code is updated, and the staple code SC is updated to indicate the other end of the PPE. Referring to a table, it is checked if the present SPP information indicates that SPP is inhibited or an error. When determined as an error, it is judged if the PPE can be changed to the neighboring edge with removing the error. In an affirmative judgment, the error is automatically removed with the PPE being changed to the neighboring edge together with changing the SPP position and an image being rotated by 90°.
US08011648B1	Clamp for holding work-pieces of any size upon a pallet support table An elongated clamping member upon a conventional pallet support table extends its clamping range by providing several screw-head receiving portions for receiving a conventional clamping screw that presses against a selected screw-head receiving portion to cause the clamping member to press against a work-piece. A first edge portion of the clamping member is positioned a first distance from a first screw-head receiving portion, and a second screw-head receiving portion is positioned a second distance from a second edge portion of the clamping member opposite the first edge portion, this difference ensuring that the clamping screw moves the clamping member in a forward direction toward the work-piece rather than away from the work-piece. A work-stop employing a conventional flat head screw has several peripheral flats, positioned at progressively increasing distances from each flat to a central portion of the work-stop member to further extend the clamping range of the moveable clamp.
US08011644B2	Liquid sealed vibration isolating device To block the transmission to a vehicle body side of the vibration due to the cavitation phenomenon occurred in a primary liquid chamber so as to prevent the generation of noises, at the same time, to make the device compact, and to improve the fitting accuracy to obtain the reliable positioning, a first metallic fitting and a second metallic fitting are connected by an insulator. A primary liquid chamber and a secondary liquid chamber formed inwardly are partitioned by a partition member and communicated therebetween by an orifice passage. The partition member is floatingly supported between an extended portion of the insulator and an outer peripheral thick wall portion of a diaphragm, and the tuning is performed to generate the rigid resonance at the predetermined frequency. An outer ring is provided in the outer peripheral thick wall portion so as to be securely fixed by a fixing portion formed by bending an end of an outer cylindrical fitting. The floatingly supporting structure does not become large-sized and complicated since the partition member is simply floatingly supported.
US08011639B2	Poppet type flow control valve A valve of the invention includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow passage connecting the inlet and outlet, the inlet, the outlet and the flow passage being in general axial alignment within the valve body. A valve seat surrounds the flow passage and a valve closure member is movable towards and away from the valve seat to close and open the valve respectively. The valve closure member is a poppet-type closure member axially mounted to a stem. The stem has a plurality of pistons spaced apart along the length thereof, and the valve body has a plurality of cylinders fixed relative thereto, the pistons each being slidable in a respective cylinder. The valve closure member is movable by varying the pressure in the cylinders. Preferably each of the cylinders has an outlet port through a wall thereof which is exposed when the closure member has moved towards or into a fully open position, pressure within said cylinders dissipating through those outlet ports when the outlet ports are exposed.
US08011637B2	Concrete form system for low-clearance applications Improved concrete form systems (10) are provided which permit erection of the systems (10) in close quarters adjacent existing structures, e.g., the systems (10) may be successfully installed with as little as 2-½ inches of clearance between such existing structures. The systems (10) include spaced apart outer and inner wall sections (12, 14) each formed of juxtaposed, interconnected form panels (16, 18, 20, 22), with connection assemblies (24, 25) serving to interconnect the adjacent form panels (16, 18, 20, 22) of each wall section (12, 14), and to cross-connect the wall sections (12, 14). Each form panel has a planar panel segment (26) having side marginal connection structures (48) preferably including concave surfaces (50, 52). The connection assemblies (24, 25) have elongated connection elements (58, 82) having central openings (60a) and laterally extending legs (62, 64) which mate with the surfaces (50, 52) A series of elongated, threaded connector bodies (72) extend through the element openings (60a) and are threadably secured via threaded ferrules (70) forming a part of the elements (58), and nuts (84) forming a part of elements (82). The threaded connection of the bodies (72) serves to draw together the adjacent form panels (16, 18, 20, 22) by virtue of a camming action between the legs (62, 64) and the surfaces (50, 52). Such threaded connections also cross-connect the wall sections (12, 14).
US08011634B1	Oxygen tank accessory apparatus The oxygen tank accessory apparatus provides a basket with accompanying hand-operated clamps for affixing the apparatus to an existing supported oxygen tank, such as those attached to vehicles like wheelchairs. The components of the apparatus are made of appropriate materials that meet medical standards and medical environment standards. Both the clamps and the basket are designed to be lightweight. The clamp's opposing convex clamp members, for example, have central cutouts to further save weight. The clamp members are interiorly lined with a frictional material for best tank retention until removal is desirable. The levers with curved extensions provide for a user to easily lever the clamp members away from an oxygen tank so that the apparatus can be easily applied and removed without tools or inordinate physical effort.
US08011632B2	Support stand for flat-panel display monitor A support stand for a flat-panel display monitor comprises a base member, a support mechanism, two link shafts, and an adjustable mechanism. The support mechanism comprises a support bracket and a resilient member positioned in the support bracket. The adjustable mechanism is configured for holding the flat-panel display monitor. A first end of the support bracket and first end of each shaft are rotatably connected to the base member. An second end of the support bracket and a second end of each link shaft are rotatably connected to the adjustable mechanism. The resilient member is configured to create an elastic force between the support mechanism and the link shafts so that a distance between the support mechanism and the link shafts tends to decrease.
US08011628B1	Remote reading meter bracket An antenna mounting bracket is disclosed for mounting an antenna within a water meter container. The mounting bracket comprises a first plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge. A first elongated aperture and a first slit traverse through the first plate. A first step is secured to the rear edge of the first plate for supporting the first plate upon the lip of the water meter container. A second plate defines a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge. A second elongated aperture and a second slit traverse through the second plate. A second step is secured to the rear edge of the second plate for supporting the second plate upon the lip of the water meter container. The bottom surface of the first plate slidably engages adjacent to the top surface of the second plate with the first step being a mirror image of the second step for defining an adjustable bracket length. The first elongated aperture overlays the second elongated aperture for defining an adjustable elongated aperture. The first slit overlays the second slit for defining an adjustable slit. A fastener traverses through the adjustable slit for securing the first plate to the second plate after setting the adjustable bracket length to equal the water meter container. The adjustable elongated aperture engages the antenna for positioning the antenna above the water meter.
US08011627B2	Handlebar accessory clamp A compact mounting device for releasibly securing a GPS receiver or other electronic accessory to a handlebar of a motorcycle or other handlebar-steered vehicle is described. The device includes a clamp releasibly attachable to a motorcycle handlebar; a cylindrical mounting post rotatably attached to the upper surface of the clamp; a mounting yoke pivotally attached to the mounting post; and a mounting plate to support a GPS receiver or other accessory rotatably attached to the yoke. The face of the accessory can be oriented toward the vehicle rider by rotating the post, tilting the yoke and/or rotating the mounting plate, so that the device is useable with a wide variety of handlebar orientations.
US08011626B2	Fixing system and fastening element which can be used therefor A fixing system for electronic and/or electric components—called E components in short—such as chips, circuits, transponders, cables (10) etc., has at least one first fastening element (12) having individual closure parts (14, 16) which, in interaction with corresponding closure parts (22) of a further fastening element (20), form an adhesive closure which can be opened and closed repeatedly. The respective E component can be connected to a support (30). The further fastening element (20) can be connected to the support (30), at least part of which has an adhesive layer and/or which is composed of an embedding compound. The adhesive layer or embedding compound produces the direct connection of the respective E component to the further fastening element (20) assignable to it. This connection requires only a very little amount of installation space.
US08011625B2	Support for medical equipment This invention relates to novel “bracket” to be used in the operating room of hospitals. The bracket of the invention holds a transducer at the level of a patient's heart in order to easily and accurately record pressures during surgery.
US08011622B1	Pouring device A pouring device comprising a generally flat base for supporting a bucket; two support bars to which the base is perpendicularly attached; a bucket bar curved outwardly from and attached to the support bars above the base; two support legs, wherein a first support bar is pivotally attached to a first support leg and a second support bar is pivotally attached to a second support leg; a foot attached to each of the support legs for stabilizing the support legs in a vertical position; a pivot handle extending upwardly from a support bar for allowing the pivoting of the base; and a stop plate attached to a support bar opposite the first bucket bar and extending outwardly past a leg support, wherein the stop plate functions to prevent the base from pivoting in a second direction.
US08011616B2	Hydrogen powered aircraft Disclosed is an aircraft, configured to have a wide range of flight speeds, consuming low levels of power for an extended period of time, while supporting a communications platform with an unobstructed downward-looking view. The aircraft includes an extendable slat at the leading edge of the wing, and a reflexed trailing edge. The aircraft comprises a flying wing extending laterally between two ends and a center point. The wing is swept and has a relatively constant chord. The aircraft also includes a power module configured to provide power via a fuel cell. The fuel cell stores liquid hydrogen as fuel, but uses gaseous hydrogen in the fuel cell. A fuel tank heater is used to control the boil-rate of the fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel cell compresses ambient air for an oxidizer, and operates with the fuel and oxidizer at pressures below one atmosphere. The aircraft of the invention includes a support structure including a plurality of supports, where the supports form a tetrahedron that affixes to the wing.
US08011615B2	Internet linked environmental data collection system and method An environmental data collection system and method is provided having an internet link for providing an additional level of security for a remotely controlled data collection platform having a security alarm for protecting the platform and the environmental subject of the study. A novel lighter-than-air platform having a novel snorkel for detachably securing, mooring and providing buoyancy control is provided for the collection of data in the form of real time audio and video linked to the internet and subscribers. The novel snorkel is flexible and retractable into the novel airship to provide remote buoyancy control of the airship together with silently operating electrical motors for allowing the novel airship to be remotely controlled and moved at will to track and monitor wildlife and make environmental measurements necessary for the protection of the environment, wildlife and the operation of the novel airship. Detachable securing means provide an anti-tethering feature of the novel airship and allow the collection of data from both, an aerial perspective and a ground perspective, while providing for the collection of data from either the surface of the earth or below the surface of the water while transmitting the data to scientists, environmentalists and subscribers through the internet.
US08011613B2	Aircraft with reduced environmental impact An aircraft includes a fuselage and at least one engine provided with at least one propeller and mounted at a rear part of the fuselage, on the back thereof, with the at least one engine having an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fuselage, where the at least one engine is mounted on the rear part of the fuselage so that the propeller lies forward of the tails, and provided at the rear part of the fuselage, symmetrically with respect to the fuselage, are removable noise masking surfaces configured to occupy either a deployed position in which the removable noise masking surfaces project laterally with respect to the rear part of the fuselage and are positioned plumb with the propeller, or a retracted position in which the removable noise masking surfaces are incorporated into the rear part of the fuselage.
US08011606B1	Portable system and method for separating and recycling gypsum and non-ferrous waste discharge from a steady stream of comminuted gypsum wallboard System and method for comminuting gypsum wallboard received from a series of processing hoppers and milling hoppers by discharge into an assembly including a feed hopper, a barrel and trommel screen assembly for separation and final removal of paper and non-ferrous materials from comminuted gypsum wallboard, and separate assembly for receiving and conveying processed barrel screen discharge waste and gypsum.
US08011602B2	Oscillating sprinkler that automatically produces a rectangular water distribution pattern Many areas watered by prior art oscillating sprinklers are substantially rectangular. However, prior art oscillating sprinklers typically produce generally or substantially elliptical water distribution patterns. This geometric incompatibility causes problems and inefficiencies. Embodiments of the current invention include an oscillating sprinkler that automatically produces a substantially rectangular water distribution pattern. The substantially rectangular water distribution pattern may be produced by automatically controlling the distance from the sprinkler that streams of water travel before impacting the ground. This is accomplished by automatically and sequentially opening and closing and/or restricting flow to select nozzles at select points and within select portions of the oscillation cycle. A current invention oscillating sprinkler may reduce waste water, may reduce run-off waste water, and may automatically provide water to the corner areas of typical substantially rectangular areas to be watered.
US08011601B2	Dispersion lance for dispersing a treating agent into a fluid stream A dispersion lance is for use in combination with a fluid treatment system of the type which includes a flow duct in which a fluid stream is mixed with a treating agent. The dispersion lance includes a pipe mounted in the duct with its axis approximately transverse to the direction of the fluid stream flow, the pipe having a series of openings along its length for injecting a treating agent into the fluid stream. A baffle extends lengthwise along the pipe, the baffle having a cross-section the central portion of which is V-shaped, with the apex of the V facing upstream of the fluid stream flow, and with generally flattened wing portions extending from the legs of the V beyond the sides of the pipe in a direction where they transversely intersect the stream flow. The baffle acts to generate a low pressure zone on its downstream side which enhances turbulence in the fluid. The orifices of the pipe are located to inject the treating agent into the low pressure zone to better distribute and intermix the injected treating agent into the surrounding fluid.
US08011599B2	Method and device for nebulising high-viscosity liquids with minimal fallback A method of controlling evaporation of droplet cloud resulting from nebulization of a liquid expelled from a liquid droplet spray device is disclosed, wherein the liquid droplet spray device comprises a reservoir containing liquid, a perforate membrane plate, a fluid interface for feeding liquid from the reservoir to the membrane plate, an ultrasound generating mechanism for acting on the supplied liquid to cause it to be expelled as a spray of droplets through orifices of the membrane plate, and an electronic control device for controlling activation of the ultrasound generating mechanism.
US08011592B2	Temperature management in an integrated circuit card with electrophoretic display In an embodiment, a display module comprises a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature information; a transmission interface, coupled to an external chip of the IC card; a processing module, coupled to the temperature sensor and the transmission interface, comprising: a storage device comprising an application software program; and a processing unit, coupled to the storage device, configured to be capable of executing the application software program to access data from the external chip via the transmission interface, obtaining the temperature information from the temperature sensor, and outputting a control signal according to the temperature information and data; a display driver, coupled to the processing module, configured to be capable of receiving the control signal and generating a driving signal according to the control signal; and a display film capable of displaying images, coupled to the display driver, and configured to be capable of displaying information according to the driving signal.
US08011587B2	Portable handheld device for wireless order entry and real time payment authorization and related methods A portable handheld device for wireless order entry and real time payment authorization may include a portable housing, a display carried by the housing, an order entry input device carried by the housing, a transaction card input device carried by the housing for reading user sensitive information from a transaction card, a wireless transceiver carried by the housing, and a processor carried by the housing and connected to the display, order entry input device, transaction card input device and wireless transceiver. The processor may be for wirelessly sending input order information, and encrypting and wirelessly sending the user sensitive information from the transaction card without storing and without displaying. The processor may also be for wirelessly receiving and displaying payment authorization information based upon real time authorization from a transaction card issuing entity.
US08011585B2	Digital image capture and processing system employing a linear LED-based illumination array mounted behind an illumination-focusing lens component integrated within the imaging window of the system A digital image capture and processing system capable of illuminating the entire field of view (FOV) of the system using a linear LED-based illumination array. The system includes a housing having an imaging window with a refractive-type illumination-focusing lens component integrated therewithin. The area-type image formation and detection subsystem, also disposed in the housing, has image formation optics for projecting a field of view (FOV) through the imaging window and onto an area-type image detection array, for forming and detecting 2D digital images of an object in the FOV, during object illumination and imaging operations. The linear LED-based illumination array is disposed immediately behind the refractive-type illumination-focusing lens component, for producing a field of wide-area illumination illuminating substantially the entire FOV over the working distance of the system. During object illumination and imaging operations, the illumination reflects off an object within the FOV and is transmitted back through the imaging window and onto the area-type image detection array to form one or more 2D digital images of the object.
US08011583B2	Systems, devices, and/or methods for managing data matrix lighting Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which can comprise causing a report to be automatically generated. The report can be indicative of a result of a read of a mark. The result can be automatically determined to pass a verification test. The verification test can be performed on an image obtained via an imaging system.
US08011581B1	RFID drawer integration with cash handling devices and point of sale devices Methods, systems, and devices utilize RFID devices in order to provide integrated information for receivables, inventory, and/or transactions from point of sale (POS) devices and cash handling device(s) to accounting systems. Transactions (e.g., debit card, credit card, coin, cash, check, etc.) are allowed at POS devices. The transactions may be communicated to cash handling devices through RFID devices (e.g., coupled to or on tills, receipts, printouts, etc.). Transaction-related materials (e.g., paper currency, coins, checks, receipts, etc.) may be moved from the POS devices to cash handling device(s). Actual counts and expected counts may be determined and may be communicated to accounting systems.
US08011580B2	Terminal including imaging assembly A terminal includes a housing, a touch screen, and an imaging assembly. The imaging assembly in one embodiment is disposed in the housing so that an imaging axis extends externally from the housing. The imaging assembly can be utilized for capture of images disposed externally to the housing. In one embodiment a frame of image data captured utilizing an imaging assembly can be processed for attempting to decode a decodable indicia. In one embodiment a frame of image data captured utilizing an imaging assembly can be stored.
US08011579B2	Combined data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system An integrated data reader and electronic article surveillance (EAS) system, and methods of operation. In one configuration, a data reader such as a bar code scanner is equipped with an EAS deactivation module disposed behind the scanner surface preferably downstream and/or upstream of the scanner window. The system may be configured such that the EAS deactivation module is interchangeable from the right side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for left-to-right scanning motion) to the left side of the scanner housing (which is preferred for right-to-left scanning motion). In other configurations, the deactivation module may be disposed in the housing adjacent to the window and oriented longitudinally and parallel to the sweep direction of the item. The EAS deactivation modules have various configurations such as simple planar coils, a magnetically active core with coil windings, or two part L-shape construction.
US08011575B1	Method of transmitting electronic signature during a financial transaction A system operates to carry out financial transfers in response to data read from data bearing records. A cell phone having a camera stores in memory indicia corresponding to account data from a plurality of magnetic stripe cards. A user can operate the phone to select one of the accounts stored in the memory. The memory further includes a scanned user-identifying written signature. The user can use the phone during an item purchase to wirelessly transmit each of an item's identifier captured by the camera, selected account data, and the user signature.
US08011574B2	Method and apparatus for ordering goods, services and content over an internetwork A billing system that allows a consumer to order products from computers connected to the Internet, wherein the consumer is automatically billed for the ordered good or service by its telephone service provider. When a consumer orders a product over the Internet, a plug-in component of the consumer's computer establishes an Internet connection to a billing server. A billing server component transfers an encrypted version of the product to the plug-in component. The plug-in component then disconnects from the Internet and establishes a point-to-point (PPP) connection with the billing server. During the PPP connection, the billing server component transfers an access key assigned to the order to the plug-in component so that the plug-in component may decrypt the product. The consumer is charged a unit rate or “drop-charge” for the product by the telephone service provider when the PPP connection is established using a premium telephone number assigned and administered by the telephone service provider.
US08011573B1	Automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from user cards. The automated banking machine operates responsive to the card data to carry out financial transactions for authorized users. The banking machine includes a top housing, a card reader, a display, a cash dispenser, and a chest portion. The chest portion includes a side wall that has a striker plate. The chest has a movable door, and a locking bolt adapted to secure the door in a closed position. An aligner is adjustable to relatively position and reduce relative movement of the door and the chest when the locking bolt secures the door in a locked condition.
US08011570B2	Compact protocol and solution for substantially offline messaging between portable consumer device and base device A method for providing messaging between a portable device and base device is provided. The method included communicating one or more message codes maintained in the portable device to the base device. The base device then composes a message for a user of the portable device using a dictionary of message codes. The message codes have corresponding message values, which are used to generate the message for the one or more message codes. The generated message is then provided to the user.
US08011569B2	Cable storage and dispensing system An embodiment of the invention provides a method for storing a cable, including receiving one or more cables on an adjustable central coil. An RFID chip connected to the cable is read via a RFID reader proximate the central coil. The cable is routed from the central coil to one or more adjustable middle coils, and routed from the middle coil to an adjustable outer coil. The cable is dispensed from the outer coil; and, the RFID chip is read via a RFID reader proximate the outer coil. The method modifies the distance between the central coil and the middle coil, the central coil and the outer coil, and/or the middle coil and the outer coil. Specifically, the diameter of the central coil, the middle coil, and/or the outer coil is adjusted. The modification accommodates for the arc limit and/or head size of the cable.
US08011568B2	Method for manufacturing a board tray, a blank for the tray, and a tray obtained by the method A board tray, a method for manufacturing a board tray and a tray blank from which the board tray is manufactured, said board tray containing side walls and a bottom wall made of a board layer provided on at least one surface thereof with a plastic coating, wherein areas of reduced thickness are formed in the board layer whereby portions of the plastic layer which have been melted and are disposed adjacent to areas of reduced thickness are compressed into such areas forming double-folded linear plastic compressions which seal on themselves.
US08011567B2	Cartons with dispenser sections Cartons have dispenser sections that when opened, allow easy access to containers or other articles stored within the carton. The cartons can be configured to allow placement on a door shelf or other shelf within a refrigerator.
US08011562B2	Soldering equipment and soldering method for electronic components A tin or solder alloy film is formed by ejecting molten tin liquid or molten solder alloy liquid in a jet state onto a copper surface of an electronic component. The overflowing molten tin or molten solder alloy liquid is transported to a stirrer. Then, cuprate and the like mixed in the overflowing molten tin or molten solder alloy liquid are taken in to the organic fatty acid solution by fiercely stirring and mixing the molten tin or molten solder alloy liquid in contact with a solution at a temperature of 180 to 350° C. containing 1 to 80 weight % of organic fatty acid having 12 to 20 carbon number that circulates in the stirrer to purify the overflowing molten tin or molten solder alloy liquid. The mixed solution is introduced into a reservoir of the organic fatty acid solution, and the purified molten tin solution or molten solder alloy liquid separated according to the specific gravity difference in the reservoir of the organic fatty acid solution is returned from the bottom of the organic fatty acid solution reservoir to the reservoir of the molten tin or molten solder liquid by a pump for circulation use. By means of this, copper is prevented from accumulating in the molten tin or molten solder liquid, and thus it is possible to continuously perform a stable soldering process for a long term.
US08011555B2	Surgical stapling apparatus A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a cartridge assembly defining a tissue contacting surface and a longitudinally extending elongate slot; an anvil assembly defining a tissue contacting surface and a longitudinally extending elongate slot; a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly by at least one anchor; a central knife blade slidably disposable in the longitudinal extending elongate slot of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly; and a knife blade supported in a distal end portion of at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly, wherein the distal knife blade is actuatable by the central knife blade upon an actuation of the central knife blade.
US08011553B2	Surgical stapler A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.
US08011551B2	Retraction mechanism with clutch-less drive for use with a surgical apparatus A retraction mechanism allows the full distal retraction of the firing drive from various positions. The retraction mechanism has been developed for use with a hand held surgical apparatus. An embodiment of the retraction mechanism includes a drive member, a first pulley, a second pulley, and a firing drive. The drive mechanism is configured to be driven by a motor. The first pulley is configured to rotate when the motor drives the drive mechanism. The second pulley is movable relative to the first pulley between a proximal position and a distal position. The firing drive is movable relative to the first pulley between proximal and distal positions. In operation, the first pulley rotates in a first direction in response to a distal translation of the firing drive and wherein the firing drive moves proximally upon rotation of the first pulley in a second direction.
US08011548B2	Nail gun having safe firing mechanism A nail gun having a safe firing mechanism is composed of a main body, a nail-driving member, a safety member, and a linkage. The main body includes a nail passage for receiving nails and a nail chamber for receiving a nail ready to be fired by the nail-driving member. The nails include an initial nail, a final nail, and a plurality of standby nails located between the initial and final nails. The linkage includes a contact portion and a stopping end linking up with the contact portion. The contact portion is stopped against the standby nail. The stopping end is stopped against the safety member. When the contact portion is not stopped against the standby nail, the stopping end is located at where the safety member is stopped. When the contact portion is stopped against the standby nail, the stopping end shifts to where the safety member is not stopped.
US08011547B2	Fastener driving tool using a gas spring A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.
US08011532B2	Baking cups and method of manufacturing baking cups Embodiments of the invention provide a baking cup having a base section, a periphery section, and at least one tab extending beyond the periphery section. The tab(s) is configured to allow a user to lift and remove the baking cup from a baking utensil mold without having to touch the baking utensil or content of the baking cup. An exemplary method of using such a baking cup includes arranging the baking cup on a utensil, producing a baked good, and removing the baking cup from the utensil using the tab(s). The tab(s) may be formed part of or attached to the baking cup. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing tabbed baking cups includes arranging shapes such as circles on a sheet of bake-proof material, utilizing the leftover to form tabs for the circles and cutting the circles and corresponding tab(s) to form the baking cups.
US08011528B2	Laterally expandable receptacle A laterally expandable receptacle wherein a greater volume of items, such as trash, linen, laundry, recyclables, grain, and the like, may be contained as compared to conventional receptacles. Side walls and/or corners of the receptacle may comprise resilient expansion means allowing for beneficial lateral displacement. The resilient expansion means may be selected from a variety of structures including, at least one pleat, an accordion configuration, at least one slit, at least one aperture, an expandable material, an expandable material covering at least one aperture, flexible cords, and all legal equivalents thereof. The receptacle of the present invention may further comprise a pressure release means to eliminate a vacuum seal from forming between the receptacle and an optional replaceable liner therein. The receptacle of the present invention may still further comprise a stabilization means for providing a necessary stabilizing force against the receptacle during liner removal.
US08011525B2	Child-resistant container having a deflectable release A plastic container for a child-resistant package, including a sidewall with an outer surface, a deflectable release cantilevered from the outer surface and deflectable toward the outer surface, and deflection limiting elements carried by the deflectable release to limit deflection of the release. The deflection limiting elements include laterally spaced lugs transversely extending toward the sidewall outer surface from the deflectable release and having portions normally spaced from the sidewall outer surface, such that deflection of the release brings the portions of the lugs into abutment with the sidewall outer surface.
US08011523B2	Stackable and collapsible container Structures, methods, and systems associated with a stackable and collapsible container are provided. One structure includes a stackable and collapsible container having at least four non-collapsible, load bearing vertical support members attached to vertical walls of the container and capable of supporting the weight of other containers. A top surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. A bottom surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. The top and the bottom surfaces of the container can be fixedly positioned in a number of collapsed states.
US08011520B2	Storage rack A storage rack having one or more clamps and one or more rails. Each clamp has two or more resilient arms attached at a first end to opposite ends of a rear section, such resilient arms having free ends which permit the introduction of an object between the resilient arms. In one embodiment, each resilient arm contains at least one aperture through which a rail proceeds. For at least one aperture, the portion of the resilient arm which forms the outer edge of the forward wall of the aperture touches a first side of the rail while the portion of the resilient arm which forms the inner edge of the rear wall of the aperture touches a second side of the rail. In another embodiment, a deformable extension proceeds to the rear from the rear section of the clamp and contains at least one channel through which a rail proceeds.
US08011515B2	Two stage pulp screening device with two stationary cylindrical screens A device including a hollow cylindrical body, first and second stationary coaxial annular screening screens disposed within the body, and a rotor within the body and positioned between the screens to conduct the slurry through the first screen and then through the second screen, the rotor being driven in rotation. The pulp slurry passes through a central entry pipe, radially outward and then upward along the inside of the rotor, further inward through a coarse screen cylinder, and then around the end of the rotor to pass between the outer surface of the rotor and the inner surface of a fine screen cylinder. The pulp slurry then finally passes outward through the fine screen cylinder. Coarse rejects, such as knots or other coarse material, are collected at the end of the coarse screening chamber and led away for further processing. Fine rejects are similarly collected at the end of the fine screening chamber, also to be led away separately for further processing.
US08011510B1	System and device for displaying, protecting, and storing items A protective enclosure for displaying, protecting and storing flat items and most preferably to protect, store, and display flat collectible items such as comic books and other printed documents. The protective enclosure is formed of a upper face and lower face foldably connected by a living hinge. The lower face has a protective recess adapted to receive an item to be stored, wherein the upper face and lower face form an interlocking surface around the protective recess when the protective enclosure is in a closed position. A label area also is formed from a upper label area of the upper face and a lower label area of the lower face. The protective enclosure has an interlocking stacking interface adapted for removably receiving an interlocking stacking interface of a second protective enclosure.
US08011509B1	Product package and prize for crane claw arcade game A package for storing a prize associated with a crane claw arcade game includes a sidewall, a first and second end panels, a cavity, at least one first side aperture, and optionally at least one second side aperture. The sidewall includes a plurality of side panels, wherein each includes opposing first and second side edges and opposing first and second end edges. The cavity is adapted to store the prize associated with the crane claw arcade game. The first side aperture is defined by a first side panel of the plurality of side panels, and the optional second side aperture is defined by a second side panel of the plurality of side panels. The first and second side apertures are adapted to receive a finger of a claw of the crane claw arcade game to facilitate retrieval of the package from a housing of the arcade game.
US08011508B2	Packaged systems for implanting markers in a patient and methods for manufacturing and using such systems Packaged systems for implanting a marker in a patient and methods for manufacturing and using such systems. In one embodiment, a packaged system comprises an introducer having a cannula and a stylet configured to be received in the cannula, a marker in the cannula, and a package having a sterile compartment. The marker can have a casing configured to be implanted in a patient and a resonating circuit in the casing. The resonating circuit can comprise a coil configured to wirelessly transmit a target signal in response to a wirelessly transmitted excitation signal. The introducer is contained within the sterile compartment. In another embodiment, the marker is not loaded in the introducer within the compartment of the package.
US08011502B2	Reusable underwear storage container box A reusable stackable storage container for housing, organizing and/or displaying at least one item including a top side casing, a bottom side casing, a first cup-like protrusion formed on the top side casing, a second cup-like protrusion formed on the bottom side casing, and at least one sidewall formed to the bottom side casing, where a cavity between the first cup-like protrusion and the second cup-like protrusion is adapted to receive the at least one item when the container is closed. The container further may comprise a selectively engageable fastening mechanism formed on the top side casing and bottom side casing to open and close the container. A support structure may be formed on a sidewall to provide additional support when the container is standing vertically on the at least one sidewall. Two or more containers can be nestably stacked one into the other, the first cup-like protrusion of one container fitting into the second cup-like protrusion of another container.
US08011498B2	Modular conveyor system and method A low profile, portable, modular conveyor system is provided. The conveyor system includes three main components: a drive end, having a motor and gearboxes used to drive a pair of drive wheels, a center section, and an idle section comprising a stationary component attached to the center section and a pivoting component allowing the distal portion of the idle end to pivot in a transverse direction. The conveyor system includes means for hydraulically or mechanically adjusting the tension and tracking of the conveyor belt. The drive end may be removed from the conveyor system in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor system.
US08011496B2	Conveyor means for articles A conveyor means (1) for transporting articles (3) by an endless conveyor belt (5) is disclosed. The endless conveyor belt (5) has lengthwise two sides (6) and is lead on a support (11) and composed of a plurality of chain links (9). The endless conveyor belt (5) has a curved path (8) in at least one section and the curved path (8) having a radius of curvature (44) with reference to a central point (42) of a circle (40). The support (11) has at least one inner guiding (17) for the endless conveyor belt (5), and the inner guiding (17) running along an inner side section (7) of a side (6) of the endless conveyor belt (5) being directly opposite of the central point (42) at the curved path (8). A plurality of rolls (21) is arranged along the inner guiding (17), wherein the rolls (21) operating with each face (23) of the chain links (9).
US08011494B2	Apparatus and method for loading food articles A loading head for use with food articles has a main conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the main conveyor, and a transfer member positioned between the main conveyor and the indexing conveyor. The transfer member is adapted to transfer each food article from the main conveyor to the indexing conveyor. A buffering mechanism is adapted to move the transfer member between a first position and a variable second position. A pusher mechanism is associated with the indexing conveyor to raise and lower gates from an open position permitting food article transfer to a closed position prohibiting food article transfer. The pusher mechanism includes a cam operably associated with the gates to open and close the gates.
US08011492B2	Device for the accumulation and release of products, especially products arranged in ranks feeding packaging lines for such products A device for the accumulation and release of products arranged in ranks within containers having sequentially loaded and discharged compartments, comprising an accumulation buffer with corresponding openings for receiving and delivering products and means for guiding the containers between the openings. The device uses pushers to push products out of the containers and onto at least one corresponding conveyor. Alternatively, where two independent pushers are utilized, the conveyor is repositionable at heights capable of receiving product sequentially displaced by each pusher by cycling the conveyor position to match the height of the currently actuated pusher. The discharge movement of each pusher is controlled so as to allow adequate time for the conveyor to reposition to the next sequentially actuated pusher so as to receive the products in a properly spaced arrangement onto a single conveyor.
US08011489B2	Straddle-type vehicle An automatic change gear control device for a motorcycle having a manually operated clutch operation member achieves both easy clutch operation and secure freedom of drive. A clutch is connected and disconnected to change gears in a transmission capable of freely changing gears in plural stages. A clutch actuator drives the clutch. A clutch operation unit has a manually-operated clutch lever. An ECU controls the clutch actuator based on driver operation of the clutch lever.
US08011488B2	Rotating coil type electromagnetic clutch Brushes (20, 21) which come into slidable contact with slip rings (23, 24) having power feeding terminals (51, 53) electrically connected to a power feeding side include extending portions (32, 36) extending in the radial direction of a field core (3). These extending portions (32, 36) are bent in a direction away from a coil bobbin (12). The third bent portions (32c, 36c) located at the ends of the extending portions are electrically connected to the terminal portions (10d) of coil terminals. An outer diameter R1 of a mounting recess portion (3a) which stores a power feeding device (5) of the field core (3) is smaller than an inner diameter R2 of the coil bobbin (12). This makes it possible to position the mounting recess portion (3a) at a distance H from the coil bobbin (12) in the field core (3) in the arrow A direction, thereby reducing the size of the rotating coil type electromagnetic clutch (1) in the arrow A-B direction.
US08011484B2	Reconfigurable travel trunk A versatile travel trunk may be reconfigured for numerous purposes, including a men's wardrobe, women's wardrobe, a combined wardrobe, food-carrying applications, tool and utensil accommodation, or any combination thereof. The preferred embodiment includes a body portion to which there is hinged a closable door portion. The body portion has an interior with a depth and opposing inner side walls adapted to receive one or more removable and reconfigurable shelves. A plurality of fasteners are disposed on the back portion of the back wall of the door to receive one or more modular inserts, each insert having a back surface connectable to the fasteners and a front surface with compartments adapted to carry a different set of items for a particular travel application. One or more of the shelves further include lower tracks to receive drawers that slide in and out of the body portion. The body portion preferably further includes a set of integrated wheels and a retractable handle for ease in transport.
US08011482B2	Electric actuator unit for a vehicle brake assembly An improved structure for an electric actuator unit for use in a brake assembly. According to an embodiment, a drum brake assembly comprises a mounting flange having an abutment; a backing plate secured to the mounting flange, the backing plate having a pair of brake shoes supported thereon; and an electric actuator unit for actuating the drum brake assembly to selectively move the brake shoes between a braking and a non-braking position, the electric actuator unit including a motor, a gear-set operatively coupled to be driven by the motor, a spindle nut operatively coupled to be rotationally driven by the gear-set, a pull rod operatively coupled to be translatorily driven by the spindle nut, and a brake shoe actuation link assembly operatively coupled to be actuated by the pull rod to thereby move the brake shoes between the braking and non-braking positions, the pull rod being operatively coupled to the brake shoe actuation link assembly by a link, the link having a first end pivotally connected to the pull rod and a second end pivotally connected to a second member of the brake shoe actuation link assembly.
US08011477B2	Motorcycle power unit An internal combustion engine includes a continuously variable transmission chamber formed of a crank case and a cover member connected to the crank case to permit the use of oil different between the internal combustion engine and the continuously variable transmission. Thereafter, a sufficient amount of each oil is ensured to not reduce the lowest road clearance. A division wall divides an interior of an oil pan into an internal combustion engine side oil reservoir and a continuously variable transmission side oil reservoir that reserves oil for lubrication of a continuously variable transmission and for speed control thereof, and which is connected to a lower portion of a crank case. The continuously variable transmission side oil reservoir is formed in a width direction of the motorcycle wherein part of continuously variable transmission side oil reservoir expands more outwardly than a continuously variable transmission chamber.
US08011476B1	Ladder attachment A ladder attachment for use on ladder tree stands, conventional ladders and otherwise to temporarily secure the top of the ladder to a tree or post. The ladder attachment includes a pair of pivotable jaws which can be closed around a tree and locked in place while standing on the ground. The ladder is temporarily secured so the user can climb the ladder and attach a more permanent, standard anchor belt. The method includes steps for affixing the ladder attachment to a ladder, positioning the ladder and ladder attachment against a tree, securing the ladder attachment to the tree and thereafter removing the ladder attachment and later the ladder for further use.
US08011473B1	Motorized stepladder A stepladder comprises a front frame and a rear frame each formed of a pair of spaced side rails. A motor-driven step is slidably mounted on the front frame side rails. The motor is controlled with a remote unit allowing a worker to automatically raise and lower the step when accessing an elevated area.
US08011471B2	Exhaust chamber for the exhaust line of an automobile The exhaust chamber for a motor vehicle exhaust line includes: a main envelope defining a main enclosure and having an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet; and at least one saucer-shaped shell having an opening defined by a peripheral edge of the shell, the or each shell being tightly connected to an outside surface of the main envelope along the peripheral edge, the shell, with the main envelope, defining a secondary enclosure. The main envelope has, beneath the shell, a plurality of perforations for placing the main enclosure in communication with the secondary enclosure. The main envelope has, in a first area located beneath the shell, at least one slot for increasing the elasticity of the first area, and/or the main envelope has, in a second area that is not covered by the shell, at least one rib for increasing the stiffness of the second area.
US08011468B2	Machine and pneumatic seat assembly having air container with integral air compressor housing A machine includes a machine body having an operator station and a seat assembly position at the operator station. The seat assembly includes a pneumatic support element that includes an air container having an air compressor positioned therein. The air container includes a deformable section, and a rigid section that includes a housing for the air compressor. Forming the air compressor housing integrally with the air container minimizes leak paths and improves packaging.
US08011465B2	Air intake plenum for air induction channel An air intake plenum (100) disposed in an air induction channel (112) in a hood (116) defined by a bottom channel wall (120), a rear hood reinforcement wall (122), a cab wall (124), and an exterior skin (126), where the air induction channel extends between an air inlet (114) laying in a plane generally parallel with the direction of travel “T” of the vehicle to an air outlet (118), includes a plenum inlet (128). The plenum inlet (128) is generally co-planar with the air inlet (114) of the air induction channel (112). At least one side wall (136, 138) extends from the plenum inlet (128) to a plenum outlet (144) and is angled downwards towards the bottom channel wall (120). Air through the plenum inlet (128) impinges against the side wall (136, 138), exits the plenum outlet (144), and is directed to impinge against the bottom channel wall (120) of the air induction channel (112) where contaminants drop out of the air.
US08011464B2	Electric drive system with a selectable one-way clutch A vehicle has a motor and axles which are selectively rotatable by the motor, a reduction gear set, a differential transferring torque from the motor to the axles, and selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) assemblies. The SOWC assemblies are connected to a different one of the axles, and are engaged to transfer torque to the drive axles whenever the motor is energized. The SOWC assemblies are disengaged when the motor is de-energized to prevent rotation of the rotor and various elements of the reduction gear set and differential. A method minimizes parasitic spin losses in an electric rear drive motor (eRDM) system. The method includes engaging a pair of SOWC assemblies when the motor is on to transfer torque from the motor to the axles, and disengaging the SOWC assemblies when the motor is off to prevent rotation of a rotor and of elements of the reduction gear set and differential.
US08011462B2	Detachable fuel cell power unit for vehicle applications A detachable and portable fuel cell power unit which may be used with a vehicle. Said power unit with a unitary housing containing: a fuel reservoir for storing fuel; at least one electrochemical fuel cell stack for delivering electrical power; a fueling port in an outer surface of the housing; and an airflow path extending between a first inlet port on an outer surface of the housing and a first outlet port on an outer surface of the housing, via cathode elements in the at least one fuel cell stack. Said unit includes a control circuit for interfacing with a power controller on the vehicle for determining allowable operating conditions.
US08011460B2	Hybrid drive for a vehicle A hybrid drive (1) for a vehicle has an internal combustion engine (2), an electric machine (26) and a double clutch transmission (5) with a hollow first input shaft (9) and a second input shaft (11) that penetrates the first input shaft (9). A hollow transmission shaft (15) is parallel to the input shafts (9, 11), and a drive torque can be applied to the first or second input shafts (9, 11) via the internal combustion engine (2) and/or the electric machine (26) via the double clutch (5) of the double clutch transmission (10). The electric machine (26) is outside the double clutch transmission (10), and an output shaft (25) of the electric machine (26) penetrates the hollow transmission shaft (15). As a result, a compact configuration is ensured.
US08011458B2	Steering and driving systems and related vehicles A ZTR vehicle includes true or proper ZTR steering in the forward and reverse directions. The vehicle has independently driven locomotive drives that drive the wheels to provide mobility and steering to the vehicle. A steering wheel is included that pivots one of two steering input members that rotate to independently shift the drive units. A speed and direction pedal is also included, which is communicated to provide direction and magnitude input to the drive units. The steering input and speed and direction inputs coordinate propelling the vehicle such the vehicle turns in the same direction when traveling forward as well as in reverse.
US08011453B2	Drilling system and methods of drilling lateral boreholes A drilling system is presented for use in drilling lateral boreholes from a main borehole. The drilling system generally comprises a drilling machine, a drill string connected to the drilling machine so as to be driveable in an axial direction, and a guide connected to the drilling machine such that when the drill string is driven axially by the drilling machine, it interacts with the guide so as to be directed in a predetermined radial direction. A method of drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole is also presented, comprising the steps of: positioning the drilling system in the main borehole; anchoring the guide in the borehole; operating the drilling machine to drive the drill string in an axial direction; and deflecting the drill string, by means of the guide, in a radial direction into the wall of the main borehole to drill the lateral borehole.
US08011452B2	Steerable drilling system A steerable system comprises a fluid powered motor 10 having a rotor 16 and a stator 18, and a bias arrangement having a plurality of bias pads 34 connected to the stator 18 so as to be rotatable therewith, the bias pads 34 being moveable to allow the application of a side load to the steerable system.
US08011450B2	Active bottomhole pressure control with liner drilling and completion systems One exemplary APD Device is used with a liner drilling assembly to control wellbore pressure. The APD Device reduces a dynamic pressure loss associated with the drilling fluid returning via a wellbore annulus. Another exemplary APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when deploying wellbore equipment, including running, installing and/or operating wellbore tools. The APD Device is set to reduce a dynamic pressure loss associated with a circulating fluid. The APD Device can also be configured to reduce a surge effect associated with the running of the wellbore equipment. Still another APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when completing or working over a well. Exemplary completion activity can include circulating fluid other than a drilling fluid, such as a gravel slurry. The APD Device can reduce the dynamic pressure loss associated with circulation of both drilling fluid and non-drilling fluid.
US08011448B2	Rotary steerable tool A rotary steerable tool (2) for use in a downhole drilling apparatus for adjusting the direction of drilling is disclosed. The tool comprises a tubular outer housing (20) and a row of steering pushers (24) slidably mounted to the housing for movement between an extended position, in which the steering pusher engages a wall of a borehole formed by the drilling apparatus, and a withdrawn position, in which the steering pushers do not engage the wall of the borehole. A tubular sleeve (4) is mounted inside the housing (20) to transmit rotary drive to a drilling bit. A pressure chamber (22) defined between the sleeve (4) and the housing (20) communicates with the steering pushers (24) to move the steering pushers (24) to the extended position. A piston (56) is slidably mounted in the sleeve (4) and is moved by means of changes in drilling fluid pressure between a first axial position, in which the interior of the sleeve (4) communicates directly with the pressure chamber (22) for directional drilling, and a second axial position, in which the interior of the sleeve (4) does not communicate directly with the pressure chamber (22) for straight drilling.
US08011442B2	Power tool with a rotating and/or hammering drive mechanism A handheld power tool has a housing, a tool receptacle, a motor having a motor shaft, an intermediate shaft, an element for transmitting a rotation of the motor shaft to a rotary motion of the intermediate shaft, a drive mechanism for a tool insertable into the tool receptacle, the drive mechanism being provided with an element for converting the rotary motion of the intermediate shaft into a rotary motion of the tool receptacle and an element for converting the rotary motion into the intermediate shaft into a hammering motion of the tool receptacle, wherein the motor shaft is coaxial with the intermediate shaft, and there is an element for coupling the motor shaft to the intermediate shaft.
US08011437B2	Wellbore method and apparatus for completion, production and injection A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
US08011432B2	Apparatus and method for inflow control An inflow control assembly. The inflow control assembly can include an inner tubular member comprising a hole formed therethrough. A cover assembly can encircle the hole. The cover assembly can include a first outer member disposed about at least a portion of the inner tubular member. The first outer member can be secured to the inner tubular member. A second outer member can be disposed about at least a portion of the inner tubular member, and the second outer member can be secured to the inner tubular member. A screen portion can be disposed between the outer members and between the inner tubular member and the outer members. An annulus can be formed between the outer members and the inner tubular member, and the annulus can provide a flow path between the hole and the screen portion.
US08011429B2	Transport assembly A transport assembly configured to be attached to downhole apparatus has a support assembly configured to be attached to the downhole apparatus and a ground engaging assembly, which may be a roller wheel configured to contact with and move in relation to a surface of a wellbore. The roller wheel may engage with the support assembly so as to provide for their relative rotation. The transport assembly also includes a retaining member disposed between the roller wheel and the support assembly, and the retaining member is operable to resist separation of the roller wheel from the support assembly. The transport assembly is further configured such that, when the transport assembly is in use moving along a wellbore, the roller wheel bears against the retaining member, which in turn bears against the support assembly. The retaining member is a ball-bearing.
US08011427B2	Double-acting jar A double-acting jar is disclosed comprising: an outer housing; an inner mandrel at least partially disposed telescopically within the outer housing to define a fluid chamber between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, the fluid chamber containing fluid and being sealed; a valve disposed within the fluid chamber on one of the inner mandrel and the outer housing; the valve having a downhole portion that is movable between a downhole seated position in which the valve seats against the one of the inner mandrel and the outer housing and an unseated position, the downhole portion having a downhole restriction surface; the valve having an uphole portion that is movable between an uphole seated position in which the valve seats against the one of the inner mandrel and the outer housing and an unseated position, the uphole portion having an uphole restriction surface; the other of the outer housing and the inner mandrel having a cooperating restriction surface that cooperates with the downhole restriction surface and the uphole restriction surface to set the double-acting jar for a jar.
US08011425B2	Transmitting sensor response data and power through a mud motor Apparatus and methods for establishing electrical communication between an instrument subsection disposed below a mud motor and an electronics sonde disposed above the mud motor in a drill string conveyed borehole logging system. Electrical communication is established via at least one conductor disposed within the mud motor and connecting the instrument sub section to a link disposed between the mud motor and the electronics sonde. The link can be embodied as a current coupling link, a magnetic coupling ling, an electromagnetic telemetry ling and a direct electrical contact link. Two way data transfer is established in all link embodiments. Power transfer is also established in all but the electromagnetic telemetry link.
US08011424B2	System and method for convective heat transfer utilizing a particulate solution in a time varying field A convective heat transfer system for use with a fluid with particles, including a fluid channel having a wall and being capable of transferring the fluid, and a field emitter operable to emit a time-varying field into the fluid channel such that, when the fluid is in the channel, the time varying field affects a portion of the particles to change the rate of heat transfer between the channel and the fluid. The fluid can be a slurry with suspended field reactive particles. The system can include a plurality of field emitters located along the walls of the fluid channel, to vary the field and manipulate the distribution of the particles within the slurry, thereby changing the heat transfer characteristics of the system. The field can be an electric field or a magnetic field. The fluid channel can be disposed in a heat transfer system.
US08011422B2	EGR cooler To provide an EGR cooler which has a small number of parts and achieves compact design with low cost. A plurality of flat tubes, each having a bottom to close an end thereof, is arranged in parallel. An opening of each of the flat tubes penetrates through a tube plate. Corrugated fins are placed in each of the flat tubes, thus forming a core. A casing encloses the outer circumferential surface of the core. The tube plate closes the opening of a tank body equipped with a partition. The edge of the partition is placed at an intermediate position in the width direction of the opening of the flat tube.
US08011419B2	Material used to combat thermal expansion related defects in the metal casting process Thermal expansion defects, i.e. veining, are reduced in iron, steel, and nonferrous castings by adding a lithia-containing material in a sufficient amount to the silica sand mold. Adjusting current formulations to maximize the use of lesser expensive raw materials and minimize the use of more expensive raw materials to lower the overall percentages of lithia/metallic oxide containing additives while still reducing or eliminating thermal expansion related defects in the metal casting process reduces the overall cost to manufacture the product.
US08011418B2	Method and device for manufacturing a metal strip by means of continuous casting and rolling A method of manufacturing a metal strip includes casting a slab (3) or preliminary strip (3′) in a casting machine (2) and subsequently rolling the cast slab (3) or preliminary strip (3′) in at least one rolling train (4, 5) in a first operating mode with the at least one rolling train being connected with the casting machine for continuously manufacturing the metal strip, and in a second operating mode removing the cast slab (3) or preliminary strip (3′) from the main transport line (6) with a shuttle system arranged between the casting machine (2) and the at least one rolling train (4, 5), storing the removed slab (3) or preliminary strip (3′), and subsequently transporting the removed slab (3) or preliminary strip back into the main transport line, with the removed slab (3) or preliminary strip (3′) being heated to a desired temperature or maintained at a desired temperature prior to the transport back into the main transport line (6) for discontinuously manufacturing the metal strip.
US08011410B2	Driving mechanism for labeling machine A driving mechanism for a labeling machine includes a plurality of driving arm assemblies and a gear set. The driving arm assemblies and the gear set are independent and can rotate quickly and are less likely to be worn off, and can drive feeding wheels coupled on axles to rotate concurrently to draw and convey a roll of film. A dust guarding plate is provided to surround a base. The driving mechanism provides secure transmission and simple repair and maintenance.
US08011407B2	Compression bonding device A compression bonding device has a dam member so that when a pressing head is pressed against an object to be pressed, the bonding part is surrounded by the dam member. Thus, even if the surface of the bonding part bulges by pressing, the bulging part is stopped by the dam member and the surface of the bonding part does not horizontally extend. As a result of the absence of horizontal extension of the bonding part, electric components of the object to be pressed are not subjected to a force that horizontally moves the electric components and the electric components are vertically pressed downward and connected to the terminals of the substrate. Thus, an electric device having high connection reliability is obtained.
US08011405B2	Labeller A labeller includes a waste liner rewind wheel for taking up the release liner after it has been separated from the labels, and a print mechanism positioned along the label path for real-time printing of a desired print material on the labels. In one embodiment, the waste liner rewind wheel includes a mechanism for adjusting the speed of the rewind wheel as the amount of waste liner on the rewind wheel increases, while maintaining sufficient tension on the waste liner to pull the waste liner onto the rewind wheel. In another embodiment, the print mechanism is mounted to the frame along the label path, such that the print mechanism is capable of printing on the labels as they are moved past the print mechanism. The labeller may additionally include an encoder for registering the position of the label web with respect to the print mechanism.
US08011403B2	Pneumatic tire for motorcycle having center, intermediate and shoulder rubber A pneumatic tire for motorcycle includes a tread portion; a pair of sidewall portions; and bead portions, wherein a ground contact region of the tread portion has five regions including a center region including the tire equatorial plane; a pair of shoulder regions including ground contact ends of the tread; and a pair of intermediate regions located between the center region and the respective shoulder regions. At a room temperature of 25° C., 100% modulus of intermediate tread rubber provided across the entire part of each intermediate region is set larger than each of 100% modulus of center tread rubber and 100% modulus of shoulder tread rubber, and a negative ratio in the ground contact region of the tread is set so as to gradually increase from the respective shoulder regions toward the center region.
US08011402B1	Golf club head cover and towel A golf club head cover and towel assembly comprises a head cover having a toe end and a heel end. The heel end comprises an opening thereon, and the opening is positionable between an open position and a closed position. A towel removably coupled with the opening is provided.
US08011399B2	Woodworking bench A woodworking bench includes a table made of granite and mounted on a base of a woodworking machine. A table extension is mounted to a side of the table and made of granite. The side of the table includes two first tracks mounted therein. The table extension includes a side having two second tracks mounted therein and respectively aligned with the first tracks of the table. Two supporting rods each has a first end slidably received in one of the first tracks and a second end slidably received in one of the second tracks. At least one adjusting member is mounted to the second end of each supporting rod for adjusting coplanarity of a top face of the table and a top face of the table extension.
US08011398B2	Dust shroud for gas powered circular saws A dust shroud for gas powered circular saws allows for mounting to a circular saw and for use therewith out hindering the use of the saw. The shroud does not interfere with the ability to operate the saw or set the saw on the ground, and effectively collects dust and debris without reducing the depth of cut.
US08011393B2	Process and device for filling a tube with granular material A process for filling a tube with granular material, which material is guided downwardly in a vertically oriented tube along a line provided with flexible elements in the shape of wires which are arranged substantially to the line, and having a radial dimension which is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube, the line being removed from the tube as the latter is filled with the granules, the line being moved during the removal movement with a non uniform speed which is related to the filling speed of the device.
US08011390B2	Regulating device and methods of using same The present invention relates to a regulating device (1) for regulating a fluid flow, the regulating device (1) comprising an actuator element (3) which is provided with a flow area (4) arranged to convey fluid between a fluid inlet (9) and a fluid outlet (13) and which includes a first restriction device (17), and a regulating device body (5) which is disposed at least in a portion of the flow area (4) and which is provided with a second restriction device (19) forming, together with said first restriction device (17), the restriction unit or choke device (17, 19) of the regulating device (1), the actuator element (3) and regulating device body (5) being arranged to move freely independently of each other as a consequence of a material expansion or material contraction, the throughput of the choke device (17, 19) being influenced by an energy source (21) which is arranged to supply energy to at least one of the actuator element (3) and/or regulating device body (5). Also described are methods of using the regulating device (1). The regulating device (1) is also suitable for use as a flow meter.
US08011388B2	Thermally actuated microvalve with multiple fluid ports A MEMS device is disclosed having a single microvalve actuator for controlling multiple microvalves. Exemplary embodiments include a MEMS device including two microvalves formed on a beam positioned by an actuator, the two microvalves controlling separate flow paths between two separate pairs of ports; a device with a two-way pilot operated microvalve and a four-way pilot microvalve for controlling the two-way pilot operated microvalve; a device with two three-way microvalves actuated by a common microvalve actuator; and a two-way microvalve with a moveable microvalve element and a feedback port formed in the moveable element operable to regulate the pressure on an end of the moveable element relative to the movement of the moveable element between the first position and the second position. Also disclosed is a MEMS device including a beam with a plurality of apertures formed therein, resulting in a mass reduction of at least 10 percent.
US08011387B2	Pressure control device for heavy equipment A pressure control valve for heavy equipment. The pressure control valve can smoothly operate a working device having a high load pressure by limiting a supply of hydraulic fluid to a working device having a low load pressure in the case of simultaneously operating a plurality of working devices in a hydraulic circuit in which a plurality of control valves (e.g., a boom control valve and a bucket control valve) are connected in parallel to a single hydraulic pump.
US08011386B2	Control valve having “C” seal A control valve having a shiftable valve plug includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and defining a longitudinal axis, a generally cylindrical valve cage disposed within the valve body and sized to receive the valve plug, with the valve cage including at least one aperture comprising at least a portion of the flow passage, a portion of the valve cage disposed adjacent a portion of the valve body at an interface. A seal having a C-shaped cross section is provided and is disposed at the interface between the valve cage and the valve body, and a retainer is disposed adjacent the interface and positioned to secure the seal against movement along the longitudinal axis.
US08011384B2	Bridge faucet A bridge faucet assembly including a hot water pillar, a cold water pillar positioned in spaced relation to the hot water pillar, and a bridge fluidly coupled to the hot water pillar and the cold water pillar. A spout is supported by the bridge and includes an internal passageway. A coupler is at least partially received within the internal passageway of the spout and is configured to couple the spout to the bridge.
US08011383B2	Fuel tank for an agricultural vehicle A fuel tank for an agricultural vehicle, comprises a main fuel tank 10 having a filler pipe 11 and a separate inlet 15 and a removable auxiliary tank 30 having a second filler pipe 32 and an outlet 36 for supplying fuel into the separate inlet 15 of the main tank. To avoid spillage from the filler pipe of the main tank 10, in one aspect of the invention, a valve 16 is provided in the main fuel tank 10 to close off the second inlet 15 when the fuel level within the main tank 10 reaches a predetermined level. In a second aspect of the invention, spillage is avoided by means of an extension tube 40 which sealingly engages the filler tube 11 of the main tank at its lower end and opens at its upper end into the filler pipe 46 of the auxiliary tank 30.
US08011380B2	Single component two-stage regulator Disclosed is a cylindrical, single-component two-stage regulator for controlling a pressure and a flow rate of a gas. The regulator includes a housing for holding the two stages having an ingress adapted for connection to a source of gas at a high input pressure and an egress adapted for supplying gas at a lower output pressure than the high input pressure; a first stage for reducing the pressure of the gas from the high input pressure to a fixed intermediate pressure; and a second stage for reducing the pressure of the gas from the fixed intermediate pressure to the lower output pressure and regulating the flow rate of the gas out of the egress. One application of the present invention is for use in scuba (Self-Contained Under-water Breathing Apparatus) applications, where it replaces the traditional two-component user-adjustable regulator. The regulator may be made out of stainless steel, and is small enough to fit into a user's mouthpiece.
US08011376B2	Cosmetics case with applicator holder The case (1) comprises a lid (2), a base (3) and a holder (7) for a cosmetics applicator; the lid, base and holder being interconnected along a hinge (4). The hinge comprises a boss (5) positioned intermediate its ends and the holder comprises a surface (18) engageable with the boss such that opening the container causes the holder to lift from the base.
US08011375B2	Unitary hair clip and method of use This invention provides a unitary hair clip. More specifically, provided is an elastic midsection with a first portion extending from the midsection, the first portion having a first width. A second portion extends from the midsection opposite from the first portion. The second portion provides an aperture having a second width greater than the first width. The aperture is adapted to receive the first portion. The first portion, the second portion and the elastic midsection are formed as a contiguous seamless structure.
US08011374B2	Preparation of mixed metal oxide catalysts from nanoscale particles Mixed metal oxide catalysts are prepared by combining first nanoscale particles and second nanoscale particles to form a mixture of nanoscale particles and then the mixture is heated to form a mixed metal oxide catalyst. The mixed metal oxide catalysts, which are capable of reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette during smoking, are incorporated into a smoking article component such as tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter material.
US08011373B2	Method of treating tobacco extract solution to reduce magnesium ions and method of manufacturing a treated tobacco material A method of treating a tobacco extract solution includes bringing an extract solution, which is obtained by extracting a natural tobacco material with an aqueous extracting solvent, into contact with a polymer containing, in its side chain, a functional group which traps metal ions including at least magnesium, thereby obtaining an extract solution with an amount of at least magnesium reduced.
US08011372B2	Device for filling cigarette tubes with tobacco A device for filling cigarette tubes with tobacco, wherein the device comprises at least one separating means adapted to detach a tobacco portion from a tobacco block and at least one portioning means adapted to portion the tobacco block, at least one transport means adapted to transport the tobacco block towards the separating means, wherein the portioning means and the transport means are coupled such that the transport means transports the tobacco block in a number of transport steps, and at least one filling means adapted to fill a cigarette tube with the detached tobacco portion. The device further comprises at least one blocking means adapted to block the transport means after each transport step until the at least one filling means has been operated.
US08011370B2	Method for permanent occlusion of fallopian tube Disclosed is a method and apparatus of contraception. The apparatus can include an implant sized for insertion into a fallopian tube. The implant can comprise a plurality of loose, bulked fibers. The fibers can be formed from one or more bioabsorbable materials, for example, the method can include inserting the implant into a fallopian tube and occluding the fallopian tube with the implant.
US08011367B2	CPR devices and methods utilizing a continuous supply of respiratory gases A method for increasing circulation and providing oxygen to a patient in cardiac arrest includes the step of coupling an interface to the patient's airway, the interface providing access to the patient's respiratory system. A valve system is operably attached to the interface. Oxygen is delivered through the interface a rate of between about 1.0 to about 10.0 L/min to provide a continuous supply of oxygen to the patient. While supplying the oxygen, a body structure of the patient is manipulated to increase the magnitude and duration of the patient's negative intrathoracic pressure. During the manipulation, the valve system prevents additional respiratory gases from entering the lungs until a negative intrathoracic pressure level in the range from about −1 cm H2O to about −15 cm H2O, the valve system assisting in increasing the magnitude and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure thereby enhancing the amount of blood flow in the heart and lungs and lowering intracranial pressure, therein further increasing blood flow to the brain.
US08011356B2	Bowstring dampener An archery bow comprises an archery bow body defining opposing limb tips and a bowstring extending between the limb tips. The archery bow includes an elongate member extending from the bow body, the elongate member having a length and a proximal end arranged adjacent the bowstring. Additionally, the archery bow includes a dampening element made of a vibration dampening material mounted to the proximal end between the proximal end and the bowstring, the dampening element having a contact face adapted to contact the bowstring. In certain embodiments, the dampening element includes a laterally protruding rib extending outward from the contact face along at least a portion thereof to engage the bowstring when the bowstring is released.
US08011355B2	Cartridge-based air gun A cartridge-based air gun that fires a BB bullet or a resin bullet inside a cartridge using compressed gas, includes an engaging structure of an extractor that enables blowback and the automatic ejection of the cartridge. An extractor, which engages with a rim that is formed at the rear end of a cartridge loaded in a chamber, is pivotally provided on a side portion of a cylinder so as to be rotatable. A claw portion formed at the tip of the extractor engages with the rim of the cartridge by the urging force of a spring provided between the extractor and the cylinder. A slide moves rearward while the cartridge is held inside the chamber. As the cylinder moves rearward with the stopping of the supply of compressed gas from a gas reservoir, the cartridge comes into contact with an ejector, is released from the engagement by the extractor, and is ejected from the chamber.
US08011354B2	Ignition coil for internal combustion engine A housing of an ignition coil has an approximately rectangular shape. A central core is in parallel with both side surfaces of the housing. The peripheral core has a larger size than the central core in a direction of a height of the housing. A first and second side portions of the peripheral core are opposed to both axial end surfaces of the central core, respectively. A third and fourth side portions of the peripheral core interpose the central core, a primary coil and a secondary coil therebetween to magnetically connect the first side portion to the second side portion. A terminal treatment portion for electrically connecting the primary coil to an external electric power source is arranged above or below the first side portion of the peripheral core. The peripheral core is positioned off-center with respect to the central core in the direction of the height of the housing.
US08011353B2	Blow-by gas recirculation structure for engine A blow-by gas recirculation structure for an engine includes a gas-liquid separating member, a cylinder head, a support member and a mounting bolt. The gas-liquid separating member includes a gas-liquid separating passage to separate oil from the blow-by gas. The cylinder head includes a communication passage communicating with the air intake system. The support member is configured and arranged to rotatably support a camshaft in the cylinder head. The mounting bolt securely fastens the support member to the cylinder head with the mounting bolt threadedly engaging within the communication passage of the cylinder head. The mounting bolt has an axial through hole axially extending there-through and communicating with the gas-liquid separating passage so that the blow-by gas that has passed through the gas-liquid separating passage is recirculated from the axial through hole of the mounting bolt, through the communication passage, and into the air intake system.
US08011351B2	Method for driving solenoid-actuated fuel injectors of internal combustion engines An accurate control of a solenoid-operated fuel injector in a Diesel or gasoline engine specifies that a pull-in voltage (Vpull-in) higher than the generally available battery voltage (Vbatt) is applied to the injector, and that the injection is ended as quickly as possible, in order that the fuel injection closely follows the solenoid current profile. When the initial pull-in voltage is lower than the expected nominal value, a deviation of the injected fuel quantity appears with respect to the nominal quantity. This inconvenience is overcome by monitoring the actual value of a selected parameter, such as the actual value of the initial pull-in voltage (Vpull-in), and the injection start time (te) and the solenoid energizing time (ET) are correspondingly modified.
US08011349B2	Fuel injection system A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of pumps arranged to supply respective flows of pressurized fuel to a common accumulator volume that supplies the pressurized fuel in turn to a plurality of fuel injectors. An engine control unit controls the flow rate of pressurized fuel into the accumulator volume in response to engine load. The flow rate of pressurized fuel from at least one pump of the plurality is dependent upon engine speed; whereas at least one other pump of the plurality comprises a fuel output control responsive to the engine control unit enabling the flow rate of pressurized fuel from that pump to be varied independently of engine speed. In this way, the engine control unit controls the aggregate flow rate of pressurized fuel from the pumps into the accumulator volume, while controlling only one of the pumps. This reduces the cost of control apparatus and allows greater freedom of pump selection and flow circuit design.
US08011346B2	Rotary compressed gas engine with pistons This invention relates to an apparatus for producing a rotary motion force by means of a compressed gas rotary engine, rotary type with pistons in the circular rotor, consisting of a housing, a rotor with cylinder chambers containing pistons that has a rod containing a bearing which rotates against a stationary cam, the rotor is connected to a shaft, and combined with a r rod guiding system This engine may be produced in any suitable size and contain as many pistons as needed. More than one engine may be attached together. The engine has many uses such as to power machinery, automobiles, motorcycles, boats, generators, etc.
US08011345B2	Energy transfer machine with inner rotor An energy transfer machine, for example, a positive displacement internal combustion device, has a fixed or rotating outer housing, an internal rotating carrier and one or more inner rotors with rotational axes which are offset from the inner rotor carrier rotational axis. Circumferentially expandable projections from the outer housing and rotor mesh with each other to define variable volume chambers.
US08011344B2	Engine air intake system for engine-powered walk-behind working machine An engine air intake system for an engine-powered working machine includes a lever cover which covers at least a base portion of an operation control lever mounted on an operation handle for operation by a human operator to control operation of at least one of the working machine and an engine of the working machine, a lower cover disposed inside the lever cover so as to define jointly with the lever cover a hollow space, an air intake portion having an air inlet opening and disposed in the lever cover such that at least the air inlet opening is disposed within the hollow space, and a fresh air guide hose interconnecting the air intake portion and the interior of an air-cleaner case.
US08011343B2	Multi link type piston-crank mechanism of internal combustion engine A multi link type piston-crank mechanism comprises an upper link that has one end pivotally connected to a piston of the engine through a piston pin, a lower link that is pivotally connected to the other end of the upper link through an upper pin and rotatably disposed on a crank pin of a crankshaft of the engine; and a control link that has a base end part swingably held by a body of the engine and a leading end pivotally connected to the lower link through a control pin. An axis of the piston pin is offset relative to an axis of the piston in thrust and counter thrust directions. When the piston comes to BDC, a part of the piston takes a position below a lower edge of a corresponding cylinder of the engine and the upper pin is offset relative to the axis of the piston pin in the same direction as a pin offset direction in which the axis of the piston pin is offset in the thrust and counter thrust directions relative to the axis of the piston.
US08011342B2	Wet oil sump for four cycle engine An oil pump assembly is shown for wet oil sump applications at extreme angles for power sports equipment. The oil pump is comprised of a pump body, an oil pick-up and a driven gear shield, where these components may be integrally formed from die cast aluminum. The pump body includes a rotor body housing a gerotor assembly for pumping. The oil pump is attached to the rear wall of the crankcase and below the crankshaft, and is driven by the crankshaft.
US08011341B2	Vehicle engine structure An oil pan (20) includes: a pair of oil pan rail portions (21a, 21b), which are spaced apart from each other under an engine body (10a), and are fastened to the engine body (10a); a pair of side wall portions (22a, 22b), facing each other, which are formed integrally with the oil pan rail portions (21a, 21b); and a cylindrical portion (23), which surrounds a driving axle (19L, 19R) passed through the oil pan (20), and is integrally joined with the pair of side wall portions (22a, 22b) near the pair of oil pan rail portions (21a, 21b). At least one axial end (23a, 23b) of the cylindrical portion (23), an upper half portion (23c) of the cylindrical portion (23) positioned over the driving axle (19L, 19R) is thickened upward up to the level near the upper surface of the oil pan rail portion (21a, 21b).
US08011340B2	Oil pan An oil pan is provided for an internal combustion engine. The oil pan includes, but is not limited to a base part configured to form an oil sump and a suction channel that opens into the oil sump through an opening. The oil pan also includes, but is not limited to a nose in a region of the opening for at least partly covering a cross section of the suction channel in a horizontal direction of flow.
US08011339B2	Electronic module for a fan of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle An electronic module for a fan of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle comprising at least one deformable element (12, 28, 68), which when deformed can engage with a part (4) of the fan in a detachable manner, and at least one rigid projecting retaining element (24, 66), which can be inserted in a direction of insertion into a receptacle (26) or opening (38, 78) of a fan frame (4) before the deformable element (12, 28, 68) engages, wherein after the retaining element (24, 66) is inserted into the receptacle (26) or opening (38, 78), the electronic module (2) is movable with a single degree of freedom different from the direction of insertion in order to bring the deformable element (12, 28, 68) into engagement with the fan frame.
US08011338B2	Camcover oil separator Systems are provided for separating oil from blow-by gases in an internal combustion engine. In one example, a system comprises a camcover configured to be mounted on a cylinder head, and a baffle positioned between the camcover and the cylinder head. The baffle may include at least a first and a second baffle plate, the first baffle plate including a first through-hole on a first face of the first baffle plate, the second baffle plate including a second through-hole on a second face of the second baffle plate. Further, the first and second faces may be positioned opposite one another, and offset such that the first and second through-holes are not fully overlapping.
US08011334B2	Exhaust valve control method and exhaust valve control device for diesel engine An exhaust valve control method for a diesel engine 6 for switching between a normal combustion mode and a premixed combustion mode according to operating conditions; an exhaust valve 9 is opened only in the exhaust stroke in the normal combustion mode, and two-stage valve opening control is carried out to open the exhaust valve 9 not only in the exhaust stroke, but also between the latter part of the air inlet stroke and the initial stage of the compression stroke in the premixed combustion mode.
US08011332B2	Spark ignition type internal combustion engine In an internal combustion engine, a variable compression ratio mechanism able to change a mechanical compression ratio and a variable valve timing mechanism able to control the closing timing of an intake valve are provided. The mechanical compression ratio is made to be the maximum mechanical compression ratio at low load operation regions excluding idling operation, while during idling operation, the mechanical compression ratio is made lower than the maximum mechanical compression ratio.
US08011328B2	Lick deterrent with battery pack A lick deterrent device having a surface mounted battery pack that is in electrical contact with two sets of traces on the lick deterrent device. The surface mounted battery pack is readily attachable to the lick deterrent device, and in some embodiments, may be readily removable and replaceable. At least one of the battery terminals is in direct electrical contact with a trace on the substrate. The second terminal may have electrical contact with a different trace via a terminal extension element.
US08011326B2	Cat attractant toy A cat toy in the form of a hollow spherical shell having an opening configured therein. A power supply is supported by the interior of said shell, and a spindle emanates from the power supply and extends toward the opening. An offset weighted element having a borehole configured therein is provided for receipt of the spindle, as is a motor for rotating the offset weighted element about said spindle. A shaft is included for attachment to the spindle which is sized to pass through the opening and which further supports an attractant external to the hollow spherical shell.
US08011325B2	Floatable pet toy A floatable pet toy comprising a hollow outer member, a sealed buoyant flotation bladder, and a rope section. The hollow outer member is made of rubber or polymeric material and has an inner cavity. The flotation bladder is disposed in the inner cavity of the outer member. A first end of the rope section is connected or anchored to the flotation bladder or to a washer disposed in the cavity, and a second end of the rope section extends beyond the outer member.
US08011323B2	Top-fill hummingbird feeder with twist bottle valve A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottleneck extension at its other end, and a liquid tray having a well adapted to receive the bottleneck extension and at least one feeding port. The sidewall of the well is provided with at least one drain hole and the sidewall of the bottleneck extension with at least one port. The container and bottleneck extension are rotatable within the well to selectively align and misalign the port with the well drain hole to respectively open and close the drain hole upon rotation of the container. In an alternate embodiment, the bottleneck extension is fitted with a collar rotatable with the container. The collar is received in the liquid tray well and includes the at least one port. A liquid flow path is formed in the liquid tray for each feeding port to reduce the volume of nectar in the tray at any given time.
US08011322B1	Bird feeding assembly A bird feeding assembly includes a plurality of feeders. Each of the feeders includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The perimeter wall has a fill opening extending therethrough. A chute has an open first end and an open second end. The first end is attached to the perimeter wall and is in fluid communication with the fill opening. The second end of the chute is positioned above the perimeter wall. Bird feed is positionable in the chute to fill the housing with the bird feed. A mounting bracket is attached to the chute. A strap is removably coupled to the mounting brackets of each of the bird feeders and extendable around a vertical support. A coupler on the strap couples the strap in a closed loop.
US08011320B2	Rotary pressure distributor and carousel-type hollow body treatment machine equipped therewith Rotary pressure distributor for a carousel-type hollow-body treatment machine, comprising several treatment stations, this distributor comprising two coaxial rings (2, 3) in sealed contact, one of them (3) a rotary ring comprising communication orifices (6) connected to at least one treatment station and the other (2) stationary and comprising several slots (7) connected to a pressure source of the machine, these orifices and slots being distributed over several concentric circumferences (9) of different diameters; the orifices and/or the slots positioned on the different diameters have anterior and posterior ends (11, 12) shaped in such a way that as the orifices slide past the respective slots, the rates at which the surface area of the passage (13) defined by each orifice and the associated slot increase upon opening and decrease upon closing are substantially the same over all the circumferences.
US08011318B1	Article support system An article support system for supporting articles and collecting paint or stain that drips off of the articles includes a plurality of stanchions being positioned and upwardly extending from a support surface. Each of the stanchions includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that extends between the top wall and the bottom wall. Each of a plurality of span assemblies is mounted to a pair of the stanchions and extends between the stanchions. The span assemblies support the articles above the support surface when the articles are placed on and extend between the span assemblies positioned adjacent each other.
US08011304B2	Gate retention mechanism for a conveyor assembly A rail section for use in a rail switch and method for assembling same are provided. The rail section is connected to a switch mounting by inserting a portion of the switch mounting through an aperture provided in the rail section and then applying a double weld. Similarly, a gate operating mechanism is connected to the rail section by inserting a portion of the gate operating mechanism through an aperture provided in the rail section and then applying a double weld. A receptor portion of the rail section that is reinforced to withstand a greater load is also provided. A plurality of gate retention mechanisms are also disclosed.
US08011302B2	Pyrotechnic gas generator temporarily storing some gases The present invention related to a pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor vehicle safety, comprising a sealed housing (1), which contains: —at least one combustion chamber (C) containing a pyrotechnic charge (3), the combustion of which is initiated by an initiator (2) associated with the chamber; —at least one plenum chamber (T) for receiving the gases generated by the combustion of the charge (3) for removing them to the exterior, via at least one discharge aperture (10) formed in said housing (1). It is characterized in that said housing (1) also contains means (R) for temporarily storing at least some of the combustion gases.
US08011299B2	Printing with ink A method is disclosed of printing an area of a substrate in a plurality of passes using curable ink, the method comprising depositing a first pass of ink on the area, partially curing ink deposited in the first pass, depositing a second pass of ink on the area, and fully curing the ink on the area. The method finds particular application in the field of inkjet printing, and can afford the advantage of better wetting of ink on the substrate deposited by a previous pass and reducing the problem of ink spreading.
US08011298B2	System for supplying ink and ink container In an ink supply method and system and an ink container where the ink is automatically supplied in the stencil printing, to permit suitable detection of empty of the ink container even if the kind of ink which has not been set is employed. A parameter representing an inkless time corresponding to the kind of ink (viscosity of ink) is stored in the storage means (8) provided on the ink container (10), the parameter is read out from the storage means (8) and the inkless time is set on the basis of the parameter, whereby it is recognized that the ink container is exhausted when the time for which the ink in the ink fountain (2) is not detected by an ink amount detecting means (40) becomes longer than the inkless time.
US08011295B1	Fully automated twine wrapping system for a round baler having a simplified operator interface An automated bale wrapping control system for a round baler that includes a simplified remotely installable operator interface for installation on a tractor. The simplified operator interface includes manual operated, mechanical input switches for selecting system on/off, number of wraps, twine or net wrapper selection, manual extension/retraction of the wrapping mechanism, and/or manual wrap cycle initiation. An audible alarm provides feedback to the operator for monitoring the baling and wrapping processes and for alerting the operator to abnormal conditions in the baling and/or wrapping processes.
US08011294B2	Method for harvesting biologics from eggs A method for harvesting biologics from eggs by which an egg is de-capped by positioning the egg in a reference opening so as to expose an upper section of said egg, then, while said egg is positioned within the reference opening, cutting the upper section of the egg by moving a cutter member over the reference opening through the egg, and then removing the debris formed from the cut upper section. The biologics can then be harvested in various ways such as by inverting the egg to allow the biologics to drain for collection. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
US08011293B2	Speed cooking oven with sloped oven floor and reversing gas flow A speed cooking oven with sloped oven floor and reversing gas flow is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, a controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, air directing means, and a sloped oven floor that directs air flow from the oven side walls to oven center thereby producing a highly turbulent reversed air flow.
US08011285B2	Vehicle and structure shield A vehicle and structure shield includes a flexible net subsystem including an array of rods or hard points supported by the net subsystem and configured to impact a projectile striking the net. A frame includes mounting brackets attached thereto positioning the frame in a spaced relationship with respect to the vehicle or structure. A first releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the net subsystem to the frame and a second releasable fastener subsystem releasably secures the mounting brackets of the frame to a vehicle or structure.
US08011284B2	Die-cutting device for performing slots perpendicular to the feeding direction of box-forming paperboard sheets A die-cutting device is herein disclosed for performing slots perpendicular to the feeding direction of paperboard sheets used for making boxes, which is mounted on a supporting framework which can be driven in a cross direction with respect to the longitudinal feeding direction of the paperboard sheets.
US08011275B2	Methods of designing rotary drill bits including at least one substantially helically extending feature A method of designing a rotary drill bit includes selecting and positioning a plurality of cutting elements on a rotary drill bit. At least one substantially helically extending feature is selected and positioned to rotationally follow at least one of the plurality of cutting elements, the at least one substantially helically extending feature exhibiting a selected maximum Helical Pitch.
US08011274B2	Gear box apparatus A motorized machine with a “mutually definite units of energy for forced energy economy” (MDUFEE) gearbox family with a simplified shifting pattern of shifting mechanisms to cause a real gear dependence on mechanical inertia created by the weight of a load and a fast changeable resistant force in response to the movement. Each gearbox includes a sufficient number of gearsets with gear ratios selected from a faltering geometric sequence and arranged to provide a sufficient number of torques and overdrive speeds to the output shaft to satisfactorily operate the machine over a conventional range of machine speeds and at least limit the use of the acceleration system in the motor to reduce the heat and power generated from a the motor to less than 50 percent that used to generate a similar conventional range of machine speeds using a motor with a conventional gear box.
US08011271B2	Fracture split-type connecting rod, internal combustion engine, transportation apparatus, and production method for fracture split-type connecting rod A connecting rod is a fracture split-type connecting rod made of an α+β type titanium alloy, including a rod main body and a big end provided at an end of the rod main body, the big end being fracture-split. The structure of the rod main body is an equiaxed α structure, and the structure of fractured surfaces of the big end is an acicular α structure.
US08011269B2	Actuator An actuator has a rotatable input member coupled to a drive member such that rotation of the rotatable input member under an input load causes rotation of the drive member on a first axis. The drive member is coupled to a driven member such that rotation of the drive member causes rotation of the driven member on a second axis which is laterally offset from the first axis. A coupling between the drive member and the driven member is arranged to provide a rotational reduction from the drive member to the driven member. The driven member is arranged for connection to a wire of a Bowden cable having a sleeve seatable in relation to a housing for the actuator such that rotation of the driven member causes extension or retraction of the cable. The braking means exerts a braking load on a braking surface of the actuator which is fixed relative to the housing and the braking means is arranged for cooperation with the drive member such that when a backdriving load is exerted through the Bowden cable wire to the driven member, tending to cause the driven member to rotate the drive member, the drive member cooperates with the braking means to increase the braking load to resist rotation of the drive member.
US08011266B2	Gear for eliminating backlash Disclosed herein is a gear for eliminating backlash. The gear includes a rotating shaft having a hollow portion. A first gear is connected to an end of the rotating shaft to be rotated in sync with the rotating shaft, and has on a central portion thereof a connecting protrusion which protrudes forwards. A hole is formed so as to communicate with the hollow portion of the rotating shaft, and a pair of first mounting holes is formed in the first gear along an arc thereof. A second gear is rotatably connected to the connecting protrusion of the first gear and has the same teeth as teeth of the first gear. A cylinder is provided in each of the first mounting holes and connected at both ends thereof to the first gear and the second gear, thus rotating the second gear in one direction. A locking cap is provided on an end of the connecting protrusion of the first gear to prevent the second gear from being eliminated from the first gear.
US08011259B2	Sample carrier comprising a deformable strip of material folded back upon itself and sample holder The invention relates to a composite structure of a sample carrier 20 and a sample holder 30 for use in a TEM, for example. The sample carrier is hereby separately embodied from the sample holder. Although such compositions are already known, the known compositions are very fragile constructions. The sample carrier according to the invention can be formed from a strip of metal, and is a simple and cheap element. Using resilient force, it clamps onto or into the sample holder. The portion of the sample holder to which the sample carrier couples also has a simple form. The sample carrier can couple to the sample holder in vacuum using a coupling tool.
US08011258B2	Explosive residue sampling In one aspect, an apparatus includes a head configured to receive a pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface and a feedback system coupled to the head. The feedback system is configured to indicate when a pressure applied by the head is greater than a minimum threshold value. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a head configured to receive a pad and rotate to apply a shear force to the pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface. The apparatus includes a feedback system coupled to the head, which is configured to restrict the shear force applied by the head to be within a predetermined range. In another aspect, a method includes applying pressure to a pad to sample explosive residue on a surface, sensing the pressure applied to the pad, and providing an indication of when the pressure applied to the pad is greater than a threshold value.
US08011257B2	Multichannel pipette A multichannel pipette, including a grip part defining a longitudinal axis and including a piston-driving device movable axially thereon, a displacement part rotating about the axis and having cylinder and piston arrangements, and a connection device for detachably connecting the grip part to the displacement part and permitting a rotation of the displacement about the longitudinal axis. The connection device includes threaded connection elements engaged with one another. The pistons move axially to the cylinders via a piston-driving device. A connection part of the threaded elements is axially connected with the cylinders and includes a clearance for a rotary bearing provided therein. Form-fit configurations on the support and connection parts are engaged to prevent a reverse rotation of the connection part relative to the support part. By a manual release action, the form-fit configurations disengage, such that the connection part rotates in a reverse rotation relative to the support part.
US08011256B2	Magnetostrictive torque sensor and method of manufacturing same A magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a single magnetostrictive film disposed on a steering shaft, and first and second coils for detecting changes in a magnetic property of the magnetostrictive film. The single magnetostrictive film includes a first anisotropic region and a second anisotropic region, having respective magnetic anisotropies inverse to each other. The first coil is disposed in confronting relation to the first anisotropic region, whereas the second coil is disposed in confronting relation to the second anisotropic region.
US08011255B2	Shaft mounted energy harvesting for wireless sensor operation and data transmission One embodiment of the present patent application is a method of monitoring a rotating part. The method includes providing a shaft, a sensor, a processor, an energy storage device, and a transmitter. The method further includes mounting the sensor directly on the shaft and mounting said processor, said energy storage device, and said transmitter to rotate with said shaft. The method further includes rotating the shaft and waking the processor for a period of time and drawing energy to the processor from the energy storage device to provide the processor in an active mode during the period of time. The method also includes sampling the sensor during the period of time. It also includes returning the processor to sleep mode. The method also includes transmitting data derived from the sensor.
US08011251B1	Bifurcated pressure instrumentation rake The present application provides an instrumentation rake for use with a number of flow paths. The instrumentation rake may include a manifold, a first rake body connected to the manifold, and a second rake body connected to the manifold. A number of first rake body aspirators may be positioned about the first rake body and in communication with a first flow path and a number of second rake body aspirators may be positioned about the second rake body and in communication with a second flow path.
US08011250B2	Apparatus and method for controlling and monitoring the pressure in pressure line or pipes An apparatus including a chamber having a chamber opening, a plunger which is movable within the chamber so as to change a chamber volume, which is defined by the plunger and a chamber wall and which adjoins the chamber opening, includes a measurer for measuring a pressure within the chamber or for measuring a force F, F being the force which acts upon the plunger so as to change the chamber volume.
US08011248B2	Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a property of construction material Methods, systems, and computer program products for determining a property of construction material. According to one aspect, a material property gauge operable to determine a property of construction material is disclosed. The gauge may include an electromagnetic sensor operable to measure a response of construction material to an electromagnetic field. Further, the electromagnetic sensor may be operable to produce a signal representing the measured response by the construction material to the electromagnetic field. An acoustic detector may be operable to detect a response of the construction material to the acoustical energy. Further, the acoustic detector may be operable to produce a signal representing the detected response by the construction material to the acoustical energy. A material property calculation function may be configured to calculate a property value associated with the construction material based upon the signals produced by the electromagnetic sensor and the acoustic detector.
US08011247B2	Multistage proof-mass movement deceleration within MEMS structures A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a substrate comprising at least one anchor, a proof mass having first and second deceleration extensions extending therefrom, a motor drive comb, a motor sense comb, a plurality of suspensions configured to suspend the proof mass over the substrate and between the motor drive comb and the motor sense comb. The suspensions are anchored to the substrate. A body is attached to the substrate. At least one deceleration beam extends from a first side of said body. The at least one deceleration beam is configured to engage at least one of the first and second deceleration extensions and slow or stop the proof mass before the proof mass contacts the motor drive comb and the motor sense comb.
US08011246B2	Apparatus and method for self-calibration of coriolis vibratory gyroscope A control component of an apparatus in one example is configured to signal a plurality of electrodes arranged in at least first, second, third, and fourth radial electrode groups along first, second, third, and fourth axes at approximately 0, 45, 90, and 135 degrees, respectively, around the planar resonator. During a first time period, the control component is configured to signal: the first radial electrode group to induce a drive oscillation in the planar resonator, the third radial electrode group to sense the drive oscillation, the second radial electrode group to sense a Coriolis force induced oscillation, and the fourth radial electrode group to null the Coriolis force induced oscillation. During a second time period after the first time period, the control component is configured to signal: the second radial electrode group to induce the drive oscillation in the planar resonator, the fourth radial electrode group to sense the drive oscillation, the first radial electrode group to sense the Coriolis force induced oscillation, and the third radial electrode group to null the Coriolis force induced oscillation.
US08011244B2	Microsystem, and more particularly a microgyrometer, includes at least two mechanically coupled oscillating masses A microsystem, and more particularly a microgyrometer, includes at least two mechanically coupled oscillating masses.The microsystem is achieved in a flat substrate. The oscillating masses are connected to the substrate by suspension springs. The oscillating masses are coupled together by a rigid coupling bar so as to produce an anti-phase movement of the oscillating masses when driven by an excitation device in a predefined excitation direction. The coupling bar is connected to intermediate zones of the corresponding suspension springs. The suspension springs are arranged on opposite sides of the oscillating masses. An intermediate zone is arranged between a first end of a suspension spring, which is fixed to the corresponding oscillating mass, and a second end of the suspension spring, which is fixed to the substrate by a corresponding anchoring point.
US08011243B2	Method for correcting the eccentricity of a vehicle wheel in balancing machines or the like The method for correcting the eccentricity of a vehicle wheel in balancing machines or the like, comprises: a reading phase for reading the radial eccentricity deviation of the rim of a wheel to be balanced and the radial eccentricity deviation of the tire of the wheel, read at a plurality of predetermined angular positions along the entire outer perimeter of the rim and of the tire; a processing phase of the total radial eccentricity deviation values of the wheel, starting with the radial eccentricity deviations of the rim and of the tire read and according to the angular coupling positions between the rim and the tire; a definition phase for defining a geometric irregularity index of the wheel, determined according to the total radial eccentricity deviation values of the wheel and according to the angular coupling position between the rim and the tire; a determination phase for determining an optimal coupling angular position between the tire and the rim, selected among all the possible angular coupling positions, in which the value of the above mentioned index is minimum.
US08011241B2	Level meter A level meter employs the radar concept for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container and incorporates an electric conductor system for conducting an electromagnetic signal into the container and returning reflected components of the electromagnetic signal from the container. Here, the electric conductor assembly is integrated into a wall of the container. The result is a universally employable electric conductor assembly so configured as to be unobstructed by built-in structures in the container such as agitators, intake pipe fittings or discharge connectors.
US08011237B2	Piezoelectric module for energy harvesting, such as in a tire pressure monitoring system Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to energy harvesting piezoelectric modules as may be used, for example, in power supplies for tire pressure monitoring systems.
US08011236B2	Method and device for monitoring tire pressure utilizing a reference value that evolves according to a predetermined function of time A method of monitoring a pressure (P) of a tire of a motor vehicle involves measuring a pressure (P) of the tire and comparing the measured pressure with at least one reference value (PrM, Prm, Pr). The reference value (PrM, Prm, Pr) varies in accordance with a temporal law that depends on at least one of the following parameters: a temporal benchmark, a speech of the vehicle, a temperature of the tire, and a parameter that is based on at least one of the previous three parameters. The reference value (PrM, Prm, Pr) varies between first and second extreme values.
US08011230B2	Scanning probe microscope A scanning probe microscope, capable of performing shape measurement not affected by electrostatic charge distribution of a sample, which: monitors an electrostatic charge state by detecting a change in a flexure or vibrating state of a cantilever due to electrostatic charges in synchronization with scanning during measurement with relative scanning between the probe and the sample, and makes potential adjustment so as to cancel an influence of electrostatic charge distribution, thus preventing damage of the probe or the sample due to discharge and achieving reduction in measurement errors due to electrostatic charge distribution.
US08011228B2	Method for the detection of lateral flow assay and strip and laser-induced epifluorescence and compact scanner therefor Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method capable of quantitatively determining the concentration and analyzing the spatial distribution of a disease marker by employing the principle of the laser-induced fluorescence detection technique, which is based on detecting emitted fluorescence when laser light is focused to the disease marker deposited onto a lateral flow quantitative assay chip. The present invention discloses a strip, a laser-induced epifluorescence detection device and a small scanner for the assay method. The present assay method is advantageous in terms of allowing quantitative point-of-care diagnostics in hospitals, being capable of specifically detecting a disease marker by optimizing a lateral flow assay biochip for diagnosis of a specific disease, allowing more accurate quantitative analysis of analytes, and being capable of simultaneously analyzing several cancer markers, reducing the hook effect and expanding the detection range and accurately measuring concentration of analytes.
US08011216B2	Method and a storage and locking arrangement for storing keys to locks A method and storage and locking arrangement for storing keys to locks and controlling the use of keys. The storage and locking arrangement consists of a closed box or a similar storage unit, a central lock and its key, as well as a number of auxiliary locks, each having its designated key. The locks are arranged in a closed box or similar storage unit so that they can be unlocked using keys from the outside of the box. The central lock is arranged to control the operation of the auxiliary locks so that when the central lock is locked, it prevents the keys to the auxiliary locks from being removed from their respective locks, and once the central lock is unlocked, it can be used to select the operation of any single auxiliary lock at a time using the corresponding key so that the key to the auxiliary lock can be removed from the auxiliary lock.
US08011214B2	Valet key storage device A valet key storage device, includes a valet key storage portion for storing a valet key having an opening, a locking bar for locking the valet key, a driving section for driving the locking bar to be inserted into the opening of the valet key, and a control section for controlling the driving section to insert the locking bar into the opening of the valet key or remove the locking bar therefrom.
US08011207B2	Laser scoring of glass sheets at high speeds and with low residual stress Experimental data is presented which shows that laser scoring of glass sheets (112) with existing techniques produces unacceptable levels of residual stress in the separated sheets as the scoring speed is increased. Methods for solving this problem are disclosed which employ elongated and, preferably, asymmetrically-truncated laser beams (13). The methods allow glass sheets (112) to be scored at speeds of 1000 mm/s and above with low levels of residual stress, e.g., levels of residual stress which are less than or equal to 500 psi. Such low levels of residual stress translate into low levels of distortion during the manufacture of display panels (e.g., LCD panels) as well as in improved properties of the separated edges. The methods can be used with glasses of various types including glasses having low coefficients of thermal expansion.
US08011204B2	Kennel bed chillers Disclosed is a system for controlling the temperature of a series of interconnected kennels. The system includes a primary reservoir and supply and return lines for delivering a refrigerant to the series of kennel beds. Each of the kennels includes a flexible bed for supporting the animal and an interior chamber which is adapted to receive a volume of the refrigerant. Thus, the refrigerant, by way of the supply and return valves, is continuously supplied to the beds to provide a pleasing temperature for the animal.
US08011203B1	Refrigeration appliance with hidden user interface Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a cabinet defining a fresh-food compartment and a freezer compartment. The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system that is operable to provide a cooling effect to an interior of the fresh-food and freezer compartments. A pair of doors is pivotally connected to the cabinet with a hinge assembly for restricting access to the interior of the fresh-food compartment. Each door includes a side portion extending between an exterior face and an interior portion of the door. The side portions of the doors generally oppose each other when the doors are closed. A user interface is also provided to the side portion of at least one of the doors comprising an input device to be manipulated by a user for controlling a target temperature within at least one of the fresh-food and freezer compartments.
US08011199B1	HVAC control using discrete-speed thermostats and run times Methods of controlling air conditioning and HVAC units using a thermostat for a discrete-speed unit that include changing speed based on how long the unit operates at a particular speed. Speed may be increased if a unit operates for longer than a predetermined time at a particular speed, and speed may be reduced if the unit operated for less than a specific amount of time during the prior run. In different embodiments, single-stage thermostats may control units that operate at three speeds, and two-stage thermostats may control units that operate at three to five or more speeds. In addition, in some embodiments, outdoor coil temperature may be measured and considered in determining speed. Further, in some embodiments, maintaining continuous or repeated operation at a boost speed may be avoided. Energy savings and noise reduction may result.
US08011196B2	Refrigerant control of a heat-recovery chiller A chiller includes a main condenser that has a refrigerant condensate sump with an internal weir or standpipe that maintains at least a minimum liquid seal between the outlets of the main condenser and a heat-recovery condenser. The main condenser is used for normal cooling operation, and the heat-recovery condenser is for supplying an external process with heat that would otherwise be wasted. In addition to providing a liquid seal, the sump and weir combination provides a reliable source of liquid refrigerant to cool the chiller's compressor motor and creates a trap for collecting foreign particles that might exit either of the chiller's two condensers.
US08011193B2	Passenger car air-conditioning systems with adsorption heat pumps A system and method for air-conditioning motor vehicles and, in particular, to an air-conditioning systems for motor vehicles having adsorption heat pumps. The apparatus includes a two adsorber chambers, each connected to a condenser and an evaporator via different connection elements; a vacuum shell for enclosing the adsorber chambers, the condenser, and the evaporator, wherein the vacuum shell is not self-supporting; and one or more adsorbers housed in the adsorber chambers, wherein the adsorbers are comprised of a carrier material coated by a sorbent. The method includes using an adsorption heat pump having one or more adsorber chambers, wherein adsorption and desorption are alternated between the adsorber chambers. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08011187B2	Fuel injection method and apparatus for a combustor A combustor and injector system to inject a selected fuel into a combustor of a gas powered turbine. Generally, the injector is able to inject a selected fuel into a stream of an oxidizer to substantially mix the fuel with the oxidizer stream before any of the fuel in the fuel fan reaches an auto ignition temperature. Therefore the fuel may be substantially combusted at once and without any substantial hot spots.
US08011186B2	Multi-stage turbocharger system A turbocharger system comprises a first relatively small high-pressure (HP) turbocharger (1) and a second relatively large low pressure (LP) turbocharger (2). The turbine (6) of the LP turbocharger (2) is connected in series downstream of the turbine (4) of the HP turbocharger (1) in a first exhaust gas passage (11). An exhaust bypass flow passage (12) provides a bypass flow path around the HP turbine (4). A rotary valve (8) is located at a junction of the bypass flow passage (12) and a first exhaust gas flow passage (11). The rotary valve (8) comprises a valve rotor (19) which is rotatable to selectively permit or block flow to the LP turbine (6) from either the first exhaust gas passage (11) or the bypass gas passage (12). The rotary valve (8) is operated to at least partially restrict flow to the LP turbine to generate a braking back pressure.
US08011185B2	Boost pressure control apparatus and boost pressure control method of internal combustion engine A boost pressure control apparatus includes a turbocharger whose turbine is rotationally driven by exhaust of an internal combustion engine, and an EGR device, wherein EGR is performed at the time of supercharge, or the EGR amount is increased at the time of supercharge in comparison with when supercharge is not performed. If the internal EGR gas amount is increased by changing opening/closure timings of intake valves and/or exhaust valves via the EGR device, the energy of exhaust can be increased, so that the rotation speed of the turbocharger can be enhanced. Therefore, the responsiveness of boost pressure rise can be enhanced. Thus, a technology of more promptly raising the boost pressure is provided.
US08011184B2	Electric booster and method for manufacturing the same An electric booster which drives an electric motor (40) in response to a movement of an input member (9) moving together with a brake pedal (B), and generates a brake hydraulic pressure in a master cylinder (10) through a ball screw mechanism (50). The electric motor (40) includes a stator (41) having a coil therein, a rotor (42) which rotates by applying current to the stator (41), and an annular motor casing (2) containing the stator (41) and the rotor (42). The ball screw mechanism (50) is fittedly disposed in the rotor (42). An opening (3b) on one axial end side of the motor casing (2) has a larger diameter than an outer diameter of the ball screw mechanism (50). In manufacturing, after the electric motor (40) alone is tested, the ball screw mechanism (50) is inserted through the opening (3b) and installed without the need of disassembling the motor casing (2).
US08011175B2	Exhaust-gas cooling device for an internal combustion engine An exhaust-gas cooling device for an internal combustion engine includes a housing with an exhaust-gas inlet, an exhaust-gas outlet, a valve device, and a U-shaped heat exchange unit including an outbound flow path and a return flow path. The housing comprises, on the open side of the U-shaped heat exchange unit, a first, a second and a third chamber. The first chamber provides a fluid connection from the exhaust-gas inlet to the second chamber, and the third chamber provides a fluid connection from the second chamber to the exhaust-gas outlet. The valve device is arranged in the second chamber such that the second chamber can be divided into two partial chambers, a first one of the partial chambers is arranged in fluid connection with the outbound flow path, and the second one of the partial chambers is arranged in fluid connection with the return flow path.
US08011173B2	Method for the diagnosis of a three-way-catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine A method for the diagnosis of a three-way catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine using the voltage signal of a downstream binary lambda sensor proposes that with a changeover of the air/fuel ratio λ that is fed to the internal combustion engine from high to low, the voltage signal Uλ of the lambda sensor is monitored for its jump in order to establish a first oxygen storage capacity OSC1 of the catalytic converter, with a changeover of the air/fuel ratio that is fed to the internal combustion engine from low to high, the voltage signal Uλ of the lambda sensor is monitored for its jump in order to establish a second oxygen storage capacity OSC2 of the catalytic converter, and/or with a modulation of the air/fuel ratio that is fed to the internal combustion engine between high and low, the voltage signal Uλ of the lambda sensor is monitored for its jumps in order to establish a third oxygen storage capacity OSC3 of the catalytic converter, wherein the diagnosis of the catalytic converter is performed based on the ratio between two of the three oxygen storage capacities. According to the proposal, a diagnostic method differentiated with regard to reversible and irreversible damage, as well as with regard to oxidizing and reducing capabilities is provided.
US08011172B2	Engine arrangement An engine arrangement for a component subject to icing. The arrangement comprising a manifold as part of a flow path incident upon a heated component. The manifold including holes to create jets having an exit angle toward the component subject to icing. The jets of hot gas are entrained in a core flow passing through the main flow path before washing over a desired incident area of the component. The exit angle and spacing between the jet and the component are determined to reduce disruption of the core flow and/or provide the desired incident area on the component and/or use the minimum amount of hot air.
US08011171B2	Portable storage apparatus A portable storage apparatus for storing perishable items at a reduced temperature and under a reduced pressure is provided. The method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
US08011169B2	Method of sealing an end fin of a carton An ultrasonic sealing device for a top fin of a gable-topped carton includes two jaws consisting of a jaw (2) with a planar active face and constituting the outer end portion of an ultrasonic horn (A1) and a jaw (6) constituting an anvil and having an active surface (10) which is planar except for upper and lower linear ribs (12) and (14) each extending the length of the surface (10). The lower rib (14) is linear and horizontal except for an upwardly bowed middle portion (16). The two jaws (2) and (6) serve to render gas-and-liquid tight a top fin of a conventional, plastics-coated paperboard, gable-top carton. The ribs (12) and (14) produce, in the outer surface of one of the outer sealing panels of the fin, corresponding furrows which extend over the whole length of the fin at levels where the inner sealing panels are sandwiched between the outer sealing panels, so as to seal the top fin in a gas- and liquid-tight manner along its whole length.
US08011168B2	Installation for packing bottle-type objects of different designs into boxes A packing installation having a handling head (10) with replaceable tulip-like gripping tools (11) connected by couplers (13). The installation has a magazine (15) with separate groups of tools (11) and a several presentation units (23) for the tools. The presentation units (23) have a spindle (25) to accommodate the tools (11). The spindle (25) is a floating type to give some flexibility and to engage the tools (11) not only during the depositing operation, but also during the gripping operation. The magazine (15) is mobile and is mounted on tracks (19) to move between its inactive position, away from the field of action of the bottle handling head (10), and its active position within the field of action of the head (10) and in particular at the station (5) where the bottles are picked up by the head (10).
US08011165B2	Composite assembly with saturated bonding mass and process of reinforced attachment A method of both permanently reinforcing and bonding, by means of a physical connection including a fabric or other arrangement of reinforcing fiber, saturated with a curing liquid resin, and building materials to create a composite assembly is disclosed. Once cured, the previously liquid resin, having surrounded the fiber and features of the surfaces of the elements being joined, combines them within a single, shared resin matrix. The resulting composite assembly incorporates a new method of providing reinforcement from within, and can be formed into any of various products or components in the light construction industry, such as window sashes, millwork, and the like.
US08011162B2	Chain constructed structure A collapsible support structure includes a plurality of linked, inter-connectable segments that allow the structure to transform between a rigid structure and a flexible chain. The chain is generally extendible in a first direction while the rigid structure extends in a transverse second direction. At least a first linked segment is connectable with a second linked segment that is not immediately adjacent to the first segment within the chain. The chain may be converted to the rigid structure by wrapping the chain about an axis extending in the second direction. The segments may include an overall height and further include a coupling that is connected to an adjacent segment. The coupling may be disposed so that the adjacent segment is offset about 1/Nth of the overall height. With this coupling, the first segment may be connectable with the second segment that is N segments separated from the first segment.
US08011157B2	Grating system with enhanced see-through characteristics A grating system provides enhanced see through characteristics and typically includes longitudinal deep bars, axial crossbars, axial filler bars between the crossbars and longitudinal joining bars which join the crossbars and filler bars to one another. The deep bars are part of a first subassembly and the other bars are part of a second subassembly which may be lowered to join the two subassemblies to one another. The crossbars and filler bars are typically seated on the deep bars. The joining bars are typically above and aligned with the deep bars. The upper surfaces of the crossbars and filler bars are usually substantially flush with one another. The grating system is configured to support vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
US08011148B2	Modular, portable, interlocking decking system Components for use in the assembly and installation of a modular decking system, comprised of structural free floating piers which distributes loads of deck pad to ground, piers have a pad bearing surface and four uniformly placed receiver blocks which interlock with corresponding recesses at four pad corners, an interlocking cam passes through pad recesses at deck surface and locks to piers by rotating cam with custom designed tool.The system is designed to be assembled without permanent fasteners to allow for expansion, reconfiguration or relocation, or addition of traditional and contemporary deck accessories that engage and interlock with the piers, pads and cams. One ideal manufacturing method of one or any of the system components is compression molded post-consumer and/or industrial thermo-plastic waste.
US08011147B2	Building system using modular precast concrete components A building system uses modular precast concrete components that include a series of columns with wide, integral capitals. Wide beam slabs are suspended between adjacent column capitals by hangers. Joist slabs (e.g., rib slabs or other substantially planar components) can then be suspended between the beam slabs and column capitals to provide a floor surface.
US08011146B2	Blast-proof window and mullion system A blast-proof window and mullion system for sustaining and mitigating an explosion and/or blast to the window and mullion system on a multi-storied building or structure. The window and mullion system includes a blast-resistant mullion having a mullion housing with mullion walls with outer surfaces; and a pressure bar member having a pressure bar housing with an interior wall and a pair of outer walls being connected to the interior wall to form a center channel opening. The outer walls are angled for reducing the space between the angled walls and for reducing the size of the center channel opening for reduction of bullet and/or blast penetration to the interior wall of the pressure bar member. Also, one of the mullion walls of the mullion housing includes a mullion tongue thereon having a pair of tongue extension arms for forming a vertical bolt receiving channel therebetween. Each of the tongue extension arms have interior serrated surfaces for receiving threaded bolts between the interior serrated surfaces. The interior wall of the pressure bar member has a pair of spaced-apart pressure bar extension arms thereon. The interior wall of the pressure bar member includes a plurality of spaced-apart bolt openings for receiving a plurality of the threaded bolts therein for permanently locking together the pressure bar extension arms with the mullion extension arms in order to join together and lock the pressure bar housing of the pressure bar member to said mullion housing of the blast-resistant mullion to form the blast-proof window and mullion system.
US08011145B1	Segmented joint for masonry construction A joint device is installed between adjacent components during construction to provide a proper transition between the components. The joint device has a generally L-shaped configuration with a first leg of the device that may be mounted to the outer face of the inner wall of a cavity wall construction and in the cavity between the spaced walls. The second leg projects generally perpendicularly from the first leg and from the inner wall toward the outer wall adjacent the bricks at which the movement joint is located. The second leg of the joint includes a series of segments in which a terminal end portion of the second leg is joined to a remainder thereof by frangible connections or perforated joints. After the joint device is installed on the inner wall and the outer wall is constructed, the terminal end portion of the second leg is removed by being torn along the appropriate frangible joint depending upon the spacing between the components.
US08011144B2	System for forming and insulating concrete slab edges The slab edge forming and insulating system includes edge members and support braces. The edge members include an elongated shell having an upright portion with an insulated inside surface, an upper portion and a lower portion. Each of the upper and lower portions have formed edges. Open cross sectioned support braces having upper and lower formed edges for engaging the formed edges of the elongated shell are fixed to a footing and connected to the edge members. The edge members form and insulate the edges of the poured concrete of the slab while the open cross sectioned support braces receive the poured concrete of the slab and thus anchor the edge members to the edge of the slab.
US08011142B2	Sliding pendulum seismic isolator A sliding pendulum seismic isolator (1) comprises a lower sliding element (2) provided with a concave surface (2a) facing upwards, an upper sliding element (3) provided with a concave surface (3a) facing downwards, a first intermediate element (4) and a second intermediate element (5), said intermediate elements (4, 5) being each provided with a convex sliding surface (4a, 5a) suitable to allow the sliding of the first and second intermediate elements (4, 5) on the concave surfaces (2a, 3a) of said lower and upper sliding elements (2, 3) respectively. The first intermediate element (4) has a convex spherical surface (4b) opposed to its convex sliding surface (4a), and the second intermediate element (5) has a flat surface (5b) opposed to its convex sliding surface (5a). The convex spherical surface (4b) and the flat surface (5b) are in contact with each other and are suitable to allow a relative rotation substantially without sliding between the intermediate elements (4, 5). The isolator according to the present invention shows a remarkable reduction of the parasitic moment against the rotation, thus improving the dynamic response of the isolating system and reducing the stresses inside the materials and the adjacent structures.
US08011138B2	Privacy booth The present invention concerns a privacy booth comprising at least two partition members having first and second terminal ends; and at least two linking members having first and second opposed ends, each second terminal end of the partition member and each first opposed end of the linking members forming a first pivotable coupling, each first terminal end of the partition members and each second opposed end of the linking member forming a second pivotable coupling, the privacy booth being operable between a deployed state, in which adjacent partition members are spaced-apart to define a respective compartment therebetween, and a storage state in which adjacent partition members are substantially parallel with one another, and preferably flat packed against one another.
US08011137B2	Gasket and insulating glass comprising said gasket A seal including a body with a longitudinal axis X that includes a base-piece having a first end and an opposed second end, two opposed side walls connecting the two ends, and two shoulders located on either side of each of the two side walls and at one of the ends. The body is made of a single flexible material and, in a section perpendicular to the X axis, the width of the base-piece, from one side wall to the other, in the vicinity of the end on the opposite side from the shoulders is larger than the width of the base-piece, from one side wall to the other, in the vicinity of the end near the shoulders.
US08011134B2	Foam hydroponic material and process for making the same A method of creating a hydroponic growing medium. The method includes retrieving polyurethane constituents and mixing the polyurethane constituents in a shear spray mix, creating a resultant foam. Thereafter the resultant foam is placed in a form to cure and a forced heated air is convected in a post-processing step, whereby the hot air convected upon the resultant foam causes additional cracks throughout cell walls within the resultant foam. These fissure cracks allow for a wicking action to occur in the foam, making the material suitable for a hydroponic growing medium.
US08011133B2	Method and apparatus of high-throughput pollen extraction, counting, and use of counted pollen for characterizing a plant An apparatus and method of quantitatively obtaining a measurement of pollen of a plant. One method of counting comprises imaging the sample with the pollen well-distributed in the focal plane of the imager. Image evaluation software can identify and count objects in the image that are consistent with pollen. Total pollen count for the plant can be derived from the count of pollen of the sample, proportionality of the sample volume to the starting volume, and proportionality of area of sample imaged to total area of sample. Pollen quantification can be used for research or commercial production decisions relative to the plant or its seed.
US08011132B2	Enhanced shelf life and on seed stabilization of liquid bacterium inoculants The present invention includes a method for producing a liquid inoculant containing a desiccant. The method can improve survival and stability of bacteria in liquid inoculants in pack and on seeds. The method includes providing a liquid inoculant of a bacteria grown to a substantially stationary phase. A desiccant treatment containing a desiccant is added to the liquid inoculant to form a partially desiccated inoculant product. The partially desiccated inoculant product can be packaged and stored. The partially desiccated inoculant product can also be applied to seeds.
US08011131B2	Earthen vase, method for use and forming tool A water percolating earthen vase with smooth, compacted walls is formed in the earth. Water is applied and stems of cut flowers inserted for flower display. Water percolates from the vase, eliminating undesirable standing and stagnant water. Methods and forming tool are disclosed.
US08011130B2	Gun sight mounting device An apparatus generally includes a gun mount portion and a sight mount portion that are coupled together by a resilient member. The gun mount portion provides attachment to a gun and the sight mount portion provides attachment to a gun sight. The resilient member is configured to allow, when attached to the gun, a linear displacement of the sight mount portion relative to the gun mount portion along a longitudinal axis of the gun.
US08011122B2	Novelty video device and method An article of print media that includes an electronic module that has at least one chip for storing data and for controlling the electronic module and first means for closing the electronic module such that at least a first video is shown.
US08011119B2	Personally adjustable footwear Personally adjustable footwear with at least one sole layer including: a toe portion, a heel portion, and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has openings passing vertically through the layer so that the intermediate portion is elastically flexible to allow relative longitudinal displacement of the toe portion and the heel portion to vary a length of the layer without significant variation in a thickness of the layer. A retention mechanism selectively fixes the toe and heel portions in any of a number of relative positions. Also disclosed are implementations with insertable and removable segments, and with elongated elements sliding in channels.
US08011115B2	Method and device in a dryer section of a fibre-web machine, such as a paper or board machine A fiber-web machine dryer section has a drying group with single-wire draw so the drying wire (F) presses the web (W) against heated cylinder surfaces with the web (W) at the side of the outside curve of reversing cylinders (11) situated between drying cylinders (10, 12). A pocket space (T) is formed between two adjacent drying cylinders (10) and a reversing cylinder (11) situated between them, and the drying wire (F). A negative pressure component (20) placed in the pocket space (T) creates a pressure difference over the drying wire (F) and the web (W) for attaching the web (W) to the drying wire (F) so the cross-direction shrinkage of the web (W) is controllable. The wire tension (F) is maintained at a level help control cross-direction shrinkage of the web. The pocket space (T) is sealed by sealing members (25, 26) to maintain negative pressure in the pocket space.
US08011112B2	Method and apparatus for determining positions For determining positions of a support having a bar code relative to a sensor array, the position of lines in the region of the sensor array is determined at least once and a position is determined therefrom. Thereafter, at least one line of the bar code is selected, a displacement of the position of the at least one selected line in the region of the sensor array is registered and the actual position is calculated therefrom by means of a previously determined position. An incremental and rapid measurement is thus permitted with a bar code and a sensor array.
US08011111B2	Measuring device and accessories for preparing quilt pieces A transparent measuring apparatus for material includes a planar structure including a top surface, bottom surface, a left edge, a right edge, a top end, a bottom end and a plurality of holes for attachment of accessories. A plurality of measurement lines is formed on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A material alignment guide is attached to the bottom surface. The material alignment guide includes a first edge for aligning the material and is configured for moveably aligning the first edge with the measurement lines. Protrusions extend below the bottom surface a sufficient distance from the bottom surface to facilitate movement of the material alignment device. A plurality of accessories adds width to the planer structure, adds length to the planer structure, provides a safety barrier when cutting along an edge and provides a slot for guiding cutting along an edge of the planer structure.
US08011110B2	Centering mechanism The present invention provides a centering mechanism capable of improving the efficiency of centering work and reducing the work time and the cost. The centering mechanism centers an inner member located inside in a radial direction, with respect to an outer member arranged to surround the inner member in a circumferential direction, and includes a vertical-direction positioning unit which positions the inner member in a vertical direction in a non-stepwise manner.

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