最新美国发明专利第2011-10-11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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US08034471B2	Magnetic recording medium, method of manufacturing magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording reproducing apparatus In a perpendicular magnetic recording medium in which at least a soft magnetic underlayer, an orientation control layer, a magnetic recording layer and a protective layer are formed on a non-magnetic substrate in order from the bottom, the orientation control layer has a laminated structure of two or more layers including an intermediate layer and a seed layer which is disposed closer to the non-magnetic substrate than the intermediate layer. The seed layer includes two or more kinds of elements having a face-centered cubic structure, has face-centered cubic (111) plane crystals oriented in a direction perpendicular to a substrate surface, and has a pseudo-hexagonal structure.
US08034470B2	Perpendicular magnetic recording medium and method of manufacturing the medium A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed in which a soft magnetic layer used as a low Ku layer can be stably produced with high performance. Thermal stabilization of magnetization, ease of writing by a magnetic head, and SNR also are improved. A method of manufacturing the medium is disclosed. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes at least a nonmagnetic underlayer, a magnetic recording layer, and a protective layer formed in this order on a nonmagnetic substrate. The magnetic recording layer includes a low Ku layer having a relatively small perpendicular magnetic anisotropy constant (Ku value), and a high Ku layer in which the Ku value is relatively large, and the low Ku layer includes a soft magnetic thin film including an iron group element-based microcrystal structure, in which a nitrogen element is added to a ferromagnetic material mainly containing one of metals of Co, Ni and Fe or an alloy of the metal. The thin film has a crystal structure of a face-centered cubic lattice or hexagonal close packed, and a preferred crystal orientation plane parallel to a plane of the film is a (111) plane in the face-centered cubic lattice structure, and a (002) plane in the hexagonal close packed structure.
US08034467B2	Moisture-reactive composition and organic electroluminescent element having same Disclosed herein is a moisture-reactive composition having a moisture-reactive polysiloxane having a main chain and one or more side chains, wherein the main chain and/or the one or more side chains has a group represented by the formula: —MXmYn; and wherein M is selected from the group consisting of a multivalent metal atom, B, and P═O; X is a hydrogen atom, a substituted or nonsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy group; Y is a substituted or nonsubstituted alkoxy, siloxy, carboxyl, or diketolate group; m is from 1 to 3; and n is from 0 to 2.
US08034465B2	Phosphorescent oled having double exciton-blocking layers An organic light-emitting device comprising an anode; a cathode; a hole-transporting layer disposed between the anode and the cathode; a phosphorescent light-emitting layer disposed between the hole-transporting layer and the cathode, wherein the phosphorescent light-emitting layer includes at least one host and at least one phosphorescent dopant; a first exciton-blocking layer disposed between the hole-transporting layer and the phosphorescent light-emitting layer; wherein the first exciton-blocking layer has a triplet energy greater than the triplet energy of the host in the phosphorescent light-emitting layer; and a second exciton-blocking layer disposed between the first exciton-blocking layer and the phosphorescent light-emitting layer, wherein the second exciton-blocking layer is in contact with the phosphorescent light-emitting layer, and wherein the second exciton-blocking layer has a triplet energy less than the triplet energy of the first exciton-blocking layer.
US08034460B2	Metallic laminate and method of manufacturing the same Disclosed herein are a metallic laminate, including (i) a metal layer and (ii) a polyimide resin layer having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 19 ppm/° C. or less and a glass transition temperature of 350° C. or more, laminated on the metal layer, and a method of manufacturing the same. According to this invention, the metallic laminate has a good external appearance, having no foam on the polyimide resin layer.
US08034451B2	Carbon materials A graphite body comprises aligned graphite flakes bonded with a binder, in which the graphite has an average particle size of >200 μm.Methods of forming such highly oriented graphite material include:— a) forming a mixture of a mesophase pitch with a graphite powder; b) rolling the mixture to align the graphite powder and to form a body of graphite and pitch; c) carbonising the body; and optionally d) graphitising the body. Pressing rather than rolling may be employed.Such graphite bodies have high thermal conductivity and anisotropy and may be used for thermal management.
US08034450B2	Microcapsules and emulsions containing low bloom gelatin and methods of making and using thereof Described herein are microcapsules and emulsions prepared from low Bloom gelatin and methods of making and using thereof.
US08034447B2	Electronic components mounting adhesive and electronic components mounting structure The invention intends to provide an electronic component mounting adhesive that can inhibit cracks and peelings in an electronic component mounting structure obtained by joining electronic components each other from occurring and an electronic component mounting structure obtained by joining electronic components with such an electronic component mounting adhesive. In an electronic component mounting structure, a first circuit board and a second circuit board are bonded with an electronic component mounting adhesive. Here, the electronic component mounting adhesive is obtained by dispersing metal particles having the melting temperature Mp lower than the glass transition temperature Tg of a cured material of a thermosetting resin in the thermosetting resin.
US08034445B2	Laminated visco-elastic support A laminated support for pressure-relief comprising multiple foam layers. The combinations of layers can comprise one or more layers of visco-elastic foam, highly resilient polyurethane foam, reticulated filter polyurethane foam, and the like.
US08034441B2	Multilayer composition The invention relates to a multi-layer acrylic composition having at least two impact modified layers. The outer layer is an acrylic layer containing impact modifiers having a particle size of less than 225 nm, and the impact modifiers in the inner thermoplastic layer have a particle size of greater than or equal to 225 nm. The invention also relates to multi-layer composites having the multi-layer acrylic composition on one or both sides. The multi-layer acrylic composition can also include blends of acrylic and fluoropolymers.
US08034439B2	Plastic substrate having multi-layer structure and method for preparing the same The present invention relates to a plastic substrate having a multi-layer structure and a method for preparing the same. The plastic substrate of the present invention comprises plastic films attached to each other, and a first buffering layer of an organic-inorganic hybrid, a layer of gas barrier, and a second buffering layer of an organic-inorganic hybrid which are stacked on both sides of the plastic films in an orderly manner, each layer forming a symmetrical arrangement centering around the plastic films. Because the plastic substrate of the present invention has a small coefficient of thermal expansion, excellent dimensional stability, and superior gas barrier properties, it can replace the brittle and heavy glass substrate in display devices. Also, it can be used for a variety of packaging or container materials in applications requiring superior gas barrier properties.
US08034437B2	Optical member, optical system using the optical member, and method of manufacturing an optical member Provided is an optical member capable of keeping a high performance antireflection effect over a long period of time with respect to an arbitrary substrate. The optical member has plural layers on a substrate, and includes at least one metal oxide layer having a void, and at least one layer containing an organic resin as a main component formed between the substrate and the metal oxide layer. The metal oxide layer is a plate crystal layer formed of a plate crystal containing aluminum oxide as a main component and a surface of the plate crystal layer has an uneven profile. The organic resin has an aromatic ring and/or a hetero ring in at least a part thereof.
US08034436B2	Fluorescent article having multiple layers A fluorescent article includes an underlayer colored fluorescent film and an overlayer colored fluorescent film, which is provided over the underlayer colored fluorescent film. The underlayer colored fluorescent film includes a first fluorescent colorant in an underlayer polymer matrix. The overlayer colored fluorescent film includes a second fluorescent colorant in an overlayer polymer matrix. The second fluorescent colorant in the overlayer film at least partially blocks light in a first wavelength range while allowing transmission of an amount of light in a second wavelength range effective to make the first fluorescent colorant fluoresce.
US08034433B2	Article with a writing surface and method of making an article with a writing surface An article including a writing surface includes a surface, a recess on the surface of the article, and a writing surface formed of a waterproof material disposed in the recess. A method of making an article with a writing surface includes providing an article with a recess in a surface of the article, and attaching a writing surface formed of a waterproof material in the recess.
US08034432B2	Roofing granules of enhanced solar reflectance Roofing granules, methods for their preparation, having a Total Solar Reflectance of at least 25% on a substrate or carrier.
US08034430B2	Nonwoven fabric and fastening system that include an auto-adhesive material In some embodiments, a nonwoven fabric includes a first web that is at least partially formed of extruded strands which include an auto-adhesive material. The nonwoven fabric is adapted to be bonded to another item that includes a similar auto-adhesive material. In other embodiments, a method of forming a nonwoven fabric includes extruding a plurality of strands that are formed of an auto-adhesive material. The method further includes routing the plurality of strands toward a moving support, depositing the plurality of strands onto the moving support, and then stabilizing the plurality of strands to form a web. In other embodiments, a fastening system includes a nonwoven fabric that has a web which is formed of a plurality of extruded strands that include an auto-adhesive material. The fastening system further includes a foam layer that has a surface with a plurality of free-standing struts that include a similar auto-adhesive material.
US08034426B2	Two-layered optical recording medium A two-layered optical recording medium which includes a first substrate, a first information layer, a second information layer, and a second substrate formed in this order as viewed from the light beam irradiation side, the first information layer includes a first lower dielectric layer, a first recording layer, a first upper dielectric layer, a first reflective layer, and an inorganic dielectric layer formed in this order as viewed from the light beam irradiation side; the second information layer includes a second lower dielectric layer, a second recording layer, a second upper dielectric layer, and a second reflective layer formed in this order as viewed from the light beam irradiation side; and the first reflective layer is made of Cu with a content of 99.8% by mass to 95.0% by mass and one or more metals selected from Ta, Nb, Zr, Ni, Cr, Ge, Au, and Mo.
US08034424B2	Shop horse pad A shop horse pad of closed cell foam is cylindrical in shape and having a central radial opening provided therein. An axial slit is provided along the length of the pad that creates two axial edges. A strip of adhesive is arranged along at least one of the axial edges. A covering strip, of preferably cellophane, is provided on the strip of adhesive such that when it is removed, the two axial edges adhere together. In this manner, a user may simply force the pad over the horizontal work tubing of the shop horse and removes the covering strip. Thereafter, the axial edges of the pad are forced together to form a solid pad about the exterior of the horizontal tubing.
US08034422B2	Glossy inkjet recording medium and methods therefor A manufacturing an ink-receiving medium comprising the steps of providing a support, treating the support with a salt of a multivalent metal cation, and coating upon one or each side of the support at least one porous ink-receiving top layer from an aqueous coating composition consisting of non-cationic components, wherein the non-cationic components comprise a binder and anionic particles of average particle size less than 2.5 microns, wherein the ink-receiving top layer comprises at least 50% of the total solids by weight, such that the water-soluble salt of a multivalent metal cation is able to diffuse into the ink-receiving top layer, the method further comprising drying the coating and optionally calendering the coating. Also disclosed is inkjet media made from such method and a method of printing using such inkjet media.
US08034416B2	Method for making mold-and moisture-resistant gypsum boards Mold- and moisture-resistant gypsum boards and methods for making them are disclosed, the method comprising applying a slurry that forms a gypsum core to an upper or a lower facing sheet impregnated with a thermoset resin (e.g., a phenol-formaldehyde resin) in an amount effective to (i) allow water vapor passage through the facing sheet when the thermoset resin is in its uncured state and (ii) provide mold and moisture resistance to the facing sheet when the thermoset resin is in its cured state and heating sufficiently to cure said resin and dry said gypsum core, thereby yielding said gypsum board.
US08034406B2	Integrated substrate processing in a vacuum processing tool A method and system are provided for integrated substrate processing in Cu metallization. The method includes providing a substrate in a vacuum processing tool containing a plurality of processing systems configured to process the substrate and a substrate transfer system configured to transfer the substrate under vacuum conditions between the plurality of processing systems, and performing an integrated deposition process on the substrate. The plurality of processing systems and the substrate transfer system maintain a base pressure of background gases at 6.8×10−8 Ton or lower, preferably 5×10−8 Torr or lower, during the integrated deposition process. According to one embodiment, the integrated process includes depositing a barrier metal layer on the substrate, and depositing a Cu layer on the barrier metal layer. According to another embodiment, the integrated process further includes depositing a Ru layer on the barrier metal layer, and depositing a Cu layer on the Ru layer.
US08034402B2	Method for producing ceramic compact and ceramic part A ceramic compact is provided having a patterned conductor is obtained by coating the patterned conductor with a slurry and then hardening the slurry. The slurry is prepared by mixing a thermosetting resin precursor, a ceramic powder, and a medium. In the ceramic compact, an isocyanate- or isothiocyanate-containing gelling agent and a hydroxyl-containing polymer are reacted and hardened to produce a thermosetting resin. The hydroxyl-containing polymer is preferably a butyral resin, an ethylcellulose-based resin, a polyethyleneglycol-based resin, or a polyether-based resin.
US08034395B2	Method for precipitating mono and multiple layers of organophosphoric and organophosphonic acids and the salts thereof in addition to use thereof The invention relates to a method for precipitating mono or multiple layers of a mixture of organophosphoric acids of the general formula I (A) Y—B—OPO3H2 (IA) or of organophosphonic acids of the general formula I (B) Y—B—PO3H2 (IB) and the salts thereof, wherein Y and B are defined in the specification. According to the invention, precipitation occurs on substrate surfaces of pure or mixed oxides, nitrides or carbides of metals and semiconductors, in particular as surfaces of sensor platforms, implants and medical accessory devices. The invention also relates to the use thereof as part of coated sensor platforms, implants and medical accessory devices.
US08034389B2	Cranberry seed oil extract and compositions containing components thereof Isolated cranberry seed oil and components thereof, in a form suitable for use as a foodstuff, dietary supplement, or pharmaceutical composition, are disclosed. The isolated cranberry seed oil or compositions comprising one or a combination of components derived from the cranberry seed oil can be used as anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, antithrombotic, antioxidizing, antiatherogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunoregulatory agents. In addition, the invention features novel methods of extracting cranberry seed oil from cranberry seeds in a form suitable for adding to foodstuffs, dietary supplements, or pharmaceutical compositions.
US08034388B2	Anthocyanin-rich compositions and methods for inhibiting cancer cell growth The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting the growth and cell cycle progression in carcinoma cells comprising the step of contacting the cells with an anthocyanin rich extract (ARE) in an amount effective to inhibit the growth and cell cycle progression of the carcinoma cells without effecting the growth and cell cycle progression on normal cells. The invention further provides therapeutic compositions and methods of inhibiting the growth and cell cycle progression of carcinoma cells in a patient comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of an anthocyanin-rich extract with the proviso that the anthocyanin rich extract does not effect the growth and cell cycle progression of normal cells in the patient. In preferred embodiments, the anthocyanin-rich extract useful in the compositions and methods of the invention are derived from chokeberry, bilberry, grape or combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments the carcinoma cells are colon carcinoma cells.
US08034384B2	Method of increasing biocompatibility of medical device by generating nitric oxide A material includes a surface and a reactive agent that is located at the surface of the material, covalently attached to a backbone of the material, and/or located within the material. The reactive agent has nitrite reductase activity, nitrate reductase activity, and/or nitrosothiol reductase activity. The reactive agent also converts at least one of nitrites, nitrates and nitrosothiols to nitric oxide when in contact with blood. A reproducible nitrosothiol sensor is also disclosed.
US08034383B2	Injectable microspheres Injectable microspheres are obtained from double bond functionalized polyhydric alcohol ester by a method comprising dissolving the double bond functionalized esters in a hydrophobic organic solvent, forming an aqueous solution of stabilizer, forming an oil in water emulsion where the solution of stabilizer constitutes the continuous phase and the solution of ester constitutes the disperse phase and evaporating the organic solvent or from block copolymer of PGCLM and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol).
US08034381B2	Method for producing ultrafine submicronic suspensions The invention concerns a method for producing ultrafine suspensions, characterized in that a substance in the form of a solid product at 20° C. is dissolved in a solvent, in that the solvent is very rapidly substantially drawn from said solution, in that the powder thus obtained, whereof the particles have an average particle-size distribution of the order of 1 to 50 μm (by laser diffractometry) is dispersed in a dispersing medium, and in that the resulting suspension is treated subsequently, using average to high forces, so as to obtain a suspension whereof the solid matter particles have a average particle-size distribution (by photon correlation spectroscopy) less than 3 μm, preferably less than 1 μm (1000 nm), and in particular less than 400 nm, more particularly still, less than 200 nm.
US08034379B2	Ion-strength independent sustained release pharmaceutical formulation The present invention is related to an optionally coated pharmaceutical hydrophilic gel forming matrix formulation comprising one or more active substances and having a prolonged release of said one or more active substances upon exposure to gastrointestinal fluids, characterized in that said release is substantially ion-strength independent. The invention is further related to a method of preparing this formulation which can be used in the administration of active substances for the treatment of a large number of disorders.
US08034374B2	Patch containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent An adhesive patch containing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, comprising a support and an adhesive layer laminated on this support, wherein the adhesive layer contains a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent having a carboxyl group or its salt, and polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1000 or more.
US08034372B2	Dietary supplement for athletic pets A method for helping pets recover from periods of strenuous activity includes providing a source of carbohydrates formulated to provide a readily available replenishment source of glycogen for the pet and providing a replenishment source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are expended at rates that are higher during the strenuous activity than during non-strenuous activity.
US08034360B2	Use of human prostate cell lines in cancer treatment The invention here relates to a product comprised of a cell line or lines intended for use as an allogeneic immunotherapy agent for the treatment of cancer in mammals and humans. All of the studies of cell-based cancer vaccines to date have one feature in common, namely the intention to use cells that contain at least some TSAs and/or TAAs that are shared with the antigens present in patients' tumor. In each case, tumor cells are utilized as the starting point on the premise that only tumor cells will contain TSAs or TAAs of relevance, and the tissue origins of the cells are matched to the tumor site in patients. A primary aspect of the invention is the use of immortalized normal, non-malignant cells as the basis of an allogeneic cell cancer vaccine. Normal cells do not possess TSAs or relevant concentrations of TAAs and hence it is surprising that normal cells are effective as anti-cancer vaccines. For prostate cancer, for example, a vaccine may be based on one or a combination of different immortalized normal cell lines derived from the prostate. The cell lines are lethally irradiated utilizing gamma irradiation at 50-300 Gy to ensure that they are replication incompetent prior to use in the mammal or human.
US08034359B2	Tissue targeted antigenic activation of the immune response to cancers The invention provides in part methods of treating cancers of a specific organ or tissue by administering a composition that is antigenically specific for one or more microbes that are pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue in which the cancer is situated. The formulations of the invention thereby facilitate activation of a treatment response to a cancer in a particular tissue or organ. The compositions may for example include killed or attenuated microbial pathogens, and may be administered at sites distant from the cancer, for example the skin. In some embodiments, microbial species of endogenous flora that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions. In alternative embodiments, exogenous microbial pathogens that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions. The administration of the immunogenic compositions may be repeated relatively frequently over a relatively long period of time. In embodiments for intradermal or subcutaneous injection, dosages may be adjusted so that injections reproduce a consistent visible delayed inflammatory immune reaction at the successive site or sites of administration.
US08034358B2	Surface antigen The invention provides a novel surface polypeptide from Neisseria meningitidis as well as nucleic acid and nucleic acid sequence homologues encoding this protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the polypeptide and nucleic acids of the invention are also disclosed as well as methods useful in the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of N. meningitidis infection.
US08034357B2	Treatment of fine wrinkles with clostridia neurotoxins Methods of using clostridial toxins and other biological agents to thin skin and control fine wrinkles in humans are provided. In preferred embodiments the methods provide beneficial effects in humans.
US08034355B2	Attenuated nonsegmented negative-sense RNA viruses with reduced mRNA cap methyltransferase activity comprising mutations within conserved domain VI of the large polymerase The invention relates to an attenuated non-segmented negative-sense RNA virus characterized by at least one mutation in the L gene wherein the mutation reduces viral replication, the methods of manufacturing and methods of use.
US08034342B2	Pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and therapeutic uses of antagonist antibodies to IL-17E The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17, IL-17 receptors and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.
US08034339B2	Prevention and treatment of amyloidogenic disease The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of amyloidogenic diseases. Such methods entail administering an agent that induces a beneficial immune response against an amyloid deposit in the patient. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In such methods, a suitable agent is Aβ peptide, active fragments thereof or an antibody thereto.
US08034334B2	Immunotherapy with in vitro-selected antigen-specific lymphocytes after non-myeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy A method of promoting the regression of a cancer in a mammal comprising: (i) administering to the mammal nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, and (ii) subsequently administering: (a) autologous T-cells, which have been previously isolated, selected for highly avid recognition of an antigen of the cancer, the regression of which is to be promoted, and rapidly expanded in vitro only once, and, either concomitantly with the autologous T-cells or subsequently to the autologous T-cells, by the same route or a different route, a T-cell growth factor that promotes the growth and activation of the autologous T-cells, or (b) autologous T-cells, which have been previously isolated, selected for highly avid recognition of an antigen of the cancer, the regression of which is to be promoted, modified to express a T-cell growth factor that promotes the growth and activation of the autologous T-cells, and rapidly expanded in vitro only once, whereupon the regression of the cancer in the mammal is promoted.
US08034332B2	Interleukin-secreting natural killer cell lines and methods of use This invention relates to a natural killer cell line termed NK-92 and to NK-92 cell lines that have been modified by transfection with a vector to confer advantageous properties. The invention provides a modified NK-92 cell line that is transfected with a vector encoding a cytokine that promotes the growth of NK-92 cells. In a significant embodiment, the cytokine is interleukin 2. The invention additionally provides a modified NK-92 cell line that is transfected with a vector that expresses a thymidine kinase gene. The invention further provides a modified NK-92 cell line that is transfected with a vector that expresses a β2 micrglobulin.
US08034331B2	Method of delivery of nucleic acids to peripheral neurons The invention provides for methods for delivering a nucleic acid into a peripheral neuron by identifying a target neuron in a dorsal root ganglion and intrathecally delivering a vector comprising the nucleic acid to the dorsal root ganglion neuron. The nucleic acid may encode a neurotrophic factor that may be used to treat a peripheral neuropathy or, in conjunction with a nerve guide conduit, to treat a transected peripheral nerve.
US08034328B2	Method for enhancing stem cell trafficking Consumption of blue-green algae, or extracts thereof, enhances trafficking or homing of stem cells in animals by inducing a transient increase in the population of stem cells present in the animal's circulatory system. The animal may be healthy or suffering some disease or physiological condition.
US08034322B2	Polyurethane dispersions based on polycarbonate polyols and suitable for use in personal care products The invention relates to a process for preparing an aqueous polyurethane dispersion suitable for use in personal care products, wherein the polyurethane is based on one or more polycarbonate polyols.
US08034321B2	Hydrogen production A method is described for producing a hydrogen-containing gas mixture from a suitable hydrocarbon-containing feed gas in a reformer, wherein at least part of the feed gas is diverted before it enters the reformer and is supplied to at least one secondary reformer, and wherein the feed gas is contacted with a nanostructured catalyst in the secondary reformer and the substantially CO and CO2 -free exhaust gases of the secondary reformer are either combined with the hydrogen-containing gas mixture which escapes the reformer or introduced into the reformer. Furthermore there is described the use of this method for producing high quality soots, nanoonions, nanohorns, nanofibers and/or nanotubes which adhere to the catalyst, and a device for producing a hydrogen-containing gas mixture from a suitable feed gas in a reformer which comprises a supply line with a super-heated-vapor line joining said supply line, and a discharge line.
US08034305B2	Container segment assembly A container segment assembly suitable for use with a carousel of an analytical instrument, including (a) a container rack having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the container rack capable of receiving containers in a substantially linear row and (b) a container segment having a frame. The frame has an arcuate shape, whereby the container segment can be mounted onto a corresponding arcuate portion of the carousel of the analytical instrument. The frame further defines a receptacle capable of receiving the container rack. The major dimension of the receptacle is substantially aligned as a chord of the arcuate-shaped frame of the container segment.
US08034304B2	Process vessel with integral evaporator A process vessel containing both an evaporation zone for evaporating a liquid feed and a treatment zone for treating the resulting vapor comprises an injector having an orifice, the orifice being in the evaporation zone, at least one evaporation surface for evaporating feed and generating vapor, the evaporation surface being located in the evaporation zone, wherein the injector orifice and the evaporation surface are positioned to prevent the formation of a drop at the orifice, a treatment zone for treating the vapor and at least one heater associated with at least a portion of the process vessel.
US08034301B2	Test paper and porous membrane A test paper includes a porous membrane capable of separating an object that should be filtered out of a sample by filtration, the porous membrane carrying a reagent capable of reacting with a specified component of the sample to result in coloring. The porous membrane includes a first layer having a surface on which the sample is supplied and a second layer having a surface at which sample percolation and measuring are effected, the first layer composed of large pore portions, the surface of the first layer consisting of a smooth surface having open pore portions, the second layer composed of minute pore portions the surface of the second layer consisting of a surface having open pore portions. The porous membrane has a thickness of 50 to 200 μm and a porosity of 60 to 95%.
US08034294B1	Medical monitoring/consumables tracking device The present invention generally provides medical monitoring devices, and corresponding systems, that includes at least one sensor for detecting usage of at least one consumable, an electronic controller electrically connected to the sensor to receive a signal therefrom produced when consumable usage is detected, and an electronic memory electrically connected to the controller for storing consumable usage data thereon. The medical monitoring device may further include at least one sensor for determining one or more physiological parameter of a subject and a display device for displaying the physiological parameter. The medical monitoring device may also include a communications unit for communicating stored data, such as usage and physiological parameter data, over a communication network to a remote computer.
US08034293B2	Automated diagnostic workstation A flexible diagnostic workstation comprises is equipped to read label information on well strips of loaded well plates and on loaded reagent kit holders, automatically perform the pre-analytical steps of an immuno-assay which consists of a sequence of operations in accordance with scheduled test requirements for each microwell, read the results according to either a standard singleplex ELISA or multiplex test format as indicated by the well strip label, and report the results.
US08034291B2	Feedback control in selective catalytic reduction An apparatus for introducing a reductant into an exhaust system is described. The apparatus includes a controller that generates a resulting dosing command used as an instruction to release an amount of reductant into the exhaust system. The controller includes a feedback control module that generates a weighing factor. The weighing factor is configured to be applied to a lower limit dosing command and configured to be applied to an upper limit dosing command, where the lower and upper limit dosing commands converted by the weighing factor are used by the controller to generate the resulting dosing command.
US08034289B2	Fluid treatment process and apparatus A water treatment process whereby heat is used and recaptured to pasteurize water and or sewage effluent. Contaminated waters are partially treatable utilizing bacterial and chemical processes; however some bacteria (e.g. Cryptosporidium and Giardia) are resistant to chemicals. The present process raises the temperature of the water to a desired pasteurization temperature and for a corresponding required length of time to destroy pathogens and viruses. A heat exchanger is employed to use the waste heat from the pasteurization tank to pre-heat the fluid entering the tank. After the initial heating of the tank, the pre-heating reduces the required heat to maintain the temperature of the tank. Make-up heat increases the temperature within a small temperature range. The make-up heat may be waste heat from a separate process.
US08034285B2	Quenching methods and apparatus One or more of the following quenching methods and apparatus: a quenching press for quenching a steel ring, a method of quenching a steel ring, a corresponding set of quenching dies for quenching steel rings, a die handling tool and related method to lift the corresponding set of quenching dies, and a die handling apparatus to load and unload dies to a quenching press.
US08034280B2	Balloon catheters and methods for manufacturing balloons for balloon catheters Catheters, balloons, and methods of manufacturing balloons for balloon catheters using lasers are disclosed. A catheter with a shaft sized for use with a 0.014 inch guide wire includes a polymeric balloon having a body portion with an inflated outer diameter of more than 6 millimeters. An inflatable balloon includes an inflated outer diameter to inner waist diameter ratio of 12.5 to 1. An inflatable polymeric balloon that has a body portion with two regions that have different molecular orientations is also provided. A method of processing an elongate polymeric material includes heating a portion of the polymeric material with a laser while longitudinally stretching the portion of the polymeric material. A method of manufacturing a balloon includes heating and longitudinally stretching a first and second portion of an elongate polymeric tube to form first and second end portion. The remaining body portion is radially expanded to form the balloon.
US08034277B2	Method and apparatus for pattern transfer, and annular recording medium An apparatus for transferring a pattern of minute surface structures, using a pair of press members which are located opposingly for movements toward and away from each other. One press member is adapted to support thereon a mold having on a transfer surface a master pattern of minute structures to be transferred, while the other press member is adapted to support thereon an annular substrate plate having a curable resin layer coated thereon and to press the resin layer against the transfer surface of the mold to transfer said minute structures to the resin layer. The mold is provided with a circular center hole defining at least three small-diameter segments and three large-diameter segments alternately and at uniform angular intervals along an inner periphery of the mold. The annular substrate plate has an inside diameter exactly matching with the small-diameter segments at the inner periphery of the mold.
US08034273B2	Method of producing a fibrous layer for the manufacture of a preform of a composite part The invention provides a method of making a fiber ply for forming a preform of a composite part in the form of a body of revolution having a non-developable surface, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in: defining an annular space (23) with first and second canvases (20, 21) respectively defining an inner periphery and an outer periphery thereof; placing fibers between the canvases (20, 21) by placing the fibers in the annular space in at least one direction and by holding said fibers on the canvases by stitching; implementing circular connection stitching in the vicinity of the inner periphery of the annular space (23); and cutting out the fiber ply as made in this way in the annular space (23) in order to extract it from the canvases.
US08034270B2	Polyhydroxyalkanoate medical textiles and fibers Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and/or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.
US08034268B2	Method for manufacturing lightweight composite fairing bar A lightweight composite fairing bar (14) for use in fabricating a composite component (16) of an aircraft. The fairing bar (14) includes a core (18) and an elongated outer shell (20) surrounding the core (18). The outer shell (20) is comprised of a laminate material, and the core (18) is comprised of epoxy syntactic foam having a lower density than that of the laminate material. The outer shell (20) is configured for supporting the composite component (16) during the manufacture of the same.
US08034267B2	Composite solid tire and method of producing same A composite solid tire, including a worn solid rubber tire having a remaining rubber layer, and a thermo-setting polyurethane elastomer layer which is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the rubber layer.
US08034266B2	Carbon foam from metallic salts of lignosulfonates A process for the production of an open-cell carbon foam from a metallic salt of a lignosulfonate is described. The process includes heating the metallic salt of a lignosulfonate from ambient temperature to a maximum temperature, greater than about 250° C., at a rate sufficiently slow as to provide for essentially uniform heating of the lignin derived material. Heating of the lignin derived material is performed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere having a pressure greater than about 100 psig. The resultant carbon foam can subsequently be optionally subjected to carbonization or graphitization temperatures as desired. The resultant carbon foam has a regular open-cell structure. Densities of the carbon foam products are commonly in the range of about 0.1 g/cm3 to 0.2 g/cm3. The carbon foams may also exhibit compressive strengths of up to about 200 psi. The carbon foam materials potentially have utility as lightweight thermal barriers and in many other of the applications associated with carbon foams.
US08034265B2	Dry mixture of an aggregate material, a molding process using the same, and a core mold There are provided a dry aggregate mixture wherein the binder, even when heated, does not evolve unpleasant odor or gas hazardous to human health; a method of foundry molding wherein a space for foundry molding, up to minute portion thereof, can satisfactorily be filled with an aggregate mixture composed of a binder and granular aggregate; and a method of foundry molding wherein the mold used in molding of an aggregate mixture composed of a binder and granular aggregate can retain satisfactory properties even in high humidity. In the method of foundry molding, a mold is formed by the use of a dry mixture obtained by providing an aggregate mixture composed of granular aggregate, a water soluble binder and water and evaporating the water contained in the aggregate mixture through heating, pressure reduction or aeration while mixing so as to effect separation into single granules, or with the addition of a lubricant and a crosslinking agent thereto.
US08034263B2	Multi-layer panel and method of manufacturing such a panel A method of manufacturing a multi-layer panel having a curved reflective and/or transmitting facing layer that includes the steps of increasing and/or decreasing pressure on a side of a thin membrane to form a pressure differential across the thin membrane that causes the thin membrane to deform to a required shape; applying a first layer of material to an outer surface of the thin membrane while the thin membrane is maintained in the required shape by the increase and/or decrease in pressure, and allowing the first layer of material to cure for a pre-determined time.
US08034255B2	Liquid crystal compositions This invention relates to a liquid crystal composition and articles comprising the composition. The composition comprises at least one compound of each of the Formulas (I), (II) and (III), as defined herein. A process for making the composition is also provided.
US08034251B2	Azeotropic compositions of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFC-1233xf), 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb), and hydrogen fluoride (HF) Provided are ternary azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf), 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb), and hydrogen fluoride (HF). Such azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions are useful as intermediates in the production of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf).
US08034246B2	Wastewater mercury removal process A method for removing ionic, organic and elemental mercury from aqueous streams such as wastewater streams from hydrocarbon processing. The method comprises four primary removal steps. First, a mercury precipitant is added to the stream to convert dissolved ionic species of mercury water-insoluble form. The majority of these precipitated solids, as well as other forms of particulate mercury, are subsequently removed by means of gas flotation. Following the flotation step, additional particulate and precipitated ionic mercury removal is accomplished with media filtration and finally, activated carbon acts to remove the remaining dissolved ionic mercury species as well as elemental and organic forms of mercury.
US08034243B2	Denitrification process The disclosed process and system are used for the denitrification of wastewater. The system comprises: an influent concentration analyzer for measuring an influent dissolved oxygen concentration, an influent nitrate concentration, and an influent nitrite concentration; and a feed chemical controller for providing a feed chemical at a controlled rate. The feed chemical controller is responsive to one or more output signals provided by an automated control loop that accepts input signals from the influent concentration analyzer, which input signals relate to at least two of the influent nitrate concentration, the influent nitrite concentration, and the influent dissolved oxygen concentration.
US08034239B2	Device for sample preparation This invention relates to a pipette tip or tube designed to perform biological or chemical sample preparation, purification or separation. The narrow end of the pipette tip is twisted in such a way that it forms a narrow spiral passage, which allows the retention of the chromatographic material in the pipette tip. The narrow spiral formed by twisting the capillary or the tube creates an opening that is large enough to permit the passage of fluids or smaller particles, but small enough to block the passage of solid materials or larger particles, The device described herein can be used for sample separation or purification using a vacuum, pressure, centrifugation, gravitation or other separation methods.
US08034236B1	Storm water filter system having a floating skimmer apparatus A floatable skimmer apparatus is movably attached in a storm water filter box with a pair of tracks attached in the housing chamber of the filter box. A floatable skimmer has a skimmer panel having floatation members attached to the inlet side of the storm water filter box for raising and lowering the skimmer panel responsive to the rise and fall of storm water in the housing chamber. Storm water is forced under the bottom of the floatable skimmer panel while blocking floatable debris from entering the housing chamber outlet. A floatable hydrocarbon absorbing boom is attached to the skimmer panel and floated independent thereof.
US08034231B2	Method for reducing hydrogen sulfide evolution from asphalt Hydrogen sulfide evolution from asphalt may be reduced or eliminated using an additive to act as a scavenger. Metal borate complexes when used as an additive in asphalt production, are an effective component in preventing or mitigating the evolution of hydrogen sulfide from asphalt.
US08034229B2	Process for cathodic protection of electrode material The invention is a process for cathodic protection of electrodes wherein negative bias is applied on the electrode. The negative bias is obtained by asymmetric current pulse, which is obtained by negative phase pulsing with higher amplitude than that of the anodic phase. The asymmetric current pulse is obtained by negative phase pulsing with wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The asymmetric current pulse may also be obtained by negative phase pulsing with both higher amplitude and wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The invention further relates to a process for cathodic protection of electrodes, wherein negative bias is applied on the electrode, and the negative bias is obtained by asymmetric current pulse, where the asymmetric current pulse is obtained by negative phase pulsing with wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The wider pulse width is obtained by pulse trains.
US08034227B2	Chemical process The invention relates to a process for the production of alkali metal chlorate comprising: providing an electrochemical cell comprising an anode and a cathode in separate anode and cathode compartments; contacting the cathode with an electrolyte comprising at least one organic mediator and one or more organic or mineral acids; reacting the organic mediator at the cathode to form at least one reduced form of the mediator; reacting the at least one reduced form of the mediator with oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide; contacting the anode with an anolyte comprising alkali metal chloride; reacting chloride at the anode to form chlorine that is hydrolyzed; and, reacting the hydrolyzed chlorine to form chlorate.
US08034225B2	Pulsed field gel electrophoresis chambers, accessories and methods of use for the separation of DNA molecules Methods of use, accessories and chambers, optimal for performing Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) of DNA molecules in ‘Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electric Field’ (CHEF) and ‘Transversal Alternating Field Electrophoresis’ (TAFE) systems, are provided herein. DNA molecules are rapidly separated in the minigels of these chambers. The sizes of chambers and accessories are determined by the separation between the opposite polarity electrodes; which is comprised between 6.2 and 15 cm. Reproducibility of molecule separation is achieved because the accessories warrant homogeneous electric resistance in the buffer and minigels. Chambers allow a high-throughput sample format using the reagents efficiently. It is attained excluding the non-useful electrophoresis zones. For a better optimization, TAFE chambers have several useful electrophoresis zones (UEZ), each carrying a minigel. One or more UEZ can be activated at will in the electrophoresis, to vary the number of minigels, the number of samples and the amount of buffer among the experiments. TAFE chambers having ‘inverted electrode configuration’ with the cathodes at their bottom are presented.
US08034222B2	Conducting polymer nanowire sensors Conducting polymer nanowires can be doped with analyte-binding species to create a nanowire that has a different conductivity depending on the presence or absence of the analyte.
US08034219B2	System and method for the production of hydrogen Disclosed herein are a system and a method for the production of hydrogen. The system advantageously combines an independent high temperature heat source with a solid oxide electrolyzer cell and a heat exchanger located between the cathode inlet and the cathode outlet. The heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molecular components such as hydrogen derived from the electrolysis. A portion of the hydrogen generated in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell is recombined with steam and recycled to the solid oxide electrolyzer cell. The oxygen generated on the anode side is swept with compressed air and used to drive a gas turbine that is in operative communication with a generator. Electricity generated by the generator is used to drive the electrolysis in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell.
US08034217B2	Liquid condensation system A liquid condensation system heats a liquid raw material under a decompressed circumstance and evaporates a volatile component from a liquid surface to condense the liquid raw material. Therefore, the liquid condensation system includes: liquid condensers, each of which condenses the liquid raw material; a vacuum pump that is in communication with the liquid condensers; and a warm water circulation system as a heating source that heats the liquid raw material in the liquid condensers. The volatile component evaporated in the liquid condensers is led to the outside of the liquid condensers through vapor lines. The condensed liquid that is not evaporated in the liquid condensers is led to the outside of the liquid condensers through condensed-liquid lines. Condensed-liquid-line adjusting valves are interposed on the condensed-liquid lines, and heaters are attached to the condensed-liquid lines. A control unit controls the heaters and the condensed-liquid-line adjusting valves.
US08034210B2	Apparatus and method for automatically fabricating tape with threads for visualization of air streams on aerodynamic surfaces Apparatus and method for visualizing air stream by little threads on aerodynamic surfaces such that strips of adhesive tape populated with threads are automatically fabricated.
US08034206B2	Method of fabricating flexible display device A method of fabricating a flexible display device, the method including applying a transparent adhesive layer on a carrier substrate, laminating a flexible substrate comprising a barrier layer on the transparent adhesive layer, forming a thin film transistor array on the flexible substrate, and separating the carrier substrate from the flexible substrate by irradiating a laser beam onto the barrier layer.
US08034205B2	Method for manufacturing a multimaterial component or construction A method for manufacturing a multimaterial component or construction, whereby a body is formed in said method of a basic material and at least one piece formed of a wear resistant material being joined to said body at a temperature of not more than 80% of the lowest melting temperature of the materials to be joined. The invention also comprises the use of a multimaterial component or construction manufactured by means of said method.
US08034204B2	Method and device for separating and removing rigid core for building tire Provided are a method and a device for efficiently separating and automatically removing a tire-building rigid core from the inside of the tire. After a core holding mechanism and upper and lower support plates are removed from a rigid core body that is disposed in the tire and composed of two types of segment groups, the tire is transferred onto a predetermined position on a support table, and positioned and fixed. Then, a first core separation/removal mechanism having been on standby below the center of the tire on the support table is raised to support the center of the inner wall surface of one type of the segment groups and horizontally pull the one type of the segment groups to the center side of the tire until it is separated from the inner surface of the tire. The separated segment group is lowered to the standby position below the center of the support table and is left on standby. Next, in the same way as above, the other type of the segment groups is separated from the inner surface of the tire and moved to a standby position by a second core separation/removal mechanism having been on standby at another standby position.
US08034200B2	Metallic glass with nanometer-sized pores and method for manufacturing the same A nanometer-sized porous metallic glass and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The porous metallic glass includes Ti (titanium) at 50.0 at % to 70.0 at %, Y (yttrium) at 0.5 at % to 10.0 at %, Al (aluminum) at 10.0 at % to 30.0 at %, Co (cobalt) at 10.0 at % to 30.0 at %, and impurities. Ti +Y+Al+Co+the impurities=100.0 at %.
US08034198B2	Austenitic stainless steel tube for boiler with excellent resistance to high temperature steam oxidation The present invention relates to an austenitic stainless steel tube for boiler, used for superheater or reheater in thermal power plant, giving excellent resistance to high temperature steam oxidation, in particular to an austenitic stainless steel tube containing 16 to 20% Cr by weight, and being cold-worked at the inner surface of the tube. The Cr concentration in the vicinity of the inner surface of the steel tube is 14% by weight or larger, and the hardness at 100 μm depth from the inner surface of the steel tube is 1.5 times or larger the average hardness of the mother material or is HV 300 or larger.
US08034192B2	Method and system for collecting paper dust Methods and systems for collecting dust produced in paper making involve an air inlet passage including an opening to receive dust laden air. The opening to the inlet passage may have a width approximately equal to a width of a paper web in a paper making machine. The air inlet passage is devoid of water injection. The dust collector may include a central vortex chamber and may be defined by an outer wall and an internal guide vane. There may be a water injector mounted in the outer wall and injecting water into the central vortex chamber, and there may be a discharge outlet of the central vortex chamber connectable to a water and air separator.
US08034188B2	Method for cleaning surface of resin layer A method for cleaning a surface of a resin layer capable of sufficiently improving peel strength of a metal film formed by plating on a surface which is roughened by performing a desmear treatment on a resin layer containing a resin added with a large amount of filler is provided.
US08034184B2	Fluid absorbent tape A method for controlling the flow of a fluid on a surface. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a fluid absorbent tape that includes an absorbent material, a fluid permeable cover enclosing the absorbent material to form an elongated fluid absorbent tape, and a separating structure that is formed in a transverse direction across the elongated fluid absorbent tape and the absorbent material. The separating structure divides the elongated tape into first and second sections. The first section of fluid absorbent tape is separable from the second section of fluid absorbent tape along the separating structure. Also in some embodiments, the method further includes separating a desired length of the first section of fluid absorbent tape from the second section at said separating structure, placing the first section on the surface, and contacting the first section with the fluid to be controlled so that the absorbent material forms a physical barrier to the flow of fluid.
US08034181B2	Plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber encased in a vacuum vessel equipped with an evacuator; a sample stage located in the processing chamber and having an upper surface on which a sample as an object to be processed rests; a gas feeding unit for feeding processing gas into the processing chamber; a plurality of refrigerant ducts which are laid out in the internal of the sample stage and through which liquid refrigerant flows and can be evaporated; a cooling circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and a set of pipelines to connect the compressor, the condenser and the expansion valve in this order; and a selecting unit for selectively feeding the refrigerant through the plural refrigerant ducts in the different steps of the processing. The sample is processed by using plasma while the temperature of the sample stage is being controlled by the cooling circuit.
US08034179B2	Method for insulating film formation, storage medium from which information is readable with computer, and processing system In order to form an insulating film, which constitutes a flat interface with silicon, by CVD, a surface of silicon is oxidized to form a silicon oxide film using a plasma treatment apparatus in which microwaves are introduced into a chamber through a flat antenna having a plurality of holes. A silicon oxide film is formed as an insulating film on the silicon oxide film by CVD. Further, in the plasma treatment apparatus, a treating gas containing a noble gas and oxygen is introduced into the chamber, and, further, microwaves are introduced into the chamber through the flat antenna. Plasma is generated under a pressure in the range of not less than 6.7 Pa and not more than 533 Pa to modify the insulating film with the plasma.
US08034169B2	Air cleaner An air cleaner that is capable of efficiently and effectively purifying and humidifying air. An air flow passage from air filters (4, 5) to a blower (8) is branched to first and second air flow passages (31, 32), and then these air flow passages join. A humidifying filter (14) is disposed in the first air flow passage (31), and a movable plate (35) for opening and closing the humidifying filter is disposed in the second air flow passage (32). The air cleaner comprises a control part (40) for controlling the opening and closing operation of the movable plate (35) and the rotating operation of the blower (8). A recess containing the air filters (4, 5) is formed in the front of the body (2) of the air cleaner. An air flow passage extending from under the recess to the back of the recess and bent upward is horizontally partitioned into upper and lower parts by a partition wall (27) to form the first air flow passage (31) and the second flow passage (32) in this order from the bottom. The movable plate (35) is a flat plate rotated around a pivotal axis (36) formed along one lateral side.
US08034167B2	Buffer tank, intermediate accumulation apparatus, liquid treatment apparatus, and supplying method of treating liquid A buffer tank for use in a liquid treatment apparatus applying a liquid treatment to a substrate surface by supplying thereto a treating liquid from a nozzle, the buffer tank is provided in a flow path of the treating liquid from a supply tank of the liquid to the nozzle, the buffer tank including an inlet port for introducing the treating liquid supplied from the supply tank into a buffer tank body, a first accumulation region in the buffer tank body for holding the treating liquid introduced into the buffer tank, a first vent port for discharging bubbles accumulated in the first accumulation region, a filter through which the treating liquid in the first accumulation region passes, the filter filtering the treating liquid, and a supplying port for supplying the treating liquid filtered with the filter to the nozzle.
US08034165B2	Single-crystalline organic carboxylic acid metal complex, process for producing the same, and use thereof A large single crystal of a complex such as an organic carboxylic acid metal complex, which crystal is useful as an adsorbent of various gases and vapors of organic solvents and as a hydrogen-absorbing material, as well as a process for producing the crystal, is disclosed. Two layers wherein an upper layer thereof is constituted by a solution containing a metal salt and an organic carboxylic acid having a conjugated system, or a solution containing a metal salt of the organic carboxylic acid having a conjugated system, and wherein a lower layer of the two layers is constituted by a solvent which is not miscible with the solvent of the solution, is formed. Vapor of pyrazine or a substituted pyrazine from a solution of pyrazine or the substituted pyrazine is introduced into the upper layer to allow reaction, thereby forming a large single crystal(s) of the organic carboxylic acid metal complex at the interface between the two layers, which crystal(s) has(have) a longer side with a size of not less than 0.8 mm.
US08034164B2	Methods and apparatus for improved control of PSA flow variations A pressure swing adsorption process including the step of separating a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in an adsorbent mass provided within each vessel of a plurality of vessels. The separating step has a single pressure equalization cycle. The separating step is preferably performed with only four valves per vessel of the plurality of vessels. Additionally, a pressure swing adsorption system of the invention includes a plurality of vessels each containing therein an adsorbent mass configured to separate a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in said adsorbent mass, where the system is configured to separate the gas mixture using a single pressure equalization cycle and includes only four valves per vessel of the plurality of vessels.
US08034158B2	Method of manufacturing Fe and Ni containing material, ferronickel mass using the Fe and Ni containing material and method for manufacturing the ferronickel mass There are provided a method of manufacturing an Fe/Ni-containing material having a low content of sulfur (S) from an Fe/Ni/SO4-containing liquid waste, a ferronickel mass using the Fe/Ni-containing material, and a method of manufacturing the ferronickel mass. The method of manufacturing an Fe/Ni-containing material from an Fe/Ni-containing liquid waste includes: removing SO4 from an Fe/Ni/SO4-containing liquid waste by adding an SO4 neutralizing agent to the liquid waste so that pH of the liquid waste can be maintained to a pH level of 0.5 to 2.5; precipitating Fe and Ni in the form of hydroxide [(Ni,Fe)(OH)] by adding NaOH to the SO4-free solution; washing the precipitate with water; and manufacturing an Ni/Fe-containing material by filtering and drying the washed Ni/Fe-containing sludge. The method of manufacturing an Fe/Ni-containing material may be useful to suitably apply to the field of recycling of waste acids since an Fe/Ni-containing pellet and a high purity plaster are recovered as the stainless steel material from the waste water at the same time.
US08034157B2	Method and device for charging feedstock A method and a device for charging feedstock, in particular coke or ore, and optionally separated fines of feedstock, for processing in a metallurgical vessel, to produce metal or primary metal products. The device includes a charging mechanism, which has a conveying device and at least one feeding device for supplying to the charging mechanism. The conveying device has an outlet opening which can be guided along an inwardly directed spiral during the charging into the vessel, to set a predefined coverage in the vessel. Charged materials can thereby be positioned precisely in the vessel, and it is possible for fines to be uniformly distributed in the circumferential region.
US08034156B2	Method for producing decomposer of organic halogenated compounds A method for producing a decomposer of an organic halogenated compound comprises subjecting an iron powder produced beforehand to plastic deformation that gives the iron powder particles a flat shape. Further, an iron powder and a copper salt powder are mechanically mixed in a ball mill to produce a copper salt-containing iron particle powder in which the particles of the two powders are joined. In this case, the method for producing the decomposer of an organic halogenated compound is characterized in that the iron powder is mechanically deformed to give the particles a flat shape.
US08034151B2	Method for removing boron from silicon The present invention provides a method for removal of boron from metal silicon inexpensively and extremely efficiently by a simple method, specifically, heating metal silicon containing boron as an impurity to its melting point to 2200° C. to place it in a molten state, then adding a solid mainly comprised of silicon dioxide and a solid mainly comprised of one or both of a carbonate of an alkali metal or a hydrate of a carbonate of an alkali metal into said molten silicon so as to form a slag and remove the boron in the silicon.
US08034142B2	Gas/liquid separator A gas/liquid separator is provided in which separation performance for fluid into gas and liquid is enhanced. A gas/liquid separator includes a body which separates a circulation gas into water and hydrogen gas in a separating space, a supply port from which the circulation gas flows into the inner space, the supply port being provided on the side wall surface forming the separating space, and a discharge port through which the separated hydrogen gas flows out of the separating space, the discharge port being provided on the side wall surface. In this case, the discharge port is provided above the supply port.
US08034140B2	Configuration of a cyclone assembly and surface cleaning apparatus having same A cyclone separator useable in a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone casing defining a cyclone chamber and having first and second opposed ends and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends. A transition member is provided adjacent the end of the cyclone casing distal to the fluid inlet. The transition member has an inner surface the extends inwardly between the sidewall and the distal end.
US08034139B2	Cartridge element for a dust collector A dust collector using a cartridge element, downsized, capable of effectively performing brushing away, and simple in structure and handling. The cartridge element has a flat plate shape as a whole, and is constituted of a flat filter (1) made from a sheet-like filtration material pleated and formed into a tubular shape, a cap (2) and an upper end member (3) that hold openings, perpendicular to the fold lines of the pleats, in a flat plate shape, and a reinforcement member (4) that is a resin pipe or round bar provided laterally across the flat filter (1). All parts used are of a burnable resin.
US08034138B2	Indoor unit of air conditioner An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a filter member for trapping dust; a dust removing mechanism for removing the dust from the filter member; and a dust container for containing the dust removed from the filter member. The indoor unit further includes a container lifting/lowering mechanism for lifting/lowering the dust container relative to a casing; and a drive unit capable of alternatively performing removal operation by engaging with a dust removing mechanism to drive the dust removing mechanism, and lifting/lowering operation by engaging with a container lifting/lowering mechanism to drive the container lifting/lowering mechanism.
US08034134B2	Spiral microreformer assembly A design for a microchannel steam microreformer has been developed to provide power in conjunction with a micro fuel cell for a portable, low-power device. The design is optimized for low pumping power and rapid operation as well as thermal efficiency, overall size, and complete generation of the available hydrogen. The design includes at least one microchannel having a grooved surface with a continuous groove oriented in a spiral configuration.
US08034123B2	Boosting cleaning power of detergents by means of a polymer Textiles are washed by a method comprising contacting the textile with a cleaning composition comprising a copolymer comprising styrene, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and methyl acrylate.
US08034118B2	Implantable digestive tract organ An implantable digestive organ is provided for the transport of materials through the digestive tract and in one particular application to an artificial large bowel for replacing all or part of a colon or large bowel. The prosthetic organ of one embodiment includes an outer support structure, an expandable member or members located within the outer support structure, and a flexible inner member forming a conduit for the passage of material. The flexible inner member is located within the outer member and the expandable member or members are located between the inner member and the outer support structure. The expandable members are expanded and contracted, or inflated and deflated to provide a pumping action that pumps the material through the organ. The prosthesis may also include valves or sphincters at the entrance and/or exit points of the organ where material moves into and out of the prosthesis. An implantable pump unit may be included for inflating and deflating the expandable members according to a desired sequence.
US08034111B2	Adjustable vertebral spacer for vertebral reconstruction An adjustable vertebral spacer includes a spacer body, a movable member coupled to the spacer body, an adjustment ring mounted on the spacer body and rotatable to move the movable member and to further adjust the combined height of the spacer body and the movable member, a lock ring mounted on the spacer body for locking the movable member to the adjustment ring, and a top endplate coupled to the movable member at the top and tiltable to fit the angle of the adjacent upper vertebral body during surgery operation.
US08034108B2	Intraocular lens having a haptic that includes a cap An intraocular lens is disclosed, with an adjustable optic that changes shape in response to a deforming force exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic supports the optic around its equator and couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. The haptic may include a cap on the anterior and/or posterior surfaces of the lens. The lens may include a force transfer member, such as a hinge, that couples forces from the haptic to the cap, so that a radial force on the haptic changes the curvature of the cap. The haptic and optic may be refractive index-matched. The cap may be made of the haptic material, which is stiffer than the optic material, and can influence the deformation of the lens during accommodation. A cap on the anterior surface may produce an axial movement of the lens in an anterior direction during accommodation. The cap may also protect the surfaces of the optic during handling and installation. The posterior surface of the lens may be shaped so that it does not significantly offset the contributions of the anterior surface during accommodation.
US08034107B2	Accommodating intraocular lens An Accommodating Intraocular Lens (AIOL) is disclosed herein, that is comprised of a flexible optic and a flexible haptic rim that conforms to the human eye capsule. The spherical or custom shape of the optic is engineered to be maintained during accommodation through the mechanical/optic design of the implant and the interaction between the implant and the naturally occurring position and actuating forces applied through ciliary muscle/zonules/and capsule as the brain senses the need to increase the diopter change or magnification when an object of fixation approaches the eye. The axial relocation or position of the AIOL may also be further adjusted anatomically to further improve the affect needed to achieve improved accommodation. Optionally, the accommodating intraocular lens is foldable or injectable for delivery of the lens into the eye.
US08034106B2	Interfacial refraction accommodating lens (IRAL) This invention relates to intraocular lenses. More particularly, this invention relates to intraocular lenses that have the ability to alter the light refractive power in response to changes in the tension of the ciliary muscle or ciliary body of the eye or any other accommodative forces. Lenses of this invention are generally referred to as interfacial, i.e., lens properties being defined as the interface of two liquids having different refractive indices, refractive accommodating lenses (IRAL).
US08034105B2	Ophthalmic implant for treatment of glaucoma A method is provided for increasing the outflow of fluid through Schlemm's canal that is useful for treatment of glaucoma. The implant is placed in Schlemm's canal by use of a flexible delivery instrument attached to the implant. The instrument and implant are positioned within the canal, the implant is released and the distal and proximal ends of the implant are connected to apply sufficient axial tensioning force on the inner wall of the canal to increase fluid permeability. In another embodiment a delivery instrument attached to the implant is positioned in the canal securing one of the distal or proximal ends of the implant within the canal. The implant provides sufficient axial tensioning force on the inner wall of the canal to increase fluid permeability of the inner wall of the canal. The other of the distal or proximal ends may be secured to maintain the tensioning force on the inner wall of the canal.
US08034103B2	Annuloplasty prosthesis with an auxetic structure An annuloplasty prosthesis including an inner tubular member having a lateral wall and exhibiting auxetic behavior when subject to a tensile stress along the longitudinal axis of at least one of its portions. The auxetic behavior may be obtained by perforating the tubular member with apertures of desired shape, thus obtaining, for instance, re-entrant honeycomb cell structures or cell structures with two-dimensional chiral symmetry.
US08034102B2	Aortic annuloplasty ring An annuloplasty ring to resize a dilated aortic root during valve sparing surgery includes a scalloped space frame having three trough sections connected to define three crest sections. The annuloplasty ring is mounted outside the aortic root, and extends in height between a base plane and a spaced apart commissure plane of the aortic root. At least two adjacent trough sections are coupled by an annulus-restraining member or tether that limits the maximum deflection of the base of the annuloplasty ring. In use, the tether is preferably located in proximity to the base plane of the aortic root. The annuloplasty ring is movable between a first, substantially conical configuration occurring during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, and a second, substantially cylindrical configuration occurring during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. The attachment of the annuloplasty ring in proximity to the cardiac valve annulus allows the ring to regulate the dimensions of a dynamic aortic root during the different phases of the cardiac cycle.
US08034101B2	Magnesium-based biodegradable metallic material As a novel biodegradable metallic material the degradation speed of which in vivo can be controlled over a broad scope while achieving desired mechanical properties such as strength, work hardening and ductility without restricting the shape of an implant device, it is intended to provide a magnesium-based biodegradable metallic material which comprises Mg containing Mg as the major composition and having a concentration of inevitable impurities equal to or less than 0.05 atomic %, is free from precipitates or intermetallic compounds, and has an average grain size being regulated to equal to or less than ¼ of the minimum part of the material.
US08034100B2	Graft deployment system A graft deployment system, comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body, having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising an outer sheath and an inner core that is axially moveable with respect to the outer sheath. A main vessel graft restraint comprising a first peelable cover for restrains a main vessel portion of a graft. In a bifurcated graft, a first branch vessel graft restraint restrains a first branch vessel portion of the graft. A second branch vessel graft restraint restrains a second branch vessel portion of the graft. The first peelable cover is coupled to a main branch release element and wherein each of the main vessel graft restraint, first branch vessel graft restraint, and the second branch vessel graft restraint are positioned within the catheter body in a graft loaded condition.
US08034099B2	Stent prosthesis having select flared crowns A generally tubular, cylindrical stent prosthesis has an unexpanded delivery configuration and an expanded configuration for contacting the vessel wall. The stent prosthesis has a plurality of adjacent stent struts, each stent strut having a wavelike or sinusoidal pattern of straight segments and crowns. A Y-shaped member is attached to one or more crowns to cause the crowns to flare outwardly at an angle from the cylindrical stent body when the stent is expanded. Upon expansion of the stent, the crown(s) having Y-shaped members attached thereto are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis and radially flare from the cylindrical stent body. The flared crowns anchor the stent within the vessel by protruding into the vessel wall and/or seating the stent within an ostium.
US08034097B2	Radially expandable vessel support The invention relates to a radially expandable vessel support which comprises a multitude of zigzag shaped annular elements (2, 3), interconnected in a flexible way by bending elements. Said annular elements define a vessel support (1) with a proximal and a distal end and a longitudinal axis, where the zigzag shaped annular elements (2, 3) are arranged side by side across the longitudinal axis of the vessel support (1), where zigzag shaped annual elements (2, 3) are linked to at least one further annual element by means of at least one bending element which is comprised either of a pair of S-shaped bars (20, 21) or of a pair of bow shaped bars (4, 5) which are located diametrically on the circumference and whose apertures show into opposite directions.
US08034095B2	Intraluminal system for retrieving an implantable medical device An intraluminal system for retrieving an implantable medical device from a body vessel includes, according to one embodiment, a grasping component including at least one deployable arm, where a proximal end of the arm is configured to extend away from a longitudinal axis of the system when deployed, and a first sheath disposed adjacent to the grasping component, where the first sheath includes a radially expandable portion at a distal end thereof. A second sheath overlies the first sheath and the grasping component. Relative motion between the second sheath and the grasping component allows the proximal end of the deployable arm to be deployed for grasping a distal portion of an implantable medical device, and relative motion between the second sheath and the first sheath allows the expandable portion of the first sheath to radially expand to receive a proximal portion of the implantable medical device.
US08034094B2	Stent delivery system and stent delivery method A stent delivery system includes a tubular stent which is retained in a body cavity of a living body; a pusher tube, whose distal end contacts with a proximal end of the stent, which pushes and moves the stent to a distal end side; a filament which connects the stent with the pusher tube by the proximal end side of the filament being engaged with the pusher tube and by the distal end side of the filament stretching to the stent side so as to penetrate the peripheral wall of the stent; an engaging member which is engaged with a distal end portion of the filament penetrating the peripheral wall of the stent, and which keeps the connecting condition between the stent and the pusher tube by the filament; and a pulling member which pulls a distal end side of the filament into a proximal end side of the pusher tube when the engagement between the engaging member and the filament is released and the connection between the stent and the pusher tube is released.
US08034086B2	Polyaxial screw The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.
US08034084B2	Spinal stabilization systems and methods A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. The collar may be rotated and/or angulated relative to the bone fastener. Detachable members may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The detachable members may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars.
US08034082B2	Transverse fixation device for spinal fixation systems A transverse fixation device is disclosed. The device includes one or more connecting bodies disposed substantially between two elongate rods. Each connecting body includes a receptacle that is capable of engaging with the two elongate rods. A c-ring comprising an outer surface having a spherical curvature is also included. A third rod may be inserted into the c-ring. A clamp included in the connecting bodies may then be disposed about the c-ring and third rod to allow the connecting bodies to slidingly engage with the third rod.
US08034080B2	Percutaneous spinal implants and methods A method includes moving a spinal implant such that a central portion of the spinal implant is disposed between adjacent spinous processes, radially extending a proximal portion of the spinal implant on a first side of the adjacent spinous processes such that movement of the proximal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited, and radially extending a distal portion of the spinal implant on a second side of the adjacent spinous processes opposite the first side such that movement of the distal portion between the adjacent spinous processes is inhibited.
US08034079B2	Implants and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of a spinal motion segment An implant assembly for stabilizing a spinal motion segment includes a spacer member positionable between adjacent spinous processes and upper and lower engaging members extending from the spacer member. The upper and lower engaging members engage at least one lamina to resist flexion of the spinal motion segment.
US08034075B2	Tethered coil for treatment of body lumens Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for removable of undesired material from body lumens. The apparatus may be used for fragmenting or removing a thrombus or occlusion from a blood vessel. The apparatus includes first shape segments and second shape segments connected to form a coiled member. A longitudinally extending tether is positioned inside the first shape segments and outside the second shape segments along the length of the coil. Applying a proximal force on the tether produces a change in the shape of at least a portion of the coil from a first generally linear configuration to a second complex three dimensional shape. A method of using the apparatus to engage and remove, or fragment, the thrombus or occlusion is disclosed.
US08034068B2	Compact multi-use lancing device A multi-use micro-sampling or lancing device having an outer housing, a lancet holder that engages a lancet and constrains the lancet along a controlled and pre-defined path of travel during the lancing stroke, and a drive mechanism with a pair of opposed, off-axis torsion springs working in tandem to drive and return the lancet holder through its lancing stroke.
US08034063B2	Methods and systems for treating hiatal hernias The present invention relates generally to medical methods and systems used to restore the angle of His and treat hiatal hernias and other conditions of the lower esophagus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system that allows fixation of the distal esophagus and fundus of the stomach directly to the diaphragmatic crus muscle. The present invention provides a method where the diaphragmatic crus muscle is identified and precisely located from within and through the gastrointestinal lumen followed by the placement of a translumenal anchor which connects and secures the esophagus and stomach to the diaphragmatic crus muscle. This procedure reduces the hiatal hernia, restores the normal anatomy and treats conditions associated with the lower esophagus.
US08034062B2	Methods and devices for placement of an intra-abdominal or intra-thoracic appliance through a natural body orifice Natural orifice transenteric surgical methods and devices for placing a semi-circumferential appliance around a hollow bodily organ such as the stomach. In one alternative embodiment, such an appliance is placed in order to reduce the inner volume of the stomach.
US08034058B2	Tibial cement skirt assembly An assembly for use in fixing a first component of a joint prosthesis, having a bone facing surface and an exposed surface which faces towards a second component of the joint prosthesis when implanted on a patient's bone. The assembly includes a skirt which can be temporarily fixed to the edge of the first component extending along the edge thereof from a remote portion of the edge to an accessible portion of the edge. The skirt provides at least one opening through which cement located between the bone facing surface of the component and the surface of the bone can be displaced. The opening is located so that cement is prevented from being displaced at the remote portion of the edge and is instead displaced at the accessible portion of the edge.
US08034057B2	Apparatus for, and method of, preparing for and inserting hip joint prosthesis using computer guidance A cup for a hip replacement is disposed in a first relationship in an operating room with an object providing a sighting for the cup rotation in a first plane. The cup is thereafter rotated in the first plane through a first angle (e.g., 20°-30°). The cup is then disposed in a planar relationship in the operating room with another object providing a sighting for the cup rotation in a second plane transverse (e.g. perpendicular) to the first plane. The cup is subsequently rotated through a second angle (e.g. 40°-45°) in the second plane. In this way, the cup is properly positioned in the acetabulum socket. The length of the leg receiving the hip rotation is then adjusted so that the leg length matches the length of the patient's other leg. This adjustment is provided without affecting the offset position of the center of the ball on the femur.
US08034056B2	Guide assembly for intramedullary fixation and method of using the same An intramedullary fixation assembly usable with different long bone types and a guide assembly for guiding deployment of the intramedullary fixation assembly. The intramedullary fixation assembly includes a fixation member that has ends and a curved body extending between the ends. The curved body of the fixation member has a radius of curvature configured to extend through the medullary canal regardless of the long bone anatomy. Fasteners fix the fixation member to the bone fragments and are guided by a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a guide body defining openings configured to guide the fasteners through openings defined in the fixation member and into the bone fragments. A fixation end of the guide body includes a pair of opposing, converging surfaces that are configured to engage in a positive fit with an exposed end of the fixation member accessible through the side aperture in the first fragment.
US08034053B2	Vacuum coagulation and dissection probes A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.
US08034050B2	Catheter with microfabricated temperature sensing A catheter with temperature sensing has a catheter body and a tip section with an integrated thermosistive temperature sensor on its outer surface. The temperature sensor includes a microfabricated thin film assembly of which one layer is a sensor layer of thermoresistive material. In one embodiment, the tip section has a flexible tubing with a temperature sensor on its outer surface. In another embodiment, the tip section has an extended tip electrode with a temperature sensor on its outer surface.
US08034049B2	System and method for measuring initial tissue impedance An electrosurgical system and method are disclosed. The system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The generator is further adapted to supply an electrical signal having at least one substantially constant value to tissue to determine initial tissue impedance response. The generator includes sensor circuitry adapted to continuously monitor initial tissue impedance response, wherein the initial tissue impedance response includes one of an initial impedance, an impedance drop, an impedance minimum and a first impedance rise. The generator also includes a microprocessor adapted to generate at least one tissue parameter based as a function of the initial impedance, the impedance drop, the impedance minimum and the first impedance rise. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue for treatment.
US08034047B2	Catheter connection hub Fluid communication to an end of a catheter is afforded through a connection hub selectively attachable thereto. The connection hub includes a catheter-receiving element and a fluid-coupling element that are relatively rotatable coaxially between one of two states by way of a determinant assembly feature. The first state is an unlocked state and the second state is a locked state. The unlocked state is for determinately receiving a catheter and the locked state is for determinately securing the catheter. A method of making a connection hub is also provided.
US08034046B2	Medical devices including shape memory materials Medical devices, such as catheters, including shape memory materials, are provided, as well as related methods of making and using such medical devices.
US08034041B2	Port closure system for intravenous fluid container A port closure system for use with a fluid container having fluid ports includes administrative and additive port closure assemblies. The administrative assembly receives a piercing pin and includes an administrative housing which seals closed one fluid port. A sleeve extends from an interior surface past a base surface in the administrative housing. The sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion, of differing diameters. A cap assembly mates with the administrative housing, sealing the interior surface of the administrative housing. A removable cap provides access to the interior surface. The additive assembly receives a needle and includes a reseal housing which seals closed another fluid port. Another cap assembly mates with the reseal housing, sealing an interior face of the reseal housing. Another removable cap provides access to the interior face. A reseal element is mechanically retained between the reseal housing and cap assembly.
US08034036B2	Portable eye flushing system and method Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter that fits over a convenient water source. The adapter includes a tube that provides a passageway for the fluid to reach the top of the adapter. At the top, there is an eye-cup with an internal delivery means for directing the fluid to a user's eye. In this manner, a user can flush their eye in a convenient, portable, and clean manner.
US08034028B2	Administration feeding set An administration feeding set for use with a flow control apparatus to deliver fluid from at least one fluid source to a patient. The set includes tubing for flow of fluid along a fluid pathway and a mounting member on the tubing adapted to engage the flow control apparatus. The mounting member has at least two receiving portions co-axial with the fluid pathway. The set also includes one or more identification members selectively positioned on one or more of the at least two receiving portions of the mounting member to permit identification of the administration feeding set as having a particular functional configuration different from another functional configuration.
US08034027B2	Infusion pump with phase separator An infusion pump comprising a substance and pushing fluid inlet, a substance outlet, a central chamber communicating with said inlet and said outlet, and injecting means for injecting a substance into a biological object, wherein the infusion pump further includes a pushing fluid outlet in communication with the central chamber in such a way as to allow a pushing fluid to exhaust the pump. The outlet of the infusion pump is advantageously connected to the proximal end of a catheter, the distal end being inserted into the biological object. A sensor, e.g., an optical device, is preferably placed at the outlet of the infusion pump and checks that the outlet is free of gas. The infusion pump is preferably remotely controlled so that it can be placed in limited access locations. It is also preferably computer controlled.
US08034024B2	Needle containing medical device with variable locking to needle holder A needle containing medical device having a retractable needle [90], the device comprising an outer body [93], an inner member [97] which can slide within the outer body, a releasable needle holder [91] in a front portion of the outer body, a needle attached to the needle holder, the inner member being provided with a series of spaced needle holder engaging means [108], and the needle holder being provided with a series of spaced inner member engaging means [108] thereby enabling the inner member to be attached to the needle holder at at least one of the series of engaging means.
US08034022B2	Weeping balloon catheter Multiple-balloon catheters, and methods of treatment therewith, are provided including an inflatable inner balloon at least partially enclosed by an expandable outer balloon that has holes. The annular space between the inner balloon and the outer balloon is configured to promote delivery of the fluid evenly through holes in the outer balloon to avoid problems of underloading and/or overloading. Preferably, the annular space is in communication with the holes, and the annular space is configured to receive and then to release and distribute the fluid via the holes in a substantially uniform manner such that even amounts of fluid are released in the distal and proximal holes. The inner balloon may have various configurations including being tapered relative to the outer balloon. The outer balloon may also be tapered accordingly. The device may also include raised portions disposed in the annular space and configured to define channels having various configurations.
US08034021B2	Manifold hub for patient fluid administration The present invention concerns a housing for supporting the proximal inlet ports of at least two isolated lumens, for use in a patient fluid administration system, wherein each of the lumens further comprises a distal outlet for connecting to at least one patient fluid administration member, and wherein the housing further comprises an integral unit, wherein the unit comprises a distal frame layer, a female connector layer, for connecting to at least one of the fluid peripheral elements and at least one intermediate gasket layer for providing sealing between each of the isolated lumens.
US08034018B2	Surgical system having means for stopping vacuum pump The present invention provides a surgical system 10 for aspiration of a biological material comprising a source of irrigation fluid 24, a collection cassette 30, a pump 40 for creating a vacuum in the collection cassette 30, a handpiece 50 applied to a surgical area for infusing irrigation fluid and for aspirating a biological material, conduits 60 and 62 connecting the handpiece to each of the source of irrigation fluid and the collection cassette, and means 70 for stopping the pump and preventing creation of vacuum within the conduit 62 and collection cassette 30 after receiving a stop signal.
US08034017B2	Method and apparatus for home dialysis A system, process, and method for home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis to be carried out by the patient or other non-professional users based upon re-circulation of dialysate from small dialysate containers which allows for very small dialysate consumption and easy portability. The system thereby also allow for long-duration dialysis without use of large volumes of dialysate. The invention may be implemented as a hemodialysis system, a process for administering dialysate, or as a method for performing dialysis.
US08034012B2	Nail brace applicator The nail brace applicator serves for the application of a strip-shaped and leaf-spring-like nail brace onto a nail of a toe or finger. It comprises an elongated main body extending in a longitudinal direction, having a first end face extending approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and having a first application zone with a first application surface formed by the first end face. Additionally, the nail brace applicator comprises a mounting element for releasably mounting the nail brace to be applied on the first application surface.
US08034008B2	Access port for flexible wound treatment devices A limb wound treatment device is described having a first end, a second end and an interior therebetween for accommodating a treatment gas. The device can include a flexible housing that can be inflated. The first end can include an inflatable cuff seal for hermetically sealing against the limb being treated. The second end can include a closed end or an access port that is releasably sealed with a clamping mechanism. Further, the device can include a controller that can inflate that housing, inflate the cuff seal and provide treatment gas to the interior, in response to pressures within the cuff seal and the housing. Further, the device can accommodate different types of wound treatments, such as hyperbaric therapy, compression therapy or negative pressure therapy.
US08034003B2	Tissue extraction and collection device Methods and device for extracting and collecting tissue, which can be used for example in tissue engineering and grafting applications, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device can include an outer tube. A rotatable shaft can be disposed within the outer tube can have a tissue harvesting tip formed on its distal end, the tissue harvesting tip being effective to excise tissue upon rotation thereof. A tissue collection device can be included to receive and collected excised tissue, and the tissue collection device can indicate the amount of tissue collected therein. For example, the tissue collection device can include a straining element which collects excised tissue and an indicator by which to assess the amount of collected tissue. In some embodiments, the tissue collection device can translate to indicate the amount of collected tissue. In many cases, devices disclosed herein can include driving mechanisms that are adapted to drive a tissue harvesting tip such that the tip excises soft tissue, but stops when contacting bone (or soon after contacting bone). In some embodiments, the tissue harvesting tip can be effective to excise viable tissue samples, such that the samples can exhibit desirable proportions of viable cells. Further, in some embodiments, the tissue harvesting tips can excise a tissue sample with tissue particles falling in certain size ranges.
US08033999B2	System and method for monitoring myocardial instability A method of monitoring myocardial stability includes determining a window length representing an acceptable time period between potential start times associated with at least two physiologic indices and monitoring multiple physiologic indices representative of myocardial stability. Predetermined variations in each of the physiologic indices denote the potential start times and potential end times for candidate events that are indicative of myocardial instability. The method further includes identifying the potential start times associated with at least two of the physiologic indices and declaring at least one of the candidate events to be an actual event of myocardial instability based on the window length and a time period between the potential start times identified by the identifying operation.
US08033998B2	Device and method for automatic threshold setting An implantable medical device for detecting physiological events includes a first sensor for sensing a first signal in a patient correlated to a first physiological condition, a second sensor for sensing a second signal in the patient corresponding to a second physiological condition and a third sensor for sensing a third signal in the patient corresponding to a third physiological condition responsive to the second physiological condition. Control circuitry for receiving the first, second and third signals is configured to determine a relationship between the second signal and the third signal, detect a change in the relationship between the second signal and the third signal and determine a threshold in response to detecting the change in the relationship between the second signal and the third signal. A physiological event is detected in response to the first signal crossing the determined threshold.
US08033997B2	Interdigitated geometry transducer for optimizing the irradiated acoustic beam The invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer comprising a plurality of micro-cells, arranged in an array having M rows and N columns, and driving electronic means apt to connect in parallel to each other said micro-cells so as to form at least two sub-groups of said micro-cells, the micro-cells of each sub-group being connected in parallel to each other, at least one column of said array comprising micro-cells belonging to at least two different adjacent sub-groups, so that a radiation emitted in a direction perpendicular to the array columns by said at least one column has a phase that is intermediate between the phases of said at least two different adjacent sub-groups.
US08033996B2	Computer interfaces including physiologically guided avatars This invention provides user interfaces that more intuitively display physiological data obtained from physiological monitoring of one or more subjects. Specifically, the user interfaces of this invention create and display one or more avatars having behaviors guided by physiological monitoring data. The monitoring data is preferably obtained when the subject is performing normal tasks without substantial restraint. This invention provides a range of implementations that accommodate user having varying processing and graphics capabilities, e.g., from handheld electronic devices to ordinary PC-type computers and to systems with enhanced graphics capabilities.
US08033995B2	Inflatable retractor with insufflation and method Various methods and devices are provided for accessing a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided and includes an elongate member having a proximal support member configured to rest against an external tissue surface, a flexible elongate central portion extending distally from the proximal support member and configured to extend through tissue, and an inflatable distal portion coupled to a distal end of the central portion. The distal portion is movable between an initial configuration, in which the distal portion is configured to be passed through an incision in tissue, and an inflated configuration in which the distal portion is expanded such that the central portion forms a working channel through the tissue for access to a body cavity. The distal portion can include an opening such that gas delivered to the distal portion can flow through the opening to insufflate a body cavity.
US08033993B2	Endoscope device and display device An endoscope device of the invention includes: an insertion portion disposed with an observation optical system; an operation portion continuously provided to a proximal end side of the insertion portion; a display device main body provided to a proximal end side of the operation portion and disposed with a monitor portion for displaying a subject image; a rotational movement shaft for rotationally movably journaling the display device main body with respect to the operation portion; and a finger-hooking portion provided to the display device main body and for operation of rotationally moving the display device main body about a rotational movement shaft, and thus it is possible for an operator to easily orient the monitor of the display device in an easily viewable direction when operatably grasping the operation portion.
US08033991B2	Handgrip for assessment of colonoscope manipulation A handgrip for colonoscope shaft is equipped with force, torque, and acceleration sensors allowing for a comprehensive characterization of colonoscope shaft motion, including recognition of obstacles and recording of forces and torques applied at various times during a colonoscopy procedure. An electronic unit is adapted to receive sensors data wirelessly and calculate a variety of motion parameters guiding a medical practitioner during the procedure and aimed at making colonoscopy safer and less painful.
US08033989B2	Encapsulated endoscope system in which endoscope moves in lumen by itself and rotation of image of region to be observed is ceased An encapsulated endoscope system in accordance with the present invention comprises: an encapsulated endoscope that rotates to develop a thrust; a controller that moves the encapsulated endoscope in an intended direction of advancement; an imaging unit incorporated in the encapsulated endoscope; and an image processing unit that receives image data sent from the imaging unit, and produces an image, which results from rotation of the received image data, according to the rotational phase of the encapsulated endoscope.
US08033986B2	Endoscope control device An endoscope control device includes: a safety maintaining circuit for maintaining safety in terms of function or use-purpose of the endoscope control device; a control section for controlling operation of the endoscope control device; and an activation section for activating the control section, wherein the safety maintaining circuit is formed in the same device as at least one of the control section and the activation section.
US08033984B2	Therapeutic device for erectile dysfunction Disclosed herein is a therapeutic device and method for achieving and sustaining erection of a penile organ. The therapeutic device comprises a flexible belt worn by the user for producing an external pressure on one or more regions of the penile organ. The flexible belt comprises a waist section and a loop section. The waist section is worn around waist of the user for adjusting the external pressure by the user. The loop section is worn on the dorsal region of the penile organ for producing the external pressure. A magnetic unit placed inside the loop section produces a magnetic field. The magnetic field increases level of oxygen to augment blood flow in the penile organ. The magnetic field applied and the adjustment of the external pressure enables the user to achieve and sustain the erection of the penile organ.
US08033982B2	Systems, devices and methods relating to a shape resilient sling-like support for treating urinary incontinence The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to systems, devices and methods for supporting an anatomical location using a self-supporting implantable device without a need for an anchor.
US08033980B2	Method for locating a source in a body The invention relates to a source guide apparatus for guiding and locating a radiation source in a human body, wherein a catheter is provided in a body and connected to the apparatus, and wherein the proximal end is kept in a predetermined position with respect to the body. According to the invention, a treatment window is set, which is situated within the body, within which the source can be kept in respective positions, wherein the treatment window has a fixed window width and a reference position situated at a predetermined distance with respect to the proximal end of the catheter. The source guide apparatus guides the source through the catheter to a predetermined position in the body, measured relative to the treatment window.
US08033978B2	Radio-nuclear material delivery system A radio-nuclear material delivery system includes: a body; at least one catheter including a portion arranged within the body and extending along a longitudinal length of the body, each catheter including a blind lumen in which a radioactive material is insertable; and a shield arranged on an exterior of the body and movable along the body in a longitudinal direction of the catheter. The shield may be made of a tungsten material, e.g., coated with titanium nitride, for attenuating radiation from the nuclear material and controlling dosing of radiation for treatment of, e.g., breast cancer.
US08033977B2	Methods of enhancing radiation effects with metal nanoparticles The present invention provides methods of using metal nanoparticles 0.5 to 400 nm in diameter to enhance the dose and effectiveness of x-rays or of other kinds of radiation in therapeutic regimes of ablating a target tissue, such as tumor. The metal nanoparticles can be administered intravenously, intra-arterially, or locally to achieve specific loading in and around the target tissue. The metal nanoparticles can also be linked to chemical and/or biochemical moieties which bind specifically to the target tissue. The enhanced radiation methods can also be applied to ablate unwanted tissues or cells ex vivo.
US08033975B2	Folding unit and method of folding corrugated cardboard sheet A folding unit for corrugated cardboard sheets, the folding unit comprising an inlet and an outlet, a pair of parallel and laterally dispiaceable folding beams, a pair of folding rules arranged under respective folding beams, a par of folding rods fixedly positioned outside respective folding rules and at angle to the respective folding rules, a pair of folding belts arranged under and cooperating with a respective pair of folding rules, a means for supplying and folding two outermost panels of the corrugated cardboard sheet from 0°-90° at the inlet of the folding unit and 90°-180° at the outlet of the folding unit, a pair of wheel stands engaged with respective folding belts, a means for adjusting an angle of said wheel stands to ihe associated conveying belt, and a means for fine adjustment of the angular settings of the wheel stands.
US08033974B2	Method of forming a package with a recloseable pour spout A package having a recloseable pour spout is disclosed, with the package including front and rear package panels which may be joined at respective side edges thereof by inwardly extending side gussets. An upper edge portion of the package is removable, including one of the side gussets, to form a pour spout for dispensing the contents of the package. A fastener strip, which can be detachably connected to itself, extends between confronting inside surfaces of the front and rear package panels, adjacent to the pour spout, whereby the pour spout can be conveniently closed after the package is initially opened. A method of forming the present package is also disclosed.
US08033971B2	Adjustable user support platform for an inclinable exercise device and method of use A method of using an adjustable user support platform with an inclinable exercise device includes providing an adjustable user support platform movably attached to an adjustable incline of the inclinable exercise device for movement of the adjustable user support platform along the adjustable incline, the adjustable user support platform including a support platform frame with a support platform and a support frame, the support platform frame operably coupled to the support frame for adjustably inclining the support platform frame with support platform relative to the support frame; inclining the support platform frame with the support platform relative to the support frame to a desired tilt angle; and securing the support platform frame with the support platform at the desired pivot angle relative to the support frame.
US08033967B2	Gym machine A gym machine comprising a ground resting base, a structure for supporting a user which is associated with the resting base so that it can rotate about a rotation axis, at least one maneuvering body which is associated movably with the supporting structure and flexible elements which are stretched between the maneuvering body and the ground resting base, the supporting structure rotating about the rotation axis between a first configuration and a second configuration when a user supported by the structure moves the maneuvering body, applying to the maneuvering body an action which is opposite with respect to the action applied thereto by the flexible elements.
US08033963B1	Exercise and workout apparatus with karate elements The present invention may be used for human exercise. The apparatus for human exercise may have a support frame having two interior frame members spaced apart and positioned generally vertical with two side frame members spaced apart from and generally parallel to the two interior frame members. An upper cross member may be attached at an upper end and a lower cross member may be attached at a lower end of the two interior frame members and the two side frame members. A right kick arm element and a left kick arm element may be rotatably attached to the support frame and a kick board may be attached to the two interior frame members.
US08033962B2	Skipping rope This invention is a skipping rope comprising a flexible cord and a pair of handles secured on the cord and defining there between an effective cord length wherein at least one of the said handles on the cord is an interference fit in the opening of the handle so the effective cord length is adjusted by moving the handle assembly along the cord member and is maintained by the interference fit between the cord and the opening in the handle. Movement of the handle is performed simply by applying tension between the cord and the handle so the user, by moving the handle in one direction or the other, may find an effective working cord length that most suits them.
US08033958B2	Portable isometric exercise device The present invention is a portable isometric exercise device with resistance generated by a spring force including an electronic light or sound indicator to signal that a constant force level is being maintained. When a force is applied to the spring and a desired level of resistance is achieved, a continuous signal will be generated to advise the user that the isometric force exercise is being maintained. If the force is reduced, the signal will terminate to advise the user that the user has not maintained the required level of resistance.
US08033957B2	Clutch controller, straddle-type vehicle, and method for controlling clutch Appropriate torque is transmitted via a clutch that does not spend too much time on its engaging operation. A clutch controller controls a degree of engagement of the clutch by actuating a clutch actuator based on a difference between actual transmission torque that is transmitted from a drive-side member of a clutch to a driven-side member of the clutch, and target transmission torque that is supposed to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the driven-side member. The clutch controller also determines whether or not a difference in rotational speed between the drive-side member and the driven-side member of the clutch is reduced at an appropriate rate, and depending on the determination result, corrects the target transmission torque.
US08033954B2	Hybrid powertrain with reversing engine and method of control A powertrain is provided having an engine operable in a reverse direction so that a reverse mode is provided through an electrically variable transmission without relying on pure electric or series electric operation, and without the addition of a dedicated reverse gear. A method of controlling such a powertrain is also provided.
US08033952B2	Full-toroidal continuously variable transmission A full-toroidal continuously variable transmission has a hydraulic actuator (20) for applying pressing force to a pair of disks (5, 15) through a roller (17). The hydraulic actuator (20) includes first and second oil chambers (23, 24). The pressing force of the hydraulic actuator (20) is produced by a pressure difference between the oil chambers (23, 24). A directional control valve (29; 29P; 29Q) connects a hydraulic pressure source (25; 25P; 25Q) to either of the oil chambers, and an oil tank (26) is connected to the other oil chamber. Each corresponding an intermediate section (27a; 27Pa, 27Qa) of a feeding path (27, 27P, 27Q) and intermediate section (28a; 28Pa; 28Qa) of a discharge path (28; 28P; 28Q) are connected by a communicational path (32; 32P; 32Q). A check valve (33; 33P; 33Q) for permitting a flow of operation oil only to the feeding path side (27, 27P, 27Q) is provided in the communication path (32; 32P; 32Q). A flow restriction (34; 34P; 34Q) is placed on a downstream side of the intermediate section (28a; 28Pa; 28Qa) of the discharge path (28; 28P; 28Q).
US08033950B2	Multi-speed transmission having three planetary gear sets A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08033945B2	Bicycle transmission system An enclosed bicycle drivetrain is provided that produces a range of drive ratios suitable for any riding purpose. The enclosure of substantially the entire drivetrain is made practical by the synergistic cooperation of a planetary drive system using a single chain ring and a streamlined rear derailleur system that separates the tensioning and chain guiding functions of a conventional rear derailleur, allowing the rear derailleur components to remain substantially within the shadow of the outer perimeter of the bicycle frame. The planetary drive system is provided with a unique compound pawl that may be easily disengaged from a planetary ratchet member under full riding loads by the application of a small force to destabilize the pawl. A unique shift buffer mechanism cooperates with the rear derailleur system to buffer and store up to the full range of available shift commands.
US08033943B2	In-wheel motor driving unit A rotary shaft is provided so as to be coaxial with an inner member which comprises a hub ring and a bearing inner ring. External gears are rotatably provided around eccentric portions formed on the rotary shaft. The external gears mesh with internal teeth formed on the inner periphery of a casing. When the rotary shaft rotates, the external gears mesh with the internal teeth one after another, so that their centers rotate about the axis of the rotary shaft. When the rotary shaft rotates once, the external gears rotate about their own axes by an amount corresponding to the difference in number between the external teeth and the internal teeth. The rotation of the external gears about their axes is transmitted through a torque transmission to the inner member, thereby rotating the inner member at a reduced speed.
US08033940B2	Speed reducer A speed reducer that can fundamentally eliminate the cause of lubricant leakage is provided. A speed reducer that reduces the speed of input rotation includes at least a first space and a second space separated by an oil seal, and the first space and the second space are each put with lubricant. A level of the lubricant put in the first space is set to be higher than a level of the lubricant put in the second space, and the level of the lubricant put in the second space is set to be at or lower the level of a lowermost oil seal among oil seals that separate the second space and the exterior of the speed reducer.
US08033936B2	Sports ball A sports ball includes an inflatable bladder, and a ball carcass. The ball pocket is constructed to have a true roundness shape, having an interior cavity receiving the inflatable bladder therein, wherein when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the ball pocket retains a true roundness shape of the inflatable bladder. The ball carcass includes a ball cushion and a plurality of carcass panels. Each of the carcass panels has a peripheral edge and a flat bottom surface defined within the peripheral edge, wherein the bottom surface of each of the carcass panels is entirely affixed to the ball cushion at a position that the peripheral edge of each of the carcass panels is fittingly aligned with the peripheral edges of the adjacent carcass panels to form a roundness carcass of the sportsball in a stitch-less manner.
US08033935B2	Basketball backboard A basketball backboard assembly and a method of making the backboard assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes a backboard frame structure and an acrylic backboard which are bonded together with a suitable elastomeric adhesive, providing adequate adhesion and flexibility. The elastomeric adhesive has a bond gap in the range from 2 to 2.5 mm. The adhesive is catalyzed to provide control of the set time in the range from about 5 minutes to 1 hour. A plurality of bond gap spacers are located between the frame bonding surface and the backboard bonding surface to provide the bond gap.
US08033916B2	Grip pressure sensor Grip pressure is monitored by a collection of battery powered components embodied in an assembly analogous to an ordinary wrist watch, that is a watch housing or casement and a stretchable band. The system, which we shall refer to as a swing monitor, is worn on the wrist and deployed in such a way that the back of the housing or casement is cinched securely to the back or underside of the wrist. A pressure plate on the back of the watch makes contact with the pulse region of the wrist. The flexing and relaxing of the muscles and tendons of the wearer is read by an electronic pressure sensing device, a piezo sensor. A tighter grip will register greater pressure and a looser grip, less pressure. The device records grip pressure associated with the swing of a golf club, tennis racquest or baseball bat, among other articles of sports equipment meant to be swung. The grip pressure determined to be optimal, that is giving the desired result, can be SAVED in the memory of the swing monitor system. Subsequent swings and their associated grip pressures are compared with the SAVED value of the optimal or best swing. An audible signal alerts the wearer if the grip pressure departs from that registered on the optimal or best swing.
US08033915B2	Game system, server apparatus and register terminal Each of game machines sends result information indicating an individual ID and play result to a server. The server has a common ID control file and an individual game control file, which store common points, a common ID and an individual ID, associated with each other. A CPU converts the result information into common points, and allows the converted common points to be reflected in the common points in the common ID control file corresponding to the individual ID.
US08033908B2	Gaming system and a method of gaming A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a display, a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions on the display, and a display modifier arranged to modify the displayed symbols such that after modification of the symbols the locations of the symbols in the display positions are a mirror image of the locations of the symbols before modification of the symbols. The gaming system also comprises an outcome evaluator arranged to determine whether symbol combinations defined by the displayed symbols after modification correspond to one or more winning outcomes. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08033903B2	Gaming system and method having progressive free games A gaming system and method providing a plurality of games, including a first type of game and a second type of game. The gaming system includes a progressive award which includes or is in the form of a progressive number or quantity of plays of the second type of game. The gaming system enables the player to play the first type of game. The gaming system increases the progressive award based on an occurrence of one or more incrementing conditions. Upon an occurrence of a triggering event, the gaming system determines the progressive award to provide to the player and provides the determined award to the player.
US08033901B2	Electronic game system with character units An electronic game system is provided. The system may include a base station operable to communicate with an electronic system and one or more character units operable to communicate with the base station. The one or more character units store data associated with one or more characters. The data are utilized to play a game using the electronic system. The character units may have substantially similar appearances to characters in the game. The base station also may have a character appearance. The character units may be removably attachable to the base station, alone or simultaneously, at an exterior or interior portion of a body part of the character appearance such as a head, a limb and a torso.
US08033899B2	Cabin for a work vehicle A cabin for a work vehicle comprises: a driver's seat positioned within the cabin; cabin frames including at least a transverse frame located in a rear region of the cabin; a roof supported by at least some of the cabin frames; at least one air-conditioning duct located within the roof; an air conditioning unit located rearwardly with respect to a rearward end of a seat portion of the driver's seat and adjacent the transverse frame for conditioning air and for feeding air-conditioned air into the at least one air-conditioning duct.
US08033898B2	Microbiocidal control in the processing of meat-producing four-legged animals Methods of processing four-legged slaughter animals for consumption as meat and/or meat product(s) are described. The methods comprise I) contacting exterior surfaces of the live animal at least once with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, such contacting occurring at least once when the animal is en route to being slaughtered but before it is killed by exsanguination; or II) contacting the carcass of the animal, after exsanguination, with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin or III) contacting at least one raw meat product and/or at least one processed meat product derived from the carcass. The contacting can be done one or more times in each of I), II), and III). Considerable advantages, which are described, are realized when using such methods.
US08033894B2	Razor blade sharpener and method of sharpening A device for sharpening razor blades, comprising, a housing having an upper casing and a lower casing defining an interior space, the upper casing having an opening, and a lid to cover the opening, a reciprocating carriage disposed in the lower case below the opening for receiving a razor blade unit containing a razor blade with a shaving edge facing downward, a sharpening wheel coated on its outer circumference with an abrasive material fixedly disposed in the lower case for rotation around an axis beneath and simultaneously with the reciprocating carriage, mechanism to reciprocate the carriage, mechanism to rotate the sharpening wheel, power supply to operate the reciprocating and rotating mechanisms, a switch to activate the device to reciprocate the carriage and rotate the sharpening wheel simultaneously, such that when the razor blade unit with the razor blade is inserted through the opening into the carriage and the power is turned on by the switch the sharpening wheel rotates and the carriage holding the razor blade reciprocates at the same time, with the shaving edge of the razor blade traversing the abrasive material on the outer circumference of the rotating sharpening wheel as the carriage moves in one direction thereby evenly sharpening the shaving edge of the razor blade, and when the carriage reciprocates in the other direction, the abrasive material on the rotating sharpening wheel re-contacts the razor blade to clean it of shaving residue.
US08033890B2	Self-propelled hydrodynamic underwater toy Self-propelled hydrodynamic underwater toys with integrated propulsion mechanisms are described. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanisms is partially or completely within an internal compartment in the toy's body. The propulsion mechanisms are adapted to be charged with a volume of fluid and to thereafter discharge the volume of fluid under pressure to propel the toy through a body of water. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism includes an expandable reservoir. In some embodiments, the propulsion mechanism is a replaceable propulsion mechanism. In some embodiments, the toy includes a trajectory-stabilizing structure that is adapted to impart at least one of a steering moment and a righting moment to the toy during underwater travel. The toy may be adapted to have positive, negative or neutral buoyancies, and can be adapted to maintain its buoyancy and/or its center of gravity while being propelled through a body of water by the propulsion system.
US08033888B2	Simulated degradation features for remotely controlled vehicles Various degradation features are disclosed for a remotely controlled vehicle. Translatable body components are disclosed for simulating damage to a vehicle. Impact sensors may be provided for detecting an impact to the vehicle and modifying operation of the vehicle in response to an impact. A timer may be provided for hampering operations of the vehicle as a function of time for simulating real life conditions. Controls, and methods associated with these features are disclosed as well as games for utilizing the degradation features.
US08033880B2	Method for manufacturing spark plug A method for manufacturing a spark plug which includes: (a) preparing a metal shell; (b) preparing an insulator; (c) inserting the insulator in an insertion hole of the metal shell; (d) forming an intended crimping portion of the metal shell into a crimping portion; and (e) pressing a lower side portion of the metal shell closer to a position lower than the intended compressive deformation portion, and pressing the crimping portion of the metal shell in an axial direction to compressively deform the intended compressive deformation portion of the metal shell and thus seal a space between a stepped portion of the metal shell and a stepped portion of the insulator, wherein step (e) controls a pressing amount of a press in a constant value from the start of compressive deformation to the end thereof.
US08033873B2	Patch cable physical link identification device A system for locating corresponding ends of a communications or data patch cable used to conduct a signal between computing or telecommunications devices. The invention provides a physical indication of the location of an opposite end of a given patch cable when a switching means on the first end of the same cable is activated. The invention utilizes an existing pair of wires in category-type cables to send a DC voltage when activated to illuminate a light emitting diode in the opposite end of a patch cable thereby providing an immediate indication of the location of the termination of the opposite end of a patch cable making it possible to visually identify a cable without removing the cable from service or from connection of the modular plugs on either end of the cable.
US08033870B2	Electrical connector having contact terminal with cutout receiving deprressed contact arm An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) defining at least a passageway (11) and a mating face (101), at least a contact terminal (2) received in the passageway (11) and having a contact arm (24) extending beyond the mating face (101). The contact terminal (2) includes a base portion (23) with a cutout (233) providing a yielding space to receive a portion (241) of the contact arm (24) when it is depressed.
US08033869B1	Electrical adaptor having opposite mating portion with different terminal pins An electrical adaptor includes a first connector body loaded with first terminals and a second connector body loaded with second terminals. The two connector bodies assembly attaches with each other and each defines a mating port opposite to each other. At least partial of the first terminals each includes a contacting strip in the mating port of the first connector body and a touching portion. Each second terminal includes a contacting portion in the mating port of the second connector body and a touching portion. Each touching portion of the first terminals contacts with touching portions of two or more said second terminals.
US08033865B2	Electrical card connector An electrical card connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing (1) for mating with an electrical card and a block (3). The insulative housing (1) defines a front mating face (14), a receiving space (10) extending backwardly from the mating face (14) and an installing wall (11) located at a rear end of the receiving space (10). The block (3) is retained in the insulative housing (1) for positioning the contacts (2). The installing wall (11) defines a through hole (111) for receiving the block (3). The block (3) has a pair of elastic segments (36) located at lateral sides thereof and a pair of slots (341) located beside the elastic segments (36) respectively for supporting elasticity of the elastic segments (36).
US08033862B2	Coaxial cable connector with RFI sealing A coaxial cable connector and method that will direct the electromagnetic field carrying the electrical signal in a coaxial cable to the inner surface of a conductive layer of the foil of the cable, as opposed to the outer surface. With the electrical signals traveling on the inner surface of the foil conductive layer, the foil conductive layer serves as a contiguous gap-free shield to prevent the ingress and/or egress of RFI.
US08033860B2	Stack able patch cable for splitting an electrical signal A stack able patch cable for splitting an electrical signal is described. The patch cable includes two plug members connected via a cable. Each plug member includes a male end and a female end. The male end has a male signal contact and a male shield contact electrically isolated from the male signal contact. The female end includes a female signal contact and a female shield contact electrically isolated from the female signal contact. Additionally, the female signal contact is electrically connected with the male signal contact and the female shield contact is electrically connected with the male shield contact. Further, the female end is configured to receive a male end of a plug to electrically connect the corresponding contacts. Thus, the plug member is capable of receiving and connecting directly with another plug member to split a signal while maintaining signal quality.
US08033859B2	Connection and junction box for a solar module The invention relates to a connection and junction box (1) for a photovoltaic solar module (24), which box in a mounting state, is put on the solar module (24) with open contact clamp(s) (22), and the contact clamps are actively closed for contacting the flexible flat conductor band(s) (28). Preferably, the actuating the contact clamp(s) (22) is automatically carried out by means of a device between two housing parts (2, 50), when putting on.
US08033857B2	Base tile A base tile 100 comprises a substrate 102 having a first surface 104 and an electrical connection system 200 supported by the substrate 102. The electrical connection system comprises a plurality of conducting posts 204. Each post 204 extends from a bottom surface 112 of the base tile 100 toward the first surface 104 of the substrate 102. A free end 206 of each post enables electrical and mechanical connection to a photovoltaic tile 10. The electrical connection system 200 also includes a electrical conductors 200 that electrically connect the posts 202 together.
US08033856B2	Electrical connector assembly An electrical connector assembly which has a plurality of male connectors and a female connector that mates with the plurality of male connectors. Each of the male connectors has a male-type housing and a female-type contact secured to this male-type housing. Each of the male-type housings has a lock arm that is provided on the upper surface or undersurface of the male-type housing with the free end of this lock arm being positioned at the rear end of the housing. A lock arm protection member that protrudes upward or downward from the rear end of the upper surface or undersurface of the male-type housing and protects the lock arm. The female connector has a female-type housing and a male-type contact secured to this female-type housing. The female-type housing has a plurality of male connector receiving parts that receive the male-type housings and lock members on which the lock arms respectively latch. The walls between adjacent male connector receiving parts in the female-type housing are such that the front ends thereof are positioned further toward the interior than the mating surface of the female-type housing. A recessed part that receives the lock arm protection member of each of the male connectors is formed in the mating surface in the upper wall or lower wall of each of the male connector receiving parts.
US08033854B1	IC socket having individual latch hinge An IC socket includes a driving member, a socket body mounted below the driving member and a latch member assembled to the base. The driving member is operated between an upper position and a lower position, and drives the latch member to shift between a closed position and an opened position. The base is assembled with a detachable latch hinge, to which the latch member is pivotally attached. The latch hinge can be easily replaced with another proper one according to a thickness of the IC package to the received in the IC socket.
US08033851B2	Connector, board having the same, and electronic device having the same A connector includes: a signal pin provided at a front end thereof with a terminal contacting a terminal provided in an electronic component, and electrically conducting a board with the electronic component; and a housing the signal pin, wherein the housing includes: a front end member within which the signal pin is secured, and connected to a connector provided in the electronic component; a rear end member secured in the board; and an elastic member arranged between the front end member and the rear end member, and having a block shape.
US08033842B2	Apparatus and method for mounting audio-visual components A bracket or support bar system is for installing one or more audio-visual (“A/V”) components or modules and generally overcomes the need for external cables and wiring connections. Every A/V component of the A/V system is attached to a wall bracket or support bar that enables the transfer of power signals and control signals (including media data) to each of the A/V components.
US08033841B2	Upright electrical connector An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a metal shell (4), and a set of first contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a base portion (111) and a tongue plate (112) extending forwardly from the base portion and being upright. The metal shell covers the insulative housing and forms a receiving space (41) with the tongue plate extending therein. The first contacts have first contacting portions (210) arranged in one row along a height direction of the electrical connector, first tail portions (220) extending outwardly beyond the insulative housing, and first connecting portions. The first contacts include a first pair of differential contacts (23) including an upper contact (231) and a lower contact (232) located under the upper contact. Total lengths of the upper and lower contacts (231,232) are substantially equal.
US08033836B1	Circuit with flexible portion A circuit includes a first plurality of contacts configured to be in electrical communication with a plurality of electronic devices. The circuit card further includes a flexible portion including a dielectric layer, a second plurality of contacts, and a plurality of electrical conduits extending across a region of the flexible portion and in electrical communication with one or more contacts of the first plurality of contacts and with the second plurality of contacts. The flexible portion further includes an electrically conductive layer extending across the region of the flexible portion. The electrically conductive layer is superposed with the plurality of electrical conduits with the dielectric layer therebetween. The electrically conductive layer does not overlay one or more portions of the dielectric layer in the region of the flexible portion.
US08033835B2	Interconnect assembly having a separable mating interface An interconnect assembly for interconnecting first and second electrical components includes a substrate having opposed first and second surfaces and a first array of contacts on the first surface for engaging corresponding elements on the first electrical component. The first array of contacts defines a compressible interface that mates with the first electrical component. The first array of contacts includes signal contacts transferring data signals across the compressible interface and the first array of contacts includes a combination of power contacts that jointly convey power across the compressible interface. The interconnect assembly also includes a second array of contacts on the second surface for engaging corresponding elements on the second electrical component. The second array of contacts having signal contacts electrically connected to the signal contact of the first array of contacts and power contacts electrically connected to the power contacts of the second array of contacts.
US08033826B2	Two-piece dental abutment system The present inventions is an abutment for use with a dental implant. The abutment comprises a prosthetic portion adapted to support a prosthesis thereon and an insert. The prosthetic portion has a subgingival end and a supragingival region for protruding beyond gingiva adjacent to the dental implant. The prosthetic portion has a passageway extending therethrough. The passageway includes an enlarged retention groove and non-round section. The insert extends into the passageway and engages the subgingival end of the prosthetic portion. The insert includes flexible retention fingers that, upon insertion into the passageway, initially contract before reaching the enlarged retention groove and then expand outwardly into the enlarged retention groove to hold the insert onto the prosthetic portion. The insert also has a non-round section for mating with the non-round section of the passageway.
US08033825B2	Fluid and pulsed energy output system A fluid conditioning system is adapted to condition the fluid used in medical and dental cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations. The fluid may be conditioned by adding flavors, antiseptics and/or tooth whitening agents such as peroxide, medications, and pigments. In addition to the direct benefits obtained from introduction of these agents, the laser cutting properties may be varied from the selective introduction of the various agents.
US08033819B2	Mold and molding method A mold includes a gate communicating with the entire perimeter of a cavity serving as a space configured to form a molded article. A self-curable molding material with flowability is fed into the perimeter of the cavity through the gate; hence, the mold has a small number of dead ends compared with the case where, for example, the molding material is fed into the cavity through a part of the cavity, preventing the formation of bubbles left in the cavity. The arrangement of a gate and a vent each making an acute angle results in the spontaneous separation of the molded article in the cavity from solidified material portions in the gate and the vent due to shrinkage on curing.
US08033817B2	Multi-rod mechanism for linearly actuating for opening and closing a mold device A multi-rod mechanism includes at least one ternary link and a plurality of binary links. The ternary link and the binary links are connected between a first fixing pivot point and a second fixing pivot point to form a combination of the ternary link and the binary links. The combination of the ternary link and the binary links is designed to provide a first movable pivot point and a second movable pivot point between the first fixing pivot point and the second fixing pivot point. In operation, the ternary link and the binary links are rotated to move the first movable pivot point and the second movable pivot point toward or away from each other in opposite directions.
US08033815B2	Chucking system for nano-manufacturing Chucking mechanisms may include a plurality of chucking sections respectively connecting to a pressure control device to generate individual chucking forces. The individual chucking forces of the chucking sections may be varied by the pressure control device such that a magnitude of separation force is reduced for an imprint lithography system.
US08033813B2	Chucking system comprising an array of fluid chambers The present invention is directed towards a chucking system to hold a substrate, said system including, inter alia, a chuck body having first and second opposed sides, said first side including an array of fluid chambers arranged in rows and columns, said fluid chambers each comprising first and second spaced-apart recesses defining first and second spaced-apart support regions, with said first support region cincturing said second support region and said first and second recesses, and said second support region cincturing said second recess, with said substrate resting against said first and second support regions, with said first recess and a portion of said substrate in superimposition therewith defining a first chamber and said second recess and a portion of said substrate in superimposition therewith defining a second chamber, with each column of said first chambers and each row of said second chambers being in fluid communication with a differing source of fluid to control a flow of fluid in said array of fluid chambers.
US08033812B2	Systems to produce an object through solid freeform fabrication A method for producing an object formed through solid freeform fabrication includes dispensing a binder on successive layers of build material with a single first dispensing member; and coloring the successive layers with at least one second dispensing member, where the second dispensing member over-dispenses the first dispensing member. Another method for producing an object through solid freeform fabrication includes dispensing a first binder on successive layers of build material with a single first dispensing member; and dispensing a second binder on the successive layers of build material with at least one second dispensing member, where the second dispensing member over-dispenses the first dispensing member.
US08033811B2	Pantograph assembly for digital manufacturing system A digital manufacturing system for producing first and second objects comprises a platen, a gantry, a pantograph extrusion head system and first and second sets of extruders. The platen defines a workspace upon which the objects are produced. The gantry defines a headspace displaced from the workspace. The extrusion head system is mounted to the gantry for movement in the headspace. The sets of extruders are connected to the extrusion head system and are configured to deposit extrusion material on the workspace to build the objects. Each set of extruders comprises a first extruder mounted to the extrusion head system; a second extruder mounted to the extrusion head system so as to be actuatable from a first to a second position; and a flexible linkage connecting the extruders. The flexible linkages position the second extruders in approximately equal known spatial relationships to the first extruders in the second positions.
US08033807B2	Apparatus and method for molding of decorative molded article A foil-decorating injection molding apparatus having a male mold, a female mold, a transport chuck for feeding a decorative sheet S between the male mold and the female mold, and a clamper for pressing and fastening the decorative sheet onto a parting surface of the female mold. The transport chuck consists of two clamping devices each clamping a side edge of the decorative sheet. The clamper consists of a pressing frame and a connecting member. When the pressing frame is in abutment with the female mold, a space is provided between the connecting member and the female mold in which the clamping devices can pass through. After the decorative sheet is fed by the clamping chuck, the sheet can be fastened by the clamper without waiting until the chuck is brought back to an initial standby position, thereby reducing the manufacturing time.
US08033806B2	Apparatus for manufacturing secondary battery Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery by performing insert injection molding with respect to a portion of a battery cell while the battery cell is located in a mold, wherein the apparatus comprises a pair of upper and lower molds, at which are formed shapes corresponding to the battery cell, the upper and lower molds are provided at the inside surfaces thereof with elastic members, and the elastic members are constructed in a structure in which the elastic members support a cell body of the battery cell and isolate a non-molding region from a molding region while the battery cell is mounted in the upper and lower molds. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention has the effect of preventing a battery case from being damaged due to the contact between the battery case and the mold when the mold is brought into tight contact with the cell body of the battery cell during insert injection molding to form a molding member at a specific region of the secondary battery, and effectively preventing a material for insert injection molding, which is injected into the molding region, from being injected into the non-molding region.
US08033805B2	Method and apparatus for cross-passageway pressing to produce cutting inserts A die for use with a uni-axial press including top and bottom rams, at least one of the top and bottom rams being movable along a pressing axis. The die includes at least two separable die parts mutually engageable along adjacent parting surfaces extending in a direction non-perpendicular to the pressing axis and a removable core rod. The die parts are movable between separated and engaged positions in a direction non-parallel to the pressing axis. The die includes a first passageway extending therethrough between the periphery of the die and the die chamber. The first removable core rod is configured to be inserted into the die chamber through the first passageway.
US08033804B2	Pressure measurement device and mould for vulcanizing rubber for tires A device (20) comprising a pressure measurement surface (28) functionally attached to a proof body (22) and a rigid component (30), functionally attached to the proof body (22), the measurement surface (28) forming a surface of the rigid component (30). In addition, the device comprises a support (38), functionally separated from the proof body (22), of generally annular shape, housing the rigid component (30) and a flexible mass (40) radially inserted between the support (38) and the rigid component (30) such that the contour of the measurement surface (28) is bounded by the flexible mass (40), this flexible mass (40) adhering to the support (38) and to the rigid component (30).
US08033799B2	Cooling fan unit and method for drawing out lead wires thereof A cooling fan unit includes a hook groove locking a plurality of lead wires drawn out of a circuit board and being formed in a wall of a housing in a direction of drawing out the lead wires. The hook groove has a lead wire through path which extends substantially perpendicularly from an end edge of the wall of the housing and a lead wire guide which extends substantially perpendicularly from a bottom of the lead wire through path. At least two of the plurality of lead wires are crossed with each other between the hook groove and a connection portion of the circuit board with respect to the plurality of lead wires, so that at least one second lead wire inhibits displacement of a first lead wire, which is aligned closest to the lead wire through path out of the plurality of lead wires accommodated in the lead wire guide, to a direction of being disengaged from the lead wire through path.
US08033797B2	Pump with automatic deactivation mechanism An automatic deactivation mechanism is configured for an air bladder pump having a casing and a motor located therein to pump air into an air bladder from the atmosphere and through an air valve connected through the casing. The automatic deactivation mechanism includes a housing positioned within the casing and has defined therethrough a first aperture in fluid communication with the atmosphere through the casing and a second aperture in fluid communication with the air bladder through the casing. Included within the housing are at least two switches and a diaphragm positioned between the switches. The housing is sealed so that when a threshold pressure is reached therein, at least one switch is triggered by deflection of the diaphragm to automatically deactivate the pump by de-energizing the motor.
US08033796B2	Motor-mounted internal gear pump and manufacturing method thereof and electronic equipment To maintain the functionality as a compact and inexpensive motor-mounted internal gear pump and also offer further inexpensiveness and reliability. The motor-mounted internal gear pump 80 has a pump part 81 including: an inner rotor 1, an outer rotor 2, a pump casing and an internal shaft 5. The pump casing has flat inner surfaces facing both end faces of the inner rotor 1 and the outer rotor 2. The internal shaft 5 includes a bearing 51 which is inserted into an axial hole of the inner rotor 1 and a fitting part 53 extending from both its ends in both axial directions. The pump casing includes two pump casing members 3, 4 as separate members with flat inner surfaces 25, 26 respectively. The fitting part 53 of the internal shaft 5 is fitted in to fitting holes 27a, 28a made in the flat inner surfaces of the two pump casing members 3, 4 and the two pump casing members 3, 4 are connected with each other outside the outside diameter of the outer rotor while both end faces of the bearing 51 are in contact with the flat inner surfaces 25, 26.
US08033789B2	Apparatus for preventing ice accretion Aerofoils (22) of a gas turbine engine are provided with a coating (34) or filler (44) of viscoelastic material. As ice accretes on the aerofoils (22) during operation, the resulting aerodynamic stability imbalance induces vibration in the aerofoils (22). The viscoelastic material (34, 44) damps this vibration, and in so doing generates heat, which melts the ice away from the aerofoils (22). Heat-conducting members conduct the heat to regions of the component in which ice accretion is to be prevented. Alternative embodiments are described in which the pseudoelastic behaviour of a shape memory alloy (56), or eddy currents arising from the rotor blades' rotation in an axisymmetric magnetic field, are used as sources of heat.
US08033786B2	Axial loading element for turbine vane A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising an axial loading element disposed between a mounting element of the vane ring and a cooperating portion of the supporting structure, such as to generate a load force therebetween in an axial direction. The axial load force limits unwanted relative movement between the vane ring and the supporting structure during operation of the gas turbine engine.
US08033783B2	Diagonal flow fan The present invention aims at providing a diagonal flow fan or a silencer for the diagonal flow fan, which have the same outer shape as a suction port and are compact, and can also obtain an effective sound absorbing effect of a moderate frequency range. In the diagonal flow fan comprising a diagonal flow impeller 1 disposed with a blade 1a so as to obliquely send an air to an axis of rotation 21, a fan casing 2 for covering this diagonal flow impeller 1, and a suction port 3 for sucking the fluid in the direction to the axis of rotation of this fan casing 2, the open front side of the suction port 3 is provided with a silencing portion comprising a shield 4 and a punching metal 5, so that the noise of the moderate frequency range of 500 to 1000 Hz generated in the diagonal flow fan was suppressed.
US08033782B2	Method to prevent brinelling wear of slot and pin assembly A method to prevent brinelling wear of a slot and pin assembly of an adjustable inlet guide vane mechanism includes: providing a compressor having the adjustable inlet guide vane mechanism including a control ring with a plurality of tapered slots positioned around a circumference of the control ring; providing a plurality of tapered pin/lever arm assemblies each comprising a tapered pin having a tapered body with a first end and a second end; positioning the tapered pin of the tapered pin/lever arm assembly within each of the plurality of tapered slots; positioning a spring over the first end of each of the tapered pins; and securing the tapered pin of each of the tapered pin/lever arm assemblies within each of the tapered slots by coupling a fastening member to the first end of each of the tapered pins.
US08033780B2	Apparatus for inverting heavy loads and method of using same An apparatus is provided for inverting heavy objects, the apparatus including: a retaining assembly, including two opposing retaining members each having rotational pins extending from the ends thereof, the rotational pins all reside together in a cross plane extending parallel with a longitudinal axis of the retaining assembly, and the retaining members are spaced apart a consistent distance, a base member, including two open double bearing components positioned at opposite ends of the base member, each open double bearing component including two side-by-side troughs, and a securing member, operable to lock the retaining assembly into a secure position with respect to the base member.
US08033777B2	Method and apparatus for transporting and moving load The present invention comprises a method and apparatus of transporting and moving a load having a combination of a hoist arm and an apparatus of a support structure with one or more (preferably a pair of opposed) moveable carriages.
US08033776B2	Pickup truck bed slider A slide which slides along a retainer attached to the bed of a pickup truck. The slide has a rearward end proximate the tail gate and a forward end proximate the cab of the truck. The rearward end preferably has gripping features allowing a user to easily grasp the slide and pull it rearward within the fixed retainer. The slide's forward end has an upstanding foot which engages cargo within the bed and propels it toward the tailgate. Two or more such devices can be installed in parallel and used simultaneously to unload cargo.
US08033774B2	Secure rear-loading material handling apparatus system This invention in some embodiments includes a secure material handling apparatus such as a vehicle which provides rear loading of material from material containers, and in some further embodiments provides for such rear loading from curbside or ground level, or from a loading dock. In further embodiments the enclosure utilized is secure in that it may be configured to prevent unauthorized entry into any part of the vehicle.
US08033770B2	Vacuum processing apparatus A vacuum processing apparatus includes vacuum processing chambers for subjecting a sample to vacuum processing, a vacuum carriage, a switchable chamber, a cassette support for supporting a plurality of cassettes capable of housing samples, and a waiting cassette support for supporting a waiting cassette that differs from the cassettes supported on the cassette support and capable of having a number of samples. An atmospheric carriage enables carrying a sample among a given cassette of the plurality of cassettes or the waiting cassette. A controller effects control for carrying unprocessed and processed samples among the given cassette, the waiting cassette and the vacuum processing chamber, so that a mixture of both processed and unprocessed samples does not exist in the given cassette or the waiting cassette.
US08033767B2	Centrifugally-cast tube and related method and apparatus for making same An improved centrifugally-cast tube is provided, along with a related method and apparatus of making the tube. The tube includes a plurality of grooves and bosses that are mechanically machined into an interior surface of the tube, such as by a broaching process. The profile of grooves and bosses may be defined by a plurality of intersecting concave and convex radii. The tube is resistant to creep, carburization and metal dusting. The tube also has an enhanced heat transfer rate, and a desirable surface roughness. A method of making the tube is also provided. The method essentially consists of mechanically deforming the interior surface of the tube by passing a series of cutting inserts on support rings having incrementally-differing dimensions over the interior surface. An apparatus is also provided which includes a telescoping shaft upon which is mounted at least one cutting tool that has a plurality of cutting inserts and is adapted to form a plurality of grooves and bosses in the interior surface of the tube. The grooves and bosses may be straight or spiraled.
US08033765B2	Drilling tool The invention relates to a base body for a drilling tool, in particular to drilling/grinding tool whose front surface (14) can accommodate a cutting insert holder (2). Said invention also relates to a cutting insert holder used with said base body (1) provided with a seat for receiving a cutting insert (13, 13′, 13″). The aim of the invention is to develop a flexibly usable drilling tool whose cutting insert holder can be adjusted in a simple and accurate manner and is not expensive. For this purpose, at least one adjusting pin (4) which is connected to the base body (1) axially overlaps the cutting insert holder (2) and/or the cutting insert in such a way that a radial adjustment of the cutting insert holder (2) with respect to the base body (1) can be carried out by measuring the radial deviation (a) between the defined point of the cutting insert holder (2) or a cutting insert (3, 3′, 3″) accommodated thereby and the adjusting pin (4). In addition, a bearing surface (19) for supporting the cutting insert holder (2) on the front surface (14) of the base body (1) of the drilling tool is provided with a projection (17), preferably longitudinal, which extends outside the bearing surface (19) and is embeddable into a groove (15) on the front surface (14).
US08033764B2	Side locking insert and material removal tool with same An indexable insert has one or more recesses formed in a frontside or backside surface which receives a surface of the head of a locking screw. When mounted, the insert is forced against respective support surfaces of an insert pocket. The locking screw is threaded into a counterbored tap hole to engage the insert and provide side locating forces and clamping forces to secure the indexable insert in the insert pocket. More particularly, the indexable insert has a shaped surface recess that mates to a complimentarily-shaped surface on the head of a locking screw and secures the indexable insert in multiple dimensions to a seating surface. A material removal tool and a method of mounting the indexable insert are also disclosed.
US08033760B2	Tension assembly A tensioning assembly 10 for a cable bolt 11 comprises a clamping device (14, 16) adapted for fastening to the bolt and an outer member 18 adapted for interacting with the clamping device. The outer member 18 is able to undergo relative movement to the clamping device in the direction of the bolt's axis, and under such movement, the clamping device is caused to fasten to the bolt. Furthermore, the outer member is adapted for interacting with the bolt 11 whereby, during such relative movement, twisting of the bolt 11 with respect to the outer member 18 is restrained.
US08033759B2	Modular retaining wall A modular retaining wall is illustrated and described having open or closed polygonal modules with channels disposed therein. The wall is set at least partially below a surface, the surface either being land-based or aqueous-based, and interfaces therebetween, e.g., shoreline. The modules of the wall are fastened to each other by respective fastening means such that engaging connectivity is provided between the modules, yet retains the ability for fluid to pass through.
US08033758B1	Apparatus and method for making a polymer sheet piling wall A sheet piling wall includes a plurality of polymer corrugated sheet piles, such as vinyl sheet piles, connected together to form an corrugated wall structure having a front surface and a back surface. A plurality of blocks are adhesively secured to the back surface of the wall structure. Each block includes a fastener that is fastened to a bracket that is welded to a support bar extending horizontally behind the back surface. The support bar can be anchored to solid ground by use of tie back rods and an earth anchorage system.
US08033757B2	Auger grouted displacement pile Disclosed in this specification is a method and apparatus for placing a helical pile in the soil with minimal disturbances to the soil. The helical pile has an elongated pipe with a central chamber. The pipe has a helical blade with an opening in the trailing edge of the blade where grout is extruded. The grout fills those portions of the soil which were disturbed by the blade. Advantageously, those portions of the soil which were not disturbed by the blade are not infused with grout.
US08033745B2	Printing system with printing table releasably clamped to printing unit A digital printer includes a digital printing unit for digital printing an image onto a printing substrate during relative movement between a print head and the printing substrate, and a printing table for holding the printing substrate during the digital printing. The printing table is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit during the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate and is released from the digital printing unit prior to and after the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate. The printing table may be moved between a printing position, in which it is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit, and a printing substrate feeding position, in which it supports feeding and removing of the printing substrate from the printing table.
US08033740B2	Optical connector having an internal clearance at a part to be connected to an optical fiber In an optical connector including a base housing, a cover housing, and a clamp fixing the cover housing to the base housing, the base housing is provided with a groove for positioning and holding an optical fiber of an optical cable, a first recessed portion continuously formed from the groove, and a second recessed portion continuously formed from the first recessed portion. The first and the second recessed portions have bottom portions different in level from each other to have a stepped portion formed therebetween. The cover housing has a first coating portion for covering the groove and a second coating portion for covering the first and the second recessed portions. The bottom portion of the second recessed portion and the second coating portion presses a coating member of the optical cable to clamp the optical cable.
US08033738B2	Needle roller bearing A bearing assembly is provided including at least one needle roller that is resiliently compressible in response to a load applied to an exterior surface thereof. In addition, a method is provided for taking up a clearance between one or more first rollers and a bearing race in which the rollers are positioned. At least one resiliently compressible second roller is provided rollably secured within the bearing. The compressible second roller has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of any of the first rollers, such that the compressible second roller resiliently compresses when the bearing is positioned in the bearing race. Forces generated by compression of the resiliently compressible second roller urge the first rollers against a surface of the bearing race, thereby taking up the clearance between the first rollers and the race.
US08033734B2	Vehicle-wheel rolling bearing To provide a vehicle-wheel rolling bearing capable of further improving the reliability of a sensor by preventing a temperature drift.A vehicle-wheel rolling bearing H includes a cylindrical fixed ring 1 which is fixed to a vehicle body; rotary rings 2 and 3 which are inserted through the fixed ring 1 so as to be rotatable therein; and plural rows of rolling elements 5 which are disposed between the fixed ring and the rotary ring so as to roll. A vehicle-outboard-side end of an annular sensor housing 16 having plural displacement sensors 24 disposed in a circumferential direction thereof so as to detect a gap with respect to the outer peripheral surface of each vehicle-inboard-side end of the rotary rings 2 and 3 is press-fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the vehicle-inboard-side end of the fixed ring 1. In addition, the displacement sensors 24 are coated by a synthetic resin or a rubber-based material so as to be integrally formed with the sensor housing 16.
US08033733B2	Bearing element The invention relates to a bearing element (1) with a metallic support body (2), a bearing metal layer (3) arranged over the top and a polymer layer (4) arranged on the top of the latter, whereby the polymer layer (4) consists of a polyimide resin, molybdenum sulphide (MoS2) and graphite. The proportion of the polyimide resin in the polymer layer (4) is selected from a range with a lower limit of 60% and an upper limit of 80%, the proportion of MoS2 is selected from a range with a lower limit of 15% and an upper limit of 25% and the proportion of graphite is selected from a range with a lower limit of 5% and an upper limit of 15%.
US08033731B2	Fluid dynamic bearing motor having molded plastic A fluid dynamic bearing motor and method are described, wherein motor components, including complex shaped motor components, are molded of plastic. The molding ensures form control and dimensional control thereby accomplishing design requirements, and eliminating or reducing component costs and component machining. The mold can be shaped to form various motor geometries, thereby eliminating the need for multiple component assembly and related assembly costs. In an aspect, a plastic integral motor hub is formed by injection molding. Alternatively, a plastic motor hub is affixed to a metal sleeve. In another aspect, fluid containment structures are molded into the motor component, reducing the number of components as compared with machined metal components. In a further aspect, bearing structures such as grooves are molded into the motor component, thereby eliminating processes such as electrochemical machining. In yet a further aspect, a plastic hub faces a thrustplate, reducing expensive sleeve machining.
US08033725B2	X-ray image apparatus and device for and method of calibrating an X-ray image apparatus A calibration device (140) for calibrating an X-ray image apparatus includes a receiving unit (200) for receiving an image captured by a detection unit (108) of the X-ray image apparatus (100) under reference conditions, an analyzing unit (201) for analyzing the captured image to derive gain correction information, and a calibration unit (202) for providing calibrating information for calibrating the X-ray image apparatus (100) based on the derived gain correction information disregarding gain correction of a heel effect.
US08033721B2	Temperature sensor circuit A temperature sensor circuit is provided that facilitates preventing a too-high overshooting voltage from occurring at an output terminal when a power supply is connected to the temperature sensor circuit. The temperature sensor circuit includes a short-circuiting device, disposed in parallel to depletion mode NMOS, that short-circuits the drain and source of depletion mode NMOS when a power supply is connected; and delay device that transmits a signal for short-circuiting the drain and source of depletion mode NMOS for a certain period from the time point of power supply connection to short-circuiting device for preventing the voltage at output terminal of temperature sensor circuit from overshooting.
US08033720B2	Temperature sensing circuit and semiconductor memory device using the same A temperature sensing circuit comprises a temperature sensing unit for generating a reference voltage having a constant level, regardless of a temperature fluctuation, and a variable voltage to be changed according to the temperature fluctuation, and a comparison unit for comparing the reference voltage to the variable voltage, detecting an ambient temperature and generating a temperature detecting signal.
US08033711B2	Field bendable line voltage track lighting system A bendable line voltage track lighting system includes a track having a conductor subassembly and first and second bendable sheaths that engage the conductor subassembly. The conductor subassembly includes first and second insulators that receive first and second bus-bars, respectively, and a compression gasket for biasing the two insulators into engagement with guide grooves in the bendable sheaths. Power is fed to the track by power connectors that engage the bus-bars contained within the conductor subassembly. Light fixtures are powered by making electrical contact with the bus-bars of the conductor subassembly.
US08033707B2	LED backlight assembly having lower brightness LEDs at ends A LED backlight assembly including a light emitting diode array having a plurality of red, green and blue light emitting diodes; a light guide plate at the side of the light emitting diode array; and a supporter supporting the light guide plate. The amount of red light produced by a red light emitting diode positioned at one end of the light emitting diode array and the amount of blue light produced by a blue light emitting diode positioned at another end of the light emitting diode array is less than that produced by the next light emitting diode of the same color, respectively.
US08033706B1	Lightguide comprising a low refractive index region In one embodiment of this invention, a lightguide comprises a low refractive index region disposed between light extracting region and a non-scattering region. In further embodiment of this invention, volumetric scattering lightguide comprises a low refractive index region disposed between a volumetric scattering region and a non-scattering region. In some embodiments, a light emitting device comprising a volumetric scattering lightguide can angularly filter light input into the edge of a volumetric scattering lightguide by controlling the refractive index of the low refractive index region relative to the refractive index of the non-scattering region to prevent direct illumination of the volumetric scattering region, provide a luminance uniformity greater than 70%, or improve the angular luminous intensity of the light emitting device. The volumetric scattering lightguide may be curved, tapered, and a light emitting device comprising the same may further comprise at least one light source and a light redirecting element.
US08033704B2	Compact, high efficiency, high power solid state light source using a solid state light-emitting device A compact, high-efficiency, high-power, solid state light source, comprising a high-power solid state light-emitting device, a light guide having a proximal light-receiving end proximate the light-emitting device and a distal light-transmitting end spaced farther from the light-emitting device, and a mechanical light guide fixing device coupled to the light guide near its proximal end, to hold the proximal end of the light guide in position near the light-emitting device.
US08033703B2	Ratcheting fastener for lamp attachment A fastener for a vehicle includes a fastener head. A lamp stalk extends in a first direction from the fastener head, and a vehicle stalk extending in a second direction from the fastener head. The lamp stalk includes a plurality of protruding rings and the vehicle stalk includes a threaded engagement portion.
US08033699B2	Vehicle exterior mirror system A lighted exterior mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a folding portion and a non-folding portion. The non-folding portion is configured to mount to a side of a vehicle and the folding portion includes a reflective element. The folding portion is movable relative to the non-folding portion and between a normal operating position and a folded position. A ground illumination light is configured to project a pattern of light from the exterior mirror assembly to provide a lighted zone on a ground area adjacent the side of the vehicle at least at a front door region at the side of the vehicle where occupants may enter/exit the vehicle. The pattern of light projected by the ground illumination light provides ground illumination of at least about one lux illumination intensity at least on the ground area adjacent the front door region at the side of the vehicle.
US08033694B2	Collapsible lighting device The present invention includes a collapsible lighting device comprising: (a) a container having a base portion and optional lid portion, that is adapted to be reversibly moved from a closed position to an open position; (b) at least one light source disposed in the container; and (c) a collapsible envelope of a diffuser material disposed in the container, and adapted to be reversibly moved from a contained position defining a contained volume within the container when the container is in the closed position, to a deployed position when the container is in the open position.
US08033690B1	Light assembly for flashlights A nonimaging light assembly for flashlights, including a light source and a lens symmetrical about an optical axis for receiving light from the light source and producing therefrom a light beam having concentrated and divergent components resulting in a high intensity core beam surrounded by a smoothly transitioning lower intensity surround beam. In a preferred embodiment utilizing a light emitting diode as the light source, the combined light beam produced by the light assembly has a substantially circular cross section. In a preferred embodiment including a hybrid LED light source having a white-light die and an infrared die, a lens optimized with the white-light die produces a satisfactory IR beam having concentrated and divergent components when used with the IR die.
US08033688B2	Fixture support system and method A luminaire comprising a first hub comprising a first fixed portion rotatably coupled to a first rotor portion, said hub having an internal chamber, accessible through openings on the first fixed portion and the first rotor portion; a first lamp socket coupled to the first rotor portion of the first hub; a light rail affixed to the first rotor portion, said light rail having a bore the length of the light rail; a second hub comprising a second fixed portion rotatably coupled to a second rotor portion; and a second lamp socket coupled to the second rotor portion of the second hub, wherein a first set of one or more power wires is coupled to the first lamp socket, wherein a second set of power wires is disposed in the opening on the first fixed portion and further into the bore and is coupled to the second socket.
US08033685B2	LED luminaire A luminaire includes a base, a lighting module disposed on the base, the lighting module including a mounting plate, and a plurality of light emitting diodes provided on the mounting plate, and a cover surrounding the lighting module and secured in the base, the cover optimally directing light emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes.
US08033683B2	Staggered LED based high-intensity light A high intensity LED based lighting array for use in an obstruction light with efficient uniform light output is disclosed. The high intensity LED based lighting array has a first concentric ring having a plurality of reflectors and light emitting diodes. The concentric ring has a planar surface mounting each of the plurality of reflectors in perpendicular relation to a respective one of the plurality of light emitting diodes. A second concentric ring is mounted on the first concentric ring. The second concentric ring has a second plurality of reflectors and light emitting diodes. The second concentric ring has a planar surface mounting each of the plurality of reflectors in perpendicular relation to a respective one of the plurality of light emitting diodes. The second plurality of reflectors and light emitting diodes are offset from the reflectors and light emitting diodes of the first concentric ring.
US08033680B2	Flashlight with adjustable focus lamp element A flashlight with a rotatable lamp head is provided. The lamp head pivots about two cylindrical coaxial electrical connectors. The lamp head includes a reflector having a concave curved reflective surface and two lamp elements therein. A focusing ring on the lamp head moves the reflector in the lamp head for adjusting the focus of the light produced by the flashlight. The flashlight also includes a series of fluid-tight seals to insure that the flashlight is waterproof and a one-way flapper valve allows release of gases produced by the batteries and prevents fluid from entering the flashlight. A battery charger is also provided to recharge a battery pack for the flashlight.
US08033678B2	Screw on lighted end attachment for use with a flexible snake The present invention discloses a screw on lighted attachment for use with a fish wire, and which includes a conical body constructed of a durable and selectively transparent material, this further being adapted to being mounted to a remote end of the fish wire. A tip location of the body is configured with an eyelet portion formed there-through, and to which an end of a second retrieval wire is secured. An illuminating element, such as a light emitting diode, is housed within the body with a power source incorporated into the body and communicating with the LED element for activating the same to illuminate an area surrounding an inserted location associated within the body.
US08033675B2	Light emitting device and electronic device A light emitting device has a plurality of light emitting elements each having a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a light emitting layer disposed between the first and the second electrode layers, a reflective layer being disposed between a substrate and the first electrode layer and reflecting light emitted by the light emitting layer to the light emitting layer, the light emitting elements including a red light emitting element that emits a red light, a green light emitting element that emits a green light, and a blue light emitting element that emits a blue light, the green and the blue light emitting elements each having a resonator structure which contains the reflective layer and a translucent half-reflective layer and which is constituted by adjustment of the optical distance between the reflective layer and the translucent half-reflective layer, the red light emitting element not having the resonator structure.
US08033665B2	Hybrid spectral domain optical coherence tomography line scanning laser ophthalmoscope An apparatus for imaging an eye includes a housing and a system of optical components disposed in the housing. The apparatus is capable of operating in a line scanning laser ophthalmoscope (LSLO) mode and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) mode. The system of optical components can include a first source to provide a first beam of light for the OCT mode and a second source to provide a second beam of light for the LSLO mode. In the OCT mode, a first optic is used that (i) scans, using a first surface of the first optic, the first beam of light along a retina of an eye in a first dimension, and (ii) descans, using the first surface, a first light returning from the eye in the first dimension to a detection system in the OCT mode. In the LSLO mode, the first optic is used where the second beam of light passes through a second surface of the first optic.
US08033663B2	Abrasion-resistant tintable coating A curable coating composition includes: a) at least one monomer chosen from polyol poly(meth)acrylate monomers having from 3 to 6 (meth)acrylate functions, b) at least one monomer chosen from polyol polyglycidyl ethers having at least three epoxy functions, c) at least one difunctional monomer, d) at least one free-radical photo-initiator, and e) at least one cationic photo-initiator, wherein the molar ratio of acrylate equivalents to epoxy equivalents in the composition ranges from 3:1 to 4:1, and wherein the composition is free of silica and of monomers bearing a silane function. A method for coating a substrate, such as an ophthalmic lens, with this composition, and the coating substrate thus obtained are also disclosed.
US08033657B2	Image forming apparatus including liquid discharge head unit An image forming apparatus including a liquid discharge head unit which in turn includes (a) a liquid discharge head including multiple liquid chambers connected to multiple nozzles for discharging liquid droplets, and a common liquid chamber including a liquid supply opening and a liquid discharge opening, to supply a liquid to the multiple liquid chambers, (b) a sub tank including a liquid container, connected to the liquid supply opening to store the liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head, (c) a tank connected to the liquid discharge opening to store the liquid used for filling the liquid discharge head, and (d) a mechanism to return the liquid in the tank to the sub tank.
US08033655B2	Pressure-regulating valve, functional liquid supplying apparatus, imaging apparatus, method of manufacturing electro-optic device, electro-optic device, and electronic apparatus In a pressure-regulating valve which supplies a functional liquid from a functional liquid tank to a functional liquid droplet ejection head, using, as a reference regulating pressure, atmospheric pressure which a diaphragm receives, a valve-disc energizing spring, which energizes a valve disc for opening and closing a communication passage communicating a primary chamber and a secondary chamber, is configured so as to be separated from a housing main body along with a lid body.
US08033654B2	Piezoelectric element, ink jet head and producing method for piezoelectric element A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric film disposed on a substrate and a pair of electrodes disposed in contact with the piezoelectric film and utilizing a bending mode. The piezoelectric film includes domains constituted of a tetragonal crystal and including an a-domain which is formed by a crystal having a (100) plane parallel to the film surface of the piezoelectric film, the a-domains include an A-domain having a normal axis of (001) plane substantially parallel to a principal bending direction of the piezoelectric film and a B-domain having a normal axis of (001) plane substantially perpendicular to the principal bending direction of the piezoelectric film, and the A-domains have a volume proportion larger than 50 vol % with respect to the sum of the volume of the A-domains and the volume of the B-domains.
US08033644B2	Nozzle protector for liquid droplet ejecting apparatus A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus which ejects liquid to a recording medium, comprises a liquid droplet ejecting head including a nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles are formed, the nozzles being configured to eject liquid droplets; a dielectric elastomer disposed around the nozzle surface; a pair of electrodes configured to sandwich the dielectric elastomer; and a nozzle protector formed integrally with the dielectric elastomer on a recording medium side of the dielectric elastomer.
US08033643B2	Recyclable continuous ink jet print head and method A recyclable continuous ink jet print head is provided that includes a manifold formed from a metal such as stainless steel, a die having ink jet nozzles formed from a ceramic material such as silicon, a control circuit connected to the die via microwiring, and an interposing member disposed between the manifold and the die. The interposing member is formed from a composite material such as Al—SiC having a coefficient of thermal conductivity that is higher than that of the silicon die, and a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is between that of the die and the manifold. During manufacture, the CTE value of the interposing member allows long-lasting, heat-cured epoxy compositions to be used to bond the die to the manifold and to encapsulate the microwiring between the die and a control circuit with while maintaining proper alignment of the die ink jet nozzles on the manifold. When the die wears out, the high thermal conductivity of the interposing member allows the die to be easily removed from the manifold, thereby facilitating re-cycling of the manifold.
US08033638B2	Inkjet recording device An inkjet recording device includes a recording head having a nozzle surface formed with a plurality of nozzle arrays and a wiping mechanism having a wiper for wiping the nozzle surface. The wiping mechanism moves the wiper relative to and in contact with the nozzle surface, in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the plurality of nozzles arrays.
US08033627B2	Printing apparatus and printing method In printing of multi-level darkness/lightness of a certain color, which is performed with a dark ink and a light ink of the certain color, graininess is improved. A printing method includes generating a plurality of types of drive signals, and ejecting the dark ink and the light ink from a head, an amount of each ink varying for each dot tone value. In generation of a plurality of the types of the drive signals, a plurality of the types of drive signals are generated, where a waveform section that is for the dark ink of the certain color and that corresponds to a minimum dot tone value in ejection of ink is different from a waveform section that is for the light ink of the certain color and that corresponds to the minimum dot tone value, and where a waveform section that is for the dark ink of the certain color and that corresponds to a maximum dot tone value is different from a waveform section that is for the light ink of the certain color and that corresponds to the maximum dot tone value. In ejection of the dark ink and the light ink from the head, a drive signal that is generated based on a type of the dot tone value designated according to a size of a to-be-formed dot and based on a type of the ink is applied to an element that is provided on the head and that performs an operation for ejecting ink.
US08033624B2	System and method for printing a continuous web employing a plurality of interleaved ink-jet pens fed by a bulk ink source This invention provides a system and method for printing continuous web and feeding ink to printing pens (or cartridges) that employs an array of interleaved ink-jet pens that are arranged to receive bulk ink through a manifold. The manifold and pens are mounted on a fixed array suspended over the web feed path. The manifold includes a plurality of self-sealing quick-disconnect couplings that each serve a discrete ink-jet pen. The pens lay down ink in a registered manner across the full width of the web. The pens are organized into two parallel, multi-pen arrays that are each diagonally oriented with respect to the feed direction. The feed path allows for duplex printing with a second web-side's array located on a lower level of the device, generally beneath the first-side's array. Duplex printing is facilitated due to its inherent length of the feed path. The printed part of the web is free of contact over predetermined lengths that ensure sufficient time for the drying of ink. Each pen is interconnected with a connection to a respective manifold that maintains a vacuum so as to prevent seepage of ink from the pen nozzles. The vacuum is maintained by a draw pump, while ink is continuously provided to the manifold via a float switch in a pressure regulator. The regulator is fed by a bulk ink supply using a feed pump. A check-valve standpipe on each manifold assists in removing any trapped air from the system, thus assisting in maintaining the vacuum.
US08033621B2	Ultrathin slide rail capable of rapid installation and removal A pair of ultrathin slide rails capable of rapid installation and removal are disclosed. The slide rails are specially configured to provide an ultrathin three-section slide rail mechanism. Switchable auxiliary pins are inserted into threaded holes formed in bent sections at both ends of each slide rail, allowing the slide rails to be rapidly positioned in positioning holes of slide rail posts of a chassis and secured in place by fastening screws. The fastening screws are replaceable by resilient fasteners provided on the bent sections at both ends of each slide rail so that the slide rails can be rapidly installed and removed by virtue of the resilient fasteners and the auxiliary pins.
US08033617B2	Wire-spoked wheel having spokes coupled to rim A method for the manufacture of a wire wheel of the type comprising a rim and a hub secured to each other by a plurality of spokes. Each spoke includes a stem at the opposed axial ends of which are arranged respective anchorage members capable of being secured respectively to the hub and to the rim. The member for anchorage to the rim is received in a seat fixed on the rim with the capability of limited axial displacement in the seat. The seat is provided integrally on the rim in the form of a substantially tubular appendage thereof and the anchorage member is received in a sealed manner with coupling of the cylinder/piston type in the tubular appendage.
US08033615B2	Retention system A retention assembly has a carbide bolster with a first and second segment brazed together, each segment forming at least part of a cavity formed of the bolster. A shaft has an inserted end is interlocked within the cavity.
US08033610B2	Backrest for a vehicle seat with an upper backrest having adjustable inclination A backrest for a vehicle seat includes a backrest frame, which is surrounded by a cover and has an upper backrest with an adjustable inclination. An additional frame is hinged so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis to a side plate, the cover, or the backrest frame. The pivot axis is arranged in an upper region of the backrest, and the additional frame extends upwards from the pivot axis in the installed position of the backrest. The additional frame can be secured in different angular positions in relation to the backrest frame, and, thus, a variable gap forms between the additional cover of the additional frame and the cover of the backrest frame.
US08033606B2	Connecting devices A gear assembly may include first and second gear wheels meshing with each other and having a meshing line. The meshing line is formed as a circular arc that is positioned between first and second curves to determine a meshing range of the meshing line, so as to extend from a point on the first curve positioned radially inside the second curve in a circumferential direction in which the second curve is radially outwardly spaced from the first curve and to reach a point on the second curve. The circular arc is centered on a center point that is offset from a reference straight line passing through a pitch point of first and second pitch circles of the first and second gear wheels and centers of the first and second pitch circles.
US08033595B2	Vehicle reinforcing structure A reinforcement member 30 integratedly includes a top surface 31, a rear surface 32, a first side 33, and a second side 34. The top surface 31 has an air deflector attaching portion 35. An air deflector arranged on top of a roof panel 2 is attachable to the air deflector attaching portion 35. The second side 34 includes a base 40 and a seatbelt anchor attaching portion 41. The base 40 is formed in approximately the same plane as the first side 33. The seatbelt anchor attaching portion 41 extends inward from the base 40 along the vehicle width and is in contact with a rear pillar inner section. A seatbelt anchor arranged on the inner side of the rear pillar inner section is attachable to the air deflector attaching portion 41.
US08033594B2	Retractable air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle or, in other embodiments, at least one air deflection element coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to any rear door which the vehicle may have. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position in which the air deflection elements intersect with the air flowing around the top and sides, and preferably also the bottom, of the vehicle, and in which they divert that airflow in a manner that enhances the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle and thereby improves its fuel economy, resulting in a reduction in fuel cost. The air deflection elements may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control, with the latter allowing for optimal positioning of the air deflection elements based either on pre-stored values, or on values derived, utilizing an optional feedback mechanism, from real-time vehicular speed and fuel consumption data. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.
US08033593B2	Vehicle body for a motor vehicle In a rear end of the vehicle body, an assembly carrier which is arranged in the vehicle transverse direction is inserted between inner body-side side parts of the vehicle rear end. The assembly carrier holds pre-assemblable components and to which assembly carrier is fastened a rear-end trim panel and which assembly carrier is fixedly connected to the two inner side parts by screw devices and forms a stiffening body cross member.
US08033592B2	Door assembly and method for a vehicle A door assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel. A support panel is operatively connected to the outer panel and configured such that the support panel provides bending resistance to the outer panel when the outer panel is deflected toward the support panel during a first deflection distance of the outer panel. A cable is operatively connected in the door assembly between a first end and a second end of the outer panel such that the cable provides additional bending resistance to the outer panel when the outer panel is deflected toward the support panel during a second deflection distance of the outer panel, greater than the first deflection distance.
US08033591B2	Tonneau cover assemblies Elongated side rails for attachment to a sidewall of a truck cargo box as a portion of a tonneau cover assembly. Each assembly includes a flexible cover that can be operatively secured to side rails. One side rail includes a securing portion that can be operatively connected to the sidewall; an inclined portion extending from the securing portion, the inclined portion having first and second sides; a connecting member extending downwardly away from the inclined portion from a position located between the first and second sides; and a longitudinal portion extending from the connecting member opposite the inclined portion. To secure the cover to the side rails, hook fastener is preferably attached to loop fastener on the cover. One preferred side rail has a ridge to prevent premature engagement of the fasteners. Another preferred side rail has directional hook fastener to prevent premature engagement of the fasteners.
US08033580B2	Working fluid feeding device A device (30) for feeding working fluid to an assembly (14) requiring working fluid includes at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) extending from a surface (16a) and at least one screw element (22, 24) capable of being screwed from the surface (16a) into the at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) for feeding working fluid into the fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) or for closing the fluid channel (20, 20a-20d), the at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) having a first section (32) directly adjacent to the surface (16a) with a larger width, a second section (36) with a smaller width and, between the first section (32) and the second section (36), having a first transition region (34) with an annular surface (34a), and the screw element (22, 24) having at least one sealing surface (22c, 24c) capable of being brought into sealing engagement with the annular surface (34a). The fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) is deformable in the second section (36) by a pressure applied by the screw element (22, 24) to the annular surface (34a) in the sense of reducing the volume of the fluid channel in the second section (36).
US08033579B2	Fluid device connecting structure For simply and reliably coupling first and second fluid devices, a fluid device connecting structure is arranged to couple first and second connection parts of the first and second fluid devices by use a coupling member by placing a resin seal member in seal grooves formed in the connection parts. The first connection part includes a first mounting groove for attachment jig and a first fitting groove provided between the first mounting groove and an end face of the first connection part to receive the coupling member. The second connection part includes a second mounting groove for the jig and a second fitting groove provided between the second mounting groove and an end face of the second connection part to receive the coupling member. The coupling member includes a plurality of split members each including a first projecting portion held in contact with an end-face-side inside surface of the first fitting groove and a second projecting portion held in contact with an end-face-side inside surface of the second fitting groove, the first and second projecting portions being arranged at a predetermined distance.
US08033575B2	Quick connector A quick connector can surely prevent incomplete connection of a tube thereto and is provided with a retainer which can be easily returned to its releasing position without being subject to restrictive conditions including working space when the tube connected to the quick connector needs to be removed from the quick connector.A retainer 16 is provided with arms 31a and 31b extending so as to be in contact with diametrically opposite parts, respectively, of the outer surface of a housing 12. Locking hooks 34a and 34b are formed on free end parts of the arms 31a and 31b, respectively. First stoppers 35a and 35b are formed on the outer surface of the housing 12 so as to engage with the locking hooks 34a and 34b of the retainer 16 such that the retainer 16 can be moved from the releasing position only in a direction in which the retainer 16 is pressed into the housing 12.
US08033574B2	Collapsible steering column assembly A collapsible steering column assembly having a variable energy absorption curve is disclosed. The assembly includes a column jacket and an energy absorption device defining a deformation channel. A strap, interconnecting the column jacket and the energy absorption device, is disposed within the channel and moves along a deformation path in response to collapse of the column jacket. A pin is moveable into the deformation channel by a pyrotechnic device to alter the deformation path. Accordingly, the energy absorption device absorbs energy at a first rate when the pin is not disposed in the deformation channel, and absorbs energy at a second higher rate when the pin is disposed in the deformation channel.
US08033569B2	Interior structure of vehicle equipped with curtain airbag A curtain member has a bending portion which is formed by a rear portion of the curtain member in a folded stored state being bent forward, i.e., toward an opposite side to the vertically-extending vehicle-body pillar. A second tether member is made of a long cloth member. Its rear end is fixed to a specified lower-side position of a fifth pillar which is located below the middle portion of this pillar in the vertical direction via a fixing pin. Its front end is fixed to a body portion of a curtain member via a seam portion. Accordingly, there can be provided the interior structure of a vehicle equipped with a curtain airbag which can properly form the tension line at the curtain member.
US08033567B2	Airbag module An airbag module may include an inflator, an air bag, and an air bag case housing. The air bag case housing may be attached to the air bag and attached to the inflator. The inflator supplies a gas to the air bag housed in the air bag case. The air bag case may include an engagement member having an opening and a hook disposed on two opposing sides of thereof, and a lower surface plate member that is attached to the engagement member by a bridge member. The hooks may be shaped to engage an instrument panel, thereby attaching the air bag case to the instrument panel. The air bag module may also include a fabric housing disposed around the air bag housed. The fabric housing may have a box-like shape with a bottom portion, an open ceiling portion, and a connecting hole disposed in the bottom portion.
US08033565B2	Tandem wheel suspension systems A trailer tandem wheel suspension system comprising a pair of suspension units (3) for mounting on either side of a chassis (4) of a trailer (1) to support a pair of wheels 2′, 2″ and arranged to respond both to small and large deflections of the wheels 2′, 2″. Each suspension unit (3) has a primary spring element (12) and a secondary spring element (13) linked to the primary spring element (12) so that the primary and secondary spring elements (12, 13) are effective over different ranges of movement of the wheels 2′, 2″. The primary spring element (12) is a leaf spring responsive to small movements of the wheels 2′, 2″ and the secondary spring element (13) includes a compression spring (18) linked to the leaf spring and responsive to larger movements of the wheels 2′, 2″.
US08033564B2	Multi-functional gliding device A multi-functional board-type gliding device, which has two end portions spaced at a distance apart from another in the direction of a longitudinal axis and is designed to be split in its longitudinal extension to form gliding part-devices . Several first and second coupling mechanisms are disposed in the direction of longitudinal extension in order to provide a mutual connection between the two gliding part-devices. The two mutually coupled gliding part-devices constitute a first operating mode and in the position separated from one another constitute a second operating mode. In the first operating mode in the coupled position, the two gliding part-devices form a first end portion which defines a first direction of use. In the second operating mode in the position separated from one another, the or the other end portions define a second direction of use opposite the first direction of use.
US08033563B2	Universal platform hitch assembly system A height adjustable hitch assembly. The present invention provides a trailer hitch assembly mountable to a receiver hitch of a vehicle. The trailer hitch assembly includes a vertically extending channel member having opposing side flanges. Each of the side flanges includes equally spaced holes. A locking member having two pins spaced from one another the same distance as the holes in the flanges secures a hitch assembly to the channel member at a desired height. The height can be quickly and easily adjusted by removing the locking member, moving the hitch assembly to the desired height and reinserting the locking member. The channel member and the dual locking pin minimize rocking, swaying and pivoting of the hitch assembly relative to the vehicle.
US08033560B2	Human-propelled vehicle A self-propelled vehicle includes illuminatable direction indicators having left turn and right turn indicators which selectably operate by turning of a steering structure or column of the self-propelled vehicle to the left or to the right, respectively. The steering structure or column includes handlebars.
US08033559B2	Human-propelled vehicles There is disclosed a vehicle, for example, a self-propelled and/or pedal vehicle such as a tricycle, bicycle, scooter, micro-scooter, or collapsible scooter, for example, adapted for use by children or infants. Accordingly, a self-propelled vehicle comprising illuminatable direction indicator means comprising left turn and right turn indictor means, which selectably operate by turning of a steering means or column of the self-propelled vehicle to the left or to the right, respectively, the steering means or column comprising handlebars in one embodiment. The self-propelled vehicle may comprise a tricycle.
US08033556B2	Combined tramp rod and anti-roll bar A combined tramp rod and anti-roll bar is secured between a rear axle beam and the chassis of a vehicle. The tramp rod and anti-roll bar has an intermediate portion, a right arm and a left arm that are connected by bushings to either the rear axle beam or the frame of the vehicle. The combined tramp rod and anti-roll bar provides roll stiffness control and also resists wind-up of the rear axle when high torque loads are applied to the rear axle. D-bushings that resist sliding movement of the intermediate portion in combination with the splayed arms provide improved compliance understeer performance when lateral loads are applied to the rear suspension.
US08033555B2	Assembly comprising a chassis and a child seat being detachably connectable to the chassis, such a chassis as well as such a child seat The assembly comprises a chassis and a child seat being detachably connectable to the chassis. The child seat is provided with at least one first connecting element, which is detachably connectable to a second connecting element provided in the chassis. The connecting elements are provided with a locking mechanism for interlocking the connecting elements. The locking mechanism can be unlocked for subsequently disconnecting the connecting elements from each other. The locking mechanism can be locked in a blocking position, in which position the locking mechanism is unlocked.
US08033548B2	Playing cards and table game system The present invention provides playing cards which allow a code to be read reliably from the cards shot out at various speeds. Playing cards (1) are provided with a code (2) not readable under a lighting condition of visible light, but readable under lighting conditions other than the visible light. The code (2) comprises four code elements (3) arranged in two rows and two columns and represents suit and rank information of the playing cards (1). The code elements (3) include at least two types of mark which differ in length in a column direction corresponding to a reading direction of the code (2). Row-by-row combinations of the code elements (3) arranged in a row direction orthogonal to the code reading direction can be identified uniquely and the suit and rank information of the playing cards (1) represented by the code (2) can be identified based on the row-by-row combinations of the code elements (3).
US08033546B2	Belt drive controller and image forming apparatus provided with same A belt drive controller for controlling each belt stopping position with high accuracy during intermittent movement of a belt. This belt drive controller controls driving of a belt to intermittently move a belt wrapped around a plurality of supporting rollers including a driven roller and a drive roller. This controller detects a rotation angular displacement or a rotation angular velocity of two supporting rollers having mutually different diameters, and controls driving of the drive roller based on the detected rotation data so that the position of the belt in the direction of movement becomes a predetermined target position.
US08033542B2	Equipment for storing in an orderly way banknotes and/or papers and the like An equipment (43) for storing in an orderly way banknotes (52) and/or papers and the like, for instance banknotes (52) for an automatic machine (39), provided for the formation of a stack (53). The equipment (43) comprises two spiral elements (81; 82) defining coils with respective axes (83; 84) directed in the sense of the stacking and terminal sections (86) adjacent to a stacking surface (77) at an end of the stack. The spiral elements (81; 82) are rotatable around the axes (83; 84) and are arranged for laterally receiving between the coils a leading portion of the entering banknote (52), moving the banknote (52), through the coils and in consequence of the rotation, on the stacking surface (77), and disengaging the banknote from the coils adjacent to the terminal section (86).
US08033537B2	Construction set comprising at least one plate The construction set comprises at least one plate (10) having through bores (11) that are arranged on a grid and counterbores (12a) that are arranged on both sides of said through bores for receiving a connecting element. The cross-section of said counterbores deviates from a circular shape in order to rotationally secure a connecting element received in the counterbore.
US08033535B2	Stair stringer assembly bench A stair making apparatus is disclosed. The stair making apparatus comprising a bench adapted to support a plurality of members and a beam; a stop fixture connected to the bench, the stop fixture having a plurality of stops for individually engaging each of the plurality of members; and one or more fasteners connected with the bench, the one or more fasteners configured to cooperate with the plurality of stops to brace the beam and the plurality of members in a form of a stair stringer.
US08033534B2	Jig and method for processing cylinder block In a dummy head (a jig for processing a cylinder block) having a dummy head body deforming a cylinder bore by assembling into a mounting surface of the cylinder block by bolt fastening, during the finish processing of the cylinder bore, a boss having a contact surface contacting a peripheral portion of the cylinder bore on the head mounting surface is provided on a mounting surface side for the cylinder block of the dummy head body, and at least the dummy head body has a higher rigidity than the cylinder block.
US08033533B2	Universal brake assembly An air spring actuated brake assembly for a railway vehicle braking system is provided which comprises an air spring disposed between a mounting member for attachment to the rigid structure of the braking system and a push rod attached thereto for longitudinal movement in an outward direction upon actuation thereof to initiate a braking sequence of the railway vehicle braking system. The air spring actuated brake assembly of the present invention allows for improved control of the brake shoe forces including visual travel measurement indication which is especially desirable during light load conditions. Additionally the air spring actuated brake assembly of the invention allows for the visual inspection and simple replacement of an inflatable spring should an air leak in the actuator occur. Currently used brake assemblies employing cylinder type actuators may be retrofitted with the air spring actuator of the invention.
US08033531B2	Apparatus for mixing a fluid with a large gas stream, especially for introducing a reducing agent into a flue gas containing nitrogen oxides An apparatus for mixing a liquid with a large gas stream flowing in a gas duct, especially for introducing reducing agent into flue gas containing nitrogen oxides. At least one metering lance having at least two atomizer nozzles supplies liquid to the gas stream, with the nozzles being inclined relative to the direction of flow of the gas stream and being inclined in opposite directions relative to one another. At least one disk-shaped mixer element is associated with and spaced from the nozzles, and is inclined relative to the direction of flow of the gas stream. Flow eddies form at the mixer element, and at least a portion of the liquid enters the flow eddies. Atomization is effected in such a way by the mixer element that volatilized gaseous portions in the nozzle streams exiting the nozzles enter the flow eddies, while non-volatized droplet portions, due to their inertia and an atomizer angle, do not enter the flow eddies in the vicinity of the mixer element.
US08033522B2	Flush valve handle assembly providing dual mode operation A dual mode flush valve includes a handle assembly having a handle, a bushing and a plunger. The bushing has a sleeve with a passage therethrough for mounting the plunger for sliding and tilting. The passage is defined by first and second partially overlapping bores that coincide at the inner end of the sleeve and are spaced one above the other at the outer end of the sleeve. The bores define a horizontal plunger travel axis and an angled plunger travel axis. Depending on which direction the user actuates the handle the plunger will travel along one of these axes. Travel along the angled axis will lower the plunger tip, allowing earlier clearance of a relief valve and a reduced flow through the flush valve compared to actuation with the plunger travel along the horizontal axis.
US08033521B2	Bottom panel for transport refrigeration unit Provision is made for a single person to easily install a bottom panel for the cover of a transport refrigeration unit. A plurality of forwardly extending tabs are spaced on a rear frame member and corresponding pockets with horizontal slots are similarly spaced near the rear edge of the bottom panel. The bottom panel is then advanced such that the tabs fit into the slots, and then the front portion of the bottom panel is attached to the framework by a plurality of fasteners passing through front pockets of the bottom cover and into L-shaped brackets mounted on a front portion of the frame. The bottom panel is preferably formed of a thermoplastic olefin material that provides flexibility for ease of assembly but is sufficiently rigid and strong and exhibits good sound absorbing characteristics.
US08033520B2	Vehicle seat slide mechanism An upper rail constituting a slide mechanism has engagement surface portions and engagement surface portions each having a projected surface portion. The engagement surface portions are positioned at front and rear two portions of the upper rail. A lower rail has detent surface portions formed between the engagement surface portions and the engagement surface portions. The detent surface portions are covered with the upper rail. When the engagement surface portions or the engagement surface portions contact the detent surface portions due to sliding of the upper rail, a vehicle seat can be prevented from sliding.
US08033517B2	Liquid holding device with releasable suction base Generally, a liquid holding device with a releasable suction base is a mug or other container operable to hold a substance or device with an integral means for creating a secure suction force with a surface. More specifically, a component of the liquid holding device is not only operable to create a suction force, but the application of the suction force provides a means for stabilizing the device. Advantageously, once the liquid holding device is adhered to a surface via the suction mechanism component, the risk of accidental tipping of the device is greatly reduced. Further, an aspect of the present invention is a mechanism for the convenient creation and release of the stabilizing suction force. In some embodiments, the suction creation and release mechanism can be operated with a single hand. Advantageously, such an aspect provides a means for a user of the device to simply affect the stabilizing suction force when placing the liquid holding device adjacent to a smooth surface as well as conveniently release the suction force when movement of the device is desired.
US08033511B2	Pipe support assembly A pipe support assembly for supporting one or more pipes. According to an embodiment, the pipe support assembly comprises a main member having a saddle for holding a first pipe, a pipe holder attached to the main member and configured for holding a second pipe, and the main member includes an exterior surface for receiving a support strap for affixing to the structure. According to an embodiment, the first pipe comprises an insulated pipe with an outer insulation layer and the second pipe comprises an uninsulated pipe. According to another embodiment, the pipe support assembly includes a bottom mount for mounting the pipe support assembly to a structure. According to an embodiment, the mount comprises a bracket. According to another aspect, the mount comprises a base that is fastened to a structure.
US08033509B2	Load optimized redundant flight control surface actuation system and method An aircraft flight surface control system and method simultaneously provides the benefits of both an active/active system architecture and in active/standby system architecture. The system is preferably implemented using hydraulic actuator assemblies and electromechanical actuator assemblies coupled to the same flight control surface. During normal system operations the electromechanical actuator assemblies are energized to supply a relatively minimal force to associated flight control surfaces. In effect, the electromechanical actuators, although energized, may be pulled along by the associated hydraulic actuator assemblies, until needed. Thus, the electromechanical actuator assemblies are controlled in a manner that closely resembles the active/standby architecture.
US08033507B2	Parachute release system and method A parachute release system is configured to releasably couple a parachute to a payload. A parachute release mechanism is coupled to a suspension strap routed through a strap sleeve. The parachute release mechanism is configured to provide near-simultaneous separation of the suspension straps from the payload via operation of a rotatable hinge pin. The strap sleeve reduces the possibility of the suspension strap becoming entangled with the payload. With this system and method, larger payloads may be supported and/or the mass of the parachute release system may be reduced.
US08033503B2	Pressure bulkhead for an aerospace fuselage A pressure bulkhead for an aerospace fuselage includes a bulkhead main portion having an approximately flat shape in unloaded state; and a frame supporting and connecting said bulkhead main portion to the fuselage; wherein said bulkhead main portion includes an airtight structure having a reticular component.
US08033499B2	Biomimetic micro-aerial-vehicle with figure-eight flapping trajectory A micro aerial vehicle includes: a fuselage; a flapping transmission mechanism mounted on a front portion of the fuselage; a flexible wing frame secured to and driven by the flapping transmission mechanism for producing a figure-eight flapping trajectory for mimicking the flight of a tiny natural flier, such as hummingbird; and a tail wing secured to a tail portion of the fuselage; wherein the flexible wing frame is formed by respectively pivotally or rotatably mounting a wing skin made of parylene foil to a pair of leading-edge arm members made of carbon fiber, and linked to the flapping transmission mechanism to thereby make a miniaturized micro aerial vehicle.
US08033498B2	Helicopter A helicopter (2) comprising a body portion (4), a plurality of rotor blades (6) which are mounted for rotation with respect to the body portion (4), and a fan (8) which is mounted for rotation in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the rotors (6), the rotor blades (6) being such that they are spaced apart in a vertical direction, and the fan (8) being such that when it rotates it generates a torque which acts to counteract at least a part of the torque generated by the rotor blades (6) when they rotate.
US08033497B2	Hybrid thermal airship An airship comprises a shell, a gas storage system, an air storage system, a cargo storage system, a heating system, and a propulsion system. The shell encompasses a volume. The gas storage system is located within the volume, wherein the gas storage system is capable of storing a lighter than air gas. The air storage system is located within the volume, wherein the air storage system is capable of storing heated air. The heating system is capable of heating air. The propulsion system is capable of propelling the shell during flight.
US08033496B2	Rolled body holder and recording apparatus A rolled body holder includes a center shaft member serving as a lead screw connected to a handle, a cam member screwed to the center shaft member, and a plurality of segments which form a cylindrical body covering the center shaft member and the cam member. The cam member includes a plurality of rails, and each of the rails includes a cam surface with a radially varying height. Each of the segments includes a follower part fitted to the rail and relatively slidable along the cam surface and an outer surface part on which multiple projections are formed. When the cylindrical body is inserted into a paper tube of a rolled body and the handle is rotated, the center shaft member is rotated to move the cam member in the longitudinal direction. Then, a portion of the cam surface, which is higher in the radial direction, is brought into contact with the follower part, and each of the segments extends in the radial direction so that the projections bite into an inner surface of the paper tube. As a result, the rolled body can be easily and securely held with a simple structure.
US08033486B2	Waste line connector assembly A waste line connector assembly for a food waste disposer includes a tailpipe member having a first inlet connectable to an outlet of a food waste disposer, a second inlet connectable to a waste water outlet of a dishwasher, and an outlet connectable to a waste or drain line. A one-way valve, such as a duck-bill valve, is in fluid communication with the second inlet. A flexible coupler, may be provided to be connected to the outlet, with one or both ends of the coupler being angled and rotatably connected to the outlet and/or the waste line so that the angular position of the waste line is variable relative to the tailpipe member.
US08033484B2	Dispensers for aerosol systems A dispensing assembly for an aerosol system for dispensing liquid material comprises an outlet member defining an outlet opening, a selector member, a collar member, an actuator member, and a base member. The collar member supports the selector member. The actuator member supports the outlet member and the collar member. The base member engages the selector member to allow movement of the selector member relative to the collar member. Movement of the selector member relative to the collar member causes movement of the collar member relative to the actuator member. Movement of the collar member relative to the actuator member alters a cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
US08033482B2	Pivoting handrail for an agricultural sprayer An agricultural implement includes a frame and at least one wing boom pivotably coupled to the frame. The wing boom is designed to extend generally perpendicularly from the frame when in a working position and generally adjacent the frame when in a transport or stowed position. The outer end of the wing boom rests in a cradle coupled to the frame. The frame further includes a handrail that may be pivoted toward the frame to provide clearance for the cradle when the wing boom is moved to the stowed position.
US08033478B2	System and method for RFID-based printed media reading activity data acquisition and analysis The subject invention provides a means of automatically detecting and recording a person's use of magazines, i.e. printed media exposure, for the purpose of market research. The present invention comprises one or more electrically conductive marker regions applied to certain specific locations on one or more magazine pages. In one general embodiment, the presence and relative separation of the marker regions are detected by a capacitive sensors and electronic device that stores, processes and communicates the data wirelessly to an external device. In another embodiment, a passive chip less tag is used to indirectly measure the change in conductivity of the conductive regions caused by prolonged exposure to air or light. Exemplary methods are described for acquiring readership and exposure data using the present invention.
US08033474B2	Infrared blocking article The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the signature on back of the card is visible from the front of the card and an active thru date on the front of the card. The invisible optically recognizable compound is an infrared ink and/or film, which can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.
US08033469B2	Apparatus for performing multimedia-based data transmission and associated method An apparatus for performing multimedia-based data transmission includes an image capturing device and a processing circuit. The image capturing device is a peripheral device for a user to capture images. In addition, in a situation where the apparatus is utilized as a target apparatus, the image capturing device is arranged to capture at least one multi-dimensional barcode image carrying data. Additionally, the processing circuit is arranged to control operations of the apparatus, wherein in the situation where the apparatus is utilized as the target apparatus, the processing circuit is arranged to extract the data carried by the multi-dimensional barcode image for further use. In particular, the aforementioned at least one multi-dimensional barcode image may represent a plurality of multi-dimensional barcode images. An associated method is also provided.
US08033466B2	Electronic device An electronic device includes: a cabinet on whose end surface is formed a slot for insertion of a card; a card access unit that has a terminal that contacts an electrode of the card inserted from the slot. The card access unit is disposed in a position spaced from the slot, houses part, on a front end side of the insertion direction, of the card, and accesses the card via the terminal. The electronic further includes an electronic part disposed on a shield plate that is placed on the bottom surface, in a position overlapping with the card access unit. The shield plate serves also as a guide plate that guides the card inserted from the slot, to the card access unit in conjunction with the bottom surface of the cabinet.
US08033465B2	Apparatus for searching RFID tag The apparatus has an antenna provided with a predetermined directivity for carrying out radio communication with a RFID tag provided at a search target, a transparent display device that can impart a field of view including a natural image of the search target to vision of an operator and is held by the face of the operator, and a control circuit configured to get communication region information corresponding to a communication region generated along the directivity from the antenna, to generate a display signal for visualization display of the communication region in the field of view of the display device on the basis of the gotten communication region information and to output the signal to the display device.
US08033464B2	Optical sighting system An automatic optical sighting system generates at least one adjustment for an adjustable optical system based on at least one detected condition, an appropriate dynamic model of a projectile in flight, and a solution of the equations of motion in flight, so that the projectile will have a trajectory between an origin and a selected target that helps the projectile to hit the target.
US08033457B2	Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same A method of creating a single transaction card is disclosed and comprises embossing the single transaction card within a pocket to form embossed characters on a first surface of the single transaction card, filling the pocket with a fill panel to provide a substantially flush surface on a second surface of the single transaction card, wherein a third surface of the fill panel is in uniform, direct contact with an interior of the pocket. Another method is disclosed for machining a face pocket within a single transaction card and disposing a microchip therein. In various embodiments, a single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer, such as, for example, titanium.
US08033456B2	Card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method An automated banking machine system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system is operative to read a financial card bearing account indicia with a card reader. A user is enabled to perform at least one banking operation responsive to account indicia read from the card. Such banking operations may include dispensing cash and accessing financial accounts. While a user operates the system to dispense cash or perform other banking operations, the system may further permit at least one portable wireless device to wirelessly access the system to conduct transactions.
US08033454B2	Self-service terminal A self-service terminal comprises a fascia defining an aperture through which a receipt or other type of media items is dispensible to a customer. The fascia comprises a protrusion located immediately beneath the aperture in a generally central location. The protrusion comprises a lower surface against which a customer's finger may rest and an upper surface for guiding an exiting receipt or other type of media item. The protrusion extends outwardly from the fascia to ensure that even if the customer places a finger on the protrusion, opposing edges of the receipt or other media item exit a sufficient distance from the aperture to allow the receipt or other media item to be visible to and removed by the customer.
US08033453B2	ATMemo An ATMemo arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement allows an ATM to present a person's own reminder memo to that person. A personal memo is authored by an ATMemo customer with a personal computer and then the memo is stored at a remote data store. The data store is accessible by an ATM network. The stored memo is associated with the customer and a display period. Any ATM in the network is operative to display the memo to the customer. Display of a stored memo at an ATM is based on valid customer identification, the memo's display period, and the current date. The ATM accesses and displays the memo if both the ATM customer ID matches the memo author ID and the current date is within the time period for displaying the memo. The ATM can also print the memo on a transaction receipt.
US08033450B2	Expression codes for microparticle marks based on signature strings A system, apparatus, and method for identifying and authenticating articles using expression codes obtained from marks incorporating microparticles on or in articles, article packaging, or article labeling where the expression codes are based on signature strings generated relative to attributes of valid individual microparticles. The system, apparatus, and method can also enable the serialization of articles over and above the code-formulation that is achievable with multi-layered color-coded microparticles or single expression microparticles.
US08033444B2	Explosion welding with a mold and copper layer A method for an explosion welding process to form composite pipes, such as for nuclear power equipment. The explosive welding process includes: (1) An explosives preparation method in which low detonation velocity explosives are produced by using powdery emulsion explosives as a base. The base is mixed completely and evenly with a certain amount of powdered pearl salt, wherein the size of the pearl salt particle is 100-200 mesh, and the ratio of emulsion explosives versus pearl salt is between about 3-5:1. (2) A method of inhibiting the negative influence on welding quality caused by the gap between a base tube and a mold, wherein: the roughness of the base tube outer surface is kept less than that of the mold's inner surface, with the difference in surface roughness being maintained within two-grades. In certain cases, a layer of 1.0.±.0.1 mm copper may be added between the outer wall of a base tube and the inner wall of the mold.
US08033443B1	Anvil with rolling elements for friction stir welding In a Friction Stir Welding process a load, applied through a rotating tool, frictionally heats, plasticizes and commingles selected regions of the workpieces while translating along the length of the joint. The load is supported by an anvil. The applied load inhibits relative motion of the workpiece and conventional anvils due to friction which requires application of higher translation forces and could lead to undesired surface blemishes. Thus conventional practice is to employ bulky, stationary anvils. Compact, moveable anvils comprising freely-rotating or freely moving elements in contact with the workpieces and capable of reducing workpiece-anvil friction are described. Particular benefits of this anvil design are illustrated for the process of assembling inner and outer sheet metal components into an automobile assembly, a portion of which is visible to a vehicle customer.
US08033441B2	Surgical instrument with articulating tool assembly A surgical stapling instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, an articulating tool assembly and an articulation mechanism is disclosed. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The articulation mechanism includes an articulation link for articulating the tool assembly, an articulation knob for rotating an interface member, the articulation link having a slit at a proximal end operatively connected to the interface member, wherein rotational motion of the articulation knob is translated into axial motion of the first and second articulation links thereby articulating the articulating tool assembly.
US08033433B2	Dispensing nozzle and cap A dispensing nozzle for a container with a long tapered nozzle body has a narrow tapered dispensing end and a wider base end. A passage for fluid runs from the base end to the dispensing end and through an outlet. The dispensing nozzle has a removable cap that fits over the dispensing nozzle when in the closed position which closes the dispensing nozzle's outlet with a penetrating plug located on the interior of the cap. The cap has a narrow closed end that has the penetrating plug on its interior side and the cap has a wider open end. The cap fits onto the nozzle in a tight fit when closed. The invention contemplates that the fluid in the container is strong glue, so that hardened glue makes removing the cap difficult. To solve this problem, the nozzle and the cap have two distinct sets of ramps that provide the initial separating force to twist the cap with respect to the nozzle in order to remove the cap easily and allow dispensation.
US08033432B2	Distribution device for fluid product The invention relates to a distribution device for fluid product, comprising a reservoir (1), containing the fluid product and a propellant gas, a valve (10), with a valve body (11) and a throttle valve (12), sliding within said valve body (11), between a rest position and a distribution position. Said reservoir (1) is rigid and made from a high-performance synthetic material resistant to the pressure of the propellant gas, sad material having a low permeability to water and oxygen.
US08033431B2	Wine preservation and dispensing apparatus A preservation and dispensing apparatus includes a pressurized gas supply assembly for pressurizing and dispensing fluid from a bottle in a manner that effectively creates a barrier protecting the fluid from harmful effects of oxygen. The pressurized gas supply assembly includes an inert gas output linked to the bottle via a dispensing nozzle secured within an opening of the bottle. The dispensing nozzle includes a connecting seal having a series of outwardly directed, flexible fins composed of a first material and an outwardly tapered seal member composed of a second material. The inert gas output includes a regulator assembly having a piercing pin that passes through an end cap of a gas capsule allowing gas from the gas capsule to pass through the regulator assembly. The regulator assembly reduces the gas pressure from approximately 2700 psi to approximately 5 psi in a single step.
US08033429B2	Dispensing device for single use The dispensing device for single use includes a multicomponent cartridge with a closure and a mixer. The cartridge and the mixer form an interconnected unit and the closure, arranged between the outlets of the cartridge and the inlets of the mixer, is configured as a valve arrangement in order to establish a connection between the cartridge outlets and the mixing elements of the mixer after performing a relative movement between the mixer and the cartridge or syringe. In certain embodiments of the invention the connection is effected by rotation of the mixing unit relative to the cartridge, and in other embodiments of the invention by axial displacement of the mixing unit relative to the cartridge. This results in a disposable dispensing unit that can be economically produced and is particularly easy to use.
US08033427B2	Coupling arrangement, coupling devices and use of coupling device The present invention concerns a coupling arrangement for coupling a withdrawal arrangement (4) to a package (1) with liquid or essentially liquid contents (3), which withdrawal arrangement (4) is intended for the removal of the contents (3) from the package (1). The coupling arrangement (5) comprises not only an inner coupling device (9) that is arranged within the package (1) but also an outer coupling device (12) that is arranged on the withdrawal arrangement (4). The outer coupling device (12) comprises a tube section (14) with which the unbroken part (11) of the wall of the package (1) can be broken and that can be introduced into the hole (15) in the outer part (10) of the inner coupling device (9) in order to be coupled to this such that the contents (3) in the package (1) can be withdrawn through the tube section (14). At least one protruding part (16) is arranged on the outer coupling device (12). At least one space (17) is arranged in the outer part (10) of the inner coupling device (9). The protruding part (16) can be introduced into the said space (17) without breaking the unbroken part (11) of the wall (2).
US08033425B2	Dispensing container A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided, the container including a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed; a dispensing chamber for receiving at least one unit of the product, the dispensing chamber configured for movement between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position; a dispensing pathway between the storage compartment and the dispensing chamber, the dispensing pathway sized for passage of at least one unit of the product; a locking mechanism adapted for releasably locking the dispensing chamber in the closed and locked position; and a blocking member operatively positioned to block the dispensing pathway when the dispensing chamber is in the dispensing position.
US08033411B2	Collapsible storage device A container includes a plurality of wall panels. Each wall panel is connected to adjacent wall panels at hinged connections and the wall panels are arranged so as to articulate at the hinged connections between a collapsed position and an expanded position defining a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The container also includes a first latch that is configured to interlockingly engage when the wall panels are in the expanded position and a second latch that is configured to interlockingly engage when the wall panels are in the collapsed position.
US08033409B2	Packaged combination including a fluid container having walls dimensioned to receive a solid object, including edible items A packaged combination includes a fluid container having walls that are dimensioned to receive a solid object, for example, an edible item. The fluid container may be a single portion with areas cut out to receive an edible item or the fluid container may have two separate portions capable of holding the same or different fluids, which two separate portions each have walls cut out that, when acting together, may at least partially enclose an edible object.
US08033406B2	Equipment enclosure kit and assembly method An equipment enclosure for housing electronic components includes a front assembly having a front frame, the front assembly defining a front of the enclosure, and a rear assembly having a rear frame. The enclosure further includes at least two side brace members, each side brace member having a first end and a second, opposite end. A first connector is configured to releasably connect the first end of one of the side brace members to the front frame. A second connector is configured to releasably connect the second end of the one of the side brace members to the rear frame. Other embodiments and methods are further disclosed.
US08033404B2	Modular double-sided display panel A modular double-sided display panel including multiple slat members. Each slat member has an upper engagement portion and a lower engagement portion. A panel may be constructed from multiple slat members by serially interconnecting generally horizontally disposed slat members in a vertical chain. In particular, the serial interconnection between adjacent slat members occurs by placing the lower engagement portion of a first slat member over the upper engagement portion of an adjacent second slat member in a substantially vertical chain until a suitable number of slats have been thus interconnected. The assembled slat members will define two opposing surfaces, each of which can receive hooks, supports or other display apparatus.
US08033403B2	Rotatable organizer A rotatable organizer comprises a base and a plurality of gears in rotatable communication with the base. An exposed turntable is fixedly attached to a first gear and another turntable is fixedly attached to a third gear. A second gear is in communication with the first and third gears. A rail is attached to the base and extends up orthogonally with respect to at least one of the turntables and the rail encloses at least a portion of the perimeter of the rotatable organizer. A central divider is located on a plane that contains an imaginary line that extends between the centers of the turntables. The turntables are configured to be rotatable with respect to the base to move items atop the base within the rotatable organizer.
US08033399B2	Centrifugal separator Disclosed is a centrifugal separator with an inlet channel for a flow containing coarse and fine particles, a first outlet channel for a flow containing predominantly coarse particles, a second outlet channel for a flow containing predominantly fine particles and a separator chamber with at least one separator device, wherein the separator chamber connects the inlet channel to the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel, and wherein the inlet channel, the separator channel and the two outlet channels form a flow path. To improve the degree of efficiency, as a first separator device, one or more separator pockets are arranged in the separator chamber, which project into the flow path. Also disclosed is a corresponding method for the separation of a flow containing coarse and fine particles.
US08033398B2	Process and magnetic reagent for the removal of impurities from minerals A magnetic reagent contains magnetic microparticles and a compound of the formula (I) as defined herein. The magnetic reagent may be used in a magnetic separation process for the removal of impurities from mineral substrates.
US08033395B2	Patch package structure The main object of the present invention is to provide a patch package structure including a patch containing a physiologically active ingredient and a package housing the patch, which is capable of stably retaining the physiologically active ingredient in the patch during preservation. This object can be achieved by employing the following constitution.To be specific, the present invention is a patch package structure including a patch 1 having an adhesive layer containing an organic liquid component, and a packaging member 51 housing the patch, wherein the packaging member 51 includes a first package 11, the first package 11 including an acrylonitrile resin layer 12, a moisture-absorbing layer 13 formed on the acrylonitrile resin layer 12, and a moisture impermeable layer 14 formed on the moisture-absorbing layer 13, and the acrylonitrile resin layer 12 is provided on the proximal side of the patch 1.
US08033393B2	Method of custom fitting an article of footwear and apparatus including a container A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.
US08033388B2	Powder coating components to reduce friction, increase wear resistance, and improve cleanability A component subjected to wear during use includes a powder coating formed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyamide, polyolefin, polyester, urethane, epoxy, acrylic, and mixtures thereof to provide improved wear resistance, enhanced cleanability, and reduced surface friction. Preferably, the component is for use in conveying product, such as in a conveyor system, and includes: (1) a metal core and a nylon powder coating; or (2) a stainless steel core and a powder coating. Most preferably, the coating is generally clear or translucent so as to give the appearance that the underlying component, which is typically made of metal, is neither coated nor made entirely of a polymer.
US08033383B2	Clean, high density, soft-accumulating conveyor A conveyor for clean manufacturing applications. The conveyor comprises interconnected conveyor modules, each of which includes a conveyor belt segment(s). Each conveyor belt segment includes a pair of side rails that are in parallel or substantially in parallel to each other; a pair of autonomous, belt-drives for transporting work pieces or objects carrying work pieces from a proximal end of the belt segment to a distal end of the belt segment; a pair of driving wheels for turning the belt-drives, and a motor for directly or indirectly driving each of the pair of driving wheels. One of the driving wheels is mechanically or magnetically coupled to a magnetic hysteresis clutch that allows the driving wheels to disengage from the drive shaft of the motor if the inertia of the work piece does not permit synchronization of work piece with the drive speed of the motor during acceleration or deceleration.
US08033381B2	Apparatus for separating parts In an apparatus for separating parts arranged for example in at least two adjacent rows and including a transfer device, which is provided with at least two holding elements which pick up the parts in a first position and deposit them in a second position 5b, guide tracks are provided by which the distance at which the holding elements are disposed adjacent one another is changeable during the transport of the parts from the first position to the second position.
US08033376B2	Steerable conveyor The steerable conveyor includes a conveyor frame supported on a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels at laterally opposed first and second sides of the conveyor. The conveyor includes a hitch for connection to a towing vehicle such that the conveyor is pivotal relative to the towing vehicle about a vertical steering axis. A steering mechanism is arranged to pivot all of the steerable wheels relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright steering axes in a common direction of rotation such that the conveyor is arranged to be steered relative to the towing vehicle about the vertical steering axis by steering the conveyor wheels relative to the conveyor frame when the conveyor is towed by the towing vehicle.
US08033368B2	Bicycle fork having lock-out, blow-off, and adjustable blow-off threshold A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.
US08033367B2	Seismic and dynamic axial damper applicable to elements preferably having a cylindrical, rectangular or squared section An axial damper for elements having a cylindrical, rectangular or squared section, includes two identical fixing clamps, each fixing clamp including an upper part and a lower part connected to each other by a clamping device to be wound around the elements. At least two rafter-tie-rods are each connected at two ends thereof to the clamps. The rafter-tie-rods are placed equidistant from each other in the case of more than two rafter-tie-rods. The damper also includes two damping systems, each including two or more blocks of elastomeric material, with a pre-compressed elastic element interposed therebetween.
US08033363B2	Method for producing a combo brace rail shield A brace rail shield combination for a rail of a ladder having at least one rung having a first portion that has a shape that conforms with an interior cross sectional surface of the rail. The brace rail shield combination includes a second portion that extends from the first portion at a first location to the rung to provide structural support to the rung. The second portion having an attachment portion at a second location spaced apart from the first location that is fixed to the rung. The first portion and the second portion being one continuous piece. A method for using an extension ladder. A method for producing a knee brace rail shield combination.
US08033362B1	Paint tray caddy for extension ladders and method of use thereof A caddy apparatus designed to hold paint, construction items, supplies, tools and other materials while on an extension ladder without interfering with the safety of the person standing on the ladder is herein disclosed. The apparatus uses a dimensioned dowel rod which is selectably placed through the hollow cavity of the ladder rungs and extends through to either side where it is used to support the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a “U”-shaped bracket, which is supported on the dowel rod in any one of three closely-spaced hanging tubes. The base of the bracket provides a large flat tray for use in holding materials while working on the extension ladder. The use of said caddy allows workers on extension ladders quick access to tools, supplies and materials in an efficient and safe manner.
US08033361B2	Connection for guide rails A multipart rail-like profile comprises at least two or more joinable or insertable profile elements (1), having at least one ratchet (5), a toothed rack compartment, or codings extending in the longitudinal direction. In addition, pattern elements (11) having equidistantly spaced elements (13), which are coupled to the ratchet or toothed rack partitioning, are provided in at least one wall of each profile element (1). For connecting the joinable or insertable profile elements (1), a connecting element (21) having a further wall (23) is provided for adjoining the wall of each profile element, having further, longitudinally extending pattern elements (25) which are congruent with the pattern elements (11), the elements (27) of which have matching spacing.
US08033357B2	Exhaust system for a motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating same An exhaust system for a motorcycle includes exhaust pipes extending from exhaust ports of an engine, a first muffler chamber for receiving the exhaust pipes, a second muffler chamber arranged parallel to and operatively connected with the first muffler chamber, and a silencer disposed in the second muffler chamber. The exhaust system is distributively arranged in a vehicle width direction such that the first muffler chamber is situated on a left side of a center line of the motorcycle defined along longitudinal direction of the motorcycle, and the second muffler chamber is situated on a right side of the center line. The first and second muffler chambers are disposed at a position below the engine. The exhaust gas from the engine is emitted outside the engine via, in sequence, the exhaust pipes, the first and second muffler chambers and the silencer.
US08033354B2	Lawn mower with suspended ergonomic seat Some embodiments of the invention provide outdoor power equipment including a frame, a seat and at least one leg support angled from a horizontal plane. The outdoor power equipment can include one or more handles, a suspension unit coupled between the frame and the seat. In some embodiments, the seat can be declined with respect to a horizontal plane so that the operator's upper torso leans forward at an angle with respect to a vertical plane when the operator is sitting on the seat.
US08033353B2	Canister mounting structure A canister mounting structure including: a spare tire disposed in a rear underfloor region of a vehicle body in a forward tilted position wherein a front end of the spare tire is positioned lower; a canister disposed between the vehicle body and the spare tire and fastened to an underfloor member; a fuel tank disposed in front of the spare tire; a first space formed between the spare tire and the fuel tank; and a second space formed between the canister and the fuel tank.
US08033352B2	Battery-fixing device for a battery forklift A battery-fixing device includes a frame member, a stopper and a lock arm. The frame member is formed in a body of the forklift and provided by a battery space where a battery case is placed. The frame member has a through hole. The stopper has a lock portion and a groove. The stopper is movable in the through hole. The lock arm is pivotally supported on the frame member so as to engage with or disengage from the lock portion. The engagement of the lock arm with the lock portion keeps the stopper projecting from the through hole toward the battery space so that the groove is engagable with the battery case. The disengagement of the lock arm from the lock portion allows the stopper to be pulled back into the through hole so that the groove is not engaged with the battery case.
US08033351B2	Thermo-electric, rechargeable vehicle powering system The present invention generally relates to the technical field of motive power systems for automotive vehicles that convert stored thermal energy into electricity for energizing electric motors to drive a vehicle. The invention discloses several devices that integrate the vehicle powering system, including a programmable regulator, a thermal energy storage section, a heat energy converter section and an electric energy storage section. All said elements are incorporated in the same vehicle, with the wheels being ultimately propelled by electric motors. The combination of the devices disclosed results in improved efficiency in the conversion of input energy to drive a vehicle.
US08033350B2	Starting control apparatus A starting control apparatus that automatically discriminates configuration of a vehicle on which the starting control apparatus is mounted, executes an appropriate starting control, and be widely used is provided. The starting control apparatus prestores therein computer program codes for performing a starting control for normal vehicle and a starting control for hybrid vehicle, discriminates between normal vehicle and hybrid vehicle about the vehicle on which the starting control apparatus is mounted on, and executes one of the starting controls corresponding to a result of discrimination between normal vehicle and hybrid vehicle.
US08033349B2	Auto-seek electrical connection for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle An auto-seek operating mode for a vehicle adjusts the vehicle in a direction transverse to a vehicle central axis using a vehicle power steering system and using a motor and a battery to advance the vehicle toward a target connector for a utility power grid for charging the battery. If needed, vertical vehicle position adjustments are made using a controllable vehicle suspension system.
US08033347B2	Final drive unit, construction machine equipped with the same, and method of winding crawler belt A final drive unit includes a sprocket, a hub unit and a holding portion. The hub unit is arranged inside the sprocket and includes a hub portion and a cover member mounted to the hub portion. At least the hub portion is configured and arranged to rotate about a rotational axis together with the sprocket. The holding portion is arranged on one of the hub portion and the cover member of the hub unit in proximity to an outer end of the one of the hub portion and the cover member with respect to an axial direction of the rotational axis. The holding portion is configured and arranged to hold an end of a wire-shaped member that pulls a crawler belt when the crawler belt is wound around the sprocket.
US08033345B1	Apparatus and method for a drilling assembly A drilling assembly for drilling pipe into a drilling surface using a drill bit. The drilling assembly comprises a power unit, a thrust frame, a means for moving the thrust frame, a rotary and carriage assembly and a microprocessor adapted to control the load on the drill based upon the level of mud pressure in the assembly. The drilling assembly is adapted to drill pipe at any angle relative to the drilling surface between substantially parallel to the drilling surface and substantially perpendicular to the drilling surface. The method comprises providing a such drilling assembly, placing a drill pipe onto the drilling assembly, moving the thrust frame to a desired drilling angle, moving the rotary and carriage assembly into direct contact with the drill pipe, applying rotational, thrust and pull-back forces to the drill pipe, drilling the pipe into the drilling surface and controlling the load on the drill bit.
US08033342B2	Method of mounting a tool A device and method for temporarily mounting a tool to a member such as an upright board without the need for any prior attachments to the board. A member securing element attached to the tool is secured to the upright board when gripping surfaces engage opposite sides of the board as a result of rotation of the tool brought about by an off-set center of gravity.
US08033340B2	Windrower and method of windrowing a grown product A windrower with a frame that: a) has a front, a rear and laterally spaced sides; and b) is movable in an advancing direction. A processing mechanism is capable of: a) unearthing grown product; and b) separating foreign matter from the grown product as the frame is advanced. A cross conveyor assembly controllably discharges grown product from the processing mechanism to the underlying terrain. The cross conveyor assembly has a first discharge end and at least one section, including the first discharge end, that is selectively translatable laterally relative to the frame as the frame is advancing thereby to laterally change a location of the first discharge end and thus the lateral discharge location for the cross conveyor assembly at the first discharge end.
US08033339B2	Around-the-pump additive system for industrial scale fire hazards Fire fighting method and apparatus including pumping at least 2000 gpm water from large water reservoir toward an industrial hazard and adding, in an around-the-pump system, at least one water additive from a source to the pumped water through a fitting established on the suction side of the pump, the fitting in fluid communication between the reservoir outlet and the suction side.
US08033337B2	Plugging a mined-through well A system and method of plugging a well bore includes intersecting a portion of a well with a subterranean cavern. A portion of the well may be isolated to prevent accumulation of reservoir fluids in the subterranean cavern by, for example, inserting a packer in the well to form a seal. A sealing material may be pumped into and allowed of solidify in the portion of the well to form a partition between the subterranean cavern and the remainder of the well. The formed partition permits continued production from the well and continued mining in the subterranean cavern.
US08033334B2	Treating liquids in oil extraction A method of treating liquid, particularly an oil/water mixture, in an oil well pipe, wherein a radio frequency propagating electrical field is established in the liquid in the pipe cause the formation of seed crystals or scale-forming material in the liquid, on which seed crystals asphaltenes and/or paraffin waxes in the liquid are deposited so that they are carried through the pipe with the liquid in preference to being deposited on the pipe wall.
US08033329B2	System and method for connecting wired drill pipe A system and method for facilitating the formation of electrical connections between wired drill pipes is provided. Wired drill pipes comprise connection ends that each have a plurality of independent conductors. The independent conductors are arranged to enable a plurality of conductive connections between adjacent wired drill pipes when the wired drill pipes are physically connected.
US08033328B2	Downhole electric power generator A downhole electric power generator is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an inlet channel formed in a bore of a downhole tool string component for conveying a moving downhole fluid and a turbine coupled to the inlet channel to receive the downhole fluid. The turbine converts the energy of the moving downhole fluid into rotational energy where it is stored using a flywheel. The flywheel may then be coupled to an electrical generator to convert the rotational energy to electrical energy. In certain embodiments, a continuously variable transmission may be inserted between the turbine and the flywheel. The entire generator may, in certain embodiments, be designed small enough to reside in the wall of a downhole tool.
US08033327B2	Device for extracting heat from gas and for recovering condensates A device for extracting heat from gas, particularly combustion gas, containing dust and/or condensable substances, for recovering condensates, and including at least one heat exchanger including a shell having a symmetry of revolution surrounded by a cooling jacket. The device includes an opening for passage of a surfactant for treating the internal surface of the shell, the shell including at least one mechanism creating a substantially helicoid rotating gas stream in at least part of the shell.
US08033325B2	Heat dissipation apparatus with coarse surface capable of intensifying heat transfer A heat dissipation apparatus with coarse surface capable of intensifying heat transfer includes a main body and a heat transfer intensifying unit. The main body provides four plate members to define a flow passage. The heat transfer intensifying unit is provided on the surface of one of the plate members or the surfaces of two of the plate members and further includes at least a raised part and a plurality of fish-scale-like parts. The raised parts are disposed slightly upright from said surface and spacing apart a distance from each other. The fish-scale-like parts each are disposed on the surface of the main body next to the raised parts orderly, provide a recess toward the surface of the main body with an inclining angle from the surface of the main body, have a vertical edge and a sharp end and the sharp end is formed at an intersection of the vertical edge of the respective fish-scale-like part. The raised parts and the fish-scale-like parts allow fluid near the respective surface of the main body creating eddy flows and secondary flows and breaking boundary layers of the fluid for promoting heat transfer efficiency.
US08033324B2	Jet flow generating apparatus, electronic apparatus, and jet flow generating method A jet flow generating apparatus that suppresses noise as much as possible and effectively radiates the heat generated by a heat generating member, an electronic device that is equipped with the jet flow generating apparatus, and a jet flow generating method are provided. According to the present invention, a jet flow generating apparatus comprises a plurality of chambers each having an opening and each containing a coolant, a vibrating mechanism for vibrating the coolant contained in each of the plurality of chambers so as to discharge the coolant as a pulsating flow through the openings, and a control unit for controlling the vibration of the vibrating mechanism so that the sound waves generated by the coolant discharged from the plurality of chambers weaken each other.
US08033323B2	Heat exchanger The invention relates to a heat exchanger having a bundle of tubes, which can be inserted into a tubular housing. Exhaust gas can flow through the tubes. A coolant duct can be arranged between the tubes. The bundle of tubes can have at least one grid-like securing structure which supports the bundle in the housing. The behavior of the heat exchanger with respect to vibrations is improved by virtue of the fact that the grid-like metallic securing structure includes integral hook-shaped protrusions which are deformed in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the bundle into the housing. The spring force is directed against the housing in order to dampen vibrations. The heat exchanger can also include an elastic device for permitting a change in length caused by temperature changes.
US08033315B2	Casting tool A casting tool for the production of castings, particularly cores for sand castings, pressure die-castings, and gravity die-castings is provided. The casting tool has a casting tool unit with a casting mold half having a mold recess the contour of which partly defines the shape of the casting, and an ejecting assembly disposed on that side of the casting mold half which faces away from the mold recess. The ejecting assembly has an ejecting rod which extends through an access bore into the mold recess in the casting mold half. An entrainer unit is attached to the ejecting assembly. The entrainer unit and a contact surface provided on the casting tool unit jointly define the maximum distance of the casting tool unit from the ejecting assembly.
US08033314B2	Method for producing sintered magnet A method for producing a sintered magnet comprising steps of; wet-pulverizing a magnetic powder under the presence of a surface active agent, drying said wet-pulverized magnetic powder 20 for obtaining magnetic powder to which said surface active agent is adhered, heating and kneading said dried magnetic powder 20 with binder resin to form pellet, melting said pellet and injecting said pellet in a mold to which magnetic field is applied, to form a preform body, and firing said preform body.
US08033313B2	Side window roller blind with insertion aid A side window roller blind is provided. The roller blind includes a support rod having a free end connected to a tension bar. In order to prevent rattling noises, the ends of the tension bar are provided with rollers that contact the window pane such that the support rod is elastically bent during extension of the blind. In addition, the window blind is provided with aligning aids that prevent the tension bar from hitting on the slot edges during retraction of the blind, and from blocking additional retraction, due to vibrations about the longitudinal axis of the tension bar.
US08033312B2	Label printer and applicator An apparatus and method for printing and wrapping adhesive backed labels around elongate articles, such as electrical wires, including a rotatable puck assembly having an interrupted circumferential surface defining an opening for receiving an elongate object to be labeled and wing members for applying said label during rotation.
US08033308B2	Double-sided wear insert for a chipper A double-sided wear insert, for a knife assembly that includes a knife, a clamp, and a holder. In one embodiment, the wear insert can be turned end-for-end, and in another embodiment the wear insert can be flipped up-side down, to double the service life of the part.
US08033307B2	Modular router with base power switch A routing machine comprises a base unit and a motor unit releasably connected to the base unit. The base unit includes a handle and a first electrical connector. The motor unit includes an electric motor, motor control circuitry configured to energize or de-energize the electric motor, and a second electrical connector connected to the motor control circuitry. The second electrical connector is configured to engage the first electrical connector when the motor unit is properly seated on the base unit. An electric switch is positioned on the base unit. The motor control circuitry is configured to deliver electric power to the electric motor when the switch is in an on position. The motor control circuitry is configured to not provide electric power to the electric motor when the switch is in an off position.
US08033306B2	Adapters for use with an anesthetic vaporizer An adapter includes a base connectable to an anesthetic agent container, a spout that extends from the base and defines at least one flow path therethrough, and a valve assembly disposed within the at least one flow path, the valve assembly being moveable between a first open position and a second closed position. The adapter also includes a radially expandable seal disposed about the spout, the seal having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate region between the first and second ends that expands radially outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the spout. The valve assembly has a surface that cooperates with the seal, wherein the cooperation between the surface and the seal expands the intermediate region radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis with the valve assembly in the first position.
US08033304B2	Contaminant control filter with fill port Filters, methods, and an apparatus for filling housings and both encapsulated porous and non-porous spaces with contaminant control media for placement in electronic enclosures, such as disk drive enclosures, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter assembly includes a housing comprising an internal cavity configured to receive contaminant control media, a fill port in communication with the internal cavity, and an opening in communication with the internal cavity, and filter media at least partially covering the opening; and contaminant control media occupying the internal cavity. Contaminant control media is deposited within the internal cavity via the fill port by means of creating a negative pressure within the internal cavity. The application of a partial vacuum facilitates movement of the contaminant control media into the internal cavity and minimizes the contamination of the filter, housing, and work space common to other loose fill filling methods. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08033298B2	Hydraulic valve equipment of working vehicle With regard to the present invention, valves are modularized so as to improve operativity, and the valves are formed by one member and changed the arrangement thereof so as to be miniaturized, thereby making the maintain work easy. Namely, a PTO rear cover 3c, in which a PTO driving mechanism having a PTO clutch 28 is housed, is attached to a rear end of a rear housing 3 of a vehicle body, PTO valve equipment 72 controlling on/off of the PTO clutch 28 is provided integrally with the PTO rear cover 3c, and an oil passage communicating the PTO valve equipment 72 with the PTO clutch 28 and a hydraulic port are formed in the inside of the PTO rear cover 3c. A plurality of valves is provided so as to control operation of a forward/rearward travel selector 210 and fixed to one of side surfaces of a front housing 201, an attachment member 281 formed by one plate-like member touches the vehicle body housing 201, and the valves are arranged on substantial same plane in parallel to the touching surface.
US08033294B2	Fluid valves having an integral safety shut-off Fluid valves having an integral safety shut-off are described. An example control valve having opposing seating surfaces includes a first bonnet removably coupled to the control valve. The first bonnet has a first bore receiving a portion of a first valve trim. The first valve trim comprises a first valve stem operatively coupled to a first valve plug or closure member to engage one of the seating surfaces to provide a fluid seal between the first bore and the portion of the first valve trim. Additionally, the control valve includes a second bonnet removably coupled to the control valve. The second bonnet has a second bore receiving a portion of a second valve trim. The second valve trim comprises a second valve stem operatively coupled to a second valve plug or closure member to engage the other one of the seating surfaces to provide a fluid seal between the second bore and the portion of the second valve trim. A surface of the second valve plug or closure member is to be substantially flush with an inner surface of the control valve when the second valve plug or closure member is not in use to enable fluid flow through the control valve to be substantially unaffected by the second valve plug or closure member.
US08033289B2	Adjustable tarpaulin support A support apparatus includes a rectilinear central pole having axially opposed end portions. The pole includes a plurality of oppositely spaced female portions and a male portion slid ably engageable therewith. Each female portion has a plurality of apertures equidistantly spaced along a longitudinal length thereof. The male portion is medially nested between the female portions wherein the female portions are telescopically movable. The apparatus further includes first and second pairs of telescopically adjustable and rectilinear leg members connected to the opposed end portions of the pole and extending away therefrom, respectively. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for independently pivoting each of the first and second leg members about a fulcrum axis centrally registered with the pole and extending parallel thereto. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for independently pivoting the first and second members along a unique arcuate path and about a fulcrum axis.
US08033287B2	Disposable, biodegradable, portable dental implement A multiple, disposable, biodegradable dental implement system in which a plurality of disposable, flat dental implements are formed from a large planar blank. Each dental implement includes a flat toothbrush head and a flat gum massager head formed on opposite ends of a flat elongated shank. Adjacent implements are formed in the blank by perforation lines that allow the implements to be individually detached from the blank just prior to use. In the preferred embodiment, each toothbrush head includes a plurality of concave ridges formed while the gum massaging head is made of a plurality of convex curved ridges complimentary with the concave ridges on the adjacent toothbrush. The planar blank is made of disposable paper and embedded with dry toothpaste or mouthwash which is activated by the user's saliva when used.
US08033283B2	Urology drape A urology drape is disclosed which comprises a flexible sheet (12) which has a flexible hood (22) overlying part of the sheet (12) to form a repository (24) between the sheet (12) and the hood (22). The sheet (12) has a hole (18) to enable a procedure to be performed on a patient when the drape is located on the patient. Bodily fluid is able to flow from the hole down the sheet (12) into the repository (24) and when the procedure is finished, the drape can be folded or otherwise collapsed into a disposable package so that the drape and fluid can be disposed of in a hygienic manner.
US08033281B2	Modular transportable life support device There is provided a patient care and treatment platform that is connectable to a plurality of modules capable of providing medical functionality. The platform includes a housing and a patient support surface. The platform also includes a power receiver for receiving power. The platform further includes a module interface including power, data, and pneumatic spines having power data and pneumatic ports, respectively. The spines are operative to transfer data, power, and fluid within the platform. The ports are connectable to the modules to integrate the modules into the platform. The platform also includes a head fairing having a patient interface panel. The head fairing includes an inner surface that is substantially concave in shape and slopes away from the patient support surface to allow access to the head of a patient. The patient interface panel includes a plurality of ports connectable to electrical and pneumatic apparatus.
US08033273B2	Plasma ignition system A plasma ignition system includes an ignition plug attached to an engine and having a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a discharge space, a discharge power source circuit, a plasma generation power source circuit, a resistance element between the discharge power source circuit and the center electrode, a rectifying device between the plasma generation power source circuit and the center electrode, and an element receiving portion in a periphery of the center electrode. The plug puts gas in the discharge space into a plasma state to ignite a fuel/air mixture in the engine, as a result of application of high voltage to the plug by the discharge power source circuit and supply of high current to the plug by the plasma generation power source circuit. The resistance element and the rectifying device are placed in the receiving portion.
US08033270B2	Fuel distribution apparatus for a V-type engine A fuel distribution apparatus for a V-type engine wherein first and second throttle bodies connected to first and second banks disposed in a V shape, respectively, are disposed therebetween and a main fuel distribution pipe for distributing fuel from a common fuel supply system is connected to first and second fuel injection valves provided in the first and second throttle bodies, respectively, is configured such that the fuel distribution pipe is formed from first and second distribution pipes separate from each other and connected to the first and second fuel injection valves and besides fastened to the first and second throttle bodies, respectively, a joint pipe connects the fuel supply to the first or second distribution pipes. Communication conduit connects the first and second distribution pipes.
US08033267B2	Control apparatus for an engine A control apparatus for an engine including a unit for retarding an ignition timing from an MBT by a predetermined value or more during cranking at engine starting or during a period from a first combustion up to an idling engine speed.
US08033265B2	Rotary piston internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine, and more particularly a rotary internal combustion engine, is provided with said engine having multiple combustion chambers delimited by piston heads and an engine housing wall that defines at least a section of a torus. Additionally, a method for operating the internal combustion engine is described.
US08033261B1	Valve actuation system and related methods A valve actuation system in an internal combustion engine provides for, among other things, valve control in a single and dual camshaft “push rod” type engine without the use of a return spring mechanism. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single rocker link or “push rod” is operably connected to a bifurcated rocker valve for opening and closing a single valve.
US08033256B2	Engine having variable valve mechanism An engine having a variable valve mechanism arranged to switch a lift degree of a valve between a low speed state and a high speed state includes a cam carrier defined by a cam bearing portion, a rocker shaft support, and a hydraulic cylinder support. The cam bearing portion is provided on a line passing through the bore center of a cylinder in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the camshaft. The low speed rocker arm swings in response to the low speed cam of the camshaft. The high speed rocker arm swings in response to the high speed cam of the camshaft. The low speed rocker arm includes a through hole. A connecting pin is slidably inserted into the through hole and urged toward the hydraulic cylinder support. A hydraulic cylinder is provided in the hydraulic cylinder support.
US08033254B2	Submerged combustion vaporizer with low NOx A submerged combustion vaporizer may include a premix burner with multiple integral mixers for forming premix and discharging the premix into the duct system that communicates the burner with the sparger tubes. The SCV may further include a NOx suppression system that injects a staged fuel stream into the exhaust in the duct system, and/or a NOx suppression system that mixes water with the premix.
US08033251B2	Aquatic apparatus with mirror Provided are, among other things, aquatic apparatuses. In one, an aquarium is at least partially filled with water, and a mirror is disposed within the water, the mirror having a reflective surface area that is between 1-40 square inches. In another, an aquarium is at least partially filled with water, and a mirror is attached to, and thereby suspended beneath, a buoyant object in the water. In yet another, a mirror is attached a buoyant object, the mirror having a reflective surface area that is between 1-40 square inches.
US08033250B2	Marine habitat systems A marine habitat system comprising one or more assembled units, each formed of a flotation element and a plurality of habitat tiers fixed to and spaced below the flotation element. The habitat tiers are comprised of frame assemblies formed of upper and lower open frame elements and side walls, forming a space. The space is filled with a mesh matrix of plastic fibers which forms an ideal environment in which various desirable juvenile marine creatures (crabs, lobsters, oysters, etc.) can thrive. Upwardly projecting, simulated prop roots can be provided on the habitat tiers to provide additional anchorage area for marine life to attach.
US08033249B1	Pet litter mat A mat intended to be placed in proximity to a litter box so that a pet exiting the litter box will walk over the mat with the result that particles of litter temporarily adhering to the feet of the pet will be dislodged through interaction with the structure of the mat, the dislodged litter particles being collectible in medially disposed channels formed in the mat which facilitate pouring of the particles back into the litter box. The litter mat is structurally configured and formed of a material that facilitates cleaning of the mat.
US08033244B2	Substrate processing system Leakage of an atmosphere of a solvent vapor used by a smoothing process for smoothing the surface of a resist pattern outside from a smoothing unit is prevented to facilitate incorporating the smoothing unit into a coating and developing system. A substrate processing system has a coating and developing block 20, a smoothing block 50, an airflow producing unit 60 for producing down airflow that flows down from above the coating and developing block 20 and the smoothing block 50, and a main controller 100 for controlling the airflow producing unit 60. The main controller 100 controls a flow regulating valve 64a placed in an air passage 63a connecting the airflow producing unit 60 to the coating and developing block 20 and a flow regulating valve 64b placed in an air passage 63b connecting the airflow producing unit 60 to the smoothing block 50 on the basis of a signal provided by a pressure sensor 65a for measuring the pressure in the coating and developing block 20 and a signal provided by a pressure sensor 65b for measuring the pressure in the smoothing block 50 such that the pressure in the smoothing block 50 is lower than that in the coating and developing block 20.
US08033242B2	Methods and systems for coating and sealing inside of piping systems Methods and systems for cleaning, coating and sealing leaks in existing pipes, in a single operation. A piping system can be cleaned in one pass by dry particulates forced and pulled by air throughout the piping system by a generator and a vacuum. Pipes can be protected from water corrosion, erosion and electrolysis, extending the life of pipes such as copper, steel, lead, brass, cast iron piping and composite materials. Coatings can be applied to pipes having diameters up to approximately 6″. Leak sealants of at least approximately 4 mils thick can cover insides of pipes, and can include novel mixtures of fillers and epoxy materials, and viscosity levels. A positive pressure can be maintained within the pipes during applications. Piping systems can be returned to service within approximately 96 hours.
US08033241B2	Supply for dry particulate material A supply or feed center for dry particulate material is modular in design with an application module and an exhaust module, along with optimal cabinet modules such as a pump cabinet module. The application module is partitioned into an application section and a utility section, both of which communicate with the exhaust module. An air diverter may be used to change relative air flow into the two sections, and in one embodiment is a swingable door. The exhaust module may include a self-contained exhaust system including after filters, motor, fan and final filters, or may share energy from a remote exhaust system. An inventive suction device is also provided to extract material from a hopper.
US08033234B2	Diver propulsion system with separate battery and motor-transmission modules A diver propulsion system includes separate operatively associated battery, motor, transmission, and clutch modules and a separable bracket plate and bracket base that facilitates both storage of a propulsion unit and mounting the propulsion unit on the tank of a scuba diver.
US08033232B2	Embroidery data processing apparatus, sewing machine equipped with the embroidery data processing apparatus, and computer-readable recording medium with recorded embroidery data processing computer program An embroidery data processing apparatus which may be used to attach an IC tag to a work cloth without impairing a design of the work cloth. The embroidery data processing apparatus may determine an IC tag area based on a size and shape of the IC tag, and may determine whether the IC tag area can be included in an embroidery area that is determined on the basis of embroidery data. If the IC tag area can be included in the embroidery area, the positions of the embroidery area and the IC tag area may be set in an embroiderable area of a sewing machine in such a manner that the IC tag area is positioned in the embroidery area.
US08033231B2	Panel quilt machine with feeder providing reduced downtime Panel quilting machines having an in-line splicing tool capable of splicing a new supply of fabric into a web of material being provided to a panel quilting machine while allowing for continuous operation of the panel quilting machine. The systems and methods described herein include, in certain embodiments, an in-line accumulator for creating a temporary in-line supply of material for use by the panel quilting machine while an exhausted supply of material is replaced with a new supply of material.
US08033221B2	System and method for sensing proximity A system for detecting proximity to a target object. The novel system includes a detector adapted to receive a reflected electromagnetic beam from the target and a processor adapted to determine a distance to the target by measuring an angle of the reflected beam. The system may also include an emitter adapted to transmit an electromagnetic beam toward the target to produce the reflected beam such that the angle of the reflected beam corresponds with a distance to the target. In an illustrative embodiment, the emitter is a focused infrared emitter or laser diode positioned to transmit the beam at a known angle such that the transmitted beam crosses an optical axis of the detector. The processor may also be adapted to use the rate of change of the amplitude of the reflected beam in determining the distance to the target.
US08033219B2	Apparatus and method for treating a rotating printing technology surface with a process liquid, machine for processing printing material and machine for treating printing forms An apparatus and method for treating a rotating printing technology surface, especially a re-imageable printing form, with a process liquid, such as cleaning, covering or rinsing liquid, include jet nozzles disposed along a straight line substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the printing technology surface, and a cloth device substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The nozzles pivot about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation for producing a substantially uniform distribution of process liquid parallel to the axis of rotation. The cloth device preferably has a cloth with segmented or calendered portions substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, for substantially limiting spread of process liquid in the cloth parallel to the feed direction of the cloth and assisting substantially uniform distribution of process liquid parallel to the axis of rotation. Machines for processing printing material and for treating printing forms are also provided.
US08033214B2	Device for delivering thick matter The invention relates to a device for delivering thick matter. The device comprises: a delivery cylinder (20); a material feed space (16), which is connected to the delivery cylinder (20) on the entry side; a delivery line (18), which is connected to the delivery cylinder (20) on the exit side; a delivery plunger (12), which can be displaced to-and-fro through the material feed space (16) and the delivery cylinder (20), and; a closing element (22), which is placed at the exit location of the delivery cylinder (20) or inside the delivery line (18) and which can be displaced between an open position and a closing position. In order to be able to separate foreign substances, which are contained in the flow of thick matter, out of the flow of thick matter before the actual processing step for the useful substances, the invention provides that the delivery cylinder (20) is perforated at least over a portion of its cylinder jacket (24). These measures make it possible to obtain a device that combines the features of a thick matter pump, a sieve and a press.
US08033210B2	Device for managing the displacement of a hydraulic motor or a group of hydraulic motors A motor having two series of distribution ducts each having two groups of ducts. The displacement selector is able to occupy a large displacement position in which the first groups of distribution ducts of the first series are connected to a main duct while the second groups are connected to the other main duct, and a small displacement configuration in which the first group of distribution ducts of the first series is connected to a main duct, the second group of distribution ducts of the first series is connected to the other main duct and a bypass connection exists between the first and the second group of distribution ducts of the second series. The device has a restriction in order, in the small displacement configuration, to restrict this bypass connection.
US08033206B2	Pair of saw blades A pair of saw blades includes a first blade, which is adapted to rotate in a first direction about an axis of rotation, and a second blade, which is adapted to rotate in a second direction opposite to said first direction about the same axis of rotation. Each blade has a blade body and cutting elements, which are provided along the periphery of the blade body and adapted to run close and in parallel to each other when the blades are rotating. A spacer, which extends into a space between the two blades, is attached to at least the blade body of one of the blades in order to support itself against and slide along a peripheral part of the other opposite blade.
US08033205B2	Apparatus for removing shingles from a roof A roof shingle peeler device which comprises a saw blade, a motor to operate the saw blade, a horizontal arm and skiis to regulate the depth of the saw blade, a wedge to remove the nails and shingles from the roof deck and enable the saw blade to cut the shingles into a predefined section, and a frame to facilitate the transportation of the predefined section of shingles for being received and collected into a bag for disposal. A hoist and return hoist are used to pull the roof shingle peeler device up and down the roof deck from the base to the crest while removing shingles.
US08033203B2	Slitting knife cartridge A cartridge is configured for slitting a mill roll in a slitting machine. The cartridge includes a first shaft mounted in bearings in a pair of endplates, with one end of the shaft having a driven yoke for rotation thereof. The first shaft includes a row of first circular blades spaced longitudinally by corresponding first spacers. A second shaft is pivotally mounted in the endplates, and is spaced parallel with the first shaft. A dovetail bar is fixedly joined to the second shaft parallel therewith. And, a row of blade holders are mounted along the dovetail bar, with each holder including a second circular blade aligned with a corresponding one of the first blades for cutting in shear a web unwound from the mill roll. The cartridge may be quickly replaced in the slitting machine for each production run thereof for alignment with cores on a corresponding arbor.
US08033202B2	Apparatus and method for cutting electrode foil layers A punch and die apparatus and a method and apparatus for punching a capacitor electrode layer. A method includes placing a capacitor material sheet between a punch and a die, the punch guided by a punch guide, there being no stripper plate between the punch guide and the die, and actuating the punch to punch an electrode layer out of the sheet. An apparatus includes a die having a die hole, a punch guide, and a punch located within the punch guide. The punch guide and the die have a fixed distance therebetween such that there is no compression on a work piece placed between the die and the punch before the punch contacts the workpiece.
US08033198B2	Shift control device for bicycle A shift control device includes a shift-up control apparatus, a shift-down control apparatus and a transmission control assembly. The shift-up control apparatus includes an operable shift-up controller, a first link member connected with the shift-up controller and a first pawl pivotally mounted on the first link member. The shift-down control apparatus includes an operable shift-down controller and a second link member connected with the shift-down controller. The second link member includes first and second actuating members. The transmission control assembly includes a locking member, a housing assembly and first and second pawls. The locking member is moveable in the housing at various positions for various bicycle speed transmissions and includes first and second engaging sections. The first engaging section is selectively engaged by the first pawl of the shift-up control apparatus and the second engaging section is selectively engaged by the first and second pawls of the transmission control assembly.
US08033197B2	Fully floating, self-aligning, self-adjusting gimbal assembly for an active human machine interface A human-machine interface assembly is implemented with a gimbal assembly that includes a roll hub, a pitch hub, and a main hub. The gimbal assembly further includes a plurality of bearings, and is mounted via a plurality of bearing sets, that are each disposed in a free floating manner. As a result, each of the bearings is self-aligning and self-adjusting when the gimbal assembly is assembled and mounted. The gimbal assembly additionally includes a plurality of integral stops that mechanically limit movement of a user interface to predetermined pitch and roll angles.
US08033193B2	Device for interrupting selectively a rotary translational movement A device for interrupting selectively a rotary translational movement, includes a threaded elongated element and an element having a female thread mating with the tread of the elongated element, one of said elements performing a translatory movements as far as at least a position defined by an end-of-travel stop as a result of engagement with the other element, and said translating element being able to undergo momentary deformation upon reaching said at least one end-of-travel position with the effect of being disengaged from the other element.
US08033192B2	Transmission drive unit with a receiving module for adjusting a movable part in a motor vehicle A transmission drive unit for adjusting a movable part in a motor vehicle has a support tube, a drive wheel, which is drivable using a drive assembly rotatably supported on the support tube and located on a spindle installed first in the support tube as a separate component and received in the bearing receptacle; a customer-specific receiving module, which subsequently and separately is attached to the support tube and includes a receptacle for a fastening device on the motor vehicle or the part to be adjusted, and the material of the receiving module has a higher strength than the material of the support tube.
US08033188B2	Pipettor software interface A hand-held electronic pipettor includes menu driven software for controlling the information displayed on the user interface display, for inputting information to program the pipettor and for controlling the operation of the pipettor.
US08033184B2	Quantum-based force realization apparatus and force measurer using the same Disclosed herein are a force realization apparatus using a superconducting flux quantum, which is capable of generating force proportional to a flux quantum number by including a micron-sized superconducting annulus or superconducting quantum interference device in an ultra-sensitive cantilever, and a force measurer using the same.
US08033180B2	Flow sensor apparatus and method with media isolated electrical connections A flow sensor apparatus that utilizes a pressure sensor with media isolated electrical connections. A cap can be attached to topside of the pressure sensor over a diaphragm to protect bond pads and wire bonds from a fluid media. A flow channel can be etched on the cap with an opening and exit on the sides of the cap so that liquid can flow through the flow channel. An inlet port and an outlet port can be attached to the channel's opening and exit to allow for fluid flow over the diaphragm. The flow channel creates a larger pressure over portions of the diaphragm that increases the deflection of the diaphragm, which increases an output signal of the pressure sensor. V-grooves can be created on two sides of the pressure sensor and in the cap to create the channel for the fluid in and out of the cap's cavity.
US08033177B2	MEMS pressure sensor and housing therefor A pressure sensing system positions a microelectromechanical (MEMS) diaphragm of a MEMS pressure sensor die in a housing to indirectly sample pressure state of a fluid being measured. A second housing diaphragm is used to make direct contact with the fluid being measured. Pressure state of the fluid being measured is transferred from the housing diaphragm through an electrically insulating intermediary fluid to the MEMS diaphragm thereby allowing the MEMS pressure sensor die to indirectly sample pressure state of the fluid being measured. Electrically conductive support members and electrically conductive solid vias are used to electrically couple circuitry of the MEMS pressure sensor die to external wires outside the housing.
US08033174B2	Ultrasound diagnostic system The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic system. The ultrasound diagnostic system includes a plurality of connectors. Each of the connectors has a signal transmitter to transmit an identification signal uniquely identifying the respective connector. The ultrasound diagnostic system further includes a plurality of probes. Each of the probes has a signal detector and an indicator assembly. In response to a connection of each of the probes to one of the connectors, the signal detector of the respective probe is configured to detect the identification signal identifying said one of the connectors and the indicator assembly of the respective probe is configured to provide an identification of said one of the connectors based on the identification signal.
US08033172B2	Hand-held flaw detector imaging apparatus The present invention relates to a flaw detector imaging apparatus for detecting and visualizing a flaw in a target material to be investigated, comprising an ultrasonic phase-array probe comprising an array of ultrasonic transducers and a flaw detector. The flaw detector includes at least one trigger channel to trigger ultrasonic emitting transducers of the array at respective time delays to produce an ultrasonic beam propagating through the target material, and a single receiver channel to receive echo signals produced by ultrasonic receiving transducers of the array in response to ultrasonic wave echoes reflected from a flaw in the target material. The single receiver channel comprises a delay circuit imparting to the received echo signals the respective time delays as used in the triggering of the ultrasonic emitting transducers and a combiner of the delayed echo signals. A processor is responsive to the echo signals produced by the ultrasonic receiving transducers, received by the single receiver channel and time delayed by the delay circuit to produce an image of the flaw from which the ultrasonic wave echoes are reflected. A display connected to the ultrasonic processor displays the image of the flaw.
US08033171B2	Detection apparatus, detection method, and electronic apparatus A detection apparatus is provided which includes a cantilever vibration gyro including a piezoelectric element having a first side provided with a drive electrode and a pair of detection electrodes sandwiching the drive electrode with predetermined gaps therebetween and a second side opposed to the first side and provided with a common electrode, which vibrates by a drive signal input between the drive electrode and the common electrode and generates a pair of detected signals corresponding to Coriolis force from the detection electrodes. The detection apparatus also includes a bias applying section for applying a bias voltage to the detection electrodes, an adding section adding the pair of detected signals, a first phase delay section delaying a phase of the detected signal obtained by the addition by a range larger than 45° and smaller than 90°, and an amplitude control section controlling the delayed detected signal to a predetermined voltage amplitude to output as the drive signal.
US08033166B2	Spark plug sensor probe utilizing PCB as antenna A spark plug sensor antenna including an external housing; and a printed circuit board disposed within the exterior housing, the printed circuit board having a first side and a second side and a first plurality of serpentine traces disposed on one of the first side and second side for receiving radio frequency signals generated by the spark of a spark plug.
US08033165B2	Method for detecting combustion timing and system thereof An accelerator sensor that is mounted on an engine block may be used to detect vibration of a compression ignition engine, and the detected vibration signal is analyzed to determine the combustion timing of the engine. A method for detecting combustion timing may include measuring a block vibration signal generated in a combustion process of an engine, setting up a frequency area that is to be analyzed in the block vibration to divide the frequency area into wavelet scales, executing continuous wavelet transformations of the divided wavelet scales to extract respective result values thereof and to calculate differences between former result values and latter result values, comparing the calculated difference value with a predetermined value to store crank angles of pertinent timing if the calculated difference values exceed the predetermined value, and averaging the stored crank angles to determine combustion timing in a case that all wavelet scales are processed.
US08033159B2	Sensor and operating method for detecting soot The invention relates to a sensor and a method for detecting soot, said method comprising the following steps: a first operating temperature is set on the sensor for a measuring phase, such that soot can be deposited on the surface of the substrate, but depositions interfering with the measurement of the soot are prevented; the time between the beginning of the measurement and the increase in conductivity between the electrodes is recorded; and a second operating temperature is set on the sensor for a regeneration phase, such that the deposited soot is burned with the oxygen in the test gas. The inventive product is a soot sensor for using in the automobile industry.
US08033153B1	Method and apparatus for manufacturing a battery terminal with undercut rings A method and apparatus to cold form rings or a lead battery terminal with undercuts or overhangs to improve the sealing properties of the rings. The apparatus can be one of a segmented die device and a die device wherein one die member moves relative to the other die member. In either apparatus at least one ring on the battery terminal is transferred from having a first shape into a second different shape with an overhang.
US08033151B2	Method and apparatus for reducing force needed to form a shape from a sheet metal An apparatus comprising a platform, a stylus, and an ultrasonic energy generation system. The platform may be capable of holding a sheet of material. The stylus may be capable of impinging the sheet of material to incrementally form a shape for a part. The ultrasonic energy generation system may be capable of sending ultrasonic energy into at least a portion of the sheet of material in a location on the sheet of material where the stylus impinges the sheet of material.
US08033147B2	Electronic deadbolt lock with a leverage handle An electronically controlled lock with a single throw acting as a passage lock and also as a deadbolt lock is provided by the invention. The lock is equipped with an electronic activation device on its exterior housing and a door lever on its internal housing. A user unlocks the door from outside by touching an electronic key against the electronic activation device. After the door is unlocked, the throw acts as a passage lock. The door can be locked internally by moving the door lever from a horizontal position upwardly to a vertical position.
US08033144B2	Foreign materials filtering apparatus and washing machine having the same In a foreign materials filtering apparatus and a washing machine having the same, a filter cover is installed at a washing water circulating duct disposed inside a washing tub, and a net filter is installed at an inner side of the filter cover. Accordingly, the net filter is prevented from directly contacting laundry, thereby preventing the not filter and the laundry from being damaged. Furthermore, since the net filter is covered by the filter cover, the entire appearance is enhanced. Additionally, when the net filter is mounted at the filter cover, the filter unit becomes modularized to be facilitate a detachable mounting.
US08033143B2	Washing machine A washing machine includes a dehydrating tub which is rotatably mounted, a pulsator which is rotatably mounted in the dehydrating tub, a motor which rotates the dehydrating tub and the pulsator, a washing shaft which transmits a rotational force of the motor to the pulsator, a dehydrating shaft which intermittently transmits the rotational force of the washing shaft to the dehydrating shaft, and a power transmission device which is moved according to rotation of the washing shaft.
US08033140B1	Method for the production of mineral wool and iron from serpentine ore Magnesium silicate mineral wools having a relatively high liquidus temperature of at least about 1400° C. and to methods for the production thereof are provided. The methods of the present invention comprise melting a magnesium silicate feedstock (e.g., comprising a serpentine or olivine ore) having a liquidus temperature of at least about 1400° C. to form a molten magnesium silicate, and subsequently fiberizing the molten magnesium silicate to produce a magnesium silicate mineral wool. In one embodiment, the magnesium silicate feedstock contains iron oxide (e.g., up to about 12% by weight). Preferably, the melting is performed in the presence of a reducing agent to produce an iron alloy, which can be separated from the molten ore. Useful magnesium silicate feedstocks include, without limitation, serpentine and olivine ores. Optionally, silicon dioxide can be added to the feedstock to lower the liquidus temperature thereof.
US08033134B2	Extended cold (battery backup) refrigerator A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, and a battery. There is at least one fan disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and electrically connected to the battery. The battery powers the at least one fan during a power outage to thereby circulate air from the freezer compartment to the refrigerator compartment. The at least one fan may be a direct current operated fan. The refrigerator may also include an inverter and the at least one fan may then be an alternating current operated fan electrically connected to the inverter. The battery may be disposed within the refrigerator cabinet or may be external to the refrigerator cabinet.
US08033133B2	Ice bin storage window A refrigerator includes a refrigerator housing, a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator housing, a door for providing access to the fresh food compartment, and an ice bin at the door, the ice bin having a window for viewing an ice level within the ice bin. An ice storage bin includes an ice storage bin body having an insulated front, a back, a bottom, opposite sides, and an open top, and a first window pane and a second window pane positioned at the front of the ice storage bin to allow for viewing the ice level within the ice storage bin. There may be an air gap between the first window pane and the second window pane.
US08033130B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator having a body defined with a plurality of cooling compartments, a plate arranged to partition the cooling compartments, and a cold air supplier arranged at one wall of the plate, to supply a cold air to at least one of the cooling compartments.
US08033126B2	Flow controlling assembly and method A flow controlling assembly configured to permit air flow between a first chamber and a second chamber. A frame member includes a damper contacting surface at least partially surrounding a frame opening configured to permit the air flow therethrough. A damper plate includes a frame contacting surface configured to contact the damper contacting surface when the damper plate is in a closed position. A hinge assembly is disposed between the frame member and the damper plate. The hinge assembly is configured to permit the damper plate to rotate on a rotational axis relative to the frame member and to permit the rotational axis to translate relative to the frame member.
US08033125B2	Air conditioner control device A control device includes a microcomputer and a storage element. The microcomputer is configured to execute an inspection operation mode in which an air conditioner is operated in inspection process in a manufacturing site, and a normal operation mode in which the air conditioner is operated at an installation site. When the operation state of the air conditioner fails to satisfy predetermined conditions, the microcomputer is configured to confirm that there is an error, and abnormally stop the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is abnormally stopped, the microcomputer is configured to cause the storage element to store predetermined operation information obtained during a period until abnormal stoppage of the air conditioner and to store the operation mode being executed at the time of occurrence of the error in the air conditioner.
US08033123B2	Air conditioner An air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant quantity calculating section, and a refrigerant quantity judging section. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger interconnected together. The refrigerant quantity calculating section calculates the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit taking into account a dissolved refrigerant quantity that is the quantity of refrigerant dissolved in the refrigerating machine oil in the compressor, based on an operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant quantity judging section judges the adequacy of the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit based on the refrigerant quantity calculated by the refrigerant quantity calculating section. In addition, the refrigerant quantity calculating section calculates the dissolved refrigerant quantity based on operation state quantities that include at least the ambient temperature outside the compressor.
US08033121B2	Low eddy current cryogen circuit for superconducting magnets A low eddy current cryogen circuit for superconducting magnets including at least a first cooling coil made of an electrically conducting material and having at least one electrical isolator incorporated in the first cooling coil. The electrical isolator is located to inhibit induced eddy current loops due to inductive coupling of the first cooling coil with eddy current inducing field sources.
US08033120B2	Compositions and methods containing fluorine substituted olefins The use of pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225) and tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234) in refrigeration equipment is disclosed. These materials are generally useful as refrigerants for heating and cooling, as blowing agents, as aerosol propellants, as solvent composition, and as fire extinguishing and suppressing agents.
US08033114B2	Multimode fuel injector for combustion chambers, in particular of a jet engine A fuel injector including a peripheral atomisation system having a plurality of fuel ejection orifices distributed at regular intervals along the circumference and an annular air eddy deflector. The deflector includes air ejection channels such that, for each fuel ejection axis defined by an ejection orifice, there is a corresponding air ejection channel of which at least the radially most internal part has a median substantially intersecting this fuel ejection axis.
US08033111B2	Damping of vibration of a combustion chamber by resonators Device for damping oscillations of a combustion chamber that includes at least one resonator connected to a pre-chamber in a vibration-damping manner. The pre-chamber is connected to a combustion chamber in a vibration-damping manner via at least one passage channel. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08033107B2	Hydrostatic drive having volumetric flow equalisation A hydrostatic drive with first and second hydraulic pumps and a dual-acting hydraulic cylinder. The dual-acting hydraulic cylinder has a first working chamber defined by a first piston surface and a second working chamber defined by a second piston surface. The first working chamber is connected to first connections of the first and second hydraulic pumps. The second working chamber is connected to a second connection of the second hydraulic pump. A second connection of the first hydraulic pump is connected to a hydraulic fluid reservoir. The ratio of the first piston surface to the second piston surface differs from the ratio of the total delivery volume of the two hydraulic pumps relative to the delivery volume of the second hydraulic pump. A tapping valve for removing hydraulic fluid is provided for the volumetric flow equalisation.
US08033106B2	Electrohydraulic transmission controller, transmission device, and a motor vehicle drive train An electrohydraulic transmission controller (7), a transmission device with an electrohydraulic transmission controller and a vehicle drive train that features an electrohydraulic transmission controller are disclosed. The electrohydraulic transmission controller is constructed with a plurality of electrically actuatable pressure control valves (9 to 16), as well as with a plurality of valve arrangements (17 to 34) that can be acted on in each case by an hydraulic precontrol pressure depending upon the actuation of the pressure valves, by way of which valve arrangements switching elements (A to E) of a transmission device can be acted on in each case with a control pressure to produce a required operating state of the transmission device. An additional pressure control valve (9) is provided to adjust a precontrol pressure (p_VS—9) of an additional valve arrangement (35), whereby downstream of the additional valve arrangement, the sub-assembly (6) of a vehicle drive train can be acted on by a cooling oil volume flow subject to the precontrol pressure of the additional valve arrangement and an operating state of the additional valve arrangement (35) corresponding to it.
US08033096B2	Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for engine A temperature-sensitive type urea sensor 74 is adopted for use in an engine exhaust gas purifying apparatus. The magnitude of convection of urea aqueous solution generated in a storage tank 41 is determined based on temperature information detected by the urea sensor 74. For detection of abnormality, a detected concentration Dn is adopted when the percentage GRDt of temperature change of urea aqueous solution is small, so that convection is small and it is determined not to affect accurate detection of an abnormality.
US08033095B2	Drive device on the basis of a gel-type propellant and method for conveying propellant In order to make a drive device available on the basis of a gel-type propellant, in particular, for a flying object, comprising at least one tank for gel-type propellant, a combustion chamber and a device for supplying propellant to the combustion chamber, which is of a simple construction it is suggested that at least one radiation impinging device be provided for acting on gel-type propellant with electromagnetic radiation and/or at least one heating device for heating gel-type propellant in order to improve the flow behavior.
US08033094B2	Cantilevered tip turbine engine A tip turbine engine (10) according to the present invention includes an engine support structure (12) for cantilevering a load bearing shaft from an engine support plane (P). An engine support structure (12) defines the engine support plane (P), which is perpendicular to an engine centerline (A). The shaft (60) is rotationally fixed, coaxial with the engine centerline (A), and structurally supported by the engine support structure (12) such that a load borne by the shaft (60) is transferred along the engine support plane.
US08033092B2	Tip turbine engine integral fan, combustor, and turbine case A tip turbine engine assembly includes an integral engine outer case located radially outward from a fan assembly. The integral outer case includes a rear portion and a forward portion with an arcuate portion that curves radially inwardly to form a compartment. An annular combustor is housed and mounted in the compartment. Fan inlet guide vanes are integrally formed with the arcuate portion to form the integral case portion. The rear portion, forward portion, and fan inlet guide vanes are integrally formed in a casting process.
US08033091B2	Quantum tunnelling transducer device A monolithic micro or nano electromechanical transducer device includes a pair of substrates (20, 25) respectively mounting one or more elongate electrical conductors (40) and resilient solid state hinge means (30, 32) integral with and linking the substrates to relatively locate the substrates so that respective elongate electrical conductors (40) of the substrates are opposed at a spacing that permits a detectable quantum tunnelling current between the conductors when a suitable electrical potential difference is applied across the conductors. The solid state hinge means permits relative parallel translation of the substrates transverse to the elongate electrical conductors.
US08033089B2	Method for operating a two-for-one twisting or cabling machine and two-for-one twisting or cabling machine Method for operating a two-for-one twisting or cabling machine (1) with multiple workstations (2), each equipped with at least two feed bobbins (6, 13), one feed bobbin (6) being creeled on a spindle (3) of the workstation (2) and at least one further feed bobbin (13) being creeled on a creeling device (12) associated with the workstation (2). The yarns (7, 15) of the feed bobbins (6, 13) are guided together in a balloon yarn guide (5) and cabled, and the cabled yarn is wound to form a take-up bobbin (16). The feed bobbin (6) creeled on the spindle (3) has half the weight of the take-up bobbin (16) to be produced and the dimensions of the spindle (3) are adapted to the diameter of the reduced feed bobbin (6).
US08033088B2	Attachment for connection of harvesting combine harvester and baler A combine harvester for separating grain from trash is attached to a towable baling apparatus for converting trash into compacted bales, by a conveyor, a forward end of the conveyor being pivotally attached to the combine harvester proximate the rear such that a trash outlet of the combine is disposed above the trash inlet of the conveyor. The rear end of the conveyor is attached to the baling apparatus in a way that causes a large percentage of the trash from the combine harvester trash outlet to enter the baling apparatus inlet without ever touching the ground. The conveyor is supported from the rear of the combine harvester by a towbar which is fixed to the chassis proximate the support for the forward and rearward set of ground wheels. A nozzle is provided to spray water onto the crop before it enters the baler.
US08033086B2	Lawn mower with grass collection box A lawn mower is provided with a lawn mowing mechanism, a grass collection box receiving grass mowed by the lawn mowing mechanism, a lift mechanism for lifting the grass collection box high, and a rear lid plate structured such as to openably close an opening in the rear surface of the grass collection box wherein an improvement is achieved in the stability of a support at a time of lifting up the grass collection box high in the case of discharging the mowed grass in the grass collection box in a state of lifting up the grass collection box high, and also achieves a downsizing and a weight saving. A bottom portion of the grass collection box is opened, the opened bottom portion being operably closed by a bottom lid plate, and the mowed grass is discharged from the grass collection box by an opening actuation of the bottom lid plate and the rear lid plate.
US08033083B2	Process and machine for automated manufacture of gastro-retentive devices An improved automated process and apparatus for making a gastro-retentive device (10). The method includes the steps of providing a pouch assembly (18) having an ingredient section within a membrane; rotating the membrane to form a folded pouch assembly; inserting the folded pouch assembly into a first capsule section (20a) to form a pouch/first capsule assembly, and inserting the pouch/first capsule assembly into a second capsule section (20b). The process can further include the steps of providing a continuous strip (32) of multiple pouch assemblies (18) and cutting a single pouch assembly (18) from the strip (32). Also provided is an apparatus (100) for carrying out the above method which includes three wheels (102, 104, 106) for processing and moving the capsule sections (20a, 20b), a pouch load subassembly (166) for delivering a strip (32) of pouch assemblies (18) to a pouch load tooling mechanism (168), a pouch wrapping subassembly which, after receiving the pouches (18) from the pouch load tooling mechanism (168) wraps the flaps of the pouches which are then, via a pouch insert subassembly 200, inserted into the first capsule section (20a) in one of the wheels (104). The second capsule section (20b) is then combined with the first capsule section (20a) in the wheel (104) to complete the finished gastro-retentive device (10).
US08033082B2	Packaging machine A packaging machine includes a grouper section having changeable lane sizes and a dual servo grouper that separates product into product sets and allow the product sets to accelerate to the lane chain speed in a controlled manner. The grouper section further includes disappearing lugs that pivot into the lanes via a cam surface provided in the lanes. The product rides upon a raised surface of the cam surface as the lug pushes the product set together down the lane, thus ensuring that no gaps are provided between product set members. A gripper/grid section of the packaging machine includes a bars that travel about a carousel with a gripper head assembly and a grid assembly pair moving up and down the bars as defined by cam surfaces within the gripper/grid section. The grid section is presented below the product set such that the product set is fed through the grid section in a one-way trip into a case. The gripper head assembly cam device and the case feed section both include height adjustment assemblies.
US08033081B2	Packaging machine A packaging apparatus wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material. A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the physical dimensions of the product, calculates the weight of the flexible packaging material needed, and calculates a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material. A printer prints information specific to the product that is being packaged onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material prior to the product being packaged. The information can be a function of the package weight, and the calculated total package weight can be communicated from the microprocessor to the printer. Finally, the product is packaged in the flexible packaging material having the label already affixed thereto.
US08033073B1	Roof batten system A roofing system, including at least one composite roof batten structured and arranged to support roof tile over a roof structure. The composite roof batten includes a substantially rigid low-density core, an upper reinforcing layer structured and arranged to reinforce the substantially rigid low-density core, and a lower reinforcing layer structured and arranged to reinforce the substantially rigid low-density core. The composite roof batten having at least one channel structured and arranged to assist the passage of moisture and air therethrough under the roof tile.
US08033068B2	Mobile partitioning wall Mobile partitioning wall with several wall elements displaceably suspended in running rails. The mobile partitioning wall have structural units that are technically simple to manufacture and to mount and are structured to be universally usable and can be easily and variably disposed at the edge sides of individual wall elements. The wall elements have mounting elements that are horizontally and/or vertically disposed at the edge sides. Modular structural units are laterally insertable into the mounting elements.
US08033059B2	Paneling system A paneling system for use as a wing and/or return panel for dividing large open office areas into smaller work stations. The paneling system includes a frame having top and bottom surfaces, and side surfaces. Attachment assemblies are used for removably attaching one or more paneling system to one or more of a spine wall, post, wing panel, return panel, and work surfaces.
US08033058B2	Apparatus for diverting rainwater An apparatus for diverting rainwater includes a body having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a central portion. A diverter is disposed within the central portion, and has a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of the diverter, together with one or more walls of the body, defines a containment configured to capture rainwater that enters through the top portion. An opening in at least one of the walls of the body is configured to divert rainwater from the containment. The body also includes a bypass flow area extending through the central portion adjacent to, and separate from, the containment, where the bypass flow area has a cross-sectional area that is substantially equal to or greater than a cross sectional area of the top and bottom portions.
US08033056B2	Doorway with anti-bubbling sill drain A doorway with anti-bubbling sill drain includes spaced vertical side jambs, a head jamb, and a substantially hollow contain-and-drain sill, all of which form a frame. The sill has an outside nosing provided with weep holes and weep doors and a threshold portion that directly underlies a closed door mounted in the frame. A drain insert is mounted within an oblong hole in the threshold portion of the sill for allowing water collected on the threshold portion to drain into the sill and for allowing air within the sill to vent. The drain insert has a top cover, from the end portions of which a pair of drains depend. The tops of the drains are spaced from the underside of the top cover to form drain entrances. An open vent space is formed between the two drains and terminates at its upper extent in drain holes formed through the top cover. When installed, the drains extend down into the interior of the sill with the drain entrances being flush with the floor of the threshold portion. Water on the threshold portion drains into the drain entrances and through the two drains into the sill while air escaping from within the sill vents through the separate vent space and vent holes above. Percolation and bubbling at the drain location is thus eliminated.
US08033050B2	Self-contained apparatuses for hanging, holding, rotating, or watering plants using solar power for plant maintenance Plant supporting apparatuses designed to hang a planter and plant at a variety of desired locations without lines for external electrical or water supply. Power is provided by solar cells. This construction allows the placement of plants almost anywhere and provides desired routine maintenance automatically. The apparatuses rotate the plant to grow uniformly even though incident light is non-uniform. There are two main assemblies which rotate relative to each other. A pump transfers liquids from a reservoir to a dispensing outlet onto a planter. The pump may be configured to move within the reservoir to stir the water, fertilizer or other liquids being fed to the planter. A planter is also shown which has solar cells and other parts mounted thereon. A control system is used to control operation and ambient light and reservoir liquid level are sensed.
US08033046B2	Fishing rod holder The fishing rod holder comprises a support post having a threaded end that can be mounted to a base, such as the side of a boat or the rail of a pier. Alternatively, the end of the support post can be fashioned to terminate in a sharp point for insertion into the ground. The support post is attached to the bottom surface of horizontally adjustable, semicylindrical plates. A socket member is pivotally attached to the plates. The socket member is adapted to receive the grip of a fishing rod therein. The semicylindrical plates can be pivoted on the support post to adjust the angle of the rod while fishing, and the socket can be pivoted up from the plates for quickly removing the rod from the holder when a fish is hooked. The plates can be adjusted to different lengths to support different rod and reel combinations.
US08033043B2	Lockable safety for striker-fired firearm A striker-fired firearm with lockable manual safety and method of use. The firearm in one embodiment includes a frame, a chamber for receiving a cartridge, a striker movable to strike the cartridge, a trigger movably mounted to the frame, a trigger bar coupled to the trigger and operable to engage and release the striker to discharge the firearm, a manually-operated safety adapted to engage the trigger bar and selectively movable between a first deactivated position and a second activated position wherein the safety engages the trigger bar to prevent release of the striker, and a cylindrical locking member rotationally disposed in the frame. In one embodiment, the locking member, which may be a lock pin in some embodiments, includes a blocking surface that is engageable with the safety. The blocking surface is rotatable to a blocking position wherein the safety cannot be moved from the second activated position to the first deactivated position by a user. In one embodiment, the blocking surface projects into a slot and engages a protrusion on the safety to block the movement of the safety. Preferably, the locking member is key-operated.
US08033042B2	Fastening device for a binder A device for fastening labels to binders which exhibit slots arranged in pairs at a mutual distance from each other for receiving end sections of label holders, and for firmly locking the end sections in the slots. The label holder is pocket-shaped, is flexible, and exhibits rows of recesses along lateral edge sections opposing each other. Hook-shaped locking elements distributed in rows are received inside the slots. The row of recesses and locking forms formed are adapted to each other in terms of shape for lockable receiving, interacting in pairs, of the respective locking elements in a suitable recess after insertion of the respective label end sections in a suitable slot.
US08033040B2	Customizable gift box A customizable gift box includes a box blank and a label assembly. The label assembly preferably includes a face sheet having a printable surface including a label sized to cover the box blank and a back sheet having a removable portion at least partially overlaying the label, the removable portion removable to expose an adhesive surface of the label within the face sheet. In addition, at least one index line is positioned on the label assembly for aligning the box blank relative to the label.
US08033039B2	High frequency flip chip package process of polymer substrate and structure thereof In a high frequency flip chip package process of a polymer substrate and a structure thereof, the structure is a one-layer structure packaged by a high frequency flip chip package process to overcome the shortcomings of a conventional two-layer structure packaged by the high frequency flip chip package process. The conventional structure not only incurs additional insertion loss and return loss in its high frequency characteristic, but also brings out a reliability issue. Thus, the manufacturing process of a ceramic substrate in the conventional structure still has the disadvantages of a poor yield rate and a high cost.
US08033033B2	Layered beam measurement apparatus A new and improved tape rule that increases stiffness and standout length over standard tape rules is disclosed. The tape rule includes a primary rule and a secondary rule, the secondary rule providing increased strength. This invention can provide a variety of benefits, including increased blade flexibility while performing short extension related tasks, increased standout and reduced sag while performing tasks requiring longer extensions, reduced size and weight for tasks requiring the longest extensions and adds the ability to utilize alternate measurement methods or units and built in computational references.
US08033031B2	Rotation angle sensor A rotation angle sensor has a moveable sleeve (1) coupled with a rotating shaft, and a box (3) connected with the movable sleeve (1) rotatablely. An upper part of the moveable sleeve is equipped with a threaded ring (5). An inner side of the threaded ring (5) is equipped with a locking mechanism (6) which is matched with the rotating shaft tightly. The periphery of the threaded ring (5) is screwed with a fixed ring (7). The movable sleeve (1), the threaded ring (5) and the fixed ring (7) are all coaxial detachable ring structure comprising two or more arc modules. Teeth are distributed on an outer edge of the movable sleeve (1) along the circumferential direction. A reduction gear, which is engaged with the teeth and provided with multiple gears sets, is installed in the box (3). The reduction gear is fixed on a circuit board module, and a sensor module is fixed on the periphery of the reduction gear.
US08033029B2	Multi-reel marking apparatus A multi-line chalk reel is disclosed that may be comprised of three or more line reels disposed in a polar arrangement of parallel but distinct rotation axes that has a single method for engaging and disengaging a single drive arrangement to any one spool. This arrangement provides a variety of advantages, including a package solution of useful dimensions and a low part count to minimize parts in assembly. The single drive arrangement reduces cost, and provides for convenient access to individual spools.
US08033028B2	Method and apparatus for vehicle service system optical target assembly A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of a vehicle wheel using an optical target attached to the vehicle wheel, the optical target having a dimensionally stable shape and a plurality of visible features defining target elements arranged in a known geometric and spatial configuration relative to each other across at least two surfaces. A two-dimensional image of the optical target is acquired by an imaging system to detect a plurality of target element images corresponding to the plurality of target elements. A spatial orientation of the optical target and an alignment of the vehicle wheel is then determined from the plurality of target element images and the known geometric and spatial configuration of the plurality of target elements on the target surfaces.
US08033015B2	Printed wiring board and method of suppressing power supply noise thereof Disclosed is a printed wiring board having signal layers each interposed between a power supply layer and a ground layer, wherein the signal layer includes at least one of a wiring region for a ground potential and a wiring region for a power supply potential.
US08033014B2	Method of making a molded interconnect device The present invention provides a method of making a molded interconnect device. The method includes the steps of: injection molding a plastic body having thereon at least one patterned circuit trench structure; and filling a conductive material into the patterned circuit trench structure thereby forming a circuit trace on the plastic body.
US08033013B2	Method of making rigid-flexible printed circuit board having a peelable mask The invention relates to a method of fabricating a flexible-rigid PCB which includes a flexible circuit substrate and a rigid circuit substrate. The flexible circuit substrate defines a rigid region and an exposed region and has a conductive pattern, such as conductive traces, formed on the exposed region. The method includes the steps of providing the flexible circuit substrate; printing a paste containing epoxy-silicone hybrid materials onto the conductive pattern; curing the paste; and building up the rigid circuit substrate on the rigid region of the flexible circuit substrate. Particularly, the paste having a specific composition is subjected to predetermined conditions of temperature and time in order to transform the paste into a peelable mask with heat resistance, chemical resistance and a contact angle greater than 20 degrees.
US08033007B2	Method of making rotor of brushless motor Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of making a rotor of an electric brushless motor configured to be light weight and prevent vibrations generated during an operation of the motor to be transferred to the shaft of the rotor. The method includes providing a shaft elongated in a rotational axis, providing a single body magnet comprising alternately magnetized portions, and providing a vibration absorption portion interposed between the shaft and single body magnet. The vibration absorption portion absorbs vibrations generated during the operation of the motor and may include an elastic or a non-elastic material. The method further includes providing a non-elastic portion configured to inhibit the expansion of the vibration absorption portion when the vibration portion is elastic.
US08033004B2	Method for installing run channel for automobile An automobile run channel installing method for installing a run channel in a sash of an automobile door is provided. The method involves setting a run channel to a conveyance device having only a pair of arms, the run channel having a concave section and only two corner sections; pushing both corner sections of the run channel into corner sections of an upper portion of the sash, respectively; pressing and fitting an upper-sash roller of the arm into the concave section of the run channel to move from the corner section of the upper sash; and pressing and fitting a lower-sash roller of the arm into the concave section of the run channel to move from a higher portion to a lower portion of a lower portion of the sash and to fit the run channel into the lower sash.
US08033002B2	Method for configuring an end-of-arm tool for a robotic arm An end-of-arm tool having a workpiece interface tool is attachable to an articulable robotic arm. The end-of-arm tool can be configured by engaging an adjustable modular unit including a swing arm, a cylinder, and a workpiece interface tool to a rail element of the end-of-arm tool. The adjustable modular unit machine-slides in the rail element to a preferred x-axis position, machine-pivots to a preferred angular orientation, and machine-extends along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder to a preferred z-axis position, and machine-rotates to a preferred rotational angle about the z-axis.
US08033001B2	CVD showerhead alignment apparatus A method and apparatus for aligning a CVD showerhead, comprising engaging a showerhead stem clamp with a showerhead stem outside of a process chamber of the CVD system. An alignment fixture is provided, and a plurality of spacer discs are positioned between the showerhead suspended from a top plate of the CVD system and heated platen. Nuts supporting the showerhead to the top plate are loosened, therein permitting the showerhead to move vertically within the process chamber. The process chamber is closed and the top plate is lowered, wherein the showerhead contacts the plurality of spacer discs. The alignment fixture is engaged with the showerhead stem clamp, therein fixing a vertical position of the showerhead with respect to the top plate, and the top plate is raised. The position of the of the showerhead is then fixed with respect to the top plate via a plurality of standoffs, an adjustment bracket, a threaded rod, and a plurality of nuts.
US08032996B2	Apparatus for forming barbs on a suture An apparatus for cutting barbs into a suture having a filament supply. The apparatus also has an in-feed collet for holding one end of a filament threaded therethrough. Further the apparatus has an out-feed collet for holding a second end of a filament threaded therethrough. Additionally, the apparatus has a holder positioned between said in-feed and out-feed collets for holding a filament suspended between the in-feed and out-feed collets. The apparatus also has a cutting assembly for cutting barbs in the filament tensioned between the in-feed and out-feed collets.
US08032994B2	Marking and fastening device and method of using same A fastening device and a method of using same is provided. The fastening device includes a male member having a projection on a first side and a securing means on a second opposing side. A female member configured to receive the projection detachably secures the female member onto the male member. The female member and the male member comprises a ratchet system to removeably secure the female member onto the male member. The securing means on the second opposing side of the male member is configured to mate with a corresponding securing member mounted on an object. By securing a material such as a shade screen or a tarp on the male member by mating the male member with the female member, the shade screen or tarp may be detachably fastened onto an object.
US08032992B2	Corsage pin with two bendable pins A corsage pin and method for constructing a corsage facilitate attachment of a corsage to the corsage pin. The corsage pin includes a medal with a bendable and cutable post attached to the back of the medal and extending down. The corsage is positioned in front of the corsage pin, and the post is cut to a length approximately one inch below the lowest stem of the corsage, and then bent approximately 180 degrees. The stem(s) of the corsage are positioned to overlap the end of the bent post and tape is wrapped around the post and corsage. Two horizontally spaced apart pins on the back of the medal are inserted through a garment and bent 90 degrees to affix the corsage to the garment.
US08032991B2	Pry bar ergonomic handle A heavy duty hand tool handle has specifically configured thermoplastic and overmolded elastomeric material, with a thermoplastic grip and thumb receiving recesses for equal right and left hand ergonomic use. Metal indicia are forcibly embedded in the thermoplastic case to provide e.g. safety information which remains legible in long term heavy duty abrasive use.
US08032988B2	Rotating mechanism and electronic device using the same A rotating mechanism and an electronic device using the same are provided. The rotating mechanism is disposed at the electronic device. The electronic device includes a first casing and a second casing. The rotating mechanism includes a first gear and a second gear. The first gear is coupled to the first casing. The second gear is coupled to the second casing. The second gear is engaged with the first gear, and then the first casing is capable of rotating relatively to the second casing.
US08032987B2	Portable device and hinge assembly One end portion of a connecting member 31 is connected to a first housing 1 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a first rotation axis L1 fixed in position with respect to the first housing 1. The other end portion of the connecting member 31 is connected to a second housing 2 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a second rotation axis L2 fixed in position with respect to the second housing 2 and extending parallel to the first rotation axis L1. The first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are located in different locations in a direction of the first and the second rotation axes L1, L2 such that a top surface 1a of the first housing 1 and an undersurface 2b of the second housing 2 are located generally on a same plane.
US08032985B2	Suction brush for vacuum cleaner A suction brush for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The suction brush a vacuum cleaner includes a brush main body connected to a cleaner main body and having a dust suction port provided on a bottom surface of the brush main body, first and second wheels rotatably engaged with both sides of the brush main body, and at least one hair removing unit, arranged in front of the suction port of the brush main body, for receiving rotation drive forces from the first and second wheels and raking up hair existing on a surface to be cleaned toward the dust suction port.
US08032975B2	Mop A mop includes a handle comprising a plastic end joint comprising a downward protrusion and two shoulders; a rotatable cover comprising an annular trough, a central hole, and bottom latches; a hinge comprising a disc, a yoke, and a circular plate having slits wherein the yoke loosely passes the hole to pivotably secure to the joint with the latches contacting the disc and inserting through the slits to secure the circular plate, the disc, and the cover together, and the joint being disposed in the channel; and a strand mounting assembly comprising arcuate sections comprising two cross-shaped apertures having four sharp protuberance, and sets of strands. Each set of strands has one end fastened in the arcuate section after inserting through the aperture to be retained by the sharp protuberances.
US08032974B2	Grill cleaning apparatus A handle assembly includes a handle having a front end and a back end and a receptacle mounted to the front end, wherein the receptacle defines a recess. A projection extends into the recess and a removable fastener also extends into the recess. The projection and the removable fastener are adapted to be inserted into an abrasive member to retain the abrasive member in the recess.
US08032973B2	Liquid applicator A coating applicator comprising a substrate removably mounted to a frame, where the frame includes an actuator repositionable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, where the engaging position is operative to maintain the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, where the disengaging position is operative to discontinue the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, and where the substrate includes a receptor for retaining a coating composition for application.
US08032962B1	Shoe enlargement device The present invention features a shoe enlargement device for stretching a user's shoe comprising an expansion device having a toe piece and a heel piece. The toe piece is connected to the heel piece via an enlargement screw, wherein turning the enlargement screw moves them closer together or farther apart. The first half of the toe piece and the second half of the toe piece can be moved closer together or farther apart via an anchor piece, a first roller bar, and a second roller bar.
US08032959B2	Bed sheet attachment system and methods The present invention provides a bed sheet attachment system that allows a user to quickly and easily change bed sheets. In one embodiment, the fitted sheet of a bed comprises an upper surface and at least one attachment member disposed on the upper surface. A quick-change sheet having upper and lower surfaces also is provided, wherein at least one attachment member is disposed on the lower surface of the quick-change sheet. In use, the attachment member of the quick-change sheet is configured to releasably mate with the attachment member of the fitted sheet, thereby facilitating the changing of the quick-change sheet. Further, at least one pocket member may be releasably coupled to the fitted sheet, thereby providing one or more storage locations in close proximity to the bed.
US08032958B2	Swaddling blanket, paticularly for use in connection with premature infants, and method of using the same A swaddling blanket for infants, particularly newborn infants, and more particularly for premature infants, comprises an inner blanket and an outer blanket. Each of the inner and outer blankets comprises three flap members such that when all three flap members of the inner blanket, and all three flap members of the outer blanket, are folded over the infant, the infant is comfortably enclosed within six blanket layers in order to provide the infant with the requisite amount of warmth. The baby is also placed upon a support cushion effectively built into the swaddling blanket such that the baby's head, neck, and spinal regions are adequately supported.
US08032955B1	Urinal module added to a toilet My invention is a new way to combine a urinal and a toilet. The urinal module changes the toilet's appearance very little.The urinal module is simple to use and will help men keep their urine off the bathroom floor.The module raises the toilet seat about three inches to help older people stand up after using the toilet.The module slides off its rods so that it and the toilet bowl can be cleaned.The urinal assembly is simple to install with two bolts holding it to the toilet bowl.The module requires no extra space in the bathroom.
US08032952B2	Protective apparel with improved disposal Described herein is apparel that protects a wearer from an undesirable agent. The apparel employs a transition portal to assist doffing and to reduce the risk of cross-contamination during doffing. The transition portal attaches to the apparel proximate to one end of an aperture, which provides an exit for the protective apparel. When doffing, the transition portal extends away from the person, who exits the aperture. The transition portal is then pulled over the body along with any attached portions of the protective apparel. This turns the transition portal—and attached parts of the apparel—inside-out. After doffing, most portions of protective apparel are either a) inside-out, or b) contained within the inside-out transition portal and/or apparel. As a result, undesirable agents—that were initially on the outside of the apparel—are now inside the inside-out transition portal and apparel. In one embodiment, the transition portal is carried internal to the apparel so that surfaces of the portal are not exposed to the external environment and undesirable agent. After doffing, the transition portal may also be used as a large ‘garbage bag’ into which the apparel is placed for disposal.
US08032950B2	Locks down A head covering is described that is positioned on a head of a wearer to retain the wearer's hair in a desired position. The head covering comprises a hooded cap and an extension. The hooded cap includes a pair of ties and a set of straps. The hooded cap is secured to the head of the wearer using ties. The extension connects to the hooded cap on one end and includes an opposing distal end portion with a free terminal end. The extension includes a pouch and a flap. The pouch defines a first aperture in proximity to the hooded cap and a second aperture in proximity to the flap. A passageway is defined between the first aperture, the extension and the second aperture. The flap and pouch include connectors for the optional connection of the flap and pouch to secure the second aperture in a closed position. At least one strap is connected to the extension. The straps are constructed to secure the extension and hair together. The head covering has a first position wherein the head covering is passed along the hair of the wearer from a distal end of the wearer's hair to the wearer's head. The second position of the head covering includes the hooded cap positioned on the wearer's head and the hair of the wearer at least partially positioned in the passageway defined in the extension.
US08032946B2	Shield structure for helmet or goggles, and helmet comprising such shield structure The invention provides a shield structure which is compatible for a plurality of helmets in spite that an auxiliary shield mounting mechanism has a comparatively simple structure, is less expensive, and provides a good appearance as a whole. According to one aspect of the invention, each of left and right auxiliary shield mounting mechanisms which are disposed on a main shield includes an inner auxiliary shield mounting portion and outer auxiliary shield mounting portion in common.
US08037538B2	Access control processing method The present invention provides a device and a method for accurately and efficiently controlling an access from an external network to an internal network. Both a client device connectable to the external network and an application gateway store shared secret information (Secret) including a client ID: GUID(C) as an ID generated by the client and a server ID: GUID(S) as an ID generated by the application gateway in respective storage units. In response to an access request from the client, the application gateway determines whether the client has appropriate shared secret information (Secret) so as to determine an access right. With this configuration, a right of access from the external network to the internal network, such as a home network, can be efficiently and accurately determined.
US08037536B2	Risk scoring system for the prevention of malware A method suitable for detecting malicious files includes several steps. A file that is received into a computer system is analyzed to determine a presence or absence of each of a plurality of predefined properties in the file. A score is calculated based on the presence or absence of the plurality of properties in the file. This score is reflective of the risk that the file is malicious. Once the score is calculated, the file can be further processed based on the score.
US08037534B2	Strategies for ensuring that executable content conforms to predetermined patterns of behavior (“inverse virus checking”) Security provisions are described which determine whether or not executable content is likely to perform undesirable actions. The security provisions assess that an executable content item poses an acceptable risk when it conforms to an allow list of predetermined patterns of permissible behavior. The security provisions find exemplary use in the context of an instant messaging environment, where participants can consume and propagate executable content in the course of conducting a communication session. Supplemental rules are described which prevent malicious code from subverting the allow list design paradigm.
US08037531B2	Dynamic network security system and control method thereof A dynamic network security system and a control method thereof in a router where an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and a Voice over Internet Protocol Application Level Gateway (VoIP ALG) are integrated, system including: a VoIP ALG module for acquiring VoIP IP/port information of a counterpart unit in use for determining whether or not to perform intrusion detection on a packet received via VoIP signaling with the counterpart unit; an intrusion detection module for comparing the received packet with a preset intrusion detection log entry to perform intrusion detection on the received packet, and based on a result of the intrusion detection, determining whether or not to allow passage of the received packet; and an IP/port check module for checking VoIP IP/port information of the received packet according to the VoIP IP/port information of the counterpart unit provided from the VoIP ALG module to determine whether or not to perform the intrusion detection, and providing result information on the determination whether or not to perform the intrusion detection to the intrusion detection module.
US08037526B1	Detecting buffer overflows using frame pointer characteristics A method makes use of positional relationships in a memory stack between the frame pointer, such as the Extended Base Pointer (EBP) in Windows®-based systems, of a critical call initiating function making a call to a critical operating system (OS) function, the top of stack position, such as the Process Environment Block (PEB) in Windows® based systems, and the bottom of stack position, such as the Extended Stack pointer (ESP) in a Windows® based system, to detect and block buffer overflows.
US08037521B2	Information processing apparatus allowing multiple logins An information processing apparatus accepts operating instruction only from a user who has logged into the information processing apparatus, and is assigned with a screen of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a login processing unit configured to allow a first user to login and be assigned with the screen and to allow a second user, after the first user, to login and be assigned with the screen by reassigning the screen from the first user to the second user while maintaining a login status of the first user.
US08037520B2	Communications systems firewall Methods, apparatus, programs and signals for providing communications network security. The approach is based on using established “standard” protocols, but packets (or cells or frames) are deliberately malformed by the sender, optionally according to a predetermined rule (for example by inverting a packet check digit). A filter forwards only packets identified as being invalid, optionally in accordance with the rule; packets which are valid with respect to the “standard” protocol are dropped. The filter is preferably implemented in hardware to mitigate the risk of its being compromised by a malicious attack.
US08037519B2	Apparatus and method for managing access to one or more network resources An apparatus is provided that includes a processor configured to receive a captured traffic unit (CTU) intended for a network service, the CTU being one into which incoming traffic has been assembled based on a filter describing which incoming traffic to capture and how to assemble the respective incoming traffic into the CTU. The processor is also configured to determine whether to allow the CTU to pass to one or more applications configured to implement the respective network service based on a passlet including permissions to a particular user. The processor is further configured to instruct a firewall to allow the CTU to pass to the respective one or more applications or to reject the CTU based on the determination. In this regard, the processor is configured to perform the above functions under control of a security framework implemented in middleware between a user-level domain and a system-level domain.
US08037517B2	Method, systems, and computer program products for implementing function-parallel network firewall Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing function-parallel firewalls are disclosed. According to one aspect, a function-parallel firewall includes a first firewall node for filtering received packets using a first portion of a rule set including a plurality of rules. The first portion includes less than all of the rules in the rule set. At least one second firewall node filters packets using a second portion of the rule set. The second portion includes at least one rule in the rule set that is not present in the first portion. The first and second portions together include all of the rules in the rule set.
US08037516B2	Authentication tokens for use in voice over internet protocol Setup of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call is initiated and an authentication token is received for the VoIP call that is set up, that indicates that the VoIP call is authorized. The authentication token is inserted into packets for the VoIP call. The packets, including the authentication token therein, are transmitted into an IP network. The authentication token may be placed in an IP version 6 (IPv6) flowID field.
US08037514B2	Method and apparatus for securely disseminating security server contact information in a network Various systems and method are disclosed for disseminating security server contact information in a network. For example, one method (e.g., performed by a security server) involves determining that a network device is a secure network device, in response to participating in a security exchange with the network device; and then sending a server list to the network device. The server list includes the network address of at least one security server. Another method (e.g., performed by a network device) involves initiating an authentication exchange; receiving a server list, which includes the network address of a security server, as part of the authentication exchange; and communicating with the security server by sending a packet to the network address included in the server list.
US08037513B2	Image processing system including plurality of image processing apparatuses used by plurality of users, image processing apparatus included in the image processing system When a new MFP is connected in a state where a plurality of MFPs are connected to a network, each of a plurality of MFPs obtains an IP address of MPF from the new MFP, and if user data including the obtained IP address is stored, then transmits to the new MFP the registered user information associated with the obtained IP address by the user data. On the other hand, if user data including the obtained IP address is not stored in HDD, the new MFP is requested to transmit registered user information. Upon reception of the registered user information, the new MFP displays a confirmation window to ask the user for permission to write that registered user information into HDD. Upon reception of the request, the new MFP transmits registered user information. This facilitates the setting for newly connecting an apparatus to the network.
US08037511B1	Utilizing a mobile device to operate an electronic locking mechanism One or more media is provided for performing a method of operating an electronic locking mechanism. Initially, a request from a requesting mobile device is received at a computing device via a sensing device. The request includes an identifier utilized in an initial validation sequence having the following steps: identifying a device identity according to the identifier, transmitting the device identity with a request that a message be communicated to a target mobile device, and determining validation data. Upon receiving the request, a communications network identifies the target mobile device, based on the device identity, and communicates a message with validation data therein. The mobile device conveys authentication information to the computing device, where the authentication information is based on the validation data. The computing device compares the authentication information against the determined validation data to determine whether the targeted mobile device is authorized to operate the electronic locking mechanism.
US08037508B2	Video server and file management method A video server and a file management method which can erase an unnecessary program data file promptly are provided. Video server S divides processing of management of files performed by one frame into 11 sections, assigns five sections to playing process, assigns five sections to recording process and assigns one section to erasing process and performs processing of the file management. Server S supervises the file processing under executing. When a number of sections which perform the playing process or a number of sections which perform recording process is smaller than 5 and there is a demand of the erasing process for more than 2 files, server S assigns the section which is not used to the erasing process and unnecessary files are erased.

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