最新美国发明专利第2011-12-06期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08071523B2	Cleaning and corrosion inhibition system and composition for surfaces of aluminum or colored metals and alloys thereof under alkaline conditions The present invention relates to corrosion inhibitor systems, in particular to cleaning and corrosion inhibiting compositions for surfaces of aluminum or colored metals and alloys thereof under alkaline conditions, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The cleaning and corrosion inhibiting compositions comprise as a corrosion inhibitor at least one alkyleneoxy alkylphosphate di- or triester having the general formula (I) where Z is either —O-M or —O-(AO)n2— Alkyl wherein M is an ammonium, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation, Alkyl is a C5-C22 alkyl or alkylaryl group, AO is a C2-4-alkylene oxide unit and n1, n2 and n3 each are integers from 2 to 10.
US08071521B2	Liquid detergent composition The present invention provides a liquid detergent composition, containing (a) 4 to 50% by mass of a mixture containing specific polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfates represented by formula (1) having average addition mole numbers m and n of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide satisfying 0
US08071514B2	Silicone functionalized fluids with low traction characteristics A highly branched functionalized silicone backbone lubricating fluid which provides exceptionally low traction, a method of lowering traction coefficients in lubricating compositions, and to uses of such compositions.
US08071512B2	Annular fluids and method of emplacing the same An annular fluid or packer fluid, and methods of making the same, that includes a water-miscible solvent, a viscosifying additive, a crosslinking agent, a crosslinking inhibitor having the facility to inhibit crosslinking between the viscosifying additive and the crosslinking agent, and an initiating agent having the facility to overcome an action of the crosslinking inhibitor and to initiate crosslinking between the viscosifying additive and the crosslinking agent, is shown and described. The fluid has a thermal conductivity of no more than about 0.25 btu/(hr·ft·° F.) and a potential to substantially increase its viscosity upon sitting for a selected period of time.
US08071511B2	Methods for stimulating oil or gas production using a viscosified aqueous fluid with a chelating agent to remove scale from wellbore tubulars or subsurface equipment A method for treating a wellbore tubular or subsurface completion equipment to help remove scale is provided. In general, the method comprises the steps of: (A) determining the likelihood of the presence of carbonate scale in the wellbore tubular or subsurface completion equipment; (B) forming or providing a treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a chelating agent capable of forming a heterocyclic ring that contains a metal ion attached to at least two nonmetal ions; and (iii) a viscosity-increasing agent; and (C) introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore tubular or the subsurface completion equipment.
US08071510B2	Method of increasing lubricity of brine-based drilling fluids and completion brines The lubricity of a drilling fluid or a completion fluid may be increased by incorporating into the fluid a water-soluble or water-dispersible salt of a sulfonated (sulfated) vegetable oil or a derivative thereof, such as a sulfonated (sulfated) castor oil. Suitable derivatives include the sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium or ammonium salt. A non-ionic or anionic surfactant which is capable of enhancing the solubility of the salt may further be incorporated into the drilling fluid or completion fluid.
US08071507B2	Plant growth regulating and fungicidal compositions The present invention provides a composition capable of regulating growth of a plant or propagation material thereof comprising as plant growth regulating active ingredient a mixture of component (A) and component (B) wherein component (A) is Paclobutrazole and component (B) is selected from the group consisting of Difenoconazole, Ipconazole, Metconazole, Tebuconazole, Prothioconazole, Cyproconazole, Propiconazole and Epoxiconazole wherein component (A) and component (B) are present in said composition in amounts which produce a synergistic effect. Preferably the composition comprises Paclobutrazole and Difenoconazole and the composition inhibits growth of the plant upon application thereby increasing yield/quality. The compositions are also capable of preventing and/or treating growth and/or infestation of phytopathogenic fungion a plant or propagation material thereof.
US08071506B2	Synergistic herbicidal composition containing florasulam for weed control in turf An herbicidal composition containing (a) florasulam and (b) at least one preemergent annual grass herbicide selected from the group consisting of dithiopyr and pendimethalin provides synergistic control of selected weeds in turf.
US08071504B2	Exhaust system having a gold-platinum group metal catalyst A method of providing an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The method includes applying a catalyst including gold and a platinum group metal to a particulate filter. The concentration of the gold and the platinum group metal is sufficient to enable oxidation of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide.
US08071503B2	Catalyst An electrocatalyst, suitable for use in a fuel cell, comprises an alloy having a single crystalline phase, wherein the alloy consists of 5-95 at % palladium, 5-95 at % ruthenium and less than 10 at % of other metals, provided that the alloy does not consist of 50 at % palladium and 50 at % ruthenium.
US08071495B2	Silicon nitride body and method of manufacture A densified silicon nitride body can be formed using a lanthana-based sintering aid. The composition may exhibit properties that provide a material useful in a variety of applications that can benefit from improved wear characteristics. The composition may be densified by sintering and hot isostatic pressing.
US08071492B2	Textile fabric for the outer shell of a firefighter's garment The present invention is directed to a textile fabric. This fabric is particularly well suited for use as the outer shell fabric of a firefighter's garment. The fabric is a woven or knitted fabric of spun yarns and multi-filament yarns. The spun yarn includes a first staple being a polymer selected from the group consisting of aramid, PBI or PBO or melamine formaldehyde, and a second staple being an aramid polymer. The multi-filament yarn includes an aramid filament.
US08071487B2	Patterning method using stacked structure A stacked structure for patterning a material layer to form an opening pattern with a predetermined opening width in the layer is provided. The stacked structure includes an underlayer, a silicon rich organic layer, and a photoresist layer. The underlayer is on the material layer. The silicon rich organic layer is between the underlayer and the photoresist layer. The thickness of the photoresist layer is smaller than that of the underlayer and larger than two times of the thickness of the silicon rich organic layer. The thickness of the underlayer is smaller than three times of the predetermined opening width.
US08071486B2	Method for removing residues formed during the manufacture of MEMS devices A method of removing residues from an integrated device, in particular residues resulting from processing in HF vapor, is disclosed wherein the fabricated device is exposed to dry water vapor for a period of time sufficient to dissolve the residues in the dry water vapor.
US08071485B2	Method of semiconductor manufacturing for small features Small feature patterning is accomplished using a multilayer hard mask (HM). Embodiments include sequentially forming a first HM layer and a multilayer HM layer over a substrate, the multilayer HM layer comprising sublayers, etching the multilayer HM layer to form a first opening having an upper first opening with sides converging to a lower second opening and a second opening with substantially parallel sides and an opening substantially corresponding to the lower second opening of the first opening, etching through the second opening to form a corresponding opening in the first HM layer, and etching the substrate through the corresponding opening in the first HM layer.
US08071481B2	Method for forming highly strained source/drain trenches A multi-step etching process produces trench openings in a silicon substrate that are immediately adjacent transistor structures formed over the substrate surface. The multi-step etching process is a Br-based etching operation with one step including nitrogen and a further step deficient of nitrogen. The etching process does not attack the transistor structure and forms an opening bounded by upper surfaces that extend downwardly from the substrate surface and are substantially vertical, and lower surfaces that bulge outwardly from the upper vertical sections and undercut the transistor structure. The aggressive undercut produces a desirable stress in the etched silicon surface. The openings are then filled with a suitable source/drain material and SSD transistors with desirable Idsat characteristics may then be formed.
US08071477B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and substrate processing apparatus Formation of a boron compound is suppressed on the inner wall of a nozzle disposed in a high-temperature region of a process chamber. A semiconductor device manufacturing method comprises forming a boron doped silicon film by simultaneously supplying at least a boron-containing gas as a constituent element and a chlorine-containing gas a constituent element to a gas supply nozzle installed in a process chamber in a manner that concentration of chlorine (Cl) is higher than concentration of boron in the gas supply nozzle.
US08071474B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device suitable for forming wiring using damascene method (a1) A concave portion is formed in an interlayer insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate. (a2) A first film of Mn is formed by CVD, the first film covering the inner surface of the concave portion and the upper surface of the insulating film. (a3) Conductive material essentially consisting of Cu is deposited on the first film to embed the conductive material in the concave portion. (a4) The semiconductor substrate is annealed. During the period until a barrier layer is formed having also a function of improving tight adhesion, it is possible to ensure sufficient tight adhesion of wiring members and prevent peel-off of the wiring members.
US08071472B2	Semiconductor device with solder balls having high reliability A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a metal layer, an alloy layer and a Sn—Ag—Cu-based solder ball. The metal layer is configured to be formed on the substrate. The alloy layer is configured to be formed on the metal layer. The Sn—Ag—Cu-based solder ball is configured to be placed on the alloy layer. The alloy layer includes Ni and Zn as essential elements.
US08071470B2	Wafer level package using stud bump coated with solder A method of fabricated a wafer level package is described. In one embodiment, the method includes fabricating at least one active device on a semiconductor wafer that has not been singulated, with the active device having a plurality of bonding pads exposed at an upper surface of the wafer. Prior to singulating the semiconductor wafer, a plurality of corresponding stud bumps on the plurality of bonding pads with a wire bonding tool are formed. Thereafter, a molding encapsulation layer is applied over the semiconductor wafer leaving an upper portion of each of the plurality of stud bumps exposed.
US08071468B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including performing at least one of: processing, when forming the first redistribution layer, of forming the first electrically conductive material layer by growing the first electrically conductive material using electroplating, and polishing the first resist film and the first electrically conductive material layer from the main surface side to flatten their surfaces; and processing, when forming the second redistribution layer, forming the second electrically conductive material layer by growing the second electrically conductive material using electroplating, and polishing the second resist film and the second electrically conductive material layer from the main surface side to flatten their surfaces.
US08071466B1	Zinc sulfide crystals for optical components Zinc sulfide (ZnS) single crystals and multi-grain ZnS crystals are suitable for many applications. The disclosed method produces ZnS single crystals or multi-grain ZnS crystals. More specifically, ZnS single crystals or multi-grain ZnS crystals of pure or substantially pure hexagonal wurtzite structure with sufficiently high purity and crystalline perfection to be used to fabricate components and devices including but not limited to optical components (useful in the infrared (IR) & visible spectrum range of 0.34-14 μm), photoluminescence devices, cathode luminescence devices, electroluminescence devices, semiconductor devices, and IR laser gain mediums (in the wave length range of 1-5 μm).
US08071465B2	Method for producing semiconductor chip with adhesive film, adhesive film for semiconductor used in the method, and method for producing semiconductor device A method for producing a semiconductor chip with an adhesive film, which includes: preparing a laminate in which a semiconductor wafer, an adhesive film and a dicing tape are laminated in that order, the adhesive film having a thickness in the range of 1 to 15 μm and a tensile elongation at break of less than 5%, and the tensile elongation at break being less than 110% of the elongation at a maximum load, and the semiconductor wafer having a section, for dividing the semiconductor wafer into a plurality of semiconductor chips, which is formed by irradiating with laser light; dividing the semiconductor wafer into a plurality of semiconductor chips without dividing the adhesive film, by expanding the dicing tape; and dividing the adhesive film by picking up the plurality of semiconductor chips.
US08071462B2	Isolation structures for integrated circuits and modular methods of forming the same A variety of isolation structures for semiconductor substrates include a trench formed in the substrate that is filled with a dielectric material or filled with a conductive material and lined with a dielectric layer along the walls of the trench. The trench may be used in combination with doped sidewall isolation regions. Both the trench and the sidewall isolation regions may be annular and enclose an isolated pocket of the substrate. The isolation structures are formed by modular implant and etch processes that do not include significant thermal processing or diffusion of dopants so that the resulting structures are compact and may be tightly packed in the surface of the substrate.
US08071458B1	Method for forming an interfacial passivation layer on the Ge semiconductor The invention discloses a method for forming an interfacial passivation layer on the Ge semiconductor. The supercritical CO2 fluids is used to form an interfacial passivation layer between Ge channel and gate insulator layer, and improve the dielectric characteristics of gate insulator after high-temperature thermal annealing process.
US08071456B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same Any of a plurality of contact plugs which reaches a diffusion layer serving as a drain layer of an MOS transistor has an end provided in contact with a lower surface of a thin insulating film provided selectively on an interlayer insulating film. A phase change film constituted by GST to be a chalcogenide compound based phase change material is provided on the thin insulating film, and an upper electrode is provided thereon. Any of the plurality of contact plugs which reaches the diffusion layer serving as a source layer has an end connected directly to an end of a contact plug penetrating an interlayer insulating film.
US08071455B2	Isolation structures for preventing photons and carriers from reaching active areas and methods of formation Regions of an integrated circuit are isolated by a structure that includes at least one isolating trench on the periphery of an active area. The trench is deep, extending at least about 0.5 μm into the substrate. The isolating structure prevents photons and electrons originating in peripheral circuitry from reaching the active area. Where the substrate has a heavily-doped lower layer and an upper layer on it, the trench can extend through the upper layer to the lower layer. A thermal oxide can be grown on the trench walls. A liner can also be deposited on the sidewalls of each trench. A fill material having a high-extinction coefficient is then deposited over the liner. The liner can also be light absorbent so that both the liner and fill material block photons.
US08071452B2	Atomic layer deposition of hafnium lanthanum oxides There is provided an improved method for depositing thin films using precursors to deposit binary oxides by atomic layer deposition (ALD) techniques. Also disclosed is an ALD method for depositing a high-k dielectric such as hafnium lanthanum oxide (HfLaO) on a substrate. Embodiments of the present invention utilize a combination of ALD precursor elements and cycles to deposit a film with desired physical and electrical characteristics. Electronic components and systems that integrate devices fabricated with methods consistent with the present invention are also disclosed.
US08071451B2	Method of doping semiconductors A method of doping a semiconductor body is provided herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor body is exposed to an activated hydrogen gas for a predetermined time period and temperature. The activated hydrogen gas that is configured to react with a surface of a semiconductor body. The activated hydrogen gas breaks existing bonds in the substrate (e.g., silicon-silicon bonds), thereby forming a reactive layer comprising weakened (e.g., silicon-hydrogen (Si—H) bonds, silanol (Si—OH) bonds) and/or dangling bonds (e.g., dangling silicon bonds). The dangling bonds, in addition to the easily broken weakened bonds, comprise reactive sites that extend into one or more surfaces of the semiconductor body. A reactant (e.g., n-type dopant, p-type dopant) may then be introduced to contact the reactive layer of the semiconductor body. The reactant chemically bonds to reactive sites comprised within the reactive layer, thereby resulting in a doped layer within the semiconductor body comprising the reactant.
US08071449B2	Semiconductor storage device and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor storage device has a plurality of word lines formed with a predetermined interval on a semiconductor substrate, a selection transistor provided at an end portion of the plurality of word lines, a first insulating film formed so as to cover side surfaces of the word lines, a side surface of the selection transistor, and a surface of the semiconductor substrate between the word lines, a high-permittivity film formed on the first insulation film, a second insulating film formed so as to cover the upper surface of the word lines and the selection transistor, a first air-gap portion located between the word lines and surrounded by the high-permittivity film and the second insulating film, and a second air-gap portion formed via the first insulating film and the high-permittivity film at a sidewall portion, which opposes the selection transistor, of the word line adjacent to the selection transistor, an upper portion of the second air-gap portion being covered by the second insulating film.
US08071447B2	Semiconductor device manufacturing method A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes removing an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate by etching and subsequently oxidizing a surface of the substrate by using a liquid oxidation agent without exposing this surface to an atmosphere, thereby forming a first insulating film containing an oxide of a constituent element of the substrate on the surface of the substrate; forming a second insulating film containing an aluminum oxide on the first insulating film; forming a third insulating film containing a rare earth oxide on the second insulating film; forming a high-k insulating film on the third insulating film; introducing nitrogen into the high-k insulating film to thereby make it a fourth insulating film; and conducting heat treatment to change the first through third insulating films into an insulating film made of a mixture containing aluminum, a rare earth element, the constituent element of the substrate, and oxygen.
US08071442B2	Transistor with embedded Si/Ge material having reduced offset to the channel region A strain-inducing semiconductor alloy may be formed on the basis of cavities which may have a non-rectangular shape, which may be maintained even during corresponding high temperature treatments by providing an appropriate protection layer, such as a silicon dioxide material. Consequently, a lateral offset of the strain-inducing semiconductor material may be reduced, while nevertheless providing a sufficient thickness of corresponding offset spacers during the cavity etch process, thereby preserving gate electrode integrity. For instance, P-channel transistors may have a silicon/germanium alloy with a hexagonal shape, thereby significantly enhancing the overall strain transfer efficiency.
US08071440B2	Method of fabricating a dynamic random access memory A method of fabricating a dynamic random access memory is provided. First, a substrate at least having a memory device area and a peripheral device area is provided, wherein an isolation structure and a capacitor are formed in the substrate of the memory device area, and an isolation structure and a well are formed in the substrate of the peripheral device area. A first oxide layer is formed on the substrate of the peripheral device area, and a passing gate isolation structure is formed on the substrate of the memory device area at the same time. A second oxide layer is formed on the substrate of the memory device area. And a first transistor is formed on the substrate of the memory device area, a passing gate is formed on the passing gate isolation structure, and a second transistor is formed on the substrate of the peripheral device area.
US08071438B2	Semiconductor circuit A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate and an interconnect region carried by the substrate. A donor layer is coupled to the interconnect region through a bonding interface. An electronic device is formed with the donor layer, wherein the electronic device is formed after the bonding interface is formed. A capacitor is connected to the electronic device so that the electronic device and capacitor operate as a dynamic random access memory device.
US08071437B2	Method of fabricating efuse, resistor and transistor A method of fabricating an efuse, a resistor and a transistor includes the following steps: A substrate is provided. Then, a gate, a resistor and an efuse are formed on the substrate, wherein the gate, the resistor and the efuse together include a first dielectric layer, a polysilicon layer and a hard mask. Later, a source/drain doping region is formed in the substrate besides the gate. After that, the hard mask in the resistor and the efuse is removed. Subsequently, a salicide process is performed to form a silicide layer on the source/drain doping region, the resistor, and the efuse. Then, a planarized second dielectric layer is formed on the substrate and the polysilicon in the gate is exposed. Later, the polysilicon in the gate is removed to form a recess. Finally a metal layer is formed to fill up the recess.
US08071435B2	Manufacture of semiconductor device with stress structure A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of (a) forming a gate electrode on a silicon substrate, through a gate insulating film; (b) forming a lamination of an insulating film and a sacrificial film having different etching characteristics on the silicon substrate, covering the gate electrode, and anisotropically etching the lamination to form side wall spacers on side walls of the gate electrode and the gate insulating film; (c) implanting impurities into the silicon substrate on both sides of the side wall spacers; (d) etching the silicon substrate and the sacrificial film to form recesses in the silicon substrate, and to change a cross sectional shape of each of the side wall spacers to approximately an L-shape; (e) epitaxially growing Si—Ge-containing crystal in the recesses; and (f) depositing an insulating film containing stress, covering the side wall spacers.
US08071429B1	Wafer dicing using scribe line etch Embodiments of a method for separating dies from a wafer having first and second sides. The process embodiment includes masking the first side of the wafer, the mask including openings therein to expose parts of the first side substantially aligned with scribe lines of the wafer. The process embodiment also includes etching from the exposed parts of the first side of the wafer until an intermediate position between the first and second sides and sawing the remainder of the wafer, starting from the intermediate position until reaching the second surface.
US08071428B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device and method. One embodiment provides an encapsulation plate defining a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface. The encapsulation plate includes multiple semiconductor chips. An electrically conductive layer is applied to the first and second main surface of the encapsulation plate at the same time.
US08071427B2	Method for manufacturing a semiconductor component and structure therefor A semiconductor component having wetable leadframe lead surfaces and a method of manufacture. A leadframe having leadframe leads is embedded in a mold compound. A portion of at least one leadframe lead is exposed and an electrically conductive material is formed on the exposed portion. The mold compound is separated to form singulated semiconductor components.
US08071424B2	Substrate for a microelectronic package and method of fabricating thereof Substrates having molded dielectric layers and methods of fabricating such substrates are disclosed. The substrates may advantageously be used in microelectronic assemblies having high routing density.
US08071421B2	Thermal management and method for large scale processing of CIS and/or CIGS based thin films overlying glass substrates The thermal management and method for large scale processing of CIS and/or CIGS based thin film overlaying glass substrates. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for fabricating a copper indium diselenide semiconductor film. The method includes providing a plurality of substrates, each of the substrates having a copper and indium composite structure. The method also includes transferring the plurality of substrates into a furnace, each of the plurality of substrates provided in a vertical orientation with respect to a direction of gravity, the plurality of substrates being defined by a number N, where N is greater than 5. The method further includes introducing a gaseous species including a selenide species and a carrier gas into the furnace and transferring thermal energy into the furnace to increase a temperature from a first temperature to a second temperature, the second temperature ranging from about 350° C. to about 450° C. to at least initiate formation of a copper indium diselenide film from the copper and indium composite structure on each of the substrates.
US08071419B2	Thin-film devices formed from solid particles Methods and devices are provided for forming thin-films from solid group IIIA-based particles. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is described comprising of providing a first material comprising an alloy of a) a group IIIA-based material and b) at least one other material. The material may be included in an amount sufficient so that no liquid phase of the alloy is present within the first material in a temperature range between room temperature and a deposition or pre-deposition temperature higher than room temperature, wherein the group IIIA-based material is otherwise liquid in that temperature range. The other material may be a group IA material. A precursor material may be formulated comprising a) particles of the first material and b) particles containing at least one element from the group consisting of: group IB, IIIA, VIA element, alloys containing any of the foregoing elements, or combinations thereof. The temperature range described above may be between about 20° C. and about 200° C. It should be understood that the alloy may have a higher melting temperature than a melting temperature of the IIIA-based material in elemental form.
US08071418B2	Selective emitter solar cells formed by a hybrid diffusion and ion implantation process Solar cells and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. An example method may include providing a silicon substrate and introducing dopant to one or more selective regions of the front surface of the substrate by ion implantation. The substrate may be subjected to a single high-temperature anneal cycle. Additional dopant atoms may be introduced for diffusion into the front surface of the substrate during the single anneal cycle. A selective emitter may be formed on the front surface of the substrate such that the one or more selective regions of the selective emitter layer are more heavily doped than the remainder of the selective emitter layer. Associated solar cells are also provided.
US08071417B2	Image sensor and fabrication method thereof An image sensor is provided. The image sensor comprises a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric interlayer, an interconnection, an image sensing unit, a via hole piercing the image sensing unit and the dielectric layer, and a bottom electrode. The semiconductor substrate includes a readout circuit. The dielectric interlayer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The interconnection is disposed in the dielectric interlayer and connected electrically to the readout circuit. The image sensing unit is disposed on the dielectric interlayer and includes a stack of a first impurity region and a second impurity region. The via hole pierces the image sensing unit and the dielectric interlayer to expose the interconnection. The bottom electrode is disposed in the via hole to electrically connect the interconnection and the first impurity region of the image sensing unit.
US08071415B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor device There is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor device having plural light receiving elements, and having an amplifying element, the method including: a) forming an active region on the semiconductor substrate for configuring the amplifying element; b) forming a light receiving element region on the semiconductor substrate for forming the plural light receiving elements, with the active region acting as a reference for positioning; c) implanting an impurity into the light receiving element region; d) repeating the process b) and the process c) a number of times that equals a number of diffusion layers in the light receiving element region; e) after implanting the impurity, performing a drive-in process to carry out drive in of the semiconductor substrate; and f) the process e), forming an amplifying element forming process by implanting an impurity in the active region.
US08071413B2	Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor and method for making same The present invention discloses an MEMS sensor and a method for making the MEMS sensor. The MEMS sensor according to the present invention includes: a substrate including an opening; a suspended structure located above the opening; and an upper structure, a portion of which is at least partially separated from a portion of the suspended structure; wherein the suspended structure and the upper structure are separated from each other by a step including metal etch.
US08071411B2	Low temperature ceramic microelectromechanical structures A method of providing microelectromechanical structures (MEMS) that are compatible with silicon CMOS electronics is provided. The method provides for processing and manufacturing is steps limiting a maximum exposure of an integrated circuit upon which the MEMS is manufactured during MEMS manufacturing to below a temperature wherein CMOS circuitry is adversely affected, for example below 400° C., and sometimes to below 300° C. or 250° C., thereby allowing direct manufacturing of the MEMS devices onto electronic integrated circuits, such as Si CMOS circuits.
US08071410B2	Multi spectral sensor A light sensor having a light conversion element between first and second electrodes is disclosed. The light conversion element includes a body of semiconductor material having first and second surfaces. The body of semiconductor material is of a first conductivity type and has doping elements in a concentration gradient that creates a first electrostatic field having a magnitude that varies monotonically from the first surface to the second surface. A bias circuit applies a variable potential between the first and second electrodes to create a second electrostatic field having a direction opposite to that of the first electrostatic field and a magnitude determined by the potential. One of the electrodes is transparent to light in a predetermined band of wavelengths. The body of semiconductor material can include an epitaxial body having a monotonically increasing concentration of a doping element as a function of the distance from one the surfaces.
US08071398B1	Method and structure of monolithically integrated IC-MEMS oscillator using IC foundry-compatible processes The present invention relates to integrating an inertial mechanical device on top of an IC substrate monolithically using IC-foundry compatible processes. The IC substrate is completed first using standard IC processes. A thick silicon layer is added on top of the IC substrate. A subsequent patterning step defines a mechanical structure for inertial sensing. Finally, the mechanical device is encapsulated by a thick insulating layer at the wafer level. Compared with the incumbent bulk or surface micromachined MEMS inertial sensors, vertically monolithically integrated inertial sensors provided by embodiments of the present invention have one or more of the following advantages: smaller chip size, lower parasitics, higher sensitivity, lower power, and lower cost.
US08071394B2	Test device for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample The present invention relates to test devices, and in particular devices capable of detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a sample, such as a liquid sample. Also provided are methods of using such devices for quantitative or qualitative measurement of one or more analytes in a liquid sample.
US08071387B1	Electrodeposition baths, systems and methods Electrodeposition baths, systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments, the baths, systems and methods are used to deposit metal alloy coatings.
US08071386B2	Method of marking a product, marked product resulting thereof, and method of identifying same A method and means for identifying the authenticity and the genuine nature of a solid or liquid bulk material, by incorporating a marking composition containing at least one trace ion into the said bulk material, whereby the total concentration of the incorporated trace ions in the market bulk material is chosen to be lower than the corresponding concentration of the same ions in standard sea water. The authenticity and the genuine nature or the adulteration level of the marked bulk material can be tested in-the-field using electrochemical sensors, and confirmed in the laboratory using a method such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography or mass spectrometry.
US08071385B2	Portable explosive or drug detection system A portable chemical analytical apparatus to analyze a test swipe includes a heater to warm the test swipe to a predetermined temperature; a clamp to secure the test swipe to the heater; one or more pumps to dispense one or more chemicals onto the test swipe from a disposable cartridge; a fan to remove chemical vapors rising a predetermined distance from the test swipe; and a camera to capture an image of the test swipe for automated analysis.
US08071383B2	D-amino acid selection for soybean The present invention relates to improved methods and means for transformation of soybean (Glycine max) based on a D-alanine and/or D-serine selection.
US08071378B2	ZNF206: regulator of embryonic stem cell self-renewal and pluripotency We have identified ZNF206, a novel repressor of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation. Repressing extra-embryonic endoderm development preserves the pluripotent state of human embryonic stem cells, and, conversely downregulating expression of ZNF206 in hESCs causes them to upregulate the expression of genes associated with the extra-embryonic endodermal lineage, down-regulate genes associated with the pluripotent state, and may lead to the further emergence of genes associated with even more differentiated lineages and phenotypes.
US08071371B2	Monoclonal antibody production by EBV transformation of B cells A method for producing a clone of an immortalized human B memory lymphocyte, comprising the step of transforming human B memory lymphocytes using Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) in the presence of a polyclonal B cell activator. The method is particularly useful in a method for producing a clone of an immortalized human B memory lymphocyte capable of producing a human monoclonal antibody with a desired antigen specificity, comprising the steps of: (i) selecting and isolating a human memory B lymphocyte subpopulation; (ii) transforming the subpopulation with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) in the presence of a polyclonal B cell activator; (iii) screening the culture supernatant for antigen specificity; and (iv) isolating an immortalized human B memory lymphocyte clone capable of producing a human monoclonal antibody having the desired antigen specificity.
US08071363B2	Chip for cell electrophysiological sensor, cell electrophysiological sensor using the same, and manufacturing method of chip for cell electrophysiological sensor A chip for a cell electrophysiological sensor has a substrate. The substrate has a through-hole formed from the upside to the downside, and the opening of the through-hole is formed in a curved surface curved from the upside and downside of the substrate toward the inner side of the through-hole. In this configuration, the electrolyte solution (first electrolyte solution and second electrolyte solution) flows more smoothly, and the sample cell can be sucked accurately, and the trapping rate of the sample cells is improved.
US08071360B2	Semiconductor nanocrystal probes for biological applications and process for making and using such probes A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.
US08071359B2	Semiconductor nanocrystal probes for biological applications and process for making and using such probes A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.
US08071358B1	Methods of increasing dihydroxy acid dehydratase activity to improve production of fuels, chemicals, and amino acids The present invention is directed to recombinant microorganisms comprising one or more dihydroxyacid dehydratase (DHAD)-requiring biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce beneficial metabolites derived from said DHAD-requiring biosynthetic pathways. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may be engineered to overexpress one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more Aft proteins or homologs thereof. In some embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a cytosolically localized DHAD enzyme. In additional embodiments, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a mitochondrially localized DHAD enzyme. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces Glade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
US08071357B2	Yeast and method of producing L-lactic acid Yeast includes an introduced gene coding a Homo sapiens- or frog-derived L-lactate dehydrogenase. It is possible to produce lactic acid, which has a variety of applications, efficiently and more cost-effectively by using the yeast and the method of producing lactic acid by using the yeast.
US08071350B2	Amylases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars.
US08071349B2	BGL4 beta-glucosidase and nucleic acids encoding the same The present invention provides a novel β-glucosidase nucleic acid sequence, designated bgl4, and the corresponding BGL4 amino acid sequence. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding BGL4, recombinant BGL4 proteins and methods for producing the same.
US08071345B2	Stabilized subtilisin composition The present invention relates to a liquid detergent composition comprising a surfactant, a subtilisin and a protease stabilizer that is 3-chlorobenzoic acid, 4-chlorobenzoic acid, 3-chlorophenylacetic acid, 3,5-dichlorobenzoic acid, 3-(3-chlorophenyl)propionic acid or their corresponding salts. The composition can further comprise a another enzyme that is a lipase, an amylase, a cellulase or mixtures thereof. The stabilizer can be present at a concentration of 0.001 to 20% w/w. The concentration of the subtilisin can be at least 1.5 g/L.
US08071340B1	Biocatalytic process for the production of ortho-aminophenols from chloramphenicol and analogs A process for the production of ortho-aminophenolic analogs of chloramphenicol using a biocatalyst consisting of pure enzymes, partially purified enzymes, cell lysate, intact cells, or a metal reaction linked with a subsequent enzymatic reaction. The biocatalyst is an enzyme system that makes use of a nitroreductase enzyme that initially reduces the nitroarene to the hydroxylaminoarene and a mutase enzyme that converts the hydroxylaminoarene to an ortho-aminophenol. The biocatalyst can also consist of a coupled, two-step metal and enzyme reaction in which the metal, such as zinc, catalyzes the transformation of the nitroarene to the hydroxylaminoarene and the mutase then catalyzes the transformation of hydroxylaminoarene to the corresponding ortho-aminophenol.
US08071338B2	Suppression of amplification using an oligonucleotide and a polymerase significantly lacking 5′-3′ nuclease activity Methods and compositions for amplification of a target sequence by suppressing amplification of related sequences are provided.
US08071331B2	Method of producing amino acid metal chelates A method of producing amino acid metal chelates includes producing an amino acid ligand by enzymatically hydrolyzing bacterial cells, and reacting the amino acid ligand with a metal cation.
US08071326B2	Method and apparatus for viable and nonviable prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell quantitation A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.
US08071325B2	Flow cytometric method and kit for metal-induced sensitivity This invention provides methods for determining metal-induced sensitivity of a subject and kits for affecting the same. Specifically, the invention provides methods for using immune cell proliferation resulting from exposure to test metals as a method for determining metal-induced sensitivity in subjects.
US08071324B2	Methods for diagnosing and treating kidney cancer Methods, reagents and kits for diagnosing and treating kidney cancer are disclosed. An immunoassay for detecting kidney cancer is based on the relative change of the CELSR1 protein in urine or blood compared with normal tissue. An immunohistochemical assay for detecting kidney cancer is based on the relative absence of labeled antibody binding to cancerous tissue, compared with normal tissue.
US08071321B2	Methods for up-regulating antigen expression in tumors The invention provides methods of modulating tumor antigen associated (TAA) expression, and methods of modulating TAA expression in order to treat a tumor. More particularly, the invention provides methods of increasing an immune response against a tumor cell. Methods include administering to a subject with a tumor an amount of IFN-β receptor agonist and tumor associated antigen (TAA) sufficient to increase an immune response against the tumor cell.
US08071319B2	Rapid microbial detection and antimicrobial susceptibiility testing A method for the detection of microorganisms in a sample comprising contacting said sample with a biosensor concentration module, allowing microorganisms to grow for a first period of time and detecting growth of discrete microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.
US08071318B2	High throughput method and system for screening candidate compounds for activity against target ion channels Drug candidate screening methods are applied to discover compounds with activity against ion channel targets. The method may include modulating the transmembrane potential of host cells in a plurality of sample wells with a repetitive application of electric fields so as to set the transmembrane potential to a level corresponding to a pre-selected voltage dependent state of a target ion channel.
US08071316B2	Diagnostic method for celiac sprue Detection of toxic gluten oligopeptides refractory to digestion and antibodies and T cells responsive thereto can be used to diagnose Celiac Sprue.
US08071315B2	Detecting Bcl-B expression in cancer and uses thereof Provided herein are compositions and methods of detecting Bcl-B expression in cancer cells to prognose, monitor, or select therapies for cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, or gastric cancer.
US08071311B2	Methods and compositions for amplification of RNA sequences The invention provides methods for isothermal amplification of RNA. The methods are particularly suitable for amplifying a plurality of RNA species in a sample. The methods employ a composite primer, a second primer and strand displacement to generate multiple copies of DNA products comprising sequences complementary to an RNA sequence of interest. In another aspect, the methods employ a single primer (which is a composite primer) and strand displacement to generate multiple copies of DNA products comprising sequences complementary to an RNA sequence of interest. In some embodiments, a transcription step is included to generate multiple copies of sense RNA of an RNA sequence of interest. The methods are useful for preparation of nucleic acid libraries and substrates for analysis of gene expression of cells in biological samples. The invention also provides compositions and kits for practicing the amplification methods, as well as methods which use the amplification products.
US08071310B2	Method for the high throughput screening of transposon tagging populations and massive parallel sequence identification of insertion sites A method for the identification of a gene in a transposon population is provided. The method comprises isolating genomic DNA, optionally pooling the DNA, restricting the DNA in the pools using an enzyme, ligating adaptors, amplifying the adaptor-ligated fragments with primers one of which is a primer complementary to a border of a transposon sequence, sequencing the fragments using high throughput sequencing, aligning the fragments with known sequences in a database and thereby identifying gene candidates.
US08071308B2	Recombinase polymerase amplification The present invention features novel, diverse, hybrid and engineered recombinase enzymes, and the utility of such proteins with associated recombination factors for carrying out DNA amplification assays. The present invention also features different recombinase ‘systems’ having distinct biochemical activities in DNA amplification assays, and differing requirements for loading factors, single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs), and the quantity of crowding agent employed.
US08071302B2	Genetic polymorphisms associated with liver fibrosis methods of detection and uses thereof The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with liver fibrosis and related pathologies. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.
US08071301B2	Method of isolating nucleic acids from a biological sample Method of preparing a biological sample appropriate for use in a subsequent in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction. The method involves a rapid, transient exposure to alkaline conditions which can be achieved by mixing an alkaline solution with a pH-buffered solution that includes a detergent and the biological sample to be tested for the presence of particular nucleic acid species using in vitro amplification. The invented method advantageously can improve detection of some target nucleic acids without substantially compromising detectability of others. The method is particularly useful for simultaneously preparing RNA and DNA templates that can be used in multiplex amplification reactions.
US08071300B2	Drug-phosphorylating enzyme The objects of the present invention are: elucidation of an enzyme that phosphorylates in vivo a compound such as (2R)-2-amino-2-methyl-4-[5-(5-phenylpentanoyl)thiophen-2-yl]butan-1-ol and provision of a method of phosphorylating the aforementioned compound; provision of a method of screening for a substance phosphorylated by the aforementioned enzyme; provision of a method of determining the ability of a subject to phosphorylate a test compound.Provision of a method of phosphorylating the aforementioned compound using a human fructosamine-3-kinase-related protein and/or fructosamine-3-kinase, and a method of determining the ability of a subject to phosphorylate a test compound.
US08071295B2	DNA-based methods of geochemical prospecting The present invention relates to methods for performing surveys of the genetic diversity of a population. The invention also relates to methods for performing genetic analyses of a population. The invention further relates to methods for the creation of databases comprising the survey information and the databases created by these methods. The invention also relates to methods for analyzing the information to correlate the presence of nucleic acid markers with desired parameters in a sample. These methods have application in the fields of geochemical exploration, agriculture, bioremediation, environmental analysis, clinical microbiology, forensic science and medicine.
US08071293B2	PRRG4-associated compositions and methods of use thereof in methods of tumor diagnosis Compositions and methods for detecting PRRG4- and PRRG2 associated molecules are provided as are methods of use thereof for the detection and treatment of cancer.
US08071292B2	Leukemia diagnostic methods The present invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The invention also provides methods of identifying anti-CLL agents.
US08071286B2	Gene expression profiling in biopsied tumor tissues The invention concerns sensitive methods to measure mRNA levels in biopsied tumor tissues, including archived paraffin-embedded biopsy material. The invention also concerns breast cancer gene sets important in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, and methods for assigning the most optimal treatment options to breast cancer patient based upon knowledge derived from gene expression studies.
US08071281B2	Media solutions and methods for cryopreservation and thawing of in vitro fertilization specimens A medium solution which will increase the growth, survival and ultimately the live birth rate of oocytes and embryos which have been or will be subjected to cryopreservation. The solution contains varied amounts of glucose, pyruvates, amino acids, vitamins K5 and C, antioxidants, fatty acids to supply the specimens with the chemical ingredients and uptake requirements required to recover and prosper during and after the cryopreservation process. The solution supplies nutrients to the specimens that will replenish depletion and damage to the specimens and their mitochondria, spindles and structural features, such as cell walls. One formulation addresses the additional requirements of frozen specimens as opposed to the current media solutions and methods which treat the un-frozen specimens the same as the frozen specimens when recovering them from cryopreservation.
US08071277B2	Method and system for fabricating three-dimensional structures with sub-micron and micron features A method and system are provided for fabricating three-dimensional (3D) structures having micron or submicron features. The method includes providing a continuously-formed relief structured material, the relief structured material having a first layer comprising a material having a pattern of relief structures formed on a first surface thereof. The structured material includes second layer comprising a photosensitive material that is disposed on the first layer. The relief structured material is exposed to radiation through the first layer, where the pattern of relief structures formed on the first surface of the first layer generates a 3-dimensional light intensity pattern of the radiation that is incident on the second layer. The exposed material is developed, where the developed material comprises a plurality of 3D structures having micron or submicron features.
US08071268B2	Electrophotographic toner The present invention relates to a toner for electrophotography containing a resin binder, a colorant, and a clay-organic complex obtained by intercalating into a smectite clay a quaternary ammonium salt represented by the formula (A): [(R1)3(R2)N]+.X− (A) wherein R1 and R2 are not identical; R1 is an alkyl group, alkenyl group, or alkynyl group, each having 4 to 24 carbon atoms; R2 is an alkyl group, alkenyl group, or alkynyl group, each having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and X− is an anion. The toner for electrophotography of the present invention is suitably used for, for example, developing a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, or the like.
US08071267B2	Phenol polysulfide hole blocking layer photoconductors A photoconductor that includes, for example, a substrate, an optional ground plane layer, an undercoat layer thereover wherein the undercoat layer contains an aminosilane and a phenol polysulfide, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer.
US08071262B2	Reticles with subdivided blocking regions An attenuated phase shift reticle, or photomask, includes radiation blocking regions that are subdivided, by cut lines, into discrete, spaced apart sections with dimensions (e.g., surface area, etc.) that are configured to minimize or eliminate the buildup of electrostatic energy by the radiation blocking regions and/or the discharge of electrostatic energy from the radiation blocking regions and the damage that may be caused by such electrostatic discharge. The reticle may be configured to prevent radiation from passing through the cut lines between adjacent sections of a subdivided radiation blocking region. Methods for designing, fabricating, and using such masks are also disclosed, as are methods for subdividing the radiation blocking regions of previously fabricated reticles of previously existing designs.
US08071259B2	Noble metal nanoparticles, a process for preparing these and their use Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide.
US08071258B2	Fuel cell A fuel cell which can utilize the fuel in its fuel reservoir to the fullest possible extent. The fuel cell includes: an electrolyte layer; a first electrode which is provided on one surface of the electrolyte layer and to which a liquid fuel is supplied; and a second electrode which is provided on the other surface of the electrolyte layer and to which an oxidant is supplied. The fuel cell further includes: a fuel chamber which is provided next to the first electrode and stores the liquid fuel; a fuel reservoir which is provided next to the fuel chamber and stores the liquid fuel to be refilled into the fuel chamber; a selectively permeable unit which is provided between the fuel chamber and the fuel reservoir and is permeable to the liquid fuel; and an osmotic pressure generating source which dissolves in a liquid stored in the fuel chamber and does not permeate the selectively permeable unit.
US08071253B2	Electrochemical cell using an ionic conductor An electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte membrane containing an ionic conductor. The ionic conductor includes: (a) a cation expressed by one of Formulae (1) and (2): R1R2R3HX+ (1) where, in Formula (1), X indicates any one of N and P, and R1, R2 and R3 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1═R2═R3, R1R2HS+ (2) where, in Formula (2), R1 and R2 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1═R2; and (b) an anion expressed by Formula (3): R4YOm(OH)n−1O− (3) where, in Formula (3), Y indicates any one of S, C, N and P, R4 indicates any one of an alkyl group and a fluoroalkyl group, and m and n each indicate any one of 1 and 2.
US08071252B2	Interconnector for high-temperature fuel cells An interconnector for high-temperature fuel cells is characterized in that the interconnector comprises two components (A, B) made of different materials. Component (A), which is in contact with the electrodes and ensures the electric connection between the fuel cell units, is made of a chromium oxide-forming, high-temperature alloy, and component (B), which connects the fuel cell units mechanically, is made of a corrosion-resistant, non-electroconducting, high-temperature material which does not bleed any chromium.
US08071250B2	Fuel cell stack A conductance at an oxidizer flow path forming member is defined as C1, a conductance at an opening portion of the oxidizer flow path forming member at which an oxidizer flow rate regulating portion is arranged is defined as C2, the conductances have a relationship of C1>C2. Further, the fuel cell stack has at least one inner fuel cell unit having a value of C1/C2 which is larger than values of C1/C2 of fuel cell units located at both ends of the fuel cell stack.
US08071247B2	Radiative heat transfer via fins in a steam reformer Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing radiative heat transfer in a steam reformer from an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner to an interior reactor via angled fins coupled to the exterior shell. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner and angled fins, the angled fins extending away from an inner surface of the exterior shell and downward toward the diffusion burner. The steam reformer further comprises an interior reactor positioned at least partly within the exterior shell.
US08071242B2	Hydrogen generators for fuel cells A hydrogen generator, operative to provide molecular hydrogen to an anode of a fuel cell, including a catalyst and employing a water-based fuel including one of salts, bases and acids, as well as at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum and a method for electrical power generation using a fuel cell and a hydrogen generator.
US08071241B2	Method for the co-production of hydrogen and electricity in a high temperature electrochemical system A method in which a high temperature electrochemical system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, generates hydrogen and optionally electricity in a fuel cell mode. At least a part of the generated hydrogen is separated and stored or provided to a hydrogen using device. A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system stores carbon dioxide in a fuel cell mode. The system generates a methane fuel in an electrolysis mode from the stored carbon dioxide and water by using a Sabatier subsystem. Alternatively, the system generates a hydrogen fuel in an electrolysis mode from water alone.
US08071240B2	Heating device for a battery and battery assembly having the same Disclosed are a heat-generating device for a battery and a battery assembly enabling a battery to stably produce electricity even under low-temperature conditions. The heat-generating device for a battery includes a heating element positioned on one side of the battery and generates heat through a reaction with the air. The heating element comprises a main body generating heat through the reaction with the air, and a supporting body wrapping the main body to adhere to the battery. Accordingly, the internal temperature of the battery can be maintained within possible activation temperature ranges to allow the battery to produce electricity, thereby making the battery performance sustainable under low-temperature conditions.
US08071237B2	Negative electrode active material and negative electrode using the same and lithium ion secondary battery In a negative electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery including a silicon oxide capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, a silicon oxide having structural units each in the form of a tetrahedron in which a silicon atom is located at its center and silicon or oxygen atoms are located at its four vertices is used. The structural units are arranged randomly to form an amorphous structure. In the case that the number of oxygen atoms located at the four vertices in the structural units is represented by n (n=0, 1, 2, 3 or 4) and the structural units are represented by Si(n), the number of the structural units NSi(n) in the silicon oxide satisfies the following relations (1) to (3). [ Formula ⁢ ⁢ 1 ] NSi ⁡ ( 0 ) ∑ NSi ⁡ ( n ) ≥ 0.1 ( 1 ) Nsi ⁡ ( 4 ) ∑ NSi ⁡ ( n ) ≤ 0.1 ( 2 ) Nsi ⁡ ( 1 ) + NSi ⁡ ( 2 ) + Nsi ⁡ ( 3 ) ≠ 0 ( 3 )
US08071235B2	Packing material for lithium cell and production method thereof A packing material for a lithium cell of the present invention includes a first adhesive layer, an aluminum foil layer, a coating layer, an adhesive resin layer or a second adhesive layer, and a sealant layer laminated sequentially on one surface of a base material layer, wherein the coating layer is a multilayer structure comprising a layer (A), in which 1 to 100 parts by mass of a phosphoric acid or a phosphate has been blended into 100 parts by mass of a rare earth element-based oxide, and a layer (X) which contains an anionic polymer and a cross-linking agent that causes cross-linking of the anionic polymers.
US08071234B2	Battery pack A battery pack having a plurality of battery cells (10) connected in series and/or parallel. The battery pack is provided with a plurality of battery cells (10), each encased in a rectangular external case, and a plurality of separators (20) with electrical and heat insulating properties covering the outside of each battery cell external case excluding electrode terminals (12). Each separator (20) is disposed so as to intervene between adjacent battery cells (10) putting the external cases of those battery cells (10) in contact with both sides of the separator (20). With the external case of each battery cell (10) covered by separators (20) while exposing electrode terminals (12), the electrode terminals (12) are connected together. As a result, excluding required regions, the battery cells (10) can be enclosed and unintended events such as short circuits can be effectively prevented.
US08071233B2	Integrated current-interrupt device for lithium-ion cells A battery comprises a first terminal in electrical communication with a first electrode of the battery, a second terminal in electrical communication with a second electrode of the battery, a battery can electrically insulated from the first terminal, and at least one current interrupt device in electrical communication with the battery can. The battery can includes a cell casing and a lid which are in electrical communication with each other. At least a portion of the battery can is at least a component of the second terminal, or is electrically connected to the second terminal. The current interrupt device includes a first conductive plate in electrical communication with the second electrode, and a second conductive plate in electrical communication with the first conductive plate. The second conductive plate separates from the first conductive plate when pressure inside the battery is greater than a predetermined value, whereby a current flow between the second electrode and the second terminal is interrupted.
US08071232B2	Hybrid fuel cell system and voltage conversion control method thereof To provide a hybrid fuel cell system for improving converter efficiency. In a hybrid fuel cell system (1) in which a fuel cell (22) and an electricity storage device (21) are connected via a voltage converter (20), the voltage converter (20) has a plurality of phases (P1, P2, P3), and the number of phases of operation can be changed in accordance with the power passing through the voltage converter (20). As the number of phases can be changed in accordance with the power passing through the voltage converter (20), it is possible to select the number of phases that give a higher efficiency voltage conversion in accordance with the passing power, and the efficiency of the voltage converter (20) can be greatly improved.
US08071231B2	Secondary battery including one-way exhaust valve Disclosed herein is a plate-shaped secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a battery case, and the battery case is sealed by thermal welding, wherein the secondary battery has at least one valve (one-way exhaust valve), having a small thickness, mounted at a sealed portion, formed at the outer circumference of an electrode assembly receiving part of the battery case, for allowing internal high-pressure gas to be exhausted out of a battery cell and preventing external gas from being introduced into the battery cell. The secondary battery according to the present invention has the effect of effectively exhausting internal high-pressure gas generated during the abnormal operation of the battery, such as overcharge, out of the battery case, while maintaining the sealability of the battery case, thereby simultaneously improving the efficiency and safety of the battery.
US08071227B2	Compounds and organic light emitting diode using the same Disclosed are new compounds and an organic light emitting diode using the same. The organic light emitting diode using the new compound according to the present invention exhibits excellent characteristics in terms of actuating voltage, light efficiency, and lifespan.
US08071226B2	Red phosphorescent compounds and organic electroluminescent devices using the same Provided are red phosphorescent compounds represented by Formula 1: Organic electroluminescent devices using the red phosphorescent compounds are further provided. The organic electroluminescent devices exhibit good red color purity, high quantum efficiency, high power efficiency, high luminance, and long lifetime.
US08071224B2	Decorative board A decorative board in the present invention includes: a core layer constituted by a prepreg impregnated with a slurry containing (a) an organic resin component including a phenol-formaldehyde resin and an amino-formaldehyde resin, (b) one or more selected from a group consisting of carbonate, silica, talc and fly ash, and (c) a metal hydroxide; and a decorative layer.
US08071221B2	Organic resin composition, solution of the same and shaped article of the same An organic resin composition with a low coefficient of thermal expansion comprising (a) an organic resin and (b) an inorganic silicate containing alkali metals and alkaline earth metals in a total amount of 1,000 ppm or less.
US08071218B2	Layered glass tile This invention is thought as a material for decoration and construction. It can be used in wet areas, walls, floors, and all surfaces. Changing appearance glass tile (8) is made up of colored, non colored, transparent, translucent, or any type, any size, shape, form and thickness of glass (6) laminated with the use of an adhesive material (7) to a lenticular image (5) which is made up of more than one image (1) divided into dozens of strips per cm with the use of special computer programs (2) and are interlaced in to one image (3) which is then printed behind a lenticular film (4) which is a semi cylindrical formed, precisely specified dimensioned, ribbed transparent plastic which allows the viewer to see one image at a time according to the observation angle or printed on a graphic film and then laminated to lenticular film (4).
US08071217B2	Heat-curable epoxy resin composition containing one blocked and one epoxide-terminated polyurethane prepolymer Discussed are heat-curable epoxy resin compositions containing at least one epoxy resin A with, on average, more than one epoxide group per molecule, at least one curing agent B for epoxy resins, which is activated by an increased temperature, at least one terminally blocked polyurethane prepolymer of formula (I) and at least one epoxide-terminated polyurethane prepolymer of formula (II). The epoxy resin compositions are particularly suitable for use as one-component, heat-curable adhesives and are characterized by excellent mechanical properties, high glass transition temperatures and high impact resistance.
US08071215B2	Hydrophobic silica and its use in silicone rubber Hydrophobic pyrogenic silica doped with potassium by means of aerosol is prepared by reacting a pyrogenic silica doped with potassium by means of aerosol with a surface-modifying agent. It can be used as a filler in silicone rubber.
US08071211B2	Surface-coated cutting tool A surface-coated cutting tool according to the present invention includes a base material and a coating film formed on the base material. The coating film includes one or more hard layer and one or more oxygen-rich hard layer. The hard layer is crystalline in its entirety or crystalline with a part thereof being amorphous. The oxygen-rich hard layer and the hard layer are stacked and the oxygen-rich hard layer is amorphous in a region of interface with the hard layer.
US08071210B2	Covalent assembly of ultrathin polymeric films In one aspect, described herein are ultrathin films comprising an azlactone functionalized polymer and a primary amine functionalized polymer. Also described herein are ultrathin films including reactive, nonreactive, partially reactive/nonreactive, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and mixed hydrophobic/hydrophilic ultrathin films. In another aspect, described herein are methods for making surface attached and freestanding ultrathin films.
US08071209B2	Wax blends for use with engineered wood composites Wax is a key ingredient in engineered wood composites, such as oriented strand board (OSB) and oriented strand lumber (OSL), to prevent and reduce swelling caused by water uptake. Wax, normally a byproduct of oil refining and lube production, is now considered a precious feedstock for producing higher margin product such as fuel or diesel. Disclosed herein are suitable alternative waxes to petroleum wax for use as sizing agents in producing engineered wood composites.
US08071207B2	Gelator stabilized crystalline resins A resin composition that is storable at ambient temperatures. The resin composition forms a cured resin when exposed to a curing agent and heated to a curing temperature that is relatively close to ambient temperature. The resin composition includes a resin component that is composed of a liquid part that is made up of one or more liquid thermosetting resins and a solid part that includes particles of one or more solid thermosetting resins. The liquid part further includes a gelation agent that is present in a sufficient amount to maintain the particles in suspension within the liquid part at ambient temperatures. The viscosity of the resin component changes from a high viscosity state to a low viscosity state when the temperature is increased from ambient temperature to the curing temperature. The high viscosity state is substantially more viscous than the low viscosity state.
US08071206B1	Blast energy mitigating composite A blast energy mitigating composite useful for protecting a surface or an object from a blast, shock waves, or stress waves caused by a sudden, violent release of energy is described. Certain configurations of the blast energy mitigating composite may include energy mitigating units contained in an energy mitigating matrix. If desired, various reinforcement layers may be incorporated on or within the energy mitigating composite. The energy mitigating units may comprise a porous energy mitigating material such as carbon foam.
US08071200B2	Rust-resistant tape The present invention generally relates to rust-resistant tape formulations and/or structures. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a rust-resistant tape that comprises a polymer base material layer, an adhesive layer and a rust-resistant component. In one embodiment, the adhesive layer adhered to one side of the layer of polymer base material. In another embodiment, the rust-resistant component comprises at least one volatile, or vapor-phase, corrosion inhibitor (VCI) that is placed into the matrix of the polymer base material or the adhesive layer. In still another embodiment, the at least one volatile, or vapor-phase, corrosion inhibitor (VCI) component of the present invention is contained within a discrete layer. In one instance, a rust-resistant tape in accordance with the present invention can be directly applied to a metal surface to be protected.
US08071199B2	Bottle labels The present invention refers to labels for bottles of a rigid material. In particular, a rigid body of a ceramic material reproduces writing characters in high and/or low relief and is realized by overlapping at least a first layer of terracotta with a second layer. According to the present invention, the first layer reproduces the writing characters in high and/or low relief and the second layer is a layer of enamel disposed over the first layer such to cover at least the writing characters uniformly.
US08071197B2	Assembled honeycomb An assembled honeycomb structure includes at least two prismatic honeycomb segments. An outer cross section of each of the at least two prismatic honeycomb segments perpendicular to a flow direction in an interior of the assembled honeycomb structure is a quadrangle with included angles of one of: (i) about 60° and about 120°, or (ii) about 60°, about 90° and about 120°.
US08071190B2	Tire former bladder and method for making same A multi layered tire former bladder and a method for making the bladder is described. The multi layered bladder includes a elastomeric bladder having an outer surface and an inner surface; a release coating on the outer surface of the bladder; and at least two fabric reinforcing plies which include a first outer ply embedded in the bladder below the outer surface and an inner surface fabric ply at the inner surface of the bladder. In the method of making the bladder an air dried release coating is applied to the outer elastomeric surface of the bladder.
US08071187B2	Method for fabricating metallized ceramics substrate, metallized ceramics substrate fabricated by the method, and package A fabrication method for metallized a ceramics substrate including the steps of: forming a first conductive paste layer containing metallic powder on a sintered ceramics substrate; forming a second conductive paste layer containing metallic powder of which average particle diameter is different from that of metallic powder constituting the first conductive paste layer; and forming a first conductive layer and a second conductive paste layer. The surface roughness of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is different. By this method, it is possible to secure airtightness of the metallized ceramics substrate even if it is a multilayered substrate having a plurality of metallized layers.
US08071186B1	Modular rollover mat A modular rollover mat comprises a plurality of interconnecting mat sections, each having a plurality of connection portions and a retaining rail assembly. Each of the plurality of mat sections comprises a hard top material for providing a smooth and durable rolling surface for computer chairs and the like. The sections engage each other in order to selectively connect separate floor mats together. The retaining rail comprises a raised edging located along the perimeter of the connected floor mat sections.
US08071185B2	Recording sheet for ink jet printing A method for the preparation of silicon dioxide dispersions is described, wherein the surface of the silicon dioxide is modified by a treatment with the reaction products of a compound of trivalent aluminum with least one aminoorganosilane. These reaction products are formed in a separate reaction step. The present invention also relates to recording sheets for ink jet printing having such a dispersion incorporated in an ink-receiving layer.
US08071184B1	Hood ornament A hood ornament includes a circular base plate having a bolt extending from the lower surface that is inserted through a hole formed in the vehicle hood; a locking nut is attached to the bolt to tightly anchor the base plate to the hood. An ornament member includes a sight mounted on a foundation having a key latch depending therefrom that releasably seats within a keyed receptacle formed in the base plate. The foundation includes an oblique lower surface to assure that the sight extends at a discrete angle relative to the base plate when the ornament is secured thereto. Accordingly, if the base plate is mounted on a downwardly-sloped surface, the sight will be substantially vertical.
US08071180B2	Aligned polymer organic TFT A method for forming an electronic device having a semiconducting active layer comprising a polymer, the method comprising aligning the chains of the polymer parallel to each other by bringing the polymer into a liquid-crystalline phase.
US08071178B2	Method of forming metal film and metal wiring pattern, undercoat composition for forming metal film and metal wiring pattern, and metal film A method of forming a metal film and a metal wiring pattern is described a step of forming an organic film by applying and polymerizing an undercoat composition for forming a metal film containing an addition-polymerizable monomer having an acidic group and a polymerization initiator on a substrate or film, a step of converting the acidic group into a metal (M1) salt by treating the organic film with an aqueous solution containing a metal (M1) ion, a step of converting the metal (M1) salt into a metal (M2) salt by treating the organic film with an aqueous solution containing a metal (M2) ion having an ionization tendency lower than the metal (M1) ion, and a step of forming a metal film on the organic film surface by reducing the metal (M2) ion.
US08071175B2	Method of fabricating a foam play article A foam play article comprises: an elastic tube for forming an elastic rubber layer; a foam formed by foaming polyurethane materials (2) in the elastic tube (1); and a coating layer (7) coated on the elastic rubber layer. The article may be manufactured by a method which comprises: providing polyurethane foam materials; attaching a material injector (5) to an elastic tube (1); injecting a predetermined amount of the polyurethane foam materials to the elastic tube (1) through the material injector (5); placing the elastic tube (5) in a mold (6) to provide a foam therein; applying a coating layer onto an outer surface of the foam; and drying the coated foam. The-thus formed play article has superior surface gloss, improved waterproof, soft tactile sensation, and higher stability.
US08071167B2	Surface pre-treatment for enhancement of nucleation of high dielectric constant materials Embodiments of the present invention relate to a surface preparation treatment for the formation of thin films of high k dielectric materials over substrates. One embodiment of a method of forming a high k dielectric layer over a substrate includes pre-cleaning a surface of a substrate to remove native oxides, pre-treating the surface of the substrate with a hydroxylating agent, and forming a high k dielectric layer over the surface of the substrate. One embodiment of a method of forming a hafnium containing layer over a substrate includes introducing an acid solution to a surface of a substrate, introducing a hydrogen containing gas and an oxygen containing gas to the surface of the substrate, and forming a hafnium containing layer over the substrate.
US08071166B2	Method of making heat treated coated article using diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating and protective film There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include both (a) an oxygen blocking or barrier layer, and (b) a release layer. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed. Other embodiments of this invention relate to the pre-HT coated article, or the post-HT coated article.
US08071165B2	Chemical vapor deposition method and system for semiconductor devices A method of and system for chemical vapor deposition of layers of material on substrates for producing semiconductor devices provides for continuous in-line processing. The method includes continuously conveying a plurality of substrates through a plurality of in-line deposition regions, continuously providing and distributing a chemical vapor at each region to deposit material for the layer, and continuously supplying a flow of chemical material for each region to provide the chemical vapor. The system includes a continuous in-line substrate conveyance apparatus for moving a plurality of substrates through a plurality of deposition regions, a deposition head for providing and distributing a chemical vapor at each of the regions to deposit material for the layers, and a chemical material supply apparatus for providing a flow of chemical materials to each of the heads for the chemical vapor.
US08071164B1	Method for lubricating contacting surfaces A method is provided for tribological lubrication of sliding contact surfaces, where two surfaces are in contact and in motion relative to each other, operating in a vapor-phase environment containing at least one alcohol compound at a concentration sufficiently high to provide one monolayer of coverage on at least one of the surfaces, where the alcohol compound continuously reacts at the surface to provide lubrication.
US08071162B2	Method of coating a surface with nanoparticles Known techniques for forming nanoparticles require a multiple-step process to coat a surface with nanoparticles. The present invention provides a single-step process that requires the deposition of a substrate in a mixture of a solvent, ligands and organometallic precursors. The mixture containing the substrate is heated under pressure in a dihydrogen environment for a predetermined period of time, during which supercrystals of nanoparticles form on the substrate.
US08071160B2	Surface coating process A method of forming a film is provided. Nanoparticles are deposited on a surface of a substrate using a liquid deposition process. The nanoparticles are linked to each other and to the surface using linker molecules. A coating having a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm is deposited over the film to form a coated film. The coated film has an RMS surface roughness of 25 nm to 500 nm, a film coverage of 25% to 60%, a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm; and a durability of 10 to 5000 microNewtons. Depending on the particular environment in which the film is to be used, a durability of 10 to 500 microNewtons may be preferred. A film thickness 3 to 100 times the RMS surface roughness of the film is preferred.
US08071159B2	Method of making pure white light source The present invention provides a method of making pure white light source. A phosphor powder which at least comprises three elements Zn, Se, and O is used for being excited by a purple-LED to emit pure red light (650 nm). The phosphor powder is coated on the purple-LED (Ex. chromaticity coordinate of x:0.26, y:0.10), and then placed aside a pure green-LED (or chip), when the purple-LED and the green-LED are electrified, a pure white light source with high color rendering index and high color saturation is obtained.
US08071156B2	Endoprostheses A hydrophilic ceramic coating is formed on an endoprosthesis preform. The hydrophilic ceramic coating is porous and can store nano-sized drug particles.
US08071153B2	Whey protein-containing granules and method of producing the same Disclosed are whey protein-containing granules which can dissolve a whey protein into water without forming insoluble lumps thereby making a solution containing the dissolved whey protein clear without turbidity, and a method for producing the same. The whey protein-containing granules are composed of a polyglycerin fatty acid ester having HLB of 13 to 18 and containing lauric acid as a constituent fatty acid. As the polyglycerin fatty acid ester, for example, monolauric acid decaglycerin ester or monolauric acid pentaglycerin ester may be used.
US08071152B2	Methods involving whey protein isolates The present invention concerns methods and compositions that involve whey protein isolates. Methods of the invention include purification processes for preparing whey proteins that are substantially nondenatured across a range of pH, including their isoelectric points. As such, they have low turbidity in solution across a wide range of pH values. Whey protein isolates can be integrated into compositions and solutions that have nutritional, pharmaceutical, and other applications.
US08071147B2	Method and apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption from at least two ingredients and an amount of liquid such as water which is supplied to the ingredients, wherein a first ingredient has a substance to be extracted such as ground coffee, and a second ingredient has a substance such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and such additives, soluble in liquid such as water During a first period, the liquid having, at most, a first temperature, is supplied to the first and second ingredient for obtaining a first beverage part, and, during a second period, the liquid having, at least, a second temperature is supplied to the first and second ingredient for obtaining a second beverage part. The first and the second beverage parts are combined for obtaining the beverage.
US08071142B2	Anti-bacterial use of extract from Morus australis poir. and compound kuwanon h An extract prepared from the root barks of Morus australis Poir. and its use as an anti-bacteria agent, and use of a compound Kuwanon H having the following formula (I) separated from the extract as an anti-bacteria agent:
US08071140B2	Compositions and methods for treatment of dermal scarring and wrinkling Compositions and methods for treatment of dermal scarring and wrinkling, by application to the skin of a cosmetically effective amount of Plantago major or Plantago Lanceolata. The plantain may be utilized in powdered form in an aqueous paste or poultice, or in a crème base or ointment that is applied to the skin for various periods of time from 1 to 10 hours at a frequency of 1-12 times per week, for a period of 3-50 weeks or more. The composition is effective to remediate dermal scarring and wrinkling, and at least partially restore skin to an undamaged, undeteriorated state.
US08071139B2	Treatment of damaged skin A medicament for treating skin is described. It comprises essentially of bulbine frutescens, centella asiatica and a phenol derived from olive oil preferably oleuropein. The medicament may be used in the treatment of scars formed during surgery. It may also be used cosmeceutically in the treatment of aged skin where it may be used with phosphatidylserine. The medicament can also act in conjunction with anti-acne treatment to diminish scarring from the acne condition.
US08071137B2	Method for treatment of cartilage disorders with centella extract The invention is a method for the treatment of mammalian articular cartilage disorders, inflammatory joint disease, trauma-related cartilage injuries, and degenerative disc disease. The method involves treating the affected area with a composition containing a therapeutically effective dose of Centella extract. The composition is delivered locally by parenteral administration to the affected site.
US08071130B2	Solid preparation The present invention intends to provide a solid preparation which contains an insulin sensitizer and an active ingredient other than an insulin sensitizer, and exhibits dissolution behavior of an insulin sensitizer similar to that of an insulin sensitizer from “a solid preparation containing only an insulin sensitizer as an active ingredient”. The solid preparation comprises “a part containing coated particles in which the particles containing an insulin sensitizer are coated with lactose or a sugar alcohol” and “a part containing an active ingredient other than an insulin sensitizer”.
US08071128B2	Intrabuccally rapidly disintegrating tablet and a production method of the tablets An intrabuccally rapidly disintegrating tablet which is manufactured by a simple method, has an enough practical hardness and is rapidly disintegrated in the buccal cavity and its production method. The intrabuccally rapidly disintegrating tablet is produced by growing a powder material into a granulated material with a fixed particle diameter, the powder material including a sugar alcohol or a saccharide as main ingredient, each of which is first particle having an average particle diameter of not more than 30 μm, by mixing thus obtained granulated material with an active ingredient and a disintegrant, and by compressing the mixture into a predetermined shape.
US08071125B2	Transdermal patch containing isosorbide dinitrate and bisoprolol This invention relates to a transdermal patch in the form of a layer complex, comprising a backing layer, a drug-reservoir layer comprising pharmacologically active ingredients and pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants, and a release liner covering the drug-reservoir layer, characterized in that the drug-reservoir layer comprises isosorbide dinitrate and Bisoprolol at a ratio of 1:3 to 3:1 by weight, as the pharmacologically active ingredients. Animal tests show that said patch can reduce the elevation of T wave of cardiogram, the increase of the level of myocardial enzyme in blood serum, and the extension of the range of myocardial infarction caused by ligating the coronary artery in animals. Results show that said patch exhibits a considerable synergistic effect in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and has good preventive and therapeutic effects on several adverse events on heart. In addition, the animal tests show that the patch according to the invention has a better pressure-reducing effect than the application of the patch containing only one of isosorbide dinitrate and Bisoprolol, and does not worsen the arrhythmia that is easily caused by the application of the patch containing only isosorbide dinitrate or Bisoprolol.
US08071122B2	Compositions and methods for increasing lean muscle mass and/or reducing fat gain Compositions and methods for increasing lean muscle mass and/or reducing fat gain in growing animals by feeding the animals a composition having a total lysine to metabolizable energy ratio of from about 2.5 to about 6 g/Mcal and comprising (a) arginine in a total arginine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.1 to about 1.6; (b) isoleucine in a total isoleucine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.3; (c) leucine in a total leucine to total lysine ratio of from about 1.8 to about 3.0; (d) valine in a total valine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.4; and (e) methionine and cystine in a total methionine plus cystine to total lysine ratio of from about 0.8 to about 1.7.
US08071119B2	Controlled release implantable dispensing device and method A dispensing device having a polymer which is combined with a therapeutic agent in the form of a microparticle or nanoparticle which is “hyper-compressed” to form a controlled release dispensing device and methods of locally administering a therapeutic agent using said microparticles.
US08071112B2	Compositions and methods of use of ORF-1358 from beta-hemolytic streptococcal strains The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding Streptococcus group C and G polypeptides and their use in immunogenic compositions. The invention also relates to immunogenic compositions comprising polypeptides encoded by those polynucleotides. In addition, the invention relates to methods of inducing an immune response in mammals against beta hemolytic Streptococcus or beta hemolytic Streptococcus infection using immunogenic compositions of the Streptococcus group C and G polypeptides and polynucleotides.
US08071110B2	Activatable clostridial toxins Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.
US08071109B2	VMP-like sequences of pathogenic Borrelia The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding Vmp-like polypeptides of pathogenic Borreliae, the use of the DNA sequences in recombinant vectors to express polypeptides, the encoded amino acid sequences, application of the DNA and amino acid sequences to the production of polypeptides as antigens for immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapy, and immunodiagnosis. Also disclosed are the use of the nucleic acid sequences as probes or primers for the detection of organisms causing Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or related disorders, and kits designed to facilitate methods of using the described polypeptides, DNA segments and antibodies.
US08071105B2	Reishi F3 sub fraction polysaccharides and methods of using same The present disclosure relates to the discovery of methods of isolating subfractions of an F3 Reishi extract, and of administration of these novel isolates to eukaryotic cells in order to induce certain immumodulatory, hematopoeitic and tumor-inhibiting phenotypic changes in those eukaryotic cells, mediated through particular toll-like receptor (TLR) and other transmembrane receptors. F3 subfractions F301 and F331 have demonstrated that F331 is capable of activating at least TLR-2 while F301 is capable of activating at least TLR-2, TLR-4, and TLR-5.
US08071100B2	Monoclonal antibodies that neutralize anthrax toxins The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.
US08071093B1	Fully human anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies Disclosed are fully human anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies, fragments thereof, and nucleic acid sequences encoding for the same. Further disclosed are methods of making and using the antibodies.
US08071089B2	Composition with a fungal (yeast) lipase and method for treating lipid malabsorption in cystic fibrosis as well as people suffering from pancreatic lipase insufficiency The invention provides compositions and methods for treating pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, such as the pancreatic enzyme insufficiency associated with cystic fibrosis. The invention also provides compositions comprising lipase from Candida cylindracea, alone or in combination with amylase or amyloglucosidase, protease and/or lactase. Furthermore, the invention discloses methods for treating pancreatic enzyme insufficiency comprising administering compositions to patients in need thereof.
US08071088B2	Compositions and methods for reducing the pathogen content of meat and meat products Compositions and methods useful for reducing or eliminating the presence of pathogens in meat and meat products are disclosed. Administration of one or more lactic acid producing microorganisms to a live animal, to a carcass, to meat, to meat products, or in animal feed results in significant reductions in the amount of pathogens potentially harmful to humans when ingested. Synergistic effects can be achieved with the administration of multiple strains of microorganisms.
US08071086B2	Bacterial composition and its use The subject of the present invention is a bacterial composition having immunomodulation properties comprising at least one strain selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilus PTA-4797, Lactobacillus plantarum PTA-4799, Lactobacillus salivarius PTA-4800, Lactobacillus paracasei PTA-4798, Bifidobacterium bifidum PTA-4801 and Bifidobacterium lactis PTA-4802. An other subject of the invention is an immunomodulation method comprising the step of using the at least one strain selected from the preceding group.
US08071083B2	Tissue regeneration The present invention relates to a method of treating a tissue defect in a human or animal body comprising the steps of implanting into said body an unseeded scaffold; allowing or effecting a wound healing response at the site of said defect; allowing said scaffold to be vascularized until a substantially sufficient fluid flow through said scaffold is assured for the transport of nutrients and/or waste products, and seeding said vascularised scaffold with a suitable population of tissue-regenerating cells.
US08071080B2	Organic salt conditioner, organic salt-containing composition, and uses thereof The present invention relates to the use of, and a composition containing, at least one non-polymeric organic salt with a melting point of less than 60° C. These organic salts may be imidazolium, pyrazolium, pyridinium, pyrimidinium or tetraalkylphosphonium salts. The invention composition may be used for washing (cleaning) and/or conditioning keratin materials, and especially the hair.
US08071076B2	Oral lubricating and stain retarding compositions An oral lubricant having usefulness for alleviating the symptoms of dry mouth and preventing accumulation of dental stains based on a polyvinyl alcohol polymer containing composition in an orally acceptable carrier or vehicle. The invention relates generally to an oral composition having a function in lubricating the mouth and preventing the formation of stains on the surfaces of the teeth. The active ingredients of the composition are a polyvinyl alcohol, a metal chelating agent, lipophilic vitamin, surface active material and a phenolic anti microbial agent with anti-inflammatory properties.
US08071075B2	Dermal penetration enhancers and drug delivery systems involving the same The invention relates to a method for treatment or prophylaxis of a disease or condition in an animal comprising administering to a mucosal membrane of said animal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a drug delivery system comprising at least one physiologically active agent or prodrug thereof and at least one penetration enhancer selected from safe ester sunscreens.
US08071074B2	Preventing airway mucus production by administration of EGF-R antagonists Hypersecretion of mucus in the lungs is inhibited by the administration of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) antagonist. The EGF-R antagonist may be in the form of a small organic molecule, an antibody, or portion of an antibody that binds to and blocks the EGF receptor. The EGF-R antagonist is preferably administered by injection in an amount sufficient to inhibit formation of goblet cells in pulmonary airways. The degranulation of goblet cells that results in airway mucus production is thereby inhibited. Assays for screening candidate agents that inhibit goblet cell proliferation are also provided.
US08071071B2	Treatment of small pore molecular sieves and their use in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins A method is disclosed of treating a porous crystalline molecular sieve having a pore size less than or equal to about 5 Angstroms to decrease its coke selectivity in oxygenate to olefin conversion reactions. The method comprises contacting the molecular sieve with an acid having a kinetic diameter greater than or equal to that of acetic acid.
US08071060B2	Flue gas control system of coal combustion boiler and operating method thereof A flue gas control system of a coal combustion boiler comprises an HCl atomizer that sprays hydrogen chloride to flue gas from a coal combustion boiler that uses coal as a fuel; NOx removing apparatus that removes nitrogen oxides by ammonia denitration by adding ammonia to the flue gas after spraying hydrogen chloride and oxidizes mercury; an air preheater that recovers heat in the gas after removal of nitrogen oxides; a precipitator that removes particulates in the gas; an activated carbon atomizer that sprays activated carbon into the gas after particulate collection; a bag filter that collects activated carbon having adsorbed mercury; a desulfurizer that removes sulfur oxides in the flue gas after removal of activated carbon; a stack that discharges the gas which has undergone desulfurization to outside; and an ORP meter that measures an oxidation reduction potential for feeding air to a slurry absorbent in the desulfurizer.
US08071057B2	Microfluidic device A microfluidic valve device includes a microfluidic chip including a substrate having a channel, a valve disposed within the channel and configured to change a conductance of the channel, with the valve having an inner channel formed therein, and an oscillator configured to generate a traveling wave. The valve is moved by generating the traveling wave to open and close the channel.
US08071052B2	Fluid handling assembly with valve position control based on fluid amount measurement An assembly for handling a fluid, comprising a valve and a controller. The valve has at least one revolving valve element and a coupling device. The coupling device comprises at least one port coupled to a flow path and is adapted for interacting with said at least one revolving valve element in order to control a fluid flow through said at least one port using a relative valve position between the revolving valve element and the coupling device. The controller is adapted for controlling the relative valve position based on at least one of a current and a previous measurement of an amount of the fluid flow dependent on the relative valve position.
US08071051B2	Portable sample analyzer cartridge A sample analyzer cartridge for use at a point of care of a patient such as in a doctor's office, in the home, or elsewhere in the field. By providing a removable and/or disposable cartridge with all of the needed reagents and/or fluids, the sample analyzer can be reliably used outside of the laboratory environment, with little or no specialized training.
US08071046B2	System and process for gas sweetening A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a sour gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide by oxidizing hydrogen sulfide in a converter by contacting the sour gas stream with an aqueous catalytic solution, thereby producing a desulfurized gas stream and a liquid stream comprising reduced catalyst and elemental sulfur, introducing an oxidant and the liquid stream comprising reduced catalyst and elemental sulfur into a high shear device and producing a dispersion wherein the mean bubble diameter of the oxidant gas in the dispersion is less than about 5 μm, introducing the dispersion into a vessel from which a sulfur-containing slurry is removed and a regenerated catalyst stream is removed, wherein the sulfur slurry comprises elemental sulfur and aqueous liquid, and recycling at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst stream to the converter. A system of apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
US08071044B2	Processes for the isomerization of paraffins of 5 and 6 carbon atoms with methylcyclopentane recovery In an isomerization process where the isomerization effluent (108) is fractionated in a deisohexanizer (116) to provide an overhead (118) containing dimethylbutanes and a higher boiling fraction (122) containing normal hexane, the higher boiling is contacted with a selectively permeable membrane (124) to provide a retentate containing methylcyclopentane (128). If desired, the normal hexane-containing permeate can be recycled for isomerization. The preferred membranes are sieving membranes having a C6 Permeate Flow Index of at least 0.01 and a C6 Permeate Flow Ratio of at least 1.25:1.
US08071043B2	Electrode cap for electrical discharge reactor An electrode cap having a horseshoe-shaped conductor clip that has an opening at a closed end for receiving an electrode, the conductor clip fitted over a tube crimp; a cylindrical base cap having an elongated bump at one end of the base cap parallel to the axis of the base cap; and a cylindrical top cap closed on one end, having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the base cap; and a spring for pressing a plate against the base cap.
US08071042B2	Method and apparatus for application of electrostatic charges to compounds held within containers A method and apparatus for application of electrostatic charges to compounds to change the physical characteristics of the compounds. The compound is located within a container, that can be sealed or open, in proximity to an electrode so that there is capacitive coupling between the electrode and the compound. A high frequency, high voltage signal is applied to the electrode for a time sufficient to increase negative ions in the compound, thus changing its physical characteristics. The method can increase the pH and decreases oxidation-reduction potential. A grounded platform is provided for use with a non-conductive container, and the entire apparatus can be provided in a housing enclosure to permit safe application of electrical potential to the compound being treated.
US08071041B2	Potassium electric generator and chemical synthesizer Alkaline metal fuel technology is applied to the design and construction of an electrolytic fuel cell. Highly exothermic chemical reactions and vigorous kinetic gaseous flows are promoted within a ferrous metal tubular structure called a tuyere which is used to generate electricity and to simultaneously produce nitrated products and commercial organic chemicals.
US08071035B2	Microfluidic radiosynthesis system for positron emission tomography biomarkers Methods and devices for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in a fast, efficient and compact manner are disclosed. In particular, the various embodiments of the present invention provide an automated, stand-alone, hands-free operation of the entire radiosynthesis cycle on a microfluidic device with unrestricted gas flow through the reactor, starting with target water and yielding purified PET radiotracer within a period of time shorter than conventional chemistry systems. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is related to a microfluidic chip for radiosynthesis of a radiolabeled compound, comprising a reaction chamber, one or more flow channels connected to the reaction chamber, one or more vents connected to said reaction chamber, and one or more integrated valves to effect flow control in and out of said reaction chamber.
US08071034B2	Rotary fluidized bed device and method for using said device The present invention relates to a device with a rotating fluidized bed in one or a succession of cylindrical chambers, in which injectors (12), distributed around the fixed circular wall (2) of said cylindrical chamber(s), inject along this wall, in successive layers, one or more fluids (13), which entrain the solid particles (17), passing through this/these chamber(s), in a movement of rapid rotation whereof the centrifugal force concentrates these particles along this wall, thereby forming a fluidized bed rotating around a central duct or a plurality of central ducts (3), through which the fluids are removed. The present invention further relates to a method of catalytic polymerization, drying or other treatments of solid particles in suspension in a rotating fluidized bed or of catalytic conversion of fluids passing through said rotating fluidized bed using a device according to the present invention.
US08071032B2	System and method for manufacturing organopolysiloxane The invention discloses a method and a system for manufacturing organopolysiloxane. The system comprises N raw material tanks, N gauging tanks, a first reactor, a second reactor and at least one product tanks which are arranged in order from high to low. The manufacturing method comprises the following steps of: firstly, N raw materials are added into the N raw material tanks respectively. Then, a plurality of processing parameters about the organopolysiloxane are inputted to control the N gauging tanks to measure the dosage of the N raw materials according to the processing parameters, which along with a cyclic siloxane monomer are inputted into the first reactor. The first reactor is controlled to carry on ring-opening and re-distribution polymerization equilibrium reaction to the N raw materials and the cyclic siloxane monomer, so as to generate an intermediate product, and transfer the intermediate product into the second reactor. Finally, the second reactor is controlled to carry on a decomposition transient catalytic reaction to the intermediate product and a devolatilization operation to obtain the organopolysiloxane products.
US08071031B1	Device for in situ calibrated potentiometric pH measurements A device for the precise and accurate potentiometric pH measurements in situ. Embodiments of a potentiometric device according to the invention consist of one or more glass pH-sensitive electrodes connected to a potentiometer. A key feature of the device is that, rather than being calibrated conventionally with buffers, it can be calibrated with an in situ device that measures pH spectrophotometrically. Spectrophotometric pH measurements obtained via sulfonephthalein absorbance measurements are inherently calibrated (do not require buffers). Thus, devices according to the invention allow for continuous potentiometric pH measurements with occasional spectrophotometric calibrations. The spectrophotometric calibration device consists of a spectrophotometer with associated pumps for combining a sulfonephthalein pH indicator with the aqueous medium whose pH is to be measured. The device will record potentiometric pH measurements for an extended period of time until the spectrophotometric device is autonomously activated for another calibration. In this manner precise and accurate pH measurements can be obtained continuously in the environment, and the low energy expenditure of the potentiometric device provides excellent endurance. Also provided is a method and associated devices for spectrophotometrically determining the salinity of an aqueous medium.
US08071030B2	Test strip with flared sample receiving chamber A test strip with a sample receiving chamber having a novel flared portion that terminates in a sample receiving opening. The flared portion provides a reservoir from which sample fluid can be drawn into the capillary or sample receiving chamber. The wider opening provided by the present invention is easier to “target” with a sample fluid. In preferred embodiments, the hydrophilic reagent layer extends to the dosing end or side of the test strip and further promotes wicking of the sample into the sample receiving chamber and thus reduces dose hesitation. In other preferred embodiments, a tapered dosing end is provided on the test strip in combination with the flared portion, and this combination create a test strip that will draw sample fluid into the sample receiving chamber regardless of where along the dosing edge of the test strip the fluid sample makes contact.
US08071028B2	Method and apparatus for providing power management in data communication systems A blood glucose meter having a compact housing, a display unit disposed on the housing, the display unit including a display light source to illuminate the display unit, an input unit disposed on the housing, the input unit configured to provide input functions for the blood glucose meter, and a power source provided within the housing for providing power to the blood glucose meter, where the housing includes a port integrated on said housing configured to receive a blood glucose test strip, and corresponding methods of measuring blood glucose meter is provided.
US08071027B2	Method and device for selectively detecting ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic particles The invention relates to a method for selectively detecting and/or quantifying superparamagnetic and/or ferromagnetic particles on analytes. The method is characterized in that a frequency component of magnetic fields (15, 18), which is generated due to the non-linearity of the magnetization characteristic curve of the particles, is measured at a mixing frequency. A device for selectively detecting and/or quantifying superparamagnetic and/or ferromagnetic particles on analytes comprises: a container (12) that contains particles, which are to be detected and/or quantified, on analytes; at least one oscillator (13, 16; 25) for generating frequencies of alternating magnetic fields (15, 18); at least one field generator (14, 17) for subjecting the analytes to alternating magnetic fields (15, 18); a magnetic field sensor (20) for measuring a response magnetic field (19) of the particles, and; at least one phase-sensitive detector (21, 23). These elements are configured in such a manner as to enable a frequency component of the magnetic fields (15, 18), which is generated due to the non-linearity of the magnetization characteristic curve of the particles, to be measured at a mixing frequency.
US08071023B2	In situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.
US08071017B2	Low cost high strength martensitic stainless steel A cobalt-free low cost high strength martensitic stainless steel, with concentration of Ni up to 3.0% and Mo up to 1.0% of weight, has HRC of 53, UTS of 297 ksi, YS of 220 ksi, Charpy V-notch impact energy of 17.8 ft-lb, corrosion resistance in salt spray test ASTM 117. The steel was melted in an open induction furnace and vacuum arc remelting (VAR) and/or electroslag remelting (ESR) were not used to refine the steel. Further processing included homogenized annealing, hot rolling, and recrystallization annealing. The steel was heat treated by oil quenching, refrigeration, and low tempering. The steel has a microstructure consisting essentially of small packets of fine martensite laths, retained austenite, and carbides as centers of growth of the martensite laths. The cost and energy in making the steel are substantially reduced.
US08071015B2	Process for producing porous metal body Disclosed is a process of producing a porous metal body containing a metal component which is likely to be oxidized, by which process the amounts of residual carbon and residual oxygen therein are decreased, and by which the performance of the product porous body can be largely promoted. The process for producing a porous metal body by sintering a material of the porous metal body, which material is obtained by coating a slurry containing a metal powder and an organic binder on an organic porous aggregate, comprises a defatting step of treating the material of the porous metal body at a temperature not higher than 650° C. in an atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; a decarbonization step of treating the material of the porous metal body after the defatting step in an inert atmosphere or vacuum atmosphere at a temperature not higher than sintering temperature; and a sintering step of retaining the material of the porous metal body after the decarbonization step in an inert atmosphere, vacuum atmosphere, hydrogen atmosphere, or in a reducing atmosphere containing hydrogen gas and an inert gas at a temperature not higher than the melting point of the metal powder.
US08071014B2	Apparatus and method for closing or opening an opening, especially a bottom opening of a material hopper for a blast furnace, and blast furnace having such an apparatus An apparatus is provided for closing or opening an opening, especially a bottom opening of a material hopper arranged above the mouth of a blast furnace having a drivable flap plate, which is movable into an open position leaving the opening clear and into a closed position blocking off the opening and vice-versa. The flap plate carries out, in the region of the opening, a linear movement substantially perpendicular to the plane of the opening and, distal to the opening, a pivoting movement.
US08071013B2	Melting starting material in a cupola furnace The invention relates to operating a shaft furnace, in particular a cupola furnace, for melting starting material, wherein the shaft furnace is heated by combustion of a solid fuel and wherein an injection gas, which has an oxygen portion of more than 21%, is injected into the shaft furnace. The shaft furnace is heated by means of at least one burner, wherein a gaseous or liquid fuel and a gaseous oxidant, which encompasses an oxygen portion of more than 21%, is supplied to the burner.
US08071010B2	Process for producing concrete in hot weather A process for manufacturing concrete bodies at elevated temperatures including the steps of providing pre-selected amounts of cement, aggregate and water where the temperature of at least the aggregate and more likely the cement and water are heated to a temperature between about 32° C. and 45° C. The heated amounts of cement, aggregate and water are mixed at an elevated temperature within the aforementioned range and a set retarding, water reducing admixture added. The mixing is continued and the hot mixture including the set retarding, water reducing admixture is cast at an elevated temperature within the same range to provide a concrete body form or structure with improved short and long-term compressive strengths.
US08071008B1	Composite forming technology A system, machine and method of forming a composite structure. The composite may be placed between a first mold half and a second mold half and heated at a first temperature, T1, and held at a first pressure, P1, wherein the first pressure is applied to the structure through the first and second mold halves. In addition, the composite may be cooled at a second temperature, T2, and held at a second pressure, P2, wherein the second pressure is applied to the composite through the first and second mold halves, wherein T1>T2 and P1
US08071006B2	Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) zeolite composite and methods The present application thus provides a composite composition comprising PTFE and zeolite. According to another aspect, the present application provides a method for making a composite article comprising bonding zeolite to PTFE. According to still yet another aspect of the present application, a method for separating components of the mixture comprising contacting the mixture with a composite composition comprising PTFE and zeolite is disclosed.
US08071005B2	Method and plant for the production of a casing for a solid-propellant engine A casing of a solid-propellant engine comprising a core and a layer of elastomeric material, set as coating for at least part of the core to provide a thermal protection of the core itself is obtained by: inserting the core in a forming mould so as to make within the mould two annular chambers separated from one another by the core; forming a strand of elastomeric material; obtaining a defined portion of elastomeric material by cutting the strand transversely to size in an external environment; and injecting the cut portion of elastomeric material simultaneously within both of the annular chambers.
US08071004B2	Closure having band with internal thread formed by impression The present invention relates to closures for mating with containers having a threaded finish. The closures comprise a flange and a skirt downwardly depending therefrom. The skirt includes a deformable element formed of a different material than that of the flange and skirt and disposed on an interior surface. The deformable element inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the container, and accordingly deforms upon mating the closure with the container. The container threads impress threads into the deformable element to form threads on the closure. The deformable element is formed of a suitable material. The closures of the present invention provide for the use of high-speed press-on capping equipment.
US08070997B2	Process for the production of piping made of a cementitious material having a circular section The present invention relates to a process for the production by extrusion of piping made of a cementitious material having a circular section and fine thickness, suitable for the channeling of liquids and gases at atmospheric operating pressure or slightly higher.
US08070995B2	System and method for establishing plumbing kit specifications A system and method for establishing plumbing kit specifications for kits containing plastic hose or tubing for installation on boats, RVs or other uses where ruler markings are imprinted longitudinally along the outside surface of stock hose. The ruler markings can be spaced approximately one inch, or other distance, and can include a series of numerals such as 1-12 or 1-11 followed by a repeat symbol. The sequence can repeat indefinitely along the length of the hose. The method allows a length specification for a particular hose segment to be generated by cutting a piece of stock hose at a particular starting ruler mark, clamping or connecting it in place, and then completing the installation of the segment by cutting the second end to the correct length and clamping or connecting it in place. The length can then be computed by reading the ruler marks on the installed hose. This information can be entered as part of the specification for a hose kit.
US08070994B2	Panel structure A panel structure and a method of forming the panel structure are disclosed. The panel structure typically includes at least one panel associated with a material. The panel structure has been found particularly advantageous for use as an interior panel of an airplane.
US08070993B2	Composite component and method of manufacturing the same A method of producing a composite component that includes both a structural insert and a plastic casing. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses a closed-loop control system and includes the following steps: evaluating the structural insert for various attributes, placing the structural insert in a mold cavity, adjusting the position and/or orientation of the structural insert with respect to the mold cavity based on, among other things, the evaluated attributes, and injecting molten material into the mold cavity so that it at least partially surrounds the structural insert.
US08070990B2	Smoke suppressants The present invention is directed to smoke suppressants based on ammonium octamolybdate chemistry. According to this invention, the precipitation of ammonium octamolybdate in the presence of an inert mineral core produce a novel high surface area ammonium octamolybdate smoke suppressant. The high surface area significantly increases the smoke suppression performance over a standard ammonium octamolybdate. This invention is also directed to a process for making the high surface area ammonium octamolybdate smoke suppressant. The smoke suppressant of this invention is particularly suitable for smoke suppression in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) applications.
US08070986B2	Silver paste for forming conductive layers The present invention provides a silver paste for forming electrically conductive pattern comprising 0.1 to 60 wt % of a silver C0 to C12 aliphatic carboxylate; 1 to 80 wt % of silver powder; 0.1 to 15 wt % of a binder; and a residual organic solvent.The silver paste composition according to the present invention has advantages in that it produces micro-structures of layers denser than those conventional metal pastes do; shows characteristics of a much lower electric resistance even with a relatively small thickness or a small line width, as compared with the electrically conductive pattern formed from a conventional paste; and allows heat treatment at a very low temperature even without the use of expensive nano-sized metal particles.
US08070984B2	Luminescent material A luminescent material is disclosed. The luminescent material may include a first compound having a host lattice comprising first ions and oxygen. A first portion of the first ions may be substituted by copper ions. In one embodiment, the host lattice may include silicon, the copper ions may be divalent copper ions and the first compound may have an Olivin crystal structure, a β-K2SO4 crystal structure, a trigonal Glaserite (K3Na(SO4)2) or monoclinic Merwinite crystal structure, a tetragonal Ackermanite crystal structure, a tetragonal crystal structure or an orthorhombic crystal structure. In another embodiment, the copper ions do not act as luminescent ions upon excitation with the ultraviolet or visible light.
US08070981B2	Method of fabricating silica-titania nanoporous composite powder Provided is a method of fabricating silica-titania nanoporous composite powder by controlling a pore size. In more particular, a method of fabricating silica-titania nanoporous composite powder, using a spraying and heating reactor including an ultrasonic droplet generator and a cylindrical electric furnace, comprises the steps of: generating droplets of a mixture suspension from a colloidal suspension prepared by mixing silica (SiO2) and titania (TiO2) nanopowders and organic template (PSL: polystyrene latex) powder, by the ultrasonic droplet generator of the spray-heating reactor; generating a silica-titania-organic template nanoporous composite powder having pores within the range of 20˜100 nm in size through preparing silica-titania-organic template (SiO2—TiO2-PLS) composite particles and removing the organic template while passing the mixture suspension in the cylindrical electric furnace by a carrier gas; and collecting the generated nanoporous material by a particle collector.
US08070980B2	Chemical method and composition for soil improvement A composition for chemical soil improvement includes a synthetic fluid or base oil, a pour point depressant, polyisobutylene, and synthetic fibers, and various combinations thereof.
US08070977B2	Hydrofluoroolefin compositions The present invention relates to compositions containing hydrofluoroolefins and to the uses thereof as heat transfer fluids, blowing agents, solvents and aerosols. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions having: 5 to 65% by weight, preferably from 5 to 15% by weight, of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 5 to 70% by weight, preferably 40 to 60% by weight, of HFC-134a and 25 to 42% by weight of HFC-32.
US08070971B2	Etch method An improved method of etching a structure and a structure etched by the method is disclosed. The bottom side of a leadframe of an IC-package is an example of a structure, which advantageously may be etched with the disclosed method. The method includes the steps of providing an etch mask to the substrate to be etched. The etch mask comprising at least two sub-mask: a first sub-mask covering the area which substantially should remain after the etching process, and a second sub-mask covering an area to be removed in the etching process. The second sub-mask is a sacrificial mask in the form of a grid. The presence of the second sub-mask increases the etching speed in the area covered by it.
US08070969B2	Method of fabricating microelectromechanical systems devices A method of fabricating microelectromechanical systems devices is disclosed. A silicon substrate having a plurality of microelectromechanical systems elements formed on a first surface thereof is provided. A guard layer defining a plurality of recesses is applied to the silicon substrate such that respective microelectromechanical systems elements are located within respective recesses. The silicon substrate is then segmented into discrete parts and an adhesive layer is bonded to a second surface of the silicon substrate. The guard layer is next segmented into discrete parts corresponding to the discrete parts of the silicon substrate, thereby forming individual microelectromechanical systems devices. Finally, the adhesive layer is selectively exposed to a light source allowing removal of individual microelectromechanical systems devices.
US08070966B2	Group III-nitride layers with patterned surfaces A fabrication method produces a mechanically patterned layer of group III-nitride. The method includes providing a crystalline substrate and forming a first layer of a first group III-nitride on a planar surface of the substrate. The first layer has a single polarity and also has a pattern of holes or trenches that expose a portion of the substrate. The method includes then, epitaxially growing a second layer of a second group III-nitride over the first layer and the exposed portion of substrate. The first and second group III-nitrides have different alloy compositions. The method also includes subjecting the second layer to an aqueous solution of base to mechanically pattern the second layer.
US08070958B2	Separation matrix having a ligand density gradient The present invention relates to a separation matrix comprised of ligands coupled to the surfaces of a porous support, such as one or more porous particles, wherein the ligands provide at least one chemical gradient within the support. In the most advantageous embodiment, the chemical gradient is a ligand density gradient. The invention also relates to a method of providing a separation matrix comprising ligands coupled to the surfaces of a porous support, in which method at least one ligand density gradient is provided by solvent-controlled diffusion of at least one reagent into the porous support.
US08070956B2	Method of separation of polymers A method of using electrokinetics for separating particles in a buffer solution is provided, where a chromatographic column is provided having a non-uniform internal longitudinal cross-section. At least one main inlet for inputting solution and at least one main outlet for outputting solution are provided. At least one sample inlet and at least one sample outlet are provided. The particle is introduced to the column from the sample inlet and fractionated samples are eluted from the sample outlet, where quality control and further analysis are enabled. An electric field is applied to the solution in the column to generate a charged double layer at a solid-liquid interface within the column. The electric filed moves ions within the double layer, and a non-uniform velocity profile is induced to the buffer solution. The moving ions carry the particles along the column and the particles are separated according to size or charge.
US08070949B1	Micro diffusion of oxygen for treatment and dispersal of wastewater in a drain field Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for improving the treatment of wastewater in a dispersal drainage trench by facilitating the direct aeration of wastewater passing through a drainage unit.
US08070948B2	Method of purifying wastewater and sewage treatment plant A description is given of a sewage treatment plant, in particular a small sewage treatment plant, having at least one activation tank for wastewater and/or having at least one secondary clarification tank for wastewater, wherein the activation tank and/or the secondary clarification tank are charged with shaped bodies which are freely floating in the wastewater, which is distinguished in that it has at least one filtration appliance for wastewater purification, which filtration appliance comprises at least one ceramic-based membrane for separating off microorganisms. In addition a method of purifying wastewater is described, comprising a biological purification of the wastewater by microorganisms in at least one activation tank and/or comprising a secondary clarification of the wastewater in at least one clarification tank, wherein the at least one activation tank and/or the at least one secondary clarification tank, for cleaning, is charged with shaped bodies, characterized in that the microorganisms situated in the wastewater are separated off by means of at least one ceramic-based membrane.
US08070935B2	Apparatus for analyzing tin compounds in liquid samples and method for analyzing tin levels using the same An apparatus for a continuous, automated quantitation of tin compounds in liquid samples and a method for quantitative analysis based on the said apparatus are provided herein. The inventive apparatus acidifies liquid samples and in case organotin compounds are present in the sample, a selective UV irradiation converts the organotin compounds into inorganic tin. The inventive apparatus quantitates this inorganic tin by means of electrochemical methods. The apparatus and method of the present invention allow quantitative analyses of trace amounts of organic and inorganic tin compounds present in liquid samples by converting organotin, a form unsuited for measurement, into inorganic tin, a form amenable to measurements and performing electrochemical analysis. Above all, the present invention affords the construction of an automated, continuous analysis system, making unnecessary additional manual operations and reducing labor costs. The present invention also provides an apparatus for converting organotin compounds into inorganic tin.
US08070934B2	Transition metal complexes with (pyridyl)imidazole ligands Novel transition metal complexes of iron, cobalt, ruthenium, osmium, and vanadium are described. The transition metal complexes can be used as redox mediators in enzyme-based electrochemical sensors. The transition metal complexes include substituted or unsubstituted (pyridyl)imidazole ligands. Transition metal complexes attached to polymeric backbones are also described.
US08070932B2	Circuit board with identifiable information and method for fabricating the same A circuit board with identifiable information and a method for fabricating the same are proposed. At least one insulating layer within the circuit board has a non-circuit area free of a circuit layout. A plurality of openings are formed in the non-circuit area of the insulating layer. A patterned circuit layer is formed on the insulating layer. Metal identifiable information is disposed in the openings of the non-circuit area. By this arrangement, a product status of the circuit board can be traced and identified via the metal patterned information.
US08070931B1	Electrochemical fabrication method including elastic joining of structures Embodiments are directed to methods for forming multi-layer three-dimensional structures involving the joining of at least two structural elements, at least one of which is formed as a multi-layer three-dimensional structure, wherein the joining occurs via one of: (1) elastic deformation and elastic recovery and subsequent retention of elements relative to each other, (2) relative deformation of an initial portion of at least one element relative to another portion of the at least one element until the at least two elements are in a desired retention position after which the deformation is reduced or eliminated and a portion of at least one element is brought into position which in turn locks the at least two elements together via contact with one another including contact with the initial portion of at least one element, or (3) moving a retention region of one element into the retention region of the other element, without deformation of either element, along a path including a loading region of the other element and wherein during normal use the first and second elements are configured relative to one another so that the loading region of the second elements is not accessible to the retention region of the first element.
US08070930B2	Methods for fabricating metal nanowires Methods for the preparation of long, dimensionally uniform, metallic nanowires that are removable from the surface on which they are synthesized. The methods include the selective electrodeposition of metal nanowires at step edges present on a stepped surface, such as graphite, from an aqueous solution containing a metal or metal oxide. Where a metal oxide is first deposited, the metal oxide nanowires are reduced via a gas phase reduction at elevated temperatures to metal nanowires. Alternatively, beaded or hybrid nanowires comprising a metal A into which nanoparticles of a metal B have been inserted may be prepared by first electrodepositing nanoparticles of metal B selectively along step edges of a stepped surface, capping these nanoparticles with a molecular layer of an organic ligand, selectively electrodepositing nanowire segments of metal A between nanoparticles of metal B and then heating the surface of the hybrid nanowire under reducing conditions to remove the ligand layer. In all three methods, the nanowires may be removed from the stepped surface by embedding the wires in a polymer film, and then peeling this film containing the embedded wires off of the stepped surface.
US08070929B2	Catalyst particles on a tip Techniques for forming metal catalyst particles on a metal tip, and nanostructures on a metal tip are provided.
US08070924B2	Electrode for generation of hydrogen The present invention provides an electrode for generation of hydrogen comprising: a conductive substrate; a catalytic layer formed on the conductive substrate and containing at least one platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ir, Ru, Pd and Rh; and a hydrogen adsorption layer formed on the catalytic layer. The present invention also provides an electrode for generation of hydrogen comprising: a conductive substrate, a catalytic layer formed on the conductive substrate and containing: at least one platinum group metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ir, Ru, Pd and Rh and/or at least one oxide of said platinum group metals; and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum series metals, valve metals, iron series metals and silver and/or at least one oxide of said metals; and a hydrogen adsorption layer formed on the catalytic layer.
US08070905B2	Method of producing perforated retroreflective trim Perforated retroreflective fabric, trim or tape that comprises a substrate (30) having a first and second sides and a plurality of openings (39) extending between the sides, providing a backing (50) on the first side of the substrate, providing a retroreflective layer (40) on the second side of the substrate, adhering the retroreflective layer to the second side and to the backing through said openings and removing the backing from the first side to strip away the retroreflective layer adhered to the backing through the openings in the substrate.
US08070898B2	Catheters with lubricious linings and methods for making and using them Apparatus and methods are provided for creating tubular devices, e.g., as components for catheters, sheaths, and or other devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a method is provided for making a tubular device using a sheet of material including a coated first surface. The sheet is rolled around a mandrel until longitudinal edges of the sheet are disposed near or adjacent one another, e.g., without attaching the longitudinal edges together. A tubular braid is positioned over the sheet-wrapped mandrel, one or more tubular segments are positioned over the tubular braid, and heat shrink tubing is positioned over the tubular segments. The resulting assembly is heated to cause the tubular segments to at least partially reflow and/or otherwise laminate the tubular segments to the tubular braid and sheet. The heat shrink tubing and mandrel are then removed to create the tubular device.
US08070896B2	Method for making illustrated card A method for making an illustrated card has providing a cardboard with at least one printed layer and ornamentation; positioning one ornamentation on one of the adhesive portions; pressing the ornamentation toward the adhesive portion; and repeating positioning one ornamentation on one of the adhesive portions and pressing the ornamentation toward the adhesive portion. The illustrated card allows users especially children to make the illustrated card by themselves and children can be trained to arrange the ornamentation with different colors for improving chromatological and fine-motor skills.
US08070894B2	Highly active liquid melts used to form coatings An alloy suitable for coating metal surfaces is provided in which the alloy provides a liquid melt which contains a fraction of dissolved oxide forming additives as deoxidizers. The alloyed combination of elements in the liquid melt resists compound formation thus preserving the chemical activity of the individual elements. In a coating application, the alloy may form a coating that can interact with and remove the oxide or residual oxide coating of the base metal to be coated, i.e., scrub the surface of the metal clean. This results in increased coating bond strength and the ability to bond effectively to normally difficult alloys such as stainless steel, refractory metals (W, Ti, Ta etc.), or aluminum alloys which form protective oxide layers.
US08070893B2	Cu—Ni—Si—Co—Cr copper alloy for electronic materials and method for manufacturing same The invention provides Cu—Ni—Si—Co—Cr copper alloys for electronic materials having excellent characteristics such as dramatically improved strength and electrical conductivity. In one aspect, the invention is a Cu—Ni—Si—Co—Cr copper alloy for electronic materials, containing about 0.5-about 2.5% by weight of Ni, about 0.5 -about 2.5% by weight of Co, about 0.30-about 1.2% by weight of Si, and about 0.09 -about 0.5% by weight of Cr, and the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities, wherein the ratio of the total weight of Ni and Co to the weight of Si in the alloy composition satisfies the formula: about 4≦[Ni+Co]/Si≦about 5, and the ratio of Ni to Co in the alloy composition satisfies the formula: about 0.5≦Ni/Co≦about 2, and wherein Pc is equal to or less than about 15/1000 μm2, or Pc/P is equal to or less than about 0.3 wherein P is the number of inclusions dispersed in the alloy and having the size of 1 μm or more, and Pc is the number of inclusions, among those having the size of 1 μm or more, whose carbon concentration is 10% or more by weight.
US08070889B2	High-strength steel sheet and galvanized steel sheet having very good balance between hole expansibility and ductility, and also excellent in fatigue resistance, and methods of producing the steel sheets The invention is directed to providing, for application in automobiles, construction materials, household appliances and the like, high-strength sheets excellent in formability properties such as hole expansibility and ductility, and also in fatigue resistance, characterized in comprising, in specified contents expressed in mass %, C, Si, Mn, P, S, Al, N and O and a balance of iron and unavoidable impurities, and having a steel sheet structure composed mainly of ferrite and hard structures, a crystal orientation difference between some ferrite adjacent to hard structures and the hard structures of less than 9°, and a maximum tensile strength of 540 MPa or greater.
US08070888B2	High strength formed article comprising hyperfine grain structure steel and manufacturing method of the same A wire rod or a steel wire of a bamboo nano-structure, whose mean grain diameter in a C-direction section is 200 nm or smaller, is prepared by applying a hot or warm working and additionally applying a cold working to a steel and next, by performing a forging, by a tool or a die such as cold pressure production, to a section, of a desired, limited site, other than a section parallel to an L-direction, an equiaxed nano-structure, whose mean grain diameter is 200 nm or smaller, is formed in this site. As a typical example of a formed article, there is enumerated a high strength micro screw in which a shaft outer diameter is 1.6 mm or smaller, a surface layer part of a head part recess has equiaxed nano-structure and a hardness Hv≧300, and a screw main body portion has bamboo nano-structure and a hardness Hv≧250.
US08070883B2	Particle remover apparatus and methods Methods and apparatus for removing particles from vials includes the use of a one sided pressure sensitive filament tape to remove external particles from vials. A roll of tape is juxtaposed relative to a line of vials moving along the production line. As each vial moves within the space between the tape the outside of the vial contacts the tape causing the particles to be removed and imbedded in the adhesive on the tape. A feed roll and a rewind roll provides for the tape to unwind while in contact with the outside of the vials and in conjunction with the movement of the vials along the production line. By causing the feed roll and the rewind roll to advance unused tape while in contact with the outside surface of the vials, the vials are caused to rotate at least 360 degrees while advancing down the line.
US08070881B2	Systems and strippable coatings for decontaminating structures that include porous material Methods of removing contaminant matter from porous materials include applying a polymer material to a contaminated surface, irradiating the contaminated surface to cause redistribution of contaminant matter, and removing at least a portion of the polymer material from the surface. Systems for decontaminating a contaminated structure comprising porous material include a radiation device configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a surface of a structure, and at least one spray device configured to apply a capture material onto the surface of the structure. Polymer materials that can be used in such methods and systems include polyphosphazine-based polymer materials having polyphosphazine backbone segments and side chain groups that include selected functional groups. The selected functional groups may include iminos, oximes, carboxylates, sulfonates, β-diketones, phosphine sulfides, phosphates, phosphites, phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphine oxides, monothio phosphinic acids, and dithio phosphinic acids.
US08070878B2	Lightweight cementitious compositions and building products and methods for making same Cementitious compositions and methods for making same, in which the cementitious compositions include 35-60 wt. % cementitious reactive powder (also termed Portland cement-based binder), 2-10 wt. % expanded and chemically coated perlite filler, 20-40 wt. % water, entrained air, and optional additives such as water reducing agents, chemical set-accelerators, and chemical set-retarders. In addition, the lightweight cementitious compositions may contain 0-25 wt. % on a wet basis secondary fillers such as expanded clay, shale aggregate, and pumice.
US08070874B2	Surface-modified titanium dioxide particle and method for producing the same The invention provides a surface-modified titanium dioxide particle inhibited in photocatalytic activity and reduced in amount of volatile water. The surface-modified titanium dioxide particle has on the surface a crystalline composite compound of at least one of alkaline earth metals selected from magnesium, calcium, barium and strontium complexed with titanium dioxide in an amount of 0.1-20% by weight based on the weight of the surface-modified titanium dioxide particle in terms of oxide of the alkaline earth metal. The surface-modified titanium dioxide particle is produced by heating a compound of an alkaline earth metal and a titanium dioxide particle at a temperature of 60° C. or higher so that the alkaline earth metal is complexed with titanium dioxide to form a crystalline composite compound on the surface of the titanium dioxide particle in an amount of 0.1-20% by weight based on the weight of the surface-modified titanium dioxide particle in terms of oxide of the alkaline earth metal.
US08070873B2	Medium temperature coating material for high speed turbomachinery and method of coating same Embodiments of the present invention may provide a coating material having heat resistance, abrasion resistance and low friction characteristics, which is coated on an operating component such as a rotating shaft working at a high speed without oil supply in a medium temperature environment (400° C.˜500° C.). This is so that the operating body can sufficiently withstand friction, heat generation and abrasion caused by contact with a bearing. The coating material of the present invention comprises 15 to 25 wt % antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), 50 to 70 wt % binder, 10 to 20 wt % tungsten disulphide (WS2) and 5 to 15 wt % silver (Ag). The binder comprises 60 to 80 wt % nickel (Ni) and 20 to 40 wt % chromium (Cr).
US08070871B2	Ink jet ink, ink jet recording method, ink cartridge, recording unit, and ink jet recording apparatus An ink jet ink is provided which can retain good stability and shows superior intermittent ejection stability not only under a low-temperature, low-humidity environment but also a high-temperature, low-humidity environment even when the evaporation of water in the ink progresses. The ink jet ink includes a coloring material and water-soluble organic solvents, wherein the content of the coloring material is less than 7.0 mass %, the water-soluble organic solvents include glycerin and a branched alkanediol having hydroxyl groups at both terminals of its main chain, the content C of glycerin is 6.0 to 12.0 mass %, the content A of the branched alkanediol is 4.0 to 11.0 mass %, and the content A of the branched alkanediol and the total content B of the water-soluble organic solvents satisfy the relationship of 0.30≦A/B≦0.50.
US08070870B2	Inkjet recording yellow ink, inkjet recording ink set and inkjet recording method Disclosed is an inkjet recording yellow ink containing a water-soluble azo dye (yn1) selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following Formula (Y) in which n is 1, and a salt thereof, and a water-soluble azo dye (yn2) selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following Formula (Y) in which n is 2, and a salt thereof: wherein, in Formula (Y), G represents a heterocyclic group; R, X, Y, Z, and Q each independently represent a monovalent or divalent group; n represents 1 or 2; when n is 1, R, X, Y, Z, Q and G each independently represent a monovalent group; and when n is 2, R, X, Y, Z, Q and G each independently represent a monovalent or divalent group, and at least one of R, X, Y, Z, Q and G represents a divalent substituent.
US08070868B2	Ink, inkjet ink, inkjet recording method and method for improving weather resistance of color image material An ink includes at least one coloring matter represented by a formula (I): wherein R1 represents one of an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, an acyl group, an alkyloxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group and a sulfamoyl group, which may have a substituent; X1 represents one of —CR2═ and a nitrogen atom, R2 represents one of a hydrogen atom and a substituent, and when R2 represents a substituent, R2 may have a substituent; X2 represents one of —CR3═ and a nitrogen atom, and R3 represents an electron-withdrawing group having a σp value of 0.20 or more; when X1 represents —CR2═, a pair of R1 and R2 and/or when X2 represents —CR3═, a pair of R2 and R3 each may combine to form a 5- to 7-membered ring; the coloring matter may form one of a dimer and a trimer through R1, R2, R3 or A; and A represents a prescribed aryl group or heterocyclic group etc.
US08070864B2	Oxygen concentrator An apparatus to provide an oxygen concentrator that is a pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen concentrator equipped with; at least one adsorption bed filled with an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen relative to oxygen, an air supply device to supply compressed air to the adsorption bed, a flow channel switching device to repeat at a predetermined timing an adsorption step to supply air from the air supply device to the adsorption bed to isolate concentrated oxygen and a desorption step to depressurize the adsorption bed to regenerate the adsorbent therein, and a flow rate setting device to set a volume of concentrated oxygen supplied to a user; comprising an exhaust pipe channel equipped with a leak valve in a flow channel between the air supply device and the adsorption bed to release a part of compressed air that is to be supplied to the adsorption bed into atmosphere.
US08070862B2	Dust collection device for sanding tool A dust collection device for a sanding tool comprising a bag having a sidewall and a coupler attached to the bag. The sidewall comprising a first filter layer, a second filter layer, and an outer support layer. The first filter layer comprising a plurality of fibrillated electrostatically charged electret fibers forming a nonwoven web; the first filter layer having a total pressure drop between about 0.1 to about 4.0 mm H2O, and the first filter layer having a total basis weight between about 50 to about 450 gram/m2. The second filter layer comprising a melt blown microfiber nonwoven web; the second filter layer having a total pressure drop between about between about 5.5 to about 20.0 mm H2O, and the second filter layer having a total basis weight between about 15 to about 75 grams/m2.
US08070858B2	Filter bag for a vacuum cleaner and use thereof A filter bag for a vacuum cleaner includes at least three layers, at least two layers which include at least one nonwoven fabric layer and one nonwoven fibre layer being connected by a weld, a high bulk resulting due to the small number of welds per surface area.
US08070849B2	Production of ferro-alloys A method for producing a ferro-alloy in an electric arc furnace is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of removing steel from a carbon-containing organic material, and charging the furnace with the carbon-containing organic material product.
US08070844B2	Dust clearing blow-back valve and reservoir An accumulator having an internal valve opened by applying air pressure to a diaphragm with a small solenoid to apply air to the diaphragm where the air is supplied from a pilot air supply. When the internal valve operated by the diaphragm opens, it snaps to a fully open position thereby opening the valve and uncovering a passageway leading to a filter for cleaning. The passageway is sufficiently wide that the resulting flow of air through the passageway is so explosive that air pressure on the filter is distributed over the surface area of the filter for a brief moment, blowing the dust on the filter free.
US08070843B2	Polishing fluids and methods for CMP Provided are several polishing compositions useful for modifying a surface, such as a semiconductor wafer suitable for fabrication of a semiconductor device, especially when used in fixed abrasive planarization techniques. The polishing compositions include a synergistic mixture of water, an oxidizing agent, a complexing agent, and metal ions. Also provided are various methods of surface planarization.
US08070842B2	Dental polishing article which contains spherical resin particles The present invention provides a dental polishing article having excellent polishability, which can polish dental composite resin, porcelain, dental restorative and prosthetic materials and teeth at a low cost, conveniently in a short time. More specifically, the present invention provides a dental polishing article which comprises a polishing portion formed by compounding polishing grains in an elastomer binder, and the polishing portion further comprising spherical resin particles.
US08070839B2	Briquetting process A process and system for briquetting particulate matter such as moisture-containing bituminous and sub-bituminous coal includes partially drying and feeding the particulate matter to a briquetting apparatus under conditions such that water vapor is released from the particulate matter during feeding. The released water vapor substantially displaces or prevents the ingress of a large proportion of other gaseous components from the atmosphere surrounding an/or intermixed with the particulate matter. The particulate matter is surrounded by and intermixed with a gaseous component containing 70% to 100% by volume of water vapor where it enters the briquetting apparatus, such that when the particulate matter is compressed, the water vapor liquefies and the pressure buildup in the thus-formed briquettes is minimized. This reduction in the pressure buildup reduces blow-back of gases as the coal fines are formed into briquettes.
US08070838B1	Fuel additive and method for its manufacture and use An additive composition for use in a liquid fuel containing a mixture of alcohol, aromatic hydrocarbon, acetone, petroleum ether, and mineral oil. The fuel additive is added to a hydrocarbon fuel to reduce pollutants and improve burning efficiency of the fuel. The treated fuel is produced by mixing a sufficient amount of additive to the fuel to produce the desired result.
US08070837B2	Use of fatty acid alkoxylates as a method to remedy engine intake valve sticking The use of alkoxylates and nitrogen containing detergents in a fuel additive composition to prevent intake valve sticking and reduce intake valve deposits.
US08070836B2	Combined homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic transesterification process for biodiesel production In one aspect, a process for producing a biofuel comprises reacting a feed material that comprises a glyceride with an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic composition such that at least some of the glyceride in the feed material is converted into a biofuel mixture that comprises glycerol and the corresponding alcoholic ester of the glyceride. The catalytic composition comprises a heterogeneous catalyst and a homogeneous catalyst. The heterogeneous catalyst and the homogeneous catalyst have a synergistic effect in catalyzing the reaction of the glyceride in the feed material with the alcohol.
US08070834B2	Vegetable lipid-based composition and candle The present invention is a candle composition containing a vegetable lipid base component and a candle formed from the composition. The candle composition may contain up to 100 percent by weight of a vegetable lipid base component. The candle composition may further contain a plant derived crystal modifier.
US08070830B2	Fluorescent entity, dyeing composition containing at least one fluorescent entity comprising at least one heterocycle, with at least one internal cationic charge, and method for lightening keratin materials using said at least one fluorescent entity The invention relates to a dye composition comprising a thiol/disulfide fluorescent dye comprising a heterocycle, and to a dyeing process which has a lightening effect on keratin materials, in particular keratin fibers, especially human keratin fibers such as the hair, using said composition. It similarly relates to novel thiol/disulfide fluorescent dyes and to uses thereof in lightening keratin materials. This composition makes it possible to obtain a particularly resistant and visible lightening effect on dark keratin fibers.
US08070829B2	Prosthetic foot with tunable performance A resilient lower extremity prosthesis comprising a foot, an ankle and a shank above the ankle is provided with an artificial muscle on the shank of the prosthesis for storing energy during force loading of the prosthesis in the active propulsion phase of a person's gait and in the later stages of stance-phase of gait releasing the stored energy to aid propulsion of the person's trailing limb and body.
US08070827B2	Method for use of a double-structured tissue implant for treatment of tissue defects A method for use of a double-structured tissue implant or a secondary scaffold stand alone implant for treatment of tissue defects. The double-structured tissue implant comprising a primary scaffold and a secondary scaffold consisting of a soluble collagen solution in combination with a non-ionic surfactant generated and positioned within the primary scaffold. A stand alone secondary scaffold implant or unit.
US08070826B2	Needle apparatus for closing septal defects and methods for using such apparatus Apparatus and methods for closing a septal defect including a flap of tissue partially detached from a septum of a heart. A needle is advanced through a patient's vasculature within a delivery apparatus until the needle is disposed within a first chamber adjacent the septum. The needle is directed through the flap of tissue until the needle is disposed within a second chamber opposite the septum. A filament attached to an intermediate region of the needle is pulled, thereby causing the needle to pivot about the intermediate region such that the ends of the needle straddle the septal opening. A locking element is secured to the filament to secure the flap of tissue against the septum, and the filament is cut. Alternatively, the filament is biased to coil to engage the flap of tissue and secure the needle against the septum to close the opening.
US08070825B2	Prostatic stent and a detachable catheter apparatus comprising the same The present invention is an endo-prostatic stent and a detachable catheter apparatus including the same, allowing the correct positioning of the stent using tactile feed-back of the operator during insertion i.e. without the need for any imaging means like endoscopy or sonography.
US08070821B2	Hybrid femoral implant A hybrid prosthetic femoral component has an outer bearing surface for engaging a tibial bearing and an inner surface for engaging a prepared distal femur. The inner surface having a distal surface, an anterior surface and a posterior surface, wherein said posterior surface has a first surface structure for allowing tissue ingrowth and the anterior and distal surfaces having a second surface structure for contacting bone cement. The first and second structure have different surface characteristics with different properties wherein the first surface structure is a porous surface and the second surface is a non-porous textured surface. The hybrid prosthetic femoral component further comprises an anterior chamfered surface and a posterior chamfered surface wherein the posterior chamfered surface includes the first surface structure and the anterior chamfered surface includes the second surface structure.
US08070806B2	Accommodative intra-ocular lens An accommodative intra-ocular lens deformable between the unaccommodating and accommodating configurations upon the relaxation and contraction of the ciliary muscle. The lens anterior and posterior portions are substantially sealingly joined together about their peripheral edges and define a lens internal volume filled with a substantially incompressible lens internal fluid. Causing a variable internal fluid pressure exerted on the lens inner surfaces. The lens is configured such that radius of curvature of both the central and peripheral sections of the lens anterior portion will decrease upon an increase in internal fluid pressure and increase upon a decrease in internal fluid pressure.
US08070805B2	Devices and methods for heart valve treatment Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.
US08070801B2	Method and apparatus for resecting and replacing an aortic valve A method and apparatus for delivering a device to a given location within a heart, the method and apparatus being adapted for: passing a first catheter through the left atrium of the heart, through the mitral valve and into the left ventricle, and passing a second catheter through the aorta toward the heart, one or the other of the first catheter and the second catheter, with the device attached thereto, forming a device-carrying assembly for engagement with the remaining catheter; causing the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter to engage one another so as to form a connection therebetween; and retracting one of the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter in a direction opposite to the other of the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter so as to position the device relative to the given location within the heart.
US08070798B2	Drug eluting medical device and method A drug elution stent includes a stent framework and a drug elution portion disposed on the stent framework. The drug elution portion includes a first sugar layer disposed on the stent framework, at least one therapeutic agent layer disposed on the first sugar layer and a second sugar layer disposed on the at least one therapeutic agent layer. A method of manufacturing a drug elution stent includes the steps of providing a stent having a stent framework and coating at least a portion of the stent framework with a drug elution portion. The drug elution portion includes a first sugar layer disposed on the stent framework, at least one therapeutic agent layer disposed on the first sugar layer and a second sugar layer disposed on the at least one therapeutic agent layer.
US08070795B2	Stent with a joining portion and a non-joining portion for joining a stent main wire and a strut A stent is provided, which joins a plurality of stent components via a strut which, even when repeatedly bent over a long period of time, resists breaking. In particular, a stent is provided having a joining portion which integrally joins a stent main wire and a strut, the stent main wire and the strut being fitted into a restraining pipe in a non-joining portion of the stent main wire and the strut near the end of the joining portion. This construction restrains the relative movement of the stent main wire to the strut 4 is restrained and decreased, thus reducing fatigue.
US08070794B2	Frangible bridge structure for a stent, and stent including such bridge structures A frangible bridge structure for a stent includes three successive branches, a first of which is connected to one of the stent portions which the bridge structure makes it possible to connect and a second of which is connected to the other of the stent portions which the bridge structure makes it possible to connect, these first and second branches being connected, by two connecting portions, to a third intermediate branch, between the first and second branches, these three branches extending parallel to each other with the longitudinal direction of these branches preferably being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stent, and in immediate proximity to each other.
US08070792B2	Stent A stent comprises a plurality of circumferential bands. Circumferential bands which are adjacent one another are connected one to the other. The circumferential bands include peaks and troughs interconnected by bent struts. The bands may overlap or may be connected by connectors.
US08070791B2	Multiple layer embolus removal Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can comprise a three-step progressive treatment process that includes immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis and maceration. The progressive, or modular, treatment can be provided by a system or kit of one or more treatment devices.
US08070784B2	Plating system for stabilizing a bony segment A plating system for stabilization of a bony segment includes a plate engageable to at least first and second bony elements. For spinal stabilization, the plate is attached at least to first and second vertebrae with at least one bone fastener in each vertebra. Retaining members are attachable to the plate to prevent the bone fasteners from backing out of the plate. One retaining member is a variable retaining member that allows the bone fasteners to toggle in the plate without interference. A second retaining member is a fixed retaining member that fixes the bone fasteners relative to the plate.
US08070781B2	Offset variable angle connection assembly In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an offset connection assembly that can be used to securely connect a spinal implant to a bone anchor. In particular, the present invention preferably provides a variable angle connection assembly that is able to securely connect the spinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angle and position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connection assembly that will not inadvertently lock the components of the connection assembly preventing the relative movement of the components.
US08070779B2	Percutaneous interspinous process device and method A percutaneous interspinous process device for treating spinal conditions includes a first section, a second section, and a locking mechanism. The first section defines a first lateral surface, a first medial surface and a first lumen extending from the first lateral surface to the first medial surface. The second section defines a second lateral surface, a second medial surface and a second lumen extending from the second lateral surface. The locking mechanism includes an elongate member protruding from the first medial surface of the first section and a medial recess defined in the second medial surface of the second section. The medial recess is configured for securely receiving at least a portion of the elongate member. The elongate member is configured to define a space between adjacent spinous processes and maintain a predetermined distance between adjacent spinous processes.
US08070772B2	Vascular hole closure device A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and a first spherical retainer positionable external of the vessel. The covering member has a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture.
US08070763B1	Disposable oral hygiene instrument and methods and packages for same Described are packages and systems for conveniently dispensing tongue cleaning devices. The packages include containers containing a plurality of tongue cleaning devices. The package and devices are arranged in such a fashion that the tongue cleaning devices are presented individually for dispensing from the container. Arrangements for achieving convenient dispensing include strips containing a plurality of tongue cleaning devices attached to one another and wound around a spindle within the container. The strip exits an opening in the container and conveniently presents devices sequentially which can be separated from one another at relatively weak points along the strip and/or using cutting elements on the container. Additional embodiments include a plurality of tongue cleaning devices in a stacked relationship in a container, and presented individually for sequential dispensing from the container. The invention provides packages, articles of manufacture and tongue cleaning devices which can be conveniently stored, used, and transported, and which are readily adapted as disposable items thus avoiding the need for cleaning and storing operations of conventional non-disposable tongue cleaners.
US08070762B2	Atherectomy devices and methods The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.
US08070759B2	Surgical fastening device Various embodiments are directed to a surgical device including an end effector. The end effector may include a first jaw member defining a first groove and a second jaw member defining a second groove. The first jaw member and the second jaw member may be selectively pivotable between an open position and a closed position. Also, the first groove and the second groove may align to form a combined helical groove when the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position. In addition, the first jaw member may define a wire opening aligned with the first groove. Further, the first jaw member may define a beveled edge directed distally and substantially parallel to a distal portion of the wire opening.
US08070752B2	Patient specific alignment guide and inter-operative adjustment A method of preparing a joint for a prosthesis in a patient. The method includes obtaining scan data associated with the joint of the patient, preparing a three-dimensional image of the joint based on the scan data, preparing a pre-operative surgical plan based on the scan data, and preparing an image of a patient-specific alignment guide, and intra-operatively modifying the surgical plan.
US08070748B2	Vessel sealer and divider for large tissue structures An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and the jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps also includes a drive assembly which moves the jaw member relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members are closer to one another for manipulating tissue. A movable handle is included which is rotatable about a pivot to force the drive assembly to move the jaw members between the first and second positions. The pivot is located a fixed distance above the longitudinal axis. A knife assembly is also included which has a movable knife bar having a generally t-shaped proximal end dimensioned to operatively engage a corresponding slot defined within the housing, the slot being dimensioned to guide the movement of the knife bar during translation thereof.
US08070739B2	Liquid drug transfer devices for failsafe correct snap fitting onto medicinal vials Liquid drug transfer devices including a vial adapter designed for failsafe correct snap fitting on a medicinal vial for ensuring flow communication with the vial's interior. The vial adapters include at least two non-adjacent vial retention flex members for snap fitting over a vial opening for vial retention purposes and at least two non-adjacent vial guidance flex members longer than their counterpart vial retention flex members for guiding a vial adapter with respect to a vial prior to snap fitting the vial adapter thereon.
US08070738B2	Pant-like disposable garment having improved fastener systems Disposable pant like garments are disclosed. Pant like garments of the present invention generally comprise a main absorbent portion and a pair of side portions. One or more sections of the pant-like garments are provided with one or more cohesive areas which allow for cohesive fastening and refastening of portions of the garment. The cohesives chosen may have the same properties or may be of the selective adhesive type. Pant like garments may be provided with cohesive fasteners and not other types of refastening means. In other variations, cohesive fasteners may be supplemented with one or more frangible bonds. Also disclosed are side portions having cohesive areas which may be converted in use from an abutting facing relationship to an overlapping facing relationship. Multiple cohesive areas of varying types for providing differential bond properties during use are also disclosed.
US08070737B2	Seal for controlled evacuation ostomy appliance A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance comprises a membrane that is urged into sealing engagement with a stoma, by the generation of radial tension in the membrane. A tensioning device applies tension, with respect to the stoma, at one or more positions that are (i) outboard of the periphery of the projecting portion of the stoma, and/or (ii) between the level of the peristomal skin and the level of the most projecting part of the stoma. Tension limiting means are disclosed. The membrane may be gas-permeable to allow flatus to be vented.
US08070736B2	Waste management system A waste management system includes a waste transport device, a waste collection device, and an insertion device. The waste transport device includes a collection member with a distal end opening having a first cross-sectional area and a proximal end opening having a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area, and a retention cuff disposed about an outer surface of the collection member. The insertion device is positioned about the collection member and retention cuff to retain the collection member and retention cuff in a collapsed configuration.
US08070732B2	Holding device for locking the head of a syringe piston on a syringe pump pusher A holding device for locking the head of a syringe piston on a pusher has arms connected to respective pinions pivotable and translationally displaceable so that the corresponding arm is involved in the same motion between a rest position, in which the arms are closed and pressed against the pusher, and an open position, in which the arms are opened and remote therefrom, the translation is carried out prior to rotation during the movement toward the open position or in reverse order toward the rest position. The holding device also has a control member and means for converting a part of the control member movement by transmitting it to at least one pinion as a translation movement, which are translationally locked, and means for converting a part of the control member movement by transmitting it to at least one pinion as a rotation movement.
US08070730B2	Integral insufflation valve A trocar assembly includes a trocar valve body defining a cavity. The assembly includes a rotatable valve handle that is elongated and has a first end and a second end. The first end is sized and configured to be rotatably maintained within the cavity and the second end extends outwardly so as to be actuatable by a user. The rotatable valve handle defines a lumen therethrough which extends longitudinally from the first end to the second end. The valve body defines an outlet that communicates with the cavity. The rotatable valve handle is rotatable from an open position, in which the lumen is at least partially aligned with the outlet so as permit fluid to pass through the lumen, and a closed position, in which the lumen is not aligned with the outlet so as prevent fluid to pass through the lumen.
US08070729B2	Systems and methods for treating a vessel using focused force Systems and methods for treating a vessel include devices having a main elongated element with a balloon at its distal end, an auxiliary elongated element wherein a distal end of the auxiliary elongated element is proximal to the balloon, and a core wire having a internal core wire portion and an external core wire portion, wherein the external core wire portion is external to the balloon. In some embodiments, a distal connecting element is attached to the distal end of the balloon. In some embodiments, the distal connecting element is positioned at a rotational distance from the auxiliary elongated element. In some embodiments, the balloon is a fixed wire balloon. Inflation of the balloon causes guidewires positioned within the device and external core wires to be pushed up against the lesion, providing a focused force for cracking the lesion.
US08070722B2	Insertion device An insertion device, generally used with an infusion set, including a needle being adapted for puncturing at one end and including at the opposite end a hub. The hub includes a handle part and a guard part that are capable of securing the needle through the use of locks. Locking structures are used to secure the insertion device in a position where the needle is covered in a locked position, avoiding unintended contact with the needle.
US08070719B2	Low compliant catheter tubing Balloon catheter comprises a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inflation lumen extending therein, and a balloon on the shaft which has an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen. The balloon is formed of a blend of polymeric materials comprising a transparent amorphous nylon having a Shore D duromcter hardness of not less than 77D and being not more than about 40% by weight of the blend, and a polyamide or a polyether block amide having a Shore D duromcter hardness of no more than 73D. An increase in radial diameter of the balloon above nominal pressure for one atmosphere of pressure is no greater than 0.025 mm/atm. A guidewire catheter is also provided.
US08070717B2	Bladder catheter A bladder catheter for transurethral introduction into the urinary bladder by the urethrae, includes an elastic catheter shank with a fillable balloon element secured thereto and connected to a filling channel incorporated into the wall of the catheter shank. The balloon element and the catheter shank are made of polyurethane, a polyurethane-polyvinylchloride mixture or similar polyurethane-based material.
US08070716B2	Method and apparatus for minimum negative pressure control, particularly for a breastpump with breastshield pressure control system A breastpump, manual or motorized, that includes a mechanism to regulate pressure change, e.g., vacuum, within a breastshield chamber, including in some cases to a maintained minimum pressure that is less than ambient (atmosphere). The pressure regulator provides control for varying negative pressure between a minimum value and a maximum value (and values in between), or to achieve a specific actually measured negative pressure value within a breastshield.
US08070714B2	Needleless syringe provided with modular reservoir The technical field of the invention is that of needleless pre-filled disposable syringes, operating with a gas generator, and used for intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, of a liquid active principle for therapeutic use in human and veterinary medicine. The inventive needleless syringes use a reservoir (5) consisting of a tube (6) closed by an upstream plug-piston (7) and a downstream plug-piston (8) between which is contained the liquid active principle. Said needleless syringes are characterized in that they are capable of injecting a variable amount of liquid active principle (9) by adapting, through displacement of the downstream plug-piston (8) in the tube (6) the volume included between the two plug-pistons (7,8) to the amount of active principle (9) to be injected.
US08070713B2	Disposable injector with at least one drawer hook which can be forcibly decoupled A disposable injector with a housing (10) in which at least one mechanical spring energy accumulator (50), at least one cylinder-piston unit (100), at least one piston-actuating ram and at least one release unit are arranged. The housing has at least one draw hook (21) which has at least one supporting surface in the region of its free end. The piston-actuating ram bears against the supporting surface. The blocking position of the draw hook is ensured by a release element positioned in a blocking position. The release (82) has a release position which brings about an inevitable lateral retraction of the draw hook—with the piston-actuating ram being released.
US08070711B2	Thermal management algorithm for phacoemulsification system A control system for managing power supplied to a phacoemulsification hand piece includes a power source that provides power to the hand piece and a controller that controls the power source. The controller calculates a thermal value based on irrigation fluid flow and a power level and decreases the power level in proportion to the calculated thermal value when the calculated thermal value exceeds a threshold thermal value. Irrigation fluid flow can be calculated from irrigation fluid pressure.
US08070710B2	Lubricious compositions and articles made therefrom The present disclosure provides a lubricious polymeric composition that includes polymer and one or more lubricants. Articles formed from the lubricious polymeric composition possess enhanced softness, flexibility and lubricity. The present disclosure also provides a method for making an article formed from a lubricious polymeric composition having polymer and one or more lubricants.
US08070707B2	Controller for ultrafiltration blood circuit which prevent hypotension by monitoring osmotic pressure in blood A device for continuously measuring osmotic pressure of blood flowing through an extracorporeal blood circuit including: a blood passage further comprising a withdrawal blood passage connectable to a blood vessel in a patient and an infusion blood passage connectable to a blood vessel in a patient; a filter further comprising a filtrate chamber, a blood chamber and a permeable membrane separating the filtrate chamber and blood chamber, wherein the blood chamber is in fluid communication with the blood passage; a pressure sensor measuring a pressure difference between the filtrate chambers and the blood chamber, and a controller receiving a pressure signal from the pressure sensor, determining an osmotic pressure across the permeable membrane of the filter, and adjusting a rate of removal of fluid from blood in the filter if the determined osmotic pressure level varies from a predetermined osmotic pressure setting.
US08070705B2	Protective device using a spacer fabric A protective sleeve for a body extremity, such as an arm or a leg. The sleeve includes a spacer textile formed into a self-supporting tube for protecting the extremity from pressure, friction, shear, skin tears and bruising. The tube can have a wide end and a narrow end. The extremity slides through the wide end of the tube and the narrow tube end then slides over the foot or hand. Because these tubes are self-supporting, the sleeve can remain coextensive with the extremity while maintaining a loose fit, even during vigorous exercise. The spacer textile provides for both pressure relief and moisture transmission from the skin.
US08070704B2	Weight driven neck traction unit and method The neck traction device elongated a user's neck with the application of force on the user's shoulders. One embodiment includes a head pad, a vertically movably head support frame, a pivotally connected linkage member coupled to a shoulder frame element. The shoulder frame and shoulder pads are longitudinally movably mounted and the linked system exerts a longitudinal force on the user's shoulders when the user's head rests on the head pad and depresses the head pad. A biasing mechanism either upwardly supports the head frame or longitudinally limits the extension of the shoulder frame such that when the head is lifted off the head frame, the biasing mechanism raises the head pad and moves back the shoulder frame and pads. Alternatively, a transmission may be used to convert the substantially downward force due to the head weight to a longitudinal force on the shoulder pads.
US08070703B2	Electrically stimulating orthotic device and segmented liner According to various embodiments of the invention, an orthotic device comprises an upper support member adapted to be secured to a thigh; a lower support member adapted to be secured to a lower leg; a means of connecting the upper support member to the lower support member; a conformable, discrete liner segment attached to the upper or lower support member configured to provide a conforming interface with the thigh or lower leg; a first electrode disposed on the liner segment configured to contact the leg; a second electrode configured to contact the leg; and an electrostimulation unit in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes and configured to provide an electrophysical modality to the leg.
US08070701B2	Apparatus and methods for preventing and/or healing pressure ulcers Protective devices, to protect a body part having a bony portion with a soft tissue layer between the bony portion and an outer skin layer, have an inner surface which conforms to the body part to be protected and are applied to the body part to reduce pressure exhibited at the interface between the bony portion and the soft tissue layer, across the soft tissue and outer skin layers and at the interface between the outer skin layer and a support surface. The protective devices may be made of any material suitable for distributing the weight of the body part over an extended area and volume and may include a mushy material, a hard shell, a hydro absorptive material, and a wound dressing with medication. The body-part to be protected includes at least one of the heel, trochanter, knee, sacrum, coccyx, ischium, scapula, elbow, ankle, buttocks and occiput; The protective devices may be secured to the body part directly or via a garment or any other suitable securing means.
US08070697B2	Exercise apparatus for backbone remedy Disclosed herein is an exercise apparatus for backbone care, in which an exerciser's lower body is moved leftwards and rightwards when a lower body exercising panel rotates leftwards and rightwards, so that his or her upper body is moved in a direction opposite the moving direction of the lower body, and thus a slipped disk is restored to its original position and a bent section of the backbone is straightened. A sliding or slippery or a rotation mechanism is provided on an upper body exercising panel so that an exerciser's upper body is exercised naturally by the movement of the lower body. Thus, free rotation of the upper body exercising panel is possible even though additional power is not transmitted to the upper body exercising panel. The exercise apparatus allows exercise to be stably conducted in the shape of an S.
US08070695B2	Strain monitoring system and apparatus A system for monitoring strain as an indicator of biological conditions, such as spinal fusion, glucose levels, spinal loading, and heart rate. The system includes an inter-digitated capacitor sensor, and RF transmitter, and an associated antenna, all of which are microminiature or microscopic in size and can be implanted in a biological host such as a human or animal. An inductively coupled power supply is also employed to avoid the need for implantation of chemical batteries. Power is provided to the sensor and transmitter, and data is transmitted from the sensor, when an external receiving device, such as a handheld RF ID type receiver, is placed proximate the location of the implanted sensor, transmitter and inductively coupled power supply. The implanted sensor, transmitter and inductively coupled power supply can be left in place permanently or removed when desired.
US08070693B2	Articulating steerable wire guide A steerable wire guide comprises first and second members interconnected to form a unitary composite structure. The members slide relative to each other such that the leading portion of the composite structure bends in a first or second direction. The composite structure comprises a soft body portion at its distal end and a rigid body portion at its proximal end. Various cross-sections are disclosed. In an alternate embodiment, the wire guide comprises a first guiding wire section, a wire loop section and a second guiding wire section, the wire component being folded back on itself to form a generally central wire loop section; and a tubular sheath surrounding the first guiding wire section and the second guiding wire section. The first and second members or guiding wire sections can be connected to a removable handle to facilitate control and maneuverability of the wire guide.
US08070690B2	Bone marrow harvesting drill The bone marrow harvesting drill of the invention includes an inner needle having a cutting edge at the tip thereof; a tubular mantle that receives the inner needle thereinto so that the inner needle and the tubular mantle are detachably attached; and a lock mechanism that prevents the axial rotation of the tubular mantle and the inner needle relative to each other; the inner needle having a groove formed at the tip thereof projecting from the tubular mantle for discharging bone scraps produced by the cutting edge at the tip of the inner needle; and the tubular mantle having a cutting edge formed at the tip edge thereof and a helical groove extending from the tip edge to at least part of the peripheral surface of the tubular mantle so as to be flush with the groove of the inner needle.
US08070688B2	Device and method for pupil size modulation A device and method are presented for drug-free, non-invasive, modulation of a size of a patient's pupil. The invention utilizes application of an external electric and/or magnetic field of desired properties to the patient's iris to thereby effect stimulation or neutralization of synapses and thus temporarily inducing mydriasis or miosis effect.
US08070687B2	Apparatus and method for detecting the reproductive status, in particular the oestrus cycle, of a mammal An apparatus for detecting the reproductive status, in particular the oestrus cycle, of a mammal, comprising detecting means (10) to detect a blood amount perfused in a predetermined region of the vagina canal of a mammal, and generating a corresponding main signal (20); the apparatus (1) further comprises a processing unit (40) associated with said detecting means (10) to determine the reproductive status of said mammal depending on said main signal (20). Also disclosed is a method of detecting the reproductive status, in particular the oestrus cycle, of a mammal.
US08070686B2	Monitoring lung fluid status using the cardiac component of a thoracic impedance-indicating signal This patent document describes, among other things, systems and methods for monitoring lung fluid status, such as monitoring the presence or absence of pulmonary edema, in a subject using information about the cardiac impedance-indicating component of a measured impedance-indicating signal. In various examples, an amplitude or contribution change over multiple cardiac cycles of the cardiac impedance-indicating component is used to compute and provide a lung status indication. In various examples, a decreasing amplitude or contribution trend of the cardiac impedance-indicating component signifies an increasing amount of fluid in the subject's lungs, as a greater portion of an injected thoracic impedance measurement current formerly traversing the heart is rerouted through the lung due to the less resistance path created by the fluid accumulation therein. In another example, measurements of the impedance-indicating signal, and thus the cardiac impedance-indicating component, are taken at one or a combination of end-inspiration or end-expiration.
US08070684B2	Method and system for evaluating valvular function A method and apparatus for enhancing evaluation of valvular function in terms of regurgitation is described. The techniques include a method and apparatus for monitoring flow across a valve and evaluating regurgitation through the valve. An ultrasound scanner with Doppler capabilities processes and represents Doppler signal data in a color scale. The Doppler signal data is processed such that different colors are assigned to signals that have different power levels. An ECG signal may be correlated to the Doppler signals to determine systole and diastole periods, then the regurgitation is determined by estimating a peak reverse blood flow based on Doppler signals from blood at systole. The Doppler signals may also be processed so as to determine a cardiac cycle, then regurgitation is determined as the ratio of a reverse blood flow as a percentage of a forward blood flow.
US08070680B2	Method and apparatus for performing transgastric procedures Apparatus for performing a transgastric procedure includes an elongated tubular main access device having the first lumen with open proximal end and a side opening distal end, and a second lumen with open ends. A balloon having a wall on the outside of the device surrounds the distal end and a fluid conduit extends along the device for inflating the balloon so that when the device is inserted into a patient's esophagus and the balloon is inflated, the portion of the esophagus opposite the distal end is isolated from the remainder of the esophagus. The apparatus may also include a side access unit having an elongated flexible coaxial inner and outer tubes having proximal and distal ends and being movable relatively in the axial direction. First seals are mounted to the distal end of the outer tube, and second seals are mounted to the distal end of the inner tube, an actuator adjacent to the proxable ends of the tubes move the tubes relatively so as to vary the axial spacing the first and second seals. Various methods for using the apparatus are also disclosed.
US08070679B2	Accurate determination of intraocular pressure and characterization of mechanical properties of the cornea A computer-implemented method for accurate determination of intraocular pressure (IOP) and characterization of mechanical properties of a cornea is provided that includes measuring a cornea with a probe tonometer to produce at least force versus displacement data over a range of applied forces; and forming a model of corneal constitutive parameters, with a computer having a processor, based on the data obtained by the probe tonometer to more accurately determine IOP and characterize mechanical properties of the cornea, wherein the computer is coupled with the probe tonometer.
US08070677B2	Method and apparatus for distinguishing between clinically significant changes and artifacts in patient physiological information A patient physiological information monitoring system includes a plurality of patient monitoring devices (6) and a physiological information analyzer (2). The plurality of patient monitoring devices (6) monitor physiological information from a patient and generate corresponding physiological signals. The physiological information analyzer (2) processes the monitored physiological information and determines whether a physiological change is a clinically significant event or an artifact. The physiological information analyzer includes at least one receiver (4) that receives the physiological signals from the patient monitoring devices; a signal correlator (10) that generates morphograms from pairs of the received physiological signals; a signature generator (12) that applies a wavelet decomposition to each morphogram to compute a signature for each morphogram; and a decision component (14) that compares the morphogram signatures within and across sampling intervals and determines if a physiological change is a clinically significant change or an artifact.
US08070676B2	Surgical access apparatus and method A surgical access device includes an access seal comprising an ultra gel elastomeric material formed of a mixture comprising a triblock copolymer and an oil. The access seal is adapted to be disposed relative to the abdominal wall. At least one access channel is formed through the elastomeric material between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the access seal. The access channel when operatively disposed forms at least a portion of a working channel between a location external to the abdominal wall and a location internal to the abdominal wall. The elastomeric material of the access seal is adapted to conform to a surface of an instrument inserted through the working channel to provide instrument access to the abdominal cavity while maintaining insufflation pressure in the abdominal cavity. The access channel is configured to self seal in the absence of any instrument extending through the access channel.
US08070671B2	Methods and devices for luminal and sphincter augmentation Devices and methods for augmenting or otherwise enhancing closure of body lumens comprise magnetic or magnetizable components or particles which are implanted in the wall of the lumen. The magnet fields exerted by the components or particles act to close the body lumen with a desired force.
US08070668B2	Controlled inflation of a pneumatic L-VAD A drive unit to control the peak pressure of air for the inflation of a left ventricular assist system is disclosed. The control of the peak pressure can address the problem of the “kick” experienced by patients when the peak inflation pressure reaches approximately 200 mm Hg. The peak pressure of the air released for the inflation cycle of the system is reduced either by the reduction of the inner diameter of the interconnect line running from the compression tank to the valve manifold or the use of a multi-valve manifold with independently controlled valves and an electronic controller to selectively open and close the valves of the manifold. Either technique, whether used alone or in combination, reduces the peak pressure of the air released for the inflation cycle to below the levels associated with the “kick,” while still meeting the operating specifications to properly inflate and deflate the system's blood pump.
US08070667B2	Disposable assembly for separating blood or scrubbing a blood component The invention relates to a centrifugation enclosure (1) made of rigid plastic that comprises a member (1b) adapted to engage with the driving organ of a centrifugation machine (M) and a communication member (5) between the enclosure (1) and the outside, made of rigid plastic and comprising un first duct (5a) extending therethrough for supplying said enclosure (1) as well as two ducts (5b, 5c) extending therethrough for discharging the separated components. A holder (3) made of rigid plastic and having a network of channels (4a, 4b, 4c) formed therein connects the ducts (5a, 5b, 5c), respectively, to supply (P1) and reception (P2, P3) tanks, with side sealing members (6) of said channel network (4a, 4b, 4c). The ends of the ducts (5a, 5b, 5c) are adjacent to the respective ends of the channels (4a, 4b, 4c), and the ends of the ducts (5a, 5b, 5c) have surfaces mating with the end surfaces of the respective channels (4a, 4b, 4c), said mating surfaces being connected to one another.
US08070663B2	Blood processing apparatus with optical reference control A density centrifuge blood processing system with automatic two-dimensional optical control of fluid separation by observing fluid characteristics in observation regions. The location of the regions is determined by monitoring an optical reference. Points representing edges of an optical reference are measured and lines are computed through the points. An error measurement is calculated for each line. If the error is too large, the image is abandoned. One of the lines is selected as a referent line. A new line is calculated orthogonal to the referent line. The error function is again computed for the dependant line. If the error exceeds a selected maximum, the frame is discarded. A transformation function translates data points from an (r, s) domain derived from measurements of the edges into an (x, y) domain used to identify pixels in the observation areas.
US08070662B2	Method and device for manufacturing bag with clamping device A tape 3, 4 with a zipper member and a bag film 5, 6 are continuously moved by rotation of a rotary drum 32 while being overlaid with each other such that the tape 3, 4 travels in a tape introducing groove 33 for a tape with a zipper member, the groove formed along a circumferential direction of the rotary drum 32. The tape 3, 4 with the zipper member is continuously welded to the bag film 5, 6 on a circumferential surface of the rotary drum 32 by a seal bar 35 that has a welding surface 34 in a curved shape corresponding to a circumferential surface shape of the rotary drum 32. The whole tape 3, 4 with the zipper member is accommodated in the tape introducing groove 33 for the tape with the zipper member and a seal surface of a tape body 31, 41 is adapted to be substantially flush with the circumferential surface of the rotary drum 32, so that heat applied from the seal bar 35 to the tape 3, 4 with the zipper member is restrained from transferring to the rotary drum 32.
US08070661B2	Method of making a foldable packing box A method of making a foldable packing box comprising the following steps: step 1, making a pair of side boards with a side board body, two connecting parts foldably connected to the opposite sides of the side board body, and an installation part foldably connected to the side board body; step 2, making a base board, step 2 including: step 2.1, providing a second core board in a predetermined shape with an outer layer paper being pasted at the outer surface of the second core board; step 2.2, spraying paint to the peripheral surface of the second core board; step 2.3, defining a plurality of parallel base board grooves at the inner surface of the second core board according to the size of the predetermined packing box, so as to separately form a plurality of folding lines at the base board; step 3, respectively connecting the installation parts of the side boards to the opposite sides of the base board; step 4, pasting inner layer paper to the inner surface of the second core board; step 5, providing two fixing boards; and step 6, separately fixing the fixing boards to the base board, so as to produce a finished product of the foldable packing box.
US08070659B2	Orthopedic exerciser The present invention generally relates to an orthopedic exerciser and its actuating mechanism which, more specifically, are used for therapy, post-surgery rehabilitation or healing of a knee, of a joint, or the muscles of a leg or any other body member. Such exercisers usually allow a combination of exercises that help in the recovery of the joint, but to minimize the chances of further injuring the body part and therefore increase the recovery process, the exerciser must submit the body part to a controlled level of force. The orthopedic exerciser of the present invention includes an actuating mechanism cooperating with a resistance assembly which provides resistance and/or assistance along different directions of movement of the actuating mechanism.
US08070658B2	Exercise apparatus and method with selectively variable stabilization Exercise apparatus and method with selectively variable stabilization enabling a user to progressively increase his/her core body muscular strength. In various embodiments, the exercise apparatus includes a resistance cabling system providing a user defined line of motion, and a partial stabilizer pad being adjustably positionable offset from the line of motion, wherein the user's core body is positionable against the pad and required to resist the torque created by the offset. The user can progressively increase the distance between the line of motion and partial stabilizer pad, in order to progressively increase the force which the user's core body must resist to maintain an upright stature. In this way, the user can progressively, over time, increase his or her core body strength. A vertically and rotatably adjustable handle/arm assembly, resistance cabling and pulley assembly, and an overall exercise apparatus having a relatively small footprint but allowing multiple variable exercise routines, are also provided.
US08070654B2	Athleticism rating and performance measuring systems A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.
US08070650B2	Hydraulic control system A hydraulic control system of a vehicle power train having a belt-type continuously variable transmission, and a hydraulic lock-up clutch, includes: a line pressure control valve; first and second control valves; first, second and third electromagnetic valves; and a fail-safe valve. The fail-safe valve is switched to a fail position in which a line pressure is supplied to one of a drive pulley and a driven pulley when a rapid deceleration state is likely to occur in the belt-type continuously variable transmission, the fail-safe valve is switched to a normal position in which a hydraulic pressure output from the first control valve is supplied to the one of the drive pulley and the driven pulley during times other than the above, and the fail-safe valve is switched by a combination of a hydraulic pressure controlled by the second electromagnetic valve and a hydraulic pressure controlled by the third electromagnetic valve.
US08070648B2	Transmission clutch stroking control during an engine restart in a hybrid electric vehicle A method for controlling restart of an engine in a hybrid electric powertrain includes stopping the vehicle and engine, initiating the restart, estimating time required to restart the engine after the restart is initiated, filling and stroking launch elements of a transmission, when the estimated time substantially equals a second estimated time required to fill and stroke said launch elements, and increasing the torque capacity of the launch elements to accelerate the vehicle.
US08070646B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08070641B2	Differential gear assembly A differential gear assembly is disclosed. The differential gear assembly includes a first sun gear and a second sun gear coaxially aligned with each other; a first set of planetary gears in mating engagement with the first sun gear; and a second set of planetary gears in mating engagement with the second sun gear. The first and second sets of planetary gears are in mating engagement with each other. The differential gear assembly also includes a first set of friction members, each of which faces a respective one of axial ends of the first set of planetary gears; and a second set of friction members, each of which faces a respective one of axial ends of the second set of planetary gears. The differential gear assembly further includes a first body connecting at least a plurality of said first set of friction members together, and a second body connecting at least a plurality of said first set of friction members together.
US08070638B2	Dual input planetary final drive The present invention provides a final drive assembly having a differential driven by a planetary gear set having two inputs. The ring gear of the planetary gear set is stationary. One of the inputs is coupled to and drives the planet gear carrier which, in turn, is coupled to and drives the cage of the differential. The other input is coupled to and drives the sun gear of the planetary gear set. Incorporated into a suitable powertrain, for example, one having a dual clutch transmission (DCT) with two outputs, one associated with higher ratio (lower speed) gears and another associated with lower ratio (higher speed) gears, the sun gear carries power in the lower speed gears and provides torque multiplication. In the higher speed gears, power is carried by the planet gear carrier directly to the differential cage, bypassing the speed reduction, torque multiplication and gear mesh losses of the planetary gear set.
US08070637B2	Manual valve control for multi-speed planetary transmission A manual valve control for a multi-speed vehicle transmission is provided. Electronic and hydraulic components are provided, including trim valve systems that are multiplexed by a shift valve and a manual valve. The trim valves and shift valve are self-diagnosing via a plurality of multiplexed pressure switches. The control enables single and double range shifts among the multiple forward speed ratios, including shifts to and from sixth and higher forward ratios, reverse and neutral. The control also includes a reduced engine load at stop feature. In addition, a power off/limp home feature provides a plurality of failure modes, including a failure mode for sixth and higher forward speed ratios.
US08070634B2	Synchronous belt sprocket A sprocket comprising at least one groove for engaging a toothed belt, said groove having a flank, the flank having a groove tip radii (R1) of between approximately 105% and approximately 125% of a belt tooth root radii (R8) when the toothed belt is in rack form, said groove tip radii being joined to a groove arcuate conjugate flank portion (200) by a linear flank portion (202), and said linear flank portion being disposed at an angle (Φ) of between approximately 18° to approximately 24° with respect to a groove centerline (CL) and comprising a length of at least approximately 20% of a sprocket groove depth (h).
US08070631B2	System and method for quick release base for baseball and softball A quick release base system that includes a base platform and a removable base. The base platform includes a bottom platform surface and a top platform surface. The top platform surface is positioned above the bottom platform surface. The top platform surface includes platform prongs. The platform prongs are substantially perpendicular to the top platform surface and extend away from the top platform surface and away from the bottom platform surface. The removable base rests on top of the base platform, and the removable base includes an interior base surface. The interior base surface includes base prongs. The base prongs are substantially perpendicular to the interior base surface and extend away from the interior base, and the platform prongs interact with the base prongs to create a lateral restraining force between the base platform and the removable base.
US08070630B2	Electronic marker stakes for sports fields A marker stake for locating a boundary reference point on a sports field can be buried and out of sight when not in use, and then quickly located using an electronic receiver which detects a signal emitted by an electronic marker in the marker stake. Various field boundary indicators can be removably attached to the marker stake. The stake may be embodied in a cylindrical body constructed of a moldable polymer with a socket at one end for receiving a pin or post of the field boundary indicator, and the electronic marker embedded inside the body. The electronic marker may be a passive LC marker tuned to a frequency associated with a known field sport. Different sets of such marker stakes tuned to different frequencies may be used to mark and relocate reference points for multiple sports played on the same field.
US08070625B2	Multi-layer core golf ball Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core consists of a rubber center and a rubber outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard, thermoplastic intermediate core layer.
US08070622B2	Golf putter A golf putter providing a center mount of the hosel to the club head and a shaft engagement to the hosel at the heel end of the club head. The center mount provides the sole engagement of the hosel to the head as a gap is formed by a pathway formed through the body of the head which is larger than the circumference of the hosel in its communication therethrough. The centered engagement provides better touch to the user and feedback on striking a ball while concurrently removing the shaft from the user's line of sight to the ball and club face and reduces the twist or torque at impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing the moment of inertia.
US08070621B2	Golf club set Set 2 according to the present invention includes m or more wood type golf clubs (wherein, m is an integer of no less than 2) having a loft angle of greater than 20 degrees. Provided that the face progression b2 of these m clubs is defined as from b2 (1) to b2 (m) following the ascending order of the loft angle of the club from the smallest value, this set 2 satisfies the relationships of: b2 (1) ≧b2 (2) ≧ . . . ≧b2 (m); and b2 (1) >b2 (m). Preferably, in all clubs having a loft angle of greater than 20 degrees, the ratio (a2/b2) of the loft angle a2 (degree) to the face progression (mm) is 0.7 or greater and 2.0 or less in this set 2. This set 2 is superior in ease to address. According to this set 2, the trajectory suited for each numerical designation can be achieved.
US08070616B2	Method and apparatus for adjusting rider movement on a waterslide amusement device In waterslide amusement devices one or more water jets can be directed along the waterslide surface and used to apply a force to riders using the amusement device. In the present approach the operation of such water jet assemblies is adjusted based on the weight of each rider, so that riders of different weights can negotiate the waterslide amusement device safely and with an appropriate degree of excitement. The rider weight is conveniently measured on the waterslide amusement device, for example, using a load cell assembly, and a signal is sent to a controller to adjust the output of one or more downstream water jet assemblies based on the measured rider weight.
US08070615B2	Methods and systems for water amusement conveyor A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.
US08070612B2	Boot for constant-velocity universal joint and cross-grooved constant-velocity universal joint A boot for constant-velocity universal joint comprises a major-diameter cylindrical portion 2, a minor-diameter cylindrical portion 3 being separated away from and being put in place concentrically with the major-diameter cylinder portion 2, and having a smaller diameter than that of the major-diameter cylindrical portion 2, and an intermediate portion 10 connecting the major-diameter cylindrical portion 2 with the minor-diameter cylindrical portion 3. The intermediate portion 10 comprises a stretchable bellows portion 19 being connected with the minor-diameter cylindrical portion 3 integrally, and a rigidity-producing portion 11 being connected with the bellows portion 19 and the major-diameter cylindrical portion 2 integrally. The rigidity-producing portion 11 enlarges diametrically from the bellows portion 19 toward the major-diameter cylindrical portion 2, and additionally at least an outer peripheral surface 101 of the rigidity-producing portion 11 has a plurality of shoulders 61 in a stepwise manner. By means of the rigidity-producing portion 11, the rigidity at around the major-diameter cylindrical portion is enhanced, and thereby it is possible to suppress deformation at the time of assembling.
US08070608B2	Geographic data collection using game play A method is disclosed for collecting geographic data during game play. A game scenario includes an activity for the game player to perform. The game player may be given an incentive within the context of the game for performing the activity. The incentive may be of non-monetary, monetary or in-game value. Performing the activity within the context of the game directly or indirectly results in the generation of data that is collected and used for the purpose of updating, adding to or supplementing a geographic database.
US08070601B2	SIP based VoIP multiplayer network games This invention is directed to a system and method for the close coupling of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with multiplayer network games. Game state dependent voice communications are used as another method of player interaction in the game environment. The system uses SIP enhanced game servers and conference servers with audio mixing capabilities, and the game server controls the creation, maintenance and changing of the voice conferences. Participation in a voice conference is determined by the game state features associated with each player including distance and direction to determine how the voices are mixed in a voice conference.
US08070600B2	Method for playing a game of chance with a wireless electronic gaming unit A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game comprises a housing and a base. The housing includes a display. An electronics assembly is mounted in the housing for controlling input/output functions of the gaming unit. A pivot joint pivotably mounts the housing to the base. An easel is pivotably mounted to one of the housing and the base. The easel in a use orientation braces the housing against the base to enable the housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of the base. In a transport orientation, the easel allows the housing to fold against the base. The easel in the transport orientation serves as a handle for the gaming unit.
US08070593B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing group event with individual group event eligibility timers A gaming system and method which provides a community group event to a plurality of players at a plurality of the gaming devices in the gaming system. Each gaming device participating in the group event is associated with an individual group event eligibility timer. Such individual group event eligibility timers regularly decrement based on time and may increment based on one or more aspects of the player's gaming experience, such as wagers placed. If the individual group event eligibility timer associated with a gaming device participating in the group event lapses before the conclusion of a group event timer or mode, that gaming device is eliminated from the group event. Upon the conclusion of the group event, a group event award is shared amongst the players at the remaining or non-eliminated gaming devices (i.e., the gaming devices associated with individual group event eligibility timers with any amount of remaining time).
US08070592B2	System for providing multi-game reel strips A system for varying the symbols used on a mechanical reel strip are disclosed. A reel strip comprises a plurality of symbols, each of the symbols associated with a symbol group. Each of the symbol groups is associated with a symbol group designation position on the reel strip. By varying the designation position on the reel strip, the symbols used with each reel strip can be modified. When multiple mechanical reels are used in a gaming machine, the symbol designating position for each reel strip can be the same as any other reel strip or can vary from any of the other reel strips. As such, an endless number of games and game variations may be created and deployed.
US08070591B2	Gaming machine with scrolling indicia feature A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a wagering apparatus, a display, and an award apparatus. The wagering apparatus receives a wager from a player. The display depicts a scrolled sequence of elements. The award apparatus provides an award based on an indicated portion of the sequence of elements. If the elements are digits, for example, the award may be based on a multi-digit number formed by the digits in the indicated portion of the sequence of elements.
US08070582B2	Automatic game play In various embodiments a gaming device may play games automatically without input from a player.
US08070579B2	Bingo system with downloadable common patterns Novel methods, devices and systems are described for mapping a variety of Class III game outcomes to a common set of bingo patterns. Each game theme may have a different entertaining display, based upon a corresponding Class III game. Preferably, each game theme will offer game play and paytable percentages closely matching those of the original Class III game. Some implementations provide a system wherein electronic gaming machines presenting entertaining displays of various Class III game themes are linked to a single bingo server. By linking many participating electronic gaming machines to a single server, some implementations of the invention allow all of the progressive contributions to be pooled into one large progressive jackpot, thereby making the game more attractive to players.
US08070577B2	Gaming method and apparatus for employing negative outcomes Systems and methods are provided for providing a negative outcome at a gaming device. The system determines that a player of a gaming device has equity which may be debited. An outcome of the gaming device is determined, and it is also determined that the outcome is a negative outcome. The balance (e.g., of the gaming device or another gaming device) is reduced by more than the wager amount.
US08070571B2	Video game controller Improvements relating to a control device for controlling a display of a computer system for use with a video game includes a coordinate control unit for providing information related to a vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device, a game control unit for inputting game control information and a controller for processing the information provided by the coordinate control unit and game control unit. The vertical and horizontal point of view of the user in the video game and/or the vertical and horizontal position of a cursor on the display is determined based on the information related to the vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device. The control device is preferably shaped like a firearm to enhance the realism of the video game, and may include an LCD display mounted on the control device, as the primary display, and may also include an LCD mounted in a sighting device of the control device.
US08070567B2	Automatic deboning method and apparatus for deboning bone laden meat A de-boning method and apparatus for automating incision making to the meat of bone laden meat and scraping operation of meat from the bone laden meat by a meat separator, are proposed.The apparatus has a clamping device 1 for clamping an end part ‘d’ of unconcealed part of the bone of bone laden meat, a meat separator 31 having meat scraping plates 317a, 317b for pinching a bone of the bone laden meat, a cutter 33 located between the clamping device 1 and the meat separator 31, a clamping device lifting means 30, and rotation drive means 303 and 313 for rotating for rotating the clamping device 1 and the meat separator 31 in synchronism with each other, whereby spiral incision is made to a part of the meat of the bone laden meat by rotating the clamping device 1, and remaining part of the meat is scraped off as the clamping device is lifted while rotating in synchronism with the meat scraper.
US08070566B2	Skinning blade clamp with fat relief grooves A meat skinning device having a clamp and a shoe that holds a blade therebetween, the clamp having at least one groove that extends from one edge of the clamp to the other.
US08070563B2	Whet-stone receptacle and hand guard A sharpening device for sharpening operative instrumentation having a gripping handle 4 and an acutely angled receptacle support 6, both of which form a radiated palmer contour 8, and both of which have flattened self balancing table rest 10 terminations. The hone receptacle 6 has an attached offset rectilinear container or whet-stone receptacle 12 with guard walls 16 that extend above a contained whet-stone 14. The instrument entry channel 18 is a shorter wall that allows full usage of the whet-stone surface without forcibly influencing sharpening angulations due to an excessively high wall. The offset receptacle support 6 and whet-stone receptacle 12 create two overhangs or a vertical locking rest 20 and a horizontal locking 22 rest that engage with a table. The locking rests coupled with the angled handle 4 receptacle support 6 and resultant palmer contour 8 permit two ergonomic holding positions that allow for both vertical and horizontal honing orientations.
US08070561B2	Height adjustable drive arrangement for a floor care machine A floor care machine such as a floor polisher includes a machine frame carrying a motor coupled through a drive arrangement to a rotationally driven head on which a floor care disc such as a polishing pad is mounted. The drive arrangement includes a drive element rotationally driven by the motor, and a driven element that is connected to the driven head and is automatically height adjustable. The drive element includes a bearing hub, an outer ring and four uniformly rotationally offset spokes that carry first rolling guides extending along helical paths about the rotation axis. The driven element includes upper and lower partial elements that receive the spokes therebetween and carry second rolling guides arranged facing the first rolling guides along the helical paths, and roller bodies are interposed therebetween. Relative rotation between the drive element and the driven element causes an axial height adjustment of the driven head.
US08070560B2	Polishing apparatus and method A polishing apparatus is used for polishing a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer to a flat mirror finish. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing table having a polishing surface, a polishing head having at least one elastic membrane configured to form a plurality of pressure chambers for being supplied with a pressurized fluid, and a controller configured to control supply of the pressurized fluid to the pressure chambers. The controller controls supply of the pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid is supplied first to the pressure chamber located at a central portion of the substrate when the substrate is brought into contact with the polishing surface, and then the pressurized fluid is supplied to the pressure chamber located at a radially outer side of the pressure chamber located at the central portion of the substrate.
US08070554B2	Distributed shunt structure for lapping of current perpendicular plane (CPP) heads An apparatus and method for lapping and fabricating a read/write head is described. The lapping method includes performing a first lapping process on a structure having the read/write head fabricated therein. The first lapping process is for reducing a first resistive region. The first resistive region is located proximal to a surface of the structure. The first lapping process is for achieving a first lapping benchmark. The lapping method further includes performing a second lapping process on a second resistive region. The second lapping process laps at a rate lesser than the first lapping process. The second lapping process is for achieving a second lapping benchmark. The second resistive region is interposed between the first resistive region and the read/write head. The second resistive region has a different resistive value than the second resistive region.
US08070549B2	Baby toy with baby care items A baby distraction item and more specifically a baby toy for storing baby care items such as baby clean-up items with the baby toy temporarily distracting a baby with the baby top comprising either a cover or a base with a chamber for holding baby care item so that when a caretaker cleans up a baby, the baby may grasp the handle and play with the base or cover as a toy to distract the baby while a diaper is changed.
US08070544B2	Clean energy powered surfboards Clean energy powered surfboard having various advantages that make for easy to learn, easy to use, safer, exciting, high performance, environmentally friendly surfing on any ocean wave in the world. The various embodiments include novel motor, turbine, or electric motor generator surfboards comprising hydrogen or electric-powered motors, which can be switch-activated and which drive jet pumps. Energy can be stored as compressed gas, including air and hydrogen. Energy can be stored in novel capacitors that are incorporated in the body of the surfboard. Energy can be generated by solar or water power while surfing or by passing waves, for example, while waiting for a big wave. An output jet provides thrust to catch a wave, to return to the wave breaks, or to avoid a hazard. A novel fin output jet increases stability and maximizes thrust. Self-contained, self-recharging embodiments are low cost, lightweight, safer, and good for the environment.
US08070541B2	Underwater protective system to inhibit marine growth A protective system for underwater installation on the propeller of a boat inhibits marine growth from fouling the propeller. The system includes a flexible material sized and shaped so as to be capable of enclosing the propeller. A member such as a clamp or clip maintains the flexible material in a state enclosing the propeller. The system further includes a link (such as a piece of line) having one end attached to the member and/or the flexible material and a free second end. The link is of sufficient length such that when the flexible material is installed about the propeller the free end of the link extends to a location proximate to the boat at or above the waterline of the boat (such as to the transom or deck of the boat, or to a dock against which the boat is tied) wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat. A tug on the link by the user releases the flexible material from the propeller permitting the retrieval of the link, the member and the flexible material as a unit from the propeller without the aid of a diver.
US08070540B2	Method and kit for assembling marine propulsion systems A method and a conversion kit are provided for assembling marine propulsion systems such as those comprised of a Mercruiser Alpha One® type sterndrive unit, an OMC Cobra® type inboard engine and a transom assembly, and attaching the propulsion systems to marine vessels. The method and the kit use commercially available parts and minimal special hardware. The technique involves a modified transom assembly comprised of an inner transom plate, a gimbal housing, a gimbal ring equipped with machined custom-made hinge pins, two trim cylinders with corresponding trim pins, and a bell housing with specially designed bellows and adaptor nipple. The invention is also applicable to the assembling of other marine propulsion systems that are comprised of equivalent combinations of similar sterndrive units attached to other similar inboard engines by means of transom assemblies.
US08070539B2	Water intake grill for personal watercraft A water intake grill for attachment to a water intake port associated with a jet watercraft, the water intake grill comprising a plurality of elongate members mounted to and in between fore and aft mounts. The fore mount comprising a base having an angularly orientated bottom surface for attaching first ends of the elongate members and an angularly orientated top surface for mounting atop thereof a key element having an overall geometric structure suited to fit within a mount socket integral to a forward wall section of the water intake port. The aft mount comprising a horizontally positioned base for accepting thereon at least one spacer and mounting thereto an extension support to support apart therefrom a cross support member for attaching second ends of the elongate members. Each elongate member comprising a teardrop geometric profile that effectively reduces the amount debris into the water intake port while allowing continued passage of water into the water intake port to yield sustained operating performance of the jet watercraft.
US08070538B2	Jet pump of personal watercraft A jet pump of a personal watercraft of the present invention includes a pump casing 10 provided with a fairing vane part including a plurality of fairing vanes 12, and the front portion of each of the fairing vanes 12 has two attack angles which are an attack angle α of the fairing vane and the front end attack angle β which is larger than the attack angle α. Thereby, the attack angle of the fairing vane is adapted to the water jet flow so that reduction of pump efficiency is suppressed.
US08070533B1	Power connector with improved locking member exposed to the exterior A power connector includes an insulative housing, a power contact retained in the insulative housing and a key member. The insulative housing defines a receiving chamber recessed from a mating face and a rear portion located at the rear of the receiving chamber. The rear portion defines a mounting hole in communication with the receiving chamber and a first locking arm having a first hook protruding into the mounting hole. The first hook is lockable with the key member in order to prevent the key member from withdrawing from the mounting hole. The key member further defines a slit through which the first hook is forwardly exposed to an exterior. As a result, a tool can be inserted into the slit to push the first hook so as to unlock the first locking arm with the key member.
US08070529B2	Electrical connector with improved contact structure An electrical connector (100) having an inserting port (102) for receiving a corresponding plug, includes an insulative housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (4) retained in the insulative housing (1). Each contact (4) has a first portion (41) extending horizontally into the inserting port (102), a first bending portion (43) bending downwardly from a rear end of the first portion (41), and a second portion (42) extending downwardly from the first bending portion (43). The contacts (4) are arranged in two groups. The first portions (41) of each contact group (401, 402) are arranged in a row along a transverse direction respectively. The second portions (42) in each contact group (401, 402) are arranged in at least two rows along a front-to-back direction respectively. The first bending portions (43) of the contacts (4) in each contact group are arranged in a line along the transverse direction respectively.
US08070528B2	Electrical connector having improved terminals An electrical connector (100) for insertion of an electrical plug, includes an insulative housing (1) having a receiving cavity (13) to receive the electrical plug in a front-to-rear direction and a plurality of receiving slots (14) communicating with the receiving cavity, and a set of terminals (2) received in the receiving slots and including first terminals (21). Each first terminal has a vertical flat first base portion (212) retained in the insulative housing and extending along the front-to-rear direction, a first contacting portion (211) protruding into the receiving cavity to electrical contact with the electrical plug, and a first tail portion (213) to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). Both the first contacting portion (211) and the first tail portion (213) simultaneously extend from one of an upper edge and lower edge of the first base portion (212).
US08070526B2	Electrical connector with improved terminals assembled to insulative housing from top to bottom An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of first terminals secured in the housing. The insulative housing includes a base with a front face, a tongue portion extending forwardly from the front face of the base and a plurality of passageways located on a first side face of the insulating housing. The passageways extend from the tongue portion to the base across the front face of the base. The passageways communicate with an exterior through the first side face along a whole length thereof. The plurality of first terminals are received and retained in the passageways. Each first terminal includes a contact portion located on the tongue portion and exposing to the first side face of the tongue portion, a retention portion located on the base portion and a tail portion.
US08070523B1	Transmission cable for a computer and an electronic device A transmission cable provides communication between a computer and an electronic device. The transmission cable includes a first plug and a second plug. The first plug connects with the electronic device. The second plug connects with the computer. The first plug includes a data receiving socket, a data transmission socket, and a grounding socket. The grounding socket is positioned between the data receiving socket and the data transmission socket. The second plug is a D-sub connector.
US08070521B2	Socket connector and electronic device using the same A socket connector is configured for receiving a first card and a second card. The socket connector includes a latching seat, a plurality of latching plates, and a shielded case. The latching seat includes a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface defines a sliding groove, a second surface defines a receiving slot. The latching plates extend from edges of the first surface. The shielded case is secured in the receiving slot, and defines an entrance. The first card is received in the sliding groove and latched by the latching plates, the second card is inserted into the shielded case through the entrance. The disclosure further discloses an electronic device using the socket connector.
US08070519B2	Electrical connector incorporated with signal controlling circuitry An electrical connector assembly includes an insulating housing, a plurality of first contacts received in the insulating housing, at least one detecting pin and a controlling circuitry. At least partial first contacts unitarily includes first contacting portions transferring first data signals and second contacting portions transferring second data signals. The detecting pin produces two sets of different detecting signals corresponding to the first data signals and the second data signals. The controlling circuitry controls said data signals output data signals through different output terminals.
US08070516B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes an inner shell having a bottom board, two side boards and a top board to define a receiving space thereamong, an insulating body having a base portion mated with a rear of the receiving space and a tongue portion extended forward from the base portion and stretching into a front of the receiving space, a plurality of terminals disposed in the insulating body, and an outer shell mounted around the inner shell. The outer shell has a base plate electrically covered on the top board and at least one soldering tail soldered to a printed circuit board so as to achieve a ground function of the inner shell through the outer shell and the outer shell further prevents the water which enters the receiving space from an opened front end mouth of the receiving space from flowing onto the printed circuit board.
US08070515B2	Shield case with u-shaped base with a first plate and second plates and side walls parallel to second plates A shield case of the invention includes a base of a generally U-shape in front view having widthwise end portions, the end portions each having a front surface and a back surface; a pair of folded-back portions, provided on the front the back surfaces of the end portions of the base and folded back backward, or alternatively provided on the back surfaces of the end portions of the base and folded back forward; a pair of side walls, extending from the folded-back portions along a length of the end portions of the base; a pair of first locking pieces, extending downward from the side walls; and a linking portion adapted to link between the side walls. The base, the side walls, and the linking portion define a body containing portion.
US08070514B2	Connector assembly having multiple contact arrangements A connector assembly includes a housing and substantially identical contacts. The housing is configured to mate with a mating connector. The contacts are arranged in a plurality of sets in the housing. The contacts are configured to electrically couple with the mating connector. Each set of contacts is arranged to communicate a different type of data signal with the mating connector. Optionally, the contacts are formed as substantially identical pins. The different sets of contacts may concurrently communicate the different types of data signals.
US08070513B2	Cable assembly with improved wire holding device A cable assembly includes a housing including a main body and a piece of mushy insulation block on the housing, a plurality of contacts receiving in the main body of the housing, and a plurality of cable. Each of the cable includes at least an inner conductor and an outer insulation layer. The inner conductors are soldered to the contacts and the outer insulation layer each has a part fixed in the mushy insulation block of the housing.
US08070508B2	Method and apparatus for aligning and securing a cable strain relief The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.
US08070507B1	Connector assembly A connector assembly includes a connector connected to a number of cables, and a cable management member pivotably attached to the connector. The cable management member includes a pressing plate for binding the cables.
US08070504B2	Coaxial cable port locking terminator and method of use thereof Disclosed herein is a coaxial cable interface port locking terminator including an outer terminator housing and an inner connector body housed within the outer terminator housing. The coaxial cable interface port locking terminator further includes a ratcheting device in operable communication with the outer terminator housing and the inner connector body, the ratcheting device preventing rotation of the outer terminator housing with respect to the inner connector body when the outer terminator housing is rotated in the first direction, the ratcheting device including at least one separate component from the outer terminator housing and the inner connector body. Furthermore, rotation of the outer terminator housing in a second direction does not cause rotation of the inner connector body in the second direction.
US08070502B2	Electrical connectors and coupling device for such a connector An electrical connector with a first coupling device with a first connection for a first electrical cable and a second coupling device with a second connection for a second electrical cable and wherein both coupling devices are interlocking for electrical contact. The second coupling device includes a first component to contact the first coupling device by interlocking, a second component that includes the second connection, and a coupling device for electrical coupling of the first component with the second component, wherein both components are flexible relative to each other in radial and/or axial direction.
US08070501B2	Electrical connector with arc shield, piston-contact positioner and electric stress graded interface A high-voltage electrical connector includes a strategically placed barrier that acts as an arc shield to reduce the ionization of materials during load break switching, reducing or preventing flashover. An electric stress graded interface design also reduces switching flashover and reduces the fault close energy. Mating features on the piston-contact element and inside the surrounding container accurately guide the piston-contact element as it travels along the container.
US08070499B2	Card edge connector with an improved retainer A card edge connector for mating with an electronic card includes an elongated housing, a number of contacts and a retainer retained to the housing. The housing has a pair of side walls, a central slot between the side walls and a fitting section upwardly extending at one end thereof. The fitting section defines a first U-shaped cavity downwardly extending from a top end thereof and a mounting slot upwardly extending from a lower end thereof and located at outside of the first cavity. The first cavity communicates with the central slot along a length direction of the housing to receive the electronic card. The retainer is retained in the mounting slot and has a locking projection protruding into the first cavity to lock with the electronic card. The mounting slot does not extend through the fitting section to make the retainer hidden in the fitting section.
US08070497B2	Electrical connector having passageway with hard stop preventing over-compression during downward operation An electrical connector including an insulative housing and a number of terminals. The insulative housing includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate. The upper substrate defines an array of upper holes and the lower substrate defines an array of lower holes corresponding to the upper holes. The terminals are received in the upper and lower holes and each comprises an upper contact, a lower contact electrically connecting with the upper contact and a spring located between the upper contact and the lower contact. The upper contact protrudes a restricting portion for restricting the spring. A diameter of the lower hole is less than that of the upper hole and a distance of the restricting portion. So a top surface of the lower substrate supports the restricting portion.
US08070496B2	Contact terminal unit and socket connector incorporated with the same contact terminal units The present invention relates to a contact terminal unit and a socket connector incorporated with the same contact terminal units. A contact terminal unit comprises a plurality of conductive strings twisted into a single strand, and an insulative material encapsulating the strand. The socket connector is incorporated with a plurality of the same contact terminal units.
US08070488B2	Orthodontic treatment methods, systems and apparatus for use therewith Systems, methods, and apparatus for creating a mold of a patient's teeth to which are installed orthodontic appliances with a support assembly bonded to a tooth. The appliances may include a corresponding corrective assembly with a wire engaging portion removably coupled to the support assembly. The systems and methods may include removing a corrective assembly from a support assembly, applying unset molding compound to the patient's teeth and corresponding support assemblies, setting the molding compound into a mold, and nondeformably removing the mold from the patient's mouth. The support assemblies may include a marker portion to indicate the position of the wire engaging portion of a corrective assembly that may be removed prior to making a mold and/or installed after making the mold. Marker assemblies adapted to removably engage a support assembly, and including such a marker portion, may be temporarily coupled to support assemblies prior to making a mold.
US08070487B2	System and method for positioning teeth Methods and apparatus fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system and computing an occlusion based on interactions in the computer representation of the masticatory system.
US08070484B2	Combination pulverized fuel burner with integrated pilot burner The invention comprises a combination burner for the gasification of pulverized fuels with an oxidation means containing free oxygen at ambient or higher pressures, as well as temperatures between 800-1800° C., with the ignition device of the pilot burner with flame monitoring and the pulverized fuel burner being integrated as a combination burner and all operating channels being routed separately from each other up to the mouth of the burner and the media carried by the channels only being mixed at the mouth of the burner. When the pilot burner is dismantled the eddy bodies 14 attached to its sleeve in the main burner oxidation means supply 17 can be exchanged quickly and easily and thus the main burner flame adapted in the optimum way to the reaction chamber contour of the reactor.
US08070480B2	Method and device for combusting liquid fuels using hydrogen A method and device for combustion of liquid fuels is presented which uses a plurality of rotating hydrogen flames to blast atomize and ignite a mechanically dispersed stream of the liquid fuel. This combustion method and device are particularly suited for heavy oil fuels, such as vegetable oils, which are not well burned using conventional burner technologies. This combustion method involves establishing a zone of combusting hydrogen and projecting a mechanically atomized dispersion of the liquid fuel into and through this zone of combusting hydrogen. The combusting hydrogen partially vaporizes and ignites the liquid fuel while the intense turbulence of the hydrogen combustion zone further disperses any remaining liquid fuel droplets. Once ignited and dispersed, the fuel oil continues to burn as it moves away from the hydrogen combustion zone. Since only a small amount of combusting hydrogen is utilized, the hydrogen can be generated by the electrolysis of water, which produces a 2:1 molar ratio of hydrogen and oxygen, or hydroxy, gas.
US08070475B2	Casting mold for forming a biomedical device including an ophthalmic device A casting mold is provided for forming a biomedical device including an ophthalmic device such as a contact lens. The casting mold includes an anterior mold section and a posterior mold section, wherein one of the mold sections includes a plurality of radially extending ribs and the remaining mold section includes an annular shoulder for engaging an outer end of the ribs to define a mold cavity.
US08070473B2	System for building three-dimensional objects containing embedded inserts, and method of use thereof A system for building a three-dimensional object with a layer-based additive technique, the system comprising a controller configured to receive build sequence data for the three-dimensional object, a head assembly in signal communication with the controller and configured to form a plurality of layers of the three-dimensional object based on the build sequence data, and an insert placement apparatus in signal communication with the controller and configured to place at least one insert in the plurality of formed layers based on the build sequence data.
US08070469B2	Injection molding apparatus and method of constructing the injection molding apparatus A hand operated injection molding machine apparatus constructed from prefabricated sub-assemblies and a desired mold clamping means attached to a main support structure, and then electrically integrated with each other.
US08070468B2	Sheet film forming roll, sheet film casting apparatus, fine pattern transferring apparatus and sheet film A sheet film forming roll includes a center rotary shaft. Fixed end plates are disposed in two locations which are away from each other in an axial direction of the center rotary shaft, respectively. An external cylinder is made of a metal thin film. Two ends of the external cylinder are rotatably supported by the fixed end plates, respectively. Multiple rolling rubber rolls have ends which are rotatably supported by the respective fixed end plates. The rolling rubber rolls are in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the center rotary shaft, and in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of the external cylinder. The rolling rubber rolls divide an annular space between the external cylinder and the center rotary shaft into multiple heating medium chambers arranged in a circumferential direction of the sheet film forming roll. A heating medium is configured to be filled in each of the multiple heating medium chambers. At least one heating medium chamber includes a heater which uses electricity as its heat source.
US08070465B2	Oil injection control in a compressor with variable-speed coils This refrigerating compressor comprises a sealed chamber delimiting a suction volume and a compression volume arranged respectively either side of a body contained in the chamber, and an oil injection circuit arranged to inject oil into the compression volume. The oil injection circuit comprises a moving blocking piece, operated by a centrifugal force, between a first position enabling oil injection into the compression volume and a second position preventing or limiting oil injection into the compression volume, the blocking piece being arranged to be displaced into its second position when the speed of the compressor exceeds a predetermined value.
US08070457B2	Method for determining faults during the operation of a pump unit A method is provided for determining faults during the operation of a pump unit. At least two electric variables that determine the electric output of the motor and at least one fluctuating hydraulic variable of the pump are detected. The detected values or values formed from these variables by algorithms are automatically compared to predefined stored values using electronic data processing and the results of this comparison are used to determine whether or not faults have occurred.
US08070456B2	Method for preventing power surge in a compressor supplied by a power converter by direct torque control A method for operation of a compressor supplied by a power converter having an operating condition (BV) for the compressor (12) supplied by a power converter, generated from a measured actual rotational speed (n) of the compressor and a given effective current component (iW) of a measured power converter output current (I) using a stored speed-dependent pump characteristic curve (SG) monitored for validity such that on determining invalidity, as per a stored speed-dependent instantaneous curve, a control signal (SSG) for reducing a torque (M) is generated. A method for operation of a compressor supplied by a power converter is then achieved with which the duration and the intensity of surge conditions is significantly reduced.
US08070454B1	Turbine airfoil with trailing edge A turbine airfoil with a relatively thick TBC applied over the airfoil surface. The airfoil has a surface contour on the trailing edge region with a forward end having a large amount of taper and a rearward end with less taper such that a substantially constant wall thickness is formed in the rearward end. The TBC is applied over the airfoil surface and tapers off at the trailing edge ends on the pressure side and the suction side walls to produce an ideal surface contour on the airfoil. In another embodiment, the airfoil surface includes a tapered section at the trailing edge region, and the TBC is applied over the taper so that an over-coating is formed. The TBC over-coating is then removed and a smooth and ideal surface contour is produced along the airfoil surface. Small raised bumps each having a height of the desired thickness of the TBC to be applied over the respective bump is used to control the finished thickness of the TBC.
US08070452B2	Blade provided with a horizontally-wound spar, and a method of fabricating such a spar The present invention relates to a rotorcraft blade (1) provided with a distributed spar (10) on a leading edge (4), a suction side (2), and a pressure side (3) of the blade, and the invention also relates to a method of fabricating such a spar. The blade is provided with a fastener insert (20) integrated in the blade root for the purpose of fastening the blade to a rotor, the fastener insert (20) comprising a horizontal shaft (21) perpendicular to the span of the blade and to an axis of rotation of said rotor, with the distributed spar (10) of the blade being wound in part about the horizontal shaft.
US08070451B2	Modular construction for wind turbine blade A vertical axis wind turbine including a blade having a modular structure, comprising at least two connectable blade sections. Each section has an upper and lower panel with a cavity formed therebetween through which extends a spar.
US08070448B2	Spacers and turbines Spacers and turbines are provided. In an embodiment, and by way of example only, a spacer includes a strip, a first retention flange, and a second retention flange. The strip has a first edge, a second edge, and an impingement surface, and the impingement surface extends axially along the strip between the first edge and the second edge and is substantially flat. The first retention flange is recessed relative to the impingement surface and extends away from the first edge of the strip. The second retention flange is recessed relative to the impingement surface and extends away from the second edge of the strip.
US08070447B2	Ceiling fan A ceiling fan comprising a disc-like stator provided with a fixed shaft at the center, an annular rotor disposed in proximity to the periphery of the stator, a supporting frame fixed to the rotor and rotatably supported by the fixed shaft; a fan blade fixed to the supporting frame; and a retaining member having one end fixed to the supporting frame together with the fan blade and the other end coupled to the fan blade, wherein the fan blade comprises a root portion fixed to the supporting frame, a blade portion coupled with the retaining member, and an offset portion formed by bending between the root portion and the blade portion, thereby preventing the fan blade from being damaged easily even when it is impressed with a load and ensuring the safety even if the fan blade is broken since the blade portion is held coupled to the rotor side.
US08070446B2	Wind turbine blade pitch control system The present invention provides an improvement for a wind turbine (20) having at least one blade (21) mounted on a hub (22) for controlled rotation about a blade axis (yb-yb) to vary the pitch of the blade relative to an airstream. The hub is mounted on a nacelle (23) for rotation about a hub axis (xh-xh). The wind turbine includes a main pitch control system for selectively controlling the pitch of the blade, and/or a safety pitch control system for overriding the main blade pitch control system and for causing the blade to move toward a feathered position in the event of an overspeed or fault condition. The improvement includes: an energy storage device (26) mounted on the nacelle and associated with the blade; a pitch-axis controller (25) mounted on the nacelle and associated with the blade and with the energy storage device; an electro-mechanical actuator (28) mounted on the hub and associated with the blade; and at least one slip ring (29) operatively arranged to transmit power and/or data signals between the pitch-axis controller and the electro-mechanical actuator; whereby the mass on the rotating hub may be reduced.
US08070442B1	Turbine airfoil with near wall cooling An turbine airfoil and a process for near wall cooling of a turbine airflow with low flow in which the airfoil is formed by a main spar that forms the support structure for the airfoil and forms a series of cooling air collecting chambers extending from the leading edge region to the trailing edge region of the airfoil. A thermal skin forms an outer airfoil surface and also forms a series of pressure side and suction side impingement chambers along the airfoil walls. A cooling air supply chamber is formed by the spar in the leading edge region and supplies the cooling air for the airfoil. A series of leading edge impingement chambers are formed along the leading edge and carry the cooling air from the supply chamber to the series of collection chambers and impingement chambers downstream. The spent cooling air is then collected in a trailing edge collecting chamber and discharged through a row of exit holes.
US08070438B2	Fan blade for a gas turbine engine An injection-molded thermoplastic mini-platform is adhesively bonded, in use, to the aerofoil surfaces of a fan blade in a gas turbine engine. The mini-platform is divided into a number of leaves, to increase its flexibility, and ribs beneath the leaves provide additional stiffness in the radial direction. In the event that a fan blade is released in operation, the mini-platform is designed to detach from the blade and/or to break apart, so that damage to other components of the engine is minimized.
US08070437B2	Method for damping edgewise oscillations in one or more blades of a wind turbine, an active stall controlled wind turbine and use hereof A method for damping edgewise oscillations in one or more blades of a wind turbine includes the steps of detecting if one or more of the blades oscillates edgewise during operation of the wind turbine, and substantially cyclically generating a pitch angle difference between at least two of the blades. Further provided is an active stall controlled wind turbine and use hereof.
US08070435B1	Split ring wedge bearing damper A split ring wedge bearing friction damper for an aero engine that allows the engine to operate without an oil tank, a pump, and a lubricant cooler, the friction damper having a damper ring and a wedge ring that both have wedge surfaces in contact so that an axial load can be applied to the bearing outer race to provide damping to the bearing, and so that the damper ring can also have a radial displacement to produce a radial load on the damper ring against the stator bearing support surface in which the axial load provides the friction damping and the radial load eliminates lost motion for maximum damping.
US08070433B2	Enclosure and heat dissipating device for the same An enclosure includes a back plate and a heat dissipating device. The back plate includes a plurality of locking members extending from the back plate. The heat dissipating device attached to the back plate and includes a plurality of fixing members engaging with the locking members.
US08070430B2	Resinous shroud and manufacturing method of the same A resinous shroud includes a resinous wall portion formed between a portion corresponding to a casing and a portion corresponding to a retaining member in a shroud portion when a resin material is filled from a gate portion. Thereby, a flow of the resin material to the portion corresponding to the casing from a portion corresponding to the gate portion can be dispersed by the resinous wall portion. Alternatively, an extended resinous wall portion may be formed in place of the resinous wall portion. Therefore, welds generated at the casing can be made small, and cambers generated at the casing can be suppressed.
US08070428B2	Airfoil shape for a turbine nozzle An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a table. Wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches, the profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08070425B2	Turbocharger with sliding piston, and having vanes and leakage dams A turbocharger having a sliding piston for regulating exhaust gas flow into the turbine wheel includes a set of first vanes mounted on a fixed first wall of the turbine nozzle and projecting axially toward an opposite second wall of the nozzle, and/or a set of second vanes mounted on the end of the piston and projecting in an opposite axial direction toward the first wall of the nozzle. For the/each set of vanes, there are leakage dams formed on the wall that is adjacent the vane tips when the piston is closed. The leakage dams are closely adjacent the vane tips and discourage exhaust gas from leaking in a generally radial direction past the vane tips as the piston just begins to open from its fully closed position.
US08070421B2	Mechanically affixed turbine shroud plug A sealing interface for a component in a turbine machine, wherein a plug is mechanically affixed within an entrance passage of an aperture. The plug is secured in place within the entrance passage through deformation of an inner end of the plug to cause the plug to mechanically engage a groove formed adjacent the entrance passage.
US08070418B2	Vacuum pump A vacuum pump includes a gas inlet, a quick-rotatable rotor connectable with a flange of a multi-chamber vacuum installation which flange has a plurality of suction openings separated by separation walls, and a gas path separating structure which is located in the gas inlet of the pump, dividing the gas inlet in suction regions, and which seals, together with the separation walls, chambers of the multi-chamber vacuum installation.
US08070417B2	Disc shaped impeller and fuel pump A disc shaped impeller may comprise an upper face and a lower face. Concavities may be repeatedly arranged along a circumferential direction on the upper face and the lower face. Each concavity may include a front surface, a back surface, an inner surface, an outer surface and a bottom surface. Each front surface may include a front-inner area formed between an inner edge of the front surface and a middle portion of the front surface. Each front-inner area may be formed in a convex shape when viewed as a longitudinal cross-section. The longitudinal cross-section is defined as a cross-section through a longitudinal plane disposed so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction.
US08070414B2	Cargo carrying vehicle and method of operation A rear loading cargo carrying wheeled vehicle includes a pair of container lifts for moving shipping containers between a container support platform on the vehicle and an unloaded position behind the vehicle. Each lift typically includes a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the vehicle, a telescoping arm telescopically mounted on the pivot arm, and a container engaging support member mounted on the telescoping arm for engaging and supporting the containers. A platform lift is provided for lowering the platform during the loading operation to provide greater stability. The container support platform includes a forward section and tail section which is movable relative to the forward section to provide greater clearance for loading and unloading the container. Guide walls along either side of the platform guide misaligned containers onto the platform. The container lifts are configured for loading and unloading one or more containers onto and from the platform.
US08070411B2	Low center of gravity carrier A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Using Super Single rear wheels and an airbag suspension, for example, sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle and an increase in payload height.
US08070409B2	Method and apparatus for transporting steel billets An apparatus to feed elongated metallic workpieces to a manufacturing process including a storage hopper configured to hold a plurality of workpieces that are randomly oriented and a movement device having a workpiece support that is automatically engageable with a workpiece.
US08070408B2	Load lock chamber for large area substrate processing system The present invention generally includes a load lock chamber for transferring large area substrates into a vacuum processing chamber. The load lock chamber may have one or more separate, environmentally isolated environments. Each processing environment may have a plurality exhaust ports for drawing a vacuum. The exhaust ports may be located at the corners of the processing environment. When a substrate is inserted into the load lock chamber from the factory interface, the environment may need to be evacuated. Due to the exhaust ports located at the corners of the environment, any particles or contaminants that may be present may be pulled to the closest corner and out of the load lock chamber without being pulled across the substrate. Thus, substrate contamination may be reduced.
US08070406B2	Self-piercing riveting A self-piercing rivet for forming joints in high strength steel has a partially hollow shank of a particular form in order to ensure that it has sufficient column strength to pierce the material. The thickness of the shank is such that adequate joint strength is achieved with a lower degree of flare than would be necessary for conventional riveted joints. The ratio of the thickness of the shank (outside diameter minus inside diameter) is in the range 0.47 to 0.52. The ratio of the cross sectional area of the shank in the region around the bore to the outside diameter of the shank is in the range 3.0:1 to 3.6:1.
US08070402B2	Frame stacking methods and spacers A method and apparatus for increasing the volumetric efficiency with which automotive vehicle frames are stacked on a carrier such as a railroad flat car. Frames are alternately reversed end-for-end and/or laterally offset from one another and may be longitudinally angled and internested between adjacent stacks. Twin sheet molded HDPE spacers are used.
US08070400B2	Device for the high-speed drilling of printed circuit boards A device for the high-speed drilling of boards for printed circuits and the like. The device has a support, a drill head with an associated mandrel, and a member for locking and driving a drill bit in the mandrel. The mandrel is actuated by a compressed air turbine and has an optical encoder for encoding the speed of rotation of the turbine and generating a signal representing this speed. The signal is supplied to a control circuit in order to drive a proportional valve supplying compressed air to the turbine as a function of the speed of rotation encoded by the optical encoder.
US08070398B2	Multi-blade self feed bit A shank that has one end adapted to be connected to a chuck of a rotary tool. The opposite end of the shank supports a cutting head having a series of teeth formed on the edge thereof for cutting the periphery of the hole. A screw tip may be provided for feeding the bit into and through the wood. A plurality of cutting blades are provided for boring the interior of the hole. The cutting blades define a plurality of cutting edges that are disposed at different angles to a plan perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
US08070397B2	Self feed bit The self feeding drill bit comprises a shank that has one end adapted to be connected to a chuck of a rotary tool such as a drill or power driver. The opposite end of the shank supports a cutting member where the cutting member is a cup shaped member having a series of teeth formed on the edge thereof. A screw tip is provided for feeding the cutting member into and through the wood. A removable cutting blade is provided for boring the interior of the hole. A kit including a self feed bit and a plurality of replacement bits is also provided.
US08070392B2	Bearing plate for use in an anchor assembly and related method A bearing plate for use in an anchor assembly and associated method are provided. The bearing plate may have a body with a middle portion with a helical configuration about an axis. Leading and trailing portions are also included on either end of the middle portion. An upper leading portion surface may extend an angular distance from 5° to 45° about the axis. The upper leading and middle portion surfaces may extend at different rates in the axial direction per extension about the axis in order to reduce friction on the leading portion during insertion. Additionally or alternatively, the middle portion of the body may be tapered and/or included a rounded outer edge in order to reduce friction during insertion and/or to increase ease of manufacture. A method of putting together an anchor assembly in the field in order to achieve a desired bearing capacity is also disclosed.
US08070390B2	Method and apparatus for repairing piles A method and apparatus for the repair of damaged piles and a repaired pile assembly, are included herein, wherein the method comprises providing a pile comprising a first pile side configured to define a first channel, and a second pile side configured to define a second channel. The pile has at least one damaged section. The method also includes providing at least two bent plates; attaching a first bent plate to the pile to fit within the first channel; and attaching a second bent plate to the pile to fit within the second channel. The bent plates overlap the damaged section. At least one cover plate is attached to at least one of: the pile, or the first and second bent plates, to form at least one compartment. Each compartment is then at least partially filled with a grout; and the grout is cured or allowed to cure.
US08070389B2	Modular topsides system and method having dual installation capabilities for offshore structures The present disclosure provides an improved method and system for loading a topsides onto an offshore structure by functional modules. A module support frame forms a supporting structure to which production modules can be assembled. The production modules are adapted to extract or process hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon well in an offshore location. One production module is a well bay production module to which other production modules can be coupled, including a drilling support production module, separation production module, export module, and utility module. The module support frame can be loaded onto floating barges and other modules assembled thereto to allow the barges to provide incremental and controlled support during the loading process and for the floatover installation. The barges can be floated out to the offshore structure and loaded onto the offshore structure by methods including a floatover method or with a heavy-lift crane vessel.
US08070387B2	Shoreline stabilization, restoration, and runoff filtration Various embodiments described herein provide shoreline restoration modules which may be anchored together along a shoreline of a body of water, such as a lake or pond, to facilitate restoration of the shoreline. The shoreline restoration modules may include a photodegradable material selected to degrade over a period of years, such as four years or five years, while maintaining strength over the period of years to prevent breakdown of a media enclosed by the shoreline restoration modules. In some embodiments, the shoreline restoration modules also provide beneficial run off nutrient, silt, and other particulate matter trapping and filtering.
US08070385B2	Paving machine control and method A control is provided for a machine that applies a material to a subgrade and pulls a floating screed over the top surface of the material behind the machine. The floating screed is attached to the machine by at least one tow arm at a tow point on the tow arm. The vertical height of the tow point is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder on the machine in response to a valve control signal applied to a hydraulic valve. The screed determines the thickness of the material on the subgrade as it is manipulated by adjusting the height of the tow point such that the top surface of the material follows a reference surface. A first sensor is mounted on the machine, adjacent the front of the machine, for sensing the relative height of the reference surface and providing a first sensor output related thereto. A second sensor for senses the height of the tow point relative to the machine and provides a second sensor output related thereto. This can be accomplished directly, or by sensing the height of the tow point with respect to the reference surface and subtracting the portion of the this sensed height attributable to changes in the reference surface. A control circuit, responsive to the first sensor output and the second sensor output, provides a valve control signal to the hydraulic valve for control of said hydraulic cylinder.
US08070384B1	Dust suppression agent A method for reducing capillary water uptake and preventing soil erosion is herein disclosed.
US08070383B2	Method and composition for modifying soil and dust control A composition for chemical improvement of soil and road base materials including an aqueous solution of a water repellant and an aqueous emulsion of a soil stabilizer and dust retardant is herein disclosed.
US08070381B2	Road stud A base unit for a road stud is provided. In one embodiment, the base unit is made of plastic and has a recess with a plurality of projections. The projections extend over the floor of the recess for retaining a resilient insert within the recess. The base unit comprises a first portion representing the body of the base unit, and one or more additional portions fitted to said first portion, for example by adhesive bonding. Each of said projections may be formed from one or more planar elements. The base unit further has a front portion, a back portion, and opposing side walls, wherein the recess is located between the front and back portion and the opposing side walls. The underside of the front and back portions is provided with ribbing for transverse strengthening. A cavity is formed in the underside of each of the opposing side walls. A colorant may be added to the plastic of the base unit in order to color the base unit, for example to match the color of reflectors provided in the insert. The top surface of the base unit may be provided with an anti-skid pattern.
US08070380B2	Traffic channelizer A traffic channelizer is provided. In one implementation, the traffic channelizer may include upper and lower portions with a center region in between. The center region may include front and back surfaces joined together by multi-faceted end regions extending and tapered from the bottom of the traffic channelizer to the top of the traffic channelizer. A handle for carrying the traffic channelizer and a bracket for mounting a warning light or other signage may be provided at the top of the traffic channelizer. The front and back surfaces may include a recessed region for mounting a reflective material or other signage.
US08070378B2	Channeled track connector A channeled track connector having a base and a slider. The slider slides into an key opening in the base. The base includes a first foot for engaging the channeled track. The slider includes a second foot for engaging the channeled track. Each piece standing alone is not engagable to the channeled track. However, when slid together, the base and slider as a whole stands together as one-piece, remains fixed to the channeled track, and serves as a mount for a predefined object.
US08070374B2	Applicator with product reserve, in particular for nail varnish A packaging and application device that includes a composition and an applicator. The applicator includes an application element and a rod. The rod includes a first portion that includes at least two branches. The at least two branches form at least one cavity therebetween, the at least one cavity opens onto an outer surface of the rod, and the cavity includes a non-constant cross-section along the length of the rod.
US08070373B2	Deformable mascara brush The mascara brush including a brush stick which is provided in a cap; a brush which is provided at the end of the brush stick; and an elevating bar which is connected to the brush stick in the manner of screw. The brush gets straightened to make eyelash voluminous when the elevating bar is elevated down and the brush gets curved to make eyelash curled when the elevating bar is elevated up.
US08070368B1	Hermetically packaged LiNbO3 optical circuit with oxidizing fill gas A hermetically packaged integrated optical circuit includes an integrated optical circuit and a hermetically sealed container, which defines a volume. The integrated optical circuit is secured within the volume. The hermetically packaged integrated optical circuit further includes a fill gas comprising oxygen disposed within the volume of the hermetically sealed container.
US08070367B2	Field terminable LC format optical connector with splice element An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle, the housing including a shell, a first resilient latch disposed on a surface of the shell, and a backbone. The LC format connector also includes a collar body disposed in the housing and retained between the outer shell and the backbone, wherein the collar body includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body. The collar body further includes a mechanical splice disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the second end of the fiber stub to a second optical fiber. The LC format connector further includes a trigger coupled to an outer surface of the housing backbone, the trigger including a second latch that engages the first latch when acted upon by a pressing force. An optical connector with a single piece latch structure is also provided.
US08070366B1	Optical fiber connector and method An optical fiber connector and a method of forming an optical fiber connector are described where the optical fiber connector has low eccentricity tolerance at each end of the connector. Optical interconnection can be made at both ends of the connector, with the low eccentricity tolerance at each end providing improved light transmission at each interconnection. The connector is formed by using two commercially available, off-the-shelf connector members. Each connector member has a first end with a low eccentricity tolerance and a second end that allows for a fiber optic cable termination. The two connectors are connected together back-to-back, so that the second ends face each other and the first ends are disposed at opposite ends of the connector. The size of the connector can also be easily adjusted to make it shorter or longer.
US08070362B2	Sliding radial bearing A sliding radial bearing assembly for use on a rotating shaft in machinery where a fluid lubricant passes through the assembly to provide a lubricant film between stationary and rotating parts of the assembly. Any gaseous phase is allowed readily to escape from the assembly by providing a lubricant passage which exits close to the shaft, while a substantially non-gaseous film of liquid lubricant is maintained at the bearing interface.
US08070361B2	Linear rail system having preload adjustment mechanism A guide carriage assembly that permits adjustment of a relative position of a bearing device, typically a guide wheel, relative to a carriage body is provided. The guide carriage assembly includes a carriage body, at least one support shaft and a guide wheel mounted to the support shaft. The support shaft provides a locating axis about which the support shaft may rotate when mounted to the carriage body. The support shaft further defines an offset bearing axis about which the guide wheel rotates. The offset relationship between the bearing axis and locating axis permits adjustment of the relative position of the guide wheel, or support surface, and the carriage body by rotating the support shaft about the locating axis. The guide carriage assembly may further including locking structure that applies opposing torques about the locating axis to secure the support shaft, and consequently the guide wheel, in the desired location.
US08070359B2	Plastic bag with pour spout and reinforced bottom end A plastic bag includes a front wall and a rear wall that are joined together to define a containment portion. To facilitate pouring a pourable substance from the containment portion, the plastic bag includes a pour spout. The pour spout includes an aperture that is defined in a lip. The lip can be formed into a channel such that the pourable substance is directed through the aperture. The plastic bag also includes a series of ribs that are formed in the region where the bag is folded to define a bottom end. The ribs reinforce the bottom end without compromising the flexibility of the bottom end.
US08070354B2	Systems and methods for mixing bioprocessing materials A system for mixing a bioprocessing fluid includes a container receiving the bioprocessing fluid and a support member supporting the container in an interior of a housing. A first channel is bounded by a first stationary arm and a second stationary arm with the first channel receiving the container. A first mixing arm and a second mixing arm are located in the interior. The first mixing arm is connected to the second mixing arm by a connecting member. The first mixing arm is located in the first channel and the second mixing arm is located in a second channel. The connecting member is movable to cause the first mixing arm to contact a first outer surface of the container to cause mixing of the bioprocessing fluid.
US08070348B2	Mixing drum blade A concrete mixing drum includes a wall having at least one projection (32a, 32b) integrally formed as part of a unitary body with the wall. The at least one projection extends from the inner surface of the wall and includes a tapered base region proximate the inner surface of the wall.
US08070346B2	Illumination device and liquid crystal display device An illumination device which can be used as a front light or a back light by improving brightness unevenness in the vicinity of an LED without dropping entire brightness and a liquid crystal display device using the same. This illumination device 10 has a light source on a light entering face 27 of a light guide plate 20 and a light guide plate 20 in which prisms 25 for reflecting by polarization or emitting light out of the light guide plate 20 are formed on a light emission face or a light reflecting face thereof and a cylindrical lens 26 for orienting and magnifying light is formed on the other face.
US08070343B2	Light pipe providing wide illumination angle A light pipe is configured to provide a wide effective angle of illumination while simultaneously providing a substantially uniform distribution of light along a length of the light pipe. One or more reflective surfaces not aligned with an inner surface are disposed such that when at least one reflective surface is illuminated, light is emitted from the light pipe at one or more specified angles of light emission. A plurality of reflection points are formed on the inner surface to cause the specified angles when at least one of the reflective surfaces is illuminated. A light pipe is also provided having one or more exterior protrusions configured to function as a secondary light source. A second portion of an outer surface of the light pipe has a radius of curvature which differs from the radius of curvature of the first portion of the outer surface.
US08070333B2	Docking light system including an accessory lamp A docking light system for a watercraft including a docking light fixture, a docking lamp positioned within the docking light fixture, and an accessory lamp mounted to the docking light fixture. The accessory lamp emits light outwardly from the watercraft and is masked to control the horizontal and vertical beam spread sectors of emitted light from illuminating the watercraft causing glare to an occupant of the watercraft. In another aspect, a navigation light is provided on the docking light fixture, where the navigation light may be a masthead light, a stern light, a port side marker light, a starboard side marker light, etc.
US08070331B2	Suspension A suspension has a holding element to which an arm is rotatably fastened, wherein a coupling element is provided which is rotatable around the holding element independently of the arm and which forms a security against rotation.
US08070329B1	Light emitting optical systems and assemblies and systems incorporating the same Improved light emitting optics systems are provided for obtaining desired illumination patterns. Illumination assemblies and systems are provided that incorporate improved light emitting optics systems.
US08070328B1	LED downlight An LED downlight fixture comprises an array of LEDs in thermal connectivity with a heatsink, the array of LEDs positioned adjacent a first aperture of a multi-piece reflector assembly, the multi-piece reflector assembly including a first reflector having the first aperture disposed in an upper portion of the first reflector and an opposed larger second aperture in a lower portion of the first reflector, a second reflector having a first aperture positioned adjacent the second aperture of the first reflector and a second aperture opposite the first aperture of the second reflector and defining a light exit passageway, a diffuser positioned proximal to and extending across the second aperture of the first reflector and the first aperture of the second reflector.
US08070323B2	Light fixture and light method A light fixture allows individual light bulbs to be arranged in compact fashion to maximize the number of bulbs per given area in the fixture. To facilitate replacement or exchange of the bulbs, the bulbs are mounted in alternating succession on a pair of separately movable supports, reorientation of which serves to remove the bulbs from the tight packed arrangement, to one in which the bulbs are sufficiently separated from one another to allow hand access for removal and installation of the bulbs. A distinct aspect of the aforementioned feature of the invention independent of the movable supports resides in the ability to utilize two of more of the fixtures to multiply the light produced. Advantageously, the fixtures can be arranged in direct physical series, side by side, or to form an array extending in orthogonal directions.
US08070319B2	Kinetic flame device An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members.
US08070318B2	Light-emitting diode cluster lamp The invention relates to a light-emitting diode cluster lamp. The light-emitting diode cluster lamp includes a plurality of light-emitting diode lamp packages, a control circuit, and a casing. Each of the light-emitting diode lamp packages includes a heat-conducting/dissipating module and a light-emitting diode module. The control circuit module is used for controlling the light-emitting diode lamp packages. The casing is adapted to accommodate the light-emitting diode lamp packages and the control circuit module. When the light-emitting diode cluster lamp is connected to a power source, the control circuit module selectively makes the light-emitting diode modules emit light. The heat generated during the light emission of each of the light-emitting diode modules is conducted and dissipated by the corresponding heat-conducting/dissipating module of each of the light-emitting diode modules.
US08070317B2	LED assembly An LED assembly includes a plurality of LED modules, a plurality of individual lenses and a pressing plate. Each LED module has a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs attached to the printed circuit board. Each lens covers a corresponding LED. Each lens includes a supporting base and a light adjusting portion disposed on the supporting portion. The pressing plate defines a plurality of through holes corresponding to the light adjusting portions of the lenses. The lenses cooperates with the LEDs. The light adjusting portions of the lenses extend through the through holes of the pressing plate. The pressing plate presses peripheral portions of the supporting bases towards the printed circuit boards of the LED modules.
US08070315B2	Illumination arrangement, multiple light module, luminaire and use thereof An illumination arrangement comprising a plurality of light-emitting semiconductor components (1), arranged in a row, a diffuser (2), which is illuminated by the light-emitting semiconductor components during operation of the illumination arrangement, intermixes light emitted by the semiconductor components during operation and has a light coupling-out area (200) remote from the semiconductor components, and two mutually opposite, reflective longitudinal side faces (3), between which the row of light-emitting semiconductor components is arranged, which run perpendicular or obliquely with respect to the light coupling-out area, and which reflect at least part of the light emitted by the light-emitting semiconductor components during operation in the direction toward the light coupling-out area.
US08070314B2	Push fit waterproof interconnect for lighting fixtures A push fit waterproof interconnect hub for a sequence of lighting fixtures. Each interconnect hub is formed as part of a special end cap of the lighting fixture. The interconnect hubs include a waterproof interconnect system that allows pass-through of electrical dabbling.
US08070312B2	Fluorescent light fixture with lamp catcher A fluorescent lamp tube catcher formed of bent wire can be detachably engaged with a light fixture, with the central portion of the lamp tube catcher positioned below fluorescent tubes in the light fixture during use. In the event that a fluorescent lamp tube inadvertently becomes loose in the light fixture, the fluorescent lamp tube catcher can stop the loose fluorescent lamp tube from falling. The fluorescent lamp tube catcher can be loosely retained on the light fixture, for example while replacing a fluorescent lamp tube that has failed.
US08070305B2	Mullion assembly for a refrigerated merchandiser A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area adapted to support product. The case includes a frame that has at least one mullion assembly defining an opening into the product display area, and a door that is positioned over the opening. The mullion assembly includes a mullion, a light assembly that is coupled to the mullion and that has a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the product display area, and a reflective surface that is coupled to at least one side of the mullion assembly and that extends along a length of the mullion. The reflective surface is visible from outside the case to increase visibility of product within the product display area.
US08070304B2	Camera lens unit A lens unit including a first lens including a first lens section having a first optical axis along which light passes, and a second lens. The second lens includes a second lens section having a second optical axis along which light passes, and a flange provided at the outer circumferential part of the second lens section and having a surface opposed to the first lens, and a tubular section extending from the flange in the direction of the second optical axis and having an inner side face opposed to the second lens section. The first lens is fitted in the tubular section and in contact with the inner side face of the tubular section of the second lens. The tubular section of the second lens has a plurality of protrusions protruding in the direction of the second optical axis and a plurality of valleys provided between the protrusions.
US08070302B2	Laminate type light-emitting diode device, and reflection type light-emitting diode unit A laminate type light emitting diode device having excellent heat radiation performance and high output capability is provided. A plurality of reflection type light emitting diode units 10 each of which includes a light emitting diode 2 and a dichroic mirror 3 in a hollow metal holder case 5 having high thermal conductivity so as to face each other are joined to one another through joint members 4 formed of electrical insulating material, thereby constructing the laminate type light emitting diode device 100.
US08070289B2	Non-contact optical coherence tomography imaging of the central and peripheral retina A system for imaging of the central and peripheral retina, includes one of a concave mirror and an elliptical mirror having an axis and being configured to rotate around the axis and a scanner configured to using a spectral domain optical coherence tomography system to obtain a non-contact wide angle OCT-image of a large portion of the central and peripheral retina.
US08070286B2	Image recording apparatus In an image recording apparatus using an inkjet mode, printing paper fed from a paper feeder 2 is supplied onto tables 1 movable by an endless transport mechanism of a table moving mechanism 5. After each table 1 is transferred from the endless transport mechanism to linear motor mechanisms 61 of the table moving mechanism 5, an image is recorded by an image recorder 3. Subsequently, the table 1 is transferred from the linear motor mechanisms 61 to the endless transport mechanism, and then the printing paper on the table 1 is discharged by a paper discharger 4.
US08070285B2	Recording device A recording device includes: a recording head which performs a recording operation on a recording medium; a transport member which has a plurality of through holes arranged therein and transports the recording medium; and a suction unit which has a suction force generating section for generating a suction force for sucking air and a plurality of communication channels for communicating the suction force generating section with the respective through holes and generates a suction force in the through holes to suck the recording medium onto the transport member. On the upstream side of the recording area in a transport direction, a suction force at the center in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium is larger than a suction force at the opposite ends.
US08070284B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head is adapted to eject liquid toward a target medium. A transporter is adapted to transport a tray on which the target medium is mounted toward a region facing the liquid ejecting head via a transporting path. A tray guide is disposed in a front side of the liquid ejecting apparatus, and having a supporting face adapted to support the tray thereon. The tray guide is movable between a first position connecting the supporting face with the transporting path to allow the transporter to transport the tray to the transporting path and a second position escaping the supporting face from the transporting path. The supporting face is kept being parallel to the transporting path when the tray guide is moved between the first position and the second position.
US08070280B2	Ink-jet recording apparatus In an ink-jet recording apparatus, insoluble materials originating from rubber members employed in an ink passage are prevented from precipitating into a preservation solution or a water-based ink filled into the ink passage. The ink-jet recording apparatus in which the preservation solution or a water-based ink is filled into the ink passage, is configured such that a rubber member employed in the ink passage is formed of a rubber not containing a lubricant.
US08070273B2	Ink storage container An ink storage container having a simply configured ink exchange function is provided, whereby the amount of stored ink is increased. An air flow control unit for controlling the flow of air between the inside and outside is disposed in an ink storage unit for storing ink. The air flow control unit includes: a valve element that is formed of an interconnected porous material and allows air to be exchanged between the inside and outside of the ink storage unit according to positive and negative changes in the internal pressure of the ink storage unit; and a liquid repellent membrane that has air permeability and liquid repellency and is disposed on an ink side of the valve element.
US08070272B2	Liquid container adapted to be mounted on a carriage to reciprocate together with a liquid ejecting head An ink cartridge 500 according to the invention is mounted on a carriage to reciprocate together with a coating head and serves to supply an ink in an air side containing portion 270 and a supply side containing portion 290 to the coating head. The air side containing portion 270 and first and second ink containing portions 292 and 294 are formed by a liquid containing concave portion 122 of a cartridge body 120 having one open surface opposed to a direction of a reciprocation of the coating head and a film 140 for sealing the open surface of the liquid containing concave portion 122. A stirring and moving member 711 is accommodated in the air side containing portion 270 and the second ink containing portion 294 in a movable state, respectively.
US08070271B2	Liquid transfer device and manufacturing method thereof A liquid transfer device of the present invention includes a passage unit, an energy supplier, and a supporter. In the passage unit, a common liquid chamber and a plurality of individual passages branching off from the common liquid chamber are formed. Such a passage unit includes a plurality of plates which are laminated on one another and include a first plate having a hole constituting the common liquid chamber and a second plate. The energy supplier supplies, to liquid in the individual passages, energy for transferring the liquid. The supporter projects inwardly from a side wall defining the hole formed on the first plate, and is continuous from one end to the other end of the common liquid chamber in a laminating direction of the plates so as to support the second plate in the laminating direction.
US08070268B2	Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head includes: a flow channel unit including a flow-channel-formed substrate that defines liquid flow channels including pressure chambers communicating with nozzle openings and a sealing plate formed with a diaphragm that varies the capacities of the pressure chambers and a liquid introduction hole, the sealing plate being joined to the flow-channel-formed substrate and defining lines of liquid flow channels including pressure chambers; and a head case including a storage chamber that accommodates a pressure generator for displacing the diaphragm and a case flow channel for supplying liquid to the liquid flow channel of the flow channel unit, the diaphragm being arranged at an opening of the storage chamber on the bottom surface side and the flow channel unit being joined to the head case in a state in which the case flow channel and the liquid flow channel are communicated with each other via the liquid introduction hole, and the sealing plate is formed of a composite plate member formed by adhering an electrically conductive supporting substrate which is joined to the head case and an insulative elastic film joined to the flow-channel-formed substrate to each other, the inner diameter of the liquid introduction hole at least on the side of the supporting substrate is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the case flow channel to form a shoulder portion between the case flow channel and the liquid introduction hole, and an insulating material is secured in the shoulder portion.
US08070265B2	Heater stack in a micro-fluid ejection device and method for forming floating electrical heater element in the heater stack A method for forming a floating heater element includes processing a silicon substrate to form a heater stack having the heater element on the substrate with peripheral edge portions, processing the heater stack by depositing and patterning a layer of photoresist or hard mask thereon to substantially mask the heater stack and form a trench through the photoresist or hard mask exposing a surface area of the substrate extending along the peripheral edge portions of the heater element, and processing the masked heater stack and exposed surface area of the substrate by sequentially removing the photoresist and portions of the substrate at the exposed surface area and that underlie the heater element so as to create a well in the substrate undercutting the heater element and open along the peripheral edge portions thereof, the well being capable of filling with a fluid so as to produce the floating heater element.
US08070256B2	Ink jet head An ink jet head includes (A) a first black nozzle column having a plurality of nozzles arranged at a predetermined pitch in a transportation direction of a medium and discharging black ink, (B) a second black nozzle column having a plurality of nozzles arranged at the predetermined pitch in the transportation direction and located at positions shifted from the plurality of nozzles of the first black nozzle column in the transportation direction and discharging the black ink, and (C) a color nozzle column having a plurality of nozzles arranged at the predetermined pitch in the transportation direction and located at the same positions as the plurality of nozzles of the second black nozzle column in the transportation direction and discharging different colors of ink from different groups of nozzles thereof, each group including a predetermined number of nozzles consecutively disposed in the transportation direction.
US08070255B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus having a non contact type heater for heating a recording medium on which liquid is ejected via a liquid ejecting head, the heater having a heat generating surface and the heater being arranged in parallel to the liquid ejecting head along a transport direction of the recording medium. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a mist suctioning unit for suctioning floating mist generated by ejection of the liquid. The mist suctioning unit includes a nozzle plate in which nozzle orifices for ejecting the liquid are formed, the nozzle plate being provided on the liquid ejecting head, an electrode member provided at a marginal portion of the heat generating surface, and an electric potential difference generator for generating an electric potential difference between the electrode member and the nozzle plate to electrostatically absorb the mist on the marginal portion of the heat generating surface.
US08070254B2	Printing head cleaning apparatus, image forming apparatus having the same and method to clean printing head A printing head cleaning apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus includes a spraying unit to spray a quantity of cleaning solution using a sprayer and a cleaning shuttle to carry the spraying unit. The spraying unit includes a cleaning solution tank to store the cleaning solution sprayed by the sprayer, a spraying cam to operate the sprayer to selectively spray a quantity of the cleaning solution, and a cam driving member to cause the spraying cam to rotate according to movement of the cleaning shuttle.
US08070252B2	Image forming apparatus and method of detecting contamination in the image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a transport belt, a carriage, a reflection sensor, and a control unit. The transport belt transports a recording sheet in a sub-scanning direction. The carriage, mounting a recording head, reciprocally moves in a main scanning direction to record an image on the recording sheet. The reflection sensor, mounted on the carriage, receives light reflected from the transport belt to detect a leading edge of the recording sheet, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the received light. The control unit controls a contamination check process. The control unit instructs the carriage to move to a given position over the transport belt and to drive the transport belt for one rotation while maintaining the carriage at the given position. The control unit determines whether contamination exists on the transport belt based on the detection signal output from the reflection sensor.
US08070251B2	Inkjet printer maintenance system An inkjet printer maintenance system includes a manifold having an air removal passageway communicating with an ink reservoir, a valve in the manifold actuatable for opening and closing the air removal passageway for periodically drawing out air from the flow of ink in the ink reservoir and a valve actuator in the form of an electrically conductive wire sensitive to change in temperature. In response to application of electric current, and termination of application of electric current, the wire correspondingly contracts and extends in length causing the opening and permitting the closing of the air removal passageway by the valve.
US08070249B2	Inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method After a first scan in a forward direction, conveying corresponding to one nozzle block is performed, and then in a second scan in a backward direction, printing of a “printing area 1,” which is a unit area, is completed. Then after completion of printing of the unit area, conveying corresponding to 14 nozzle blocks is performed. Then by reciprocal third and fourth scans, printing of a “printing area 2” is completed in a likewise manner. Subsequently, two scans in a reciprocal manner are performed in a likewise manner to perform printing of each unit area. In any unit area, printing time intervals between scans are such that, at a same position in a scan direction, the time interval is the same. Consequently, differences in density between unit areas that are adjacent in a conveying direction of a printing medium, that is, between-band unevenness becomes more difficult to recognize.
US08070239B2	Regenerative braking coordination device A regenerative braking coordination device has a braking operating member receiving an input from a driver in the form of an operation amount, an input shaft operable for transmitting the operation amount, and a braking force boosting device operable to generate a hydraulic braking pressure corresponding to the operation amount transmitted by the input shaft. The device further includes a hydraulic pressure braking device to generate a braking force and an operation amount absorber for absorbing the operation amount of the input shaft. The operation amount absorber includes a cylinder, a piston dividing the interior of the cylinder into first and second hydraulic chambers and an orifice connecting the first and second hydraulic chambers. The orifice can be in the piston or in a flow channel.
US08070236B2	Vehicular brake hydraulic pressure control device A vehicular brake hydraulic pressure control device has a first operation unit T1 including a first brake operation element; a first brake system K1 for braking a first wheel brake R corresponding to the first operation unit T1; and a first control valve unit A and B for controlling brake hydraulic pressure in the first brake system. In the device, the first operation unit T1 and the first brake system K1 are separated so as not to flow a brake fluid, and the device further comprises a brake fluid tank 30 having a reservoir function for supplying the brake fluid to the separated first brake system K1.
US08070231B2	Locking and releasing mechanism for vehicle seat A locking and releasing mechanism for a seat having a first fitting part associated with one of a seat part and a backrest and a second fitting part associated with the other one of the seat part and the backrest that may be locked and released relative to one another by the mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism includes a detent pawl configured to selectively latch the first fitting part to lock a displacement of the first fitting part and the second fitting part relative to one another and a detent plate configured to be reversibly displaced between a detent position, wherein the detent plate locks the detent pawl so that the detent pawl remains latched with the first fitting part, and a release position, wherein the detent plate allows the detent pawl to be released from the first fitting part. The mechanism also includes driver configured to selectively move the detent plate between the detent position and the release position. The driver includes a securing segment for securing the detent plate against self opening.
US08070230B2	Chair having an inclinable back rest A rotatable office chair comprises at least two seat carriers, each further comprising an upper arched guide and a lower arched guide, and at least two back rest carriers, each further comprising a restrictedly guided region, and a back rest arranged on back rest carriers, wherein the restrictedly guided region of the at least one back rest carrier is guided between the upper arched guide and the lower arched guide of the at least one seat carrier, thus allowing the at least one back rest carrier to be inclined relative to the seat carrier, wherein the upper arched guide and the lower arched guide are embodied at least in certain regions as an arc of a circle portion and wherein the arc of a circle portion of the upper arched guide and the arc of a circle portion of the lower arched guide have the same center of a circle.
US08070228B2	Child vehicle seat A child restraint comprises a base and a seat which can be detachably connected to the base.
US08070227B2	Car seat with convertible bottom A car seat is configured to rest on a seat of a vehicle and to support a child, and the car seat has a shell with a front side and a rear side and a seating surface on the front side. A first contact surface is defined on a part of the car seat facing generally opposite the seating surface. The first contact surface is oriented to support the car seat with the seating surface at a first seat incline. One or more adapter bodies are carried on the car seat and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The one or more adapter bodies each define a second contact surface. With the adapter bodies in the stowed position, the first contact surface is exposed to rest on the vehicle seat. With the adapter bodies in the deployed position, the one or more second contact surfaces are exposed and oriented to support the car seat with the seating surface at a second seat incline different than the first seat incline.
US08070223B2	Vehicle seat with cushion plate A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a flexible plate member provided between the right and left side frames; a seat back cushion provided in front of the flexible plate member; a mechanism for pushing the seat back cushion to a front direction by forwardly protruding the flexible plate member that results from the flexible plate member being bent; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, wherein the headrest is forwardly movably connected to the right and left side frames via right and left link members; and a rear-end collision detecting plate disposed at a portion of the seat back frame behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detecting plate detects rearward movement of the seat occupant.
US08070222B2	Headrest device for active headrest The active headrest of the invention includes individual parts provided in a seat back. The individual parts include a lower unit which operates by an impact given to a frame, a wire which elevates/lowers inside the seat back linked to the lower unit, a solenoid to which the wire is locked and/or an upper unit having the solenoid, and a headrest device linked to a lifter or a connecting portion of the upper unit. At the time of collision, the wire is tensioned downward, the lifter or connecting portion of the upper unit ascends or tilt forward, and the ascent and forward tilting of the headrest are performed instantaneously. As a result, this headrest can secure the ascent stroke and forward tilting which can follow the movement of a head, etc. at the time of collision, and can protect a head, etc.
US08070220B2	Canopy chair An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a frame which attaches to outdoor furniture, in particular to a chair, and a canopy. Embodiments can be moved from an overhead position to a behind the chair position. The frames can be moved from a collapsed to a fully extended position. In embodiments the canopy can be positioned to contain the collapsed frame and chair in the carrying position.
US08070219B2	Chair leg rest assembly The present invention is related to a chair leg rest assembly or kit. The assembly or kit may include, among other things, a leg rest and a frame for extension and retraction of the leg rest. In addition, the invention may include a roller assembly connected to the leg rest for covering the frame. The invention is also related to a combination of the chair leg rest assembly or kit with a chair. In such a combination, the invention also includes a back which hingedly rotates independently from a seat.
US08070215B2	Vehicle impact detection system A side sill beam having a shape of an arch concave outwards in a vehicle-width direction is placed in a side sill, and includes first and second ends welded to joining areas with front and rear floor cross members, respectively. A first impact detection element that detects an impact from the outside in the vehicle-width direction is disposed near the joining areas of the side sill and the front or rear floor cross member, and a second impact detection element that detects an impact from the outside in the vehicle-width direction is disposed offset from the first impact detection element in a vehicle front-rear direction as viewed in the vehicle-width direction.
US08070206B2	Tailgate lowering apparatus and method A method for lowering a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising a first side, a second side, a tailgate, and a first tailgate support. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The first tailgate support may have a first end connected to the first side and a second end connected to tailgate. The method may further include detaching the first end of the first tailgate support from first side of the vehicle. Once a first extension link is selected, the first end of the first tailgate support may be connected to the first extension link. The first extension link may be connected to the first side. Once installed, the extension link may effectively lengthen the tailgate support, permitting the tailgate to hang lower than ninety degrees from its closed position.
US08070205B2	Harness assembly for a dual-mode tailgate A harness assembly for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a body and a dual-mode tailgate connected to the body via a dual-action hinge The harness assembly includes a protector connected to a frame of the tailgate. The protector has a body shaped to conform to a first portion of the tailgate frame having a first contour and a second portion of the tailgate frame having a second differing contour. A portion of the protector body is configured to route a section of a tailgate harness adjacent an outboard lateral edge of the tailgate frame and past the section of the tailgate harness under a dual-action hinge.
US08070201B2	Packaging unit handling arrangement An arrangement for handling packaging units, such as bottles, crates and the like with the aid of a robot, wherein the arrangement includes a mounting part (10) which is adapted for fixation to a robot arm, a tool carrier (20) which is adapted to carry one or more handling tools (30) such as a number of bottle grippers or the like, and a number of couplings each comprising a first engagement member (13) affixed to the mounting part, and a second engagement member (24) affixed to the tool carrier, wherein the second engagement member is restrictively displaceable axially relative to the first engagement member, so that the second engagement member will take a latching position relative to the first engagement member under the effect of gravity on the tool carrier in engagement with the first engagement member, wherein the working state of the tool carrier relative to the mounting part is defined when all second engagement members are in their respective latching positions.
US08070198B2	Manual article removal apparatus An article removal apparatus and method for the removal of debris from a surface by a user without physical bending, twisting, or strain. The article removal apparatus includes a blade, a structure for pivotal movement, a primary extension, and a secondary extension. The blade includes a first side, a second side, and a lengthwise axis. The structure for pivotal movement includes a pivotal axis adjacent to the second side. The primary extension includes a primary longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is adjacent to the second side. The secondary extension includes a secondary longitudinal axis, a pivotal end portion, and an opposing end portion. The pivotal end portion is adjacent to the structure for pivotal movement. A user grasps the primary and secondary extensions, one in each hand selecting the angle between them and plows the debris from the surface.
US08070184B2	Supplemental automotive restraint for pregnant women A Supplemental Automotive Restraint System for Pregnant Women has a protective shell structure with integral “Pelvic Yoke and Crotch Post”, “Breast Plate”, structural “Abdominal Bridge/Shell” over the abdomen between the “Pelvic Yoke” and the “Breast Plate”, “Shoulder Belt Retainer”, and appropriate padding and fill material, all of which work in conjunction with the standard automotive Type II lap and shoulder belt restraint system as required to be installed in all new passenger cars manufactured for sale in the United States by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 (FMVSS 208). The purpose of the “Supplemental Automotive Restraint System for Pregnant Women” is to reduce the likelihood of injury to a pregnant mother and her unborn child during maneuvering, crash, or other non-impact event of a motor vehicle while the mother is driving or riding in the vehicle.
US08070183B2	Airbag and airbag apparatus An airbag to be inflated by gas for a vehicle includes a base member for the airbag, an opening and closing vent provided in the base member, and a discharging gas control member for restraining gas from discharging from the opening and closing vent. The discharging gas control member closes or slightly opens the opening and closing vent when an occupant does not contact a front surface of the airbag facing the occupant when the airbag is inflated. The discharging gas control member opens or widely opens the opening and closing vent so as to allow the gas to be discharged from the opening and closing vent when the occupant contacts the front surface of the airbag, and the front surface is pushed in a direction opposite to the occupant.
US08070179B2	Storage latch for foldable stroller A foldable stroller has a frame assembly that can be moved from an in-use configuration to a folded configuration. A storage latch for the foldable stroller has a catch part carried on a first frame part that extends transversely between left and right frame sides. The storage latch also has a latch part carried on a second frame part that extends transversely between the left and right frame sides, at least one of the latch or catch parts moving from a stowed position to a latching position adjacent the other of the parts as the frame assembly is moved to the folded configuration.
US08070176B1	Safety clip for weight distribution trailer hitch A trailer hitch is disclosed having a spacer in the form of a fastener or stopper that limits the travel of a spring clip so as to allow complete removal of the safety pin from the associated weight distribution rod, but does not allow the clip to extend to a position where the pin's end passes the entrance of the hitch's outer surface. The fastener/stopper thus prevents the user or vibration/wear from allowing the clip to overextend to the point where the pin may become separated from the hitch.
US08070171B2	Leveling shock absorber and strut assembly The present invention includes methods and apparatus for easily adjusting a shock and strut assembly to modify the ride height of a vehicle by providing one or more spacers to be placed between the lower spring seat mount and the spring seat plate that rests upon it in order to raise the ride height of a vehicle. Embodiments include a unique location for a lower spring seat mount. The position of the lower spring seat mount may be lowered to reduce the ride height of the vehicle, and one or more spacers may be inserted above the lower spring seat mount to raise the ride height of the vehicle.
US08070168B2	Drill chuck The invention relates to a clamping drill chuck including a chuck body (1), a clamping cone (2) that can be rotated coaxially in relation to the chuck body (1) and is axially supported on a jaw holder (3) mounted on the chuck body (1) and in which clamping jaws (4) are guided in guiding slits, said clamping jaws being adjustable, by means of the jaw holder (3), for the clamping and releasing action by a relative rotation between the chuck body (1) and the clamping cone (2). The drill chuck also includes a locking device (9) provided with a toothed ring (6) which is coaxial to the chick axle (5), in addition to a latch mechanism (8) which is mounted on the jaw holder (3) and engages in the toothed ring (6) when subjected to the force of a spring (7).
US08070167B1	Vacuum crane pick-up device An arcade game pick-up device for use with hollow cylindrical targets that can be picked-up by applying a suction force to the bottom of the target, the pick-up device having a suction means and a control for reducing the tolerance between an impeding structure and the upper wall of the target to control the win percentage.
US08070165B1	Educational game and method An educational game includes a game board with a top side having a plurality of outer spaces forming an outer loop and a plurality of inner spaces forming an inner loop. First and second spinners are coupled to the game board. The first spinner indicates one of the outer spaces. The second spinner indicates one of the inner spaces. A plurality of outer cards is provided and each of the outer spaces has one of the outer cards positioned therein. A plurality of inner cards is provided and each of the inner spaces has one of the inner cards positioned therein. The outer cards include first information indicia and the inner cards include second information indicia. The first and second spinners are spun. The inner and outer cards indicated by the first and second spinners are read to determine if the first and second information indicia thereon match each other.
US08070159B2	Switchback mechanism and image forming apparatus In a color printer in which a drive force of a fixed gear that rotates not in both a forward direction and a reverse direction but in either one direction only is transmitted to a discharging unit, a swing gear is attached to a branch guide via a switching link and a transmission link as a link mechanism. When a solenoid mechanism starts driving, the transmission link rotates. In accordance with the rotation of the transmission link, the switching link rotates, so that a switching among a discharge conveying path, a duplex-printing conveying path, and a switchback conveying path by the branch guide and a switching of a rotating direction of a transmission gear can be simultaneously performed.
US08070156B2	Sheet adsorption device, transport device, and image forming apparatus A sheet adsorption device includes a sheet adsorbing surface, a suction hole disposed on the sheet adsorbing surface, and a flow path shifting unit that shifts between a first state and a second state of a communication flow path that is communicated with the suction hole in accordance with existence of a sheet that covers the suction hole. The cross-section area of a flow path in the second state is smaller than that in the first state and the communication flow path is not closed in the second state.
US08070154B2	Paper holding device and printer with the paper holding device A paper holding device includes a paper tray, a sliding plate, and a driving mechanism. The paper tray is configured for receiving printed paper. A shaft is secured to the paper tray. The sliding plate is slidably attached to the paper tray. A main gear member is disposed on the sliding plate. The driving mechanism is secured to the sliding plate and capable of sliding the main gear member along the shaft to slide the sliding plate on the paper tray.
US08070150B2	Sheet ejection device, image forming apparatus and sheet finisher provided therewith A sheet ejection device includes: a sheet ejection tray adapted to stack a sheet ejected thereon; an alignment member which aligns a position in a width direction and a direction perpendicular to a sheet ejection direction of the sheet on the sheet ejection tray; and a supporting unit which supports the alignment member so that the alignment member is displaced in a direction intersecting the sheet ejection direction when outer force is applied to the alignment member.
US08070145B2	Holding unit, assembly system, sputtering unit, and processing method and processing unit Because an electromagnetic chuck supplies current to a specific microcoil among a plurality of microcoils and makes an object exert an electromagnetic force working together with a magnet of the object, the object can be held in a state where the object is set at a desired position (a position that corresponds to the microcoil to which current has been supplied) on a base surface. Further, by gas that blows out from a gas supply passage, a levitation force is given to the object, which can reduce effects of a friction force that acts between the object and an upper surface of the electromagnetic chuck when the position of the object is set.
US08070144B2	Assembly guide for vehicle spring and method A vehicle spring guide assembly is shown for mounting a coil spring to a suspension component of a vehicle. The assembly can include a vehicle mounting member and a spring guide member. The vehicle mounting member includes a bumper portion and a mounting interface portion. The mounting interface portion can be configured to engage the bumper portion and fixedly mount the bumper portion to a suspension component of a vehicle. The spring guide member can include an annular portion configured to engage with one end of a coil spring and a flexible frustoconical portion configured to extend within the inside diameter of the coil spring. The flexible frustoconical portion can be detachably engaged with the mounting interface portion of the vehicle mounting member, and can be configured to guide and isolate the coil spring during assembly.
US08070136B2	Modular stackable fence apparatus A unitary stackable fence module having end assemblies and span members is provided for forming a perimeter fence having an inwardly inclined profile. A right angle end support has vertical and horizontal members and an angle arm, spaced from and attached to a side edge of the vertical and horizontal members adjacent the span members. The unique arrangement permits a plurality of fence modules to be stacked for transport or storage. Loops formed on the vertical members permit pivotal pinning of fence modules together to form perimeter fences of any polygonal shape.
US08070133B1	Flywheel and clutch lift A mechanical lift for raising, lowering, and positioning a flywheel or a clutch assembly, the mechanical lift incorporating a base, the base being configured as a mechanic's floor creeper; a boom arm mounted upon the base for motion between first and second positions, the boom arm extending upwardly from the base while in the second position, the boom arm being positioned downwardly from the second position while in the first position; a first hydraulic cylinder connected operatively to the boom arm, the first hydraulic cylinder being mounted for moving the boom arm between its first and second positions; a telescoping shaft and a second hydraulic cylinder actuating the telescoping shaft, the telescoping shaft being connected operatively to the boom arm; and a clutch or flywheel adapter fixedly attached to the boom arm.
US08070132B2	Fluid control device with a non-circular flow area A fluid control device with a non-circular flow passageway is disclosed. The fluid control device has an inlet port (318) formed on a first side (314) of a fluid control body. A valve cavity (320) is formed in the bottom of the fluid control body. The inlet port is coupled to the valve cavity with an inlet port opening. A valve seat (316) is formed in the valve cavity with a non-circular shaped valve seat passageway (310). An outlet port (306) is formed on a second side (312) of the fluid control body. The outlet port is coupled to the non-circular shaped valve seat passageway (310) by an outlet port passageway (308).
US08070130B2	Apparatus to bias valve closure members A biasing apparatus includes a first spring seat that has a first seating surface and a first protruding member extending a predetermined distance from the first seating surface and a second spring seat that has a second seating surface and a second protruding member extending a predetermined distance from the second seating surface. The first and second protruding members engage to slidably couple the first and the second spring seats.
US08070126B2	Device for actuation of a valve A valve operating device defined by the following features: a slider supported in axially displaceable manner in a housing and linked by an actuation segment to the valve, a first biasing spring configured in the housing and pre-stressing the slider against a first stop, an expansible element configured in the housing and being displaceably supported in approximately coaxial manner relative to the slider between a second and a third stop, a second biasing spring acting on the expansible element and pre-stressing the element against the second stop, the configuration allowing cooperation between the expansible element's drive pin and the slider, a heater associated to the expansible element, a heat dissipating element associated with the expansible element and cooling the expansible element when latter rests against the third stop, the force exerted by the first biasing spring being larger than that of the second biasing spring.
US08070125B2	Storage device mounting apparatus A mounting apparatus includes a bracket, fasteners, and a positioning member. The bracket includes an end member, and a pair of side plates perpendicular to the end member. The positioning member is pivotably attached to the end member. A pair of mounting holes is defined in each side plate. Each mounting hole includes an entry portion extending through an edge portion of the side plate, and a locating portion communicating with the entry portion. The entry portion is closer to the end member than the locating portion. The fasteners are attached to two sidewalls of a storage device. Each fastener includes a gasket received in the entry portion of a mounting hole to abut against the storage device. The positioning member is pivoted to abut against the storage device when the gaskets move from the entry portions to the locating portions of the mounting holes.
US08070122B2	Scissor-action support arrangement A scissor-action carrier for suspending a sign or other display from an overhead inverted “U” shaped channel support track. The scissor-action carrier comprises an elongated first arm and an elongated second arm pivotally connected to one another at a pivot axis. A rotatable wheel is attached to an upper end of each elongated arm. Wherein the wheels are individually insertable into and removable from the “U” shaped channel. A connector means is arranged at a lower end of each arm to permit support of a sign or other display therefrom when the carrier is inserted within the support track and the connector means of each arm are in respective alignment with one another, wherein the arms are prevented from rotating freely and the wheels are kept inside of the support track when the carrier is supporting a sign or other display.
US08070120B2	Vertical motion pendant arm Embodiments of the invention provide a vertical motion pendant arm for supporting an enclosure at a desired height. The vertical motion pendant arm can include an enclosure mounting assembly, a support mounting assembly, and one or more connectors. The vertical motion pendant arm can also include a drawbridge mechanism having a rotatable worm, a rotatable gear that engages the rotatable worm, one or more drawbridge arms coupled to the rotatable gear, and one or more gas springs coupled to the drawbridge arms and the connectors. The gas springs can provide a counterforce to the enclosure.
US08070117B2	Multimedia device bracket An apparatus and method for mounting various audio devices to a flat panel display employing mounting holes disposed on a rearward face of the panel of the flat panel display that are otherwise normally employed to couple a support of the flat panel display to the panel of the flat panel display, wherein a hub supporting rods that in turn support the audio devices is coupled to the rearward face of the panel with the aid of those holes, and wherein the hub and rods together convey electrical signals between at least one of the audio devices and at least one cable.
US08070115B2	Support stand for flat-panel monitor and elevating support for support stand An exemplary support stand (102) for a flat-panel display body includes an elevating support (30), a monitor bracket (50), and a support member (20). The elevating support includes a first chassis (321), a second chassis (322), a plurality of supporting blocks (3231) for connecting end portions of the first chassis and the second chassis, an elastic member (391), a first pivot subassembly (305), and a second pivot subassembly (306). The monitor bracket is rotatably connected to the first pivot subassembly. The support member is rotatably connected to the second pivot subassembly. The elastic member is capable of exerting a rebound force on two of the first chassis, the second chassis, and the supporting blocks. The first and second pivot subassemblies are fixed to the supporting blocks. The monitor bracket and the support member are rotatably connected to the first and second pivot subassembly correspondingly.
US08070114B2	Support stand A support stand includes a mounting assembly mountable on a table top, a suspension arm coupled to a rod member of the mounting assembly to hold a rotary barrel, a swinging arm pivotally connected to the rotary barrel of the suspension arm, a stretcher mounted in a frame bar of the swinging arm and a holder frame assembly coupled to the swinging arm to support an object. The stretcher includes a sleeve coupled to arched sliding slots of the frame bar of the swinging arm by a pivot pin, a connection frame plate pivotally coupled between the pivot pin and a mounting lug at the rotary barrel, a spring member and an adjustment screw assembly mounted in the sleeve for allowing adjustment of the elevation of the supported object with less effort and positive positioning of the supported object after an elevation adjustment.
US08070111B1	Electrical cord cleat The electrical cord cleat is a simple cleat that attaches to a surface immediately adjacent an electrical outlet and of which provides a means to secure at least one electrical cord thereon. The electrical cord cleat prevents unwanted disconnection from or damage to the electrical outlet by securing a portion of the electrical cord(s) to the near vicinity of the electrical outlet. An alternative embodiment includes a hinge to enable the cleat to fold flat against the adjacent surface when not in use.
US08070106B2	Aircraft wing and flap deployment system An aircraft wing including: a main wing element; and a flap connected to the main wing element by a deployment system which can deploy the flap from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the wing has a trailing edge which is swept, at least in the region of the flap, when the flap is in its retracted position, and wherein the deployment system is arranged such that the flap reduces the degree of sweep of the trailing edge of the wing in the region of the flap as it is deployed. The deployment system includes a first actuator configured to rotate the flap horizontally so as to change the sweep angle of the flap and a second actuator configured to rotate the flap vertically so as to increase the camber of the wing, and the first and second actuators are operable independently of each other.
US08070104B2	Parachute deployment line and cut knife A releasable deployment line for a parachute system is provided. The releasable deployment line may include a first segment of material including an aircraft end configured to be operably connected to an aircraft, and a release end configured to be operably connected to a first section of a multi-ring release system. The replaceable deployment line may further include a second segment of material including a container end configured to be operably connected to a parachute container, and a ring end configured to be operably connected to a second section of the multi-ring release system and a third segment of material. The third segment of material may include a parachute end configured to be operably connected to a parachute within the parachute container, and a pin end configured to be operably connected to a retaining pin associated with the first section of the multi-ring release system.
US08070103B2	Fuel line air trap for an unmanned aerial vehicle A fuel line air trap for an unmanned aerial vehicle has a vessel in-line with a fuel line, fuel line connectors, and fuel inlet and outlet stems. The vessel contains an inlet at a distal end and an outlet at a proximal end. The fuel line connectors are attached to the vessel at the inlet and at the outlet to connect the fuel line to the vessel. The fuel inlet stem attaches to the vessel at the inlet and a fuel outlet stem attaches to the vessel at the outlet. Both the fuel inlet stem and fuel outlet stem protrude into the vessel a predetermined distance such that a gap exists between them. As air bubbles enter the gap in the fuel line air trap, they separate from the flow of fuel and migrate to the exterior walls of the vessel. The air bubbles are purged during remain trapped refueling.
US08070098B2	Aircraft tail cone In a rear cone of a fuselage of an airplane a pressurized space is arranged in the rear cone and extends up to an impervious strong wall, placed on a rear portion of the length covered by a fin. The pressurized space constitutes an area accessible to individuals and is able to constitute, in particular, a rest and service area for the crew.
US08070097B2	Mobile divider for an aircraft A mobile divider for an aircraft or an aircraft cabin with a first wall section, a second wall section that is essentially arranged parallel to the first wall section and a cable duct that is arranged between the first wall section and the second wall section. The cable duct protrudes over an edge of the first wall section and an edge of the second wall section in at least one location. This makes it possible to route a supply line such as, for example, an electric line in the cable duct within the divider and also in the transition region between the divider and, for example, a cabin supply channel such that the supply line is not visible to a passenger traveling in the cabin, particularly in the transition region from the mobile divider into the supply channel.
US08070096B2	Systems and methods for recovering an airship An airship recovery system is disclosed including a first cushion pad configured to create a suction force on an outer portion of the airship to capture the airship during landing. An arm is coupled to the first cushion pad and movable between at least two different vertical positions. In an embodiment the air is movable in multiple degrees of freedom. An actuator device is coupled to move the arm. A sensor device is incorporated to detect the location of the airship relative to the recovery system. A controller is utilized to receive signals from the sensor device regarding the location of the airship and output command signals to the actuator to move the arm and the first cushion pad toward a desired contact location on the airship.
US08070094B2	Aircraft landing gear actuator A landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. An actuator is connected to the landing gear strut, and includes main and emergency drives housed within a common body and operable independently from one another. A controller in communication with the actuator is configured to command the actuator between the stowed and deployed positions in response to an input. The controller commands the main drive during a normal operating condition and commands the emergency drive in a failure condition of the main drive. The actuator includes a body supporting emergency and main leadscrews arranged coaxially with one another. Main and emergency motors respectively are coupled to the main and emergency leadscrews. An output rod is supported by and extends from the body. The output rod is threadingly coupled to and is coaxial with the main leadscrew and configured to move axially in response to rotation of the main leadscrew. A brake selectively enables and disables the emergency drive.
US08070091B2	Electromechanical actuation system and method Electromechanical actuation systems and methods are provided. The electromechanical actuation system includes first, second, and third linear actuators having respective first, second, and third ranges of motion and an output member coupled to the first, second, and third linear actuators such that a position of a selected portion of the output member is based on actuation of the first, second, and third linear actuators.
US08070088B2	Permeate tube and related methods A novel positive traction permeate tube and fittings therefor are described for use in spirally wound membrane filtration elements for filtration and separation applications. Membrane filtration elements incorporate the novel permeate tube. Methods of making the novel positive traction permeate tube are also disclosed, as are the preferred sanitary stainless steel materials used for the sanitary tube and fittings. The novel permeate tube involves a sanitary tubing having two open ends, each with an end fitting. The end fittings engage a positive traction drive for high tension spiral winding of a membrane element spirally around the novel permeate tube. Membrane filtration elements made with the novel permeate tube are less subject to slippage and breakage during manufacture and can withstand higher pressure drops and flow rates during use without failure of the spirally wound membrane element. The positive traction permeate tube facilitates membrane replacements.
US08070087B2	Splicing apparatus and method An apparatus and method for splicing tapes dispensed from a tape dispenser. According to one embodiment, a first, running or unwinding roll of tape is provided with a first splicing element secured to its trailing end portion. A second, stationary or standby roll of tape is provided with a second splicing element secured to its leading end portion. The second splicing element comprises a body made of a self-supporting material and formed with at least one aperture sized to receive the tape from the first roll. While tape is being dispensed from the first roll, the running tape is inserted into the aperture of the second splicing element. When the first roll of tape becomes depleted, the first splicing element engages the second splicing element, thereby splicing the leading end portion of the second tape roll to the trailing end portion of the first tape roll.

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