最新美国发明专利第2011-12-20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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US08080568B1	2-pyridyl substituted imidazoles as therapeutic ALK5 and/or ALK4 inhibitors This invention relates to 2-pyridyl substituted imidazoles which are inhibitors of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type I receptor (ALK5) and/or the activin type I receptor (ALK4), methods for their preparation, and their use in medicine, specifically in the treatment and prevention of a disease state mediated by these receptors.
US08080566B1	Carbazole inhibitors of histamine receptors for the treatment of disease The present invention relates to carbazole compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and methods which may be useful as inhibitors of H1R and/or H4R for the treatment or prevention of inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic, and ocular diseases.
US08080564B2	Hemodynamics improving agent Agents which contains a serotonin derivative as an active ingredient are effective for improving hemodynamics and for preventing or improving deterioration of hemodynamics associated with aging and progression of cardiovascular diseases.
US08080562B2	Crystalline pharmaceutical and methods of preparation and use thereof Novel crystalline polymorphic forms, Forms A, B, C, D, and E of a compound of Formula I, which has been found to be a potent inhibitor of LFA-1, are disclosed. Methods of preparation and uses thereof in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases are also disclosed in this invention.
US08080560B2	Immune response modifier formulations containing oleic acid and methods Pharmaceutical formulations and methods including an immune response modifier (IRM) compound and an oleic acid component are provided where stability is improved by using oleic acid have low polar impurities such as peroxides.
US08080558B2	4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-quinazoline derivatives as anti-cancer agent The invention relates to substituted 4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-quinazoline derivatives of the formula-I, or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, which possess anti-proliferative activity such as anti-cancer activity and are accordingly useful in methods of treatment of the human or animal body. The invention also relates to processes for the manufacture of substituted 4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-quinazoline derivatives, to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound and to its use in the manufacture of medicaments for the production of an anti-proliferative effect in a warm-blooded animal such as man.
US08080557B2	Quinazolinedione derivatives as PARP inhibitors The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as PARP inhibitors as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, L1, L2, X, Y and Z have defined meanings.
US08080556B2	2-amino pyrimidine compounds as potent HSP-90 inhibitors The present invention is directed to compounds of formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, their synthesis, and their use as HSP-90 inhibitors.
US08080554B2	Methods for using extracellular adenosine inhibitors and adenosine receptor inhibitors to enhance immune response and inflammation A method is provided herein to increase an immune response to an antigen. The method includes administering an agent that inhibits extracellular adenosine or inhibits adenosine receptors. Also disclosed are methods to increase the efficacy of a vaccine and to increase an immune response to a tumor antigen or immune cell-mediated tumor destruction.
US08080553B2	Methods and reagents for the treatment of immunoinflammatory disorders The invention features a method for treating a patient diagnosed with, or at risk of developing, an immunoinflammatory disorder by administering to the patient a tetra-substituted pyrimidopyrimidine, either alone or in combination with one or more additional agents. The invention also features a composition containing a tetra-substituted pyrimidopyrimidine in combination with one or more additional agents.
US08080550B2	Anesthetic compositions and methods of use The invention generally relates to anesthetic compositions comprising low doses of a selective a-2 adrenergic receptor agonists in combination with anesthetic agents. The invention also relates to methods of using these compositions; in particular, the use of these compositions in humans to enhance the efficacy of a local peripheral anesthetic injection. The compositions and the methods are particularly useful in regional block anesthetic injections, and more particularly, in dental anesthetic injections.
US08080542B2	S1P receptor modulating compounds and use thereof The present invention relates to amides that have activity as SIP receptor modulating agents and the use of such compounds to treat diseases associated with inappropriate S1P receptor activity. The compounds may be used as immunomodulators, e.g., for treating or preventing diseases such as autoimmune and related immune disorders including systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, type I diabetes, uveitis, psoriasis, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, non-glomerular nephrosis, hepatitis, Behçet's disease, glomerulonephritis, chronic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia, hepatitis and Wegner's granuloma; and for treating other conditions.
US08080540B2	Therapeutically active triazoles and their use Estratrien-triazoles corresponding to formula (I) (shown below) which are useful in therapy, especially for the treatment and/or prevention or inhibition of a steroid hormone dependent disorder, preferably a steroid hormone dependent disease or disorder requiring the inhibition of a 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) such as 17β-HSD type 1, type 2 or type 3 enzyme.
US08080534B2	Targeting PAX2 for the treatment of breast cancer The present application provides methods of prevention and/or treatment of breast cancer in a subject by inhibiting expression of PAX2. In the certain embodiments, the method of inhibiting expression of PAX2 is to administrate the subject a nucleic acid encoding an siRNA for PAX2. A method of treating cancer in a subject by administering DEFB1 or by increasing expression of DEFB1 is also provided.
US08080533B2	Hypoxia induced mitogenic factor We found that FIZZ1/RELMα is inducible by hypoxia in lung. The hypoxia-upregulated expression of FIZZ1/RELMα was located in the pulmonary vasculature, bronchial epithelial cells, and type II pneumocytes. Recombinant FIZZ1/RELMα protein stimulates rat pulmonary microvascular smooth muscle cell (RPSM) proliferation dose-dependently. Therefore, we renamed this gene as hypoxia-induced mitogenic factor (HIMF). HIMF strongly activated Akt phosphorylation. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 inhibits HIMF-activated Akt phosphorylation. It also inhibits HIMF-stimulated RPSM proliferation. Thus, the PI3K/Akt pathway, at least in part, mediates the proliferative effect of HIMF. HIMF also has angiogenic and vasoconstrictive activity. Notably, HIMF increases pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance more potently than either endothelin-1 or angiotensin II.
US08080532B2	Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of Huntingtin gene The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of the Huntingtin gene (HD gene), comprising an antisense strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less than 25 nucleotides in length and which is substantially complementary to at least a part of the HD gene. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by the expression of the HD gene, or a mutant form thereof, using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of the huntingtin gene in a cell.
US08080531B2	Methods for modulating checkpoint activation through TopBP1 ATR kinase is a key regulator of checkpoint responses to incompletely replicated and damaged DNA. Without this checkpoint, cells will enter mitosis prematurely, likely resulting in cell death. The invention provides methods and reagents to either block or activate the activation of the ATR kinase checkpoint, through, for example, either blocking or activating the expression of an ATR activator TopBP1. The invention also provides screening methods to identify additional ToBP1 inhibitors or activators that may be used to modulate the activity of the ATR checkpoint.
US08080530B2	Topical application of ivermectin for the treatment of dermatological conditions/afflictions Dermatological conditions/afflictions such as rosacea, common acne, seborrheic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, acneform rashes, transient acantholytic dermatosis, and acne necrotica miliaris, most notably rosacea, are treated by topically applying onto the affected skin area of an individual in need of such treatment, a topical pharmaceutical composition which comprises a thus effective amount of ivermectin.
US08080525B2	Peptide compositions and their use against the hepatitis C virus Novel peptide compositions are described. In particular, peptide compositions are described which include at least two peptides which are selected from among the following peptides: a peptide A having at least the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, a peptide B having at least the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 45, a peptide C having at least the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 127, and a peptide D having at least the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 174. The compositions can be used, in particular, in the preparation of active pharmaceutical compositions against the hepatitis C virus.
US08080521B2	Flowable carrier matrix and methods for delivering to a patient A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.
US08080520B2	Composition and method for treating iron deficiency anemia A composition comprising heme iron and/or heme iron polypeptide in combination with ionic iron(s) and/or chelated iron(s). Administration of effective dosages of the present composition provides a method for treating and/or preventing iron deficiency anemia, and the physiological, biochemical, morphological, and behavioral manifestations symptomatic of same.
US08080519B2	Compositions and methods for enhanced pharmacological activity of compositions comprising peptide drug substances Pharmaceutical agents, compositions containing the same and methods for their use for enhancing the bioavailability and pharmacological efficacy of therapeutic peptides. The pharmaceutical agents have the formula Carrier-Linker-Peptide Wherein Peptide is a therapeutically active peptide species having the formula aan wherein n is the number of amino acid residues in the peptide and n is 2 to 40, Carrier is benzoyl, phenylacetyl, cinnamoyl, 3-OH-cinnamoyl, 3,4-OH-cinnamoyl, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl, 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamoyl, 3-methoxycinnamoyl, 3,4-diethoxy-cinnamoyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-cinnamoyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, pivaloyl, N-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, fumaroyl and derivatives thereof and Linker is a C6 to C16 lipidic chain or a derivative thereof, an 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid or polymeric derivative thereof, pseudo peptide, or peptide mimic. Methods of use of compositions having the formula Carrier-Peptide wherein Carrier and Peptide are as just defined are also disclosed.
US08080516B2	Long lasting synthetic exendin-4 peptide conjugates Modified insulinotropic peptides are disclosed. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming a peptidase stabilized insulinotropic peptide. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components to form a conjugate. The conjugates may be formed in vivo or ex vivo. The modified peptides are administered to treat humans with diabetes and other related diseases.
US08080515B2	Method for prevention of platelet aggregation employing and RGD-enriched gelatine-like protein The invention concerns a cell support comprising an RGD-enriched gelatine that has a more even distribution of RGD sequences than occurring in a natural gelatine and with a minimum level of RGD sequences. More precise the percentage of RGD sequences related to the total number of amino acids is at least 0.4 and if the RGD-enriched gelatine comprises 350 amino acids or more, each stretch of 350 amino acids contains at least one RGD motif. Preferably the RGD-enriched gelatines are prepared by recombinant technology, and have a sequence that is derived from a human gelatine or collagen amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to RGD-enriched gelatines that are used for attachment to integrins. In particular The RGD-enriched gelatines of the invention are suitable for coating a cell culture support for growing anchor-dependant cell types. Further, the RGD-enriched gelatines of the invention may find use in medical applications, in particular as a coating on implant or transplant material or as a component of drug delivery systems.
US08080511B2	Formulations comprising water-soluble granulates The present invention relates to formulations comprising water-soluble granulates of phthalocyanine compounds, to a process for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof in washing agent and washing agent additive formulations.
US08080508B2	Formulations with unexpected cleaning performance incorporating a biodegradable chelant A chelating composition suitable for low-temperature use or storage is disclosed. The chelating compositions include 20 to 70 wt. percent of a polar solvent and 30 to 80 wt. percent of a first component of the formula: wherein R is a hydroxyalkyl group and each R′ is individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or inertly substituted alkyl groups, carbonyl-containing alkyl groups, carboxylate-containing alkyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups and alkoxy groups; R″ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or inertly substituted alkyl groups; carbonyl-substituted alkyl groups, carboxylate-containing alkyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups and alkoxy groups; M1 and M2 are alkali metal ions, wherein the M1 has a higher atomic weight than M2; wherein x+y=n and the mole fraction of M1 is greater than 0.70 to 1. Methods of suppressing crystallization and methods of cleaning surfaces employing the compositions described herein are also disclosed.
US08080506B2	Reactive purge compound for polymer purging The present invention relates to reactive purge compound for cleaning polymer processing equipment wherein the reactive purge compound that includes i) at least about 50 wt.% of a polymeric carrier component based on the total weight of the reactive purge compound; and ii) a chain scission catalyst component dispersed in the polymeric carrier component; wherein a) the chain scission catalyst component includes a chain scission catalyst selected from the group consisting of at least one alkali metal hydroxide, at least one alkaline earth metal hydroxide, and any combination thereof; b) the reactive purge compound further comprises a water generating component; or c) both (a) and (b); wherein the reactive purge compound is a feedstock material in the form of a plurality of pellets, granules, rods, powder or other particles.
US08080504B2	Pretreatment liquid for water-based ink printing applications A pretreatment liquid for applying to the upper surface of a recording media, prior to printing of printing applications using water-based ink, is provided. The liquid comprises a polyvalent metallic salt and at least one of a polymer swelling and a coalescence reagent.
US08080498B2	Elastic hollow particles for annular pressure buildup mitigation The concept involves placing within the annulus, hollow particles that possess material and geometric properties such that the hollow particles buckle at or near a defined pressure. Buckling of the particles increases the available volume within the annulus, thereby decreasing the annular pressure. The elastic hollow particles are designed such that they buckle in a sufficiently elastic manner to allow them to rebound towards their original shape as the pressure decreases. The rebounded particles then remain available to mitigate subsequent instances of APB.
US08080496B2	Method for reducing pest damage to corn by treating transgenic corn seeds with thiamethoxam pesticide A method to protect corn against feeding damage by one or more pests includes the treatment of corn seed having a transgenic event that is targeted against at least one of the pests with thiamethoxam in an amount that is effective against the same or another of the one or more pests. Seeds having such protection are also disclosed.
US08080494B2	Catalyst, exhaust gas purifying catalyst, and method of producing the catalyst A catalyst 1 has a heat-resistant support 2 selected from among Al2O3, SiO2, ZrO2, and TiO2, and a first metal 4 supported on an outer surface of the support 2, and included by an inclusion material 3 containing a component of the support 2.
US08080492B2	Hydroconversion multi-metallic catalyst and method for making thereof A catalyst precursor for preparing a bulk multi-metallic catalyst upon sulfidation is provided. The precursor has an essentially monomodal pore volume distribution with at least 90% of the pores being macropores, and a total pore volume of at least 0.08 g/cc. The bulk multi-metallic prepared from the precursor is particularly suitable for hydrotreating heavy oil feeds having a boiling point in the range of 343° C. (650° F.)—to 454° C. (850° F.), an average molecular weight Mn ranging from 300 to 400, and an average molecular diameter ranging from 0.9 nm to 1.7 nm.
US08080490B2	Antimicrobial phosphate glass The invention relates to an antimicrobial phosphate glass having the following composition in percent by weight on an oxide basis: P2O5>66-80 percent by weight; SO30-40 percent by weight; B203 0-1 percent by weight; Al2O3>6.2-10 percent by weight; SiO2 0-10 percent by weight; Na2O>9-20 percent by weight; CaO 0-25 percent by weight; MgO 0-15 percent by weight; SrO 0-15 percent by weight; BaO 0-15 percent by weight; ZnO>0-25 percent by weight; Ag2O 0-5 percent by weight; CuO 0-10 percent by weight; GeO2 0-10 percent by weight; TeO2 0-15 percent by weight; Cr2O3 0-10 percent by weight; J 0-10 percent by weight; F 0-3 percent by weight.
US08080486B1	Ballistic shield composites with enhanced fragment resistance Consolidated, layered composites having high penetration resistance to both bullets and fragments are described. The composites comprise, in order, a first non-woven fabric comprising one or a plurality of unidirectionally oriented high tenacity fibrous layers, a felt material comprising high tenacity felt fibers, and a second non-woven fabric comprising one or a plurality of unidirectionally oriented high tenacity fibrous layers. The non-woven fabrics and intermediate felt material are consolidated at facing lateral surfaces.
US08080483B2	Double gyroid structure nanoporous films and nanowire networks A method of forming a nanoporous film is disclosed. The method comprises forming a coating solution including clusters, surfactant molecules, a solvent, and one of an acid catalyst and a base catalyst. The clusters comprise inorganic groups. The method further comprises aging the coating solution for a time period to select a predetermined phase that will self-assemble and applying the coating solution on a substrate. The method further comprises evaporating the solvent from the coating solution and removing the surfactant molecules to yield the nanoporous film.
US08080481B2	Method of manufacturing a nanowire device The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor nanowire device in mass production at a low cost without an additional complex nanowire alignment process or SOI substrate by forming a single crystal silicon nanowire with a simple process without forming an ultra fine pattern using an electron beam and transferring the nanowire separated from the substrate to another oxidation layer or insulation substrate. And also, the present invention suggests a method for simply manufacturing a nanowire device transferring the nanowire from a semiconductor substrate formed thereon the nanowire to another substrate formed thereon an insulation layer or the like.
US08080480B2	Method of forming fine patterns and manufacturing semiconductor light emitting device using the same A method of forming a fine pattern begins with providing a c-plane hexagonal semiconductor crystal. A mask having a predetermined pattern is formed on the semiconductor crystal. The semiconductor crystal is dry-etched by using the mask to form a first fine pattern on the semiconductor crystal. The semiconductor crystal including the first fine pattern is wet-etched to expand the first fine pattern in a horizontal direction to form a second fine pattern. The second fine pattern obtained in the wet-etching the semiconductor crystal has a bottom surface and a sidewall that have unique crystal planes, respectively. The present fine-pattern forming process can be advantageously applied to a semiconductor light emitting device, particularly, to a phonic crystal structure required to have fine patterns or a structure using a surface plasmon resonance principle.
US08080479B2	Plasma process uniformity across a wafer by controlling a variable frequency coupled to a harmonic resonator A method of processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor chamber includes coupling RF power via an electrode to plasma in the chamber, the RF power being of a variable frequency in a frequency range that includes a fundamental frequency f. The method also includes coupling the electrode to a resonator having a resonant VHF frequency F which is a harmonic of the fundamental frequency f, so as to produce VHF power at the harmonic. The method controls the ratio of power near the fundamental f to power at harmonic F, by controlling the proportion of power from the generator that is up-converted from f to F, so as to control plasma ion density distribution.
US08080476B2	Polishing composition and polishing process To provide a polishing composition particularly useful for an application to polish a conductor layer made of copper in a semiconductor wiring process, and a polishing process employing it.A polishing composition comprising an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, characterized in that the composition is prepared so that the water contact angle of the surface of an object to be polished, after being polished by the composition, would be at most 60°. Particularly, a polishing composition having a pH of from 2 to 9 and comprising at least one anionic surfactant represented by the chemical formula R1-Y1′ or R1-X1-Y1′, wherein R1 is an alkyl group, an alkylphenyl group or an alkenyl group, X1 is a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group or a poly(oxyethylene-oxypropylene) group, and Y1′ is a SO3M1 group or a SO4M1, wherein M1 is a counter ion, a protection film forming agent different from the anionic surfactant, and at least one nonionic surfactant represented by the chemical formula R2-X2, wherein R2 is an alkyl group, and X2 is a polyoxyethylene group, a polyoxypropylene group or a poly(oxyethylene-oxypropylene) group, and having a HLB value of from 10 to 16.
US08080475B2	Removal chemistry for selectively etching metal hard mask Embodiments of the present invention describe a removal chemistry for removing hard mask. The removal chemistry is a wet-etch solution that removes a metal hard mask formed on a dielectric layer, and is highly selective to a metal conductor layer underneath the dielectric layer. The removal chemistry comprises an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a hydroxide source, and a corrosion inhibitor. The hydrogen peroxide and hydroxide source have the capability to remove the hard mask while the corrosion inhibitor prevents the metal conductor layer from chemically reacting with the hydrogen peroxide and hydroxide source during the hard mask removal.
US08080471B2	MRAM cell structure Disclosed herein is an improved memory device, and related methods of manufacturing, wherein the area occupied by a conventional landing pad is significantly reduced to around 50% to 10% of the area occupied by conventional landing pads. This is accomplished by removing the landing pad from the cell structure, and instead forming a conductive via structure that provides the electrical connection from the memory stack or device in the structure to an under-metal layer. By forming only this via structure, rather than separate vias formed on either side of a landing pad, the overall width occupied by the connective via structure from the memory stack to an under-metal layer is substantially reduced, and thus the via structure and under-metal layer may be formed closer to the memory stack (or conductors associated with the stack) so as to reduce the overall width of the cell structure.
US08080470B2	Wiring structure and semiconductor device, and their fabrication methods A fabrication method for a wiring structure of the present invention includes: a process of forming a conductive wiring layer; a process of forming a wiring pattern on the wiring layer; a process of forming an insulative wiring interlayer film between wires of the wiring pattern; and a process of forming a plurality of longitudinal hole-shaped fine pores in the wiring interlayer film in a thickness direction of the wiring interlayer film by etching with a mask including one of nano-particles and material including nano-particles.
US08080466B2	Method for growth of nitrogen face (N-face) polarity compound nitride semiconductor device with integrated processing system Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatus and methods for forming Group III-V materials by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) processes and hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) processes. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a nitrogen-face (N-face) polarity compound nitride semiconductor device is provided. The method comprises depositing a nitrogen containing buffer layer having N-face polarity over one or more substrates using a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process to form one or more substrates having N-face polarity and depositing a gallium nitride (GaN) layer over the nitrogen containing buffer layer using a hydride vapor phase epitaxial (HVPE) deposition process, wherein the nitrogen containing buffer layer and the GaN layer are formed without breaking vacuum and exposing the one or more substrates to atmosphere.
US08080464B2	Methods for processing silicon on insulator wafers Methods are provided for etching and/or depositing an epitaxial layer on a silicon-on-insulator structure comprising a handle wafer, a silicon layer, and a dielectric layer between the handle wafer and the silicon layer. The silicon layer has a cleaved surface defining an outer surface of the structure. The cleaved surface of wafer is then etched while controlling a temperature of the reactor such that the etching reaction is kinetically limited. An epitaxial layer is then deposited on the wafer while controlling the temperature of the reactor such that a rate of deposition on the cleaved surface is kinetically limited.
US08080456B2	Robust top-down silicon nanowire structure using a conformal nitride In one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a nanowire product comprising: providing a wafer having a buried oxide (BOX) upper layer in which a well is formed, the wafer further having a nanowire having ends resting on the BOX layer such that the nanowire forms a beam spanning said well; and forming a mask coating on an upper surface of the BOX layer leaving an uncoated window over a center part of said beam over said well and also forming a mask coating around beam intermediate ends between each end of a beam center part and a side wall of said well. In another exemplary embodiment, a nanowire product comprising: a wafer having a buried oxide (BOX) upper layer in which a well having side walls is formed; a nanowire having ends resting on the BOX layer so as to form a beam spanning said well and said side walls; and a hard mask coating on an upper surface of said BOX layer and around intermediate ends of said beam between each side wall of said well and ends of a center part of said beam leaving an uncoated window over a beam center part through which oxidation of said beam center part can take place.
US08080454B2	Method of fabricating CMOS transistor A method of fabricating a CMOS transistor includes forming strained channels by re-crystallized amorphous polysilicon with the tensile film or the compressive film during annealing. C or Ge ions are optionally used to form solid-phase epitaxy to amplify the stress in the strained channel. Therefore, the charge carrier mobility in a CMOS transistor is improved.
US08080452B2	Effecting selectivity of silicon or silicon-germanium deposition on a silicon or silicon-germanium substrate by doping The invention relates to a method for selective deposition of Si or SiGe on a Si or SiGe surface. The method exploits differences in physico-chemical surface behavior according to a difference in doping of first and second surface regions. By providing at least one first surface region with a Boron doping of a suitable concentration range and exposing the substrate surface to a cleaning and passivating ambient atmosphere in a prebake step at a temperature lower or equal than 800° C., a subsequent deposition step of Si or SiGe will not lead to a layer deposition in the first surface region. This effect is used for selective deposition of Si or SiGe in the second surface region, which is not doped with Boron in the suitable concentration range, or doped with another dopant, or not doped. The method thus saves a usual photolithography sequence required for selective deposition of Si or SiGe in the second surface region according to the prior art.
US08080450B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor thin film On a translucent substrate, an insulating film having a refractive index n and an amorphous silicon film are deposited successively. By irradiating the amorphous silicon film with a laser beam having a beam shape of a band shape extending along a length direction with a wavelength λ, a plurality of times from a side of amorphous silicon film facing the insulating film, while an irradiation position of the laser beam is shifted each of the plurality of times in a width direction of the band shape by a distance smaller than a width dimension of the band shape, a polycrystalline silicon film is formed from the amorphous silicon film. Forming the polycrystalline silicon film forms crystal grain boundaries which extend in the width direction and are disposed at a mean spacing measured along the length direction and ranging from (λ/n)×0.95 to (λ/n)×1.05 inclusive, and crystal grain boundaries which, in a region between crystal grain boundaries adjacent to each other and extending in the width direction, extend in the length direction and are disposed at a mean spacing measured along the width direction and ranging from (λ/n)×0.95 to (λ/n)×1.05 inclusive.
US08080446B2	Integrated circuit packaging system with interposer interconnections and method of manufacture thereof A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing an integrated circuit; mounting a routing structure having a functional side above the integrated circuit; mounting a vertical interconnect to the functional side of the routing structure and the vertical interconnect extending vertically away from the routing structure; and forming an encapsulation that encapsulates the integrated circuit, the routing structure.
US08080444B2	Method for forming a packaged semiconductor device having a ground plane A method of placing a die includes providing an embedded plane. The embedded plane has a openings, grid lines, and protruding portions. Each of the plurality of openings are surrounding by a subset of the plurality of grid lines. At least one of the protruding portions extends into one of the openings. A die is placed into one of the openings and at least one of the protruding portions bends during such placement so that it is in contact with at least a portion of a minor surface of the die.
US08080442B2	Vertical system integration The Vertical System Integration (VSI) invention herein is a method for integration of disparate electronic, optical and MEMS technologies into a single integrated circuit die or component and wherein the individual device layers used in the VSI fabrication processes are preferably previously fabricated components intended for generic multiple application use and not necessarily limited in its use to a specific application. The VSI method of integration lowers the cost difference between lower volume custom electronic products and high volume generic use electronic products by eliminating or reducing circuit design, layout, tooling and fabrication costs.
US08080440B2	Resistor random access memory cell with L-shaped electrode A phase change random access memory PCRAM device is described suitable for use in large-scale integrated circuits. An exemplary memory device has a pipe-shaped first electrode formed from a first electrode layer on a sidewall of a sidewall support structure. A sidewall spacer insulating member is formed from a first oxide layer and a second, “L-shaped,” electrode is formed on the insulating member. An electrical contact is connected to the horizontal portion of the second electrode. A bridge of memory material extends from a top surface of the first electrode to a top surface of the second electrode across a top surface of the sidewall spacer insulating member.
US08080436B2	Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the light emitting device A method of manufacturing a light emitting device includes: a first step of forming on a supporting substrate made of a stainless steel, a plurality of conductive members each including a first region containing Au and a second region containing a metallic member having a diffusion coefficient with respect to a metal in the stainless steel smaller than a diffusion coefficient of Au with respect to the metal in the stainless steel, a second step of forming a base member made of a light-blocking resin on the supporting substrate between the conductive members, a third step of bonding a light emitting element on an upper surface of a conductive member through an adhesive member, a fourth step of covering the light emitting element with an optically transmissive sealing member, and a fifth step of removing the supporting substrate and individually separating the light emitting devices.
US08080435B2	Organic electroluminescence element and manufacturing method thereof A main object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL element which can absolutely segment cathodes when forming an organic layer by a coating method, and a producing method thereof. The present invention attains the object by providing a producing method of an organic EL element comprising steps of: an organic layer forming step, in which at least one organic layer out of organic layers, including a light emitting layer, constituting an organic EL layer is formed by either of a printing method, a discharge method, or a transfer method on a substrate for an organic EL element, wherein the substrate for an organic electroluminescence element comprises a substrate, a first electrode layer formed on the substrate, plural insulating banks formed on the substrate on which the first electrode layer is formed and setting a segmentalized region which segments a second electrode layer into plural pieces, and wherein each of the banks has plural small banks provided in parallel with a predetermined gap; and a step of controlling a gap between the small banks such that, a height t1 of an end part of the organic layer at a side of a light emitting region of the small bank provided on the light emitting region side is higher than a height t2 of an end part of the organic layer at a side opposite to the side of the light emitting region of the small bank provided on the light emitting region side is.
US08080433B2	Method for detaching layers with low magnetic permeability A method for detaching a first material layer from a second material layer includes following steps: forming a high-magnetic-permeability material layer on a first material layer comprised of low-magnetic-permeability material; removing a portion of the high-magnetic-permeability material layer to expose a portion of the first material layer; epitaxially growing a second material layer comprised of low-magnetic-permeability material on the exposed portion of the first material layer and the high-magnetic-permeability material layer; cooling the first and second material layers; heating the high-magnetic-permeability material layer, thus detaching the first material layer from the second material layer.
US08080426B1	Method and apparatus for controlling hydroprocessing on-line This unique process is a feed forward control of hydroprocessing by on-line sulfur speciation. An on-line gas analyzer such as (GC) with a sulfur specific detector (AED) would be installed to analyze the feed to a hydrotreating unit. The analyzer would be calibrated to quantify the individual sulfur compounds or classes of sulfur compounds present in the feed. The output from the analyzer would be linked to the unit's distributed control system to automatically change temperatures and feed rates to change hydrotreating severity. This invention could bring economical benefits by increasing the life of the hydrotreating catalyst, reducing operating cost, and decreasing the potential amount of offspec product. In one embodiment, the hydrotreating is a hydrodesulphurization process.
US08080425B2	Quantitative analysis of a biological sample of unknown quantity Disclosed is a method for testing a modified specimen such as a dried blood spot, plasma or serum specimen, for an analyte of interest, such as cholesterol. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the level of the analyte of interest in the medium from which the modified specimen was obtained (e.g., from a patient's blood) is determined based on the level of an analyte in a solution formed from the modified specimen and on the level of at least one normalizing analyte. The analyte and normalizing analyte each may be an ion, compound, biochemical entity, or property of the specimen. Also disclosed are a fluid collector and a fluid collection device.
US08080421B2	Method for determining crystallization parameters and apparatus for use with the same The present disclosure provides a method to allow a user to pre-screen numerous crystallization conditions in the crystallization space to identify those conditions with the highest probability of yielding crystals and high quality diffracting crystals. In one embodiment, the dilute solution thermodynamic virial coefficient, termed B, is used to aid in the determination crystallization conditions that increase the probability of producing crystals for the crystallant of interest. The present disclosure also provide methods for predicting solution conditions that generate beneficial solubility and/or stability conditions for a polypeptide of interest using the B parameter. Devices for use in the described methods are also described.
US08080420B2	Methods and products for biasing cellular development Methods are described that bias cells, such as potent and multipotent stem cells, by transfection with a nucleic acid sequence, to differentiate to a desired end-stage cell or a cell having characteristics of a desired end-stage cell. In particular embodiments, human neural stem cells are transfected with vectors comprising genes in the homeobox family of transcription factor developmental control genes, and this results in a greater percentage of resultant transformed cells, or their progeny, differentiating into a desired end-stage cell or a cell having characteristics of a desired end-stage cell.
US08080418B2	Method of making a three dimensional cell culture matrix This invention relates three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds which have directional porous structure. More particularly, this invention relates to three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds for cell culture which are derived from or contain gums including naturally occurring gums, plant gums, galactomannan gums or derivatives thereof. The invention also relates to methods of making the matrices, articles of manufacture (e.g., cell culture vessels and labware) having such matrices or scaffolds, methods of applying these materials to cell culture surfaces, and methods of using cell culture vessels having these three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds.
US08080409B2	Sample processing device compression systems and methods Sample processing systems and methods of using those systems for processing sample materials located in sample processing devices are disclosed. The sample processing systems include a rotating base plate on which the sample processing devices are located during operation of the systems. The systems also include a cover and compression structure designed to force a sample processing device towards the base plate. The preferred result is that the sample processing device is forced into contact with a thermal structure on the base plate. The systems and methods of the present invention may include one or more of the following features to enhance thermal coupling between the thermal structure and the sample processing device: a shaped transfer surface, magnetic compression structure, and floating or resiliently mounted thermal structure. The methods may preferably involve deformation of a portion of a sample processing device to conform to a shaped transfer surface.
US08080406B2	Ethanol production system The present invention provides a method of automating the production of ethanol in an economical method yet maximizing the conversion of grains into ethanol in an even greater conversion efficiency with a greatly improved feed value byproduct.
US08080402B2	Surface expression method of peptides P5 and Anal3 using the gene encoding poly-gamma-glutamate synthetase The present invention relates to a method for expressing each of peptide antibiotics P5 3 and Anal3 35 having amphiphilicity and showing antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, on the microbial surface, using a vector containing outer membrane protein genes (pgsBCA) that are derived from Bacillus sp. strains and involved in the synthesis of poly-gamma-glutamate. Moreover, the present invention relates to lactic acid-forming bacteria having each of the peptide antibiotics P5 15 and Anal3 43 expressed on their surface, and the use thereof. According to the present invention, the peptide antibiotics can be expressed on the surface of various microorganisms transformed with the surface expression vectors. The inventive method for the surface expression of the peptide antibiotics allows the peptide antibiotics to be mass-produced without a purification process. Thus, the inventive method has very high industrial applicability. Further, the present invention can be applied to other peptide antibiotics besides P5 3 and Anal 3 35.
US08080396B2	Microorganism producing an amino acid of the L-glutamic acid family and a method for producing the amino acid A microorganism is cultured in a medium, and is able to produce one or two or more kinds of L-amino acids including L-glutamic acid, L-glutamine, L-proline, L-ornithine, L-citrulline and L-arginine, and is modified to increase α-ketoglutarate synthase activity. The L-amino acids are collected from the medium or the cells.
US08080385B2	Crosslinked adduct of polyaniline and polymer acid containing redox enzyme for electrochemical sensor A polymer matrix that may coated on an electrode is created by co-crosslinking (1) an adduct of a polyaniline formed by templated oxidative polymerization on a polymer acid; (2) a water-soluble crosslinker; and (3) a redox enzyme. The polymer matrix may be hydrated, and the absorbed water may make it permeable to, for example, glucose. The polyaniline may be polyaniline itself or a substituted polyaniline; the water-soluble crosslinker may be poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether, and the redox enzyme may be glucose oxidase. The polymer matrix may be produced by co-crosslinking (1) an adduct of an electrically conductive polymer and a polymer acid; (2) a water-soluble crosslinker; and (3) a redox enzyme in a single step at an about neutral pH, curing by drying. After hydration, the crosslinked polymer matrix may form a 3-dimensional glucose-permeable bioelectrocatalyst, catalyzing the electrooxidation of glucose.
US08080384B2	Method for determination of prognosis of prostate cancer, and diagnostic agent for use in the method A method for determining probability that prostate cancer will metastasize, as well as a diagnostic reagent used therefor is disclosed. It was discovered that the percentage that NF-κB-p65/RelA has the 254th amino acid threonine which is phosphorylated is significantly higher in the prostate cancer cells in the cases where the bone metastasis was observed than in the cases where bone metastasis was not observed. Thus, the method for determining probability that prostate cancer will metastasize comprises measuring human NF-κB-p65/RelA in which 254th amino acid threonine is phosphorylated, which human NF-κB-p65/RelA is contained in a prostate tissue separated from human.
US08080382B2	Monitoring immunologic, hematologic and inflammatory diseases This invention relates to the diagnosis and/or monitoring of patients with inflammatory diseases or conditions, e.g., immunologic, hematologic, vascular, or infectious diseases or conditions, by determining levels of complement pathway components on erythrocytes. Methods of diagnosing vascular diseases or conditions by determining levels of complement pathway components on platelets are also disclosed.
US08080380B2	Use of microfluidic systems in the detection of target analytes using microsphere arrays The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for conducting analyses, particularly microfluidic devices for the detection of target analytes.
US08080375B2	Methods and kits for detecting an enzyme capable of modifying a nucleic acid An improved method of detecting an enzyme in a sample, which enzyme is capable of adding or removing a chemical moiety to or from a nucleic acid molecule, thereby conferring the nucleic acid molecule with the ability to be extended to generate a novel detectable nucleic acid molecule, comprises the steps of allowing the sample to be tested for the presence of the enzyme to interact with the nucleic acid molecule; and testing for interaction of the enzyme with the nucleic acid molecule by detecting the novel nucleic acid molecule generated only in the presence of the enzyme. The preferred enzyme is a phosphatase. The methods have a number of applications, for example in enhancing the sensitivity of immunoassays, for detecting pathogen associated phosphatase, for diagnosing certain conditions and for detecting specific contaminants in a sample.
US08080374B2	Methods of diagnosing cardiovascular disease Described herein are methods for diagnosing increased risk of cardiovascular disease in a subject, based on the presence or absence of polymorphisms in the D36 gene.
US08080365B2	Thiopyran derivative, polymer, resist composition, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device using such resist composition To provide a thiopyran derivative, having a structure expressed by the following general formula 1: where X is O or S; R1 is —H, —CH3, C2-4 alkyl group, thioether group, or ketone group; R2 is —H, —CH3, or trifluoromethyl group; and R1 and R2 may be identical to or different from each other.
US08080359B2	Image forming method An objective is to provide an image forming method by which sufficient fixing strength can be obtained at a low temperature of 120° C., excellent print images with no belt-like or streak image defect can be obtained, and no document offsetting is generated even though the superimposed print images are stored. Disclosed is an image forming method comprising the step of fixing a toner image formed with a toner comprising a releasing agent on a transfer material employing a contact-heating fixing device comprising a heating roller and a belt-shaped pressure body, wherein the heating roller is placed on the upper side of the transfer material, the releasing agent comprises the 1st releasing agent component and the 2nd releasing agent component, and the 1st releasing agent component has a content of 40-98% by weight, based on the total weight of the 1st and 2nd releasing agent components.
US08080356B2	Liquid developer and a method of forming image A liquid developer is provided. The liquid developer comprises: an insulation liquid constituted of a modified epoxy compound as a main component thereof; toner particles dispersed in the insulation liquid; and a cation type photopolymerization initiator used for polymerizing the modified epoxy compound. The liquid developer has superior fixing characteristics and is capable of forming an image at a high speed. Further, a method of forming an image is also provided.
US08080351B2	Triarylmethanes and processes for making the same Triarylmethane compounds used as antioxidants in overcoat layers to alleviate printing defects and an improved chemical process for the synthesis of these triarylmethane compounds using an acetal derivative of an aldehyde which significantly reduces reaction time and results with the formation of substantially no byproducts.
US08080347B2	Catalyst for polymer solid electrolyte fuel cell, membrane electrode assembly, and fuel cell There is provided a catalyst for a fuel cell, which simultaneously realizes excellent catalytic activity and catalytic stability. The catalyst for a fuel cell comprises a fine particle of a metal represented by formula: PtxRuySizT1u wherein T1 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), tungsten (W), vanadium (V), and molybdenum (Mo); x=30 to 90 atomic %; y=0 to 50 atomic %; z=0.5 to 20 atomic %; and u=0.5 to 40 atomic %, or comprises a fine particle of a metal represented by formula: PtxRuySizT2u wherein T2 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of hafnium (Hf), tin (Sn), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), chromium (Cr), and aluminum (Al); x=30 to 90 atomic %; y=0 to 50 atomic %; z=0.5 to 20 atomic %; and u=0.5 to 40 atomic %.
US08080342B2	Fuel cell system A fuel cell system determines a water blockage or a dry state of the system using voltage sensors that determine anode and cathode voltages of single fuel cells as well as a total voltage for the fuel cell system. The system also compensates for water blockages or dry states by adjusting supplies of fuel and oxidation gases to the system.
US08080340B2	Manganese oxide composite electrodes for lithium batteries An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor thereof a lithium metal oxide with the formula x{zLi2MnO3•(1-z)LiM′O2}.(1-x)LiMn2−yMyO4 for 0
US08080338B2	Lithium secondary cell with high charge and discharge rate capability A high capacity, high charge rate lithium secondary cell includes a high capacity lithium-containing positive electrode in electronic contact with a positive electrode current collector, said current collector in electrical connection with an external circuit, a high capacity negative electrode in electronic contact with a negative electrode current collector, said current collector in electrical connection with an external circuit, a separator positioned between and in ionic contact with the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte in ionic contact with the positive and negative electrodes, wherein the total area specific impedance for the cell and the relative area specific impedances for the positive and negative electrodes are such that, during charging at greater than or equal to 4 C, the negative electrode potential is above the potential of metallic lithium.
US08080333B2	Battery pack Positive and negative terminals formed on a top face of a unit cell and positive and negative terminals formed on a surface of a circuit board opposed to the unit cell are electrically connected to each other by connectors. The connectors each include an elastic body formed from an elastic material, and a conductor which is placed so as to be exposed on upper and lower surfaces of the elastic body and which serves for electrically connecting those exposed portions to each other. By elastic restoring force of the elastic body generated by elastic compression of the elastic body between the terminals, the upper and lower surfaces of the connectors are put into press contact between the opposing positive and negative terminals of the unit cell and the circuit board, by which their electrical connection is maintained.
US08080331B2	Battery pack including eight cylindrical cells in series-parallel configuration A battery pack includes a roughly rectangular casing, a main circuit board disposed at a bottom surface, and cylindrical battery cells disposed over the main circuit board in two rows and four layers and a battery cells in each set of paired battery cells being connected in parallel, and the four sets of the parallel-connected paired battery cells being connected in series.
US08080329B1	Uniformly wound battery Disclosed is an electric storage battery and method of making it, comprising a jellyroll electrode assembly in which electrodes are wound around a pin, and having one or more spacers at or near the inner ends of the electrodes to aid in winding the jellyroll. Also disclosed is an electric storage battery, and method of making it, comprising a jellyroll electrode assembly in which electrodes are wound around a pin, and having a plastic slotted tube closely fitted around the pin and covering the junction of the pin to an electrode substrate or interface material coupled to the electrode substrate. The spacers and plastic slotted tube may be used separately or together.
US08080326B2	Method of operating an electrical energy storage device using microchannels during charge and discharge A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes placing an electrical load to draw current from the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device includes a housing having an external surface and an internal surface. The method also includes generating electricity by at least one component within the housing. At least one component is configured to generate electrical energy in combination with other components, chemicals, or materials residing within the housing. Further, the method includes thermal control the electrical energy storage device by transferring heat to a plurality of microchannels coupled to at least one of the internal surface of the housing or at least one components. Further still, the method includes rejecting the collected heat through a thermal sink coupled to the microchannels. The thermal sink is configured to transfer heat energy from the microchannels and to receive a fluid flowing through the microchannels.
US08080324B2	Hard coating excellent in sliding property and method for forming same Disclosed is a hard coating excellent in wear resistance, insusceptible to seizure, and excellent sliding property even after use over the long term, and a method capable of forming the hard coating excellent in sliding property in a short time. The hard coating is a hard coating expressed by chemical formula MxBaCbNc, wherein M is at least one kind of metallic element selected from the group consisting of elements in the groups 4A, 5A, and 6A of the periodic table, and Si, Al, the hard coating having chemical composition satisfying respective formulas expressed by 0≦a≦0.2, 0≦c≦0.2, 0
US08080315B2	Responsive glass membrane and glass electrode An ion-selective electrode has a responsive glass membrane with an exterior thin film containing titanium dioxide of an anatase type that is continuously formed as an integrated body. The thin film, of several hundred nm in numbers, is electrically connected by an amount of titanium dioxide that will form a continuity in the thin film structure. The thin film can be porous and contain at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, tungsten, copper, platinum, gold, silver and iron. Additionally, significantly larger titanium dioxide particles of 0.02 μm in diameter can be further mixed into the thin film.
US08080313B2	Particle-toughened fiber-reinforced polymer composites Particle toughened, fiber-reinforced composites include a fiber region and an interlayer region between the fibers. The fiber region includes a plurality of fibers at least partially within a first polymer composition including a first base polymer formulation and a first plurality of toughening particles. The interlayer region includes a second polymer composition including a second base polymer formulation and at least one of the first plurality of toughening particles and a second plurality of toughening particles. Examples of first and second pluralities of toughening particles, respectively, may include core shell rubbers and polyimides. Increasing concentration of the first plurality of toughening particles may improve the composite toughness while preserving thermal properties of the composite, such as weight loss after extended duration exposure to elevated temperature. It is further discovered that the relative placement of the toughening particles influences composite mechanical properties, such as compression after impact (CAI) strength.
US08080309B2	Coating composition, its coating film, antireflection film, and image display device A coating composition forms a coating film having an eliminated or reduced photocatalytic action-derived deterioration, and forms a coating film having a lowered haze value, excellent dispersibility and dispersion stability in a coating liquid form, excellent storage stability, and also excellent coatability. The coating composition includes at least the following four components: titanium dioxide fine particles with eliminated or reduced photocatalytic activity which is obtained by surface treating titanium dioxide fine particles doped with cobalt capable of capturing free electrons and/or holes, with a zinc chelate compound capable of capturing free electrons and/or holes; a binder component; a dispersant; and an organic solvent.
US08080298B2	Refrigerant hose An object of the present invention is to provide a hose which has a gas barrier layer and a rubber layer adhered without using an adhesive, and which has a dramatically improved durability compared to the conventional hose. The hose of the present invention is a refrigerant hose having an inner layer comprising a gas barrier layer and a rubber layer adhered to the outer surface of the gas barrier layer. The gas barrier layer comprises a modified polyamide prepared by blending a polyamide and a carboxyl group-containing modified polyolefin, and the rubber layer comprises a rubber composition prepared by blending a particular amount of an alkylphenol formaldehyde resin and a particular amount of carbon black with a raw rubber. The raw rubber comprises a BIMS, a copolymer rubber which is a butyl rubber and/or a halogenated butyl rubber, and an EPDM, the carbon black is specified, and no adhesive layer is formed between the gas barrier layer and the rubber layer.
US08080297B2	Barrier coatings for films and structures The invention provides coated substrates comprising a substrate; and a coating on at least one surface of the substrate comprising vermiculite, polymer capable of forming a film, dispersion agent for the vermiculite in the polymer, said dispersion agent bearing a negative charge, and cross-linking agent. The invention also provides articles coated with such coatings and methods for making the coated substrates and articles.
US08080294B2	Biaxially oriented LLDPE blends Disclosed in one aspect is a film comprising at least one core layer comprising a blend of at least 20 wt %, by weight of the core layer, of a first linear LLDPE having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) within the range of from 1.0 to 4.0; and at least 20 wt %, by weight of the core layer, of a second LLDPE—in a certain embodiment a short-chain branched LLDP—having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) within the range of from 1.0 to 7.0; characterized in that the density of the second LLDPE is greater than the density of the first LLDPE by at least 0.002 g/cm3; and/or the I2 of the second LLDPE is greater than the I2 of the first LLDPE by at least 0.5 dg/min. In certain embodiments, the first and second LLDPEs are produced by a metallocene-catalyzed reaction. In yet another embodiment, the combined molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of the first and second LLDPEs is greater than 4.0.
US08080286B2	Low dielectric constant silicon coating, method for the preparation and application thereof to integrated circuits The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of a silicone coating of low dielectric constant, comprising the following essential steps: a) a film-forming silicone composition is deposited on the surface of a substrate, said silicone composition comprising: (i) at least one crosslinkable film-forming silicone resin, (ii) at least one α,ω-hydroxylated, essentially linear silicone oil capable of degrading under the action of heat, and (iii) at least one solvent capable of rendering the silicone resin (i) compatible with the silicone oil (ii), b) the solvent (iii) is removed, preferably by heating, and, simultaneously or sequentially, c) the film-forming silicone composition is cured by heating. The invention deals also with a silicone coating obtained by this process and an integrated circuit comprising such a silicone coating as an electrical insulator.
US08080283B2	Method for forming a yttria-stabilized zirconia coating with a molten silicate resistant outer layer A method for providing a component with protection against sand related distress includes the steps of: providing a substrate; depositing a layer of a yttria-stabilized zirconia material on the substrate; and forming a molten silicate resistant outer layer over the yttria-stabilized zirconia material.
US08080278B2	Cold gas spraying method The invention relates to a cold gas spraying method with the aid of which a substrate to be coated can be coated with particles. According to the invention, it is provided that microencapsulated agglomerates of nanoparticles are used as particles. This advantageously allows the advantages that accompany the use of nanoparticles to be used for the coating. The nanoparticles are held together by microencapsulations, wherein the microencapsulated particles formed in this way that are used in the cold gas spraying method have dimensions in the micrometer range, thereby allowing them to be used in the first place in cold gas spraying The microencapsulated nanoparticles may be used for example to produce a UV protective coating on lamp bases for gas discharge lamps.
US08080275B2	Composition for reducing fat migration in food products A composition for reducing or substantially eliminating oil or fat separation in a food product is described. The composition includes a source of saturated fat and a recrystallization agent. A method of making this composition, and of using this composition in a food product, is also described.
US08080271B2	Food interleaver, method for imparting flavor to food product, and combination food product and food interleaver A food interleaver is provided according to the invention. The food interleaver includes a paper base sheet, a release and barrier component for providing the food interleaver with release and barrier properties, and a food flavorant component. The food flavorant component is provided to transfer from the food interleaver to a food product that contacts the food interleaver, and provide the resulting food product with a desired flavor. A method for imparting flavor to food product and a combination food product and food interleaver are provided.
US08080269B2	Antimicrobial solutions and process related thereto Disclosed are antimicrobial compositions for treating poultry and meat to substantially eliminate bacteria and microorganism harmful to human. The compositions include various combinations of an aliphatic heteroaryl salt, an aliphatic benzylalkyl ammonium salt, a dialiphatic dialkyl ammonium salt, a tetraalkyl ammonium salt and/or trichloromelamine.
US08080267B2	Soy sauce containing 5′-nucleotides and method for producing the same The present invention relates to a method for producing a 5′-nucleotide-containing soy sauce characterized in that, in a soy-sauce producing method, malt, germinated rice, or a processed product thereof is added to soy sauce moromi mash with phosphatases derived from microorganisms being inactivated, thereby producing and accumulating 5′-nucleotides; and a 5′-nucleotide-containing soy sauce obtained according to the method.
US08080266B2	Water dispersible compositions and methods of using the water dispersible compositions Described herein are compositions comprising a nematicide intermixed with lecithin and a co-surfactant that form stable dispersions in water. Also disclosed are methods of controlling nematodes in soil by application of such compositions.
US08080261B2	1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene non-aqueous gel compositions and methods for using the same Gel compositions that contain 1-dichloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) are provided. Embodiments of the subject gel compositions include DNCB, an organic solvent and a viscosity agent, wherein the organic solvent and viscosity agent are inert with respect to the DNCB. Also provided are methods for using the subject compositions and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.
US08080258B2	Antimicrobial agent A proteineous component isolated from plant chromatin, after dissociation of the same, as an antimicrobial agent, the proteineous component having an apparent molecular weight between 10 and 20 kD. The proteineous plant component is produced by means of a method comprising the steps of homogenizing a plant material in order to expose its plant chromatin, dissociating the plant chromatin with a dissociating agent under hydrophobic conditions, and separating the dissociated plant chromatin into individual fractions, one comprising the proteineous plant component, by means of a hydrophobic interaction separation procedure.
US08080256B2	Endophytic fungi from Pteromischum sp. plant, compounds and methods of use The present disclosure relates to endophytic fungi from higher plants such as a Pteromischum sp. plant, and to extracts and compounds from such fungi that have desirable biological activities, such as antifungal and immunosuppressive activities. The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising such extracts and compounds, as well as methods of making and using the compositions.
US08080251B2	Antigenic peptides The present invention relates to peptide antigens of SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 10; repeat motif Gly-X-Gly-Asn-X-Gly of SEQ ID No. 11; and a method of developing drug against tuberculosis, said method comprising steps of targeting the proposed drug towards peptide antigens of SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 11, and thereby developing the drug against tuberculosis.
US08080249B2	Methods to treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease The present invention provides methods of treating a mammal having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), independent of both smoking status and asthma status/with a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-IgE Ênoiety. In accordance with the invention, COFD patients with sn elevated serum IgE level may benefit from the treatment methods disclosed. In certain instances, the methods of the disclosure have been found, to be useful ioÊ the treatment of COPD patients regardless of their skin test results arid/or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen. Anti-ÊgE moieties, in accordance With the invention, include but are not limited to any IgG antibody that selectively binds to a given mammal iirunuitoglobulln E (e.g., human imntnnoglQbulin E) such as humanized arrti-IgEy humanized murine monoclonal antibody, and/or Qmalizumab.
US08080248B2	Method of treating rheumatoid arthritis with an IL-6R antibody The present invention provides methods of preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis using a fully human antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds human interleukin-6 receptor (hIL-6R). The methods of the present invention may include administration of a second therapeutic agent, such as one or more of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a glucocorticoid, a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), or a TNF-alpha antagonist, T-cell blocker, anti-CD20 antibody, an IL-1, JAK or IL-17 antagonist, or any combination thereof.
US08080244B2	Anti-influenza M2e antibody Humanized recombinant and monoclonal antibodies specific for the ectodomain of the influenza virus M2 ion channel protein are disclosed. The antibodies of the invention have anti-viral activity and may be useful as anti-viral therapeutics and/or prophylactic/vaccine agents for inhibiting influenza virus replication and for treating individuals infected with influenza.
US08080241B2	Viruses for the treatment of cellular proliferative disorders Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by administering virus to proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway are disclosed. The virus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. The virus is selected from modified adenovirus, modified HSV, modified vaccinia virus and modified parapoxvirus orf virus. Also disclosed are methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by further administering an immunosuppressive agent.
US08080239B2	Cosmetic The present invention provides a cosmetic that contains glycerin modified on both ends with silicone represented by the following general formula (a). In this formula, R1 denotes a straight chain or branched alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms or phenyl group, R2 denotes an alkylene group having 2-11 carbon atoms, m is 10-120, and n is 1-11.The object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic that contains glycerin modified on both ends with silicone and is superior in terms of the sensation during use and the powder dispersion stability.
US08080237B2	Use of tellurium compounds for protection from ultra-violet radiation Methods for treating skin conditions such as basal cell carcinoma and/or actinic keratosis are provided, which are effected by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a tellurium-containing compound. A pharmaceutical composition for treatment of skin conditions such as basal cell carcinoma an/or actinic keratosis is also provided.
US08080233B2	Power generation from solid aluminum A fuel for splitting water into hydrogen and an oxide component comprises a substantially solid pellet formed from a solid-like mixture of a solid-state source material capable of oxidizing in water to form hydrogen and a passivation surface layer of the oxide component, and a passivation preventing agent that is substantially inert to water in an effective amount to prevent passivation of the solid-state material during oxidation. The pellets are brought into contact with an alloy of the passivation preventing agent having a melting point temperature below that of the solid-like mixture to initiate the hydrogen-producing reaction at a lower temperature.
US08080232B2	Process for recovering carbon dioxide In a process for obtaining CO2, desulfurized natural gas or gas which accompanies mineral oil is reformed autothermally with addition of oxygenous gas at a temperature of from 900 to 1200° C. and a pressure of from 40 to 100 bar (a) by partial catalytic oxidation to give a crude synthesis gas, and then converted catalytically to H2 and CO2 at a temperature of from 75 to 110 DEG C. and a pressure of from 50 to 75 bar (a) of CO, CO2 is scrubbed out of the synthesis gas obtained with methanol at a pressure of from 15 to 100 bar (a) and a temperature of from +10 to −80° C., and the absorbed CO2 is recovered by decompression. A further possible use of the process consists in converting the recovered CO2 to the supercritical state.
US08080230B2	Fine-particulate lead zirconium titantes zirconium titanate hydrates and zirconium titanates and method for production thereof The invention relates to fine-particulate zirconium titanates or lead zirconium titanates and a method for production thereof by reaction of titanium dioxide particles with a zirconium compound or a lead and zirconium compound. The titanium dioxide particles have a BET surface of more than 50 m2/g. The lead zirconium titanates can be used for the production of microelectronic components.
US08080213B2	Ozone generator and method for making and using same One embodiment of an improved ozone generator is comprehensively disclosed by descriptions of computer generated drawings depicting the first commercial version of the invention, which combines the following features: an extruded base with longitudinal channels for receiving connections at distributed points; an extruded cover for detachably engaging the base at each opposing sides and covering a substantial portion of said base; a central baffle that is integral with the cover fro dividing the enclosed volume into a reaction chamber and a circuitry chamber; one or more ultraviolet light sources mounted to connection points on a channel within the reaction chamber; electronic circuitry mounted to connection points on a channel within the circuitry chamber for controlling and transforming an input voltage to drive the light sources; sliding end caps secured to channels in the base for separately covering apertures formed by the ends of the cover and base and for detachably connecting the cover to the base; and a selectively restricted outlet conduit for providing fluid communication between the reaction chamber and an external point of ozone injection.
US08080208B2	Exhaust gas purification device An exhaust gas purification device that includes a catalytic particulate filter having at least an exhaust gas channel, the exhaust gas channel may include a first channel and a second channel being laterally coupled each other and fluidly communicating therebetween, wherein the exhaust gas is inlet through inlet opening of the first channel and outlet through lower portion of the first channel and/or outlet opening of the second channel, and wherein a first coating layer is formed on an interior surface of the first channel in a longitudinal direction thereof substantially from the inlet opening in a first predetermined length, the first coating layer being coated with a catalyst, and a second coating layer is formed on an interior surface of the second channel in a longitudinal direction thereof substantially from the outlet opening in a second predetermined length, the second coating layer being coated with the catalyst and a third coating is formed on an outside surface of a plug closing the outlet end of the first channel such that the second and third coating layers are connected.
US08080206B2	Multicomponent analysis of volatile organic compositions in vapor samples Amounts of volatile organic compositions can be evaluated from vapor samples based on the time dependent response of a fuel cell contacted with the vapor sample at its anode. The time response of the fuel cell signal, e.g., voltage or current, is de-convoluted using a set of standard curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the volatile organic compositions of a fuel cell with an equivalent construction as the sample-evaluation fuel cell. The methodology can be implemented on a system with an appropriate vapor collection device suitable for the particular application. The method and system can be used to analyze breath samples to evaluate ethanol levels or other volatile organic composition. The system can be a breathalyzer, a vehicle interlock, a medical analysis device or a sensor of environmental or industrial interest.
US08080204B2	Two dimensional sample handler A method for positioning a sample in a diagnostic analyzer includes: providing two or more sample carriers on a conveyor; providing a fixed registration element for each sample carrier at predetermined locations along the conveyor; providing a flexure device positioned between the sample carrier and the conveyor; advancing the sample carrier beyond the fixed registration elements; reversing the conveyor direction to back at least one of the sample carriers into contact with its corresponding registration elements; continuing to reverse the conveyor until all sample carriers are in contact with their respective registration elements; whereby the flexure elements of the sample carriers in contact with the respective registration elements will deform as the conveyor reverses to allow all sample carriers to contact their respective registration elements, thereby providing a known position of the sample carrier. The flexure device includes: first and second legs forming a inverted U-shape; a third leg which extends away from the top of the inverted U-shape; and a fourth leg which extends down the center of the U in the direction of the ends of the U.
US08080203B2	Air sterilization apparatus An air sterilization apparatus for sterilizing air that can include a fan assembly, which may be mounted in an upper-part of a room, and a UVC lamp to emit a UVGI field. The air sterilization apparatus may direct air across the UVGI field to sterilize the air. A baffle may also be provided to shield the eyes of occupants of the room from UVC energy contained in the UVGI field. The air sterilization apparatus may also include an illuminator lamp to provide illumination to a room.
US08080202B2	Component separating device and chemical analysis device using the same A vibrator has a large strength of a standing wave even with a low driving voltage, thereby improving the accuracy of component separation. A device according to the present invention includes a substrate having a channel groove provided in an upper surface of the substrate, a seal provided above the substrate so as to cover an upper opening of the channel groove, a projection provided on an outer side wall opposite to the channel groove, and a vibrator causing the projection to warp and vibrate in a depth direction of the channel groove. The warping vibration of the projection is amplified due to effect of leverage, and generates a large stress on the outer wall of the channel groove having the projection provided thereon. Consequently, the strength of a standing wave in the channel groove increases even for a low driving voltage, thereby improving the accuracy of component separation.
US08080200B2	Pulverized coal injection lance The present invention proposes a pulverized coal injection lance (10) for feeding pulverized coal from a rear end of the lance (10) to a front end (11) of the lance (10). The lance (10) comprises an outer pipe (12) for conveying combustive gas, and an inner pipe (14), coaxially arranged within the outer pipe (12), for conveying pulverized coal. The inner pipe (14) forms a separation wall for separating the pulverized coal from the combustive gas. The separation wall is at least partially discontinued in a region near the front end (11) of the lance (10), thereby forming a mixing region (16) within the pulverized coal injection lance (10). According to an important aspect of the invention, the outer pipe (12) and the inner pipe (14) have substantially the same length and wherein the inner pipe (14) comprises at least one lateral opening (18, 20) for allowing pulverized coal and combustive gas to come into contact within the pulverized coal injection lance (10) near the front end (11).
US08080199B2	Interaction of microwaves with carbon nanotubes to facilitate modification The present invention is directed toward methods of crosslinking carbon nanotubes to each other using microwave radiation, articles of manufacture produced by such methods, compositions produced by such methods, and applications for such compositions and articles of manufacture. The present invention is also directed toward methods of radiatively modifying composites and/or blends comprising carbon nanotubes with microwaves, and to the compositions produced by such methods. In some embodiments, the modification comprises a crosslinking process, wherein the carbon nanotubes serve as a conduit for thermally and photolytically crosslinking the host matrix with microwave radiation.
US08080198B2	Elastic diaper component A method of making an elastic component for incorporation into a diaper. The elastic diaper component begins as an elastic laminate (e.g., an elastic layer and a fabric layer) having a recoverable extension of at least 20% when an extension force E1 is applied. The method comprises the step of integratively pre-stretching the elastic laminate so that the elastic laminate will stretch to the same recoverable extension when a reduced extension force E2 is applied. In this manner, when the elastic laminate is used in the elastic diaper component, a lesser fitting force Ffit is required to extend the elastic component to a desired length during an initial fitting of a diaper on a wearer.
US08080197B2	Method for manufacturing filaments from an optically anisotropic spinning solution and air gap spinning device The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing filaments from an optically anisotropic spinning solution in which the spinning solution is extruded through a spinneret including a spinning field with a plurality of spinning orifices into a coagulation bath through a slot or diaphragm, the edges thereof being formed by plates with upper and lower sides. The upper sides of the plates are defined as the sides having the shortest distance to the spinning field, wherein the line through the center of the spinning field and perpendicular to the upper sides is located a distance (d) from a parallel line through the center of the slot or diaphragm. The projection of the slot or diaphragm has about the same size and shape as the projection of the spinning field. The plane of the upper side of one plate has a shorter distance to the center of the spinning field than the plane of the upper side of the other plate, and the line has a smaller distance to the edge of plate than to edge of plate. Furthermore, the invention pertains to an air gap spinning device for performing the method.
US08080194B2	Methods and pressure vessels for solid-state microcellular processing of thermoplastic rolls or sheets Disclosed herein are methods and pressure vessels for solid-state microcellular processing of thermoplastic rolls and sheets. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for making a gas impregnated interleaved roll, which method comprises: providing a pressure vessel having an internal pressure chamber and a rotatable shaft horizontally positioned within the pressure chamber; placing an interleaved roll about the rotatable shaft and within the pressure chamber, wherein the interleaved roll is made from a thermoplastic material sheet interleaved together with a gas-channeling material sheet; pressurizing the pressure chamber to a selected pressure; rotating the rotatable shaft having the interleaved roll thereabouts (thereby rotating the interleaved roll) while under pressure for a selected period of time; and depressurizing the internal chamber to yield the gas impregnated interleaved roll. In other embodiments, the invention is directed to multi-chambered pressure vessels for gas impregnation of thermoplastic rolls, sheets, and films.
US08080193B2	Method for the production of a sound insulation molding with mass and spring A method of producing a sound insulation molding with mass and spring, wherein both mass and spring are produced on the basis of the same material, in particular polyurethane. For the formation of a mass, reaction substances and fillers are brought into a mold, in particular sprayed in or injected, and brought to reaction. The spraying in or injection is thereby controlled such that the reaction substances and the fillers are supplied in locally different quantity and/or composition into the mold, dependent upon the sound damping to be locally achieved together with the spring, which is then formed on the so-formed mass in the same mold through formation of foam. Through this, with surfaces to be sound insulated which are of the same geometry, three-dimensional moldings of the same geometry can be produced with both different acoustic and also mechanical behavior in predetermined series.
US08080192B2	Volume-based dispensing control method A volume-based dispensing control method is capable of enabling a pump to dispense a resin with greatly increased accuracy. The method includes: a preliminary dispensing step in which a resin is dispensed on one or more workpieces with a pump; a volume measuring step in which the workpieces passed through the preliminary dispensing step is scanned by an optical scanner to measure a dispensed resin volume; a corrected-volume calculating step in which a corrected volume of the resin to be additionally dispensed is calculated by using a difference between the dispensed resin volume measured in the volume measuring step and a predetermined dispensing volume; and a corrective dispensing step in which the resin is dispensed on the workpieces in light of the corrected volume calculated in the corrected-volume calculating step.
US08080187B2	Energized biomedical device This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a biomedical device, such as an ophthalmic lens with an energy receptor capable of powering a processing device.
US08080184B2	Positive electrode material for a lithium ion accumulator A compound of formula Li1+x(NiaMnbCocAly)1−xO2 wherein: a, b and c are non-zero; a+b+c+y=1; 1.05≦(1+x)/(1−x)≦1.25; 0.015≦y(1−x); and the atomic amount of manganese representing from 95% to 100% of the atomic amount of nickel.
US08080182B2	Oxide sintered body and an oxide film obtained by using it, and a transparent base material containing it The oxide sintered body mainly consists of gallium, indium, and oxygen, and a content of the gallium is more than 65 at. % and less than 100 at. % with respect to all metallic elements, and the density of the sintered body is 5.0 g/cm3 or more. The oxide film is obtained using the oxide sintered body as a sputtering target, and the shortest wavelength of the light where the light transmittance of the film itself except the substrate becomes 50% is 320 nm or less. The transparent base material is obtained by forming the oxide film on one surface or both surfaces of a glass plate, a quartz plate, a resin plate or resin film where one surface or both surfaces are covered by a gas barrier film, or on one surface or both surfaces of a transparent plate selected from a resin plate or a resin film where the gas barrier film is inserted in the inside.
US08080180B2	Preparation of stable silver colloids A method is described for producing highly stable silver colloidal solutions by reducing silver nitrate with lithium citrate. In the method, the main steps consist of: (a) heating a first quantity of water to a first predetermined temperature; (b) adding a second quantity of silver nitrate to the water; (c) heating the mixture to a second predetermined temperature; (d) adding a third quantity of an aqueous lithium citrate solution to the mixture; (e) maintaining the mixture at the second predetermined temperature for a predetermined time; and (f) cooling the mixture. The mixing process is accompanied by constant stirring. The colloid exhibits high light-scattering properties and intense SERS or SERRS spectra with low background fluorescence levels and a long shelf life, making it particularly suitable for Raman spectroscopy.
US08080179B2	Dispersion comprising thin particles having a skeleton consisting of carbons, electroconductive coating film, electroconductive composite material, and a process for producing them The invention provides a dispersion capable of producing an electroconductive coating film and an electroconductive composite material comprising thin particles having a skeleton consisting of carbons, which can, without any problem in film manufacturability, attain high electrical conductivity at a temperature as lower as possible without deteriorating the dispersed state of the thin particles, a produced material, and a process for producing them.
US08080176B2	Use of yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and/or neodymium as reinforcing agent for an anticorrosion coating composition The subject of the present invention is the use of at least one element chosen from among yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, in the form of oxides or salts, as reinforcing agent for the anticorrosion properties of an anticorrosion coating composition containing a particulate metal, in aqueous or organic phase, for metal parts.
US08080175B2	Scintillator having a MgAI2O4 host lattice A scintillator having a host lattice of MgAl2O4 was prepared by hot pressing under a vacuum environment a powder mixture of MgAl2O4, CeO2, and LiF.
US08080173B2	Fluorescent substance containing rare earth metal, luminous composition comprising the same, process for manufacturing thereof, and light-emitting element comprising the fluorescent substance The present invention provides a fluorescent substance excellent in emission intensity and in emission efficiency. The substance can be excited by light at a longer wavelength than ever. The present invention also provides a luminous composition comprising the fluorescent substance and a light-emitting element using the substance. The fluorescent substance comprises a rare earth metal and a phosphine oxide ligand which coordinates to said rare earth metal and said ligand containing at least one siloxane bond in its structure. The fluorescent substance can be produced from a reaction between a compound having a siloxane bond and a rare earth complex coordinated by a phosphine oxide ligand. The luminous composition comprises the fluorescent substance.
US08080172B2	Method and composition for controlled heat release and disposable chemical heater utilizing same A method and composition for controlling an exothermic reaction between a powerful oxidizing agent such as the permanganate salts, and reducing agents such as polyhydroxy organic compounds, comprises non-charged, relatively hydrophobic pigments which can be slurried at relatively high solids. The pigment may be calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth (diatomite), talc, or blends thereof. The pigments are not flocculated in permanganate slurries and can be dispersed at high solids contents. The dispersions can be spray dried or pelletized with controllable moisture contents from about 0.1 to 10%. The resulting composition yields effective control of the exothermic reaction with more uniform and reproducible results.
US08080169B2	Process for producing extinguishing agent and throw-type fire extinguisher A process is provided for producing an extinguishing agent. Sodium chloride and ammonium dihydrogenphosphate are dissolved in hot water at a temperature of 30 to 40° C. to form a solution. Ammonium hydrogen carbonate is dissolved into the solution, and allowed to undergo a reaction with the ammonium dihydrogenphosphate, as dissolved. The sodium chloride is present in the extinguishing agent in a ratio of 5 to 15 g per 500 ml of water, the ammonium dihydrogenphosphate is present in the extinguishing agent in a ratio of 50 to 70 g per 500 ml of water, and ammonium hydrogen carbonate is present in the extinguishing agent in a ratio of 50 to 70 g per 500 ml of water. Also provided is a process of producing a throw-type fire extinguisher.
US08080167B2	Shaping method of thin film and manufacturing method of perpendicular recording magnetic head using the same The present invention relates to a shaping method of a thin film layer and a manufacturing method of a perpendicular recording magnetic head using the same. In the thin film layer shaping method according to the present invention, since a second thin film of a lower etching rate is etched by a preliminary etching amount allowing for a difference between the etching rate of the second thin film and an etching rate of a first thin film in side-by-side relationship with each other, both the first and second thin films can be etched by the same etching amount through a subsequent etching step, so that the thin film layer can be shaped into a given shape. Thus, the surface of the thin film layer can be planarized.
US08080160B2	Pitcher type water purifier and purification cartridge for the water purifier In a combination including a pitcher-type water purifier and its purification cartridge, which can adsorb and eliminate chemical substances such as chlorine from raw water, eliminate bacteria, and prevent propagation of bacteria and provide safe purified water in a short period of time, even when the purified water has been stored for a long-period time, the pitcher type water purifier contains a casing divided into upper and lower parts as a raw water reservoir portion and a purified water reservoir portion, and has a purified water pouring opening in the purified water reservoir portion; and the purification cartridge has a raw water inlet in an upper face thereof and a purified water outlet in a bottom face, and adsorbent is filled in an upper layer of an interior thereof and hollow fiber membranes are filled in a lower layer thereof at an opening rate σ of 25-58%.
US08080158B2	Vessel and method for treating contaminated water A vessel and method for removing immiscible fluid from contaminated water, the vessel comprising: at least one chamber; an injection line in fluid communication with an inlet of the one chamber; bubble generation means in fluid communication with the injection line for injecting gas bubbles into the injection line and allowing mixing in the injection line of the gas bubbles and the contaminated water to form an inlet fluid; an inlet weir within the chamber adjacent the inlet; an immiscible fluid weir within the chamber; a trough for collecting the immiscible fluid and allowing the immiscible fluid to flow out of the at least one chamber through an immiscible fluid outlet; and a cleaned water outlet generally at the bottom of the chamber; wherein when the inlet fluid is injected into the chamber, it passes through the inlet and over the inlet weir, the cleaned water flows downwardly toward the cleaned water outlet, and a remaining mixture of the immiscible fluid and the gas bubbles floats through the chamber to pass over the immiscible fluid weir and down the trough to the immiscible fluid outlet.
US08080152B2	Embossing of microfluidic sensors An electrochemical sensor and method of its production comprising a microfluidic channel and an electronic sensing device on a first substrate, and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate so as to close the microfluidic channel, wherein a functional part of the electronic sensing device is exposed at the surface of the microfluidic channel and wherein the microfluidic channel is formed by embossing. In one embodiment the electronic device is a vertical-channel field-effect transistor.
US08080149B2	Material and device properties modification by electrochemical charge injection in the absence of contacting electrolyte for either local spatial or final states In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for the combination of injecting charge in a material electrochemically via non-faradaic (double-layer) charging, and retaining this charge and associated desirable properties changes when the electrolyte is removed. The present invention is also directed to compositions and applications using material property changes that are induced electrochemically by double-layer charging and retained during subsequent electrolyte removal. In some embodiments, the present invention provides reversible processes for electrochemically injecting charge into material that is not in direct contact with an electrolyte. Additionally, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to devices and other material applications that use properties changes resulting from reversible electrochemical charge injection in the absence of an electrolyte.
US08080147B2	Electrolytic plating method and semiconductor device manufacturing method A disclosed electrolytic plating method includes a first step of immersing a substrate in electrolytic plating liquid including copper salt to form a first Cu layer on the substrate; and a second step of forming a second Cu layer over the first Cu layer. The first step is continued for ten seconds or less after the immersion. In the first step, the substrate is rotated at a first speed N (rpm) which satisfies D×N×π≦6000×π (mm/min), where D is the diameter of the substrate (mm), and D×N×π represents the peripheral speed of the substrate, and a current is supplied to the substrate at a first density of 10 mA/cm2 or less. In the second step, the substrate is rotated at a second speed higher than the first speed, and the current is supplied to the substrate at a second density higher than the first density.
US08080146B2	Separator for use in fuel cell and manufacturing method therefor A separator for use in a fuel cell has an iron-based hydrous oxide film formed on a passive film of a peripheral surface except a gas channel of a separator substrates of SUS by cathodic electrolysis treatment in an alkaline solution and further a resin layer of an electrodeposited water-soluble resin formed on the iron-based hydrous oxide film.
US08080139B2	Method of anhydrous ethanol production using circulation by multiple towers alternation The present invention relates to a method of anhydrous ethanol production using circulation by multiple towers' alternation, the procedure includes the steps of heating, adsorption, internal circulation, vacuum suction, washing and resolving etc. The method can prolong the life of adsorbent, reduce the heat exchanger's surface, cooling water, the equipment investment and energy consumption, provide high ethanol recovery rate and high dehydration, and protect environment.
US08080138B2	Desalination using low-grade thermal energy This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.
US08080135B2	Method and apparatus for removing sheets of fibres from banana plants for the production of paper products A method and apparatus for producing sheets from the pseudostems of banana plants in the family Musaceae, each pseudostem having a longitudinal axis. The method includes the steps of feeding a pseudostem (14) into a workstation, supporting (62, 34) the pseudostem for rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis within the workstation, and contacting the rotating pseudostem along substantially its entire length with a fibre-separating device (38), whereby a continuous sheet of fibre (60) is removed from the pseudostem by the fibre-separating device during rotation. Raw paper may also be made by laminating two or more of these sheets together such that the direction of the generally parallel fibres in at least two adjacent sheets is not aligned and then curing the sheets to form raw paper.
US08080133B2	Panels including renewable components and methods for manufacturing A panel includes about 0.1% to about 95% by weight of a renewable component. The panel has at least one of a CAC value of at least about 25, an NRC value of at least about 0.25 and an STC of at least about 25. A method for manufacturing such panels is also provided.
US08080131B2	Device and method for measuring the velocity of a moving paper web Device for measuring the two-dimensional velocity of a moving paper web having opposed first and second surfaces, wherein comprising: at least one light source directed at said first surface and arranged to transmit light through said paper web; at least one image capturing device directed at said second surface, and arranged to receive said transmitted light and produce a two-dimensional image of a section of said paper web; a control unit, arranged to control said at least one light source and at least one image capturing device, and to receive two-dimensional images from said at least one image capturing device, and comprising computation means arranged to compute the velocity component of said paper web in the machine direction and/or the cross direction by calculating the cross correlation of two two-dimensional images.
US08080123B2	Supporting plate, apparatus and method for stripping supporting plate A method for stripping a supporting plate from a circuit-formed surface of a substrate to which it is bonded with an adhesive by using a plate which has a first penetrating hole formed in a substantially central portion thereof in the thickness direction, a second penetrating hole formed in a peripheral portion thereof in the thickness direction, and a hole for attracting the supporting plate formed between the first penetrating hole and the second penetrating hole in the radial direction of the plate. The method involves supplying a solvent from outside to the first penetrating hole of the plate and to an associated first penetrating hole formed in a substantially central portion of the supporting plate; distributing the solvent from the first penetrating hole of the supporting plate through grooves formed on a surface of the supporting plate in contact with the adhesive and connecting with the first penetrating hole of the supporting plate; dissolving the adhesive with the solvent; and draining the solvent from a second penetrating hole connecting with the grooves and formed in a peripheral portion of the supporting plate and the second penetrating hole formed in the plate.
US08080121B2	Method of bonding, thinning, and releasing wafer An adhesive agent layer for bonding a support plate (1) and a wafer (5) is in a three-layer configuration in which a hard layer (31) is sandwiched between soft layers (32) and (33) from above and below. Both the top and bottom surfaces of the adhesive agent layer are soft adhesive agent layers, which results in an excellent bonding affinity with the wafer 5 and the support plate (1). Accordingly, the peripheral portion of the wafer (5) can be prevented from being lifted before a dicing process. Further, because the sandwiched adhesive agent layer is the hard adhesive agent layer (31), even when the non-adhesive surface of the support plate (1) is vacuum suctioned, or when a pressure is applied from a grinder, the hard adhesive agent layer (31) is not deformed according to the soft adhesive agent layer (33) being drawn or pushed into through holes (2).
US08080114B2	Cleaning process Provided is a cleaning process which is simplified and in which a time required for the cleaning process is reduced and which has an excellent cleaning effect. The cleaning process comprises loading a wafer in a high pressure cleaner, injecting high-purity gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) having low pressure into the high pressure cleaner, injecting CO2 having lower pressure than supercritical cleaning pressure into the high pressure cleaner, cleaning the wafer by injecting a supercritical homogeneous transparent phase mixture in which a cleaning additive and supercritical CO2 are mixed, into the high pressure cleaner under a supercritical cleaning pressure, rinsing the wafer by injecting a supercritical rinsing mixture in which a rinsing additive and supercritical CO2 are mixed, into the high pressure cleaner, and separating CO2 from a mixture discharged from the high pressure cleaner.
US08080111B1	Systems and methods for washing-out concrete pouring equipment A method of washing a piece of construction equipment includes washing a portion of the piece of construction equipment with water, collecting waste materials washed from the construction equipment in a bin, allowing liquid collected in the bin to drain into a receptacle having a sloped bottom for conveying the liquid to a sump, pumping the liquid from the sump, filtering the particulate matter pumped from the pump to recover clean water, and storing the recovered clean water for recycling in a tank. Filtering includes pumping the liquid from the sump to a first settlement tank and on to a second settlement tank though a fluid path having an upwardly extending baffle providing partial wall between the first and second settlement tanks and a downwardly extending baffle spaced from the upwardly extending baffle and extending into the second settlement tank wherein liquid cascades over the upwardly extending baffle and downwardly through a space between the upwardly extending baffle and the downwardly extending baffle such that the particulate matter is left behind in the first and second settlement tanks.
US08080110B2	Method and system to stabilize and preserve iron artifacts A method, system and device to use a dilute alkaline solution held at sub-critical temperature and pressure conditions to remove rapidly chloride ions from corroded iron artifacts.
US08080104B2	Filling material for reinforcing joint and construction method of filling reinforcing joint A filler for reinforcement joint that ensures excellent fluidity and retention thereof, exhibiting appropriate length change ratio and high strength performance; and a method of reinforcement joint filling operation using the same. There are provided a filler for reinforcement joint containing a cement, an expanding material, a pozzolana micropowder, a water reducing agent and a sand, and a method of reinforcement joint filling operation using the same, characterized in that the expanding material is a calcium aluminoferrite expanding material, and that the pozzolana micropowder is a silicious micropowder having a silicon dioxide (SiO2) content of 90% or higher and having a hydrogen ion concentration falling in an acid region, and that the water reducing agent is a polycarboxylic acid water reducing agent. The calcium aluminoferrite expanding material preferably has a value of Brain specific surface area of 2000 to 6000 cm2/g. The sand is preferably a weighty sand of 3.0 g/cm3 or higher density.
US08080100B2	Trisazo compound, ink composition, recording method and colored body Disclosed is a dye compound for black ink which has high solubility in media composed mainly of water and which is stable even when a high-concentration aqueous solution and ink are stored over a long term. The density of printed images is very high, and even if a high-concentration solution is used for printing, no bronzing occurs in the images, and black recorded images are provided with which all aspects of printed image durability, particularly light resistance and ozone gas resistance, are excellent. Also disclosed is an ink composition thereof. Trisazo compounds represented by general formula (1) or tautomers thereof or salts thereof are used as said dye compound for black ink. In formula (1), group A represents a 2-naphthothiazolyl group, R1 represents a substitutable C1 to C4 alkyl group or the like, R2 represents a cyano group or the like, R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a sulfo group, or the like, R5 to R7 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substitutable C1 to C4 alkyl group, or a substitutable C1 to C4 alkoxy group, or the like, and R8 to R10 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substitutable C1 to C4 alkyl group, a substitutable C1 to C4 alkxy group, a substitutable C1 to C4 alkylthio group, or the like.
US08080099B2	Ink composition, ink set, and image recording method This invention provides an ink composition comprising at least a dye represented by the following Formula (1), monohydric alcohol having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and urea: wherein G represents a heterocyclic group; n represents an integer from 1 to 3; when n is 1, R, X, Y, Z, Q, and G each represent a monovalent group; when n is 2, R, X, Y, Z, Q, and G each represent a monovalent or divalent substituent, in which at least one of R, X, Y, Z, Q, or G represents a divalent substituent; and when n is 3, R, X, Y, Z, Q, and G each represent a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent substituent, in which at least two of R, X, Y, Z, Q, or G represent a divalent substituent or represent a trivalent substituent.
US08080098B2	Water-based ink composition In a water-based ink composition of the present invention, 2.5 to 50 wt % of white-colored resin particles and 2.5 to 50 wt % of film-forming resin emulsions in a solid content are contained with respect to the total amount of the ink, the ratio of said white-colored resin particles to film-forming resin emulsions is 1:0.2 to 1:3, and not less than 20 wt % of said white-colored resin particles and film-forming resin emulsions in a solid content are contained in total.
US08080096B2	Protecting agent for image bearing member and production method therefor, protection layer forming apparatus, image forming method, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge To provide an image bearing member protecting agent that includes at least a hydrophobic organic compound and an amphiphile organic compound. Preferred embodiments are that the hydrophobic organic compound is a hydrocarbon wax, and the hydrocarbon wax is at least a wax selected from normal paraffins, isoparaffins, and cycloparaffins; and that the amphiphile organic compound is an polyalcohol esterified compound including a nonionic surface active surfactant, and the nonionic surface active surfactant is an alkyl carboxylic acid represented by a structural formula, CnH2n+1COOH.
US08080095B2	Steady state tracking desorption system and method A preferred embodiment steady state tracking desorption system achieves steady tracking of either a fixed sorbate output set point, or a set point that changes over time. The system includes an electrically heated thermal adsorption/desorption device A temperature sensor senses the temperature of an adsorbent material within the adsorption/desorption device. A sorbate sensor senses a sorbate level from an outlet of the adsorption/desorption device. A power sensor senses the power supplied by the desorption device. A controller interprets levels sensed by the temperature sensor, the sorbate sensor and the power sensor and provides a signal to achieve steady set point tracking of a sorbate level from the outlet of the adsorption/desorption device.
US08080093B2	Liquid supply apparatus and liquid ejecting apparatus Provided is a liquid supply apparatus including: a liquid supply path which supplies a liquid from an upstream side, which is a liquid supply source, to a downstream side in which the liquid is consumed; a defoaming chamber which is provided in the liquid supply path and defoams air bubbles included in the liquid; and a depressurization chamber which is provided at a position adjacent to the defoaming chamber with a partition interposed therebetween and is depressurized such that the pressure thereof becomes lower than the pressure of the defoaming chamber, wherein the partition allows permeation of gas by the depressurization of the depressurization chamber and restricts permeation of the liquid, and wherein the partition is configured by a partition wall having rigidity.
US08080092B2	Reflux condenser apparatus and method A reflux condenser and a method for conducting away liquid from the lower region of reflux passages, is disclosed. The reflux condenser has at least one heat exchanger block which has reflux passages and refrigerant passages, and a pressure container which encloses the heat exchanger block at the top and laterally. The reflux passages communicate at their lower end with a header which is arranged below the heat exchanger block and has a phase-separating device.
US08080086B2	Static dissipative filtration media A filtration media that incorporates a static dissipative media layer for dissipating the static charge that builds up as a fluid, such a fuel, passes through the filtration media. The filtration media includes a filter media suitable for filtering fluid, and a static dissipative media layer. The static dissipative media layer has a surface resistivity level that is sufficient to classify the media layer as static dissipative rather than conductive.
US08080085B2	Methods and apparatus for an ionizer Methods and apparatus for an ionizer according to various aspects of the present invention include an amplifier disposed within an open ended housing. The air amplifier is used to supply an amplified airflow that may then be passed through an air neutralization system thereby neutralizing the amplified airflow before exiting the housing. A pressurized gas may be injected into an internal portion of the air amplifier where it is mixed with an ambient airflow before exiting the air amplifier as an amplified airflow.
US08080076B2	Nonwoven layer for a filter and filter medium The invention is directed to a nonwoven layer for a filter, in particular, for a vacuum cleaner bag, wherein at least one region of the nonwoven layer, the region having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined area, has an average pore size smaller than 50 μm and comprises fibers being bonded together such that a movement of the fibers relative to each other in a direction parallel to the surface of the layer is inhibited. The invention is further directed to a filter medium, in particular, for a vacuum cleaner bag, comprising a filter structure wherein a surface or an interface of the filter structure is provided with a filter paper layer having a smaller surface area than the filter structure.
US08080074B2	Polycrystalline diamond compacts, and related methods and applications Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment of a “two-step” manufactured PDC, a PDC includes a substrate and a pre-sintered polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The pre-sintered PCD table includes bonded diamond grains defining interstitial regions. At least a portion of the interstitial regions include at least one material disposed therein selected from a silicon-cobalt alloy, silicon carbide, cobalt carbide, or a mixed carbide of silicon and cobalt. The pre-sintered PCD table lacks an intermediate contaminant region therein that includes at least one type of fabrication by-product generated during the fabrication of the pre-sintered PCD table.
US08080071B1	Polycrystalline diamond compact, methods of fabricating same, and applications therefor Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a catalyst material therein that has been implanted with ions (e.g., carbon ions) and/or infiltrated from a host material implanted with carbon ions. In an embodiment, a PDC comprises a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an upper surface from which a region inwardly extends. At least a portion of the interstitial regions of the region includes a catalyst material disposed therein. At least a portion of the catalyst material may be at least saturated with carbon.
US08080068B2	Light oil compositions The invention provides a gas oil composition having a C10-24 paraffin composition that satisfies the condition represented by inequality (1-1) below, a slow-cooling cloud point of no higher than −6.0° C. and a pour point of no higher than −7.5° C. The invention further provides a gas oil composition having a C10-24 paraffin composition that satisfies the condition represented by inequality (1-2) below, a distillate volume at a distillation temperature of 250° C. (E250) of 5-45% and a slow-cooling cloud point of higher than −6.0° C. In inequalities (1-1) and (1-2), n is the carbon number of the paraffin and f(n) is the paraffin composition parameter for the carbon number of n represented by formula (2) below. In formula (2), n represents an integer of 10-24, and a, b and c respectively represent the proportion (in terms of molar value) of normal paraffins with carbon number of n, of isoparaffins with carbon number of n and one branch and of isoparaffins with carbon number of n and two or more branches, with respect to the total amount of paraffins with carbon number of n. [ Mathematical ⁢ ⁢ Formula ⁢ ⁢ 1 ] 340.0 ≤ ∑ n = 10 24 ⁢ ⁢ f ⁡ ( n ) ≤ 400.0 ( 1 ⁢ - ⁢ 1 ) [ Mathematical ⁢ ⁢ Formula ⁢ ⁢ 2 ] f ⁡ ( n ) = 27.45 - 3.55 ⁢ ( b / a ) - 0.65 ⁢ ( c / a ) ( 2 ) [ Mathematical ⁢ ⁢ Formula ⁢ ⁢ 3 ] 370.0 ≤ ∑ n = 10 24 ⁢ ⁢ f ⁡ ( n ) ≤ 430.0 ( 1 ⁢ - ⁢ 2 )
US08080067B2	Azo pigment composition, production process of azo pigment composition, dispersion containing azo pigment composition, coloring composition and ink for inkjet recording To provide an azo pigment composition exhibiting very good hue and light fastness and having excellent tinctorial strength (color density) and preferably further provide an azo pigment composition containing an azo pigment having characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks at different positions or a tautomer thereof. An azo pigment composition comprising at least one kind of an azo pigment represented by formula (1) having characteristic X-ray diffraction peaks at Bragg angles(20±0.2°) of 7.6°, 25.6° and 27.7° in the CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction or a tautomer thereof:
US08080065B2	Vacuum assisted prosthetic sleeve and socket utilizing a double membrane liner A prosthetic sleeve and socket system, the sleeve including dual flaps or skirts concentrically arranged about the sleeve and configured to form a sealed chamber between the sleeve and socket when the sleeve is inserted into the socket. An air permeable material is interposed between one of the skirts and the sleeve to maintain a continuous interconnected air layer therebetween. An expulsion valve is provided to allow air contained within the sealed chamber to be forced out of the chamber ahead of the sleeve when it is inserted into the socket, and a powered vacuum pump maintains the vacuum thereafter, if needed. The system allows for a substantial reduction in size of known sockets and permits, in some instances, the disposal of bulky suspension straps currently in use to force the socket against a residual limb.
US08080061B2	Apparatus and methods for treating bone Implants and methods for bone treatment, preferably minimally invasive treatment, including repositioning of vertebrae may comprise insertion of a bobbin having a wire, string, thread or band, coiled around the bobbin. During coiling, the diameter of the bobbing/band complex may increase. Such increase in diameter can push against the inner side of the endplates of the vertebral body, and augment the vertebral body to its original height. The implant may also take the form of a coiled sleeve which when inserted into the vertebral body is uncoiled. The force of the uncoiling sleeve pushes against the inner side of the endplates of the vertebral body, restoring the vertebral body to its original height. The implant may also take the form of fibrous masses comprised of a thread or other relatively thin structure, for example a fiber or strand, of any biocompatible material having desired characteristics, for example a shape memory alloy, titanium, stainless steel, another metal or metal alloy, a ceramic, a composite or any combination thereof. The, strand, thread or other fiber may be coiled, woven, matted, tangled or otherwise formed into a wool-like mass or body having a desired configuration. Expansion of the expandable member within the vertebral body or other bone may reposition the fractured bone to a desired height and augment the bone to maintain the desired height. A bone cement or other filler can be added to further treat and stabilize the vertebral body or other bone.
US08080059B2	Surgically implantable prosthesis with active component A prosthesis for surgical implantation into a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau includes a body including a bottom face, an opposed top face, and a peripheral edge extending between the top and bottom faces. The body has a first portion and at least one second portion, wherein at least one second portion is configured to store and release at least one active component into the knee joint compartment without degradation of the mechanical function of the prosthesis.
US08080057B2	Methods and devices for breast reconstruction Methods for optimal breast reconstruction are disclosed. The methods include steps for performing a mastectomy that preserves a breast skin envelope. A prosthesis may be inserted into the breast and may be inflated to preserve the shape of the breast skin envelope. The prosthesis may include, a base, a balloon coupled to the base, where the balloon may be inflated to preserve the shape of the breast skin envelope. The prosthesis may also include tube coupled to port for filling the balloon to a predetermined volume. A needle-lock system, coupled to the port may be used to inject, for example, fluids into the balloon. If a patient requires post-mastectomy radiation, breast reconstruction may be delayed and the prosthesis may remain in the breast cavity during the treatment. The treatment may be external beam radiation. Alternatively, the treatment may include brachytherapy technique for treating the internal breast cavity.
US08080047B2	Light therapy device A light therapy device for rhinitis treatment. The light therapy device includes a hollow tube body with a longitudinal axis, being dimensioned and configured to permit insertion into a nostril of a treatment subject. A light emitting diode package disposed within the hollow tube body includes a first LED chip as a red light source and a second LED chip as an infrared light source. The first LED chip and the second LED chip are at different plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
US08080044B2	Bone anchoring device A bone anchoring device includes a shaft for anchoring in a bone and a head, the shaft including a first section having a plurality of barb elements, the barb elements being elastically deformable relative to the body of the shaft, and a second section including a bone thread for engagement with the bone. The first section is located near the tip of the shaft and allows insertion by pushing whereas the second section provides enhanced resistance against pull-out.
US08080036B2	Pedicle screw A pedicle screw is provided to be inserted into and fixed to a pedicle of a spinal disease patient, and more particularly, a pedicle screw in which a screw thread of a clamp screw is formed to have dents and protrusions with trapezoid cross-sections so as to form a predetermined gap with a screw thread of a fixing unit having dents and protrusions with rectangular cross-sections when the clamp screw is combined with the fixing unit, and the screw thread of the clamp screw has different pitches to disperse an external impact so as to further firmly combine the clamp screw with the fixing unit.
US08080030B2	Endoscopic sheath having a biomimetic retractor An endoscopic sheath having a biomimetic retractor for retracting organs and tissues in the body. The inflatable retractor comprises an inflatable balloon configured to retract specific organs and tissues at the site of the endoscopic procedure, with attached inflation and deflation means. In one embodiment, the inflatable retractor is attached to an outer tube or cannula. A second, inner cannula is placed within the outer cannula and attached thereto by a plurality of substantially elastic strands. The strands center the inner cannula while allowing it to be manipulated in any direction.
US08080027B2	Surgical knife blade with hollow bevel A surgical knife blade for forming an incision in bodily tissue including a body having a cutting edge terminating at a distal tip, the cutting edge including opposing cutting edge segments extending distally to meet at the tip, the cutting edge being configured by blending a first and second radii. The first radius is concave and the second radius is convex, the first and second radii meet at a juncture which forms a smooth tangential connection, whereby the blended radii form a hollow design and wherein when the body is moved in a cutting direction transverse to the tissue to cause the tip to enter the tissue, less force is required to penetrate the bodily tissue and greater control is provided.
US08080024B2	Protective enclosure for medical device components An anastomosis surgical device comprising an elongate body having a drainage aperture at a distal end for communication with a proximal end of the elongate body, tissue approximating structure extendable from the elongate body and spaced proximally from the drainage aperture along the length of the elongate body. The device further includes an actuating mechanism extending from the proximal end of the elongate body and comprising at least one tissue approximating structure control mechanism, and a protective enclosure surrounding at least a portion of the actuating mechanism.
US08080017B2	Intraocular lens insertion tool An intraocular lens insertion tool with a tool body for accommodating an intraocular lens and adapted to insert into an eye the intraocular lens through displacement of the lens in an axial forward direction by a plunging member, and to push out the lens through an insertion tube section disposed at an axial distal end of the tool body. The insertion tube section has an inclined orifice that opens on diagonal to the center axis of the insertion tube section. The plunger member has a sliding part that during displacement thereof in a direction of plunging into the tool body will slide against the tool body. A resistance graduating mechanism is provided for gradually increasing operation resistance of the plunger member by gradually increasing contact force on the sliding part as the lens gradually emerges from the inclined orifice through plunging of the plunger member into the tool body.
US08080016B2	Wire retainer for surgical device A wire retainer (10) for securing wire under tension comprising a body (11) having an exterior surface and a far end (11a) and a near end (11b) and a bore (12) extending therebetween in the general direction of a first axis (X) in a first plane (XY), the bore receiving an end of the wire (3) in use, a first slot (13) substantially in said first plane and having a far end which coincides with the far end of the body and a near end intermediate the far and near ends of the body, the first slot extending between said bore and said exterior surface and a second slot (14) intersecting said first slot at the near end thereof and at said bore.
US08080013B2	Method and apparatus for fixing a graft in a bone tunnel A method and apparatus for fixing a ligament in a bone tunnel by cross-pinning the ligament in the bone tunnel.
US08080011B2	Reciprocating cutting tool The invention relates to shielded reciprocating cutting tool such as a surgical file system for precisely removing bone and/or other tissue material. The system allows a user to maneuver the system and navigate into hard to access sites under a direct vision mechanism included in the system. A transmission mechanism converts rotary motion from a motor into reciprocating motion and provides it to a cutting tool such as the surgical file for precision bone and/or tissue removal. A pulsatile pump mechanism can be operatively coupled with the transmission mechanism and provides irrigating fluid to the surgical site.
US08080010B2	Device and template for canine humeral slide osteotomy In the field of canine humeral osteotomy, an osteotomy plate including a proximal plate portion lying substantially in a first plane for application to the humerus. The proximal plate portion has a bottom surface adapted for application to the surface of the humerus, and the proximal plate portion has at least one overlapping hole formed therein. The osteotomy plate also includes a distal plate portion lying substantially in a second plane for application to the humerus. The distal plate portion has a bottom surface adapted for application to the surface of the humerus, and the distal plate portion has at least one overlapping hole formed therein. The osteotomy plate also includes a transition region connecting the proximal plate portion to the distal plate portion.
US08080009B2	Radio frequency ablation device for the destruction of tissue masses The inventive ablation element comprises an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines an internal lumen within the cannula and a cannula axis. A plurality of conductors contained within the lumen, each of the conductors has a proximal end proximate the proximal end of the cannula, and a distal end proximate the distal end of the cannula. A plurality of ablation stylets each has a proximal end and a distal end, and each coupled at the respective proximal end of the stylet to the distal end of a respective conductor, the stylets comprise a deflectable material, the conductors together with their respective stylets being mounted for axial movement. A trocar point defined proximate the distal end of the cannula. A deflection surface positioned between the trocar point and the proximal end of the cannula, the deflection surface being configured and positioned to deflect, in response to axial movement of the stylets in a direction from the proximate end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, at least some of the stylets laterally with respect to the cannula axis in different directions along substantially straight paths, the paths defining an ablation volume.
US08080007B2	Capacitive electrosurgical return pad with contact quality monitoring A return pad includes a backing, at least one return electrode, and at least one ring sensor. The backing has a top side, a bottom side, and a periphery. The return electrode is disposed on the bottom side of the backing layer and is adapted to connect to a current generator. The ring sensor(s) is disposed in substantial concentric registration with the periphery of the backing and is configured to connect to a measuring component. The measuring component is operable to approximate contact quality of the return electrode during electrosurgical application and is configured to communicate with the generator.
US08080005B1	Closed loop cryosurgical pressure and flow regulated system A system for selectively cooling and warming a cryosurgical instrument using a dual phase cryogen, including: two sources of the cryogen, a first source storing liquid phase cryogen and having a first source heater therein that selectively converts at least some of the liquid phase cryogen into gaseous phase cryogen and a second source storing the gaseous phase cryogen; a cryogen delivery control section selectively delivering cryogen to the tip; a cryogen return path from the tip to the first and second sources; a cryogen return control section that includes a pump that pumps the returning cryogen to the second source; and a pressure control section including a first pressure sensor that senses a pressure in the first source, a second pressure sensor that senses a pressure in the second source, and a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the first source based on information from the pressure sensors.
US08080004B2	Laparoscopic surgical instrument A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, the laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: (a) an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, the handle comprising a handle grip; (b) an actuating mechanism actuatable by a finger and supported by the handle, the actuating mechanism comprising an actuator shaft and a gearing assembly operable to displace the actuator shaft with a mechanical advantage upon actuation of a trigger by the surgeon; (c) a locking mechanism configured to lock the actuating mechanism in one of a plurality of positions, the locking mechanism comprising a release located in an anthropometrically correct position; and (d) a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with the actuator shaft, the working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by the surgeon via the handle and the actuating mechanism to perform a surgical function.
US08080003B1	Method and implantable apparatus for the intra-osseal monitoring of biological substances in the bone marrow A method for monitoring and controlling biological substances found in the bloodstream include implanting in-vivo a pedestal such that a sensor mounted on the pedestal extends into the bone marrow for sensing the biological substance. A transmitter is included for transmitting signals from the sensor to a receiver. An apparatus that includes a monitoring device and a drug delivery device and components to communicate between the monitoring and drug delivery devices.
US08080001B2	Fluid connection assembly with locking mechanism In general, this disclosure relates to techniques for implementation and use of a fluid connection assembly, having a locking mechanism, which may be connected to a medical fluid injection device. An example fluid connection assembly includes at least one fluid connector, a mating mechanism coupled to the at least one fluid connector and configured to connect the at least one fluid connector to a medical fluid injection device, and a locking mechanism coupled to the mating mechanism and movable into a locked position or an unlocked position. In this example, the fluid connection assembly becomes affirmatively coupled with the medical fluid injection device when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, and the fluid connection assembly becomes removably decoupled from the medical fluid injection device when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.
US08079998B2	Methods and devices for the delivery of therapeutic gases including nitric oxide Gas packages for the delivery of therapeutic gases, and in particular gaseous nitric oxide (gNO) are provided herein. The gas packages comprise one or more of a gas reservoir, interface layer, sealing layer, and holding container. The interface layer regulates discharge of the therapeutic gas from the gas reservoir to the external environment. The sealing layer and/or holding container prevent evolution of the gas until the sealing layer is compromised or the holding container is opened. The gas packages and methods for using them are useful for the treatment, alleviation, and prevention of various disease and non-disease, medical and non-medical, conditions in humans and animals.
US08079995B2	Composite fastener products A method of manufacturing a composite fastener material, the composite fastener material, and products derived from the composite fastener material. The method includes providing two longitudinally continuous sheets of material, positioning the two sheets to form a longitudinal, continuous interface between the two sheets, joining the two sheets by introducing one or more molten plastic resins in at least one lane, one lane of the resin extending across the interface under conditions that cause the resin to bond to the two sheets, molding an array of stems from at least one lane of the resin, the stems extending from an exposed surface of the composite material, and forming engageable heads on the stems to form fastener elements, wherein the two sheets differ from one another by one of material composition, thickness, texture, stretchability, breathability, and compressability.
US08079990B2	Implantable catheter port A single or multi-port vascular access device including one or more reservoirs each covered by a needle-penetrable, self-sealing septum. The one or more reservoirs each open to an outlet in a stem to which the catheter is attached. The reservoir may be generally circular or ellipsoid in shape and large enough so that fluid movement into and out of the needle is unimpeded. In order to maximize flow between the reservoir and catheter and to minimize any regions of impeded or low fluid flow where coagulation or cell shearing may occur, the fluid passage leading from the reservoir through the outlet into the catheter is defined by unique tapered and tangential geometries. For example, the outlet surface may be globally tangent along the entire reservoir surface, or may be globally tangent along only one side of the reservoir surface.
US08079989B2	Methods of operating an implantable injection port system A surgical fastening system for implantable devices such as injection port systems. The implantable device may contain a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, may have a housing fitted over or around it which contains a plurality of fasteners in pre-deployment position, or may be a part of a two-part system into which it fits. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses a deployment system or tool that optionally positions the implantable device, and which causes the fasteners to move into post-deployment position. The fasteners may be staples, metal loops, coils, springs or hooks formed of biocompatible materials, including shape memory alloys such as NiTi.
US08079982B1	Injection catheter with needle electrode An injection catheter for infusing therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the heart is provided. The injection catheter comprises a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough. A tip section comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle extends through the tip section, catheter body, and needle control handle and has a proximal end attached to the needle control handle and a distal end within the tip section. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the tip section so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the tip section upon suitable manipulation of the needle control handle. The catheter further comprises an electrode lead wire having a first end electrically connected to the injection needle and a second end electrically connected to a suitable monitoring apparatus or to a source of ablation energy. The injection needle can thus be used for mapping or ablation in addition to introducing therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the heart.
US08079971B2	Spinal mobilization treatment system with multi-dimensional force application A spinal treatment system for treating a spinal region of a patient's back includes a harness configured to be coupled to a preselected location on the patient. A force transfer member is coupled to the harness and is configured to transfer force to the harness. A vibrational movement head is controlled by a computer and is configured to apply a preselected laterally vibrating force to the force application member extending therefrom. A vertical displacement member is coupled to the computer and is configured to move the vibrational movement head to a preselected vertical displacement relative to the patient.
US08079970B2	Compression sleeve having air conduits formed by a textured surface A compression sleeve is described as having a first sheet and a second sheet attached to the first sheet. The first and second sheets define at least one inflatable section. At least one conduit including a textured inner surface on each of the first and second sheets is disposed within the inflatable section.
US08079967B2	Controller for walking assistance device A walking assistance device (1) has a receiving portion (2) which receives a part of the weight of a user (A) applied from above and a pair of left and right leg links (3R, 3L) connected to the receiving portion (2) through first joints (10R, 10L), with foot attachment portions (15R, 15L) at lower ends of the leg links (3R, 3L) attached to the feet of the legs of the user (A), respectively. The leg links (3R, 3L) are connected to the receiving portion (2) in such a way that, when each leg of the user (A) is a standing leg, a line of action of a supporting force transmitted from a third joint (14R, 14L) of the leg link (3R, 3L) to a crus frame (13R, 13L) out of the supporting force acting on the leg link (3R, 3L) from the floor side passes through a specific point (P) located upper than the receiving portion (2) within an anteroposterior width of a contact surface between the receiving portion (2) and the user (A) from the third joint (14R, 14L), viewed in the sagittal plane. Thereby, it is possible to stably apply a desired lifting force for reducing the weight to be borne by the user with his/her legs to the user.
US08079965B2	System for displaying esophageal function A system for displaying an esophageal operation includes a display device, an interface capable of receiving esophageal impedance and pressure measurements, and a processing system in communication with the display device, the interface, and an esophageal operation model. The processing system is configured to receive a plurality of impedance values from a first plurality of spaced-apart esophageal locations, receive a plurality of pressure values from a second plurality of spaced-apart esophageal locations, process the plurality of impedance values and the plurality of pressure values with the esophageal operation model, display the plurality of impedance values on the display device as a bolus transit, and display the plurality of pressure values on the display device as operational esophagus movement.
US08079962B2	Method and apparatus for reproducing content data An apparatus for reproducing a content, includes a reproduction processing unit for reproducing the content, a detecting unit for detecting a motion of a person, a predicting unit for predicting a timing of the motion of the person, based on an output from the detecting unit, and a control unit for controlling the reproduction processing unit in the reproduction of the content by synthesizing a timing indicated by timing information corresponding to the content to be reproduced with the timing of the motion of the person, predicted by the predicting unit.
US08079960B2	Methods and apparatus for lancet actuation A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver of includes a drive force generator for advancing the lancet along a path into the tissue site, and a sensor configured to detect lancet position along said path during the lancing cycle.
US08079954B2	Visual medical monitoring system for a remote subject The present invention is of a system, which features bi-directional communication for measuring and transferring medical data and for communication with medical personnel. The apparatus is preferably integrated with at least one of, but more preferably both, audio and video conferencing between an external (home and office) subject and a medical service center. The invention is particularly useful for subjects having some type of medical risk who wish to be supervised by a medical service center, as well as supervision for emergency situations.
US08079952B2	Endoscope cleaning sheath, and endoscope apparatus and endoscope comprising the cleaning sheath An endoscope cleaning sheath includes a tube body and a distal end configuration portion. The tube body includes an endoscope disposition hole in which an insertion portion of an endoscope provided with at least an observation window is inserted and disposed, at least one liquid supply hole configuring a liquid supply channel, and at least one gas supply hole configuring a gas supply channel. The distal end configuration portion is fixed to a distal end portion of the tube body. On an inner surface of a distal end surface portion of the distal end configuration portion is provided a fluid mixing portion and a concave portion configuring an ejection opening that ejects a fluid mixture at an observation window of the endoscope. The fluid mixing portion causes liquid supplied through the liquid supply hole and gas supplied through the gas supply hole to merge to mix the liquid and gas.
US08079949B2	Method and apparatus for providing treatment in a warming device An apparatus and method for performing warming therapy is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a patient support platform, a patient chamber, a heating source, and a rigid connection member for connecting hoses to the patient chamber. The rigid connection member provide an interface between hoses disposed inside the patient chamber, and hoses disposed outside. The connection member preferably includes one or more interconnection nozzles, removably attached thereto, for connecting the internal hoses to the external hoses. Each of the interconnection nozzles preferably includes an interior connection surface exposed to an interior of the patient chamber, and an external connection surface exposed to an external of the patient chamber.
US08079946B2	Asymmetrical irradiation of a body cavity The disclosure describes devices and methods for asymmetrical irradiation at a body cavity or site, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. biopsy or cancer. One device includes a lumen which is off-set or off-settable from a longitudinal axis to increase the intensity of radiation received from a radiation source by a first tissue portion surrounding the body cavity and to reduce or minimize radiation received by a second tissue portion (e.g. healthy tissue) surrounding the body cavity.
US08079944B2	Carton feeding and forming machine with selectively actuated lugs and related methods A machine for intended use in feeding and completing a partially formed carton is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed to the machine. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.
US08079941B2	Exercising apparatus The present invention relates to an exercising apparatus including a rotatable ball, a handlebar, first and second clutches and a tension adjustor. The rotatable ball has an external surface. The handlebar passes through the ball and has two ends extending outwardly from the surface of the ball to provide handle grips. The first and second clutches support the ball. The tension adjustor is connected to the clutches.
US08079940B2	Offset weight bars An offset weight bar is provided which operates with the lifter's neuro-fascial connections to increase muscle activation and recruitment of muscle groups. The offset weight bar includes a grip portion that is shaped in accordance with the neuro-fascial connections in the lifter's hands and arms. The offset weight bar also offsets the weight of the bar from the lifter's palm to a point out along the lifter's unfolded fingers. The shape of the offset weight bar operates with the offset of the weight from the palm to increase the lifter's muscle activation and muscle group recruitment in accordance with the lifter's neuro-fascial physiology.
US08079932B2	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 two to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08079930B2	Powertrain of an automatic transmission A powertrain of an automatic transmission includes a first planetary gear set having first, second, and third operating members, a second planetary gear set having fourth, fifth, and sixth operating members, and a third planetary gear set having seventh, eighth, and ninth operating members, the second and fourth operating members being fixedly interconnected, the fifth and ninth operating members being fixedly interconnected, the fourth and seventh operating members being selectively interconnected, the third and eighth operating members being selectively interconnected, the sixth and eighth operating members being selectively interconnected, wherein a transmission case is fixedly connected to the first operating member and selectively connected to the seventh and eighth operating members, an input shaft is fixedly connected to the third operating member and selectively connected to the seventh operating member, and an output shaft is fixedly connected to the ninth operating member.
US08079929B2	Differential for model car A differential for a model car includes a housing having a chamber, four notches recessed in a periphery of the chamber and each having a trapezoid section, four blocks received in the notches respectively, a spider having four ends connected with the blocks respectively, four first bevel gears respectively sleeved on the ends of the spider, two second bevel gears received in the chamber and engaged with the first bevel gears respectively, a main gear sleeved on the housing, and two output shafts respectively passing through the main gear and the housing to be connected with the second bevel gears. Thus, the first bevel gears and the second bevel gears can be tightly engaged with each other by means of the arrangement of the spider and the blocks to eliminate the power loss of the model car.
US08079926B2	Rear mountable cutter device for a hunting arrow A rear mountable cutter device for a hunting arrow is mountable to an arrow shaft. The device includes a plurality of elongated cutting members that are positioned along the rear end of the arrow shaft following mounting of the cutter device to the shaft. The cutting members are configured such that when the forward end of the cutting members engage a target animal, the cutting members deflect outward of the shaft to produce an enlarged wound in the target animal.
US08079925B2	Concept for activating a game device A game ball wherein in the vicinity of a goal, or in a goal area, an electronic system is activated in the goal area by an activation signal, which may be a magnetic field or a radio signal, so as to subsequently facilitate, e.g., highly precise position measurement of the game device, or game ball.
US08079924B2	Sports racquet with multi-section frame A sports racquet frame is formed from a plurality of frame sections, some sections formed of a single tubular member and other sections formed of double tubular members. The double tube sections preferably contain string port holes. Also, different frame sections can be made of different materials, e.g., carbon fiber-reinforced composites and aluminum.
US08079923B2	Goal shot training system and methods A soccer training system is used to condition soccer players to make shots at the goal with an improved likelihood of scoring by conditioning the soccer players to aim towards the areas of the goal where shots are more likely to score. Similarly disclosed is a novel method of conditioning soccer players to improve their ability to score goals.
US08079912B2	Power transmission spline A power transmission shaft mitigates the concentration of both tensile stress and shear stress to achieve an improvement in terms of fatigue strength. A male spline section is formed on an outer periphery of the power transmission shaft. On a valley section of the male spline section, at an axially opposite end side portion thereof, there is provided a diameter-expanded section whose outer diameter dimension is gradually increased toward an axially opposite end. Rounded sections having a circular arc cross-section are provided on both circumferential sides of the diameter-expanded section. A radius of curvature of the rounded sections is gradually increased toward the axially opposite end.
US08079911B2	Viewing a gamer card across multiple devices and networks A gamercard associated with an integrated gamer profile to identify a gamer is provided to the gamer and other PC/console users who also participate in other online gaming community activities such as game-related web sites. The gamercard is also provided to the user from the central database through a gamercard server by a user providing a single URL from any device connected to the web. The URL is uniform for each gamer's gamercard, except for the part of the URL that includes the name associated with the particular gamer.
US08079909B2	Method and apparatus for managing gaming machine code downloads A gaming machine is arranged with a gaming machine controller and a secondary “queuing” device, preferably a player tracking controller having a memory. A communication link is provided between the player tracking controller and gaming machine controller, and the player tracking controller and a player tracking network including a player tracking host or server. A game code server is connected to the player tracking network. In accordance with a method, gaming machine code or data, such as game or other control code, is transmitted from the game code server over the player tracking network to the player tracking controller. The code may be processed by the player tracking controller, including by storing it in the player tracking controller memory. The code may then be transmitted to the gaming machine controller for storage and execution.
US08079908B2	Game network construction method and game network system After a star peer-to-peer network is constructed, a network game is started. While the network game is executed, a mesh peer-to-peer network is gradually constructed by establishing connections between client terminals which have been connected to the star peer-to-peer network. After the network game is started, while the mesh peer-to-peer network is constructed, client terminals which have established connections therebetween transmit and receive game data to and from each other without passing via a host terminal, and client terminals which have not established connections therebetween yet transmit and receive game data to and from each other via the host terminal. Thus, a game network system can be realized, in which a time during which players wait for the network game to start is short and in which processing burdens are not concentrated on a specific user terminal.
US08079905B2	Remote wager gaming system using a video game console Gaming systems, devices, and methods are described for enabling wager gaming with a gaming operator using a game cartridge, such as a USB key, and game storage medium, such as a DVD. The cartridge and disc are inserted into a video game console and a connection with the gaming operator is made via the Internet. Once a connection is made and the identity of the game cartridge user has been verified and authenticated, the user can begin wager game play. Game play data are transmitted between the console and the gaming operator in an encrypted format. An encryption key is transmitted to the gaming operator via a digital certificate stored on the cartridge which has the corresponding private key. The game cartridge is capable of capturing a biometric sample of the user which is compared to a sample provided when the cartridge was issued to the user.
US08079904B2	Gaming access card with display Systems and methods for conducting cashless gaming or player tracking within a gaming environment are disclosed. Players with associated player accounts are provided player tracking instruments having rewriteable displays. Also provided are gaming devices or machines having display panels adapted to display content and communicate with the player tracking cards or instruments. Data on player tracking instruments is updated and displayed thereupon. The player tracking instruments may contain an RFID tag to receive communications from a transceiver associated with the gaming device or machine. A feedback loop from a master gaming controller to a transceiver to a player tracking instrument to an input display panel and back to the master gaming controller can be created. Player tracking instruments may also have lights, speakers, vibration components, and other advanced features thereupon.
US08079901B2	Game controller simulating a musical instrument A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument.
US08079900B2	Harvester with an additional drum conveyor for straw removal and a single flap for changing between swath deposit and chopping operation A combine (10) comprises a crop processing device (26) having a straw outlet (62), a beater (64) assigned to the straw outlet (62) of the crop processing device (26) and a straw chopper (60). An overshot drum conveyor (68) follows the beater (64). A single, pivotable flap (80) is located downstream the drum conveyor (68) and movable between a chopping position in which it deflects the straw downward into the straw chopper (60) and a swath laying position in which it lets the straw pass to a slope (88) behind the straw chopper (60). The flap (80) is pivoted at its forward end adjacent and above the drum conveyor (68) and has a shape matching to the circumference of the drum conveyor (68).
US08079896B1	Shrimp-cutting machine for cutting intermediate joints An apparatus for cutting a shrimp body, the shrimp body having a tail portion that includes a plurality of tail sections connected by joints. A motorized driving mechanism mounted inside a housing drives a cutting mechanism mounted outside the housing. The cutting mechanism includes a rotating cutting disk and a holding and carrying mechanism configured to securely hold the shrimp body and carry the shrimp body past the rotating cutting disk. The holding and carrying mechanism is configured to position the shrimp body in relation to the rotating cutting disk so that when the cutting disk cuts the shrimp body, the cutting disk leaves intact, a first joint at a head end of the tail portion and a last joint at a tail end of the tail portion, while cutting at least one intermediate joint between the first and last joints.
US08079894B2	Chemical mechanical polishing system having multiple polishing stations and providing relative linear polishing motion A chemical-mechanical polishing apparatus including a table top, a transfer station mounted on the table top, a plurality of polishing stations mounted on the table top, a plurality of washing stations, and a plurality of carrier heads supported by a support member rotatable about an axis. Each washing station is located between a first polishing station and either a second polishing station or the transfer station, and the transfer station and the plurality of polishing stations are arranged at approximately equal angular intervals about the axis.
US08079886B2	Cooling system for outboard motor A cooling system includes a coolant distributing device arranged to distribute coolant discharged from a water pump to both an engine and a transmission device. The coolant distributing device includes a coolant relay section, an inlet conduit member, an outlet conduit member, and a transmission cooling conduit member, and supplies a portion of the coolant discharged from the water pump to a highest portion of a water jacket of the transmission device, and discharges the water from a lowest portion of the water jacket. The cooling system effectively cools the transmission device with a simple construction facilitating assembly and maintenance.
US08079884B2	Clamping screw What is specified is a clamping screw (2) for fastening an electrical conductor in a metallic terminal which is designed as a tubular piece and which in its wall has at least one through hole provided with a thread and intended for receiving the clamping screw. A rotating element (10) which can rotate about at least one axis is mounted on that end of the clamping screw (2) which serves for bearing against the electrical conductor.
US08079881B2	Connector shell having integrally formed connector inserts A connector shell includes a frame, a dividing wall and a plurality of connector inserts. The frame surrounds a periphery of the shell. The dividing wall is homogeneously formed with the frame and separates a plurality of recesses. The connector inserts are homogeneously formed with the frame and the dividing wall. The inserts are disposed with one or more of the recesses. Each insert includes a body and a plurality of cavities. Each body is configured to hold a plurality of contacts that protrude from each of a mating and a loading side. The contacts are configured to be mounted to a circuit board in a location proximate to the loading side and to mate with a plurality of other electrical connectors in a location proximate to the mating side.
US08079879B2	Receptacle connector for dual signal transmission protocol A receptacle connector has a housing, an eSATA terminal set, a first USB terminal set and a second USB terminal set. The housing has a socket space and a tongue formed in the socket space. The eSATA terminal set has eSATA terminals mounted on the tongue. The first USB terminal set has multiple first USB terminals mounted on the tongue opposite to the eSATA terminals for USB 2.0 signal transmission. The second USB terminal set has multiple second USB terminals mounted on the tongue opposite to the eSATA terminals for USB 3.0 signal transmission. The receptacle connector capable of providing eSATA, USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 signal transmission has high applicability.
US08079874B2	Electrical connector with terminal positioning structure An electrical connector includes a positioning member; an insulated main body enclosing the positioning member from above and a plurality of terminals. Each terminal has a contact section embedded within a tongue plate of the insulated main body and an inclined section embedded partially within the positioning member via an insert-molding process. When the inclined section is further bent relative to the contact section, the uniform spacing and alignment among the terminals is maintained precisely due to the insert-molding process of the terminals in the insulated main body and the positioning member.
US08079873B2	LVDS connector A low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals, and a conductive housing. The insulating body has a first opening, a second opening, and a central receiving area between the first and second openings. The central receiving area is provided with receiving grooves which are arranged along a first direction and configured for receiving the conductive terminals. The LVDS connector is characterized by a pair of conductive connecting devices, each having a first contact portion. Moreover, the conductive housing covers an exterior portion of the insulating body and is provided with a pair of second contact portions. The second contact portions are electrically connected to the first contact portions of the conductive connecting devices.
US08079872B2	Individually shielded terminals within insulating lumps An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminal units, a plurality of insulating lump units, and a plurality of shielding units. The insulating body has a plurality of receiving holes arranged thereon. Each of the insulating lump units has a terminal fixing slot for mounting the corresponding terminal unit there-through. Each of the shielding units is respectively disposed on the periphery of the corresponding insulating lump unit without contacting the terminal unit mounted thereon. The terminals are disposed in the receiving holes of the insulating body. The insulating lump units can prevent shorting between the terminals and the shielding units, while the shielding units can enhance the anti-EMI capability of the instant connector.
US08079870B2	Coaxial connector with efficient assembly operation To provide a coaxial connector and an assembling method of the coaxial connector in which an operation efficiency can be enhanced, and also facilities related to the assembling can be simplified. The coaxial connector is assembled through a first step of assembling an insulator assembly, a second step of setting the insulator assembly in an outer conductor terminal through an upper opening portion of the outer conductor terminal from a direction perpendicular to a terminal axis thereof, and a third step of holding an insulator of the insulator assembly by press-crimping a pair of press-crimping pieces for insulator holding and effecting the connection and fixing to a coaxial cable of the insulator assembly by press-crimping a pair of press-crimping pieces for braid connection and a pair of press-crimping pieces for sheath fixation.
US08079869B2	Coaxial connector array and plug removal tool An array of coaxial cables comprising: (a) a conductive substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of boreholes therebetween; (b) a plurality of coaxial cables, each cable comprising a central conductor, a dielectric insulating layer surrounding said central conductor, and a metallic shielding layer surrounding said dielectric insulating layer; (c) a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being disposed proximate one of said plurality of boreholes, each receptacle having a first conductive member electrically coupled to said conductive substrate and a first engagement member; (d) a plurality of plugs, each plug being disposed on one of said plurality of coaxial cables, each plug having a second conductive member electrically coupled to said metallic shielding layer and a second engagement member, said first and second engagement members of a respective plug and receptacle interengaging to connect and electrically couple said plug and receptacle; and (e) a contact electrically coupled to said central conductor and presented at said bottom surface.
US08079867B2	Port attached to flexible mount A system including a flexible mount that can be coupled to a computing device. A port can be attached to the flexible mount. The flexible mount can conform to the chassis of the computing device.
US08079863B2	Electrical terminal with hermaphiditic connection section An electrical terminal including a first connection section adapted to connect to a first electrical conductor; and a second connection section connected to the first connection section. The second connection section is adapted to removably connect to a mating electrical terminal. The second connection section includes a first lateral side with a first bent section forming an inward facing slot. The second connection section includes an opposite second lateral side with a second bent section which is bent in a direction generally opposite a bend of the first bent section. An angle of the bend of the first bent section is greater than an angle of a bend of the second bent section.
US08079860B1	Cable connector having threaded locking collet and nut A connector for a coaxial cable includes a connector body and a post having a flanged end as well as a coupling nut rotatably attached to the flanged end of the post. The flanged end of the post is defined by an open-ended port retaining portion having an exterior threaded surface that is engaged by respective internal threads of the coupling nut. The port retaining portion defines a locking collet that enables exterior ports of varying diameters to be engaged with and secured to the connector.
US08079859B2	Lamp socket for a backlight assembly A first lamp electrode supporter includes a first terminal having a first lamp electrode fixing hole through which a lamp electrode is inserted, and a second terminal connected to an inverter connector. A second lamp electrode supporter is disposed opposite to the first lamp electrode supporter. The second lamp electrode supporter has a second lamp electrode fixing hole through which the lamp electrode is inserted. A peripheral portion corresponding to the second lamp electrode fixing hole is formed closely to the first lamp electrode supporter. A connecting part connects the first lamp electrode supporter and the second lamp electrode supporter. An elastic guide part is extended from the connecting part to a spacing between the first and second lamp electrode supporters. The elastic guide part supports the lamp electrode when the lamp electrode contacts the first and second lamp electrode fixing holes.
US08079853B2	High-speed differential transmission connector A connector comprises a plurality of ground contacts, a housing, a coupling portion, and a second connection portion. The ground contacts are provided with first connection portions, respectively, which are to be connected to drain lines of first cables, respectively. The housing holds the ground contacts so that each of the ground contacts extends along a first direction. The coupling portion is formed integrally with the ground contacts. The coupling portion couples the ground contacts so that the ground contacts are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second connection portion is formed integrally with the coupling portion. The second connection portion is configured to be connected to a large-diameter line of a second cable different from the first cables. The second connection portion extends along the first direction and is larger than the first connection portion in the second direction.
US08079852B2	Grounded power adapter A power adapter includes an adapter base defining a plug member channel immediately adjacent a first channel wall and a second channel wall that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first channel wall. A power member connector extends into the first channel wall such that no part of the power member connector protrudes into the defined plug member channel. A ground member connector is located on the second channel wall and spaced apart from the power member channel. A plug member includes a plug base having a first plug wall and a second plug wall that is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first plug wall. A power member is located on the first plug wall and a ground member is located on the second plug wall. The plug member is operable to be inserted into the plug member channel such that the power member enters the power member channel and electrically couples to the power member connector and the ground member engages the ground member connector.
US08079851B1	Socket with lower contact A socket, for connecting an IC (integrated circuit) package to a printed circuit board, has an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts assembled to the insulative housing. The insulative housing defines a plurality of holes and a plurality of retaining slots. The contact is assembled to the insulative housing from the bottom to the top, and each contact has a horizontal main body, an oblique arm extending upwardly and forwardly from a front edge of the horizontal main body and received in the hole and a pair of retaining tabs extending upwardly from two opposite lateral edges of the horizontal main body, respectively, and interfering with the retaining slot of the insulative housing to retain the contact on the insulative housing.
US08079848B2	Electrical connector with conductors with a ramp to induce torsion An electrical connector. An electrical connector comprising a connector body having a first channel and a first conductive element extending through the first channel in a first tip section. The first tip section having a first moment arm that, when forced in contact with a first conductive surface, twists the first conductive element to produce a torsion force. The torsion force holds the first tip section in contact with the first conductive surface.
US08079845B2	Processes for operating a utility boiler and methods therefor There is a process for operating a utility boiler. The process has the following steps: a) continuously adding one or more slag control agents, one or more oxygen-generating agents, and a fuel oil to a furnace of the utility boiler; b) providing air to the furnace; c) burning the fuel oil to generate heat and an exhaust gas; d) periodically or continuously varying the dosage rates of the one or more slag control agents and/or the one or more oxygen-generating agents to maintain to substantially maintain one or more emissions variables in the exhaust gas within pre-determined limits. There is also a method for reducing emissions from a utility boiler and a method for reducing slag deposits within a utility boiler.
US08079843B1	Self-stripping forming insert Self-stripping thermoforming insert allows a newly formed article to be removed easily from the forming insert by compressing a region within the insert surface creating a void that allows the newly formed article to separate from the surface of the self-stripping insert. The portion of the insert that compresses is spring loaded and air driven. After the article has cooled the device is activated freeing the newly formed article for simple higher quality components from the thermoforming process.
US08079835B2	Air compressor An air compressor includes a chassis that supports thereon a motor, a transmission set, and a plurality of extendible barrels. The transmission set includes a clutch that is operatively coupled to the motor through a belt. Two eccentric rotation members are respectively arranged on opposite sides of and coupled to the clutch. Each eccentric rotation member is coupled to a crank arm, which has a moving end connected to the extendible barrel. The extendible barrel is provided with an air inlet port and an air outlet port. When the motor is set in operation, the transmission set drives the extendible barrels to move carry out reciprocal and axial compression to delivery compressed air. The present invention features easy maintenance and can carry out a noise-free operation.
US08079834B2	Exhaust dilution blower housing with remote air intake A blower housing may be used with a climate control furnace or with a water heater and provides cooling of the motor that rotates the blower fan and also provides dilution and cooling of exhaust gases drawn from the furnace or water heater. The housing has an interior dilution compartment that communicates with an elongate conduit. The dilution compartment receives dilution air through the conduit, thereby reducing blower operation noise at the blower housing.
US08079833B2	Electric motor having a coaxially associated pump An electric motor (1) having a coaxially associated pump (6) for a coolant circuit, in particular in a system with temperature transfer and/or heat transfer, in which a shaft assembly (5) transmits a torque from the electric motor (1) to at least one impeller (8) arranged in the pump housing (7) within housing parts (7, 10) in the form of a hermetically sealed pressure enclosure, and a flywheel (12) is arranged between the electric motor (1) and the pump housing (7). All of the rotating parts are arranged within a hermetically sealed motor/pump unit, and the motor/pump unit is filled with fluid. The flywheel (12) comprises a flywheel body (13) made from a high-strength material having a large number of cavities (16, 17) with inserts (16, 17) formed of or containing a heavy metal having a density greater than 11.0 kg/dm3arranged in the cavities.
US08079832B2	Device for the actively-controlled and localised deposition of at least one biological solution The invention relates to a device for the actively-controlled deposition of microdrops of biological solutions. The inventive device consists of at least one flat silicon lever comprising a central body and an end area which forms a point, a slit or groove being disposed in said point. The invention is characterized in that it also comprises at least one metallic track which is disposed on one face of the central body and which runs alongside said slit or groove at least partially. The invention also relates to a method of producing the inventive device and a method for the active-controlled deposition and sampling of microdrops of biological solutions using said device.
US08079828B2	Water pump In one embodiment of the present invention, a water pump (10) is configured such that rotation is transmitted in a non-contact condition from a drive-end rotation member (20) whereto rotation is transmitted from an engine to a driven-end rotation member (30) having a pump impeller (31). The drive-end rotation member (20) includes a vacuum chamber (50) and a pair of permanent magnets (26a, 26b) provided so as to be mutually opposed with different polarities. The driven-end rotation member (30) includes an induction ring (32) having an induction section (32b) provided so as to form a prescribed interval between the pair of permanent magnets (26a, 26b). Furthermore, the pair of permanent magnets (26a, 26b) is moved in a rotation axis direction with respect to the induction section (32b) due to the vacuum introduced into the vacuum chamber (50), and the overlap amount (L1) of the pair of permanent magnets (26a, 26b) and the induction section (32b) in the rotation axis direction is changed.
US08079826B2	Vane pump with substantially constant regulated output A variable displacement vane pump provides a substantially constant output pressure in its regulated operation region. A longitudinal axis of the control spring is inclined, with respect to a plane through the rotational axis of a pivot and a contact point between the control ring and the control spring. The inclination reduces the length of the moment arm between the spring and the pivot when the control ring of the pump is moved from the maximum displacement position to the minimum displacement position. The reduced length moment arm offsets the increase in the moment produced by compression of the control spring is offset to achieve a substantially constant output pressure. The control spring is compressed a reduced amount during pump operation to minimize the change in output force exerted by the control spring as the control ring moves between positions.
US08079823B2	Fan blades A fan blade comprises an airfoil having an upper surface with region that has a generally elliptical curvature. In some examples, the lower surface has a convex region and a concave region. The curvature of the concave region corresponds with the generally elliptical curvature of the upper surface; while the curvature of the convex region is defined by a substantially constant radius. Some examples also include a trailing edge flap region, which may itself include a first flap portion and a second flap portion. When mounted to a rotating hub member fan, blades with elliptical curvatures may provide air movement at significant efficiencies.
US08079822B2	Propeller for watercraft and outboard motor A propeller for watercraft having excellent abrasion resistance and deformation resistance includes a propeller body having a blade and a hub portion, the propeller body being composed of an aluminum alloy and having a Vickers hardness of no less than about 60 Hv and no more than about 95 Hv; and an anodic oxide coating of the aluminum alloy provided so as to cover a surface of the propeller body. The anodic oxide coating has a thickness of no less than about 20 μm and no more than about 100 μm. Preferably, the anodic oxide coating has a hardness of no less than about 300 Hv and no more than about 450 Hv.
US08079821B2	Turbine airfoil with dual wall formed from inner and outer layers separated by a compliant structure A turbine airfoil usable in a turbine engine with a cooling system and a compliant dual wall configuration configured to enable thermal expansion between inner and outer layers while eliminating stress formation is disclosed. The compliant dual wall configuration may be formed a dual wall formed from inner and outer layers separated by a compliant structure. The compliant structure may be configured such that the outer layer may thermally expand without limitation by the inner layer. The compliant structure may be formed from a plurality of pedestals positioned generally parallel with each other. The pedestals may include a first foot attached to a first end of the pedestal and extending in a first direction aligned with the outer layer, and may include a second foot attached to a second end of the pedestal and extending in a second direction aligned with the inner layer.
US08079818B2	Method for manufacturing of a fibre reinforced laminate, use of a wrinkle-preventing material, wind turbine blade and wind turbine A method for manufacturing of a fiber reinforced laminate is provided. A part of the laminate is build up to a determined thickness. A layer of wrinkle-preventing material is placed on top of the partially completed laminate. The layer of wrinkle-preventing material has a greater stiffness than the stiffness of a layer of similar thickness of the uncured laminate. Further on a new part of the laminate is build up to a determined thickness. In case the thickness of the laminate built up is not as large as a desired thickness of the completed laminate, the placing of the layer and the building of a new part of laminate is repeated until the thickness of the laminate built up is equal to the desired thickness of the completed laminate.
US08079817B2	Advanced firtree and broach slot forms for turbine stage 3 buckets and rotor wheels A turbine bucket and wheelpost assembly reduces the number of buckets in the third stage of the turbine from ninety-two to ninety while reducing stresses at the assembly points of the buckets and wheelposts. The buckets and wheelposts are formed with complementary fillets and tangs that provide for the insertion of the bucket into the broach slot between two wheelposts. The angles of the fillets on both the bucket and wheelpost range from 50° to 59°. The upper surface of the wheelpost is scalloped to reduce weight and the tangs and fillets of both the bucket and wheelpost are formed from curved and straight surfaces to reduce stresses on the assembly.
US08079816B2	Fan and impeller thereof A fan includes an impeller and a fan frame. The impeller is accommodated within the fan frame. The impeller has a hub and a plurality of blades disposed around the hub. The hub has a top portion and a side wall connected with the top portion. The hub further has a plurality of flexible portions disposed and located on the side wall. The blades are connected with the flexible portions, respectively, so that the blades are connected to the hub.
US08079813B2	Turbine blade with multiple trailing edge cooling slots A cooling system for a turbine airfoil of a turbine engine has a multiple suction side cooling slots extending from a front edge on the suction side to the center of the trailing edge or even to the pressure side of the center line and a pressure side cooling slot curving to a pressure side outlet forward of the trailing edge and having a front pressure side lip that is aligned with or forward of the front edge of the suction side cooling slots. The suction side cooling slots receive cooling flow from the pressure side cooling slots through a boundary layer bleed valve, which is also aligned with or rearward of the pressure side lip. The cooling system may also combine double impingement cooling with these features. The cooling system minimizes shear mixing, reduces hot spots and can reduce the trailing edge thickness, resulting in more efficient stage performance and extended operational life.
US08079812B2	Turbine component A plurality of film cooling holes 13 is formed at regions exposed to a hot gas in a turbine component main body 3, each of the film cooling holes 13 is comprised of a straight hole portion 15 formed at a portion at a side of an inner wall surface 5a of the turbine component main body 3 and a diverging hole portion 17 formed at a portion at a side of an outer wall surface 5b of the turbine component main body 3, and further each of the film cooling holes 13 is so constituted that an outlet surface 17p of the diverging hole portion 17 from a center portion to both end sides in a lateral direction L3 gradually to a great extent leans toward a downstream side of the hot gas on the basis of a hypothetical plane VP parallel to two directions of an axial center direction L2 and a lateral direction L3 of the straight hole portion 15.
US08079811B1	Turbine blade with multi-impingement cooled squealer tip A turbine blade with a squealer tip having a cooling circuit formed from a number of rows of multiple impingement cavities that extend across the blade tip from the pressure side wall to the suction side wall. One of the impingement cavities (main impingement cavity) in each row is connected to a cooling pressure supply channel through a main metering and impingement hole. The remaining impingement cavities in the row is either a pressure side impingement cavity or a suction side impingement cavity, and each are connected to the main impingement cavity through secondary metering and impingement holes. The impingement cavities located on the ends and adjacent to the side walls of the blade tip are connected top film cooling holes. Cooling air from the supply channel flows through the main metering and impingement holes and into the main impingement cavities, then flows into the pressure side impingement cavity or cavities through the secondary metering and impingement holes or through the pressure side impingement cavities through the secondary metering and impingement holes. At the last cavity adjacent to the walls, the cooling air flows through the film cooling holes to discharge from the blade tip.
US08079809B2	Inflatable seal assembly between an engine inlet and a vehicle An inflatable sealing assembly for sealing between an intake section of a turbine engine and an air inlet ring of a vehicle. The inflatable sealing assembly including a seal holder coupled to the intake section of the engine and having a first inflatable seal, a second inflatable seal, and a closed cell foam material disposed therein. The first inflatable seal and the second inflatable seal are configured when inflated to provide a seal between the intake section of the turbine engine and the air inlet ring of the vehicle and prevent foreign object debris and/or water from entering the turbine engine.
US08079805B2	Rotary separator and shaft coupler for compressors A separator is for a turbomachine, preferably a compressor including a casing, a primary compressor shaft with an impeller disposed within the casing, and a drive shaft connectable with the compressor shaft. The separator includes a coupler having a central axis and being configured to connect the drive shaft with the compressor shaft such that the rotation of the driver shaft rotates the coupler and connected compressor shaft. A separation surface extends circumferentially about the axis so as to at least partially define a flow passage for a fluid stream, the separation surface being disposed either generally within or generally about the coupler. The separation surface is connected with the coupler such that rotation of at least one of the two shafts rotates the separation surface generally about the axis so that liquid within the fluid stream contacting the separation surface is separated from the fluid stream.
US08079804B2	Cooling structure for outer surface of a gas turbine case A gas turbine case is provided including an outer case surface, and a channel portion formed as a recessed area extending radially inwardly into the outer case surface. The channel portion extends about a circumference of the case. An outer flow jacket is attached to the outer case surface and extends over the channel portion to define an enclosed cooling passage along the outer case surface. At least one inlet passage and at least one outlet passage are provided in fluid communication with the enclosed cooling passage to convey air to and from the cooling passage.
US08079801B2	Fan unit A serial axial fan unit includes first and second motors with their base portions, i.e., first and second base portions axially facing each other. A motor gap is arranged axially between the first and second base portions. An axial length of the motor gap is preferably in a range from approximately 0.3 mm to approximately 2.0 mm. This configuration reduces transmissions of vibration of each of the first and second motors to the other, thereby reducing vibration interference between the first and second motors.
US08079794B2	Connection insert A connection insert includes a central adhesive supply channel and outlets which are perpendicular to the channel. The connection insert consists of a plurality of parts, and comprises an inner part provided with the adhesive supply channel and an outer sleeve that can be at least partially inserted into a borehole of a component.
US08079792B2	Load suspension device A load suspension device that can be adjusted, locked, and braced horizontally, by hydraulics, has an extension device for length adjustment, and consists of two supporting parts and a hydraulic operating element having two work chambers, which is connected with one of the supporting parts and supports itself in the other supporting part, and adjusts these relative to one another. There is a pressure line and a tank line, a controller, a measurement sensor disposed on the hydraulic operating element or on the extension device, and a pressure measurement system. The extension device remains braced when the system is without current or pressure or when current or pressure is applied. The device is inexpensive to construct, service and maintain, minimizes damage due to impact of the supporting parts with an obstacle, and avoids impact stresses on the operating element from the hydraulic system.
US08079789B2	Tool coupling The invention relates to a tool coupling for connecting a tool carrier which can be driven in a rotating manner, in particular a milling tool with a machine spindle or an adapter connected to a spindle, wherein four drivers in a crosswise formation are provided for transmitting torque between the said parts and in the clamping state engage in four recesses. To allow the tool coupling to be easily operated and to be of a simple construction, and also to counteract undesired jamming, it is proposed that the drivers respectively have on the side transmitting the torque a planar face which lies with full surface-area contact against a wall of a groove-shaped recess in the clamping state, that on the opposite side the driver has a smaller positively or frictionally engaging contact with the wall there of the groove-shaped recess and that a quick-acting clamping device is providing for the axial clamping of the tool carrier and the spindle or an adapter.
US08079786B2	Tool insert blanks and method of manufacture A tool insert blank including first and second major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces defining an outer perimeter of the blank. A first layer defines the first major surface and a first portion of the plurality of edge surfaces proximate the first major surface. A second layer harder than the first layer is disposed substantially co-extensive with the second major surface and a second portion of the plurality of edge surfaces proximate the second major surface. At least one of the edge surfaces includes a projecting portion defining a first engagement plane and a recessed portion spaced inwardly of the engagement plane whereby the grinding wheel is engageable with the projecting portion without engaging the recessed portion. The second layer can be formed out of various materials including polycrystalline diamond and cubic boron nitride materials. A method of forming a tool insert blank is also disclosed.
US08079774B2	Traffic barrier with quick-bolt connection system A coupling system for a traffic barricade has at least first and second traffic barrier segments adapted to be coupled in abutting alignment. First and second connectors are movable from a retracted position in upper and lower bolt retraction cavities in the first barrier segment to a second coupled position wherein ends of each of the connectors pass through connecting rod shafts in the second barrier segment and secure abutment of the first and second traffic barrier segments. Hand holes are provided in each segment to enable assemblers to move the connectors from the first to the second position.
US08079773B2	Methods and apparatus for assembling composite structures A method facilitates assembling a turbine engine casing. A first casing section is positioned radially outward from a turbine engine. The first casing includes a first flange having an outer end portion, an inner end portion, and a body therebetween. At least a portion of the outer end portion has a partial frusto-conical cross-sectional profile. A second casing section including a second flange is positioned adjacent the first casing section such that a mating surface of the second flange is positioned substantially flush against a first flange mating surface. Each respective mating surface is opposite a respective load-bearing surface. A fastener is inserted through an opening in the first and second flanges to couple casing sections together such that a portion of a load-bearing surface extending over the first flange outer end portion facilitates distributing loading induced therein substantially equally across the load bearing surface.
US08079772B1	Multi-position bicycle seat post assembly An adjustable height seat post for bicycles that comprises an inner tube slidably contained within an outer tube which supports a bicycle seat. The outer tube clamps into a bicycle frame and contains a spring which acts to force the inner tube upward. The inner tube is allowed longitudinal movement within the fixed outer tube via a locking mechanism that forces ball bearings into pockets or channels on the inner tube. The locking mechanism can be remotely activated with a handlebar mounted lever or manually with a seat post mounted lever.
US08079771B2	Spray brush A direction-free spray brush includes an applicator body, which defines an accommodation chamber and holds a brush at the front side and a spray tube in the brush, an accumulation tube connected to the spray tube and having an accumulation chamber and a side hole in communication between the accumulation chamber and the accommodation chamber for guiding a powder substance from the accommodation chamber into the accumulation chamber, and an air inflator, which has an air guide connected to the accumulation chamber of the accumulation tube and an inflation bulb fastened to the air guide for pumping air through the air passage in the air guide into the accumulation chamber to force the powder substance from the accumulation chamber through the spray tube into the brush for application.
US08079768B1	Apparatus for delivering paint to a paint roller directly from a paint can with a compartment for holding a paint brush An apparatus for delivering paint to a paint roller directly from a paint can with a compartment for holding a paint brush which comprises a housing. A mechanism is for securing the housing to an exterior surface of a cylindrical side wall of the paint can. A roller wiper component is also provided. Another mechanism is for mounting the roller wiper component on the housing to extend over the paint can. After a roller cover of the paint roller is charged with paint contained in the paint can, excessive paint on the roller cover of the paint roller will be removed therefrom by the roller wiper component to safely drip back into the paint can.
US08079766B2	Key input system and device incorporating same An ergonomically developed key input system for use with a computing or electronic handheld device that uses chording to type at increased speeds. The key input system includes a set of finger input keys corresponding to the fingers of a user's hands that are divided into at least three subkeys, each subkey adapted to be engaged simultaneously with any other subkey. Simultaneous engagement of the finger subkeys creates an input signal that corresponds to a grouping of input values, which are translated by software to display a word or perform a function. Thumb keys may be used in conjunction with the finger input keys to perform additional functions. The key input system disclosed utilizes a chording principle to type words and perform computing functions with only slight movements of a user's hands from an initial relaxed position.
US08079764B2	Light quantity adjusting device, lens barrel, image pickup device, and method of controlling the image pickup device A light quantity adjusting device includes a plate, an upper diaphragm blade, a lower diaphragm blade, and a diaphragm blade driving unit. The upper diaphragm blade has a semicircular upper main opening and a semicircular upper sub opening. The lower diaphragm blade has a semicircular lower main opening and a semicircular lower sub opening formed. The diaphragm blade driving unit is formed so as to be capable of switching between a state in which a circular main diaphragm opening is formed by the upper main opening and the lower main opening with an optical axis being the center and a state in which a circular sub diaphragm opening that is smaller than the main diaphragm opening is formed by the upper sub opening and the lower sub opening with the optical axis being the center.
US08079759B2	Flared slider for vehicle seat A slider for a motor vehicle seat including a stationary profile section extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a substantially planar base plate and at least one side shoulder, said base plate having a substantially constant width and including an attachment area for receiving a head of a fastening screw, wherein the stationary profile section has a local deformation increasing the width of the base plate and narrowing the shoulder to the extent that the raceway of the stationary profile section is blocked; a movable profile section; roller elements rolling along a raceway extending longitudinally on the shoulder of the stationary profile section and retained in position relative to each other by cage.
US08079756B2	Temperature patch A patch may be adapted for placement proximate to a surface region of a mammal. The patch may include an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from the surface region and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property. When the target is placed proximate to the surface region, the characteristics of infrared radiation emitted by the target substantially correspond to the temperature of the surface region. The patch may have means for selectively maintaining the target in a position proximate to a surface region of a mammal. The patch may include indicia uniquely associated with the patch.
US08079755B2	Solar energy powered outdoor temperature and humidity detection device The present invention discloses a solar energy powered outdoor temperature and humidity detection device comprising a cover panel and a display panel. The cover panel further comprises a solar power supply unit and a temperature and humidity detection unit. The cover panel and the display panel are pivotally coupled by at least one pivotal member. The display panel further comprises a display screen and a microcomputer circuit. The microcomputer circuit receives temperature and humidity information from the temperature and humidity detection unit. The temperature and humidity information is transferred to the display screen by the microcomputer circuit and presented on the display screen. The display panel further has an attaching member, whereby the present invention can be mounted on a piece of glass. Thus, the solar power supply unit can absorb sunlight and generate direct current powering the temperature and humidity detection unit to detect outdoor temperature and humidity.
US08079748B2	Liquid agitating device A liquid agitating device includes a sound wave generator that generates a sound wave; and a transmitting portion that transmits the sound wave generated by the sound wave generator, at least a portion of the transmitting portion being in contact with a liquid, and the transmitting portion emitting the sound wave towards the liquid at the portion in contact with the liquid. The sound wave emitted toward the liquid generates a local flow within the liquid and agitates the liquid.
US08079745B2	Backlight module An embodiment of the present invention relates to a backlight module comprising a back plate, a light guide plate provided on the back plate and a light source provided at a side of the light guide plate. A side and lower surface of the light guide plate facing the lamp tubes is a concave surface. The weight of the backlight module and the cost can be largely reduced without change of the light efficiency.
US08079739B2	Interlocking system for hanging decorative lights and fixtures A system of interlocking, rigid or semi-rigid, components which when connected provide a modular, easy-to-install, direct, decorative, lighting system.
US08079738B1	Hingeable security light globe cover and method of use The present invention specifically relates to a HINGEABLE SECURITY LIGHT GLOBE COVER AND METHOD OF USE that is specifically designed to prevent damage to security light fixtures due to both direct and indirect damage from birds and other noxious pest that take residence in the electrical fixture causing damage by overheating of ballasts or destruction of electrical components. The invention provides a means of securing the fixture from pests while simultaneously providing additional protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from damaged bulbs. The hingeable security light globe cover may be secured to the globe of a security light by at least one hingeable mechanism, which may further comprise an internal mounting flange, a handle assembly, an alignment guide and a latch assembly. The security light globe cover may comprise any translucent material of construction known in the Optical Arts capable of enduring the environmental rigors imposed upon a security light and possessing ultraviolet and impact resistance. An embodiment of internal mounting flange having an adjustable clamping arrangement is also disclosed. Another embodiment of the HINGEABLE SECURITY LIGHT GLOBE COVER that foregoes the use of an internal mounting flange is also disclosed. The unique arrangement of the HINGEABLE SECURITY LIGHT GLOBE COVER affords the user reduced maintenance due to pest related problems and only a negligible expenditure of additional effort in replacing spent bulbs, as all maintenance is anticipated without use of ladders or elevated work platforms.Additional embodiments providing differing arrangements of the primary elements a method of use are also disclosed.
US08079737B2	Reflection-type light-emitting module with high heat-dissipating and high light-generating efficiency A reflection-type light-emitting module with high heat-dissipating and high light-generating efficiency includes a reflection-type lampshade unit, a heat pipe unit and a light-emitting unit. The reflection-type lampshade unit has an open casing, a receiving space formed in the open casing, and a first reflective structure is disposed in the receiving space and on an inner surface of the open casing. The heat pipe unit is received in the receiving space and is disposed on the open casing. The light-emitting unit is disposed on the heat pipe unit, and the light-emitting unit has a light-emitting face facing the inner surface of the open casing.
US08079733B2	Indicator and indicator-structure An indicator for emitting a light is provided, the indicator comprising a plate-shaped member which has a stress-concentrating section for causing stress concentration, and a stress-transmitting section for transmitting, to the stress-concentrating section, a stress generated due to an external force; wherein the stress-concentrating section is provided with a stress light-emitting section which is formed of a stress light-emitting material that emits the light in response to a change of the stress. The stress-concentrating section can be arranged such that the stress-concentrating section is not hidden by a finger when the force is applied to the indicator with the finger or the like. The visibility of the light emission can be secured by the light emission effected by the stress light-emitting material applied to the stress-concentrating section which is not hidden by the finger.
US08079727B2	Recessed lamp support structure The present invention is to provide a recessed lamp support structure, which includes a lamp holder and at least two resilient plates. Each of the resilient plates has a front section fixedly connected to a sidewall of the lamp holder in a manner symmetrical to the others and a rear section extended away from the sidewall of the lamp holder, wherein the rear section has a roughened surface at a position away from the sidewall of the lamp holder. When the lamp holder is installed in a receiving hole of a ceiling, the roughened surfaces are able to press tightly and symmetrically against an inner periphery of the receiving hole due to the stress of the resilient plates, thereby securely positioning the lamp holder in the receiving hole while an annular frame of the lamp holder covers a gap between the receiving hole and the sidewall of the lamp holder.
US08079720B2	Mirror drive apparatus and imaging apparatus A mirror drive apparatus includes: a movable unit including a mirror used to switch an optical path in an imaging apparatus; and a drive mechanism that switches the attitude of the movable unit from a first attitude to a second attitude by relatively moving a specific member along a predetermined section defined by an edge of the movable unit from a start point to an end point of the predetermined section, wherein the movable unit includes a protrusion that protrudes from an extension line toward the specific member, the extension line obtained by extending the predetermined section beyond the end point.
US08079719B2	Mirror scanning system The invention provides for an improved mirror scanning system for use with a millimeter wave imaging system. The mirror scanning system includes a pair of voice coil actuators aligned generally perpendicular to a mirror. The voice coils are intermittently energized pursuant to a predetermined frequency related to a desired resolution. A base supports a back plate that is generally disposed parallel to the mirror and secures the pair of voice coil actuators. A rod flexure is secured to a center yoke, or coil bobbin, of each of the respective voice coils and to a back side of the mirror so that the pair of rod flexures simultaneously exert a force on the mirror causing deflection thereon as the pair of voice coils are energized. Stationary position sensors are mounted adjacent to each cylinder so the sensor can determine to location of the cylinder, and hence the angle of the mirror.
US08079717B2	System and method for automated projector lamp management An information handling system projector tracks lamp usage to generate a lamp order form for order of a replacement lamp when lamp usage is a predetermined usage. The lamp order form is automatically generated and displayed to include lamp usage and projector identification information so that a user need not manually input that information into an order form. A network module of the projector supports queries for lamp usage from a lamp management module running on an information handling system. A projector processor interfaced with the network module reads the lamp usage and projector identification information from firmware of the projector and provides the lamp usage and projector identification information to the lamp management module for automatic generation of the lamp order form display.
US08079715B2	Reflected image through substance An apparatus and method to display an image are provided. The apparatus includes a reflective surface including an image disposed upon at least a portion of the reflective surface, an agitable and semi-transparent medium positioned over at least a portion of the reflective surface, a light source positioned to project light on the reflective surface through the medium, and a second surface positioned to capture light reflected from the reflective surface through the medium for displaying the image. The method of displaying the image includes disposing at least a portion of a reflective surface including an image beneath an agitable and semi-transparent medium, wherein the image is disposed upon at least a portion of the reflective surface, and providing light to the reflective surface such that a second surface captures light reflected from the reflective surface through the medium for displaying the image.
US08079714B2	Projector and method for acquiring coordinate of bright spot A projector for acquiring a coordinate of a bright spot includes a half transparent and half reflecting mirror (22), an imaging device (24), and a processing system (25). The half transparent and half reflecting mirror (22) is provided on a light path between the light source (21) and the zooming system (23). The imaging device (24) captures an external light ray reflected by the half transparent and half reflecting mirror (22). The processing system (25) acquires the coordinate of the bright spot according to the image of the image of the bright spot captured by the imaging device.
US08079712B2	Projector with a polarized light modulation unit A projector includes a light source unit that emits coherent light, a spatial light modulation unit that modulates the coherent light emitted from the light source unit in accordance with an image signal, and a polarized light modulation unit having a plurality of modulating areas, each of which changing the polarization state of light. The plurality of modulating areas temporally and spatially change the polarization state of the light outputted from the spatial light modulation unit.
US08079710B2	Dual position ophthalmic apparatus An ophthalmic apparatus exhibiting a first position and a second position related by a rotation of 180° about a longitudinal axis. Automatic detection of the position is preferably provided, and the results of the detection are communicated to a computing unit portion of the ophthalmic apparatus. The ophthalmic apparatus exhibits: a first formation for receiving a user's head in the first position, which is in one embodiment a generally curved formation approximating the shape of the user's lower forehead preferably with an indent portion for receiving the user's nose when the ophthalmic apparatus in the second position; and a second formation for receiving a user's head in the second position, which is in one embodiment a generally curved formation approximating the shape of the user's lower forehead preferably with an indent portion for receiving the user's nose when the ophthalmic apparatus in the first position.
US08079709B2	Cornea shape measurement apparatus A cornea shape measurement apparatus outputs data useful for prescription as well as injection and installation of a TORIC-IOL. This apparatus includes: a projecting optical system projecting an index for measurement onto a cornea; an illuminating optical system illuminating an anterior segment on which a reference mark is placed; an imaging optical system capturing an anterior segment image containing the reference mark and an image of the index reflected from the cornea; an image processor overlaying an astigmatic axis mark indicating a direction of an astigmatic axis of the cornea, which is calculated based on the index image, on the anterior segment image; and a controller displaying the anterior segment image, which contains the astigmatic axis mark, on a display.
US08079708B2	Eye refractive power measurement apparatus An eye refractive power measurement apparatus measures both eye refractive powers in cases where a pupil is small and large in diameter with ease. This apparatus includes: a measuring optical system causing an imaging device to capture a ring-shaped image based on measurement light reflected from a fundus of an examinee's eye; a light deflecting member arranged at a position, which is not conjugated with a pupil of the examinee's eye, on an optical path of the measuring optical system; a rotor causing the light deflecting member to rotate about an optical axis of the measuring optical system; and an eccentricity amount changer changing an amount of eccentricity of the measurement light, which is rotated eccentrically on a surface of the pupil, with respect to a center of the pupil, in order to change a region, where the measurement light passes, on the surface of the pupil.
US08079707B2	Eyeglass prescription method In general, in some embodiments, the disclosure provides a method that includes making a subjective refraction of a person to determine information about the person's vision, making a wavefront measurement of one or both of the person's eyes to determine information about the optical properties of one or both of the person's eyes (e.g., aberrations), calculating a prescription for the person based on the information about the person's vision and the information about the optical properties of one or both of the person's eyes, and outputting the prescription.
US08079705B2	Production of an ophthalmic element adapted for foveal and peripheral vision The invention relates to a method for making an ophthalmic member for correcting ametropia, that is adapted for correcting the central and peripheral vision of a wearer and takes into account the amplitudes of the movements of the wearer's eyes and head. A central area of the member, in which the central vision is corrected, is sized based on the amplitude of the eyes' movements in order to provide good visual comfort. The peripheral vision is corrected in a peripheral area of the ophthalmic member in order to prevent an increase of the wearer's ametropia in the long run.
US08079702B2	Optical component with cells An optical component (10) comprises a transparent set of cells (15; 25) juxtaposed in parallel to a surface of the component. Each cell is hermetically sealed and contains a substance with an optical property. The set of cells comprises cells of several sizes. The size of the cells can be varied between various locations of the surface of the component (10), for making it possible to cut out the component without altering its optical properties. Furthermore, the variation in size of the cells serves to prevent diffraction or scattering from being visible in certain zones of the component.
US08079699B2	Inkjet recording apparatus An image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a conveyance mechanism having a circumferential wall. On the circumferential wall are formed suction holes which communicate an internal space inside the circumferential wall with the outside of the circumferential wall. A recording medium is placed on the outer circumferential surface of the circumferential wall, and is conveyed on the outer circumferential surface in a direction of the rotation of the circumferential wall. A suction unit sucks the air in the internal space to create an air flow from the outside of the circumferential wall to the internal space via the suction holes. A recording medium ejection path branches off from the outer circumferential surface at a separating position which is at the most downstream position of a record head or a position further from the supply position S1 than the most downstream position from the supply position. A blocker positioned in the internal space successively faces an inner opening of at least one of the suction holes having reached the separating position with the movement of the circumferential wall, so as to block the inner opening of the at least one of the suction holes.
US08079697B2	Inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method Clogging of an ink-jetting opening is more reliably prevented, by inkjet recording apparatus 1 having recording heads 3a-3d each having an ink-jetting surface 30 in which an ink-jetting opening for jetting photo-curable ink toward a recording medium K is formed, light emitting devices 4 and 4 which emit light rays onto ink landed on the surface of recording medium K, platen 2 which supports recording medium K from its back side under a condition that recording medium K is faced to recording heads 3a-3d and light emitting devices 4 and 4, and box member 50 and 50 which prevent the light rays received from light emitting device 4 from reflecting toward ink-jetting surface 30, wherein box member 50 and 50 are placed at the side of recording medium K, and are closer to light emitting device 4 than the rear surface of recording medium K.
US08079696B2	Solid ink pastilles A particulate composition of solid phase change ink includes sub-granular size pastilles composed of at least a salt, an ink vehicle compound, a viscosity modifying amide compound and a colorant, and each sub-granular size pastille of the particulate composition is at most the size of very coarse sand, and has a diameter of at most 2 mm on the Wentworth-Udden particle-sizing scale for increasing a melting rate thereof at a melting temperature of the solid phase change ink.
US08079694B2	Clear fluid patterning on paper media Methods and means for imaging on paper media are provided. A data file of an image to be printed is analyzed. A pattern for a clear fluid is determined according to the analysis. The pattern of clear fluid is applied to a paper media traveling in a particular direction, wherein the pattern is generally elongated along the direction of travel. The pattern of clear fluid is defined by a maximum width that is generally equal to the maximum width of the image to be formed. One or more colored inks are applied such that the image is formed and is supported by the paper media. The paper media exhibits reduced cockle as a result of the pattern of clear fluid.
US08079691B2	Foam plate for reducing foam in a printhead A reservoir assembly for use in an imaging device, the reservoir assembly includes an ink input port configured to receive liquid ink from an ink source and an ink tank configured to receive ink from the input port. A filter is positioned between the input port and the ink tank configured to filter ink received via the input port prior to reaching the ink tank. The reservoir assembly includes a foam reducing path configured to guide ink that passes through the filter to the ink tank, the foam reducing path having a varying cross-sectional size and/or shape configured to collapse, compress, stretch, and/or shear air bubbles in foam that passes through the filter prior to reaching the ink tank.
US08079690B2	Method for reconfiguring ink loaders to accept different ink stick identifiers A method of using a phase change ink imaging device includes receiving an nth ink stick in an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device where n is a predetermined number. The nth ink stick includes at least one sensor contour formed thereon. The at least one sensor contour is associated with an ink stick identifier. The at least one sensor contour on the nth ink stick is detected using a sensor system in the ink loader. At least one signal is generated based on the detection of the at least one sensor contour, the at least one signal being indicative of the ink stick identifier. The ink stick identifier indicated by the at least one signal is then stored as a designated ink stick identifier for use with the phase change ink imaging device.
US08079689B2	Ink cartridges An ink cartridge includes a first member that alters a path of a first signal originating at a first position, a second member that alters a path of a second signal when the second member is aligned with each of a second position and a third position, and when the second member alters the path of the second signal, the second member prevents at least a first portion of the second signal from reaching the third position. The second signal originates at the second position and has a first intensity, and the first portion of the second signal has a second intensity. A difference between the first intensity and the second intensity is less than a predetermined intensity value. A third member alters a path of the second signal when the third member is aligned with the second position and the third position.
US08079688B2	Inkjet printer with a cartridge storing ink and a roll of media An inkjet printer has a print medium cartridge configured to store a print medium roll. The print medium roll has a former carrying a length of print medium and an ink supply core which can be received within the former. An inkjet printhead prints onto the print medium and an ink transmission channel structure connected between the ink supply core and the inkjet printhead assembly to transport ink there-between. The print medium is drawn from the roll by a print medium feed arrangement that feeds the print medium past the inkjet printhead during printing.
US08079686B2	Liquid storage container and recording apparatus A liquid container detachably mountable to a recording apparatus, wherein the recording apparatus includes a feeding passage for feeding a recording material, a carriage for scanningly moving a recording head in a direction crossing with a feeding direction of the recording material, and a mounting portion to which the liquid container is mountable, the liquid container includes light reflection means capable of reflecting light from a light emitting portion of the recording apparatus to a first light receiving portion provided in the carriage and to a second light receiving portion provided in a feeding passage of recording material.
US08079684B2	Ink storage module for a pagewidth printer cartridge Provided is an ink storage module for a pagewidth printer cartridge. The module includes upper and lower plate members that are displaceable towards and away from each other. An ink bag is located between the plate members to define an ink volume. A bag constrictor assembly is engaged with said plate members, and is configured to act on the bag when the plate members are displaced towards each other to reduce the ink volume. A biasing mechanism is engaged with the plate members to bias the plate members away from each other such that a negative pressure is maintained in the ink volume. A lid is engaged with the plate members and bag constrictor assembly. The lid has at least one port in fluid communication with the bag, to deliver ink to a printhead or to facilitate refilling said bag with ink.
US08079682B2	Inkjet recording device An inkjet recording device has an ink tank, a reservoir and an ink head, forms an ink supplying system by connecting with a path between the ink tank and the reservoir and between the reservoir and the ink head respectively, and forms a meniscus by generating a negative pressure on an ink discharging plane of the ink head by opening the reservoir to atmosphere. The inkjet recording device includes control electromagnetic valves to open or interrupt paths of the ink supplying system and valve switching control means for controlling opening/closing of the control electromagnetic valves, and controls the valve to be closed by the valve switching control means when the device vibrates. As a result, even if an ink liquid level in the reservoir changes when the device vibrates, transmission of this change to the meniscus of the ink discharging plane is prevented or suppressed.
US08079673B2	Droplet discharging head, liquid cartridge, droplet discharging device, and image formation apparatus, configured with additional flow path connecting commom liquid chamber and liquid flow paths A disclosed droplet discharging head includes: a common liquid chamber; a plurality of liquid flow paths branching from the common liquid chamber; a nozzle communicating with the liquid flow path; an actuator substrate having a heater disposed in the vicinity of the nozzle communicating with the liquid flow path; and an additional flow path on a surface above the liquid flow path in the vertical direction, the additional flow path communicating with the common liquid chamber.
US08079670B2	Printhead having nozzles with stacked capacitive actuators A printhead is provided having a fluid ejection nozzles which each have a substrate, a layer of drive circuitry deposited on the substrate, and subsequent etchant layers deposited on the drive circuitry to define a nozzle chamber with walls and a roof structure defining a fluid ejection port. Each nozzle also has a stacked capacitive actuator arranged in the chamber. The actuator has alternate electrode plates sandwiched between a compressible polymer, wherein activation of the stacked actuator draws the electrode plates together to compress the polymer storing energy therein, with subsequent de-activation releasing the energy to eject fluid within the chamber from the ejection port.
US08079669B2	Printhead with high drag nozzle chamber inlets A printhead that has an array of ink ejection nozzles, an array of chambers adapted to store ink for ejection through each of the nozzles respectively, a silicon substrate for supporting the array of chambers and defining a plurality of ink inlet channels for feeding ink to the array of chambers, the silicon substrate having a planar structure with one surface that supports the chambers and an opposing surface from which the elongate ink feed channels extend, a plurality of actuators, one of the actuators being positioned in each of the chambers respectively for ejecting drops of ink through the nozzle, a plurality of ink inlet channels connecting the ink feed channels to the array of chambers and, layers of CMOS drive circuitry supported on the silicon substrate. The ink inlet channels each extend through the layers of CMOS drive circuitry and each of the ink inlet channels being long and narrow relative to the dimensions of the nozzle such that ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out during ink drop ejection by viscous drag generated by the ink inlet channel.
US08079667B2	Drop generating apparatus A drop generator having a via structure configured for electrical and fluidic interconnection. The via structure includes an electrically conductive layer and an electrically insulating layer disposed on the electrically conductive layer.
US08079666B2	Printhead having commonly supported nozzle ICS A printhead is provided having a support frame, a plurality of nozzle integrated circuits having printing fluid ejection nozzles, and a one-piece printing fluid distribution member commonly supporting the plurality of nozzle integrated circuits, the distribution member being removably engaged with the support frame.
US08079665B2	Printing apparatus For a serial color ink jet printing apparatus that forms an image using a symmetric printing head that ejects large dots and small dots, the configuration of a printing head is provided for suppressing, to the extent possible, a cyclic fluctuation in the main scanning direction. According to the present invention, individual nozzle arrays are arranged so that two nozzle arrays, i.e., a cyan nozzle array c1 and a magenta nozzle array m1, that are located nearer each other, form dots on adjacent scan lines. With this arrangement, a high quality image, having neither an uneven density nor an uneven color, can be formed when a printing head is inclined, or when a cyclic shift in printing positions occurs, depending on the position of the main scanning direction.
US08079664B2	Printer with printhead chip having ink channels reinforced by transverse walls An inkjet printer has a molded ink manifold bonded to a printhead by an adhesive film. The printhead has: (a) a plurality of nozzles formed on a frontside of a substrate, the nozzles being arranged in rows extending longitudinally along the substrate, each nozzle having a respective nozzle inlet; and (b) a plurality of ink supply channels extending longitudinally along a backside of the substrate. Each ink supply channel is configured for supplying ink from the backside to at least one corresponding row of nozzle inlets. Further, each ink supply channel is interrupted along its length by one or more transverse bridges. The transverse bridges provide the printhead integrated circuit with strength in a transverse direction.
US08079663B2	Printhead having mirrored rows of print nozzles A printhead having at least first and second rows of print nozzles. Each nozzle has first circuitry of a first type arranged asymmetrically to second circuitry of a second type. The respective positions of the first and second circuitry of each nozzle of the first row are arranged mirrored with respect to the first and second circuitry of each nozzle of the second row.
US08079657B2	Liquid sensing device and liquid container including the same A liquid sensing device is for a liquid consuming system in which air is introduced from the upstream end in association with consumption of liquid at the downstream end. The liquid sensing device includes a sensor positioning member that defines a sensing flow channel including an inlet hole at the upstream end and a first outlet hole at the downstream end, a sensor positioned on the outside face of the sensor positioning member at a location facing the sensing flow channel as to sense whether liquid is present in the sensing flow channel, and a sensor positioning member mounting portion that mounts the sensor positioning member. The sensor positioning member mounting portion includes a downstream buffer chamber-defining portion including an aperture communicating with the first outlet hole and that in conjunction with the sensor positioning member defines a downstream buffer chamber adapted to receive the liquid and the air exiting from the first outlet hole, and a second outlet hole communicating with the downstream buffer chamber and through which the liquid and the air from the downstream buffer chamber exit. Contours of the downstream buffer chamber are defined such that the liquid and the air received from the first outlet hole flow to the second outlet hole in nonlinear fashion along a wall face of the downstream buffer chamber.
US08079655B2	Furniture system A furniture system which is readily reconfigurable into a variety of work surface configurations and shelving configurations as well as additional component configurations associated therewith so as to readily adapt the furniture system to the specific needs of an office area. The system includes a system of brackets which readily accommodates mounting of work surfaces at a variety of elevations, and a shelving system which maintains shelves of different materials and thicknesses so that the top surfaces thereof align in a common plane.
US08079653B2	Sliding track assembly A sliding track assembly includes an inner slide rail with a circulating guide groove, a slide block supported on and movable along the inner slide rail, a positioning block set that has a guide rod coupled to the circulating guide groove of the inner slide rail and a positioning rod inserted through the slide block, an intermediate slide rail unit having a first intermediate slide rail member movable by the slide block and a second intermediate slide rail member mounted in the first intermediate slide rail member and a locating block mounted in the second intermediate slide rail member adjacent to the slide block, the locating block having a transverse groove for receiving the positioning rod of the slide block to hold the slide block in position, and an outer slide rail unit receiving the inner slide rail unit and the intermediate slide rail unit.
US08079651B2	Motion control for extension and retraction arrangements An extension and retraction arrangement with a control system for adjusting a monitor from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. The control system controls an extension and retraction of a trolley structure and a retained monitor and an opening and closing of a door through which the monitor can be extended. The control system has an operation mode with an UP sequence and a DOWN sequence. Sensors can sense open and closed positions of the door and raised and extended and retracted positions of the trolley and the monitor. The control system can automatically react to monitor positioning issues, losses in power, and obstructions to the travel of the door and the trolley structure.
US08079650B2	Modular track tensioning system A spring loaded track tensioning assembly for a track on a track driven vehicle has a spring subassembly that is retained on a spring shaft under a preload with a first fixed spring retainer and a second slidable spring retainer. The spring shaft has an outer end that extends beyond the second spring retainer and the outer end is slidably received in a bore in a piston or actuator shaft of a grease cylinder, with the end of the actuator shaft bearing on the second spring retainer. The grease cylinder contacts and applies a force to the second spring retainer, for initial positioning of the tensioning assembly, and additional loads on the first spring retainer that compress the spring cause the outer end of the spring shaft to slide in the bore of the actuator shaft as the second spring retainer slides along the spring shaft.
US08079649B2	Vehicle condition dependent supplemental parking brake system with protection against an unwanted application A vehicle brake system for a vehicle comprises at least one source of pressurized air for pressurizing the vehicle brake system, and a brake actuator configured to receive air from the source of pressurized air. A control is operatively associated with the source of pressurized air for selective application of the brake actuator. A supplemental parking brake control system is in communication with the control and the brake actuator. The control system is responsive to data indicative of gradient and speed vehicle conditions. The control system is configured to send a signal to the brake actuator to allow gradient and speed dependent supplemental parking. The control system is configured to prevent application of the brake actuator.
US08079647B2	Vibratory milling machine having linear reciprocating motion A continuous mining method includes operating a vibratory milling machine having a milling head, a base, and a milling tool to oscillate the milling head in a substantially linear reciprocating fashion relative to the base to move the milling tool along a milling axis; and advancing the vibratory milling machine in a work piece in a cutting direction and wherein milling axis is oriented at an attack angle relative to the cutting direction, the attack angle being between about 0 and about 40 degrees.
US08079645B2	Force multiplier device for furniture member adjustment A furniture member component drive mechanism includes a force multiplying gear assembly. A wire member can slide within a flexible sheath in opposed first and second directions. The wire member is connected to the gear assembly for axial displacement. A lever arm connected to the gear assembly defines a lever arm first axis of rotation. Rotating the lever arm in a first direction about the first axis of rotation axially incrementally displaces the wire member in the first displacement direction. The lever arm is rotatably connected to a pivot base defining a second axis of rotation of the lever arm transverse to the first axis of rotation. Rotating the lever arm about the second axis of rotation displaces the wire member in the second displacement direction.
US08079644B1	Ergonomic footrest An ergonomic footrest includes a substantially planar platform having a pair of lateral extensions. A support structure suspends the platform a desired distance above an underlying surface. The support structure includes means for adjusting the height and angle of the platform.
US08079641B2	Adjusting apparatus and vehicle seat The invention discloses an adjusting apparatus for adjusting vehicle seat. The adjusting apparatus of the invention includes a first guiding rail, a base and a supporting member. The first guiding rail is mounted on a floor of a vehicle. The base further includes a first sliding portion, slidably disposed in the first guiding rail; a receiving base disposed on the first sliding portion; and a rotation-guiding groove. The supporting member further includes an axle rotatably mounted in the receiving base; and a guiding wheel movably disposed in the rotation-guiding groove. When the first sliding portion slides in the first guiding rail, the base and the supporting member slide opposite to the first guiding rail. Additionally, when the axle rotates in the receiving base, the guiding wheel moves along the rotation-guiding groove, so that the supporting member rotates opposite to the base.
US08079633B2	Cabin A cabin of a mobile home or other transport vehicle is provided with an internal living space adapted to minimize the space of furniture and beds during transport such that a small automobile may be received within the living space. In a set-up configuration and the automobile removed, beds can be deployed externally to the living space by a system of hinged panels attached to the side of the cabin. Furniture may also be rearranged within the interior of the cabin or mobile home on floor tracks.
US08079630B2	Movable roof part in an automobile roof An assembly includes a roof part kinematic system having front and rear connecting rods. Each connecting rod is pivotally connected to a roof part and is pivotally connectable to a vehicle body such that the roof part kinematic system can move the roof part between end positions. The assembly further includes a spring-loaded kinematic system having a spring, a coupling rod, and a triangular-shaped spring lever. The spring is connected to the front connecting rod and is connected to the first spring lever corner, the coupling rod is connected to the rear connecting rod and is connected to the second spring lever corner, and the third spring lever corner is pivotally connectable to the vehicle body such that the spring produces a torque on the connecting rods to move the roof part away from either end position when the roof part is in that end position.
US08079629B2	Rain guard A rain guard assembly for providing shelter to an occupant entering or exiting a vehicle is described. Generally, the retractable rain guard assembly may comprise a housing integrally mounted within a roof of an automobile, a covering retractably held within the housing and having one or more engagement portions positioned along a free end of the covering, and one or more securement members positioned along a door of the automobile and aligned in a manner corresponding to positions of the one or more engagement portions. The one or more securement members are actuatable to engage to corresponding engagement portions such that opening of the door relative to the roof extends the covering therebetween. The covering may be engaged remotely, such as by a key fob, or automatically by a water detection sensor on the automobile.
US08079628B2	Deployment assembly and a selectively movable assembly A deployment assembly 16 which selectively and efficiently allows entry and exit into and from the bed 12 of a selectively movable assembly and which includes a plurality of independently movable stair assemblies 202, 204, 206 which may be respectively extended and retracted and then placed in a stored upright position to cooperatively form a tailgate.
US08079626B2	Roll-off container with adjustable attachment apparatus An adjustable attachment apparatus for a container, in particular, a roll-on, roll-off container, for use with a truck equipped to transport the carrier, such as a hoist truck. The container attachment apparatus includes a connector member, more specifically a hook receiving member which is vertically adjustable in apertures of a guide member to a plurality of different heights in relation to a ground surface in order to accommodate trucks having container retrieving hoist mechanisms with a hook or other element of differing minimum heights which manipulates the container through the connector member. In one embodiment, the guide member includes a rail having a slotted track and a connector member is connected to the guide member by a locking mechanism.
US08079624B2	Bumper of a motor vehicle A bumper of a motor vehicle includes a cross member which is disposed transversely to a side rail of a motor vehicle frame and has a U-shaped cross section formed by a wall and two legs extending from opposite ends of the wall Extending longitudinally in a direction of the cross member is a reinforcement member which has a T-shaped cross section and closes off a front end of the cross member.
US08079615B2	Vehicle steering device A vehicle steering device includes a rotatable steering handle including grips lying on left and right sides of the steering handle in a straight-ahead driving position with a non-grip space left on at least one of upper and lower sides of the steering handle; and an airbag provided in the steering handle that is deployed between the steering handle and a driver to restrain the driver in the event of a collision. The steering handle includes a support unit movable from a stowed position to an operative position on the vehicle's forward side from a reference plane including a rotating trajectory of a portion of the steering handle normally facing the driver. The support unit supports the rear surface of the airbag deployed in the non-grip space.
US08079606B2	Trolley with a swivable guide wheel A castor wheel assembly on the underside of a shopping trolley comprises a wheel mounted to a wheel mount and rotatable about its rotational axis. A locking device including an engagement element and an actuator element is operatively coupled to the wheel mount for releasably engaging a locking element of the wheel mount to restrict swivelling of the wheel about a swivel axis of the wheel mount. The wheel is freely rotatable about the swivel axis when reversely rotated. Reverse rotation of the wheel urges the actuator element into pressing engagement with the wheel, driving the coupling portion of the engagement element away from the periphery of the wheel for disengagement of the engagement element from the locking element. Engagement of the engagement element and the locking element is only effected when the wheel is forwardly rotated to reduce the pressing engagement.
US08079604B2	Skateboard providing substantial freedom of movement of the front truck assembly A skateboard is disclosed that includes a rear wheel system and a front wheel system. The rear wheel system includes a pair of rear wheels that are mounted on a rear axle that is coupled to a rear truck that is attached to an underside of a rear portion of a board. The rear wheel system permits each of the pair of rear wheels to alternately move toward a front portion of the board responsive to a force alternately urging each of the pair of rear wheels toward the underside of the board. The front wheel system includes a pair of front wheels that are mounted on a front axle that is rotatably attached to a mid-truck such that the front axle is movable about a first axis of rotation. The mid-truck is rotatably attached to an attachment base that is secured to an underside of the front portion of the board such that the mid-truck is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The movement of the front axle about the first axis and the rotation of the mid-truck about the second axis provides that each of the pair of front wheels maintains substantially equal force against the ground during turning even when the rear truck is stationary with respect to the ground.
US08079603B2	System for regulating the position of the chassis of a motor vehicle A system for regulating the position of a chassis of a motor vehicle has actuators which are to be set via actuating signals of a regulating and control unit, the position of the chassis or a part of the chassis being recorded via a gap sensor, and an adjustment is carried out via the actuators in case the measured sensor signals of the gap sensor deviate from specified setpoint values. On the vehicle's underside, at least three displacement measuring sensor device are located at positions that are at a distance from one another, each sensor device having a gap sensor that works in a contactless manner, via which at least two displacement measurements are able to be carried out in different directions.
US08079602B2	Suspension systems for a vehicle A utility vehicle is disclosed. The utility vehicle may include storage areas under the dash. The utility vehicle may include suspension systems for utility vehicles having shocks with both a fluidic stiffness adjustment and a mechanical stiffness adjustment. The utility vehicle may include an electrical power steering.
US08079601B2	Prefabricated complex joint sealer A sealing member for sealing over a structural joint or compound expansion joint. The sealing member has an elastomeric portion to overlie the lines of the joint and an adhesive receiving region to the sides of the elastomeric portion. The adhesive receiving region is adapted to be adhered to material adjacent to the structural joint. The elastomeric portion extends along each line of the structural joint in use to allow relative movement along each joint to be absorbed by the elastomeric portion.
US08079599B2	Compressible tank seal A tank seal for use in cast concrete walls has a generally cylindrical main body portion with a stepped outside wall having first axially-extending portion, a second axially-extending portion having an outermost diameter less than an outermost diameter of the first axially-extending portion, and a radial ledge or step separating the first and second axially-extending portions. A wiper blade portion extends radially inwardly of the stepped outside wall, from an end of the second axially-extending portion opposite the radial ledge, terminating at a third end. A circular membrane or web extends across the third end, including at least one annular groove therein to facilitate removal of at least one circular portion of the web. The radial ledge collapses and the first axially-extending portion puckers in response to compressive force exerted on the tank seal in an axial direction, reducing the axial length of the tank seal.
US08079598B2	Check seal structure for hydraulic shock absorber A check seal (53) for discharging working oil scraped off a piston rod (3) by an oil lip (52b) into an oil pool (A) of a hydraulic shock absorber to an oil reservoir (R) is disposed on the outside of the oil pool (A). The check seal (53) comprises an annular seat surface (4d) and an annular lip (53a) seated resiliently on the seat surface (4d). The annular seat surface (4d) comprises an annular main rib (11) and an annular inner rib (12), both of which project toward the annular lip (53a), such that an annular groove (21) is formed between the main rib (11) and the inner rib (12). By providing a pressure introducing passage (12a) to introduce a pressure inside the inner rib (12) to the annular groove (21), the check seal (53) exhibits a high working oil discharging performance and a high working oil sealing performance.
US08079590B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus of an embodiment of the invention includes a pair of conveyance rollers to nip and convey a sheet on which a formed image is recorded, a turning amount detection section which is disposed downstream of the pair of conveyance rollers and includes a bearing section coming in contact with the sheet, a thickness detection section to detect a thickness of the sheet based on a turning amount detected by the turning amount detection section, a pair of register rollers which is disposed downstream of the bearing section and aligns the sheet, and an image recording and fixing section to record and fix the image on the sheet passing through the pair of register rollers. A distance from a center point of a contact portion of the pair of conveyance rollers to a point where the bearing section contacts with the sheet is zero or more and about 3 mm or less.
US08079588B2	Mailpiece container for stacking mixed mail and method for stacking mail therein A system is provided for stacking mail having an escort assembly for handling each mailpiece. The system comprises a containment device, a transport mechanism and a detachment mechanism. The containment device includes a base, vertical walls extending from the base and an open end for accepting the mailpieces therein. The containment device, furthermore, has a slot formed in at least one of the vertical walls thereof. The transport mechanism includes first and second transport segment, the first transport segment conveying escort assemblies and respective mailpieces over an open end of the containment device and the second transport segment lowering the escort assemblies and respective mailpieces into the open end of the containment device. The transport mechanism furthermore aligns the edges of the mailpieces along one of the vertical walls of the containment device and positions the escort assembly through the slot of the containment device. The detachment mechanism is operative to release the mailpieces from the respective escort assembly and move the escort assemblies through the slot of the containment device.
US08079586B2	Feed device and image forming apparatus A feed device includes a shaft, a roller member, and a cover member. The shaft is rotatably supported. The roller member engages with one end portion of the shaft through an engagement and disengagement member. The cover member covers the roller member in an openable and closable manner and supports the roller member. The engagement and disengagement member engages and disengages, corresponding to opening and closing of the cover member, the shaft with the roller member.
US08079578B2	Universal holding fixture A universal holding fixture assembly includes a plurality of linear actuators supported by the fixture and adapted to engage and support a workpiece relative to the fixture. A linear displacement member is supported by a housing and adapted to move between retracted and extended positions. An end effector assembly is operatively supported by the linear actuator and adapted to engage the workpiece when the linear displacement member is in its extended position. A sensor is operatively supported by the end effector assembly and is responsive to contact with the workpiece to establish a datum of the position of the linear actuator relative to the workpiece.
US08079575B2	Steam tube connection for steam humidifier A twist locking connector for a steam humidifier. The steam humidifier includes a tank for heating water to generate steam and a steam tube receiver structure in fluid communication with the tank. The steam tube receiver structure has an opening configured to receive a steam tube, where the opening has a plurality of ramp structures about the opening on a side facing the tank. The steam humidifier also includes a steam tube for transmitting steam from the tank to a duct, the steam tube having a plurality of locking tabs adjacent to an end and a flange adjacent to, but separated by a distance from, the locking tabs. The steam tube is assembled to the steam tube receiver by inserting the steam tube through the opening in the steam tube receiver structure and rotating the steam tube to cause the locking tabs to engage with the ramp structures.
US08079574B2	Membrane based contactor module for mass and heat transfer An apparatus for the transfer of mass and heat including a membrane having a hydrophilic surface and an opposing hydrophobic surface. The construction prevents transmission or leakage of fluids from one side of the membrane to the other regardless of pressure gradients within the membrane bubble point or water intrusion pressure range, but allows the transfer of vaporized fluid from one side of the membrane to the other.
US08079572B2	Device for gassing a liquid A device for gassing a liquid, particularly for membrane facilities used in immersion operation, has a gas supply channel and at least one gas lance from which a gas flow exits in gassing operation. The gas lance is connected to the gas supply channel via at least one connection channel including a first mouth area on the side of the gas lance and a second mouth area on the side of the gas supply channel and generating as a throttle a flow pressure loss of the gas flow entering the gas lance. Below the first mouth area an extension section is provided, which adjoins the gas lance and has an opening below the first mouth area.
US08079569B2	Cable drawworks for a drilling rig A cable drawworks for a drilling rig is provided having a three-phase AC electric motor controlled by a variable frequency drive control system. A primary drive transmission consisting of a chain and sprockets connects the motor to a drum shaft that passes through the hub of a cable drum such that the cable drum is rotatably mounted on the drum shaft. The drum shaft connects to a secondary drive transmission, attached to the frame via an oscillating plate assembly, that connects the drum shaft to the cable drum. Each end of the cable drum has a brake drum and a brake band wrapped around thereon. A brake actuating system is used to tighten the bands around each drum during braking conditions and includes an equalization linkage system between the brake bands resulting in equal braking forces being applied to each brake drum.
US08079563B2	Elevating mechanism with an elasticity compensative function and related display device An elevating mechanism includes a sleeve having a first end and a second end, and an elevating component installed inside the sleeve and having a third end and a fourth end. When the elevating component is located in a first position relative to the sleeve, a main spring is compressed by the elevating component at a first deformation. When the component is located in a second position relative to the sleeve, the main spring is compressed by the elevating component at a second deformation. The first deformation is greater than the second deformation. When the elevating component is located in the first position relative to the sleeve, a complementary spring is compressed at a third deformation. When the component is located in the second position relative to the sleeve, the complementary spring is compressed at a fourth deformation. The third deformation is greater than the fourth deformation.
US08079555B2	Apparatus for setting the spacing of a free standing range from a floor An apparatus for setting the spacing of a free standing range relative to a floor includes a base component for contacting the floor, a threaded element, and a winding follower. The winding follower extends into the helical recess of the threaded element such that the winding follower travels progressively further along the helical recess of the threaded element. A blocking member engages the winding follower during travel of the winding follower along the helical recess of the threaded element to resist a disengagement movement.
US08079551B2	Enhanced aerial delivery system An enhanced aerial delivery system addresses issues raised when large quantities of fluids, powders, and other agent materials are to be transported in and aerially dispersed by aircraft. Some aspects include positioning and securing of tanks aboard the aircraft to facilitate management and safety of the tanks and aircraft. Other aspects address coupling of the tanks and associated piping to lessen structural effects upon the aircraft. Further aspects deal with channeling, containing, and dumping stray agent materials that have escaped from the agent tanks on board the aircraft.
US08079550B2	Auxiliary power unit inlet door actuation mechanism An inlet door and actuation mechanism for an auxiliary power unit has an actuation mechanism mounted within a housing. The housing includes a bearing mount for allowing a bearing on the mechanism to adjust angularly as the inlet door pivots. The bearing mount and bearing provides a fireproof enclosure between areas on opposed sides of a wall of the housing.
US08079547B2	Flotation systems Flotation systems including separately packed floats and life rafts are disclosed. Such systems, advantageously used for helicopters or other vessels, attach rafts to exterior covers of the floats. Thus, if not needed, or if maintenance or repair is required, the rafts may be removed from the float covers quickly and easily and without unpacking the floats themselves. Likewise, removal of the rafts permits maintenance to be performed on the floats without any need to unpack the rafts. Also identified are mechanisms for indirectly connecting both floats and rafts to vessels and for independently inflating both floats and rafts using a single actuator.
US08079546B2	Samara wing A samara wing including a main wing with a leading edge and a trailing edge. An aileron has a leading edge and a trailing edge and is pivotally attached proximate the trailing edge of the main wing and separated therefrom by a gap. The aileron is rotatable between the first position where the trailing edge of the aileron is facing forward in a plummet mode of operation and a second position where the trailing edge of the aileron is facing rearward typically for an autorotation mode of operation.
US08079545B2	System, method and apparatus for ground-based manipulation and control of aerial vehicle during non-flying operations A device for controlling an aircraft during non-flying operations has a retractable tiller that extends with the nose landing gear of the aircraft. Ground crew use the control device to maneuver the aircraft for various ground-based operations. The tiller provides left and right directional input to the steering of the nose wheel. The tiller also provides throttle and brake controls, such as a twist-grip handle on the tiller. The throttle and brake controls are spring-loaded to an engine idle and braked position. Separate brakes also may be provided for additional braking control. The control device also includes various auxiliary controls for additional operations such as wing fold, tail hook extension and retraction, launch bar extension and retraction, etc. Other functions including engine start, engine shutdown, a vehicle system built in test and other functions and tests also may be provided on the control device.
US08079542B2	Automatic paper towel dispenser with driven roller on loading door A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the towel dispenser includes a motor and a transmission for feeding the toweling outside of the housing during dispensing of a towel, and an associated sensor. The motor is mechanically connected to the first roller by a transmission, and the second roller is connectable to the motor via the transmission.
US08079541B2	Automatic paper towel dispenser with horizontally extending loading door lip A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the loading door includes a curved body and a lip that generally extends in parallel to a top surface of the housing away from the curved body.
US08079538B2	Cementitous composition and apparatus and method for manufacturing the same An apparatus for making a cementitious composition may comprise a grinding mill for producing a cementitious composition from clinker and gypsum and classifiers for separating the cementitious composition into various portions. A primary portion of the cementitious composition has a particle size distribution such that substantially all of its particles are of a size of about 10 microns or smaller. A secondary portion and a remainder portion of the cementitious composition are combinable to form a resultant cementitious composition selected from Type I portland cement and Type III portland cement.
US08079535B2	Method for recovering ore The invention relates to a method for the comminuting of natural or synthetic mineral products having a size of 10 nm to 30 mm, which are obtained from the upstream process in pre-comminuted form for example in a roller mill for inter-particle comminution, wherein these solids are further comminuted in a working process initially dry then wetted with liquid and in this liquid are comminuted so as to obtain a suspension that can be pumped, which suspension is subsequently ground to the desired final fineness by means of agitating mills.
US08079534B2	Spray nozzle The invention relates to a spray nozzle, particularly a high pressure nozzle, for descaling steel products, having a mouthpiece, which is provided with a discharge opening and a discharge chamber, which tapers towards the discharge opening.According to the invention the discharge opening spans a curved surface and a surface surrounding the discharge opening boundary at each point of said boundary strikes the discharge opening boundary at an angle between 65 and 95°, particularly 90° to the median longitudinal axis.Use e.g. for descaling nozzles.
US08079533B2	Rotating spray nozzle and method of manufacturing the same A rotating spray nozzle, comprising an elongate stem securable to a liquid-supply pipe, the stem defining a passageway therethrough for communicating a liquid from the supply pipe, the passageway communicating at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening defined in the stem; and a polymer nozzle body freely rotatably mounted on the stem for rotation about a nozzle axis, the nozzle body having an internal cavity in communication with the at least one outlet opening of the stem, and at least one nozzle defined through the nozzle body and communicating with the internal cavity, the at least one nozzle being offset from the nozzle axis to impart a driving couple to the nozzle body to cause rotation thereof when a liquid from the supply pipe is communicated through the at least one nozzle. The stem defines a longitudinal portion bounded at opposite ends thereof by integral annular shoulders having diameters greater than the longitudinal portion. The polymer nozzle body is comprised of two or more separate, mateable portions which are secured together about the stem so that the nozzle body is rotatably captured on the longitudinal portion of the stem between the greater diameter annular shoulders.
US08079530B2	Method, system and smart card reader for management of access to a smart card The described embodiments relate generally to devices, methods and systems for managing access to a memory card, such as a smart card, by a plurality of accessing devices. Certain embodiments relate to a smart card reader (SCR) for managing concurrent access to a smart card by a plurality of accessing devices, the SCR comprising: a processor; a channel manager responsive to the processor for interfacing with the smart card; a communication interface responsive to the channel manager for communicating with the plurality of accessing devices; and wherein, when a session is open on a first channel between a first accessing device and the smart card and the channel manager is configured to issue an open channel command to the smart card to cause the smart card to open a second channel between the smart card and the second accessing device in response to the session request.
US08079528B2	Input/output pads placement for a smart card chip A chip for a smart card including a plurality of electrical contacts for communication of data with a smart card reader is disclosed. In one embodiment, a chip for a smart card includes a core circuit and a plurality of input/output pads corresponding to said set of electrical contacts, wherein said input/output pads are divided into at least a first column and a second column placed immediately adjacent to the first column, such that the first and second columns form a cluster. In another embodiment, eight input/output pads are divided into two columns, placed immediately adjacent to each other. The cluster may be partially surrounded by the core circuit. The chip may further comprise an ESD network, comprising VDD and GND buses for improved ESD protection while reducing the size of the chip.
US08079526B2	Long range imaging reader An imaging module or reader for electro-optically reading both far-out and close-in, one-dimensional symbols located at variable working distances from the module or reader, includes a solid-state imager having a linear array of image sensors arranged in a single row for capturing return light from the symbols, and an imaging lens assembly for adjustably focusing the return light onto the linear array of image sensors to enable the symbols to be read.
US08079524B2	Imaging-based scanner including border searching for image acquisition A method utilizing an imaging-based bar code reader to identify a desired acquisition area within a captured image frame, the desired acquisition area including a target bar code and an extent of the desired acquisition area bounded by a border featuring: identifying a region of the captured image frame corresponding to an image of the target bar code; determining a reference point within the imaged target bar code; determining a reference point within an image of the desired acquisition area; searching for an image of the border of the desired acquisition area; identifying the imaged border of the desired acquisition area; and saving in memory a portion of the captured image frame corresponding to an image within the imaged border.
US08079522B2	Barcode device Bar codes used for various applications. A bar code can be used for biometrics, or for computer data entry. A special bar code is described that has additional information, but can be read by other readers.
US08079520B2	Method for reducing RF interference inside dual-interface card reader and dual-interface card reader thereof The present invention provides a method for reducing RF interference inside a dual-interface card reader and a dual-interface card reader, which relate to dual-interface card reader field. The method includes: adjusting RF power by the dual-interface card reader to reach a specified maximum value; determining the type of an IC card which is operating currently by the dual-interface card reader; if the IC card is a contactless IC card, responding to the contactless card and not responding to any contact IC card before the operation of the contactless IC card is completed by the dual-interface card reader; if the IC card is a contact IC card, adjusting the RF power so as to make the RF power to be lower and responding to the contact IC card by the dual-interface card reader, and if a contactless IC is operating before the operation of the contact IC card is completed, responding to the contactless IC card simultaneously by the dual-interface card reader. The dual-interface card reader includes: a determining module, a control module, a contact card communication module, a contactless card communication module and a data transferring module. The invention provides a solution for reducing RF interference inside a dual-interface card reader, which is implemented easily and conveniently. The identification effect of the dual-interface card reader is improved.
US08079514B2	Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same Metal-containing transaction cards, useful for the purchase of goods and/or services are disclosed. The metal-containing transaction cards may be standard-sized (i.e., about 3⅜ inches by about 2 14 inches) or any other size yet still usable as a transaction card. Moreover, the metal-containing transaction card may include a pocket having characters embossed therein. Further, the metal-containing transaction card may include a fill panel disposed within the pocket. The metal may be titanium or stainless steel.
US08079512B1	Automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records An automated banking machine is operative to carry out transactions using data read from user cards through operation of a card reader. The automated banking machine includes a chest portion, with a moveable door. A cash dispenser extends in the chest portion. The chest door is mounted to the chest portion through hinge assemblies having respective hinge pins. A bolt work is operative to selectively hold the chest door closed. A security module portion on at least one of the hinge assemblies and the bolt work includes at least one hard freely rotatable body in a bore. The security module portion is resistant to attack by a saw. The security module portion at least partially spans at least one critical component of the hinge assemblies or the bolt work to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the chest portion.
US08079511B2	Online association of a digital photograph with an indicator The present invention relates to an online method for associating an image with an indicator. The method involves a computer system storing a captured image in the clipboard of a server. The computer system determines the selection of an association operator from a number of association operators of a printed toolbar made with a selection tool. The computer system further determines the selection of an indicator on a printed page made with the selection tool and associates the captured image in the clipboard with the selected indicator in accordance with the selected association operator.
US08079510B2	Information on consumables A printing apparatus using a consumable providing at least one of an image receiving tape, the consumable carrying a tag holding parameter information identifying the width of the tape and status information including the amount of tape remaining in the consumable, the printing apparatus comprising: printing means for printing an image; a tag reader arranged to receive said information from the tag via a contactless link in the form of electromagnetic waves; and a processor arranged to (i) receive said information and to control operation of the printing apparatus in dependence thereon including selecting a printing operation based on the identified width, and (ii) update the status information based on usage of the tape via the contactless link.
US08079499B2	Dispensing jar for viscous food product A jar or bottle container for dispensing food items or other products that may have a liquid component and a solid component has a platform that is supported on a threaded post on the interior of the jar. A base seated at an open bottom of the jar body is turned to rotate the post and elevate the platform to push the food item upward. The platform has a ring seal and radial lip or tooth structure that rides in vertical channels formed in the inner wall of the jar body. A weight or ballast may be present in the base.
US08079498B2	Holder for a spray container A sleeve (10) for a material container (14), the sleeve being adapted to receive a material container (14) therein, the sleeve also being adapted to be received in an opening of a corresponding material ejection device chassis (12) operable to control ejection of material from the material container (14), wherein the sleeve (10) includes a magnet (42) operable to activate an electromagnetic switch of the material ejection device chassis (12).
US08079490B2	Dunnage structure made with multiple ply partitions A dunnage structure comprising a partition matrix made up of folded partitions, each of the partitions having two plies fused together in select locations. The partitions may be made by folding a partition blank and securing a portion of the folded partition blank to itself in predetermined locations. Passages extend through portions of the partitions to allow multiple partitions to be secured together using connectors.
US08079489B1	Container and bag system with detachable partition Methods, devices, and systems for improved trash containers with liners and a vented divider is described. The vented divider is installed in one corner of the container to facilitate air inlet such that the bag is easier to retrieve even when full. For reasons of utility and aesthetics the divider has plurality of inlets at the bottom instead of a single inlet. The divider also includes an access member, a pair of parallel flexible hinges also known as living hinges as well as a holder for a prior art air freshener. Means for easy installation and removal and reinstallation in a new trash container are also provided.
US08079488B2	Lid having a utensil A lid for use with a jar having an opening includes a closure member configured to cover the jar opening when the closure member is fastened to the jar. The lid includes an attachment member coupled to the closure member to selectively fasten the closure member to the jar. A catch is coupled to the closure member that extends toward the jar when the closure member is fastened to the jar. The lid includes a utensil having a use end and an opposed attachment end. A hook extends from the utensil attachment end so as to rotatably couple the utensil to the catch, each hook being removable from the catch only when the utensil is generally parallel to the closure member. The utensil has a length that prevents the utensil from being generally parallel to the closure member when the closure member is fastened to the jar.
US08079487B2	Individual packaging case for objects with fracture risk The invention relates to an individual packaging case for objects with fracture risk wherein the individual packaging case comprises a base with an open, upward-pointing receiving bore, into which the shank of the object with fracture risk is inserted and self-containedly protrudes from the upward-open receiving bore in the base and wherein the part with fracture risk of the object is protected by means of a protective cap pushed onto the base from above.The invention is characterized in that the novel packaging case can be folded over an axis running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and that due to the folding, the object to be protected becomes at least partially freely accessible.
US08079482B2	Teat unit A teat for connection to a receiving unit of a drink container has a main body and, adjoining the main body and tapered relative to the main body, a mouthpiece with at least one suction opening. The teat has a first connector element for connection to the receiving unit, a second connector element for connection to the receiving unit, and a suction channel. The suction channel extends within the mouthpiece, extends and opens via a first end into the suction opening and is directed via a second end towards the main body. This second end forms the first connector element for leaktight connection to the receiving unit. The main body is designed such that it is adapted to be turned back towards the suction opening of the mouthpiece. This teat is adapted to be connected to the feeding bottle in a simple and hygienic manner and is easy to clean.
US08079481B2	Integrated frame and central electronic complex structure A cabinet assembly is provided that can be quickly assembled and disassembled inside side racks used for the purpose of housing computer systems. The assembly comprises a plurality of side plates that can be secured to inside rack sides, preferably through flexible flanges, a plurality of top and bottom plates that can be secured to the side plates, and a mid-plate is disposed substantially horizontally between the top and bottom plates. Alternately, the assembly can also comprise at least one rear plate that can be secured to the side plates to provide a third side for the assembly. The rear plates having openings designed to allow for front to back air flow ventilation. The assembly can also have at least one divider plate, and preferably a plurality of divider plates, that can be secured to the top and bottom and/or mid-plate(s). In such a case, the divider plates are disposed above and/or below the mid-plate and preferably each have an upper divider plate and a lower divider plate.
US08079479B2	In-tank fuel delivery module having an accessible fuel filter A fuel delivery module includes a fuel filter housing and a cover. The fuel filter housing defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a fuel filter. A first end portion of the fuel filter housing includes a flange configured to be disposed outside of and coupled to a fuel tank. A second end portion of the fuel filter housing is configured to be disposed within the fuel tank and includes an inlet connector configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel pump. The cover is configured to be removably coupled to the first end portion of the fuel filter housing. The cover defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel outlet line. The second lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a regulator.
US08079478B2	Retail fragrance sampling display A fragrance sampling display for retail environments is disclosed. The sampling display may include a dock having a removable faceplate and sidewalls. The dock may include one or more receptacles and one or more scent modules, wherein each scent module is associated with and partially inserted into only one of the receptacles. The scent modules may be removably disposed in the corresponding receptacles by retractable cords. Each of the scent modules may include a different volatile active corresponding to a different fragrance product and vent holes to facilitate passive emission of the associated fragrance. The vent holes may be configured so as to be substantially sealed while the associated scent module is in its respective receptacle.
US08079477B2	Wafer container with cushion sheets An elastic wafer-retaining cushion sheet is disposed at a wafer retaining position on the top of a wafer tray. The wafer-retaining cushion sheet has a releasably suction-adhering surface that releasably adheres by suction to the wafer tray. Consequently, there is no likelihood of the semiconductor wafer being damaged during transport or the like. In addition, the wafer-retaining cushion sheet can be readily attached to and detached from the wafer tray for washing or replacement according to need.
US08079472B2	Deployable container for bottles or the like The invention relates to a container for bottles or the like. In accordance with the invention, it comprises a plurality of hollow cells each adapted to receive one bottle and presenting two converging external side faces and one bottom face with which the side faces define side edges, the cells being interconnected so that two adjacent cells are hinged together via the side edges such that the container presents a folded state in which the side faces of the cells bear one against another so as to give the container the shape of a cylinder on a polygonal base and a deployed state in which the bottom walls of the cells extend flat and the cells extend beside one another, with each of them remaining suitable for receiving one bottle.
US08079471B2	Carton having protective elements A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton has a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels is a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one of the panels has a protective coating for contact with the articles. The coating is arranged as a plurality of protective elements selectively applied to an interior surface of the at least one panel.
US08079468B2	Surgical screw container In order to improve a surgical screw container comprising a receiving part and a closure part mounted thereon so as to be movable, wherein the receiving part has at least two screw receptacles for accommodating at least two bone screws, wherein the closure part can be brought relative to the receiving part into at least one closure position, in which none of the screw receptacles is accessible for the introduction or removal of a bone screw, such that any loss of screws from the screw container can be practically ruled out it is suggested that the closure part can be brought from the at least one closure position into at least two removal positions, in each of which only a single screw receptacle is accessible for the introduction or removal of a single bone screw.
US08079459B2	Transport apparatus A transporter may move a payload along a linear path. The transporter may include a stationary base and a first arm assembly. The first arm assembly may include a first gear coupled to the stationary base, an idler gear that meshes with the first gear, and a second gear that meshes with the idler gear. The transporter may include a driver for rotating the first arm assembly around the axis of the first gear. A second arm assembly may be rigidly coupled to the second gear such that rotation of the second gear rotates the second arm assembly around the axis of the second gear. The second arm assembly may include a third axis that is parallel to the axes of the first and second gears. A payload engager may be disposed at the third axis, for engaging and disengaging the payload.
US08079456B1	Spring detangler An automated spring detangler takes clumps of springs and whirls them around a rotating chamber. When they separate and fall to the bottom of the container, they are sucked into a delivery tube that continuously individually deposits them at an assembly line which may be remote from the detangler. Any non-separating clumps of springs are periodically ejected from the container.
US08079454B2	Friction engagement apparatus The friction engagement apparatus comprises a case forming part of a power transmission apparatus, a plurality of friction plates splined to the case, a plurality of friction plates splined to a rotation element, an annular piston having a cylindrical wall portion imparting the urging pressure to the friction plates, an urging device having a return spring intervening between the case and the piston to urge the piston in one axial direction, the cylindrical wall portion having a first pressure receiving section formed with a cut-off recession, and a second pressure receiving section formed with no cut-off recession, and the return spring being coaxially arranged with the piston and having a bending stiffness in the axial direction with respect to a circumferential unit length, the bending stiffness in the first pressure receiving section being larger than the bending stiffness in the second pressure receiving section.
US08079449B2	Brake pad comprising a grease reservoir The invention relates to a brake pad (10) for a motor vehicle disk brake, which is intended to be received in a hydraulic braking caliper (12) and which is able to be applied by said caliper (12) against a rotating brake disk, of which an application face (26) is intended to be acted on by at least one end bearing face (18) of the caliper (12), characterized in that the application face (26) of the pad comprises at least one reservoir (28) of grease (32), of which at least one destructible wall (30) is intended to be mounted with a clearance (J) with respect to the bearing face (18) of the caliper (12) during the operation of mounting the pad (10) in the caliper (12), and then to be destroyed by said bearing face (18) during the first application of the pad (10).
US08079447B2	Wheel chair lift with protective skirt sensors A wheel chair lift device includes a lift car selectively elevated above a base, along with protective skirting covering the region below the lift car. Exposed portions of the protective skirting subject to lateral inward deformation are provided with skirt deformation sensors for detecting abnormal inward deformation of such skirt portions. The skirt deformation sensors include a spring or other elongated deformable member that extends generally parallel and proximate to the portion of the skirt being sensed. A sensor detects that the elongated member has been laterally displaced from its usual longitudinal axis and generates an electrical signal. In response to such electrical signal, the lift device stops further movement of the lift car.
US08079441B2	Muffler A muffler is disclosed. In the muffler a throttling device that is controlled by the energy of the airflow to be muffled is provided in a pipeline of the airflow that needs to be muffled. The muffler is adjusted by itself according to random variety of the pulsing airflow, and can eliminate or reduce effectively the pulsation of the airflow and the related noise in the range of the low frequency and the middle frequency. The muffling effect of the muffler has no correlation with the volume of the muffler, and therefore the volume of the muffler can be reduced.
US08079435B2	Electric vehicle A battery unit is provided under a floor panel. The battery unit is arranged between a pair of right and left side members. The battery unit is provided with a battery case. The battery case includes a tray member and cover member. Electric components are contained in the battery case. Beam members made of metal are attached to the tray member. Both end portions of these beam members are supported by the side members. The tray member includes a resin and insert members made of metal provided inside the resin. The insert members include metal plates arranged on the front side and rear side of the electric components.
US08079428B2	Hardfacing materials including PCD particles, welding rods and earth-boring tools including such materials, and methods of forming and using same Hardfacing materials include particles of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) material embedded within a matrix material. The PCD particles comprise a plurality of inter-bonded diamond grains. Material compositions and structures used to apply a hardfacing material to an earth-boring tool (e.g., welding rods) include PCD particles. Earth-boring tools include a hardfacing material comprising PCD particles embedded within a matrix material on at least a portion of a surface of a body of the tools. Methods of forming a hardfacing material include subjecting diamond grains to elevated temperatures and pressures to form diamond-to-diamond bonds between the diamond grains and form a PCD material. The PCD material is broken down to form PCD particles that include a plurality of inter-bonded diamond grains. Methods of hardfacing tools include bonding PCD particles to surfaces of the tools using a metal matrix material.
US08079427B2	Methods of forming earth-boring tools having features for affecting cuttings flow Methods of forming earth-boring tools include assembling a plurality of head sections about a longitudinal axis to form a bit body, rotatably mounting a cutter to a cutter bearing shaft of each head section, and forming at least one groove on an outer surface of a bit leg of at least one head section, causing the at least one groove to extend along a curved path from a leading side of the bit leg to a trailing side of the bit leg between an upper sidewall and a lower sidewall.
US08079425B1	Modular and towable farm implement A towable farm and garden implement trailer which has a modular receiver. The modular receiver is operatively configured to receive implements above or below the frame of the trailer. Implements which may be removably coupled to the underside of the trailer include such implements as a lawn de-thatcher, transport box, box blade, drag harrow, slurry blade, etc. Examples of implements which could be carried and removably coupled to the top side of the trailer frame include such implements as a spreader, tank, carrying platform and other similar implements. In one form, the implement trailer comprises an actuator positioned between the frame and the wheels to allow the wheels to be raised and lowered with respect to the trailer frame.
US08079419B2	Apparatus and method for controlling the connection and disconnection speed of downhole connectors An apparatus (100) for controlling the connection speed of downhole connectors (316, 146) in a subterranean well. The apparatus (100) includes a first assembly that is positionable in the well. The first assembly includes a first downhole connector (316) and a first communication medium. A second assembly includes a second downhole connector (146) and a second communication medium. The second assembly has an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion is selectively axially shiftable relative to an inner portion, such that upon engagement of the first assembly with the second assembly, the outer portion of the second assembly is axially shifted relative to the inner portion of the second assembly allowing the first and second downhole connectors (316, 146) to be operatively connected to each other, thereby enabling communication between the first communication medium and the second communication medium.
US08079418B2	Plug in pump for inverted shroud assembly The pump can be utilized in gassy oil wells to prevent gas slugs from locking the electrical submersible pump. A shroud assembly is provided with a bottom that can be fixed to the top of a seal section connected to the top of a motor. Additional lengths of shroud can be added as the shroud assembly is lowered into the well. The electrical submersible pump can then lowered into the shroud and supported from a production tubing string. A hanger can then be attached to the production tubing string to carry the weight of the shroud assembly, motor, and seal section.
US08079417B2	Wireline retrievable dsg/downhole pump system for cyclic steam and continuous steam flooding operations in petroleum reservoirs A non-rigid carrier conveys a pump and/or the steam generator through a bore of the production tubing string to support enhanced oil recovery operations. An annular space separates the production tubing string and a wall of a wellbore intersecting a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation. Using the non-rigid carrier, the steam generator is conveyed into the wellbore and operated to inject hot gases into the formation through the perforations in the casing. Afterwards, the steam generator is conveyed out of the cased wellbore and the pump is conveyed into the cased wellbore and operated to pump hydrocarbons to the surface. For cyclic injection operations, the pump may be retrieved to the surface and the steam generator may be returned into the well. The production tubing string, such as a production tubing, remains in the well while the pump and/or the steam generator are conveyed up and down the cased well. A base installed in the cased well receives either the pump or the steam generator.
US08079415B2	Wellbore intervention tool The present invention provides a conveyance tool and a tool string having one or more sensors or cameras for detecting the performance of pre-existing perforations in a cased wellbore, and one or more perforation intervention tools mounted on the tool string and capable of performing remedial actions directed at most one perforation and its nearest neighbors or at a single perforation.
US08079413B2	Bottom set downhole plug A plug for isolating a wellbore. The plug can include a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is formed from one or more composite materials and adapted to receive a setting tool through the first end thereof, at least one malleable element disposed about the body, at least one slip disposed about the body, at least one conical member disposed about the body, and one or more shearable threads disposed on an inner surface of the body, adjacent the second end thereof, wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to receive at least a portion of a setting tool that enters the body through the first end thereof, and wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to engage the setting tool when disposed through the body and adapted to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force.
US08079408B2	Pressure vessel assembly for integrated pressurized fluid system Pressure vessel assembly for a pressurized fluid system, comprises an enclosed outer casing, at least one internal tube extending within the casing, at least one fluid accumulator disposed within the at least one internal tube, and at least one cooling passage provided within the at least one internal tube and defined by a clearance between the at least one hydraulic fluid accumulator and the at least one internal tube. The pressure vessel assembly further includes a fluid storage compartment formed between the outer casing and the at least one internal tube. The fluid storage compartment is at least partially filled with a working fluid. The pressurized fluid system also includes a cooling fan allowing forced airflow through the cooling passage for forced cooling of the at least one hydraulic fluid accumulator and the working fluid in the storage compartment of the pressure vessel assembly.
US08079401B2	Method and apparatus for forming a casting A casting chamber configured to form a casting from molten material includes an outer mold, a plurality of inner core elements, and a surface portion of a thermal chill device. The thermal chill device includes first and second interchangeable elements with the surface portion of the thermal chill device including one of a first surface portion of the first interchangeable element and a second surface portion of the second interchangeable element. The first surface portion of the first interchangeable element includes an insulating material and the second surface portion of the second interchangeable element comprising a metallic material.
US08079387B2	Pi-shaped preform A woven preform for a reinforced composite material, which may be woven flat and folded into shape. The preform has a three-dimensional weave architecture with weft fibers woven to provide layer-to-layer interlocking of layers of warp fiber as well as interlocking of fibers within each layer. One or more legs extend from a base, the base and legs each having at least two layers of warp fibers. The legs may be parallel or angled to each other and/or may move along a sine wave in the warp and/or weft direction. The outer ends of the base and/or the legs preferably have tapers formed from terminating layers of warp fibers in a stepped pattern.
US08079383B2	Controller gain scheduling for mass flow controllers A mass flow controller having a feedback controller gain, comprises: a sensor configured so as to sense the flow of fluid through controller; a valve arranged so as to adjust the flow of fluid through the controller; and a processor configured so as to control the valve as a function of the flow of fluid sensed by the sensor. The sensor and valve are arranged within a feedback system, and the processor updates the feedback controller gain in real time based on the ratio of at least one calibration gas parameter to at least one operating gas parameter, such that the closed loop transfer function of the feedback system remains substantially constant regardless of operating conditions so as to have a consistent control performance at different operation conditions from the calibration condition.
US08079382B2	Unfreeze faucet structure An unfreeze faucet structure includes a watering control valve having a body; a control shaft, an upper ceramic member, and a lower ceramic member connected with the body; a valve seat locked to the body; wherein the control shaft includes a watering cavity and a positioning groove mounted in a lower section thereof, the watering cavity includes a check element and a stopping unit installed therein, the check element includes a disk-shaped cover arranged on a bottom end thereof, the cover includes a first stop loop fitted to a peripheral side thereof, between the cover and the watering cavity is defined with a spring, the stopping unit includes a trench disposed therearound to contact with the first stop loop, the control shaft includes a second stop loop fitted on an outer periphery thereof and a third stop loop arranged therearound to engage with an inner wall of the watering cavity.
US08079380B2	Portable ice house An ice house including a collapsible frame assembly. The collapsible frame assembly includes at least one first pole with a connecting end having a plunger assembly. At least one second pole has a hollow end sized to telescopically engage with the plunger assembly and the first pole. The second pole has at least one detent proximate a connecting end sized to releasably engage with a plunger on the plunger assembly. An actuator assembly includes a first end secured to the connecting end of the second pole and a second end adapted to telescopically receive the plunger assembly and the first pole. The actuator assembly includes an actuator located over the detent and configured to flex between a relaxed position and a depressed position that disengages the plunger from the detent. A seat assembly is secured to the frame assembly and a cover having at least one door is attached to the frame assembly.
US08079377B2	Concrete washout container A washout container to which are mounted inclined ramps that allow a transit mixer, concrete pumping truck or other concrete handling vehicle to drive up over a portion of the container for dumping excess concrete and washing out waste concrete. The container cross-section may be rectangular to semi-circular, and is preferably fabricated with a steel structure. A watertight latching door assembly is coupled to the container to prevent leakage of collected liquid concrete waste material while allowing solidified concrete materials to be unloaded at a disposal site. The interior of the container is preferably lined with a material to which concrete will not adhere. The liner may be applied as a coating to the interior of the container or as a solid material retained within the container. In this way, solidified waste concrete can be easily removed from the container at the disposal site and preferably crushed for recycling.
US08079376B2	Multi-pass, inverting bottle cleaner A bottle cleaner that inverts the bottles to spray solutions into them. The bottles invert and receive, for example, a spray of a cleaning solution. The cleaner then returns the bottles to the upright orientation. Each pass of the bottles utilizes two sets of linked grippers arranged as a chain. One chain contacts the bottles on one side while the second chain contacts them on the other side. The two chains squeeze the bottles between them to firmly hold them. A single adjustment sets a uniform distance between the two chains of each path through the cleaner at four different locations, and the same adjustment equalizes the distances between the two chains of the two paths so that they will effectively retain the same bottles through two passes through the machine. Four motors running at the same speed keep the chains moving together.
US08079374B2	Dental flosser with bendable head A dental flossing device formed of a handle has proximal and distal ends, a flosser head extending from the distal end of the handle, the flosser head including a base, two spaced apart arms extending from the base and having distal ends, and a strand of dental floss extending between and secured to the distal ends of the arms, and a hinge connecting the distal end of the handle to the flosser head. The flosser head has a first position generally co-planar with the handle, the flosser head being bendable about the hinge to a second position that is angled relative to the handle. The arms in the first position of the flosser head are spaced apart a first distance. The device includes an engagement latch for securing the flosser head in the second position and urging the distal ends of the arms to be spaced apart a second distance greater than the first distance to thus stretch the strand of dental floss to be more taut.
US08079372B2	Discreet packing system A discreet packing system for containing and compacting finely chopped tobacco product having a shallow cylindrical body and a lid detachably secured thereto. A flexible wall is secured at a fixed end to the interior surface of the body. The flexible inner wall generally coextends the interior surface of the body and thereby defines a cylindrical volume in which the tobacco is contained. The flexible wall may be selectively locked in place relative to the outer wall of the body. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bottom is slidably connected to a cylindrical outer wall of the body. A distal end of the flexible wall is attached to the bottom and is urged via rotation of the bottom relative to the outer wall. Other embodiments are provided wherein the flexible wall extends through the body and is urged via a grip or slider.
US08079371B2	Tobacco containing smoking article A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.
US08079370B2	System for removal of impurities from shredded tobacco recovered from defective cigarettes A system is used for removal of impurities from shredded tobacco recovered from defective cigarettes, especially activated carbon particles, as used in a machine for recovering tobacco and having separating sieves and suction devices, where in a transport zone for a mixture of shredded tobacco, paper and impurities, positioned directly downstream the device for final tearing of the cigarette paper, with the zone defining a turbulent flow zone for the mixture of shredded tobacco, paper and impurities, a separating device is installed which defines a first purification zone. The device has a grid, a vacuum system for maintaining turbulent flow of the mixture of shredded tobacco, paper and lightweight impurities, positioned above the grid having a mesh size larger than the size of heavy impurities, and a vacuum system for receiving heavy impurities. Then a second purification zone includes a vibrating sieve with a mesh size larger than the size of heavy and lightweight impurities. A vacuum dust removing device, defining a third purification zone, has a transport pipe with flow disturbing elements, a rotational sieve having a grid of a mesh size suitable for suction of volatile impurities, a flow guide means adjacent the sieve and defining at the same time a flow disturbing element, and a rotary chamber valve positioned under the sieve.
US08079367B2	Training enhanced pseudo accommodation methods, systems and devices for mitigation of presbyopia Devices, systems, and methods for developing prescriptions for and/or treating presbyopia may use a combination of an alteration to the refractive tissues of the eye with changes in the response of the visual system. The visual system response may include using residual accommodation in a manner similar to that employed by latent hyperopes, a trained response of the pupil, trained psychophysics, or the like. Associated refractive prescriptions may be tailored to take advantage of the subsequent visual system response so as to mitigate presbyopia.
US08079364B2	Deployment actuation system for intrafallopian contraception Contraceptive methods, systems, and devices generally improve the ease, speed, and reliability with which a contraceptive device can be deployed transcervically into an ostium of a fallopian tube. The contraceptive device may remain in a small profile configuration while a sheath is withdrawn proximally, and is thereafter expanded to a large profile configuration engaging the surrounding tissues, by manipulating one or more actuators of a proximal handle with a single hand. This leaves the other hand free to manipulate a hysteroscope, minimizing the number of health care professional required to deploy the contraceptive device.
US08079357B2	Adjustable material cutting guide system A material cutting guide system for cutting predetermined widths of a material. The system includes a frame fixed in location and a pair of spaced apart parallel tracks. At least one horizontal member is movably affixed to the frame and has a distal end extending outwardly therefrom, the distal end being affixed to the tracks. The system includes a motive device adapted to move the tracks in a generally lateral direction to a new location toward the fixed frame in predetermined increments to change the location of the tracks.
US08079355B1	Firing device of side-handle baton A firing device of a side-handle baton includes first and second shaft portions, a magazine portion, a trigger housing, a gas chamber portion, and a nozzle portion. Pressure from a CO2 cartridge in the second shaft portion enters and accumulates in the gas chamber portion to push a nozzle. Once a pushbutton of the magazine portion is pressed, ball-shaped bullets in the magazine portion fall into a bore of the first shaft portion, and the magazine portion pushes a trigger in the trigger housing, thus driving a sear to release the nozzle. When a piston rod in the nozzle is freed, the pressure in the gas chamber portion is discharged to fire the bullets. A recoil spring then pushes the nozzle portion back to re-seal the gas chamber portion, allowing pressure to accumulate again in the gas chamber portion, and the sear to retain the nozzle until the next shot.
US08079354B2	Paintball sensor installing and positioning structure A paintball sensor installing and positioning structure includes a sensor unit screwed to the bottom end of a paintball dropping conduit. A transmitting end and a receiving end of the sensor unit are received respectively in receiving grooves bilaterally provided on the paintball dropping conduit. Positioning elements protruding from the bottom end of the paintball dropping conduit correspond in position to positioning recesses in a gun body to provide secure positioning. A pin at a lower portion of the sensor unit is inserted in a socket of the gun body. Gas inlet ducts provided in the inner wall of the gun body are separate from a paintball dropping port of the paintball dropping conduit such that gas need not pass through the paintball dropping conduit. Hence, corresponding gas ducts can be connected regardless of the precision with which the paintball dropping conduit is installed in the gun body.
US08079353B2	Archery bow having a multiple-tube structure An archery bow is formed of multiple composite tubes bonded to one another along a common wall, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, resiliency, control, and aerodynamics of the bow.
US08079352B1	Electromagnetic decoy launcher An electromagnetic rail gun launcher for launching an armature attached to a projectile includes a barrel, having a bore, and a body that includes a pair of main rails, a first pair of augmenting rails one of each lying outboard of and coextending with each of one of the main rails from the breech to the muzzle, a second pair of augmenting rails one of each lying outboard of and coextending with one of each of the first pair of augmenting rails, a first pair of electrically-conducting crossovers proximate to the breech and a second pair of electrically-conducting crossovers proximate to the muzzle and connected in series when the armature is positioned in the bore with power provided to the launcher. The exit speed of the projectile from the launcher is controlled by controlling the current to the launcher.
US08079349B2	Drive train for a motor vehicle A motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine (1) and a drive train (2) with an electric machine that can be operated as a generator. A supercharger (5) supplies air through a mass flow line (6) to an inlet side of the internal combustion engine (1). The air mass flow line (6) has no throttle valve. The supercharger (5) also selectively can function as a secondary air pump to blow secondary air through a branch (7) of the mass flow line (6) and to an outlet side (21a, 21b) of the internal combustion engine (1) upstream of a catalytic converter. A control unit causes the electric machine to operate as a generator when the supercharger (5) is functioning as a secondary air pump to compensate for excess torque caused by a charge pressure generated by the secondary air.
US08079344B2	Device for generating compressed air for a vehicle and method for operating a device for generating compressed air A prime mover is provided for a vehicle having a plurality of cylinder chambers, a manifold, and engine brake valves by which the cylinder chambers can be connected to the manifold. A valve or nozzle is disposed on the manifold, by which the manifold can be connected to a feed line of a compressed air treatment system.
US08079342B2	Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine A method and a device for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders. A fuel metering system includes a fuel reservoir. A fuel level signal is provided which characterizes the fuel level of the fuel reservoir. When the fuel level signal drops below a threshold value, a subset of the cylinders is shut off.
US08079341B2	Piston for an internal combustion engine A piston for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The piston body has two pin bores for receiving a piston pin. At least one rib is disposed on the second side and extends outwardly therefrom. The at least one rib is aligned laterally between the two pin bores in a direction along the piston pin axis. The at least one rib has a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicular to both the reciprocation axis of the piston and the piston pin axis. A piston having a boss extending approximately within the piston pin radius of the piston pin axis, and a piston having a boss generally following the contour of the piston pin are also disclosed. An engine having the piston is also disclosed.
US08079340B2	System for restarting internal combustion engine when engine restart request occurs In a system for cranking a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a starter is provided with a motor working to, when energized, rotatably drive an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator working to, when energized, shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A power supply is electrically connected to the motor and operative to output electrical power. A first mechanical relay is electrically connected between the power supply and the motor, and works to turn on and off a supply of a current based on the electrical power to the motor for rotating the pinion. A switching element is electrically connected across the first mechanical relay, and works to turn on and off the supply of the current to the motor for rotating the pinion.
US08079339B2	Reciprocable member with anti-float arrangement An exhaust valve arrangement includes a cylinder having a top end, an exhaust conduit connected to the cylinder by an opening in the top end of the cylinder, the opening comprising a valve seat, a valve member comprising a valve stem and a valve head on the valve stem, the valve member being movable between a closed position in which the valve head is received in the valve seat and an open position in which the valve head is spaced from the valve seat, and a resilient member arranged to urge the valve member to a closed position. A piston is mounted relative to the valve stem, the piston being disposed in a second cylinder in flow communication with the exhaust conduit and arranged such that a change in pressure in the exhaust conduit changes a degree of compression of the resilient member.
US08079335B2	Inferred oil responsiveness using pressure sensor pulses A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine include determining oil responsiveness based on pressure variations associated with oil pump pulses in response to a stimulus, and controlling the engine based on the determined oil responsiveness. The stimulus may be a change in oil temperature, engine speed, or commanded pump pressure, for example. The system and method may also use the rate of change of mean oil pressure to determine the oil responsiveness or measure of oil viscosity. Oil responsiveness may be used to control hydraulic actuators, such as variable cam timing devices, or valve deactivation devices.
US08079332B2	Continuous variable valve lift apparatus The present invention relates to a continuously variable valve lift apparatus that includes an output cam driving unit for transmitting a rotation, an output cam that receives the rotation from the output cam driving unit and rotates about an axis at a predetermined angle, an output cam position controlling unit for controlling the axis of rotation of the output cam, and a valve opening unit that is operated by the output cam.
US08079327B2	Animal transport device A pet transportation device is provided. The pet transportation device is provided whereby the device is easily adaptable to a mobile unit including a bicycle, scooter and/or motorcycle. In an exemplary embodiment, the pet transportation device has at least a wire basket carrier which is adapted to placement and holding of the pet during transport and at least a cover portion which encloses about the head portion of the pet and may be adapted for folding when not desired by the individual. The basket may be removably attached to at least a portion of the handlebars of a mobile unit by a clamping means and may have padded rail support incorporated thereon. Additionally, the pet transport device may additionally have a liner and/or cushion to protect the limbs of the animal from protruding away from the pet transport device.
US08079326B2	Teatcup A teatcup and a teatcup liner are described. The teatcup liner (3) is adapted to be mounted in a shell (2) to form a teatcup (1) to be applied to a teat of an animal. The teatcup liner (3) defines a length axis (4) and an inner space (5) for receiving the teat, and includes a barrel (8) and an upper head (6) for receiving the teat, wherein the barrel (8) has an end portion (12) on which a primary engagement member (13) is arranged. The teatcup liner (3) includes a hindering member (15) arranged on the side of the primary engagement member (13) being distant from the upper head (6), hindering the primary engagement member (13) to bend away from the upper head, wherein the hindering member (15) has a smaller extension from the length axis (4) perpendicular to the length axis (4) compared with the primary engagement member.
US08079325B2	Milking arrangement and method An arrangement for housing and milking a large number of animals includes a resting and feeding area (11), a milking area (13) housing automatic milking stations (31) for milking the animals, and a passage way (15) interconnecting the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13), and along which animals are capable of being had to walk in order to move back and fourth between the resting and feeding area (11) and the milking area (13). According to the invention, the resting and feeding area (11) includes enclosed sections (17), wherein each of the sections (17) houses a respective subgroup of the animals and has an entry/exit gate (19), through which the animals of the subgroup are capable of being forced to pass in order to move back and fourth between the section (17) and the passage way (15).
US08079319B2	Sewing machine and computer readable medium A sewing machine includes a sewing controller that controls sewing machine components, an imaging element capable of capturing facial images of a sewing machine user; a settings storage that stores settings for preset modes, the settings comprising items pertaining to sewing machine functions; a user information storage that stores facial image data of the user captured by the imaging element with mapping to the settings of the mode registered with the user; a verifier that verifies whether or not image data that matches the facial image data captured by the imaging element at sewing operation start exists in the user information storage; and an instruction controller that reads the settings from the user information storage when receiving a positive verification result from the verifier, and that instructs the sewing controller to control the sewing machine components based on the settings read.
US08079318B2	Sewing machine An object of the present invention is to provide a sewing machine that naturally enables performing normal sewing work, and that enables skipping a stitch during the sewing work, and furthermore, another object is to provide a sewing machine that enables causing a latching portion and an engaging device of the needle bar to be accurately engaged and disengaged when skipping the stitch during the sewing work.An operating member return spring is provided between the operating member and the frame; and the operating member return spring is formed such that, in a process that upon supplying power to the solenoid the latching portion is being driven from the engaging position to the retreated position, a spring force of the operating member return spring is not, or only weakly exerted on the operating member while the latching portion is located between the engaging position and the vicinity of a departing point where the latching portion starts to be disengaged, and that the spring force is relatively strongly exerted on the operating member while the latching portion is located between the vicinity of the departing point and the retreated position, so that resilient force is stored in the operating member return spring with the movement of the operating member.
US08079314B2	Connection system A connection system includes a float assembly and a locking assembly. The float assembly includes a floating ring and a float retainer disposed against the floating ring. The float retainer is adapted to be secured to a first object. The locking assembly includes a locking collar and a base retainer. The base retainer is coupled to the locking collar and adapted to be attached to a second object. The base retainer includes an engagement member engaging the floating ring, with the float retainer disposed between the floating ring and the locking assembly. The locking assembly is moveable between a first configuration wherein the float retainer is moveable relative to the locking assembly and a second configuration wherein the float retainer is fixed relative to the locking assembly.
US08079313B2	Shelving system with removable shelves A shelving system including a pair of upright members, a plurality of cross-members extending between the upright members, and a plurality of shelves. Each shelf includes a plurality of first wire members defining a support surface, as well as at least two second wire members defining a support channel. Portions of the second wire members are upturned and define first and second engagement members. During assembly, each shelf is lowered onto a cross-member until the support channel engages the cross-member, whereupon the engagement members receive a respective upright member and thereby prevent rotation of the shelf about the cross-member.
US08079304B2	Method and device for pressing A method and a device for pressing a liquid extract from a material to be pressed include a screw press which conveys the material to be pressed along a pressing route and applies pressure to it. In addition, at least one extracting agent is added to the material to be pressed and is removed, together with the extract, from the pressed material. The extracting agent is supplied to the material to be pressed in an amount that is no more than twice the weight of the extract contained in the material to be pressed. At least a portion of the extracting agent dissolves in the extract.
US08079299B2	Upper part of a composite piston An upper part (1) of an assembled piston is disclosed, comprising a radially directed inner contact surface (2) arranged on the underside of an annular rib (15) and a radially directed outer contact surface (3) arranged on the underside of an annular wall (25), the outer (3) and the inner contact surface (2) each having a grooved profile in the form of concentric grooves with an average depth between Rz 10 and Rz 30. The wear on the contacting surfaces of the upper piece and the lower piece of the assembled piston is thus reduced.
US08079297B1	Eroding particle armor A contained volume of particulate materials that is optimized for eroding ballistic penetrator, explosively formed penetrators, shaped charges, ballistic fragments, and other ballistic threats. The particulate materials include crushed garnet, crushed ceramics and sand. The volume of particulate materials may be mixed with explosive rods or pills. These explosive rods or pills ignite when the ballistic threat reaches a preset area within the armor box. Particulate material and armor boxes can consist of configurations using ballistic balls and irregular shaped stones or gravel. Alternate embodiments may contain configurations utilizing ballistic rods, electronic timing devices, and explosive detonators.
US08079293B2	Perforation machine for manufacturing adjustable vent baffles A perforating machine for perforating a plurality of perforation lines in a vent baffle sheet comprises a support table having two spaced apart openings, perforating wheels, two backstop wheels, and an endless feed belt having a plurality of protrusions. The perforating wheels and the two backstop wheels are positioned on opposite side of the support table. The perforating wheels engage with the two backstop wheels through the two spaced apart openings. The endless feed belt has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the endless feed belt is positioned above the support table. The protrusions on the lower portion of the endless feed belt engage with side stiffeners of the vent baffle sheet to move the sheet through the perforating wheels.
US08079292B2	Detection system for power equipment Woodworking machines including conductive cutters adapted to cut workpieces, and motors adapted to drive the cutters are disclosed. The machines also include a contact detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and the cutter, and to distinguish contact between the person and the cutter from contact between the workpiece and the cutter. The machines further include a reaction system adapted to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of contact between the person and the cutter by the contact detection system.
US08079289B2	Compact drive, spiroid gear unit, and method for manufacturing a drive unit In compact drive, spiroid gear unit, and method for manufacturing a drive unit that includes at least an electric motor, a brake, a gear unit, and a frequency converter, the output shaft of the gear unit and the rotor shaft are positioned in parallel to each other, and the shaft-center distance is determined by at least one gear stage. The first gear stage includes a first toothed member connected to the rotor shaft, and a second toothed member, which engages with the first toothed member and is connected to an intermediate shaft, the brake, including at least a brake-rotor shaft, being integrated in the housing of the compact drive, the brake-rotor shaft being parallel to the rotor shaft, and the brake-rotor shaft being connected to a toothed member, which engages with the second toothed member.
US08079286B2	Spring assisted two-piece motion-transmitting cable A two-piece motion-transmitting cable assembly includes first and second cables, each having a core wire surrounded by a conduit; a male housing connected to the first cable and having a ridged length adjustment section; a spring retainer slideably interconnected with the exterior of the male housing and having a female retaining clip at a first end; a female housing connected to the second cable and having a male retaining clip engaging with the female retaining clip when the male and female housings are mated; an adjustment clip engaging with the ridged length adjustment section to lock the male housing in a position relative to the female housing; and a spring contained between the exterior of the male housing and the interior of the spring retainer and interacting with the spring retainer, in conjunction with the retainer clip, to bias the first cable in a direction toward the second cable.
US08079285B2	Robot A robot includes a work tool, an arm, a cable, and a third member. The work tool is configured to perform a predetermined work with respect to a workpiece. The work tool is attached to the wrist. The arm supports the wrist and is rotatable around a rotational axis. The arm includes first and second members which are provided substantially in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of the arm to form a space between the first and second members. The cable extends through the space and is connected to the work tool. The third member connects the first and second members.
US08079284B2	Device for swiveling objects The invention relates to a device for swiveling an object around a stationary axis (16) which lies outside the space occupied by the device. The inventive device is characterized by unusually great rigidity. A supporting coupler (5) and a guiding coupler (10) are guided parallel to the frame (1) with the aid of cross-sliding elements. The supporting coupler (5) and the guiding coupler (10) are connected to a crank (4) by means of one respective revolute joint, the crank (4) guiding the supporting coupler (5) and the guiding coupler (10) along concentric, non-identical circular paths. The supporting coupler (5) and the guiding coupler (10) are provided with a second revolute joint located at the same distance from the first revolute joint, i.e. a revolute joint (5b) for the supporting coupler at the output end and a revolute joint (10b) for the guiding coupler at the output end, via which the two couplers (5, 10) are jointly connected to an output member (9). The tool is fixed to the output member (9), which follows a circular swiveling path about a stationary axis (16).
US08079279B2	Support assembly for movement by means of coupling between threaded bar and nut with threaded through hole A modular support (7) with holes (10) for attachment screws is equipped with a through seat (7A) with axial stop (7B) for a nut (9) capable of being received and engaged in said through seat; the modular support (7) can be utilized simply by preparing—on the load bearing structure—the threaded holes for the screws and a trace for a transverse spline, partly received in another trace (16) in the support (7).
US08079278B2	End effector for nano manufacturing An end-effector is provided for use on a micro/nano manipulation device. The end-effector is comprised of: a micropump fluidly coupled to a microtube; a piezoelectric sensing structure disposed in the microtube; and a processing circuit electrically coupled to the sensing structure for determining the force of the fluid flowing through the microtube. The end-effector is a closed loop control-enabled micro/nano manipulation system.
US08079273B2	Power detecting device A device for detecting power for exercise equipment has a wheel driven by a person exercising, a speedometer for determining the speed of rotation of the wheel and a brake jaw supported by a mounting device and applicable against the wheel. The mounting device is connected to the frame of the exercise equipment and has a moving part which supports the brake jaw and which, under the action of the braking force, is applicable against a resilient shoulder. The shoulder has a strain gauge for measuring elastic deformations in the shoulder and thereby also indirectly the size of the braking force.
US08079270B2	Method and a device for measuring a force and a position A method and apparatus for measuring a force and a position at a linear actuating mechanism (20). In one illustrative embodiment, a change in an electrical characteristic of a first coil system (1, 3a, 6) for measuring a position of the linear actuating mechanism, wherein the change in the electrical characteristic is caused by moving of a first measurement member (6) in the first coil system (1, 3a, 6), and a change in an electrical characteristic of a second coil system (2, 3b, 5) for measuring a force acting at the linear actuating mechanism (20), wherein the change in the electrical characteristic is caused by moving of a second measurement member (5) in the second coil system (2, 3b, 5), are detected. The movement of the first measurement member (6) is generated by a positional change of a linear shaft member of the linear actuating mechanism (20), and the movement of the second measurement member (5) is generated by a force-displacement conversion via a deformation member.
US08079267B2	Systems and methods for conducting simultaneous vibration and electrical testing A mounting pedestal is designed to hold a DUT in position for both electrical testing and vibration testing. The design is such that the pedestal can remain thermally sealed from an environment created within a confined area so as to impart vibration to a DUT positioned within the environmentally protected area, the vibration coming from a vibrator outside the environmentally sealed area. The pedestal, in one embodiment, extends through the base of a DUT holding tray while still preserving the environment within the sealed area. In one embodiment, the pedestal can position the DUT in any of several selected orientations.
US08079265B2	Portable scanner device for metallurgical, nondestructive testing A portable, self-contained scanner device for metallurgical, nondestructive testing is provided. The portable, self-contained scanner device includes a chassis having wheels extending beneath a lower surface thereof, a nondestructive testing probe detachably fixed to the chassis, and a computer processor device coupled to the chassis. The computer processor device includes applications executable by the computer processor device for performing the metallurgical, nondestructive testing on a test subject. The scanner device also includes a display device that displays images in response to the metallurgical, nondestructive testing. The chassis, computer processor device, and display device move along the test subject as a single unit.
US08079264B2	Mechanism for adaptive contour compliance An apparatus for inspecting samples that may include a curvature that varies from sample to sample comprises a scanning element, a feed mechanism, and a pivot mechanism. The scanning element transmits and receives a signal to and from the sample as the sample passes by, thereby building an image or profile of the sample. The feed mechanism includes a drive motor coupled to a series of pulleys and belts that form an open-ended chain. The pulleys rotate when driven by the drive motor and are coupled to an array of rollers that rotate as well to propel a inspection sample past the scanning element. The pivot mechanism includes a series of primary and secondary links that also form an open-ended chain. The primary links are coupled to the rollers and the combination pivots in unison to form an arc that matches the curvature of the sample in order to maintain a fixed distance between the sample and the scanning element.
US08079263B2	Transducer array imaging system The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy. The analog-to-digital converter may convert the electrical energy into digital data, and the transmitter may transmit the digital data.
US08079259B2	MEMS gyroscope with output oscillation about the normal to the plane A gyroscope that lies generally in a plane, for detecting rotation rate about a gyro input axis. The gyroscope has a substrate, and a generally planar outer member flexibly coupled to the substrate such that it is capable of oscillatory motion about a drive axis that is orthogonal to the input axis. There is also a generally planar inner member coplanar with and flexibly coupled to the outer member such that it is capable of rotary oscillatory motion relative to the outer member about an output axis that is orthogonal to the plane of the members. There are one or more drives for directly or indirectly oscillating the outer member about the drive axis, and one or more sensors that detect oscillation of the inner member about the output axis.
US08079253B2	Combustion chamber pressure sensor A combustion chamber pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine, having a sensor body able to be inserted into a receiving bore of the internal combustion engine, which sensor body has on the side of the combustion chamber a sealing device for sealing the sensor body in the receiving bore, and which sensor body is provided with affixation means for fixing the combustion chamber pressure sensor in place inside the receiving bore. The sealing device includes at least one separately produced heat-resistant elastic sealing element, which is disposed around an outer jacket of the sensor body.
US08079252B2	Adapter for pressure sensors for carrying out long-term cylinder pressure monitoring on internal combustion engines An adapter for pressure sensors for monitoring long-term cylinder pressures in internal combustion engines comprises a housing with a gas duct, a connection to a cylinder cover of an internal combustion engine, a rear opening of the gas duct from the housing with an apparatus for closing this rear opening in a gastight manner, and a connection for inserting a pressure sensor with a sensor membrane. The transition line of the opening in the gas duct, which is reached by the sensor membrane in the inserted state in order to be exposed to the gas pressure in the gas duct, is on a plane. The transition line forms the transition from the contour of the gas duct to the connection to the sensor. There is a continuous transition from the sensor membrane to the contour of the gas duct.
US08079249B2	Gas permeability measurement apparatus Gas permeability measurement apparatus is an apparatus for measuring all kinds of continuous-porous materials, including wood, paper, wood-composites, wood plastic composites (WPC), minerals, polymer-based materials, minerals, ceramics, textiles and fabrics. The apparatus is equipped with an electronic time measurement device with milli-second precision; this feature allows the permeability values to have improved accuracy and precision needed for scientific purposes. This apparatus uses falling liquid method wherein the liquid column can be easily changed according to test design. The apparatus is equipped with at least two sensors in the electronic time measurement device which are designed so that the distance between them can be easily set to 10, 15, and 20 cm. The sensors are mounted on a stand that can be moved along the liquid and gas traveling zone thereby enabling the length of liquid column to be fixed from 30 cm up to 2 meters. The main skeleton of the whole apparatus is designed so that the diameter of its glass tube may easily be changed from 0.5 to 5 cm in accordance to different standard stipulations, as well as the amount of liquid displacement required.
US08079245B1	Fuel oil and propane monitoring, delivery and sale system and method A residential fuel measurement system for optimizing the fuel delivery including a sensor and transmission system with methods of use. The sensor includes a photo sensitive sensor for measuring the position of the existing fuel tank indicator. A transmission system transmits the position to central receiving station. Receiving station receives information, and other related information from third party sources and calculates a plurality of reports including fuel delivery routing, calibration, alarms and billing information.
US08079241B2	Adjustable shaft for door lock assembly A door lock assembly includes a lock casing device and a door lock device attached to the opposite sides of a door panel, a core device pivotally mounted to the lock casing device and operatable by an actuation device, an adjustable shaft mechanism includes a housing coupled to the core device and having a number of orifices and a channel communicative with a chamber of the housing, a shank slidably engaged in the housing and having a free end for engaging with the door lock device, and a spring-biased detent attached to the shank for engaging with either of the orifices of the housing and for anchoring the shank to the housing at a selected position and for adjustably mounting the shaft to the door panels of different thicknesses.
US08079236B2	Method and device for winding knitted nets The invention relates to a process and a device for the winding of nets (1) knitted from thrums (2) and wefts (3) to a given winding width at a winding point. For this the thrums (2) of the knitted net are guided along spacer elements (5, 9, 14) ahead of the winding point.
US08079231B2	Housing for a refrigerator A housing for a refrigeration device is composed of an outer housing box that encloses an interior space, and at least one intermediate mounted shelf disposed in the interior space. The intermediate mounted shelf contains a pre-shaped core made of solid foam material, which is directly fastened on the inner wall of the housing box.
US08079228B2	Refrigerant system with multi-speed scroll compressor and economizer circuit A scroll compressor is provided with a multiple-speed motor. A control selects a speed for operating the motor, along with selecting between several available options for the system capacity adjustment to meet external load demands in a most efficient and reliable manner. The disclosed embodiment includes an economizer circuit, an unloader function, and an optional suction modulation valve. By utilizing each of these features in combination with the multi-speed motor for the compressor, the present invention is better able to tailor provided capacity to desired capacity.
US08079227B2	Reduced compressor capacity controls A method of controlling the frequency of a compressor in a chiller system is disclosed. The method includes determining a nominal minimum frequency of a compressor, and providing a control algorithm for controlling the period of time and the deviation of the actual operating frequency below the nominal minimal frequency that the compressor may operate without shutting down the chiller system. The time period of operation below nominal minimum frequency may be predetermined as a fixed time period of operation below nominal minimum frequency, or as a variable time period based on the amount by which the frequency deviates below nominal minimum frequency. Also, an absolute minimum operating frequency is provided that results in the control algorithm shutting down the chiller system and the compressor.
US08079220B2	Fuel distribution manifold system for gas turbine engines A fuel distribution manifold system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed that includes a plurality of interconnected manifold segments, each manifold segment extending between a pair of fittings, each manifold segment including at least one fuel transfer tube and a sealing tube that surrounds the at least one fuel transfer tube, wherein opposed end portions of the at least one fuel transfer tube are dynamically connected to the fittings and opposed end portions of the sealing tube are statically connected to the fittings.
US08079216B2	Actuator for automobiles An actuator for automobiles has a housing in which a communication channel for ventilation is formed, the communication channel allowing the inside and the outside of the housing to communicate with each other. Only one communication channel is formed, and the communication channel has an ascending portion that increases in height toward the inside of the housing. The ascending portion is formed so that a vertically lowermost point of the end (a second opening) of the ascending portion on the inner side of the housing is positioned higher than an uppermost point of the end (a first opening) of the ascending portion on the outer side of the housing. With such a configuration, condensation in the housing is minimized, and the risk of malfunction due to entrance of water is minimized.
US08079204B2	Feeder house twist dampening system An agricultural harvester includes a feeder house drivably coupled to a power source. The feeder house has a housing frame. A faceplate is pivotally coupled to the housing frame to facilitate a pivoting of the faceplate relative to the housing frame. A hydraulic cylinder has a first end connected to the housing frame and a second end coupled to the faceplate to facilitate movement of the faceplate relative to the housing frame. The hydraulic cylinder has a plurality of hydraulic ports for facilitating movement of the operating piston of the hydraulic cylinder, with at least a first hydraulic port of the plurality of hydraulic ports being connected in fluid communication with a hydraulic power system. A first accumulator containing a compressible gas charge is connected in fluid communication with the first hydraulic port of the hydraulic cylinder.
US08079197B2	Interlocking mesh A wire mesh is formed by a plurality of identical wires. The wires interlock with each other by mutually receiving loops formed in the wires. Reinforcing wires welded to the loops reinforce the points of contact, and prevent the wires from rotating when locked together.
US08079196B2	Mechanical locking system for panels Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including a flexible locking element in a locking groove which during a horizontal motion is displaced vertically.
US08079195B2	Modular blocks and structures made therefrom A modular block apparatus includes first and second blocks, each block having a generally upwardly protruding locking member and an internal recess sized to receive the locking member of the other block, such that the blocks can be assembled with one block above the other. The blocks are secured together in a vertical direction by relative lateral movement of the locking member and the internal recess. A locking device is provided to prevent relative lateral movement of the locking member and the internal recess so as to retain the blocks in a connected condition. The locking member may be an integral hook, a separate hook, or a cylindrical locking rod. If a hook is used, its orientation relative to the block may be varied. A variety of structures may be built up from the modular blocks.
US08079192B2	Suspended ceiling grid system A suspended ceiling system uses a grid system having series of intermediate nodes interior to a peripheral edge of the ceiling system and a series of edge nodes at an edge of the grid system. Each intermediate node is defined by a connection plate having a series of guide tracks for receiving and cooperating with an upper edge of the ceiling grid members to align the grid members in a predetermined geometric configuration. Mechanical fasteners secure the connection plate and the ceiling grid members in any of the guide tracks. Each connection plate between adjacent guide tracks includes generally opposed connection slots for receiving support springs suspending ceiling panels beneath the grid system. The connection plate simplifies installation and avoids incorrect placement of the grid members. Preferably the grid system includes at least five grid members equally spaced about a center point of the connection plate. In a further preferred structure at least six grid members are secured to a connection plate and the ceiling panels are of a triangular shape.
US08079190B2	Fire resistive joint cover system A fire resistive joint cover system operable to span a gap between two surfaces. The system generally may include first and second base members, a covering member, and an intumescent sheet. Each base member is operable to couple with one of the surfaces and the covering member is operable to couple with the base members to at least partially span the gap. In some embodiments, the covering member may be configured as a floating covering member and/or as a flexible elastomer seal.
US08079188B2	Energy absorbing blast wall for building structure A wall system protects a building structure from pressure caused by explosive blasts. The wall system includes vertical studs. Outer blast wall panels and inner blast wall panels are secured to the opposing sides of the vertical studs. An upper mounting system is attached to the building structure. An upper mounting system includes a fixed track, a movable mounting track, and an energy absorbing system that flexibly couples the movable mounting track to the fixed track. The upper ends of the vertical studs are attached to movable mounting track. A lower mounting system includes a mounting track that aligns the lower ends of the vertical studs. A respective attachment clip is attached to a lower portion of vertical stud. Each attachment clip is attached to the building structure with an energy absorption pad that resists vertical and lateral movement of lower end of the respective vertical stud.
US08079186B2	Soffit system A soffit system is disclosed and has elongate first and second soffit components. Each soffit component includes a support flange and a sidewall integrally connected to one another along a lengthwise joint. A connector is carried on each of the sidewalls. A connector leg is carried on each of the sidewalls that is spaced from and parallel to the second joint. The connector and the connector leg extend in a lengthwise direction. Each sidewall is oriented at a non-parallel angle relative to each support flange, respectively. The first connector and the second connector are pushed toward one another to selectively join the first and second soffit components, and are pulled apart to separate the first and second soffit components.
US08079183B2	De-iced gutter debris preclusion system The system includes a substantially rigid body providing underlying support for a filtering layer, such as in the form of a screen. The body includes a heating wire or other heat source coupled thereto with the body formed of heat conductive material. The body is configured with multiple ribs extending up from a floor so that heat transfer from the body to the screen can occur in a variety of different locations to keep the screen sufficiently heated. The body also includes a wing for interfacing with roofing and openings to allow water filtering through the screen to migrate down into the gutter. A cover overlies a channel which can contain one or more heating wires that experience resistive heating when an electric current is applied thereto.
US08079179B2	Sliding door structure A sliding door structure comprises at least one door or plate (12), and a substantially horizontally arranged track device (13). The track device (13) includes a stationary track part (14) and at least one door carrier (16) for carrying the door. The door carrier is supported by the stationary track part (14) at one or more supporting points and displaceable horizontally in relation to said track part between first and second opposite positions. The door (12) is connected to the track device (13) such that the center of gravity of the door or plate (12) is spaced horizontally from the adjacent supporting point by a distance being a substantial fraction of the width of the door or plate (12). Thus, the door (12) is supported by the carrier (16) in a cantilever-like manner and the length of the track (13) may be reduced to a value substantially corresponding to the width of the door opening (11).
US08079177B1	Betty's rose saver fresh flower holder A flower holder keeps a flower looking fresh during a long period of time, under adverse weather conditions with temperatures under 40° Fahrenheit. The flower holder includes a rod with one of its ends inserted into the ground, at least one ring holder connected to the vertical rod, an elongated tube including a cap on each end, the elongated tube slides through the ring holder.
US08079175B2	Flying insect trap The present invention is directed towards an improved flying insect trap, in the form of a housing and internal disposable portion. In one embodiment, the exterior portion comprises roof and body panels which are manufactured from a poster board paper stock that is printed on opposing sides with contrasting colors. The interior portion comprises a self-adhesive assembly constructed from a heavy weight chipboard material that is preferably white that surrounds an internal attractive element.
US08079174B1	Animal leg snare device A leg snare apparatus and method for capturing animals uses a mechanical throw arm, that when triggered by an animal of sufficient size stepping on the pan, throws a snare up and around the leg of the animal. The pan tension of the device may be readily adjusted to avoid being triggered by lighter weight non-target animals, and the pan may also be leveled. Moreover, the snare is supported so that it cannot be readily dislodged after the apparatus is set, the loop is not deflected out of its proper position when the apparatus is triggered, and the loop is retained in place until the throw arm has moved it high up the animal's leg or foot. Should the apparatus be triggered by larger, non-target animals, the apparatus includes a break-away snare to allow the animal to escape.
US08079173B2	Fishing lure with weighted hydrodynamic head, mated plastic worm and pivoting hook A fishing lure includes a weighted hydrodynamic head, mated artificial bait and pivoting hook. The weighted hydrodynamic head includes an integrally molded, conically-shaped or pyramid-shaped malleable body with a plurality of fins projecting laterally therefrom, a blunt leading edge, a trailing edge, a central passage extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and a slot formed in the side of the body and extending into the central passage. The weighted hydrodynamic head is made of a dense material such as lead. The hook is an offset hook including an eyelet, a proximal shank, an offset bend section, a distal shank, a u-shaped bend and a pointed barbed tip. The distal shank and proximal shank are substantially parallel. The eyelet, which projects through the central passage in the leading edge and the distal shank, is aligned with and extends longitudinally from the slot. The artificial bait includes a resilient elastomeric body with a head end configured to be received in the central passage, the body being hooked by the u-shaped bend of the hook. The fins extend in a fore and aft direction and for almost the entire length of the conically-shaped malleable body of the weighted hydrodynamic head. The slot is occluded (i.e., pinched partially closed) to resist withdrawal of the hook but still allow limited pivoting and translational motion. The hook may also be colored to generally match the color of the bait.
US08079170B2	Gun barrel cleaning apparatus and method A gun barrel cleaning tool for receiving and enclosing a gun barrel while guiding a cleaning brush back and forth through the enclosed gun barrel. Cleaning fluid is introduced through a suitable passage way into the interior of the apparatus and a cleaning brush may thereafter be passed back and forth through an enclosed gun barrel in order to clean it.
US08079169B2	Take-down rifles including a caliber exchange system A caliber exchange system for a firearm including a lower plate adapted for embedding within a firearm stock, an upper plate adapted to mate with the lower plate, and a receiver and integral barrel assembly attached to the upper plate to form a caliber exchange unit, the caliber exchange unit attachable and detachable from the lower plate to allow user exchange of caliber of the firearm.
US08079168B2	Firearm having an improved firing pin locking mechanism A shotgun includes an action that locks the firing pin in a retracted position when the action is not closed. In one embodiment, the firing pin is held in a retracted position without the use of a spring, which may fail over time. In another embodiment, the action includes a bolt slide that is configured to hold the firing pin in the retracted position when the action is open.
US08079167B1	Muzzle loading rifle with centerfire cartridge ignition A muzzleloading rifle includes an action and a barrel assembly attached to a forward end of the action. The barrel assembly includes a barrel, a barrel extension and an intervening wall. The barrel has a breach end, a muzzle end and a primary chamber at the breach end for receiving a primary charge loaded through the muzzle end. The barrel extension is attached to the breach end of the barrel and includes a casing chamber positioned rearwardly from the primary chamber. The casing chamber is configured to receive a standard ammunition casing with an integral primer therein. The intervening wall separates the primary chamber from the casing chamber. The intervening wall includes a flash hole communicating between the casing chamber and the primary chamber.
US08079166B2	Support assembly and digital photo frame using the same A support assembly for a digital photo frame is provided. The support assembly comprises a base member, a pivot member, a support arm, a positioning structure, and a an elastic member. The base member comprises two side walls spaced from each other. The support arm comprises a connection end disposed between the two side walls and is rotatably attached to the base member via the pivot member. The connection end comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The pivot member is attached across the two side walls. The positioning structure is disposed on the first surface and the side wall opposite the first surface and comprises a projection portion and at least two concave portions. The projection portion is capable of being received in the at least two concave portions, the two concave portions intersect to form an edge.
US08079164B2	Apparatus and method for baggage check and promotional advertisement A luggage tag for identifying luggage and providing promotional material includes a substrate comprising an elongated portion for forming a loop with which to attach the tag to a piece of luggage; a first scratch surface portion on the substrate which is removable to reveal a first printed indicator; and a second scratch surface portion on the substrate which is removable to reveal a second printed indicator, wherein, if the first and second printed indicators match, the tag is a prize winner. The substrate has a detachable portion, the second scratch surface being disposed on the detachable portion of the substrate. The elongate portion for forming the loop and the first scratch surface are disposed on a main portion of the substrate which remains as the luggage tag after the detachable portion is detached.
US08079161B2	Sports shoe There is described a sports shoe, especially a golf shoe, having a sole on which downwardly projecting ground-engaging elements are mounted or can be mounted. It is provided according to the invention that the ground-engaging elements (9), or the means (10) provided for mounting them, are guided and held to move forward and backward along an arc, especially an arc of a circle.
US08079154B1	Apparatus and method for measuring curvature of tubes An apparatus for measuring an angle of inclination of a tangent to a centerline curve of a tube includes a shuttle and a clinometer rotatably fixed to the shuttle. The shuttle comprises a pair of circular end plates and a shaft that joins the end plates. A carrier is attached to the shaft and the clinometer is fixed to the carrier. The shaft is rotatable with respect to the end plates, or the carrier is rotatable with respect to the shaft. The method of determining curvature of a tube having a centerline curve comprises measuring angles of inclination of the tangent to the centerline curve at a plurality of axial locations along the tube.
US08079151B2	Pruning shears having angle adjustable function A pruning hook includes a handle unit, an adjusting unit mounted on the handle unit and a cutting unit mounted on the adjusting unit. The adjusting unit includes a support member mounted on the handle unit, a fastening member releasably mounted on the support member and an adjusting member having a first end provided with an adjusting ball rotatably mounted between the support member and the fastening member and a second end provided with a locking tube connected with the cutting unit. Thus, the adjusting ball of the adjusting member is rotatable and movable between the support member and the fastening member so as to adjust the angle and position of the cutting unit relative to the handle unit in a spherical and three-dimensional manner.
US08079150B2	Garden shears A pressing handle is connected to a moveable blade having a hook-shaped engaging slot near the outer edge of an aperture to which a gripping handle fixed blade is pivoted. A containment space is formed by the junction of the gripping handle and a side of the fixed blade. The containment space has an arc-shaped opening, and the fixed blade has a positional aperture at a position corresponding to the opening. An end of an engaging member has an axle aperture and another end forms an engaging end, with a concave region formed between the two ends. A positioning pin passes through the engaging member and a torsion spring and is attached to the positional aperture. A push button-shaped body has a tongue at its lower end, an edge of which extends as a stop, and the tongue and the stop are both slidably mounted in the containment space.
US08079146B2	Reinforcements, baffles and seals with malleable carriers There is disclosed a process of forming reinforcements, baffles and seals having malleable carriers. The process typically includes application of an activatable material to a malleable carrier and contouring of the activatable material the malleable carrier or both.
US08079143B2	Method and apparatus for engine piston installation by use of industrial robots A method and apparatus for engine piston installation in which robots are used for the entire engine piston installation process. A first robot equipped with a stuffing gripper and force control picks up a piston with a connection rod, detects the piston ring presence, squeeze the rings, find the engine cylinder bore, and stuffs the piston into the cylinder bore. A second robot can be used to load and unload the engine block, hold the block and position it to the location, and indexes the crankshaft into the proper orientation for each cylinder bore. A set of tools either fixed on a stationary station or on a third robot is used to guide the piston connecting rod, transport and place on the connecting rod cap, and fasten the cap onto the connecting rod. The piston connecting rod guiding process may be omitted in piston stuffing for some types of engines.
US08079135B1	Method for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) transducer A method for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) transducer is described. The PMR transducer provided includes a PMR pole and yoke structure coupled with the PMR pole. The method includes providing a hard mask and an intermediate layer. A first portion of the hard mask resides on the PMR pole. A second portion of the hard mask resides on another structure. The intermediate layer surrounds at least the PMR pole. The method also includes performing a planarization on at least the intermediate layer, removing the first portion of the hard mask on the PMR pole without completely removing the second portion of the hard mask on the other structure. The method further includes removing a remaining portion of the hard mask on the other structure, providing a write gap on the PMR pole, and providing a shield on the write gap.
US08079132B2	Method for shielding RFID tagged discarded items in retail, manufacturing and wholesale industries A method for shielding discarded or unwanted items provided with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, comprises the following steps. First, a facility containing an inventory including a plurality of products each including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided. Then, the facility is provided with an RFID waste collection container defining a magnetic shielding enclosure for shielding and electromagnetically isolating the RFID tags when the products are disposed therein. Next, it is determined if one of the plurality of products is not wanted. Subsequently, the unwanted product is discarded by placing the unwanted product into the RFID waste collection container so that the RFID tag of the unwanted product does not interfere with ongoing activities in the facility by emitting errant signals.
US08079125B2	Manufacturing method of multi-channel optical module An object of the present invention is to provide a technique making it possible to easily manufacture a multi-channel optical module in which optical elements are air-sealed.In the optical module, a package 111 with optical elements mounted thereon is sealed with a transparent plate 109. Above a sealing window of the package, a lens plate 105 having holes 104 or grooves 201 and engagement pins 101 are engaged and optically aligned with each other.
US08079119B1	Disposable casket and blank for forming a disposable casket A disposable casket is made from a one piece unitary blank of a foldable sheet material. The blank is folded to form the disposable casket having a bottom wall, opposite side walls and opposite end walls. Each side wall has a top panel that folds inwardly where the outer edges overlap and interlock with each other. Each end wall has a side flap that is superimposed on a respective side wall. A top end panel is connected to each end wall by a fold line which folds over the respective end of the top panels and interlocks with the top panels to retain the top panels and top end panels in a closed position.
US08079118B2	Method for vehicle internetworks Vehicle internetworks provide for communications among diverse electronic devices within a vehicle, and for communications among these devices and networks external to the vehicle. The vehicle internetwork comprises specific devices, software, and protocols, and provides for security for essential vehicle functions and data communications, ease of integration of new devices and services to the vehicle internetwork, and ease of addition of services linking the vehicle to external networks such as the Internet.
US08079116B2	Tie-down strap device A tie-down strap system designed to be integrated with the plurality of tie-down straps that are currently on the market. A system for the protection of the tightening mechanism, the storage of excess strapping during use, a storage device when not used as a tie-down strap, a hanging system when not in used as a tie-down strap, and a termination feature that prevents the free end of the strap from sliding through the tightening mechanism.
US08079115B2	Automatically opening hinge assembly for portable electronic devices A hinge assembly (100) includes a cam (13), a follower (14), a first spring (12), a press rod (17), a control member (18) and a second spring (16). The cam has a cam surface. The follower has a latching cam surface engaging with the cam surface. The first spring provides an elastic force causing the cam surface of the cam and the latching cam surface of the follower to abut each other. The press rod includes a threaded portion (173). The control member threadedly engages with the threaded portion of the press rod. The second spring provides an elastic force to return the control member. When the press rod is pushed, the control member rotates to cause the follower to rotate whereby the cam surface of the cam rotates relative to the latching cam surface of the follower.
US08079113B2	Vacuum cleaner having abilities for automatic moving and posture control and method of controlling the same The present invention discloses a vacuum cleaner including a main body (1) of the vacuum cleaner, a wheel (2) rotatably mounted at the body, a driving unit for driving the wheel (2), a sensor (71) positioned at the main body, for sensing an inclined direction of the main body (1), and a control unit for controlling the driving unit according to the inclined direction of the main body (1) sensed by the sensor (71). In this configuration, the posture of the main body (1) of the vacuum cleaner can be controlled according to the inverted pendulum control theory. Therefore, the main body (1) of the vacuum cleaner can maintain the posture thereof not to fall down.
US08079111B2	Optical connector cleaning tool and optical component cleaning tool A cleaning tool is provided wherein a head unit (4) that is equipped with a supporting portion main body (44), a circular arc-shaped tilt spring (41) that protrudes from this supporting portion main body (44), and a head component (23) that is supported on a protruding distal end (411) of the tilt spring (41) is incorporated into a distal end portion of a protruding portion that protrudes from a tool main body, and wherein the head component (23) is tilted such that the side thereof that protrudes from the protruding distal end (411) of the tilt spring (41) towards the curve apex portion (412) of the tilt spring (41) protrudes towards the rear side, and the head component (23) protrudes towards the front side as it moves towards the opposite side from the protruding distal end (411).
US08079109B2	Illuminated toothbrush The invention provides a toothbrush having a handle portion defining a longitudinal axis, a head portion coupled to the handle portion having a plurality of bristles extending therefrom, a light source disposed within at least one of the handle portion and the head portion, and a base portion including a suction cup configured to removably adhere to a support surface, wherein the suction cup includes an actuator configured to actuate the light source.
US08079106B2	Electrical tooth brush An electrical toothbrush includes an elongated handle body, a motor received in the handle body to drive a driving shaft to rotate, and a brush head including an elongated brush arm detachably mounted to the driving shaft and arranged when the driving shaft is driven to rotate, the brush arm is rotated correspondingly and a plurality of brushing bristles radially and outwardly extended from the brush arm for generating a rolling motion to substantially brush a user's teeth when the brush arm is driven to rotate, wherein the brush arm is arranged for locating at a position that the brushing bristles are tangentially rolling on the tooth surface to brush the tooth surface and are consequently brush the gumline at a predetermined angle to remove plaque from the areas between teeth and around the gums.
US08079105B2	Card cleaning mechanism A cleaning mechanism for cleaning one or both side surfaces of a plastic card substrate prior to a processing operation occurring on the cleaned side surface. The cleaning mechanism is designed so that two cleaning rollers, one cleaning roller on a first cleaning station and one cleaning roller on a second cleaning station, are simultaneously cleaned by a single cleaning tape assembly.
US08079094B2	Public restroom toilet seat sanitizing apparatus A dispenser discharging antibacterial, self-drying disinfectant solution is suspended from an inside wall of a public rest facility stall to transport the solution through a length of tubing to an inlet port at a rear or side surface of a non-porous and non-absorbent toilet seat in filling a hollow therein below an opening in the top surface of the seat in introducing the disinfectant solution to be spread about the top surface in cleansing it of any generally sexually transmitted germs, viruses and bacteria that might be present.

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