最新美国发明专利第2012-01-03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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US08088684B2	Apparatus and method for semiconductor wafer bumping via injection molded solder An improved apparatus and a method for semiconductor wafer bumping, that utilizes the injection molded solder process. The apparatus is designed for high volume manufacturing and includes equipment for filling patterned mold cavities formed on a first surface of a mold structure with solder, equipment for positioning and aligning a patterned first surface of a semiconductor structure directly opposite to the solder filled patterned mold cavities of the mold structure, a fixture tool for holding and transferring the aligned mold and semiconductor structures together, and equipment for receiving the fixture tool and transferring the solder from the aligned patterned mold cavities to the aligned patterned semiconductor first surface. The fixture tool includes a frame having a central aperture dimensioned to support a substrate and one or more clamp/spacer assemblies arranged symmetrically around the frame. Each clamp/spacer assembly includes a clamp configured to clamp the aligned mold and semiconductor structures together and a spacer configured to be inserted between the semiconductor structure and the mold structure.
US08088683B2	Sequential deposition and anneal of a dielectic layer in a charge trapping memory device Deposition and anneal operations are iterated to break a deposition into a number of sequential deposition-anneal operations to reach a desired annealed dielectric layer thickness. In one particular embodiment, a two step anneal is performed including an NH3 or ND3 ambient followed by an N2O or NO ambient. In one embodiment, such a method is employed to form a dielectric layer having a stoichiometry attainable with only a deposition process but with a uniform material quality uncharacteristically high of a deposition process. In particular embodiments, sequential deposition-anneal operations provide an annealed first dielectric layer upon which a second dielectric layer may be left substantially non-annealed.
US08088682B2	Method for fabricating integrated circuit with gate electrode level region including two side-by-side ones of at least three linear-shaped conductive structures electrically connected to each other through non-gate level A cell of a semiconductor device includes a diffusion level including a plurality of diffusion regions separated by inactive regions. The cell includes a gate electrode level including conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent conductive features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are fabricated from respective originating layout features that are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing having a size that is substantially equal and minimized across the gate electrode level region. Some of the conductive features form respective PMOS and/or NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the cell. A width of the conductive features within a five wavelength photolithographic interaction radius is less than a wavelength of light of 193 nanometers as used in a photolithography process for their fabrication.
US08088680B2	Method for fabricating integrated circuit having at least three linear-shaped gate electrode level conductive features of equal length positioned side-by-side at equal pitch A cell layout of a semiconductor device includes a diffusion level layout including a plurality of diffusion region layout shapes, including p-type and n-type diffusion regions. The cell layout also includes a gate electrode level layout defined to include linear-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent linear-shaped layout features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level layout and that is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. Linear-shaped layout features within the gate electrode level layout extend over one or more of the p-type and/or n-type diffusion regions to form PMOS and NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the cell.
US08088679B2	Method for fabricating integrated circuit with gate electrode level portion including at least two complementary transistor forming linear conductive segments and at least one non-gate linear conductive segment A restricted layout region includes a diffusion level layout that includes a number of diffusion region layout shapes to be formed within a portion of a substrate of a semiconductor device. The diffusion region layout shapes define at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region. A gate electrode level layout is defined above the portion of the substrate to include linear-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent linear-shaped layout features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level layout and that is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. A number of PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of NMOS transistor devices in the restricted layout region.
US08088677B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including implanting an element selected from fluorine and nitrogen, over the entire region of a semiconductor substrate; oxidizing the semiconductor substrate to thereby form a first oxide film over the surface of the semiconductor substrate; selectively removing the first oxide film in a partial region; oxidizing the semiconductor substrate in the partial region to thereby form a second oxide film thinner than the first oxide film in the partial region; and forming gates to thereby form transistors.
US08088675B2	Methods of making an emitter having a desired dopant profile A method for obtaining a desired dopant profile of an emitter for a solar cell which includes depositing a first amorphous silicon layer having a first doping level over an upper surface of the crystalline silicon substrate, depositing a second amorphous silicon layer having a second doping level on the first amorphous silicon layer, and heating the crystalline silicon substrate and the first and second amorphous silicon layers to a temperature sufficient to cause solid phase epitaxial crystallization of the first and second amorphous silicon layers, such that the first and second amorphous silicon layers, after heating, have the same grain structure and crystal orientation as the underlying crystalline silicon substrate.
US08088672B2	Producing a transferred layer by implanting ions through a sacrificial layer and an etching stop layer A method for producing a thin film includes the following steps: providing a primary substrate; forming an etching stop layer on the primary substrate; forming a sacrificial layer on the etching stop layer; implanting gas ions to form an ion implantation peak layer, which defines an effective transferred layer and a remnant layer; and separating the effective transferred layer from the remnant layer. The thickness of the effective transferred layer can be effectively determined by controlling the thickness of the sacrificial layer. Moreover, the thickness of the effective transferred layer can be uniform and then the effective transferred layer can become a nanoscale thin film.
US08088667B2	Method of fabricating vertical capacitors in through-substrate vias A fabrication method which forms vertical capacitors in a substrate. The method is preferably an all-dry process, comprising forming a through-substrate via hole in the substrate, depositing a first conductive material layer into the via hole using atomic layer deposition (ALD) such that it is electrically continuous across the length of the via hole, depositing an electrically insulating, continuous and substantially conformal isolation material layer over the first conductive layer using ALD, and depositing a second conductive material layer over the isolation material layer using ALD such that it is electrically continuous across the length of the via hole. The layers are arranged such that they form a vertical capacitor. The present method may be successfully practiced at temperatures of less than 200° C., thereby avoiding damage to circuitry residing on the substrate that might otherwise occur.
US08088664B2	Method of manufacturing integrated deep and shallow trench isolation structures A method of forming an integrated deep and shallow trench isolation structure comprises depositing a hard mask on a film stack having a plurality of layers formed on a substrate such that the hard mask is deposited on a furthermost layer from the substrate, imprinting a first pattern into the hard mask to define an open end of a first trench, imprinting a second pattern into the hard mask to define an open end of a second trench, and etching into the film stack the first trench to a first depth and the second trench to a second depth such that the first trench and the second trench each define a blind aperture in the surface of the film stack.
US08088659B2	Method of forming capacitors High dielectric films of mixed transition metal oxides of titanium and tungsten, or titanium and tantalum, are formed by sequential chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of the respective nitrides and annealing in the presence of oxygen to densify and oxidize the nitrides. The resulting film is useful as a capacitative cell and resists oxygen diffusion to the underlying material, has high capacitance and low current leakage.
US08088654B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof To provide a semiconductor device which is higher functional and reliable and a technique capable of manufacturing the semiconductor device with a high yield at low cost without complexing the apparatus or process. At least one of a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer is formed containing one kind or plural kinds of indium, tin, lead, bismuth, calcium, manganese, or zinc; or oxidation treatment is performed at least one of interfaces between an organic compound layer and the first conductive layer and between the organic compound layer and the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, the organic compound layer, and the second conductive layer which are formed over a first substrate with a peeling layer interposed therebetween can be peeled from the first substrate with the peeling layer, and transposed to a second substrate.
US08088652B2	Electron device using oxide semiconductor and method of manufacturing the same In an electron device in which plural thin film transistors each having at least a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor region including a channel, a gate insulation film and a gate electrode are provided on a substrate, a device separation region provided between the plural thin film transistors and the semiconductor region are constituted by a same metal oxide layer, and resistance of the semiconductor region is formed to be lower than resistance of the device separation region.
US08088649B2	Radiation-emitting semiconductor body with carrier substrate and method for the producing the same A radiation-emitting semiconductor body with a carrier substrate and a method for producing the same. In the method, a structured connection is produced between a semiconductor layer sequence (2) and a carrier substrate wafer (1). The semiconductor layer sequence is subdivided into a plurality of semiconductor layer stacks (200) by means of cuts (6) through the semiconductor layer sequence, and the carrier substrate wafer (1) is subdivided into a plurality of carrier substrates (100) by means of cuts (7) through the carrier substrate wafer (1). In the method, the structured connection is formed in such a way that at least one semiconductor layer stack (200) is connected to one and only one associated carrier substrate (100). In addition, at least one cut (7) through the carrier substrate wafer is not extended by any of the cuts (6) through the semiconductor layer sequence such that a straight cut results through the carrier substrate wafer and the semiconductor layer sequence.
US08088644B2	Bistable resistance value acquisition device, manufacturing method thereof, metal oxide thin film, and manufacturing method thereof A ferroelectric layer (104) is sandwiched between a lower electrode layer (103) and an upper electrode (105). When a predetermined voltage (DC or pulse) is applied between the lower electrode layer (103) and the upper electrode (105) to change the resistance value of the ferroelectric layer (104) to switch a stable high resistance mode and low resistance mode, a memory operation is obtained. A read can easily be done by reading a current value when a predetermined voltage is applied to the upper electrode (105).
US08088643B2	Resistance variable memory device with nanoparticle electrode and method of fabrication A chalcogenide-based programmable conductor memory device and method of forming the device, wherein a nanoparticle is provided between an electrode and a chalcogenide glass region. The method of forming the nanoparticle utilizes a template over the electrode or random deposition of the nanoparticle.
US08088636B2	LED packaging using injection molding method A light emitting diode (LED) packaging method includes the steps of preparing a circuit board (1), a transparent cap (3), and at least one LED material (2), placing the transparent cap (3) on the LED material (2) such that the circuit board (1) is aligned and superimposed, and forming an encapsulation layer (4) having a light pattern on the transparent cap (3) by an in-mold decoration injection molding process. In the in-mold decoration injection molding process, a filling port (511) of a mold (5) is aligned precisely above the LED material (2) to prevent a deviation of the LED material (2) and omit a surface mount technology (SMT) process, so as to integrally form an LED with a light pattern at the same time and achieve good water-resisting and static charge resisting effects.
US08088631B2	Lanthanide-doped NaYF4 nanocrystals, method of preparing and uses thereof The present invention relates to a method of preparing lanthanide-doped NaYF4 nanocrystals, the method comprising: (A) providing a first solution comprising a non-coordinating solvent, a fatty acid coordinating ligand, sodium trifluoroacetate, yttrium trifluoroacetate, a first doping lanthanide trifluoroacetate and a second doping lanthanide trifluoroacetate, and a second solution comprising the non-coordinating solvent and the fatty acid coordinating ligand, the first and second solutions being substantially free of water and oxygen; (B) in an inert atmosphere, slowly adding the first solution heated at a temperature between about 100° C. and about 150° C. to the second solution heated at temperature between about 290° C. and about 330° C., thereby producing a reaction mixture containing the nanocrystals; and (C) recovering the nanocrystals from the reaction mixture. The invention also relates to lanthanide-doped uniformly shaped cubic NaYF4 nanocrystals having an average particle size of at most about 50 nm with a standard deviation of at most about 15%. Finally, the invention also relates to methods of (A) identifying or authenticating a product, (B) labelling an analyte, (C) detecting an analyte, and (D) producing a light source for the telecommunication industry using the above nanocrystals.
US08088629B1	Methods for forming dyed microspheres and populations of microspheres Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes attaching a hydrophilic dye to chemical groups to form a bubble. The bubble includes the chemical groups surrounding the hydrophilic dye and an aqueous solution. The chemical groups are soluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The method also includes disposing the bubble and a microsphere to be dyed in a solvent such that the bubble is incorporated into the microsphere thereby dyeing the microsphere. Another method includes adsorbing a hydrophilic dye on a surface of a hydrophobic polymer core of a microsphere to be dyed thereby dyeing the microsphere. The method also includes attaching chemical groups to the hydrophilic dye. The chemical groups are soluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The chemical groups attached to the hydrophilic dye form an enclosure surrounding the hydrophilic dye and an aqueous solution.
US08088623B2	Dominant selection marker for the transformation of fungi The invention relates to a new expression vector for the transformation of eukaryotic cells, in particular fungal cells, or eukaryotic cell organelles as well as to a method for the transformation of eukaryotes, in particular fungi, or eukaryotic cell organelles employing these expression vector. The expression vector comprises at least one acc gene encoding at least one subunit of a MS-type acetyl-CoA carboxylase (MS-ACC), placed under the control of eukaryotic expression signals, and is a suitable selection marker for the transformation of eukaryotic cells, in particular fungal cells, or eukaryotic cell organelles to resistance to an inhibitor of MF-type acetyl-CoA carboxylases. The method involves the application of one or several acc genes encoding one or several subunits of a MS-type acetyl-CoA carboxylase (MS-ACC), as selection marker for the transformation of eukaryotic cells, in particular fungal cells, or eukaryotic cell organelles to resistance to an inhibitor of MF-type acetyl-CoA carboxylases, whereby the respective gene or genes is/are part of said expression vector and is/are under the control of eukaryotic expression signals.
US08088621B2	Adenoviral fiber exchange shuttle system The instant invention provides methods and compositions for generating recombinant adenoviral vectors. The invention also provides kits comprising for the generation of recombinant adenoviral vectors.
US08088619B2	Established Maruca vitrata cell line The present invention relates to Maruca vitrata cell lines established from pupal tissues of M. vitrata, including NTU-MV, two subclones of NTU-MV: NTU-MV-1 and NTU-MV-2. The NTU-MV cell line was confirmed to be derived from M. vitrata, and NTU-MV-1, and NTU-MV-2 were confirmed to be derived from NTU-MV by karyotype analysis, Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis and isozyme analysis. The genotypes and characteristics of the abovementioned 3 cell lines are totally different from other insect cell lines so that they are newly established cell lines. In addition, these three MV cell lines are susceptible to Maruca vitrata multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (MaviMNPV). Therefore the 3 cell lines according to invention can be applied in multiplication of MaviMNPV in vitro to produce biopesticides in pest control. In addition, the cell lines can also be used as hosts for the expression vectors of baculovirus to produce recombinant proteins.
US08088618B2	Anti-IL 13 antibodies and uses thereof The present invention relates to anti-IL13 antibodies that bind specifically and with high affinity to both glycosylated and non-glycosylated human IL13, does not bind mouse IL13, and neutralize human IL13 activity at an approximate molar ratio of 1:2 (MAb:IL13). The invention also relates to the use of these antibodies in the treatment of IL13-mediated diseases, such as allergic disease, including asthma, allergic asthma, non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema, urticaria, food allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ulcerative colitis, RSV infection, uveitis, scleroderma, and osteoporosis.
US08088615B2	Optical component for observing a nanometric sample, system comprising same, analysis method using same, and uses thereof The invention concerns an optical component for observing a sample, which includes a substrate and at least one complex index layer of predetermined thickness, designed to show a high intensity or color contrast for optical path variations, reliefs, nanometric thicknesses and diameters when it is observed by incoherent light reflection convergent around the normal incidence under polarization extinction conditions. The upper index layer has specific surface properties providing it with selective affinity relative to at least one characteristic of the sample. An analysis system includes such a component, an analysis method using the component and uses of the method.
US08088614B2	Methods and compositions for production and purification of biofuel from plants and microalgae Methods and compositions are provided for producing purified oil from an organism, whether these organisms are wild type, selectively bred or genetically modified, and are suitable for the large scale production of an oil product. The organism may be an animal, a plant or a microorganism such as yeast, bacteria or algae. The organism is processed to create a biomass which can be extracted to remove the lipids contained within the biomass. The extraction produces a crude extract rich in lipids and containing residual contaminants. These contaminants are removed by contacting the crude extract with a composition that comprises a nanomaterial. Subsequently an oil product is recovered which is substantially free from residual contaminants, such as pigments.
US08088611B2	Kinase domain polypeptide of human protein kinase B gamma (AKT3) The present invention provides, in part, AKT3 polypeptides and methods of use thereof along with nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides. For example, methods for screening for AKT3 inhibitors are provided herein.
US08088610B2	Ketoreductases for the production of (S,E)-methyl 2-(3-(3-(2-(7-chloroquinolin-2-yl)vinyl)phenyl)-3-hroxypropyl)benzoate The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds.
US08088605B2	Exopolysaccharides delivery system for active molecules The present invention relates to a delivery system for delivery of an active molecule to a patient, the delivery system comprising a population of exopolysaccharide micelles, each micelle defining a core for containing the active molecule.
US08088604B2	Production of defined monodisperse heparosan polymers and unnatural polymers with polysaccharide synthases The present invention relates to methodology for polymer grafting by a polysaccharide synthase and, more particularly, polymer grafting using the hyaluronate or chondroitin or heparin/heparosan synthases from Pasteurella, in order to create a variety of glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides having a natural or chimeric or hybrid sugar structure with a targeted size that are substantially monodisperse in size. The present invention also relates to methodology for polymer grafting by a polysaccharide synthase to form glycosaminoglycan polymers having an unnatural structure.
US08088599B2	Nucleic acids encoding genetically modified tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and method of making the same The present invention provides long half life genetically modified TFPI sequences (LTFPI) for anticoagulation. On the genetically modified TFPI sequence, the lysine at the carboxy-terminal sites 241, 254, 260 and 261 are replaced by alanin and the amino acid asparagine at glycosylation sites 117, 167, 228 and the amino acids serine and threonine at glycosylation sites 174 and 175 are substitutionally mutated. The present invention also provides methods of making the LTFPI through high efficient LTFPI expression from yeast production system.
US08088595B2	Method for glucose monitoring using fluorescence quenching This disclosure relates to a method of measuring a glucose concentration metric or a glucose metric in a patient by contacting an implantable glucose-sensing device with a test sample, which may be in the patient, under conditions that permit a sugar-binding molecule and a functionalized polymer or nano-particle ligand present throughout the matrix of a hydrogel to interact in a glucose-dependent manner to produce an optical signal resulting from quenching of a first fluorophore linked to the ligand or sugar-binding molecule and having a fluorescent emission spectrum quenched upon binding or release of glucose. Next the first fluorophore may be excited with light of a certain wavelength. Then at least one wavelength of light in the glucose-dependent optical signal from the fluorophore may be detected with a detector to produce a detected light signal, which may be processed to produce a glucose metric, such as a glucose concentration metric.
US08088593B2	Modular point-of-care devices, systems, and uses thereof The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.
US08088590B2	Use of FOXC2 in diagnosing, preventing and treating cancer metastasis The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.
US08088588B2	Genetic products differentially expressed in tumors and the use of thereof The invention relates to the identification of genetic products expressed in association with tumors and to coding nucleic acids for the expressed products. An embodiment of the invention also relates to the therapy and diagnosis of disease in which the genetic products are aberrantly expressed in association with tumors, proteins, polypeptides and peptides which are expressed in association with tumors, and to the nucleic acids coding for the polypeptides, peptides and proteins.
US08088585B2	Methods for purifying hematopoietic stem cells Described herein are methods for purifying hematopoietic stem cells. Also described herein are methods for purifying EPCR+ cells. The invention also provides substantially pure isolated hematopoietic stems cells, including EPCR+ hematopoietic stem cells.
US08088583B2	Methods of using FET labeled oligonucleotides that include a 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant quencher domain and compositions for practicing the same Methods and compositions are provided for detecting a primer extension product in a reaction mixture. In the subject methods, a primer extension reaction is conducted in the presence of a polymerase having 3′→5′ exonuclease activity and at least one FET labeled oligonucleotide probe that includes a 3′→5′ exonuclease resistant quencher domain. Also provided are systems and kits for practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, and are particularly suited for use in high fidelity PCR based reactions, including SNP detection applications, allelic variation detection applications, and the like.
US08088581B2	Differential enzymatic fragmentation by whole genome amplification The present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of methylation at a locus within a population of nucleic acids.
US08088580B2	RNA detection method The present invention provides an RNA detection method detecting, from a reaction system containing a target sample, a target RNA chain originated from the target sample, using a surface having on the surface thereof a polymer substance which contains a first unit having a group derived from a phosphate ester composing the hydrophilic portion of a phospholipid and a second unit having a carboxylic acid derivative group composed of an electron-attractive substitutional group bound to a carbonyl group, while being provided with at least one reaction space, the reaction space having an immobilized nucleic acid primer immobilized therein.
US08088578B2	Method of detecting an analyte The invention relates to certain novel approaches to reducing or eliminating the movement of contaminants from one droplet to another on a droplet actuator via liquid filler fluid. In one application, a method of detecting an analyte is provided and includes providing in a detection window a droplet including a signal-producing substance indicative of the presence and/or quantity of an analyte and one or more magnetically responsive beads which may interfere with signal produced by the signal producing substance. The method further includes using a magnetic field for magnetically removing the magnetically responsive beads from the detection window and/or magnetically restricting the magnetically responsive beads from entering the detection window while transporting and/or retaining the droplet in the detection window. The method additionally includes detecting a signal produced by the signal-producing substance.
US08088577B2	Assay for methylation in the GST-Pi gene A diagnostic or prognostic assay is disclosed for a disease of condition characterized by abnormal methylation of cytosine at side or sites within the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) Pi gene and/or its regulatory flanking sequences (e.g., prostate cancer and liver cancer). The assay comprises: (i) isolating DNA from said subject, and (ii) determining (e.g., by selective PCR amplification) the presence of abnormal methylation of cytosine at a site or sites within the GST-Pi gene and/or its regulatory flanking sequences.
US08088571B2	Methods of reducing a viral infection and kits therefore A method for treating and/or preventing a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 preproprotein (PCSK9)-susceptible viral infection comprising increasing a PCSK9 activity and/or expression in a biological system infected by the virus, whereby the increased PCSK9 activity and/or expression treats and/or prevents the viral infection in the biological system. Methods of classifying subjects, methods of screening and kits therefore.
US08088566B2	Surface-treating agent for pattern formation and pattern-forming method using the surface-treating agent A surface-treating agent for forming a resist pattern, includes: a compound represented by formula (1) as defined in the specification, wherein the surface-treating agent is used in a step between a formation of a first resist pattern on a first resist film and a formation of a second resist film on the first resist pattern to form a second resist pattern, and a pattern-forming method uses the surface-treating agent.
US08088565B2	Exposure system and pattern formation method An exposure system includes a cleaning unit for cleaning a surface of a resist film formed on a wafer with a cleaning fluid and an exposure unit for performing pattern exposure with an immersion liquid provided between the resist film and a projection lens.
US08088563B2	Reduction in photoresist footing undercut during development of feature sizes of 120NM or less We have traced the detachment of photoresist during development of patterned features in the range of about 90 nm and smaller to a combination of the reduced “foot print” of the pattern on the underlying substrate and to the contact angle between the underlying substrate surface and the developing reagent. By maintaining a contact angle of about 30 degrees or greater, the detachment of the photoresist from the underlying substrate can be avoided for photoresists including feature sizes in the range of about 90 nm. We have achieved an increased contact angle between the DARC surface and a water-based CAR photoresist developer while simultaneously reducing CAR poisoning by treating the surface of the DARC after film formation.
US08088560B2	Method of making a lithographic printing plate A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, and a coating on the support, the coating including (i) at least one image-recording layer which includes a photocurable composition, and (ii) on top thereof, an oxygen-barrier layer including a water-soluble or water-swellable polymer, b) image-wise exposing the coating, (c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, (d) treating the image-wise exposed precursor with water or an aqueous solution to remove at least a portion of the oxygen-barrier layer, (e) mounting the treated precursor on a plate cylinder of a lithographic printing press, and (f) developing the precursor by rotating the plate cylinder while feeding dampening liquid and/or ink to the coating, thereby removing non-exposed areas of the image-recording layer.
US08088559B2	Method of making a photopolymer printing plate A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor including (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a coating on the support including a photopolymerizable layer, and, optionally, an intermediate layer between the photopolymerizable layer and the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer includes a polymerizable compound and a polymerization initiator, b) image-wise exposing the coating in a plate setter, c) optionally, heating the precursor in a pre-heating unit, d) developing the precursor off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the photopolymerizable layer from the support, wherein the photopolymerizable layer further includes a polymer containing an acid group and a basic nitrogen-containing compound capable of neutralizing the acid group, or wherein the photopolymerizable layer further includes a polymer containing an acid group which is neutralized by a basic nitrogen-containing compound.
US08088557B2	Method of forming patterns A method of forming patterns includes (a) coating a substrate with a resist composition for negative development to form a resist film having a receding contact angle of 70 degrees or above with respect to water, wherein the resist composition for negative development contains a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of an acid and becomes more soluble in a positive developer and less soluble in a negative developer upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (b) exposing the resist film via an immersion medium, and (c) performing development with a negative developer.
US08088554B2	Bottom resist layer composition and patterning process using the same There is disclosed a bottom resist layer composition for a multilayer-resist film used in lithography which comprises, at least, a polymer having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1). Thereby, there can be provided a bottom resist layer composition which shows an antireflection effect against an exposure light by combining with an intermediate resist layer having an antireflection effect if necessary, has a higher etching resistance during etching a substrate than polyhydroxy styrene, cresol novolac resin, etc., has a high poisoning-resistant effect, and is suitable for using in a multilayer-resist process like a bilayer resist process or a trilayer resist process.
US08088548B2	Bottom antireflective coating compositions Developable bottom antireflective coating compositions are provided.
US08088547B2	Resist composition A resist composition comprising (A) a hydrogen silsesquioxane resin, (B) an acid dissociable group-containing compound, (C) a photo-acid generator, (D) an organic solvent and optionally (E) additives. The resist composition has improved lithographic properties (such as high etch-resistance, transparency, resolution, sensitivity, focus latitude, line edge roughness, and adhesion) suitable as a photoresist.
US08088546B2	Underlayer coating forming composition for lithography containing naphthalene ring having halogen atom There is provided an underlayer coating forming composition for lithography, and an underlayer coating having a high dry etching rate compared with photoresist, and causing no intermixing with the photoresist, which are used in lithography process of manufacture of semiconductor device. Concretely, it is an underlayer coating forming composition comprising a polymer having a structural unit containing naphthalene ring substituted with halogen atom in a molar ratio of 0.3 or more in the structural units constituting the polymer, a solvent.
US08088544B2	Core-shell polymer nanoparticles and method of making emulsion aggregation particles using same Nano-sized particles for use in making emulsion aggregation toner particles have a core portion and a shell portion, wherein the core portion of the nano-sized particles includes crystalline resin and the shell portion includes amorphous resin and is substantially to completely free of the crystalline resin.
US08088543B2	Electrophotographic photosensitive member and electrophotographic apparatus An electrophotographic photosensitive member has a conductive substrate, a photoconductive layer formed on the conductive substrate, and a surface layer formed on the photoconductive layer. The photoconductive layer is formed of an amorphous material having chiefly silicon atoms. The surface layer has aluminum atoms, nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms, where the nitrogen atoms are in a content of from 80 atom % or more to 95 atom % or less, and the oxygen atoms are in a content of from 1 atom % or more to 30 atom % or less, based on the aluminum atoms in the surface layer.
US08088541B2	Polyvinyl acetal resin, electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus The present invention relates to a polyvinyl acetal resin having a specific repeating structural unit, an electrophotographic photosensitive member using the polyvinyl acetal resin, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
US08088538B2	Reflective mask blank for EUV lithography Provision of a reflective mask blank for EUV lithography having an absorber layer which has a low reflectance in the wavelength regions of EUV light and pattern inspection light and whose film composition and film thickness are easily controllable to desired ones.A reflective mask blank for EUV lithography, which comprises a substrate, and a reflective layer to reflect EUV light and an absorber layer to absorb EUV light, formed in this order on the substrate, wherein the absorber layer contains tantalum (Ta), boron (B) and silicon (Si), and in the absorber layer, the content of B is at least 1 at. % and less than 5 at. % and the content of Si is from 1 to 25 at. %, and wherein the absorber layer contains no nitrogen (N) or at most 10 at. % of N.
US08088537B2	Resist top coat composition and patterning process The present invention relates to a resist top coat composition and a patterning process adopting such a material, which resist top coat composition is provided for forming a top coat on a photoresist film so as to protect the photoresist film, in liguid immersion photolithography. The present invention provides a resist top coat composition for forming a top coat on a photoresist film, wherein the resist top coat composition comprises, at least: a polymer I including a repeating unit a represented by the following general formula (1); and a polymer II including repeating unit having a sulfonic acid or an amine salt of a sulfonic acid:
US08088536B2	Fuel cell separator and method for manufacturing the same There is provided a fuel cell separator having a very good anticorrosiveness and electrical conductivity. A fuel cell separator includes: a base formed of a steel which contains 10.5 mass % or more of Cr; a metal film formed on the surface of the base; and an intermediate layer formed between the base and the metal film, the intermediate layer containing oxygen. The metal film is composed of Au or Pt, and the intermediate layer contains Fe and Cr which are contained in the steel and Au or Pt composing the metal film.
US08088535B2	Bipolar plate and its use, as well as a method for its manufacture and an electrochemical system containing the bipolar plate The present invention relates to a bipolar plate (1) for electrochemical systems which contains a first plate (2) with a first flowfield (2a) for media distribution as well as a second plate (3) with a second flowfield (3a) for media distribution. This first plate in the region of the first flow field at least in regions comprises a plane surface section (4) from which discrete projections (5) distanced to one another project arranged in a distributed manner. Furthermore a method for manufacturing this bipolar plate is suggested as well as an electrochemical system which contains this bipolar plate. According to the invention it is possible in an inexpensive manner to manufacture a bipolar plate which permits the construction of fuel cells functioning with a low peripheral consumption (pumps, compressors) and which are safer with regard to their operation.
US08088532B2	Monitoring apparatus for a fuel cell stack A control apparatus for a fuel cell stack having an operation control module is provided. The operation control module is configured in terms of programming and circuitry in order to control a large number of sensor or actuator systems that are relevant to normal operation. The sensor or actuator systems relate to the operating state of the fuel cell stack during normal operation and have a safety control module that is designed in terms of programming and circuitry to control safety-relevant sensor or actuator systems. The safety-relevant sensor or actuator systems relate to the safety functions of the fuel cell stack and the safety control module is in the form of an assembly which operates autonomously with respect to the operation control module. A method for controlling the fuel cell stack and the operation control module is also provided.
US08088530B2	Method of operating a fuel cell system in standby/regenerative mode A system and method for putting a fuel cell system in a stand-by during a system idle condition to improve system fuel efficiency. The method can include diverting the cathode airflow around the stack, reducing an airflow output from a cathode compressor to a minimum allowable set-point, opening the stack contactors to disconnect the stack from the high voltage bus and electrically isolate the stack from the rest of the system, engaging an independent load to the stack, such as end cell heaters in the stack, to suppress stack voltage, maintaining a positive pressure in the anode side of the fuel cell stack and periodically bleeding the anode into the exhaust stream. When a system power request is made removing the idle condition, the system returns to normal operation by directing the airflow back to the cathode and opening the stack contactors when an open circuit voltage is attained.
US08088528B2	Method to condense and recover carbon dioxide from fuel cells A method to condense and recover carbon dioxide. A first step involve providing at more than one heat exchanger, with each heat exchanger having a first flow path for passage of a first fluid and a second flow path for passage of a second fluid. A second step involves passing a stream of very cold natural gas sequentially along the first flow path of each heat exchanger until it is heated for distribution and concurrently passing a gaseous stream rich in carbon dioxide sequentially along the second flow path of each heat exchanger, allowing a gaseous portion of the gaseous stream rich in carbon dioxide to pass to a next sequential heat exchanger and capturing in a collection vessel the condensed carbon dioxide. This processes results in a cryogenic heat exchange in which natural gas at Metering and Pressure Reduction Stations is first cooled by reducing its pressure through a gas expander or a pressure reducing valve and then heated in a series of stages and the gaseous stream rich in carbon dioxide stream is separated in a series of stages through sequential cryogenic carbon dioxide separation and recovery.
US08088526B2	Anode reactive bleed and injector shift control strategy A system and method for correcting a large fuel cell voltage spread for a split sub-stack fuel cell system. The system includes a hydrogen source that provides hydrogen to each split sub-stack and bleed valves for bleeding the anode side of the sub-stacks. The system also includes a voltage measuring device for measuring the voltage of each cell in the split sub-stacks. The system provides two levels for correcting a large stack voltage spread problem. The first level includes sending fresh hydrogen to the weak sub-stack well before a normal reactive bleed would occur, and the second level includes sending fresh hydrogen to the weak sub-stack and opening the bleed valve of the other sub-stack when the cell voltage spread is close to stack failure.
US08088525B2	Online low performing cell (LPC) prediction and detection of fuel cell system A system and method for detecting and predicting low performing cells in a fuel cell stack. When the fuel cell stack is running and certain data validity criteria have been met, an algorithm collects the data, such as stack current density, average cell voltage and minimum cell voltage. This information is used to estimate predetermined parameters that define the stack polarization curve. The system defines a predetermined minimum current density that is used to identify a low performing cell. The system then calculates an average cell voltage and a minimum cell voltage at the minimum current density set-point, and calculates a cell voltage difference between the two. If the cell voltage difference is greater than a predetermined low voltage threshold and the minimum cell voltage is less than a predetermined high voltage threshold, the algorithm sets a flag identifying a potential for a low performing cell.
US08088524B2	Fuel battery system A fuel battery system comprises a fuel battery stack, a hydrogen supply system for supplying hydrogen from a hydrogen tank, an oxidant gas supply system for supplying air serving as an oxidant by an air compressor, an electrical system including an impedance measuring unit for measuring the impedance of a fuel battery, a DC/DC converter for converting generated electric power, a secondary battery for storing electric power, and so on, and a drive system for driving a vehicle. When the power generation is stopped by turning off an ignition switch in the state in which the power generation is suspended in an intermittent operation, the impedance measuring unit measures the impedance after the supply of air is stabilized to avoid the transient state of the fuel battery cell caused by a delay in air supply.
US08088522B2	Fuel cell system and mobile body A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell, an electric storage device, and a controller which determines a directed drive amount for a drive device. In the case where a drive request is input during a low-efficiency drive period in which power is supplied from the electric storage device, the directed drive amount after power generation by the fuel cell is begun is restrained. This arrangement allows a driving state to be smoothly changed even when power supply to the drive device is changed from power supply using the electric storage device alone to that using both the fuel cell and the electric storage device.
US08088519B2	Battery cartridges Battery cartridges are disclosed that include a housing having a plurality of air access openings configured to selectively control flow of air into the housing; and at least two adjacent metal-air electrochemical cells within the housing, each electrochemical cell having an outer gas permeable barrier membrane layer that defines the exterior surface of the electrochemical cell; wherein there is a gap between adjacent electrochemical cells in the housing and wherein the air access openings in the housing are positioned over or partially overlapping each gap.
US08088517B2	Lithium ion secondary battery and production method thereof A lithium ion secondary battery having an electrode group that includes: a winding core, a positive electrode containing a positive electrode core member and a positive electrode active material layer, a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode core member and a negative electrode active material layer, and a porous film including a filler and a binder formed on at least one of the positive and negative electrodes which are wound around the winding core. The positive electrode and/or the negative electrode have/has, on the initial winding side, a region where the active material layer is carried on only one side of the core member and a region where the active material layer is carried on neither side of the core member, at a position closer to the initial winding position than the region where the active material layer is carried on only one side of the core member.
US08088514B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte battery having a negative electrode active material with a lithium insertion potential of at least 0.2V (vs.Li/Li+) or formed of a lithium titanium oxide or a titanium-containing composite oxide A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode containing an active material, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, the negative electrode including a current collector and a negative electrode active material supported by the current collector, the negative electrode active material having a Li insertion potential not lower than 0.2V (vs. Li/Li+) and an average primary particle diameter not larger than 1 μm, and a specific surface area of the negative electrode, excluding a weight of the current collector, as determined by the BET method falls within a range of 3 to 50 m2/g.
US08088513B2	Anode and battery A battery capable of inhibiting temperature increase and an anode used for it are provided. An anode active material layer contains an anode active material and a polymer containing a binder, vinylidene fluoride, as a component. A calorific value by differential scanning calorimetry in charging the anode active material layer is 500 J/g or less in the range from 230 deg C. to 370 deg C., and is preferably 400 J/g or less. Further, a difference between the maximum value of calorific value and a calorific value at 100 deg C. is 1.70 W/g or less, and is preferably 1.60 W/g or less.
US08088511B2	Cell cap assembly with recessed terminal and enlarged insulating gasket A simplified cell design is provided for a battery utilizing the 18650 form-factor in which the CID and PTC elements are eliminated, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and battery weight. To reduce the risk of shorting between the battery case and the battery terminal, the battery terminal is recessed relative to the top of the cell case and the insulating gasket positioned between the cell case and the cap assembly is designed to cover a large portion of the outer surface of the terminal element.
US08088510B2	Lithium secondary battery comprising double-structured battery case A lithium secondary battery having enhanced safety, which includes an electrode group, a non-aqueous electrolyte and a battery can for housing them. The electrode group includes: a positive electrode having a strip-shaped positive electrode current collector and a material mixture layer carried thereon; a negative electrode having a strip-shaped negative electrode current collector and a material mixture layer carried thereon; a separator; and a porous heat resistant layer. The positive and negative electrodes are spirally wound with the separator and the porous heat resistant layer interposed therebetween. An outermost surface of the electrode group includes an exposed portion of either of the positive and negative electrode current collectors. The exposed portion faces an inner surface of the battery can with the separator interposed therebetween, and has opposite polarity to that of the battery can.
US08088508B2	Thermal battery A thermal battery includes a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The electrolyte includes a salt molten at the thermal battery operating temperatures. The cathode includes a titanium-containing sulfide as an active material.
US08088503B2	Chemical solution deposition method of fabricating highly aligned MgO templates A superconducting article includes a substrate having an untextured metal surface; an untextured barrier layer of La2Zr2O7 or Gd2Zr2O7 supported by and in contact with the surface of the substrate; a biaxially textured buffer layer supported by the untextured barrier layer; and a biaxially textured superconducting layer supported by the biaxially textured buffer layer. Moreover, a method of forming a buffer layer on a metal substrate includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an untextured metal surface; coating the surface of the substrate with a barrier layer precursor; converting the precursor to an untextured barrier layer; and depositing a biaxially textured buffer layer above and supported by the untextured barrier layer.
US08088500B2	OLED device with fluoranthene electron injection materials The invention provides an OLED device including a cathode, an anode, and having there between a light-emitting layer, further including, between the cathode and the light emitting layer, a first layer containing a fluoranthene compound including one and only one fluoranthene nucleus and having no aromatic rings annulated to the fluoranthene nucleus, the fluoranthene nucleus having independently selected aromatic groups in the 7,10-positions and an azine group in the 8- or 9-position, provided that the azine group is not a phenanthroline group. The OLED device desirably includes a second layer containing an alkali metal or alkali metal compound, located between the cathode and the first layer. The OLED device can also include a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound in the first layer or in a third layer located between the first layer and the light-emitting layer. Devices of the invention provide improvement in features such as efficiency and drive voltage.
US08088496B2	Piston ring A piston ring includes a piston ring body and a surface coating film formed on at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the piston ring body. The surface coating film has a most outside surface layer including a heat-resistant resin and a metal powder contained in the heat-resistant resin and a base bottom layer formed nearest the piston ring body and including a heat-resistant resin. The base bottom layer may also include a metal powder.
US08088492B2	Thermal transfer image receiving sheet and method A thermal transfer image-receiving polymeric sheet capable of recording thereon thermally transferred dye or ink images in a clear and sharp form. The image-receiving layer comprises at least one water dispersible aliphatic polyether-polyurethane resin and at least one water dispersible aliphatic polyester-polyurethane resin or a silica dispersion or an anionic aqueous emulsion of wax.
US08088491B2	Fluorochloro ionomers This invention discloses novel fluorochloro ionomers and processes of making them. The first preferred body of invention is perfluorochloro ionomers having (1) equivalent weight between 600 and 1500, preferably between 800 and 1200, and most preferably between 900 and 1100; (2) chlorine content between 8% and 30% by weight. These ionomers are breathable and excellent barrier materials, capable of being processed into thin films or membranes and are well suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications and for chemical protective covering materials. The second preferred body of invention is partially fluorochloro ionomers having (1) moisture vapor permeability rate>3000 gram H2O/m2/day (about ½ mil thick film); (2) chlorine content of between 10% and 39% by weight. These ionomers are breathable and excellent barrier materials that can also be processed into thin films or membranes and are suited for some fuel cell applications and more preferably for breathable protective covering applications. The membranes can be monolithic films or multi-layers films, or composite films, or bipolar membranes. These novel fluorochloro ionomers are made by radical copolymerization of at least one fluorochloro monomer and at least one comonomer consisting of at least ionic group or at least one precursor that can be converted to ionic groups such as acid groups or amines or quaternary amine groups. The said fluorochloro monomer containing at least one fluorine and at least one chlorine atom is free radical polymerizable including chlorotrifluoroethylene (CFCl═CF2) and dichlorodifluoroethylene (CFCl═CFCl).
US08088490B2	Varnish, prepreg, and substrate thereof A halogen-free varnish includes (A) resin, (B) curing agent, (C) flame inhibitor (flame-retarding agent), (D) accelerator and (E) additives. Resin of (A) has novolac epoxy resin, DOPO-CNE and DOPO-HQ-CNE. Curing agent of (B) includes Benzoxazine resin and phenol novolac resin. Glass fabric cloth is dipped into the halogen-free varnish so as to form a prepreg with better thermal stability, anti-flammability, low absorbent ability and higher curing rate. Furthermore, the prepreg has more toughness.
US08088488B2	Method for synthesis of metal nanoparticles Metal nanoparticles are formed by heating or refluxing a mixture of a metal salt, such as a metal acetate, and a passivating solvent, such as a glycol ether, at a temperature above the melting point of the metal salt for an effective amount of time.
US08088484B2	Metallic structure and photodetector In a metallic structure including a metallic nano-chain with plasmon resonance absorption, a metallic nanoparticle forming the metallic nano-chain is formed in a circular, triangle, or rhomboid shape. The wavelength selectivity can be increased also by forming a closed region by mutually linking all of metallic nanoparticles that are mutually linked with bottlenecks. In a photodetector, a photodetection unit including a current detection probe, a nano-chain unit, and a current detection probe is arranged on a substrate. The nano-chain unit is a metallic structure with plasmon resonance absorption, where metallic nanoparticles are mutually linked with bottlenecks. Each current detection probe has a corner whose tip is formed with a predetermined angle, and this corner is arranged to face the tip of the nano-chain unit, i.e., a corner of the metallic nanoparticle. Photodetection with high wavelength selectivity is performed based on a change in the initial voltage of the current-voltage characteristic.
US08088482B2	Expandable microspheres for foam insulation and methods Hollow thermoexpandable particles or microspheres are provided that contain hydrocarbon blowing agents and have a shell polymer that can be softened at the onset of the expansion temperature and solidified at a higher temperature (thermoset) in an expanded state. Preferably, the microspheres have a shell of thermally expandable and thermally crosslinkable polymer and a hollow interior that contains a hydrocarbon liquid that boils at a temperature below the heat activated crosslinking temperature of the polymer shell. The crosslinking of the shell polymer during or after expansion, which is heat activated at an elevated temperature, can solidify the shell polymer and, then, maintain the expanded volume of the microspheres. The thermoexpandable thermoset polymer particles are useful in insulation, packaging, for making foam materials such as polyurethane or polyisocyanurate rigid foams. The invented thermoset microspheres can substantially improve the close cell percentage and compressive strength of the foam materials and make the foam manufacturing less hazardous.
US08088480B2	Adhesive tape The adhesive tape of this application comprises a layer of polymeric material, particularly a polyvinyl chloride, having a Shore A Hardness of between 92 and 100 and a layer of adhesive material attached to a surface of the layer of polymeric material.
US08088470B2	Moulding material A preform moulding material includes two individual unidirectional reinforcement layers of a fibrous reinforcement material and a resin material between adjacent ones of the fibrous reinforcement layers. The resin material is a matrix resin material that partially impregnates and conjoins the fibrous reinforcement layers. Each of the fibrous reinforcement layers includes a fabric that is skewed relative to a lengthwise direction of the preform moulding material and includes a weft of unidirectional fibrous reinforcement material disposed at an angle relative to the lengthwise direction and a warp of fibres in the lengthwise direction. The orientation of the unidirectional fibrous reinforcement material of one of the reinforcement layers differs from the orientation of the unidirectional fibrous reinforcement material of the other reinforcement layer such that the preform moulding material is bi-axial prepreg.
US08088466B2	Metal alloys for the reflective or the semi-reflective layer of an optical storage medium A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the semi-reflective coating layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include copper and a rare earth metal. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.
US08088459B2	Air enclosure with independent double layer air chambers An air enclosure with independent double layer air chambers is constituted by disposing a middle film between a first outer film and a second outer film which are folded together, in which the length of the middle film is shorter than the first outer film and the second outer film, and the lower sides of the three parties are lined up with one another to allow an air filling passageway to be formed on one common end of the first outer film and the second outer film by means of hot sealing and in the meantime, a first air inlet and a plurality of first air chambers to be formed by adhering the first outer film to the middle film and a second air inlet and a plurality second air chambers to be formed by adhering the middle film to the second outer film. When the air in the air filling passageway is filled into the first air chamber to cause it to be expanded via the first air inlet and in the meantime, filled into the second air chamber to cause it to be expanded via the second air inlet, and when any one of the first air chamber and the second air chamber is broken, the another can provide the cushioning protection effect.
US08088455B2	Laser treatment apparatus A drain port and an exhaust port arranged at the bottom of a cup surrounding a substrate holding unit. A drainage tray is arranged below the cup so as to cover the moving area of the drain port when the substrate holding unit and the cup move in X-directions and Y-directions. An exhaust unit is arranged at a position corresponding to the position of the exhaust port of the cup when the substrate holding unit is in its spin-drying position. The exhaust unit is connected to the exhaust port to suck the interior of the cup when the spin-drying of the substrate is executed. The use of a flexible tube which is always connected to the exhaust port is no longer necessary.
US08088451B2	Covalently functionalized particles for synthesis of new composite materials The present invention includes compositions and methods for synthesis of composite materials involving gas phase plasma polymerization to covalently plasma graft an organic molecule onto particles; covalently binding an organic monomer to the functionalized particles; and, polymerizing the organic monomers into hybrid polymer composite materials.
US08088450B2	Automated wing painting system An automated finishing system comprises a lift system and a number of robots. The lift system is capable of positioning a wing in a substantially horizontal position. The number of robots is capable of applying a number of finishing compounds to at least one of an interior of the wing and an exterior of the wing, while the wing remains in the substantially horizontal position.
US08088446B2	Method for improving accoustic properties A method for improving acoustic properties of sheets, in particular for use in automotive application, is disclosed. An anhydrous sealant composition consisting of three major components, namely a selected polymer, a benzoate plasticizer and an additive, in particular a filler, is applied is applied to the sheets which are subsequently submitted to a heat treatment at a temperature in the range of from 100-240° C. for a period of 1 minute to two hours. The preferred plasticizer for use in the method of this invention is a dibenzoate plasticizer.
US08088445B2	Process to increase the oleophobicity of PTFE, and resulting oleophobic articles Method of making a oleophobic layer on a fluoropolymer (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)). The oleophobic layer includes a fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer. The fluoropolymer may be an expanded PTFE formed into a porous membrane. The oleophobicity may be sufficient to repel #8 oil (n-heptane) in accordance with AATCC Test Method 118. There are also coated articles including fluoropolymers and oleophobic layers made from fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymers.
US08088444B2	Method and apparatus for applying electrode mixture paste An electrode mixture paste (5) is applied on both sides of a strip of core material (1) made of porous metal sheet that is running along its lengthwise direction. The paste-coated core material (1) is pressed with press rollers (15a, 15b) alternately from opposite sides once or more, after which the paste-coated core material (1) is passed through the gap between a pair of scraper tools (16a, 16b) to adjust the coating thickness of the paste (5), while the position of the core material (1) is restricted with comb-shaped projections (17a or 17a, 17b), so that, even though the projections (17a, 17b) are distanced from each other sufficiently to allow weld points of the core material (1) to pass through, the coating thickness is precisely regulated. Therefore, a method of applying an electrode mixture paste is realized, with which coating thickness is precisely adjusted and, even in a continuous production process in which core materials are connected together by welding, production failures due to weld points being stuck are prevented.
US08088441B2	Direct digital printing methods for textiles A method of digitally printing textile substrates includes pretreating a textile substrate with a solution that is configured to limit penetration of aqueous colorant into fibers of the textile substrate, drying the pretreated textile substrate for a predetermined period of time, and digitally printing one or more aqueous colorants onto the dried textile substrate. The pretreatment solution comprises a polyamine with a quaternary ammonium compound attached to the polyamine backbone. The pretreatment solution may be applied onto one or both sides of a textile substrate.
US08088439B2	Porous membrane and method of making the same A method of making a porous membrane is disclosed. One such method optionally includes: forming a plurality of pillars in an array form over a substrate; and forming a layer with a mixture of a porous material precursor and a surfactant over the substrate. The method optionally includes removing the pillars to leave cavities in the layer; filling the cavities in the layer with a cavity filler; and removing the surfactant from the layer. The porous membrane can be used as, for example, a sieve for separating molecules from a chemical reaction.
US08088433B2	Mononuclearly filled microcapsules Described are mononuclearly filled seamless microcapsules comprising: a capsule shell of a hardened capsule material based on an acid polysaccharide and a filler material surrounded on all sides by the capsule shell, including an organoleptitic effective amount of a flavor, wherein the microcapsules is heat stable and/or cooking stable and/or deep fry stable and the water portion in the capsule shell is adjusted to a value of≦50 wt. %, based upon the total mass of the capsule shell.
US08088432B2	Instant food-type soybean paste blended with sea urchin eggs and method of manufacturing the same Shown is a method for manufacturing an instant-type soybean paste blend made with sea urchin eggs, having grinding lyophilized sea urchin eggs; blending 100 parts by weight of an aged soybean paste, with 16 to 30 parts by weight of the ground sea urchin eggs; lyophilizing the soybean paste blend with sea urchin eggs for 15 to 20 hours to a water content of 5 to 10%; and packing the lyophilized soybean paste blend made with sea urchin eggs. Packed in a unit dose suitable for one meal, the soybean paste blend can be readily used in the precise amount necessary for cooking. Blended with sea urchin eggs, the soybean paste is rich in various nutrients. Foods cooked with the soybean paste blend are imparted with the flavor of sea urchin eggs and the nutrients of the soybean paste as well as those of the sea urchin eggs.
US08088431B2	Health bars and compositions for improving mental and physical energy The invention provides, in one aspect, a health bar or composition having high levels of a cacao-based product, and with correspondingly high levels of cocoa anti-oxidants, that are shelf stable, heat-resistant, and have good taste and mouthfeel properties. The energy bars and food compositions can deliver healthful cocoa ingredients to improve vigor, enhance physical energy, enhance mental energy, enhance cognitive focus abilities, and/or improve athletic performance. Methods of making such health bars, food ingredients, or heat-resistant compositions that comprise the same high levels of cacao product and other ingredients in effective amounts and that are shelf-stable are also disclosed.
US08088428B2	Packaged coffee drink To provide a packaged coffee beverage, which contains chlorogenic acids at high concentration, has good flavor and taste, and is suppressed in the occurrence of sediment during long-term storage. A packaged coffee beverage subjected to heat sterilization treatment, the beverage comprising (A) monocaffeoylquinic acid, (B) feruloylquinic acid and (C) dicaffeoylquinic acid, wherein (a) a total content of the ingredients (A), (B) and (C) contained in dissolved states in the beverage is from 0.14 to 4% by weight based on the beverage, and the beverage comprises (b) 80% by weight or more of water, (c) magnesium and sodium at a Mg/Na weight ratio of from 0.04 to 1, (d) a coffee extract obtained from roasted coffee beans having an L value of form 16 to 25, and (e) from 0.0024 to 0.0122% by weight of brown color in terms of Food Yellow No. 4.
US08088426B2	Kokumi flavour compounds and use The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) that provide a kokumi flavor to consumables and flavor compositions, and to consumables and flavor compositions comprising such compounds. Enzymatic methods to prepare the compounds are provided.
US08088424B2	Process for manufacturing tea products Shown is a process having the steps of: expressing juice from fresh tea leaves thereby to produce leaf residue and tea juice, wherein the amount of expressed juice is between 10 and 300 ml per kg of the fresh tea leaves; and processing the leaf residue to produce leaf tea and/or a tea extract.
US08088415B2	Diffusion-controlled dosage form and method of fabrication including three dimensional printing The invention includes a core-and-shell dosage form or unit in which the core contains API and in which the shell substantially governs the release such as by controlling diffusion of API through the shell. The shell may comprise a release-blocking polymer, and particles of a release-regulating polymer. The shell may be substantially impervious but the release-regulating polymer may become suitable to allow diffusion through it when activated. The core may include a buffer region between the shell and the API-containing portion of the core. The dosage form may include multiple units. The dosage form of the invention is capable of providing a release profile whose time scale can be adjusted by adjusting powder composition, and which may be approximately zero-order release. The invention further includes methods of manufacturing such a dosage form, such as three-dimensional printing.
US08088414B2	Latex or pseudolatex compositions, coatings and coating processes A composition comprising: (i) at least one latex or pseudolatex water insoluble film former, (ii) at least one permeation enhancing agent and, optionally, (iii) one or more plasticizers. The present invention is also directed to substrates coated with the composition of the invention, films made from the composition and methods for making and using such compositions, coated substrates and films.
US08088413B2	Methods for improved cryo-chemotherapy tissue ablation The current invention relates to a process for increasing the efficacy of cancerous disease inhibiting therapeutic agents delivered to a treatment region of a tissue structure, such as a tumor. The multi-step procedure takes advantage of the resulting thermal stress response occurring as a result of exposure to the cold. Coordinating the thermal related stress response with the timing of cancerous disease inhibiting agent action provides a unique therapeutic regiment to treat tumors which provides a maximized effect on the tumor, protects normal cells, and activates local pro-inflammatory cells.
US08088412B2	Intralymphatic chemotherapy drug carriers A chemotherapeutic composition can be configured for subcutaneous administration for preferential intralymphatic accumulation while also providing a therapeutic systemic concentration that is not toxic. The composition can include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a nanoconjugate configured for preferential intralymphatic accumulation after subcutaneous administration. The nanoconjugate can include a nanocarrier configured for preferential intralymphatic accumulation after subcutaneous or interstitial administration, and a plurality of chemotherapeutic agents coupled to the nanocarrier. The nanoconjugate can have a dimension of about 10 nm to about 50 nm. Also, the nanoconjugate can be loaded with the chemotherapeutic agents from about 10% to about 50% w/w. The nanocarrier can be a hyaluronan polymer of about 3 kDa to about 50 kDa. Alternatively, the nanocarrier can be a dendrimer.
US08088411B2	Direct compressible trehalose solids The present invention relates to direct compressible crystalline or semi-crystalline trehalose solids having a crystal form selected from the group consisting of trehalose dihydrate and mixtures of trehalose dihydrate and anhydrous trehalose, and having a specific surface area of at least 0.25 m2/g and products or tablets containing these. A process for preparing said solids comprises heating a solution of trehalose and applying shear and cooling. The trehalose solids can be applied in food, pharma and cosmetics and tablets prepared from said trehalose solids have improved tensile strength.
US08088409B2	Compositions and methods for improving skin health and pelage quality Compositions and methods for improving animal skin health and/or pelage quality that utilize one or more omega-6 fatty acids and one or more omega-3 fatty acids at a total omega-6 to total omega-3 fatty acid ratio of from about 1 to less than 5.
US08088407B2	Method for reducing or preventing transplant rejection in the eye and intraocular implants for use therefor Methods for reducing or preventing transplant rejection in the eye of an individual are described, comprising: a) performing an ocular transplant procedure; and b) implanting in the eye a bioerodible drug delivery system comprising an immunosuppressive agent and a bioerodible polymer.
US08088402B2	Bone growth compositions and methods The present invention provides an improved technique for spinal fusion involving the administration of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor to a fusion. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is preferably delivered to the site by a carrier. More preferably, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is delivered to the site by a non-compressible delivery vehicle. The invention is suitable for promoting non-anatomic or heterotopic bone growth between any bony surfaces where bone growth is desired but does not naturally occur.
US08088401B2	Composite material comprising a porous semiconductor impregnated with an organic substance The invention provides a composite material comprising a porous semiconductor impregnated with at least one beneficial organic substance, wherein the beneficial organic substance is present in an amount of at least 15% by weight, based on the weight of the material. Also provided are methods for the preparation of such materials, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use in methods of treatment.
US08088392B2	Capsid proteins and uses therefore The present invention provides methods for the use of viral capsid proteins and chaperone proteins to produce immunogenic macro-molecular structures as antigen carrier to carry desired epitopes or antigens, for enhancing the immunogenicity of the carried epitopes or antigens for therapeutic or prophylactic vaccination. The immunogenic macro-molecular structures may also be used for therapeutic or prophylactic vaccination.
US08088391B2	West nile virus vaccine The invention provides chimeric flavivirus vaccines against West Nile virus and methods of using these vaccines to prevent or treat West Nile virus infection.
US08088389B1	Synthetic human genes and polypeptides and their use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases Synthetic human target autoantigen genes comprising sequences coding for at least two immunogenic epitopic clusters (hereinafter IEC) of autoantigen(s) related to a specific autoimmune disease, wherein said at least two IECs may be derived from a sole autoantigen or from at least two different autoantigens related to said autoimmune disease, and polypeptides encoded thereby, can be used for the treatment and the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), myasthenia gravis (MG) and uveitis.
US08088388B2	Stabilized synthetic immunogen delivery system The present invention provides an immunostimulatory complex specifically adapted to act as adjuvant and as a peptide immunogen stabilizer. The immunostimulatory complex comprises a CpG oligonucleotide and a biologically active peptide immunogen. The immunostimulatory complex is particulate and can efficiently present peptide immunogens to the cells of the immune system to produce an immune response. The immunostimulatory complex may be formulated as a suspension for parenteral administration. The immunostimulatory complex may also be formulated in the form of w/o-emulsions or in-situ gelling polymers for the efficient delivery of immunogens to the cells of the immune system of a subject following parenteral administration, to produce an immune response.
US08088382B2	Methods of inhibiting transendothelial migration of neutrophils and monocytes with anti-CD99L2 antibodies The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating transendothelial migration (TEM) of leukocytes. In particular, inhibition of TEM can provide a potent therapeutic approach to treating inflammatory conditions. The invention specifically relates to the discovery that the adhesion molecule CD99L2 mediates TEM of leukocytes. CD99L2 is present on endothelial cells and leukocytes and mediates leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Blockade of CD99L2 by use of a specific antibody blocks migration of leukocytes into a site of inflammation. CD99L2 shows functional analogy to the structurally-related molecule, CD99, inhibition of which, in conjunction with inhibition of PECAM, causes near total blockade of TEM. Thus, blocking CD99L2 on either endothelial cells or monocytes can block migration 80-90%. In conjunction with PECAM inhibitors, TEM blockade can approach 100%. Therapeutic treatments involving inhibition of CD99L2 show significant promise in remediation of inflammatory conditions.
US08088381B2	Methods of treatment of cardiovascular disease using anti-CTGF agents The present invention relates to methods for treating impaired cardiac function. Methods for treating various physiological and pathological features associated with cardiac dysfunction by administering an agent that inhibits the expression or activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) are provided.
US08088379B2	Modified T cell receptors and related materials and methods The invention is directed to a modified T cell receptor (TCR) comprising an amino acid sequence of a wild-type (WT) TCR with no more than three amino acid substitutions, wherein the modified TCR, as compared to the WT TCR, (i) has an enhanced ability to recognize target cells when expressed by CD4+ T cells and (ii) does not exhibit a decrease in antigen specificity when expressed by CD8+ T cells. Polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions related to the modified TCR also are part of the invention. Further, the invention is directed to methods of detecting a diseased cell in a host, methods of treating or preventing a disease in a host, and methods of identifying a candidate adoptive immunotherapy TCR.
US08088378B2	Anti-CD79B antibodies and immunoconjugates and methods of use The present invention is directed to anti-CD79b antibody, huMA79b.v28, and compositions of matter thereof useful for the treatment of hematopoietic tumor in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same.
US08088372B2	Thrombin mutant A thrombin mutant in which at least serine at position 205 among amino acids in the active center of the thrombin B chain has been replaced with another amino acid, and further at least one of the following replacements have been introduced: (I) replacement of arginine at position 89 in the B-chain with another amino acid; (II) replacement of threonine at position 69 or serine at position 22 in the B-chain with another amino acid; (III) replacement of alanine at position 200 in the B-chain with another amino acid; and (IV) replacement of lysine at position 65 in the B-chain with threonine.
US08088371B2	Compositions and minimally invasive methods for treating peripheral vascular disease Methods are described for using compositions containing platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. A platelet-rich plasma composition is introduced into the muscle or soft tissue in the area of hypovascularity to treat the peripheral vascular disease.
US08088369B2	Anti-wrinkle agent The invention provides an anti-wrinkle agent which has an excellent effect of inhibiting the formation of wrinkles and excellent safeness.The anti-wrinkle agent contains, as an active ingredient, a culture supernatant of a lactic acid bacterium belonging to Streptococcus thermophilus.
US08088368B2	Antiviral compounds The invention is related to anti-viral compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08088361B2	Treatment of allergic rhinitis in mammals with Clostridia neurotoxins A method is disclosed for blocking or reducing physiological reaction in a mammal to the interaction of IgE antibodies present in said mammal upon contact with the corresponding antigen, by the administration to said mammal of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin (CnT) derived from Clostridia sp.
US08088353B2	Group II metal sulfide phosphor precursor and method for producing phosphor A process for producing a Group II metal sulfide phosphor precursor, comprising adding to an organic solvent an aqueous solution containing at least one of a Group II element compound, a sulfurizing agent, and a compound containing any of copper, silver, manganese, gold, and rare-earth elements to obtain a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to produce an azeotrope of the water and the organic solvent, and removing water from the reaction mixture to produce a desired Group II metal sulfide in the reaction mixture, wherein the removal of water from the reaction mixture occurs by recovering only the water condensed from a vapor produced by the azeotropic distillation.
US08088345B2	Olefin production furnace having a furnace coil The present invention relates to piping (1) for use in industrial activities, where the piping (1) has a specific geometry. In particular, the piping (1) is formed as a lowamplitude helix, which causes fluid flowing through the piping (1) to swirl. This swirl flow provides a large number of advantages. Particular applications where the piping (1) can be used include petroleum production risers and flowlines, production tubing for downhole use in wells, pipelines for the transportation of fluids, static mixers, bends, junctions or the like, penstocks and draft tubes, reactors for chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical applications, heat exchangers, cold boxes, incinerators and furnaces for waste disposal, static separators, and air intakes.
US08088337B2	Ozone generator and an electrode thereof The inventive ozone generator comprises at least one tubular external electrode (4), at least one internal electrode (7), wherein each internal electrode consists of a plurality of tubular metal segments (8) which are closed at least partially at each end and externally ceramic-coated, said tubular segments are disposed one behind another, mechanically de-coupled from each other and electrically connected, a rod (11) axially crosses the tubular segments (8) and is provided on the end thereof with means (12, 13) for axially clamping the tubular segments to each other in such a way that an electric contact is formed. Each tubular metal segment (8) is provided at each end thereof with an outwardly convex bottom (8a, 8b) which is embodied substantially in the form of a spherical cap, comprises a central area (18) for electric contact and is provided with a ceramic coating (9) consisting of at least two thin layers (9a, 9b).
US08088334B1	Polymerization process and associated apparatus There are disclosed polymerization processes and associated apparatuses. The polymerization processes involve both making a polymeric material in a fluidized bed reactor having a feed distributor and catching a spitwad with a spitwad catcher, and the apparatuses are those corresponding to such processes.
US08088331B2	Acid liquid leakage sensor An acid liquid leakage sensor quickly detecting liquid leakage from a device, such as a battery or the like, containing an acid liquid includes a first conductive member, a second conductive member, and an electrically insulating material which establishes an electrically insulating state between these first and second conductive members. The electrically insulating material includes a macromolecular compound having a basic functional group, and an electrical insulation characteristic or high resistance characteristic that decreases upon reaction with an acid liquid. It is possible to detect leakage of acid liquid, such as battery fluid, by detecting the change of conductive state between the first conductive member and the second conductive member which accompanies a decrease of the electrical insulation characteristic or high resistance characteristic of the electrically insulating material, when acid liquid leaks out and drips down the electrically insulating material.
US08088328B2	Vacuum nitriding furnace A heat treating furnace is disclosed for nitride case hardening and gas cooling a stationary workload in the same furnace which is comprised of a single chamber and an access door. The chamber is segregated into an outer portion and an inner portion, with the inner portion being adapted to receive the workload to be nitride case hardened through the access door. The inner portion is surrounded by graphite insulation to retain the gas used to nitride case harden the workload. The inner portion further includes a plurality of graphite resistance heating elements and a plurality of graphite plates juxtaposed in near proximity to the graphite resistance heating elements forming a conduit or plenum between them. The inner portion further includes a fan assembly including a graphite radial fan wheel adapted to circulate the nitriding gas within the inner portion and through the conduit to provide uniform nitride case hardening of the workload.
US08088325B2	Articles and methods of making articles having a concavity or convexity Articles and methods of making an articles having at least one convexity or at least one concavity are described. A first article having at least one concavity is prepared using a molding surface that includes at least one gas bubble. A second article having at least one convexity is prepared using the first article as a mold.
US08088324B2	Electrospray/electrospinning apparatus and method Apparatus and method for producing fibrous materials in which the apparatus includes an enclosure having an inlet configured to receive a substance from which the fibrous materials are to be composed, a common electrode disposed in the enclosure, and plural extrusion elements provided in a wall of the enclosure opposite the common electrode so as to define between the plural extrusion elements and the common electrode a space in communication with the inlet to receive the substance in the space. In the method, a substance from which the fibrous materials are to be composed is fed to the enclosure having the plural extrusion elements, a common electric field is applied to the extrusion elements in a direction in which the substance is to be extruded, the substance is extruded through the extrusion elements to tips of the extrusion elements, and the substance is electrosprayed from the tips to form the fibrous materials.
US08088315B2	Non-woven fabric This invention relates to non-woven fabrics, in particular to a method of making fabrics by spraying fibres onto a support member, and to a mixture of fibres, binder and diluent for use in the method of the invention. The present invention has the objective of providing a composition that can be used to produce fabrics having an improved texture and which gives excellent results when sprayed as an aerosol using a propellant.
US08088313B2	Process for the manufacture of mouldings A measured amount of a material that is crosslinkable by impingement of a suitable form of energy, especially UV light, is introduced into a two-part mould of which the cavity determines the shape of a moulding to be produced. The two mould halves are held a small distance from one another so that a thin annular gap is formed between them, which gap is in communication with the mould cavity and through which gap excess material can escape. The crosslinking is triggered by impingement of the selected form of energy, the impingement being spatially restricted to the cavity by suitable masking so that material disposed outside the mould cavity is not crosslinked. In that manner mouldings are obtained that do not require subsequent mechanical processing, and the mould is reusable. The process is especially, but not, however, exclusively, suitable for the manufacture of contact lenses.
US08088311B2	Flame retarding composition with monomodal particle size distribution based on metal hydroxide and clay The invention relates to a flame retarding composition that comprises a mixture of a metal hydroxide component and a clay component, the mixture being present in the form of dried particles with monomodal particle size distribution.
US08088307B2	Metal paste for forming a conductive layer The present invention provides a metal paste for forming an electrically conductive layer comprising a metal solution in a reactive organic solvent having a heteroatom P, S, O, or N; metal powder; a binder; and a residual amount of a polar or non-polar viscosity modulating solvent.The metal paste composition according to the present invention has advantages in that it produces structures of layers denser than those conventional metal pastes do; shows characteristics of a much lower electric resistance even with a relatively small thickness or a small line width, as compared with the conductive pattern formed from a conventional paste; and allows heat treatment at a very low temperature even without the use of expensive nano-sized metal particles. The metal paste also provides a silver paste, which can be economically prepared and has high adaptability to various surfaces.
US08088306B2	Electroconductive thermoplastic resin composition and plastic article including the same Disclosed herein are an electrically conductive thermoplastic resin composition and a plastic article including the same. The electrically conductive thermoplastic resin composition comprises about 80 to about 99.9 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin, about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of carbon nanotubes, about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of an impact modifier, based on a total of about 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin and the carbon nanotubes, and about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of conductive metal oxide, based on a total of about 100 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin and the carbon nanotubes.
US08088302B2	Green phosphor of thiogallate, red phosphor of alkaline earth sulfide and white light emitting device thereof The present invention relates to a white light emitting device in which a thiogallate based phosphor capable of emitting green light and an alkaline earth metal sulfide based phosphor capable of emitting red light are arranged on an upper surface of a light emitting diode for emitting ultraviolet rays or blue light such that the mixing of the lights can result in white light with high brightness, and thus, excellent white light with high color purity and color reproducibility after color filtration.
US08088298B2	Spectra based endpointing for chemical mechanical polishing Methods and apparatus for spectrum-based endpointing. An endpointing method includes selecting two or more reference spectra. Each reference spectrum is a spectrum of white light reflected from a film of interest on a first substrate and has a thickness greater than a target thickness. The reference spectra is selected for particular spectra-based endpoint determination logic so that the target thickness is achieved when endpoint is called by applying the particular spectra-based endpoint logic. The method includes obtaining two or more current spectra. Each current spectrum is a spectrum of white light reflected from a film of interest on a second substrate when the film of interest is being subjected to a polishing step and has a current thickness that is greater than the target thickness. The method includes determining, for the second substrate, when an endpoint of the polishing step has been achieved.
US08088297B2	Combined etching and doping media for silicon dioxide layers and underlying silicon The present invention relates firstly to HF/fluoride-free etching and doping media which are suitable both for the etching of silicon dioxide layers and also for the doping of underlying silicon layers. The present invention also relates secondly to a process in which these media are employed.
US08088295B2	Diamond-like carbon (DLC) hardmask and methods of fabrication using same A method according to one embodiment comprises forming a thin film layer; forming a hardmask layer above the thin film layer, the hardmask layer comprising laminated layers of diamond-like carbon; removing a portion of the hardmask layer; and removing a portion of the thin film layer that is unprotected by the hardmask layer. A method according to another embodiment comprises forming a thin film layer; forming a patterned hardmask layer above the thin film layer, the hardmask layer comprising laminated layers of diamond-like carbon; and implanting a material into a portion of the thin film layer that is unprotected by the patterned hardmask layer. Additional methods are disclosed.
US08088294B2	Method for manufacturing printed circuit boards An exemplary method for manufacturing printed circuit boards is provided. In the method, a copper clad substrate having a copper layer thereon is provided. A surface of the copper layer is roughened by applying an atmospheric pressure plasma thereto. A photoresist layer is formed on the roughened surface of the copper layer. The photoresist layer is exposed. The photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, thereby exposing portions of the copper layer. The exposed portions of the copper layer exposed are removed so that the remaining portions of the copper layer form electrical traces. The patterned photoresist layer is removed.
US08088292B2	Method of separating at least two fluids with an apparatus The invention relates to a gas liquid contactor and effluent cleaning system and method and more particularly to an array of nozzles configured to produce uniformly spaced flat liquid jets with reduced linear stability. An embodiment of the invention is directed towards a stability unit used with nozzles of a gas liquid contactor and/or an enhancer for stable jet formation, and more particularly to reducing the stability of liquid jets formed from nozzles of the gas liquid contactor. Another aspect of the invention relates to operating the apparatus at a condition that reduces the stability of liquid jets, e.g., a droplet generator apparatus. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to operation of the apparatus with an aqueous slurry. Still another aspect of the invention is directed towards to an apparatus for substantially separating at least two fluids.
US08088288B2	Dewatering process A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension comprising treating the suspension with a dewatering amount of a reverse phase polymer, and subjecting the suspension to a mechanical dewatering to form a cake,characterized in that the reverse phase polymer only partially inverts to bring about flocculation and thickening of the suspension, and then fully inverts during the further dewatering to form a cake.
US08088282B2	Sieving media from planar arrays of nanoscale grooves, method of making and method of using the same Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for separating molecules on the basis of size and or structure, and to a method of making the apparatus. Generally, the separation method includes passing a fluid comprising particles having different effective molecular diameters through a plurality of open, nanoscale channels disposed in surfaces of substrates. The method also includes obtaining a plurality of fractions of the passed fluid such that each of the fractions includes a major portion containing particles having similar size and shape and substantially free of particles having larger size and shape. The apparatus includes first and second substrates each of which has a surface containing a plurality of open, nanoscale channels disposed therein. The surfaces are bonded together such that each of the channels of the first substrate is in fluid communication with at least two of the channels of the second substrate and is misaligned relative to the channels of the second substrate. Interferometric lithography and anodic bonding or flip-chip bonding techniques can be used to make the apparatus.
US08088279B2	Runoff water filtration apparatus A runoff water filter is defined by an elongate, tubular mesh container filled with a filter medium that is selected for the ability of the filter medium to remove target pollutants from the runoff water. In a first disclosed embodiment, vermiculite is used as the primary filter medium for its ability to bind cationic compounds, principally zinc, from water running off metal buildings. Other filter media may also be employed to remove other target pollutants.
US08088278B2	Wastewater filtering medium A secondary wastewater treatment filtering bed medium, which includes a hollow tubular plastic body and a plurality of elongated ribs affixed to an outer surface of the body aligned with an axis of the body.
US08088277B2	Methods and system for removing impurities from heavy fuel A method of removing impurities from heavy fuel includes providing a first stationary adsorption column. The method further includes packing adsorbent particles that have a particle size distribution wherein at least about 50% of the particles have a diameter greater than about 18 microns in the first column. The method further includes diluting heavy fuel with a solvent to form a solvent-fuel mixture, and supplying the solvent-fuel mixture through the first column to facilitate removing impurities from the mixture.
US08088276B2	Oil re-refining system and method A lubricating oil re-refining system and process provide a highly efficient and environmentally sound alternative for reclaiming and reusing spent oils. The re-refining process advantageously removes the additives, water, wear metals and other contaminants from the used lubricating oil, while at the same time, returns the base oil fraction that once again can be blended with additives and can be restored to its original high quality specifications for reuse without causing secondary pollution.
US08088275B2	Reconditioning process for used hydrocarbon based stimulation fluid A process treats a fluid stream of used fracturing fluid containing contaminants and forms a reconditioned fluid stream. Contaminants are removed by the combination of distillation, electrostatic agglomeration, decanting, and filtration or by distillation and optional filtering. Optionally, in each case, the filtered fluid stream is treated in a clay tower to remove residual contaminants.
US08088273B2	Equipment and process for upgrading oil Equipment and a process for upgrading oil are provided to produce a refined oil lighter than a material oil by cracking the heavier material oil with the addition of hydrogen under relatively relaxed production conditions. An equipment for upgrading oil according to one aspect of the invention includes an emulsion making portion (10), a refinery tank portion (20), and a heating portion (30), and configured to make an emulsion (E) by emulsifying ionized alkaline water (A) in a material oil (O1) in the emulsion making portion (10), and to drop droplets (D) of the emulsion (E) onto the surface (S) of a heat medium (O2) in the refinery tank portion (20) heated by the heating portion (30).
US08088271B2	Method of measuring hematocrit (Hct), sensor used in the method, and measuring device The present invention provides a method of electrochemically measuring a hematocrit (Hct) value using a sensor, capable of achieving excellent measurement accuracy and reliability and also provides a sensor used in the method. The method of electrochemically measuring a hematocrit (Hct) value of blood include: providing an electrode system having a working electrode (11) and a counter electrode (12), in which a redox substance is provided on the counter electrode (12) but not on the working electrode (11); supplying blood to the electrode system; applying a voltage to the electrode system in this state to cause an oxidation current or a reduction current to flow between the working electrode (11) and the counter electrode (12); detecting the oxidation current or the reduction current; and determining a Hct value based on a value of the detected current.
US08088269B1	System and method for measuring alumina qualities and communicating the same System and method for measuring alumina qualities and communicating the same are disclosed. In one example, a system includes an aluminum electrolysis cell, a feeder configured to supply a feed stock using a feed stream to the aluminum electrolysis cell, and a measurement device in communication with the feed stream, the measurement device adaptable to receive, release, and determine at least one attribute associated with the feed stock.
US08088266B2	Electrodialysis method for purifying of silicate-containing potassium hydroxide etching solution An electrodialysis method for the treatment of silicate-containing potassium hydroxide etching waste solution is provided. The method comprises: providing a reaction tank including a cathode, an anode, and two cation dialysis membranes, wherein the reaction tank is divided by the cation dialysis membranes into a cathode chamber, an anode chamber and a waste solution disposing chamber located therebetween; filling a sulfuric acid solution into the anode chamber; filling a potassium hydroxide solution into the cathode chamber; introducing a silicate-containing potassium hydroxide etching waste solution into the waste solution disposing chamber; and applying a voltage and a current density to each of the chambers to render potassium ions to transport from the waste solution chamber through the cation dialysis membrane to the cathode chamber.
US08088265B2	Cell separation A process for separating a cell type from a mixture of cell types by electrophoresis comprising providing a sample containing a mixture of cell types to a sample chamber of membrane-based electrophoresis apparatus adapted to separate cells and applying an electric potential causing at least one cell type in the sample to be separated from other cells in the sample.
US08088263B1	Phased magnetic cathode The present invention is a device for controlling sputter coating deposition to at least one surface of at least one substrate. The device includes a magnetic structure having a plurality of electrically isolated and magnetically coupled magnetic pole piece structures. A plurality of magnetic concentric rings is mounted behind at least one target surface. A central upright common magnetic core connects the plurality of magnetic pole piece structures. A plurality of upright pole pieces arranged parallel to each other is attached to each of the magnetic pole piece structures and arranged at midpoints of the plurality of magnetic concentric rings. The magnetic structure includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils wound over the plurality of magnetic pole piece structures arranged to form sets of coils. The sets of coils can be energized in forward or reverse mode thereby impacting the target at a greater angle resulting in higher angle particle ejection.
US08088259B2	Display device and sputtering target for producing the same A display device in which an Al alloy film and a conductive oxide film are directly connected without interposition of refractory metal and some or all of Al alloy components deposit or are concentrated at the interface of contact between the Al alloy film and the conductive oxide film. The Al alloy film contains 0.1 to 6 at % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Ag, Zn, Cu and Ge, and further contains 1) 0.1 to 2 at % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Cr, Mn, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, La, Ce, Pr, Gd, Tb, Sm, Eu, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Dy or 2) 0.1 to 1 at % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, as the alloy components.
US08088258B2	Method for purifying and separating a krypton-xenon mixture by rectification and a device for carrying out said method The invention relates to cryogenic engineering, in particular to purifying krypton-xenon mixture and is usable in the chemical and oil-and-gas industries. The inventive method comprises purifying and separating the mixture in rectification columns, wherein coolant is removed and returned to a cooling cycle, additionally removing radionuclides from krypton and xenon fractions and from krypton and xenon production flows by means of filtration and/or adsorption and/or rectification and/or absorption and/or chemical and/or physicochemical methods in apparatuses for additional removing radionuclides. Balloons for reception of the separated products are certified with respect to radionuclides content and/or activity prior to and after the filling thereof. An installation for carrying out the method is also disclosed, allowing to additionally remove radionuclides from the separated products in such a way that the products can be used, for example, for medical purposes and to increase the cost efficiency of purification and separation processes.
US08088255B2	Sheet stabilizer with dual inline machine direction air clamps and backsteps An air stabilization system employing two substantially parallel, codirectional Coanda nozzles, that are positioned adjacent a flexible moving web, with each nozzle exhausting gas at the same downstream machine direction, subjects the moving web to shear forces effective to stabilize the web. Each nozzle includes an elongated slot that is substantially perpendicular to the path of the moving web and a backstep located downstream of the direction of airflow extending from the Coanda slot. The two Coanda nozzles serve as separate points along the machine direction for controlling the height of the moving web. By modulating the velocities or other parameters of gases exiting the Coanda nozzles, the shape of the moving web between the nozzles can be manipulated to present a planar contour for measurements. The air stabilization system can be incorporated into a scanner head to measure the caliper of paper, plastic, and other flexible web products.
US08088253B2	Digester screen for a continuous cellulose pulp digester The digester screen is for a continuous digester in which cooked cellulose pulp is produced. The digester screen has a number of screen bars arranged vertically in the continuous digester that have withdrawal slots (S) between the fixed screen bars through which withdrawal slots cooking fluid can be withdrawn from the column of pulp (P) of the digester. By having every second screen bar fixedly arranged and recessed a distance (D) relative to the neighboring screen bar an increased withdrawal capacity for the screen is obtained.
US08088252B2	Salt-sensitive cationic polymeric binders for nonwoven webs and method of making the same A solution with a salt-sensitive polymer binder for use in fibrous webs, where the binder contains a copolymer comprising repeat units derived from butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and amino functionalized alkyl acrylate or methacrylate or amino functionalized alkyl acrylamide or methacrylamide optionally including monomers such as vinyl acetate and/or vinyl acetate/ethylene. The binder solution is prepared by emulsion-polymerizing a copolymer and then neutralizing the copolymer with acid to make it water soluble. The binders are particularly suitable for strengthening nonwoven fibrous webs in disposable articles such as wet-wipes, personal care products, diapers, and the like and retain their salt-sensitivity with or without divalent metal scavengers.
US08088251B2	Process for improving paper strength The present invention provides a process for preparing a paper or paper board of improved strength which comprises the steps of i) providing a cellulosic thick stock, ii) diluting the thick stock of step i) to form a thin stock, iii) draining the thin stock of step ii) on a wire to form a web, and iv) drying the web of step iii) to form paper or paper board, wherein the cellulosic thick stock of step (i) comprises organic polymeric microparticles, as well as paper obtainable by above process.
US08088250B2	Method of increasing filler content in papermaking The invention provides a method of producing paper with a higher proportion of mineral filler particles than is otherwise be possible without the expected loss in paper strength. The method allows for the use of the greater amount of filler particles by coating at least some of the filler particles with a material that prevents the filler materials form adhering to a strength additive. The strength additive holds the cellulose fibers together tightly and is not wasted on the filler particles. The method is particularly effective when the filler particles are a PCC-GCC blend and when the GCC particles are coated with the adherence preventing coating.
US08088249B2	Method for the continuous steam pre-treatment of chips during the production of cellulose pulp The arrangement and method are for the steam pre-treatment of chips during the production of cellulose pulp to avoid the blow-through of gases in the steam pre-treatment vessel. This prevents foul-smelling gases from being released into the atmosphere. Spreader nozzles for the injection of cooling fluid are arranged in the gas phase of the steam pre-treatment vessel. In the event of the risk for blow-through of steam, cooling that is proportional to the risk is activated. It is possible to avoid the emission of gases from the chip bin when interruptions in the process occur, whereby the release of odors into the surroundings can be minimized.
US08088248B2	Gas switching section including valves having different flow coefficients for gas distribution system A gas switching system for a gas distribution system for supplying different gas compositions to a chamber, such as a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, is provided. The chamber can include multiple zones, and the gas switching section can supply different gases to the multiple zones. The switching section can switch the flows of one or more gases, such that one gas can be supplied to the chamber while another gas can be supplied to a by-pass line, and then switch the gas flows.
US08088246B2	Process for improving the adhesion of polymeric materials to metal surfaces An adhesion promoting composition and a process for treating metal surfaces with the adhesion promoting composition is described. The adhesion promoting composition comprises an oxidizer, an acid, a corrosion inhibitor, a source of halide ions and a material selected from a mercapto propane sulfonate, mercapto propane sulfonic acid, and bis-sodium sulfopropyl disulfide. The adhesion promoting composition increases the adhesion of polymeric materials to the metal surfaces and also provides increased acid resistance.
US08088236B2	Apparatus and method for producing a large-area fibre-composite structural component The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for producing a large-area fibre-composite structural component, in particular for the aircraft sector, comprising a predetermined shaping element, a controllable laying device for the defined laying of at least one fibrous sheet over or into the predetermined shaping element, a controllable turning device for a defined turning of the predetermined shaping element and of the laying device in relation to each other by a predetermined turning angle, and a central control device, which is connected to the laying device and the turning device for controlling of the same.
US08088234B2	AA2000-series aluminum alloy products and a method of manufacturing thereof An AA2000-series alloy including 2 to 5.5% Cu, 0.5 to 2% Mg, at most 1% Mn, Fe <0.25%, Si >0.10 to 0.35%, and a method of manufacturing these aluminum alloy products. More particularly, disclosed are aluminum wrought products in relatively thick gauges, i.e. about 30 to 300 mm thick. While typically practiced on rolled plate product forms, this method may also find use with manufacturing extrusions or forged product shapes. Representative structural component parts made from the alloy product include integral spar members, and the like, which are machined from thick wrought sections, including rolled plate.
US08088233B2	Method of characterizing phase transformations in shape memory materials A method of characterizing phase transformations of a shape memory material specimen entails recording data from the specimen during heating and cooling. The temperature of the specimen is changed in a first direction to a first temperature sufficient to define a first inflection and a second inflection in the data being recorded. The temperature of the specimen is changed in a second direction to a second temperature sufficient to define a third inflection in the data. The third inflection is formed by overlapping primary and secondary sub-inflections. The temperature of the specimen is changed in the first direction to a third temperature sufficient to define the first inflection but not sufficient to define the second inflection. The temperature of the specimen is then changed in the second direction to a fourth temperature sufficient to define the secondary sub-inflection in the data being recorded.
US08088232B2	Molybdenum tubular sputtering targets with uniform grain size and texture Molybdenum, sputtering targets and sintering characterized as having no or minimal texture banding or through thickness gradient. The molybdenum sputtering targets having a fine, uniform grain size as well as uniform texture, are high purity and can be micro-alloyed to improved performance. The sputtering targets can be round discs, square, rectangular or tubular and can be sputtered to form thin films on substrates. By using a segment-forming method, the size of the sputtering target can be up to 6 m×5.5 m. The thin films can be used in electronic components such as Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Displays, Plasma Display Panels, Organic Light Emitting Diodes, Inorganic Light Emitting Diode Displays, Field Emitting Displays, solar cells, sensors, semiconductor devices, and gate device for CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) with tunable work functions.
US08088231B2	Method for producing a titanium-base alloy having an oxide dispersion therein A metallic article is prepared by first furnishing at least one nonmetallic precursor compound, wherein all of the nonmetallic precursor compounds collectively containing the constituent elements of the metallic article in their respective constituent-element proportions. The constituent elements together form a titanium-base alloy having a stable-oxide-forming additive element therein, such as magnesium, calcium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium, and mixtures thereof. The stable-oxide-forming additive element forms a stable oxide in a titanium-based alloy. At least one additive element is present at a level greater than its room-temperature solid solubility limit in the titanium-base alloy. The precursor compounds are chemically reduced to produce an alloy material, without melting the alloy material. The alloy material may be consolidated. The alloy material, or consolidated metallic article, is thereafter desirably exposed to an oxygen-containing environment at a temperature greater than room temperature.
US08088230B2	Rolling apparatus A rolling apparatus including an external member having a raceway surface on an inner peripheral surface thereof, an internal member having a raceway surface on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a plurality of rolling elements which are rotatably provided between the raceway surface of the external member and the raceway surface of the internal member. A surface of at least one of the internal member, the external member, and the rolling elements is subjected to carbonitriding or nitriding; an area percentage of a nitride containing Si and Mn is 1% or more and 20% or less; surface hardness is HV750 or more. When depth from the raceway surface or depth from a rolling surface of the rolling element is defined as Z and diameter of the rolling element is defined as d, hardness at Z=0.045 d is HV650 to 850, and hardness at Z=0.18 d is HV400 to 800.
US08088217B2	Cement-based fire door core The present invention describes an improved building material composition, useful for example as a fire door core. The building material of the present invention is prepared by compressing an aqueous mixture of expanded perlite and a fast setting, cementitious composition consisting essentially of a hydraulic cement, preferably Portland cement, and a pozzolan additive selected from the group consisting of metakaolin, VCAS and mixtures thereof, and preferably also includes an organic binder and a fibrous reinforcement.
US08088216B2	Water-borne complete inorganic alkali metal silicate composition and its aqueous solution, and water-borne coat agent, its aqueous solution, complete inorganic colored coating material and binder for high temperature and heat resistance coating material of the same composition, as well as method of using water-borne complete inorganic alkali metal silicate compound The invention provides a water-borne complete inorganic alkali silicate composition capable of solving the problem of gelation occurred in a preservation solution without using anionic organic substances, expanding the range of application dramatically, additionally solving the problem of efflorescence after coating, which is the biggest problem when the molar ratio is low, and furthermore curing at normal temperature without baking, enabling long-lasting effects.The water-borne complete inorganic alkali silicate composition is comprised of a mixture of an alkali metal silicate including a simple or a mixture of potassium silicate or sodium silicate, a colloidal silica, and a simple or a mixture of a sodium phosphate compound or a potassium phosphate compound.
US08088215B2	Diffusion reaction method and diffusion reaction device A diffusion reaction method includes: joining a plurality of reaction liquids relating to a reaction to form a multilayer flow; sandwiching from both sides of the multilayer flow in the depthwise direction using sandwiching liquid so that the multilayer flow is contracted and thinned; and flowing the multilayer flow through a reaction channel to cause a diffusive mixing between laminar flows so as to cause the reaction. The method enables to allow reacting diffusive mixing a plurality of reaction liquids instantly in a reaction channel, is suitable for any kinds of reaction product. Further, for example, when forming fine particles in a diffusion reaction, the method can prevent logging of the reaction channel by the fine particles and an adhesion of the fine particles to the wall of the reaction channel.
US08088211B2	Aluminum pigment, process for production thereof and resin composition An aluminum pigment having aluminum particles, a molybdenum coat comprising a molybdenum oxide and/or a molybdenum hydrate covering the surface of each aluminum particle and a silica coat comprising amorphous silica and/or a coat prepared from a silane coupling agent further covering this molybdenum coat is provided as an aluminum pigment having excellent dispersibility and stability, neither generating hydrogen gas nor agglomerating during storage and providing excellent designability for the appearance of a film. With respect to 100 parts by mass of aluminum, the content of molybdenum is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, and the content of silicon is preferably in the range of 1 to 20 parts by mass.
US08088208B2	Highly insulating and fireproof coating materials for casting moulds The present invention relates to wash compositions which comprise a solvent component and a solids component wherein the solvent component comprises as main component water or one or more alcohols, and the solids component comprises as main component a mixture of metakaolinite and pyrophyllite, which can be applied onto casting molds, casting molds comprising these wash compositions and the use thereof, in particular in centrifugal casting processes and large-scale casting processes.
US08088202B2	Heat exchange tower airflow apparatus and method A heat exchange tower has an external structure including opposed sidewalls, a front barrier wall, an inlet opening below the front wall, and a rear barrier wall having an outlet at a generally upper region. A fill material generally spans the inside within the four walls, and is generally disposed above the top of the inlet and below the bottom of the outlet. A baffle protrudes inwardly from the rear barrier wall inside the tower and is located at a height above the top of the fill and below the bottom of the air outlet. A primary drift eliminator structure spans generally across the tower, and is located at the height of the baffle, so they connect to each other. A supplemental drift eliminator is provided above the primary drift eliminator, adjacent an inward edge of the baffle. At least one air turning vane angled in a generally vertical direction is provided below the fill media. An air inlet guide projects outwardly from the front wall above the inlet.
US08088201B2	Method and device for safe storage and use of volatile ammonia storage materials There is described a method and apparatus (100, 100′) for storing and delivering ammonia wherein at least two ammonia storage materials (1a, 2a) capable of reversibly adsorbing or absorbing ammonia having different ammonia vapor pressures are used. Ammonia storage material (2a) having a lower vapor pressure, which is only partially saturated with ammonia or void of ammonia, is brought into fluid communication with ammonia storage material (1a) having a higher ammonia vapor pressure to adsorb or absorb ammonia released from the ammonia storage material (1a) having a higher ammonia vapor pressure when the latter is higher than a pressure threshold. An automotive NOx treatment system (200) comprising such apparatus (100, 100′) is also described.
US08088198B2	Wet electrostatic precipitator A wet electrostatic precipitator (1) includes an inlet (2) for receiving a gas (4) containing a pollutant, and an outlet (6) for discharging therefrom the gas (8) from which said pollutant has been at least partially removed. Nozzles (24) are operative for purposes of spraying liquid onto at least one first vertical collecting surface (30) of at least one collecting electrode (18). A liquid distributor (42) is provided for purposes of pouring liquid onto at least one second vertical collecting surface (44), said at least one second vertical collecting surface (44) being located on a further collecting electrode (36), with said further collecting electrode (36) being located downstream of said at least one collecting electrode (18). The nozzles (24) are located upstream of the liquid distributor (42), as viewed with reference to the direction of flow of the gas. In a method of cleaning the collecting electrodes (18, 36) an upstream electrode (18) is sprayed with liquid while liquid is poured onto a downstream collecting electrode (36).
US08088195B2	Method for manufacturing titanium oxide-containing slag The present invention provides a method for efficiently manufacturing a titanium oxide-containing slag from a material including titanium oxide and iron oxide, wherein a reduction of titanium dioxide is suppressed and the electric power consumption is minimized. The method includes the steps of: heating a raw material mixture including titanium oxide, iron oxide, and a carbonaceous reductant, or the raw material mixture further including a calcium oxide source, in a reducing furnace; reducing the iron oxide in the mixture to form reduced iron; feeding the resultant mixture to a heating melting furnace; heating the resultant mixture in the heating melting furnace to melt the reduced iron and separate the reduced iron from a titanium oxide-containing slag; and discharging and recovering the titanium oxide-containing slag out of the furnace.
US08088194B2	Method for producing hot briquette iron using high-temperature reduced iron and method and apparatus for controlling temperature of reduced iron for hot forming Provided is a method for producing hot briquette iron by hot-forming high-temperature reduced iron reduced in a reducing furnace, involving cooling the high-temperature reduced iron and controlling the temperature of the reduced iron to an appropriate hot-forming temperature of over 600° C. and 750° C. or less, producing hot briquette iron by hot-forming the high-temperature reduced iron at an appropriate hot-forming temperature with a briquetting machine.
US08088193B2	Method for making nanoparticles A method for making nanoparticles includes the steps of dipping a metal element in a solution that contains metallic ions or ions with a metal, wherein the metal element has a lower electronegativity or redox potential than that of the metal in the ions, and rubbing the metal element to make nanoparticles. Another method for making nanoparticles includes the steps of dipping a metal element in a solution that contains metallic ions or ions with a metal, wherein the metal element has a lower electronegativity or redox potential than that of the metal in the ions, and applying sonic energy to at least one of the metal element and solution. A further method for making copper nanoparticles includes the step of adding ascorbic acid to a copper salt solution.
US08088192B2	Recovery of residues containing copper and other valuable metals A process for recovering non-ferrous metals, in particular copper, nickel and cobalt, from metallurgical residues containing these non-ferrous metals at an oxidation state of greater than or equal to zero, in an alternating current type plasma arc electric furnace comprising a plurality of electrodes, containing a liquid copper heel covered by a fluid slag comprising at least one fusion-reduction phase, comprising charging of metallurgical residues comprising the non-ferrous metals onto the heel contained in the plasma arc electric furnace, fusion of the metallurgical residues in the fluid slag or at the slag-metal bath interface, reduction of at least the non-ferrous metals to oxidation state zero, and intense stirring of the copper heel by injection of inert gas, preferably nitrogen and/or argon, so as to avoid crust formation and to accelerate the reduction reaction and to cause the copper-miscible non-ferrous metals to pass into the copper heel.
US08088191B1	Potassium polyphosphite composition for agricultural use and associated methods A bactericidal and fungicidal composition having fertilizer properties, the composition containing a high percentage of potassium polyphosphite is disclosed. The composition is useful as a fungicide, bactericide, and as a fertilizer for application to plants and, particularly, commercial crops. A method of making the polyphosphite composition is described, as well as methods of using same.
US08088186B2	Equipment for the atomisation of a liquid stream by means of a dispersing gaseous stream and for mixing the atomised product with a further suitable gaseous stream in equipment for effecting catalytic partial oxidations and relative catalytic partial oxidation process Equipment for the atomization of a liquid stream by means of a dispersing gaseous stream and for mixing the atomised product with a further suitable gaseous stream, characterized in that it comprises: a feeding zone (A) equipped with means suitable for feeding the liquid stream, the gaseous dispersing stream and further gaseous stream; one or more two-stage atomization zones (N) of the liquid stream by means of the gaseous dispersing stream; a distribution zone (D) of the further gaseous stream.
US08088182B2	Azo dyes, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof The present invention relates to dyes of formula wherein D, R1, R2, R3, R4 and n are defined as in the claims, to the process for the preparation thereof and to the use thereof in dyeing or printing semi-synthetic and especially synthetic hydrophobic textile materials, more especially textile materials.
US08088180B2	Lens dyeing method and apparatus for producing dyeing base body for dyeing lens A lens dyeing method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a print area to be formed on a dyeing base body based on information entered to dye a predetermined area of a surface of a lens to be dyed with desired hue and almost uniform color density so that the print area has a diameter larger than that of the lens surface area and the color density of the print area concentrically changes from a central portion to a peripheral portion in a stepwise or linear manner; (b) applying a dyeing ink containing a sublimable dye onto the base body to form the determined print area on one surface of the base body; and (c) placing the base body and the lens so that the print area formed surface and the lens surface area to be dyed face each other in noncontact relation under substantially a vacuum condition, and heating the base body to deposit the dye onto the lens.
US08088176B2	Methods and kits for permanently coloring hair using a developer composition containing an oxidizer composition and a shampoo Disclosed are methods, kits and compositions for coloring the hair involving a color base composition having: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least 5% by weight water based on the weight of the color base composition, wherein the color base composition has a pH ranging from 2 to 12; and a developer composition made from a combination of an anhydrous oxidizer composition containing at least one oxidizing agent chosen from persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, their salts, and mixtures thereof, and a shampoo composition containing a carrier vehicle and at least 4% of at least one surfactant.
US08088174B2	Method for wash-protecting the color of artificially dyed keratin fibers Disclosed herein is a method for wash-protecting the color of artificially dyed keratin fibers comprising applying to the artificially dyed keratin fibers at least one drying oil or at least one composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one drying oil.
US08088167B2	Femoral prosthetic implant Methods and apparatus for knee arthroplasty, including implants, positioning and alignment guides, cutting guides, cutting tools and techniques for the femur and/or tibia.
US08088165B2	Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method and deformable spinal disc annulus stent A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.
US08088155B1	Prosthetic repair of body passages A prosthesis that resiliently engages a body passage includes an annular clamping ring which may be folded along a diametric axis for insertion into the body passage. The clamping ring is adapted to resiliently spring outwardly, once in position inside the body passage, and to be continually resiliently biased against the interior surface of the body passage. One or more of the clamping rings may be attached to opposed ends of a tubular graft. The rings and connected graft may be positioned in the body passage using a applicator which selectively permits expansion and/or in some embodiments contraction of the annular ring in position within a body passage. Alternatively a retaining member may be used to retain the annular ring in a compressed condition until it is in a desired position within a body passage. Among other potential uses, the present invention may be useful as a vascular stent for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms.
US08088154B2	Medical device delivery system with sheath separation Medical device delivery systems and associated methods are provided. Delivery systems according to the invention include an elongated tubular member and a body member, such as a dilator, disposed therein. An intraluminal medical device is disposed on the dilator and within the tubular member prior to deployment. The delivery system includes a means for separating two or more portions of the distal end of the tubular member that aids in deploying the intraluminal medical device from the delivery system by separating two or more portions of the tubular member from each other to facilitate release of the intraluminal medical device from the body member. Various structures can be used for means for separating, including a cutting ring, activateable material on the tubular member, or other suitable structure. The provided devices and methods reduce friction occuring from relative movement between the sheath and dilator during deployment.
US08088153B2	Medical equipment for coronary artery disease The present invention relates to a low cost treatment device for coronary artery disease. The treatment device for coronary artery disease comprises a photonic glove, a heart-board, and a machine for controlling the photonic glove and the heart-board, which are electrically connected. The photonic glove includes 4 holes for the 4 fingers next to the thumb to wear, three fixed belts of the photon generating device, and at least one magic stick for fixing the belts of the photon generating device. One end of each fixed belt in the photon generating device is fixed to the front side of the photonic glove. Three photonic generators are assembled on the front side of the photonic glove, and the magic sticks are positioned on the back of the photonic glove. The present invention is low cost, friendly to use, and can work easily at home compared to the traditional invention.
US08088151B2	Craniotomy closures and plugs Strip fasteners and cranial plugs for use in reattaching a skull flap removed during brain surgery and methods of using the same. The strip fasteners are flexible and can be shaped to follow the perimeter contour of the skull flap. The cranial plugs can be used to reattach the skull flap or they can be installed after the skull flap is reattached using the strip fasteners. In some embodiments, the cranial plug(s) and strip fasteners can be installed at the same time. The strip fasteners and cranial plugs are designed to encourage bone growth and healing of the skull flap and they can be used to deliver medication and bone growth enhancement compositions to the surgical site.
US08088147B2	Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus and implants using same are disclosed having an outermost membrane that is semi-compliant and limits the innermost membrane and any intermediate membranes that are highly compliant from bulging out of any opening in the annulus fibrosus. The outermost membrane may help protect the innermost membrane from trauma including any trauma before the innermost membrane is expanded through the injection of prosthetic nucleus material and trauma during the expansion of the innermost membrane in response to the injection of prosthetic nucleus material. Also disclosed is a coated membrane which combines the mechanical properties of the foundation layer with the low permeability to the passage of the flowable prosthetic material of the coating. This coated membrane is semi-compliant and prevents the prosthetic nucleus from bulging out of any openings in the annulus fibrosus. Use is made of injected prosthetic nucleus material that changes to a non-flowable state.
US08088145B2	Vascular wound closure device and method A method and apparatus for closing a vascular wound includes an apparatus that can be threaded over a guidewire into place at or adjacent the wound. The apparatus includes a chamber that encloses a hemostatic material therein. When the apparatus is positioned adjacent the wound as desired, the hemostatic material is deployed from the chamber. A blocking member distal of the hemostatic material functions as a barrier to prevent the hemostatic material from entering the wound. Blood contacts the hemostatic material, and blood clotting preferably is facilitated by a hemostatic agent within the material. Thus, the vascular puncture wound is sealed by blood clot formation.
US08088140B2	Blood flow restorative and embolus removal methods Methods for restoring blood flow in occluded blood vessels are disclosed. The methods can include accessing an artery with a catheter system and locating an occluded zone within the artery caused by an embolus. The catheter system can include a microcatheter and a blood flow restoration device or an embolus removal device having a self-expandable member configured to be delivered through the microcatheter in a compressed configuration and to be deployed to an expanded configuration upon retraction of the microcatheter. The methods can include deploying the self-expandable member at the location of the occluded zone such that the self-expandable member engages and captures the embolus upon deployment of the self-expandable member and removing the embolus by withdrawing the blood flow restoration device or the embolus removal device.
US08088137B2	Safety trocar with lancet feature A trocar assembly includes a trocar housing having a blunt distal end and a proximal end; a blade assembly having a sharp tip and being slideable within the trocar housing between and armed position wherein the sharp tip extends distally beyond the blunt distal end and a relaxed position wherein the sharp tip is withdrawn proximally relative to the armed position; and a trigger member positioned relative to the housing to contact tissue when tissue is cut with the blade assembly in the armed position, and slideable by contact with the tissue to a proximal position which exposes the sharp tip and actuates a lock release member, the trigger member having member having a spring member biasing the trigger member distally so that removal of contact with the tissue allows the spring to move the trigger member distally, and further wherein distal movement of the trigger member with the lock release member activated releases the blade assembly from the armed position and allows the blade assembly to move to the relaxed position.
US08088135B2	Endoscopic cutting instrument with axial and rotary motion Disclosed herein is an endoscopic surgical assembly having improved cutting efficiency. In particular, the present invention provides an endoscopic shaver assembly configured for automated axial as well as rotational motion so as to enhance tissue resection.
US08088131B2	Surgical suture passers and methods A surgical instrument for suturing soft tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument is capable of probing tissue, and preferably provides tactile feedback concerning the condition of the tissue. The instrument can then be used to pass and retrieve a suture without the need for an additional suture retrieval tool.
US08088129B2	Method and apparatus for magnetically controlling motion direction of mechanically pushed catheter The movement of a catheter through a medium, which may be living tissue such as a human brain, is controlled by mechanically pushing a flexible catheter having a magnetic tip through the medium and applying a magnetic field having a magnitude and a direction that guides the mechanically-pushed catheter tip stepwise along a desired path. The magnetic field is controlled in a Magnetic Stereotaxis System by a processor using an adaptation of a PID (proportional, integral, and derivative) feedback method. The magnetic fields are applied by superconducting coils, and the currents applied through the coils are selected to minimize a current metric.
US08088128B2	Implantable cross-pin for anterior cruciate ligament repair A novel cross-pin for use in ACL reconstructive surgical procedures. The cross-pin has an elongated body having a distal tapered end. A guide wire opening in the distal end is in communication with a tunnel contained in the distal end. There is a trough extending into the outer surface of the trough for receiving a guide wire. The trough is in communication with the tunnel.
US08088127B2	Systems, assemblies, and methods for treating a bronchial tree Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue.
US08088126B2	Method and apparatus for plasma incision of cardiovascular tissue An apparatus and method for performing surgery using plasma is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a radiofrequency signal generator, a conditioning network coupled to the radiofrequency signal generator, and a catheter coupled to the conditioning network, the catheter including at least one electrode, such that the conditioning network conditions radiofrequency energy produced by the radiofrequency signal generator to create plasma at the at least one electrode of the catheter.
US08088125B2	Cryoplasty device and method A cryoplasty catheter and method for preventing or slowing reclosure of a lesion following angioplasty. The cryoplasty catheter includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a dilatation balloon disposed at the distal end. An intake lumen and exhaust lumen are defined by the shaft to deliver coolant to the balloon and to exhaust or drain coolant from the balloon. The method in accordance with the present invention includes cooling a lesion to aid in remodeling the lesion through dilatation and/or freezing a portion of the lesion adjacent the dilatation balloon to kill cells within the lesion to prevent or retard restenosis.
US08088120B2	Method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion The present invention relates generally to the field of treatments for nasal congestion, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient by mechanically stimulating the sneezing reflex in the patient to urge drainage of the nasal passageways. The method includes inserting an instrument having a work tip portion provided with at least one filament into the nostril of the patient. The nasal mucosa of the patient is then probed with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex. This probing action causes the patient to sneeze. With the patient's mouth closed, the sneeze urges at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient. The instrument used in the performance of this method includes a handle portion upon which the work tip portion is carried. The handle portion may be integrally formed with the work tip portion or releasably attachable thereto. The instrument is further provided with a physical stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion to prevent injury resulting from the working tip portion being inserted too deeply into the nasal passages of the patient.
US08088117B2	Fill port for a flexible container for relieving or distributing stresses at the fill port Methods, systems, and apparatus for a fill port for a flexible container such as a flexible self supporting dewatering or marine structure. The container includes a flexible material having at least one opening and a fill port having an inner port body and an outer port body. At least one face of the inner and/or outer port body has a plurality of cellular surfaces with cavities that do not extend through the inner and/or outer port body on which they are positioned. The cavities receive a portion of the flexible material when the inner port body, the flexible material, and the outer port body are secured together and in use, thus minimizing stresses on the flexible material surrounding the fill port by equally distributing the forces acting on this material during the filling stage and thus reducing the risk of tears or failure to the flexible container.
US08088107B1	Hemodialysis needle and method for inserting the same A hemodialysis needle assembly and system that includes a first outer needle having a conical tip and a sidewall where the sidewall has a plurality of apertures located adjacent the tip, a second introducer needle located within the outer needle, a guide wire located within the introducer needle, and a spring motor removably secured to the outer needle. The introducer needle and the guide wire are inserted into a patient's vein and the spring motor releases the outer needle into the vein after the introducer needle and the guide wire are properly placed within the patient. The introducer needle, the guide wire, and the spring motor are removed from the patient after the outer needle is in place within the vein.
US08088106B2	System and method for pumping intravenous fluid An intravenous fluid pump (IV) contains a disposable part including a fluid chamber having a resilient top membrane and a non-disposable part including a piston abutting a resilient membrane and a vacuum chamber fitted on top of the resilient top membrane. An external pump is used to create vacuum in the vacuum chamber, resulting in the resilient top membrane being held taut. The flow rate through the pump is relatively independent of changes in the pressure of IV fluid on the upstream and the downstream due to changes in the relative elevation of the fluid reservoir and the patient with respect to the fluid pump.
US08088102B2	Dilation and stent delivery system for bifurcation lesions The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which tracks over two guidewires. One guidewire is disposed in each branch vessel of a bifurcation. The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which enables efficient and accurate stent deployment and dilatation of bifurcation lesions.
US08088099B2	Fluid dispenser Dispensing assemblies, methods, and kits of parts for dispensing two separate fluids to an treatment site, including entraining non-atomized flow of a first fluid in an atomized flow of a second fluid, delivering a first fluid upstream from a second fluid, delivering a first fluid and a second fluid with re-shapeable malleable tubes, delivering first and second fluids with releasable connectors maintained by a handle assembly, and kits of parts with angularly offset pockets.
US08088097B2	Use of an equilibrium intravascular sensor to achieve tight glycemic control A method for achieving tight glycemic control in a patient in need thereof is disclosed. The method comprises deploying an equilibrium glucose sensor within a blood vessel in the patient, coupling the sensor to a monitor that displays the blood glucose concentration, and administering a blood glucose regulator when the blood glucose concentration varies outside of the predetermined concentration range. The blood glucose regulator is administered in an amount sufficient to return the blood glucose concentration to within the predetermined concentration range, thereby achieving tight glycemic control.
US08088092B2	High pressure range hydrocephalus valve system A valve for use in a shunt system to drain fluid from one part of a patient's body to another is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the valve is operable at a threshold pressure that is selectively adjustable up to at least about 400 mm H2O at increments in the range of about 10 mm H2O to 40 mm H2O. The ability of the valve to operate at a high threshold pressure and to be adjusted at relatively small increments renders the valve particularly advantageous for use in younger hydrocephalus patients. In particular, the operating pressure of the valve can be gradually limited in small increments over a period of time to slowly force the patient's own resorption system to circulate cerebrospinal fluid. At high operating pressures of at least about 400 mm H2O shunt independence can be achieved thereby allowing the shunt to be successfully removed.
US08088089B2	Apparatus and methods for reducing shoulder dislocations The present invention is directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for reducing anterior shoulder dislocations in a patient. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a humeral cuff, an inflatable bladder, a source of pressurized gas in select fluid communication with the inflatable bladder, and at least one elongated belt attached to the humeral cuff. In another embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises the apparatus of the present invention and at least one weight configured to selectively couple to at least a portion of the at least one elongated belt. In a further embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise positioning the patient in a substantially prone position, providing the system of the present invention, selectively positioning the humeral cuff in an operative position, and attaching at least one weight to at least one elongated belt such that downward graviational force is applied to the patient's arm to effect the desired reduction.
US08088087B1	Dry hydro-therapy body massage apparatus with low profile enclosure panels An apparatus for hydro-therapy massage characterized by a low profile enclosure structure surrounding a user support surface at a nominal elevation thereabove. The apparatus comprises a housing structure having an outwardly facing opening, a user support surface covering the opening, and a fluid spray arrangement within the housing structure for imparting a massaging effect through the support surface to a user thereon. The housing structure has a horizontal perimeter flange extending about the opening and a clamp plate affixed in substantially parallel superposed facing relation to the perimeter flange for clamping a continuous edge margin of the user support surface. An enclosure panel has an essentially planar mounting flange affixed in substantially parallel superposed facing relation to the clamp plate and has a skirt portion extending from the mounting flange for enclosing the housing structure.
US08088086B1	Automated pet scratching device and associated method The invention as presently conceived discloses a motion-activated, mechanical apparatus that can be mounted onto a wall to provide the automatic scratching of a house pet, specifically a cat. The new and novel apparatus is configured with four independent mechanisms resembling human fingers, less the thumb, in both appearance and in movement. The fingers would be covered with a latex material to closely approximate the feel of real fingers. The mechanical apparatus would be mounted on a wall structure at an appropriate height to best facilitate the petting and scratching of the owner's particular pet. In operation, the artificial finger-like appendages would have a drive mechanism, electrical motor and be powered by a battery. A motion sensor, such as a close range infrared detector or similar device, would activate the fingers as the pet came into close proximity.
US08088084B2	Method and apparatus for repair of intervertebral discs A method of repairing an intervertebral disc of a patient's body includes identifying a target area of the intervertebral disc. An ultrasound generator is placed proximate the target area and outside the patient's body. An area temperature at the target area is monitored. Ultrasonic energy is generated with the ultrasound generator within a predetermined energy range. The ultrasonic energy is adjusted in response to the area temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature range. An apparatus for repairing an intervertebral disc of a patient's body is also provided.
US08088083B2	System for measurement of head position and measurement tool for such a system The present invention relates to the field of radiation therapy. In particular, the relates to a system for measuring the position of a head of a patient during neurological diagnosis, therapy or surgery, in particular during radiation therapy relatively a frame adapted to be fixated to a radiation therapy unit. The invention also relates to a head cap and a measurement tool for use in such a system, and to a method measuring the position of a head of a patient by means of a system mentioned above during neurological diagnosis, therapy or surgery, in particular during radiation therapy relatively a frame adapted to be fixated to a radiation therapy unit. The measurement tool is adapted to measure a distance between the head and the head cap via a through hole by means of an elongated element having an end being adapted to abut against the head during a measurement, wherein the measurement tool is adapted to obtain at least one measurement value indicating a position of the head in relation to the head cap substantially without operator interaction.
US08088076B2	Nervous system monitoring method A method for monitoring the response of a nervous system of a body to a stimulus. The method comprises collecting a set of voltage measurements between selected areas on a surface of the body while current is being passed between selected regions of the surface of the body. The set of voltage measurements is collected over a predetermined measurement period, the predetermined measurement period is initiated at a predetermined time after application of the stimulus, and the collected voltage measurements are compared with reference to determine normal or abnormal response of the nervous system.
US08088074B2	Cerebral vascular reactivity monitoring A monitoring device may include logic to receive arterial blood pressure data associated with a patient and receive tissue hemoglobin data associated with the patient. The logic may also calculate a linear correlation between the arterial blood pressure data and the tissue hemoglobin data. The correlation may be used to assess vascular reactivity.
US08088073B2	Device for the application of acoustic shock waves A device, in particular a therapy device, for the application of acoustic shock waves aimed at a region to be treated in a human or animal body and comprising a housing with a coupling surface for coupling the shock waves into the body to be treated, a shock wave generating device and a means suitable for focusing the shock waves, in which the shock wave generating device and the means suitable for focusing the shock waves are enclosed in a housing and designed such that they can be moved relative to the coupling surface.
US08088070B2	Hand-held ultrasound imaging device having removable transducer arrays A hand-held ultrasonic imaging device is provided with a removable transducer array. The imaging device has a housing, a display on the housing, and a transducer assembly including a transducer array detachably coupled to the housing. The imaging device may detect the type of transducer array that is coupled to the housing and select a corresponding functional mode for the transducer array. The transducer array may be coupled at different angles to the housing. The transducer array may be coupled to the housing by a pivotable swivel connector.
US08088063B2	Insertion assisting tool for endoscope An insertion assisting tool for an endoscope into which an insertion section of the endoscope is inserted from a base end portion side, comprising: a fluid sealing device which seals a space between a base end part of the insertion assisting tool and the endoscope insertion section, the space being formed while the insertion section of the endoscope is inserted into the base end portion side.
US08088057B2	Apparatus and methods to improve sleep, reduce pain and promote natural healing This is a new invention, which is safer, simpler to use, less invasive into a user's daily routine and provides a lower cost solution to existing pulsed magnetic field and related vibrational electromagnetic therapy devices to improve sleep, encourage natural healing and reduce pain. This is accomplished through Multiple Simultaneous Extremely Low Frequency (MSELF) energy waves. The MSELF energy waves are derived from a quartz crystal with a fundamental frequency less than one-half of one percent from a natural Fibonacci Sequence Number. The apparatus utilizes firmware operating in a microcontroller. emulating Circadian Rhythms. The microcontroller is also clocked by the Fibonacci Number Quartz Crystal. Additionally, the apparatus's unique application of an H-Bridge configuration power-driver with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) capabilities supports a novel approach to supply two simultaneous therapeutic frequencies.
US08088048B2	Swivel exerciser A swivel exerciser includes a base frame, left and right handlebars, a plate on the base frame, a curved rail around the plate and fixedly secured onto the base frame, left and right stop members at both ends of the rail, pivotal left and right arms, left and right pedals on ends of the left and right arms respectively and being slidable on the rail, left and right projecting plates each at one side of the left or right arm and having a through hole, and an inverted U-shaped member. In a first exercise mode, the inverted U-shaped member has both ends inserted into the through holes of the pedals for interconnection so that both the left and right pedals may swing clockwise or counterclockwise. In a second exercise mode and after removing the inverted U-shaped member, either pedal may swing clockwise or counterclockwise independently.
US08088047B2	Exercise device and method of jump rope exercise using two separate ropes A jump rope exercise device is provided having a first elongated member and a second elongated member with each member having a free distal end, and a proximal end rotatably attached to a specially designed handle which can be gripped between the fingers of the user during the exercise period. During the exercise each handle is gripped by the user; one by the left hand and the other by the right hand, and the elongated members are maneuvered in clockwise, counterclockwise or crisscrossing direction.
US08088046B2	Adjustable exercise device and a device for adjusting an exercise device An adjustable exercise device that includes one or more inclined riser blocks for readily elevating and inclining a platform to enable stepping and other exercises to be readily performed on an inclined platform. The inclined riser blocks may be matingly engageable with the bottom of the platform to elevate and incline the platform. The inclined riser block may include a top face matingly engageable with the bottom of the platform, a bottom face, and a central portion extending between the bottom and top faces and having a front and rear, the central portion increasing in thickness from the front to the rear. The top face extends at an incline.
US08088044B2	Interactive athletic equipment system Systems and techniques for the collection and display of athletic information. Athletic data relating to a single person or group of people is collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed at a desired remote location so that the person or people can review and critique their performance. In addition, athletic data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others.
US08088043B2	Wearable device assembly having athletic functionality A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to the carrier. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality.
US08088039B2	Hydraulic control apparatus for vehicle automatic transmission In a hydraulic control apparatus for a vehicle automatic transmission, a check valve is provided parallel to a first oil passageway switching valve and a third oil passageway switching valve between an output port of a linear solenoid valve and a brake, and the check valve permits pressure oil to flow from the brake to the output port side, and blocks the flow thereof in the opposite direction. Therefore, the pressure oil from the brake when the brake is released is supplied to the output port via the check valve, not via the first or third oil passageway switching valve. Therefore, when the brake is released, the engaging pressure of the brake can be controlled by the linear solenoid valve, and the positions of the first and third oil passageway switching valves are not restricted.
US08088028B2	Tracking system for use with an arrow A tracking system for use with an arrow having a shaft and arrowhead includes a housing having first and second separable portions that define an interior area. A transmitter is operatively coupled to one of the portions and positioned in the interior area when coupled together. A first anchor is configured to be coupled to the shaft and the housing first end. A second anchor is configured to be coupled to the arrowhead and the housing second end. A fastener selectively couples the first and second portions together. A switch activates automatically when the fastener is moved to couple the first and second portions together and causes the transmitter to activate. The system includes a tracking unit having a receiver, display, processor, and programming to indicate a location of the transmitter based on signal received by the receiver from the transmitter. Data received from the transmitter may include an identifier.
US08088024B2	Golf club head A hollow golf club bead includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
US08088023B2	Iron golf club head An iron golf club head includes: a block that is made by a magnesium alloy; and a metal head main body, wherein the block is embedded into the metal head main body.
US08088021B2	High volume aerodynamic golf club head having a post apex attachment promoting region A high volume aerodynamic golf club head having a post apex attachment promoting region with a club head volume of at least 400 cc and a front-to-back dimension of at least 4.4 inches producing a face-on normalized aerodynamic drag force of less than 1.5 lbf when exposed to a 100 mph wind parallel to the ground plane and oriented at the front of the club head. The post apex attachment promoting region is on the surface of the crown section at an elevation above a maximum face height and begins at the crown apex and extends toward the back of the club head. The post apex attachment promoting region is a relatively flat portion of the crown section that is behind the crown apex, yet above the maximum top edge plane, and aides in keeping airflow attached to the club head once it flows past the crown apex.
US08088017B2	System and method for analyzing bowling ball motion A system and method for graphically and statistically analyzing and predicting the motion of a bowling ball. In one embodiment, the system includes an automatic precision ball thrower, a computer aided tracking system (“C.A.T.S.”), and a computing device. Certain static properties of the bowling ball are recorded as independent variables. The automatic precision ball thrower is used to throw the bowling ball down the lane a number of times and the C.A.T.S. records various dynamic characteristics of its path. This data is received by the computing device which uses it to calculate a plurality of dependent variables associated with the path of the bowling ball. The computing device relates the independent variables to the dependent variables using multivariable regression analysis, yielding a set of equations which can be used to predict the dependent variables (or dynamic characteristics) of a second bowling ball given a set of independent variables (or static characteristics of the second bowling ball).
US08088016B2	Half-pipe water ride Embodiments of the invention provide a half-pipe water ride for use by a rider. The half-pipe water ride includes an activity section with a substantially flat middle section, a first curved sidewall, and a second curved sidewall opposite the first curved sidewall. Water flows from a water delivery section through the middle section to a dewatering section. The rider can ride on the half-pipe water ride substantially perpendicular to the water flow from the first curved sidewall across the middle section to the second curved sidewall.
US08088015B2	Self-repairing boot for a constant velocity joint A boot assembly for an articulating joint is provided, including an inner layer and an outermost layer. The inner layer is constructed from a first material and the outermost layer is constructed from a second material that is different from the first material. The outermost layer at least partially covers the inner layer, and the second material includes a self-repairing polymer.
US08088014B2	Gaming device and method for wireless gaming system providing non-intrusive processes A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.
US08088011B2	Dynamic debugging dump for game console An error data dumping process on a game console is described, in which a request for an error data dump may be initiated using commands mapped to a handheld game controller. The request may include parameters for customizing the resulting dump, where the parameters may identify one or more physical memory address ranges to be included in the dump. Allocated virtual memory contents may also be added to the dump data structure, as can call stack data (such as thread lists and module lists) and system information. The assembled dump data can be written to a file and uploaded, via secure communication, to a network location where it may be indexed.
US08088008B2	Game system A game device (A1) registers at least one game character from among a plurality of prepared game characters with an entity managed in a virtual space by a player, and engages in a competition with another game device (B1), using a game character that is specified by a player from among registered game characters. A server device (3) computes a degree of popularity for each of game character on the basis of information sent from a plurality of game devices (A1, B1), and determines registration fees necessary for registering game characters with players' entities on the basis of degrees of popularity. The registration fee list is delivered to each game device when the game device is activated.
US08088007B2	Network game not requiring continuous connectivity A cellular phone used to execute a game is connected to a server apparatus when a need arises to transmit or receive information. The game is individually progressed by each cellular phone. A user equips a player character with a material to use a magic in a battle. A party is formed by users of multiple cellular phones and a material possessed by the user belonging to the same party is registered in the server apparatus. When the user transmits a support request to the server apparatus during a battle, the server apparatus returns the support material possessed by other users belonging to the same party. The user of the cellular phone can also use a magic corresponding to the support material in the battle.
US08088006B2	Card game system and method The card playing system or network and method is particularly suitable for playing bridge and other multi-table card games in clubs and tournaments. A remote input/output device or scoring unit is provided at each of a plurality of tables. Each remote unit preferably has a transmitter and receiver for sending and receiving playing information to and from a base station, such as a base computer and/or a connection to the World Wide Web. The base station equipment also has a transmitter and receiver. Bids are input into the scoring units by operating keys or other input means, and the bids and scores are transmitted by means of the network to the base station. The base computer or website equipment computes interim standings of the players and sends that and other information to the scoring units. Transmission preferably is wireless or by means of cables.
US08088001B2	Casino gaming exchange market In a cashless gaming environment, a gaming patron has accounts and may accumulate winnings as well as different types of awards. Methods for efficiently exchanging the awards are disclosed. A secondary market is established for trading different goods and services. Liquidity of credits and awards is established.
US08088000B2	Real-time interactive wagering on event outcomes Systems and methods for real-time interactive wagering on event outcomes are presented. Clients are first qualified and given wagering limits before being allowed to interactively wager on event outcomes. Event outcomes may be based on, for example, financial markets and indices, sporting and entertainment events, casino performances, and natural phenomena such as weather and earthquakes. Events on which wagers can be placed include both those with known and unknown outcome probabilities, and wagers can be a fixed-odds type or a spread-bet type. Wager transactions, including acceptances and confirmations, are executed in real time. Clients can customize displays of events on which they are authorized to wager. Real-time client credit management, automatic dealer hedging, automatic price-spread adjustments, and automatic client and dealer defined wagering limits are also provided.
US08087990B2	Method and system for conducting multiple concurrent bingo games A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server to collect game play requests from a plurality of electronic player stations. The server determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum, and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests. Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games. When enough game play requests are collected, the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress.
US08087989B2	Apparatus for making a sought-after choice more likely to be obtained by a participant from a group of choices The present invention provides mathematical logic in determining the likelihood of the sought-after choice from among a group of choices by dividing the group of choices in two groups to create a small group. Then, mandatory selection from the large group of choices is made. Afterward, random elimination must leave two choices standing, one is the sought-after choice and the second is the mandatory selection, one of which is elected as the likely sought-after choice. If the sought-after choice is also the mandatory selected choice, then the second surviving choice can be any other choice.
US08087986B2	Card gaming machine and card game playing method Pai Gow Poker is played with a card gaming machine. In the Pai Gow Poker, a players' hand and a dealer's hand are compared for winning/losing judgment, and a prize based on the judgment result is awarded. If a side bet is made, a bonus target card group composed of five cards is determined from cards in the dealer's hand, irrespective of winning/losing judgment result. A bonus judgment process is carried out for the bonus target card group and a bonus payout based on the judgment result is awarded to the player.
US08087980B2	Positive air pressure isolation system An air-pressure-control system, the system comprising a system inlet, a system outlet, and a variable-speed fan configured to operate at a speed. A motor controller in communication with the fan is configured to control the speed of the fan. A differential-pressure transducer configured to monitor an air pressure at the system inlet and an air pressure at the system outlet. A closed-loop pressure controller in communication with the motor controller and differential-pressure transducer, wherein the pressure controller is configured to vary the speed of the fan based on the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the system, thereby controlling a pressure within a space. An ultraviolet kill chamber may be disposed between the inlet and outlet to expose airborne particulate to UV radiation. The system may also have a filter located within an air-flow path between the system inlet and system outlet.
US08087978B2	Method and apparatus for removing skin and fat from meat parts An apparatus and method for removing skin and fat from meat parts, includes a toothroll assembly. The toothroll assembly includes a first section having an outer surface, and a second section having an outer surface. The first section is adapted to rotate at a first surface speed, and the second section is adapted to rotate at a second surface speed independently from the first surface speed.
US08087976B2	Trigger assembly for angle grinder An angle grinder is provided including a trigger assembly for selectively actuating the angle grinder. A particle separation assembly is provided for the removal of any dust, particle, or artifacts that may have entered into the housing of the angle grinder. A brush biasing system is also provided to ensure proper and efficient operation of the motor of the angle grinder. An overload monitoring system is included to monitor the loading on the motor. A clutch mechanism is also included to prevent overloading on the motor of the angle grinder. A gear wheel lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the wheel spindle from rotating during installation or removal of a grinding wheel on the wheel spindle. An anti-locking flange system is also included to prevent the over-tightening of the flanges and the grinder wheel during the operation of the angle grinder. A gear case labyrinth feature is also provided.
US08087973B1	Slider with leading edge blend and conformal step features A method of forming a slider includes forming a leading edge blend on a leading edge of the slider. After the leading edge blend is formed, the method further includes forming at least one step feature conformal to the leading edge blend. A slider having an air bearing surface includes a leading edge blend and at least one step feature conformal to the leading edge blend.
US08087966B2	Method for the thermal treatment of tungsten electrodes free from thorium oxide for high-pressure discharge lamps The invention relates to a method for the thermal treatment of tungsten electrodes having a fibrous mocrostructure and being free from thorium oxide for high-pressure discharge lamps, to such a tungsten electrode free from thorium oxide, to a method of manufacturing a high-pressure gas discharge lamp with at least one such tungsten electrode free from thorium oxide, to a high-pressure gas discharge lamp with at least one such tungsten electrode free from thorium oxide, and to a lighting unit with at least one such high-pressure gas discharge lamp.
US08087959B2	Detachable swim fin A detachable swim fin includes a foot pocket and a fin blade. The fin blade is movably connected to the foot pocket through a locking buckle mechanism. With the detachable design of the fin blade and the foot pocket, the present invention provides an amphibious function. When they are detached, the foot pocket is capable of protecting the foot when walking on land, like a beach shoe or a fishing shoe. When they are assembled, the present invention is used as a swim fin. When going out, the user could take apart the swim fin for carrying conveniently and flexibly. This provides a compact and light design.
US08087951B1	Dual force single point actuation integrated load mechanism for securing a computer processor to a socket A dual force single point actuation integrated load mechanism for securing a computer processor to a socket, the dual force single point actuation integrated load mechanism including a base mounted around the socket; and a load plate rotatably coupled to the base and secured to the base when an activate lever and a hinge lever are secured above the load plate.
US08087948B2	Waterproof structure for connector housing A connector housing that is reduced in size in correspondence with reduction in size of a terminal. When a connecting terminal to which an electric wire and a waterproof sealing member are attached is inserted into a terminal accommodating hole from an terminal insertion opening, a step of the waterproof sealing member abuts against a step of the terminal insertion opening and also a taper surface meets a taper surface, preventing water from entering the terminal accommodating hole from the backside. In this state, the waterproof sealing member is pressed toward a connector housing by a rear holder to prevent the waterproof sealing member from falling out of position. Thus, because the terminal insertion opening is sealed, with a part of the waterproof sealing member placed outside the connector housing, the lateral width and vertical width of the terminal accommodating hole can be set to the magnitudes that substantially allow the connecting terminal to pass through the hole.
US08087946B2	Power adapter having a replaceable plug A power adapter having a replaceable plug has a body having a recess formed in the body and an engagement mechanism inside the recess. A plug, slidably mounted inside the recess, has a bottom board having an engagement mechanism thereon and is slid so that the engagement mechanism of the plug engages or disengages the engagement mechanism inside the recess. A fixing cover is mounted inside the recess and is slidably moved to a first location and a second location. When located at the first location, the fixing cover is located inside the recess, the bottom board abuts the plug fixed inside the recess, and the plug is retrained restrained from moving. When located at the second location, the fixing cover is partially moved away from the recess and maintains a distance to the bottom board, and the plug can be removed from the recess.
US08087944B2	Connector and connector combination for balanced transmission A connector includes a ground contact formed by a plate-shaped conductor member extending in a longitudinal direction of the connector, and a plurality of signal contact pairs arranged on both sides of the ground contact, with two signal contacts forming each signal contact pair arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction. The ground contact may include a plurality of first lead parts alternately extending towards mutually opposite sides of the plate-shaped conductor member.
US08087942B2	Board-to-board connector assembly A board-to-board connector assembly includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector. The receptacle connector has a receptacle housing, a plurality of first terminals disposed in the receptacle housing, and at least one first fixing member mounted to the receptacle housing. The first fixing member has a first base portion, an elastic portion bending toward one side and then extending downward from a top of the first base portion. An outside portion of the elastic portion defines a fixing cavity opposite to the first base portion. The plug connector has a plug housing mated with the receptacle housing, a plurality of second terminals disposed in the plug housing and contacting the corresponding first terminals, and at least one second fixing member mounted in the plug housing and defining at least one fixing portion which is buckled into the fixing cavity of the corresponding first fixing member.
US08087941B2	Grid array connector comprising a plurality of base units within a frame An electrical connector (1) for receiving an IC package is provided and includes a frame unit (2) having an opening (21) therein, at least two base units (3) received in the opening (21), and a plurality of contacts (4) retained in the base units (3) respectively. The base units move relative to one another by the force applied by the contacts therein.
US08087940B1	Coaxial electric connector A coaxial electric connector includes primarily a dielectric shell and a housing unit which is in an arc shape. The dielectric shell is formed by extrusion formation based on the housing unit and defines an annular space, with a predetermined wall being formed with two fixing sections to define the arc according to the housing unit. Besides, a bottom of the dielectric shell is a dielectric base and an interior of the dielectric shell contains additionally a conductor, a position of which is fixed by the dielectric base. A conductor pin on the conductor, whereas, is extended outward from the dielectric base. Through wrapping of the dielectric shell, the housing unit increases roundness of the entire housing and decreases scratching on a surface of metal part, which occurs when manufacturing the products, thereby improving a yield rate and a service life of the products.
US08087935B2	Implant delivery system An implant delivery system includes a carrier that is attached to an implant. The carrier includes a main body having a lower portion to be attached to the implant and an upper portion. The upper portion includes an internally threaded section having a polygonal internal cross-section. The polygonal cross-section engages a tool that applies torque to install the implant into bone. The threaded section receives a threaded portion of a secondary component to be coupled to the carrier after the implant has been installed. One secondary component is a gingival healing component. Thus, the combination of the carrier and the gingival healing component acts as a healing abutment after the carrier has been used to install the implant.
US08087934B2	Oral implant placement system and method An oral implant system and method. The system includes a positioning tool, a transfer band, a transfer screw, and a transfer drill to provide for accurate placement of a dental implant parallel to other implants and or existing teeth and at predetermined depths. A model is made of the patient's maxilla and mandible. The model is marked for implant position, depth and size. Holes are drilled in the model for implant analogs using the positioning tool. The analogs are installed into the model using the positioning tool and a surveyor. Transfer bands are coupled to the analogs and a surgical stent portion is fabricated. The surgical stent is fitted to the patient's occlusion, secured, and then utilized to accurately drill apertures into the patient's maxilla or mandible. The implants are installed into the apertures and the surgical stent is removed. A final restoration is secured to the implants.
US08087932B2	Correcting the position of teeth in dental arch model A method of correcting a dental arch model so that it accurately reflects the current arrangement of a subject's teeth includes positioning a plurality of tooth models in a corrected arrangement using a representation of at least a portion of a subject's current dental arch (wherein the tooth models comprise models of the subject's teeth having fiduciary markers), and producing a base plate configured to hold the plurality of tooth models in the corrected arrangement. The representation of the current arrangement may be, for example, a physical impression of the subject's teeth, a 3D scan or one or more 2D scans of the subject's teeth.
US08087929B2	Equipment and method for heating gas in connection with sintering The invention relates to equipment for heating gas in connection with continuous sintering in gas channels placed above a strand, the gas channels comprising at least a wall and at least two gas units, the gas coming from the gas units being in contact with the material on the strand, whereby at least one burner unit is arranged in at least one of the gas channels, being arranged as part of the gas channel, the burner unit comprising at least one separate combustion space arranged on the wall of the gas channel. The invention also relates to a method for heating the gas.
US08087926B2	Oxy-fuel combustion with integrated pollution control An oxygen fueled integrated pollutant removal and combustion system includes a combustion system and an integrated pollutant removal system. The combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner that is configured to substantially prevent the introduction of air. An oxygen supply supplies oxygen at a predetermine purity greater than 21 percent and a carbon based fuel supply supplies a carbon based fuel. Oxygen and fuel are fed into the furnace in controlled proportion to each other and combustion is controlled to produce a flame temperature in excess of 3000 degrees F. and a flue gas stream containing CO2 and other gases. The flue gas stream is substantially void of non-fuel borne nitrogen containing combustion produced gaseous compounds. The integrated pollutant removal system includes at least one direct contact heat exchanger for bringing the flue gas into intimated contact with a cooling liquid to produce a pollutant-laden liquid stream and a stripped flue gas stream and at least one compressor for receiving and compressing the stripped flue gas stream.
US08087921B2	Extrusion mold and method of use In one embodiment of the invention a mold system and method of use are provided such that aqueous starch-based compositions and baked goods articles that use the conversion of water to steam may be produced using an extruder that allows the venting of such gases and/or steam. The extruder is vented in such a way as to allow steam to escape, but retain the composition until the exit end.
US08087917B2	Plant for continuously manufacturing a foam layer to form rest articles A plant for manufacturing a continuous latex foam layer (2) to form mattresses (6) provided with cells (5). The plant comprises a plurality of laying planes (7) provided with a plurality of separate tables (13) separately arranged side by side to form a surface for the foam deposit.Each table comprises protuberances (14) and the arrangement of the protuberances on a table can differ from that of the juxtaposed tables in order to create supporting areas for the different body parts of the user.Preferably the tables (13) with their protuberances (14) are slidably fitted onto the laying planes (7) and can be easily and quickly replaced with separately provided tables having protuberances (14) differently arranged in order to meet the support capacity values required by different users.
US08087912B2	Crankshaft having first and second eccentric portions A crankshaft is to be provided that allows its assembly process to be simplified, work hours required for the assembly process to be shortened and a manufacturing cost to be reduced. The crankshaft is provided with first eccentric section and second eccentric section at respective ends while interposing a shaft section therebetween and has such a shape that a peripheral edge of the first eccentric section and/or the second eccentric section is positioned radially inside of a peripheral edge of the shaft section.
US08087911B2	Pump of electronically controlled brake system A pump of an electronically controlled brake system. The pump includes a bore formed in a modulator block and connected with a suction port and a discharge port, a piston installed in the bore in a reciprocating movable manner and defining an inlet path therein, an inlet valve to open or close an exit-side end of the inlet path according to a position of the piston, and an outlet valve provided at one side of the bore, operations of the inlet and outlet valves being contrary to each other. The outlet valve includes a valve seat, a sleeve to surround the valve seat, an outlet ball interposed between the sleeve and the valve seat and used to open or close a path defined in the valve seat, and a valve cap provided at one side of the sleeve to isolate an interior from an exterior of the bore. One or more of the valve sheet, sleeve, and valve cap are formed by press-forming, to achieve improved assembly efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs.
US08087904B2	Hybrid hydraulic-electric RAM pumping unit with downstroke energy recovery A hybrid hydraulic-electric pumping unit (12) with downstroke energy recovery is disclosed which is operated in a conventional flow mode to supply hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic ram (26), and then is operated in a reverse flow mode to receive the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic ram (26) and turn an electric motor (16) to generate electric power. A single hydraulic hose (48) connects the pump (18) to the hydraulic ram (26), and is used for both passing the hydraulic fluid from the pump (18) to the hydraulic ram (26) and from the ram (26) to the pump (18). The potential energy of the weight of sucker rods (10) lifted in operating the pumping unit (12) is recovered by operating the pump (18) and motor (16) with return of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic ram (26) through the pump (18), which turns the motor (16) to generate electric power.
US08087901B2	Fluid channeling device for back-to-back compressors A fluid channeling device including a channeling body, an axial transfer channel, and a radial outlet channel. The channeling body includes first and second annular body sections spaced axially apart and a tubular body section extending between the first and second body sections. The axial transfer channel is defined axially through the channeling body, and is configured to fluidly couple a first compression assembly with a second compression assembly. The radial outlet channel is defined radially through the channeling body and is configured to fluidly couple the second compression assembly with an outlet.
US08087894B2	Aperture and flap vertical axis wind machine A vertical axis wind machine having a mechanism of apertures and flaps to reduce return blade wind drag. The aperture and flap vertical axis wind machine has improved rotational speed and torque in relation to existing vertical axis wind machines. The aperture and flap vertical axis wind machine is also quieter, has fewer moving parts, requires no feathering controls to operate in high wind speeds, and can be operated independent of wind direction.
US08087893B1	Turbine blade with showerhead film cooling holes A turbine rotor blade with a showerhead arrangement of film cooling air for cooling the leading edge of the airfoil, where the film cooling holes each includes a tear drop shaped opening that extends in a radial direction of the airfoil from the film hole breakout and functions to spread out the film layer of cooling air that is ejected from the holes so that a hot streak between holes along the pressure side row and the suction side row of film holes does not occur. The tear drop shaped opening have a shallow depth and include a divider wall extend down the middle to divide the opening.
US08087891B1	Turbine blade with tip region cooling A turbine blade with a tip region cooling circuit in which cooling air from a serpentine flow circuit in the main airfoil body passes into the tip cooling circuit and around the suction side and pressure side walls to better cool the airfoil and tip with low cooling air flow. A 5-pass serpentine circuit with a first leg is located along the leading edge and is connected directly to a showerhead arrangement to provide film cooling for the leading edge. The 5-pass serpentine circuit, discharges cooling air from the last leg into impingement holes and exit slots spaced along the trailing edge. The remaining cooling air from the 5-pass serpentine flows from the last leg and into the 2-pass serpentine flow circuit located within the tip section. The cooling air flows along the suction side first, makes a turn around the leading edge in the tip, and then flows along the suction side passage where a row of film cooling holes discharges film cooling air onto the pressure side tip surface. The remaining cooling air flows through a trailing edge tip hole and is discharged.
US08087889B2	Wind turbine blade with deflectable flaps A wind turbine having at least a blade comprising a first component having an aerodynamic profile with a leading edge, a trailing edge, and suction and pressure sides between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and a second component, attached to the trailing edge and/or to the leading edge of the first component in at least a part of the blade. An upwards and/or downwards deflectable flap allows changing the flow over the blade, in which the unit for deflecting the flap is a fluid inflatable unit placed in a flap inner chamber close to the first component and in which the wind turbine comprises a unit for controlling the inflatable unit depending on the wind situation and/or the blade loads.
US08087888B2	Wind turbine blade with cambering flaps A wind turbine having at least a blade comprising a first component (11) having an aerodynamic profile with a leading edge (5), a trailing edge (7) and suction and pressure sides between the leading edge (5) and the trailing edge (7) and a second component (13) attached to the trailing edge (7) and/or to the leading edge (5) of the first component (11) in at least a part of the blade, in which the second component (13) comprises an upwards and/or downwards deflectable flap (15) that allows changing the flow over the blade and in which the means for deflecting the flap (15) comprise a stiff plate (31) inserted between the first component (11) and the flap (15) and stiff plate actuating means (33, 43).
US08087887B2	Fan and fan frame thereof A fan includes an impeller, a motor and a fan frame. The motor is coupled to the impeller and drives the impeller to rotate. The impeller and the motor are accommodated in the fan frame. The fan frame has a main body, an inner circular portion formed with a passage, a guiding portion forming an outlet of the fan, a motor base and a plurality of supporting elements. The guiding portion is connected to the inner circular portion. The motor base is disposed in the center of the passage on the main body. The supporting elements are connected between the main body and the motor base, and each of the supporting elements has a suspended portion which is not connected to the guiding portion.
US08087883B2	Cylindrical-rod device for controlling a variable-pitch vane of a turbomachine A variable-pitch control device for a turbomachine compressor is disclosed. The device includes a rod, a fastening device for fastening a first end of the rod to a pivot of a vane to be controlled, and a connection device between a second end of the rod and a control ring. The rod is substantially cylindrical, its first end being engaged in a bore in the pivot of the vane. The device further includes a clamping device for clamping the first end of the rod in the bore in the pivot in order to fasten it to the pivot.
US08087881B1	Damped stator assembly A stator assembly having an inner shroud and an outer shroud with a plurality of airfoils extending between the shrouds, and a vibration damping horn extending from one of the shrouds and aligned with the airfoil, the vibration damping horn having a higher stiffness than the airfoil, and where the vibration damping horn vibrates against a damping spring or within a viscous fluid to dampen the vibration of the stator assembly. The vibration damping horns are thicker than the airfoils to provide for the higher stiffness. The damping spring is enclosed between the shroud and seal to support the spring.
US08087878B2	Powerless diversion plate of a ceiling air-conditioning circulation machine A powerless diversion plate of a ceiling air-conditioning circulation machine includes a bearing block and a bearing within a circular inflow/outflow hole for installing a diversion disc having a plurality of radial separation pieces. A plurality of conic and ring-shaped diversion pieces are positioned around the connection shaft. The diversion disc is separated by the ring-shaped diversion pieces and the radial separation pieces to create air inflow/outflow zones. The diversion disc has a downward protruding middle part and a staged structure at the rim thereof to form a predetermined shape. This obviates a powered motor, as the radial separation pieces of the diversion disc serve as a working surface, and respond to forced air for causing the diversion disc to be driven in 360° rotation to diffuse air downward or suck air upward in a flowing way, thereby enhancing air-outflowing and convection efficiency and reducing energy consumption and carbon release.
US08087877B2	Fan array fan section in air-handling systems A fan array fan section in an air handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller program to operate the plurality of the fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a space pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset configuration, columns slightly offset configuration, or a staggered array configuration.
US08087876B2	Fuel pump A fuel pump includes an impeller and a casing member. The impeller defines a plurality of vane grooves arranged in a circumferential direction. The casing member receives the impeller, and the casing member defines therein a pump passage configured to have an arcuate shape along the vane grooves. The discharge passage is provided downstream of the pressurizing passage. The discharge passage has a width narrower than a width of the pressurizing passage, and the discharge passage is positioned toward a radially outer wall of the pressurizing passage. The pressurizing passage includes a throttle part that extends from a starting point to an inlet of the discharge passage. The throttle part has a first width at the starting point, which corresponds to the width of the pressurizing passage, and a second width at the inlet, which corresponds to the width of the discharge passage.
US08087874B2	Retention structures and exit guide vane assemblies A retention structure includes a center body including an outer surface, an enclosed end, an open end, and a contact section, the outer surface adapted to define a first portion of a flowpath, and the contact section extending radially outwardly from a centerline and located on the enclosed end and configured to reduce a radial and a torsional component of a first load that exceeds a first threshold applied to the contact section, when the turbine rotates and applies the first load to the contact section and an energy absorber coupled to the center body, disposed adjacent to the contact section, and having an outer surface adapted to define a second portion of the flowpath, the energy absorber further adapted to collapse, when the turbine rotates and contacts the energy absorber and applies a second load that exceeds a second threshold to the energy absorber.
US08087864B2	Molded pin for coupling two or more members A connecting pin includes a head and a body having a first end connected to the head. The body includes an underside having at least one surface arranged on a first plane parallel to a longitudinal direction. The body also includes a nose at a second end, the nose having an lower surface that extends upwardly and outwardly from the body underside. The body further includes an inclined surface extending to from an upper surface of the nose in the direction of the head.
US08087859B2	Systems and methods for separating cargo spaces Some embodiments of a system for separating cargo spaces in a temperature-controlled cargo container (such as a refrigerated trailer) can include first and second panels that are mountable in an interior space of the cargo container by a track-mounting system to movably support the first and second half-width bulkhead panels in the trailer. The first and second panels may have a generally flexible construction to absorb impacts from cargo, forklifts, or the like, but may also include stiffening members that are coupled to the first and second panels to provide added rigidity in particular orientations.
US08087858B2	Vise-mounted milling machine collet indexer An instantly aligning collet indexer that can be instantly mounted on the standard tooling vises found on most milling machines. A constant clamping pneumatic collet closing system with the valve and manifold is built into the body. The design is compact enough to fit in any standard 6″ machine tool vise and rigid enough to be useful for machining operations. The collet indexer can be used in a vertical or horizontal position in a typical mill vise of a milling machine. The device can be driven by a simple graduated hand crank or by a servo type motor controlled by various programs used in conjunction with a computer.
US08087856B2	Double helix thread cutting tap The invention includes a double helix thread cutting tap with both right-handed and left-handed helical chip removal flutes. The double helix thread cutting tap places a positive rake angle on all sets of thread cutting teeth for optimum performance and minimal cutting pressure.
US08087853B2	Adjustable pocket hole apparatus In the pocket hole apparatus of the present invention, a table reciprocates linearly relative to a base. An anvil is fixed relative to the base and holds the workpiece on a sloped top surface at the desired angle for the pocket hole. A drill spindle with a drill bit is fixed relative to the table. After the workpiece is mounted to the anvil, the table is moved to drill the pocket hole. Optionally, a second spindle on the opposite side of the anvil predrills the pocket hole when the table is first moved to a predrill position. The spindle is enabled or disabled by latching mechanism. The spindle is mounted to a rail that is slidably mounted to the table so that the rail can slide perpendicularly thereby adjusting the spacing between pocket holes.
US08087848B2	Powered sheave for node deployment and retrieval A method and apparatus for deploying a plurality of seismic sensor units into a water column is described. The method includes providing a length of flexible cable from a cable storage device disposed on a vessel to a powered sheave, the cable having a plurality of spaced apart attachment points, routing the cable from the powered sheave to pass adjacent a workstation disposed on the vessel, deploying a free end of the cable into the water column while increasing the motion of the vessel to a first speed, operating the vessel at the first speed while providing a deployment rate of the cable at a second speed, the second speed being greater than the first speed, decreasing the second speed of the cable as an attachment point approaches the work station, and attaching at least one of the plurality of seismic sensor units to the attachment point at the workstation.
US08087841B2	Retractable pen with retraction-linking device for extending pen-body A retractable pen includes an improved triggering device (i.e., an actuating means), which is easy for manufacturing and user-friendly. The retractable pen has a pen-body having two pen-tubes, a pen-cartridge within the pen-body, and an actuating means. The actuating means not only triggers the movement of pen-cartridge (slidable protrusion/retraction of the pen-cartridge) but also, at the meantime, triggers length-change of pen-body (slidable movement between the two pen-tubes).
US08087835B2	Lens barrel and imaging apparatus Disclosed are a lens barrel capable of preventing a reduction in strength while maintaining a small size and a small thickness and an imaging apparatus including the lens barrel. A first moving cylinder in which a cam groove to which a second cam follower pin is fitted is provided in an inner surface is arranged outside a cam cylinder having the second cam follower pin provided on an outer surface thereof. In addition, a third lens group frame in which a cam follower pin fitted to one of the cam grooves is provided on an outer surface and a second lens group frame in which a cam follower pin fitted to the other groove is provided on an outer surface are arranged inside the cam cylinder having the cam grooves provided in the inner surface thereof.
US08087831B2	Rotary support for wheel with encoder It is prevented that magnetic foreign matter adheres the magnet encoder 3a to deteriorate the reliability of rotation speed detection with the sensor 4a. The encoder 3a is provided on the outside of the combined seal ring 19 with reference to the bearing interior space 24, and the sensor 4a faces the encoder 3a. The knuckle 21 is placed close to the housing 33 of the drive shaft member 28 of the constant velocity joint 27 to form a labyrinth seal 20. The width of the clearance of this labyrinth seal 20 is up to 40% of the pitch of adjacent S-poles and N-poles that are arranged on the detected surface of the encoder 3a. With this construction, larger foreign matter is prevented from attaching to the detected surface of the encoder 3a to solve the above subject.
US08087830B2	Radially mobile floating bearing Disclosed is a radially movable floating bearing for a shaft of a gear of a steering system, comprising a bushing or an inner ring or a rolling bearing, which is supported in a seat of a frame or housing of the gear. The inner ring or the bushing or the rolling bearing is held by at least one support element made of material having elastomeric properties which is inserted into a gap between the seat and the inner ring, the support element being designed as a pivot bearing. In order to provide a radially movable floating bearing for a steering system gear shaft, which is low-noise, easy to pivot and highly resilient, the pivot bearing cooperates with a damping stop disposed tangentially at a distance thereto, the stop being disposed at a radial distance from the inner ring or the seat.
US08087828B2	Synthetic resin bag having an easy opening function There is provided a synthetic resin bag having an easy-opening function in which an opening operation can be easily made on a side of an opening section of a bag body while it is prevented on a side of an interior section of the bag body and comprising two front and back panel films 1a and 1b of the bag body and two easy peel tapes 4a and 4b each including an easy peel layer and a thermally adhesive layer and disposed inside of the panel films of the bag body in an opening section 2 thereof over the whole lateral widths thereof, the easy peel layers of the two easy peel tapes faced to each other being weakly adhered to each other as indicated by a reference numeral 6 and the thermally adhesive layers of the two easy peel tapes being strongly adhered as indicated by reference numerals 5a and 5b to the inner faces of the panel films 1a and 1b of the bag body, respectively, so that the thermally adhesive layers have adhesion width difference of long and short widths C1 and C2 in a direction perpendicular to the lateral width of the bag body whereby the easy peel tapes can be easily separated on the side of the opening section 2 of the bag body while the easy peel tapes can be prevented from being separated on the side of the interior section of the bag body.
US08087826B1	Slider track with improved seal strength Rolling action reclosable fastener comprises a male track including a male profile, a female track including a female profile, and a slider disposed on the male and female tracks to matingly engage the male profile and the female profile. The slider includes a back and a pair of sidewall depending therefrom. The slider also includes a separator finger depending from the back between the pair of sidewalls and shaped along its length to first press together a bottom of the male and female profiles and then roll the profiles closed toward a top thereof as the slider moves toward the closed condition. The male profile comprises a base and a rib with a hook portion having an inwardly-directed surface including a projection defining an engagement surface. The female profile comprises a base and a first flange having an inwardly-directed surface including a projection defining an engaging surface. The engaging surface of the female track engages the engagement surface of the male track when in a closed condition with at least a portion of the male profile received by at least a portion of the female profile. A reclosable plastic bag with a rolling action reclosable fastener is also provided.
US08087825B2	Mechanical and electronic temperature reading system with built-in failure and inaccuracy detection Temperature-indicting system including a mechanical temperature-indicating system including a bourdon tube for directly driving an indicating pointer, and an electrical temperature-indicating system including an electronic sensor, a transmitter and one or more electrical switches. The transmitter is modular and easily replaceable. Output of the pointer and the transmitter is synchronized relative to accuracy so that comparison of switch points of the switches that correlate temperature determined by the mechanical system and temperature determined by the electronic system enables detection of a failure or inaccuracy in one or both systems.
US08087821B2	Infrared heated differential scanning calorimeter A heat flux differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) is disclosed. The DSC can be configured with a highly conductive sample assembly enclosure. The enclosure can include a high emissivity coating. In one embodiment, the enclosure extends along a longitudinal direction that is about the same as that of an infrared lamp assembly used to heat the enclosure, thereby increasing the efficiency of heating the sample enclosure. In one embodiment, a gas-filled thermal resistor is used to couple the measurement assembly to a heat sink, such that samples can be rapidly heated and rapidly cooled.
US08087811B2	Display A display including a light source for generating light, an optical waveguide for receiving and evenly distributing light in a light propagation direction by total internal reflections and a matrix of picture elements constructed on the upper surface of the waveguide, the picture elements including electrically activated micro-mechanical actuators having optical properties for modulating light to produce an image.
US08087803B2	LED lamp An LED lamp includes a housing, a holder and an LED device pivotally connected with the holder. The LED device includes a cylinder-shaped casing having opposite first and second openings and air venting holes near the first opening. An LED module and a heat dissipating fan are respectively mounted at two ends of a heat sink. The LED module, the heat sink and the heat dissipating fan are assembled together as a unit, which is received in the casing. An airflow generated by the heat dissipating fan is directed into the casing through the second opening. A portion of the airflow is exhausted out of the casing through fins of the heat sink and the first opening, and another portion of the airflow is exhausted out of the casing through the fins and the air venting holes of the casing.
US08087802B1	Compact florescent lamp cover A cover for a spiral-type compact florescent lamp includes a cover body and a connector extending from the cover body to the compact florescent lamp and connecting the cover to the compact florescent lamp with the cover body disposed adjacent to the lamp coil structure and covering the lamp coil structure.
US08087799B2	Illumination means and inspection means having an illumination means An illumination mean for the inspection of flat substrates is disclosed. The flat substrate includes an upper edge area, a lower edge area and a front area. The illumination means is formed as an annular segment and comprises an opening into which at least the edge area of the flat substrate extends. A plurality of light sources are arranged on an annular segment in a housing. Inside the housing, a reflective element is provided so that the light from the light sources does not impinge perpendicularly on the upper edge area, the lower edge area and the front area of the flat substrate.
US08087793B2	Back-light assembly A back-light assembly for uniformly illuminating large area displays. The back-light assembly includes a uniformly thin waveguide, a reflector and a plurality of light sources evenly distributed along the display area between the waveguide and the reflector. Prismatic facets are provided along the lower surface of the waveguide for effectively coupling light emitted from light sources into the waveguide.
US08087792B2	Variable sized optical beam homogenizer and method An optical beam homogenizer having an adjustable homogenizer chamber for selectively producing different sized homogenized output beams and related methods in accordance with one or more embodiments is described herein.
US08087791B2	Methods and systems for adjusting the position of vehicle outside mirrors A method for adjusting an outside mirror of a vehicle includes providing at least one seat position sensor, a driver position detector and a mirror actuator. The position of the driver's seat is determined with the at least one seat position sensor. An angular orientation of the outside mirror is adjusted with the mirror actuator based on the determined position of the driver's seat such that a rear of the vehicle is visible in the outside mirror. Thereafter, a location of a driver's head may be determined with the driver position detector when the driver is seated in the driver's seat. The angular orientation of the outside mirror is readjusted with the mirror actuator based on the detected position of the driver's head such that a rear of the vehicle is visible in the outside mirror when the driver is seated in the driver's seat.
US08087790B2	Projector A projector includes: an outer housing; and a plurality of handles provided on an upper surface of the outer housing to hold the projector, wherein each of the handles includes a pair of attachment members standing on the upper surface, and a grip member connected with the pair of the attachment members and extended substantially in parallel with the upper surface.
US08087788B2	Projector with cooling configuration A projector includes a casing, an optical engine, and a heat dissipating module. The casing includes a first sidewall, a front wall defining a hole, a second sidewall, and a rear wall connected in sequence. The optical engine includes a lens module substantially aligned with the hole defined by the front wall, a DMD, and an illuminator module. The illuminator module is arranged at a side of the lens module away from the second sidewall, and includes a housing having a side surface away from the lens module and at least one light source installed on the side surface. The heat dissipating module includes a first heat sink attached to the at least one light source, a blower, and an exhaust fan. The blower is for blowing air towards the first heat sink from an air inlet.
US08087782B2	Devices and methods of selecting intraocular lenses The invention relates to devices and methods for selecting IOLs for implantation and eye models useful with the methods. One method comprises the steps of determining the axial eye length, the pupil size at a desired light level; the desired postoperative refraction; determining an aspheric representation of the corneal curvature and determining the location of the plane of fixation of the IOL following implantation.
US08087779B2	Phase modulation device for an ophthalmic instrument, ophthalmic instruments equipped with such device, and related calibration method A phase modulation device implemented in an ophthalmic instrument using a main light beam interacting with an eye, the device including: an apparatus for modulating the phase of the wave front of the main light beam, a controller for controlling the phase modulation apparatus following a modulation instruction, and an analyzer for analyzing the thus-performed modulation of the phase of the wave front of the main light beam, further including emitting a secondary light beam, an apparatus for directing the secondary light beam along an optical path to the modulation apparatus, then to the analyzer, and in that the optical path does not pass through the eye, and in that the controller and the analyzer receiving the modulated secondary light beam cooperate, during a stage called a learning stage, to supply data regarding the response of the phase modulation apparatus to a set of predetermined modulation instructions.
US08087778B2	Variable focus liquid filled lens mechanism A mechanism allows for changing the optical strength of a liquid-filled lens having a cavity filled with fluid. A reservoir contains additional fluid and is in fluid communication with the cavity, and the mechanism draws fluid from the reservoir into the cavity or pulls fluid from the cavity back into the reservoir, whereby a change in the amount of fluid within the lens cavity changes the lens's optical strength. A membrane seals the reservoir, and a plunger impinges upon the membrane. A movement device, such as a barrel screw or lever, moves the plunger in a controlled manner toward the membrane to increase pressure within the reservoir and thereby force fluid out of the reservoir into the lens cavity, and away from the membrane to decrease pressure within the reservoir and thereby withdraw fluid from the lens cavity and into the reservoir.
US08087773B2	Ink jet printing depth of focus control apparatus A system for maintaining depth of focus in an ink jet printer between a series of print heads and corrugated media includes a vacuum transport in combination with an acquisition cylinder positioned upstream of the series of print heads in order to help the vacuum transport acquire the corrugated media and work in conjunction with a series of star wheels distributed about and positioned immediately adjacent to each of the series of print heads to suppress cross process direction curl.
US08087762B2	Ink storing system and ink delivering system An ink reservoir mechanism includes a ink reservioring portion for directly reservoiring ink to be supplied to an ink jet recording head, the ink reservoiring portion having a reservoiring volume which reduces with consumption of the ink and being provided with an air-liquid separation device; a negative pressure source, having a variable inner volume, for normally applying a negative pressure to the ink reservoiring portion through the air-liquid separation device; and a connection path for connecting the negative pressure source and the ink reservoiring portion through the air-liquid separation device.
US08087756B2	Heater chips with silicon die bonded on silicon substrate A heater chip has a substrate and at least one die, made of silicon, and a bond non-adhesively attaching them. The substrate, thick enough to resist bowing, has ink supply vias from back to front surfaces. The die has ink flow vias from back to front surfaces and circuitry including heater elements adjacent the front surface interspersed with ink flow vias. The at least one die is superimposed on the substrate such that ink supply vias of the substrate align with ink flow vias of the die and portions of substrate front surface and die back surface are aligned, disposed adjacent and facing one another. The bond formed between substrate and die facing surface portions is hermetic and equal in strength to a Si—O bond. A metal through the die connects a conductor on a front of the substrate to a heater element on a front of the die.
US08087755B2	System for printing 3D semiconductor products A system for printing three-dimensional semiconductor products. The system includes printheads for printing various so as to create a three-dimensional structure including cavities, and a robot for incorporating semiconductor objects into the cavities created during the printing process. The robot incorporates the semiconductor objects into the cavities during printing of the three-dimensional structure.
US08087754B2	Electrostatic actuator, droplet discharge head, method for driving droplet discharge head, and method for manufacturing electrostatic actuator To provide an electrostatic actuator capable of attaining a large diaphragm displacement by low voltage drive. Furthermore, a droplet discharge head provided with this electrostatic actuator, a method for driving a droplet discharge head, and a method for manufacturing an electrostatic actuator are provided. A diaphragm 4, an individual electrode 11 facing the diaphragm 4 with a gap 10 therebetween, while a voltage is applied between the diaphragm 4 and the individual electrode 11, and an insulating film 4a which is disposed on a surface of the diaphragm 4, the surface facing the individual electrode 11, are included, wherein the insulating film 4a is converted to an electret.
US08087753B2	Method for modular arrangement of a silicon based array and modular silicon based array A silicon based module, including: a substrate; a first chip assembly fixed to the substrate, the first chip assembly including a first silicon chip and a first driver die having electrical circuitry; and a second chip assembly fixed to the substrate, the second chip assembly including a second silicon chip and a second driver die having electrical circuitry. Portions of the first and second chip assemblies are aligned in a longitudinal direction for the substrate; and portions of the first and second silicon chips are aligned in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Method for forming a silicon based module.
US08087752B2	Apparatus for printhead mounting A printhead assembly including a printhead module and a mounting structure is described. The printhead module is mounted on a receiving surface of the mounting structure and includes a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first and second edges extend beyond edges of the receiving surface by a first distance in a first direction and are positioned between featured edges of the mounting structure in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Each featured edge includes a first feature protruding from the featured edge by a second distance in the first direction, where the second distance is greater than the first distance. The first features extend beyond the first and second edges of the printhead module. Each featured edge includes a recessed second feature configured to receive a first feature of a neighboring mounting structure.
US08087749B2	Ink jet recording head, ink jet cartridge, and method for manufacturing ink jet recording head An ink jet recording head has an array of ink ejection outlets in an ejection outlet forming surface, to which a protection tape is adhered during transportation. The ejection outlet forming surface has an outside area which is outside of each of opposite ends of the array with respect to a direction of the array, and the outside area has a peel resistance, provided by surface modification, which resistance is higher than in another portion of the ejection outlet forming surface.
US08087735B1	Free standing furniture kit and method of assembly A free standing furniture apparatus including a furniture unit having a unit height dimension, a base including a base wall having a base height dimension and first and second separated base wall ends, the base wall at least in part circumscribing a base space where the base wall includes a top edge surface that resides substantially in a single edge plane and a back wall member supported by the base wall proximate the first and second ends of the base wall member and extending substantially vertically upward from the base wall member and substantially perpendicular to the single edge plane so that there is a receiving space that is unobstructed by the back wall member and that is above the base space for receiving the furniture unit, the back wall member having a back wall height dimension that is greater than the unit height dimension so that at least a portion of the back wall member is observable above the furniture unit when the furniture unit is received within the receiving space, wherein the furniture unit is receivable on the top edge surface of the base wall within the receiving space.
US08087732B2	Method and apparatus for detecting a circuit failure in a vehicle brake system In a vehicle brake system including first and second brake circuits, a dual-circuit brake actuator, first and second control lines, the first brake circuit including a first brake pressure regulating valve and a first pressure sensor, the second brake circuit including a second brake pressure regulating valve and a second pressure sensor, the brake actuator connected to the first valve via the first control line to control that valve, and, via the second control line, to the second valve to control that valve, a control unit is communicatively connected to the pressure sensors and brake actuator and is adapted to effect a method for detecting a brake system circuit failure including determining a first pressure difference in the first brake circuit and a second pressure difference in the second brake circuit during actuation of the brake actuator, and determining a first comparison value from the first and second pressure differences.
US08087729B2	Aircraft seat A seat for use in an aircraft having a floor is disclosed. The seat has a support assembly adapted to be secured to the floor, a seat having a central portion and a rear portion, a seat back pivotably coupled to the support assembly for movement between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the support assembly. A pivot assembly couples the central portion of the seat to the support assembly for permitting the seat to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the support assembly. A connector assembly couples the rear portion of the seat to the seat back for causing the rear portion of the seat to pivot downwardly about the pivot axis in unison with the seat back as the seat back moves from the upright position to the reclined position A method of construction of an aircraft seat frame is also disclosed. An armrest for an aircraft seat is further disclosed.
US08087726B2	Back cushion A back cushion includes an enclosure portion, a buffer portion, a filler portion and a fixing portion. The enclosure portion has a first surface/layer and a second surface/layer. The buffer portion and the filler portion are placed in the internal space of the enclosure portion. The buffer portion is in contact with the first layer and the rear surface of the filler portion is in contact with the second layer. The fixing portion is connected with the second layer of the enclosure portion. The fixing portion enables the back cushion to be attached to a suitable place of a chair or a supporting member. The buffer portion allows the back of a user can be comfortably cushioned and supported and hence injuries to his back may be avoided.
US08087723B2	Crashworthy seat for a vehicle A crashworthy seat for a vehicle comprises a stand including a first and a second foot connected mechanically to a first and a second vertical support leg; a pan connected by the stand to a floor wherein the first and the second feet are disposed on each side of the pan, the pan including a seat proper and a seat back, wherein the seat back has a support element secured to the first and the second vertical support legs configured to support the seat back; a guide element configured to guide the pan in translation; an energy absorber device; a first anchor point secured to the first distal end of the absorber portion; and a second anchor point secured to the second distal end of the absorber portion.
US08087722B2	Armchair with a storage device An armchair with a storage device, the storage device is disposed in the space between the arm rest and the seat and used to store goods. The user can open and close the storage device very easily while seating in the armchair, making it convenient for the user to store or take out goods. Furthermore, the armchair with a storage device is easy to assemble and simply structured without changing too much the structure of the armchair.
US08087721B2	Reinforcement bracket and related methods for on-line painting A vehicle body assembly for on-line painting includes a polymeric fender and a polymeric bracket adhesively bonded to the fender. The bracket includes finger-like extensions received by an edge flange of the fender. The bracket includes a tab extension extending from an opening of the bracket engaging a support structure frame member for limited thermal expansion deformation of the fender. The adhesive a resin component and a curative component providing an initial partial cure for handling of the bracket and fender and a subsequent more fully-cured condition following high temperature baking in the on-line painting process. The assembly can also include fasteners securing the bracket to the fender to limit peeling separation of an adhesive connection provided by the adhesive.
US08087720B2	Vehicle closure panel assembly and method A closure panel assembly includes an inner and an outer panel, the inner panel having a crimped edge surface feature and a textured surface feature such as a set of radial projections or asperities. Adhesive material is applied between the panels, and the outer panel is hemmed and adhesively bonded to the inner panel. The surface features affix the panels together without induction or intermediate heat curing of the adhesive material. The outer panel has a hemmed edge enclosing the crimped surface feature, with the adhesive material positioned therebetween to form a seal of a relatively low shrinkage rate. A method of forming the closure panel assembly includes forming a first and second surface feature on the inner panel, such as by using swaging and coining, respectively, applying adhesive material therebetween, and hemming the panels to form a hem seam.
US08087716B2	Cap for pickup truck bed A cap for the cargo bed of a pickup truck assembled on the truck including a base support frame comprised of a pair of parallel side by side slotted side guide rails and a hoop support frame pivotally mounted to each of the opposite ends of the side guide rails so as to able to be swung up to an erect position after the base support frame is installed on the pickup truck cargo bed side walls. An elongated slotted top guide rail is connected at either end to the top of each hoop support frame. Flexible side panels are inserted in respective slots on the side guide rails and top guide rail assuming a convex shape to cover the cargo bed. End panels close off either end of the cap, a rear panel may be hinged to the rear hoop support frame to be operable and may be transparent to provide a window. The hoop support frames and end panels may be adjustable in width to be matched to the cargo bed width. The cap can be collapsed into a tonneau cover by lowering the hoop support frames and the flexible side panels overly overlapping each other.
US08087705B2	Sealing bolt A sealing bolt for sealing a container lid to a body with a threaded bore includes a shaft, a head connected to a first shaft end, and a threaded second shaft end engaged with the bore to lock the lid between the head and the body. The bolt includes a security element with a breakable integrity element. The security element comprises a first part arranged at the second shaft end, connected to the shaft with a breakable integrity element therebetween. The first part has a first thread cooperating with the bore, and a second part between the first part and second shaft end includes, a second thread cooperating therewith. An entrainment device disposed between first and second parts such that when the shaft and first part rotate in a tightening direction, second part is entrained. When the shaft and first part rotate in a loosening direction, second part remains stationary.
US08087702B2	Connector for a dialysis port A connector for connecting a dialysate port of a dialyzer with a dialysate-carrying line and a dialyzer. The connector has a recess with a shift element on the end which accommodates the dialyzer port. The shift element is accommodated in the recess and is displaceable between a first position and a second position perpendicular to the direction of the lumen on the first end. The shift element does not pass through the lumen in the first position. In the second position, the lumen is constricted so that the connector with the shift element can be placed on the dialysate port and the connector locked on the dialysate port through engagement of the shift element behind an undercut on the port.
US08087699B2	Assembly for attaching a clamp to a hose Disclosed is a cover bracket for holding a clamp having a screw housing in place on a hose without contaminating the screw housing with adhesive. The cover bracket includes a cover portion configured to receive a screw housing and a first runner and a second runner connected to one another by the cover portion. Each of the first and second runners includes a hose contacting surface and the first runner includes a channel in the hose contacting surface. The channel including an aperture extending through the first runner to an exterior of the first runner. Also disclosed is a method for attaching the cover bracket to the hose having the clamp thereon.
US08087697B2	Seat belt apparatus and seat belt control method To allow an occupant to easily wear a seat belt without twisting his or her body when the occupant sits in a seat.When a door sensor 60 detects the opening of a door, a motor is driven to wind up a seat belt 2 so as to move a belt guide 4 against biasing force of a spring 9, thereby evacuating the seat belt 2 to a rear side of a vehicle relative to a seat back 1a. When the door sensor 60 detects the closing of the door and a seat sensor 61 detects the sitting of the occupant, the motor is driven in the reverse direction to make a clutch mechanism 34 in the disconnected state so as to protrude the seat belt 2 in the forward direction of the vehicle by the biasing force of the spring 9.
US08087693B2	Gas generator A cylindrical housing is mounted with an igniter and a diffuser portion having a gas discharge port. A cylindrical member is disposed and fixed in the housing so as to form a cylindrical gap reaching the gas discharge port. An obstacle is provided in the gap, and a first gas passage hole, a second gas passage hole and a third gas passage hole are formed. A gas generating agent is ignited and burnt by activation of the igniter to generate gas, part of the generated gas flows into the gap through the first gas passage hole (f1), part of the gas that has passed therethrough flows again into the cylindrical member through the second gas passage hole (f2) to aid the combustion of the gas generating agent, and then the gas flows into the gap through the third gas passage hole (f3) and finally is discharged from the gas discharge port.
US08087684B2	Wheelchair advantage mobility system A wheelchair propulsion and braking system (10) includes at least one clutch engagement disk rotatably couplable to a wheelchair frame (14). The clutch engagement disk (32) includes a gear (38) that is rotatable with the clutch engagement disk (32), and a drive chain (40) disposed around the gear (38). A drive wheel (50) is rotatably attachable to a wheel (22) of the wheelchair (12), and operatively attachable to the drive chain (40). The system also includes at least one lever arm (60) that is rotatably couplable to the wheelchair frame (14). The at least one lever arm (60) includes a handle (62) operatively coupled to an upper end (64) of the lever arm (60). The handle (62) is oriented in an accessible position during use. A pair of calipers (70) is operatively coupled to each lever arm (60), and engageable with the at least one clutch engagement disk (32). An actuator (80) is operatively coupled to the handle (62) to actuate the calipers (70), and to engage the clutch engagement disk (32).
US08087682B2	Suspension device for a wheel and method for supporting a wheel A suspension device includes a first and a second link that link a vehicle-body side member and a wheel supporting member to each other. The two links are linked to each other through an elastic linking portion. The rigidity of an elastic bush thereof is less than the rigidity of an elastic member of a linking portion of at least one of the two links with the wheel supporting member and the vehicle-body side member.
US08087681B2	Reinforced skateboard deck A reinforced skateboard deck adapted to connect to a set of trucks and wheels to form a skateboard for riding with the deck having a reinforced region constructed to resist rupturing of the deck and a protective side barrier constructed to prevent wear of the reinforced region during use.
US08087673B2	Sealing device A sealing device comprises a stationary-side installation ring (11) fixed to an outer stationary-side member (201), a rotation-side installation ring (12) fixed to an inner rotation-side member (202), a stationary-side lip (13) provided on the stationary-side installation ring (11) to be slidably in contact with the rotation-side installation ring (12) by its tip, rotation-side lips (14, 15) formed on the rotation-side installation ring (12) to be slidably in contact with the stationary-side installation ring (11) by their tips, a pulsar ring (17) formed of a synthetic resin or rubber-like elastic material mixed with magnetic powder on the rotation-side installation ring (12) and multipolar magnetized, and a collar portion (17a) formed on an outer periphery of the pulsar ring (17) at the outer side than the rotation-side lips (14, 15) to closely face the stationary-side member (201) or the stationary-side installation ring (11), thereby an excellent sealing ability being given.
US08087671B2	Spatial puzzle apparatus A spatial puzzle apparatus is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises a plurality of puzzle blocks 102 which has a general pyramid shape, and a void 124 which is configured to receive one of the plurality of puzzle blocks 102. A spherical housing 104 is used to house the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 and the void 124. The spherical housing 104 is configured to circumscribe the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 so that the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 and the void 124 define and retain the shape of a cube 106 as the plurality of puzzle blocks 102 are caused to rotate about a common axis to change positions via the void 124 to solve the puzzle. A virtual form of the spatial puzzle apparatus is also disclosed.
US08087667B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet processing apparatus according to the invention includes a conveying portion that conveys a sheet; and an abutment member against which an end of the sheet in a conveying direction abuts, the sheet being conveyed by the conveying portion. Herein, the abutment member is movable so as to change a distance between the abutment member and the conveying portion adjacent to the abutment member based on sheet information about the stiffness of a sheet, when an end of the sheet in the conveying direction is abutted against the abutment member.
US08087663B2	Sheet feeder and image recording apparatus A sheet feeder, including: a holding portion for holding sheets; a sheet supply portion; an inclined member having an inclined surface for guiding each sheet in a sheet feed direction along the inclined surface; a first separation protrusion provided integrally on the inclined member so as to protrude from the inclined surface such that its distal end is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than its proximal end; a plurality of second separation protrusions formed of a metal and disposed more upstream in the sheet feed direction than the first separation protrusion, each second separation protrusion protruding from the inclined surface through a corresponding one of openings formed in the inclined member, the second separation protrusions being arranged in the sheet feed direction; and a fixing member by which the second separation protrusions are fixed to the inclined member on a surface thereof opposite to the inclined surface.
US08087657B2	Sheet transport apparatus and image reading apparatus A sheet transport apparatus includes a transport roller for transporting a sheet to the processing section, a driving motor for driving the transport roller, and a driving transmission mechanism. The driving transmission mechanism includes a rotary shaft, a transmission rotary member having a circular fit hole, a holder member with a press-fit hole having a curved part and a flat part, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the holder member and the transmission rotary member. The rotary shaft includes a fitting part having a circular cross section at one end side to be fitted into the circular fit hole, and a press-fit part having a curved part and a flat part press-fitted with the press-fit hole. The coupling mechanism includes a convex portion formed on a side of the transmission rotary member, and a concave portion formed on a side of the holder member press-fitted with the convex portion.
US08087655B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus with movable receiving member A saddle stitching portion which can bind the center portion in the conveying direction of a sheet bundle by a stapler and fold it by a pair of folding rollers and a pushout member, includes an end stopper which receives the downstream end of a sheet conveyed by a first conveying roller in a first receiving position on the downstream of the first conveying roller by a length not buckling the sheet on the downstream of the stapler or the downstream end of the sheet conveyed by a second conveying roller in a second receiving position on the downstream of the second conveying roller by the length on the further downstream, wherein the receiving position of the downstream end stopper is selected according to the length in the conveying direction of the sheet.
US08087651B2	Coupling device A coupling device having a first coupling part 3 provided with at least one projecting region, the regions of the first coupling part which project in the z direction being arranged eccentrically or centrally, and the projecting regions having conical outer surfaces formed with at least one angle relative to the z direction, the elastic regions 4 pointing in the direction of the center being formed in a radially parallel manner within the second coupling part 3. The the projecting regions of the first coupling part engage in the elastic regions 4 of the second coupling part 3 for the x-y orientation in the z direction. The second coupling part 3 is of one-piece design and can be produced in one operation.
US08087650B2	Clamping device A clamping device is capable of engaging a clamping object with an inner wall of hole or side wall of the clamping object.The clamping device 1 is provided with a rod support for moving an engagement portion 25 of a clamping rod 3 in a direction roughly rectangular to the longitudinal direction of the clamping rod 3 and switchably rotatably supports the clamping rod 3 in a clamping main body across a clamping position and a clamp release position, a piston drive mechanism 6 for driving a piston 4 across the clamping position and the clamp release position, and a cam mechanism 7 for driving the engagement portion 25 in the clamping direction by the driving force of piston drive mechanism 6 for driving the piston 4 to the clamping position.
US08087649B2	Attachment device for a clamp and combination of a clamp and at least one attachment device Attachment device for a clamp, said clamp having at least one clamp contact member for workpieces, said attachment device comprising a fixing member for fixing the attachment device in a releasable manner to the at least one clamp contact member, an attachment device contact member for contacting workpieces, which is held on the fixing member, and a pivot bearing via which the attachment device contact member is pivotable with regard to the fixing member.
US08087648B2	Hydraulic bushing A hydraulic bushing including an elastomeric bellows having radially spaced axially extending arcuate chambers fluidly connected with axially spaced radially extending chambers to dampen axial as well as radial loads imposed upon the bushing.
US08087646B2	Hydropneumatic suspension with load-dependent damping control A piston-cylinder unit for installing between a vehicle body and an axle includes a cylinder filled with damping medium, a piston dividing the cylinder into working spaces, and a piston rod. A first damping valve assembly in the piston damps movement of the piston in tension and in compression. A load dependent valve includes a valve body which can be moved axially by pressure in the damping medium, the valve body having axially opposed first and second actuation surfaces. The first actuation surface is exposed to pressure of a first accumulator, which is connected to one of the working spaces, and the second actuation surface is exposed to pressure of a second accumulator.
US08087644B2	Shaped packing element The present invention provides a packing element comprising at least one sheet having a plurality of deformations, the sheet being operable to form a folded or helical configuration wherein adjacent portions of the at least one sheet are spaced to allow for flow of at least one of fluid, air and gas therebetween.
US08087635B2	Pneumatic pinch valve A pneumatic pinch valve assembly having a lever, a piston supporting a pressing piece, and a fluid tube receiving space formed between the lever and the pressing piece for receiving fluid tubes is disclosed. Air is introduced into a cavity to actuate the piston in order to pinch a fluid tube between the lever and the pressing piece to intercept a fluid flow through the tube. A pinching action control feature is located between the piston and the pressing piece and is used to protect the fluid tube by limiting one or more amounts of compression of the fluid tube during operation. The amount of compression of the fluid tube is able to be adjusted so that the fluid tube is not easily deteriorated during long-time operation.
US08087633B2	Canvas carrier and holder The present invention is a novel canvas carrier and holder formed of a single handle apparatus to which is anchored one or more flat J-Hooks and a method of using the canvas carrier holder.
US08087632B2	Laptop stand with heat dissipation device A stand for a portable device includes two supporting members with two supporting surfaces for loading the portable device, and a heat dissipation device detachably attached between the two supporting members. The heat dissipation device comprises at least one fan and defines a plurality of holes.
US08087629B2	Stand apparatus The present invention is a stand apparatus for a display screen (such as a computer monitor or a TV) having an arcuate arm member, a base adapted to accept the arm member and allow for tilting movement of the arm member in relation to the base, and a contoured clamp member operable to engage and grip the arm member. The curvature of the clamp member matches the curvature of the arm member and prevents damage to the finish of the arm member. The clamp member is coupled with an arm screw member that is readily accessible to a user. The cross-section of the arm member prevents lateral movement of the arm member in relation to the base. The base is operable to freely swivel 360 degrees and can be readily fixed in relation to a base ring once it is in a desired position. Cabling channels are also provided within the arm member to house cables from the display screen.
US08087625B2	Article holder with suction cup A holder includes a suction cup comprising a circular plate formed of resilient material and a rigid bell wherein the plate includes a central coupling member including outer threads, and the bell includes a hollow cylinder including two opposite openings with the outer threads disposed thereat; a manipulation assembly comprising a tube including an internal threaded section threadedly secured to the outer threads, a sleeve securely put on the tube, and a coupling mechanism seated upon the sleeve; and a pivot assembly comprising a pivot mechanism pivotably secured to the coupling mechanism, an arm extended upward from the pivot mechanism, and a seat assembly rotatably, pivotably secured to the arm. Preferably, the holder is adapted to hold an article (e.g., mobile phone) when it is immovably and captively retained on a dashboard of a motor vehicle.
US08087623B2	Vertical display mounting device The vertical display mounting device 100 comprises a vertical mounting attachment member 200 and at least one display mount 300 wherein the vertical mounting attachment member 200 may be the combination of a vehicle attachment member 400 and a vertical mounting member 500. The vertical display mounting device 100 may further include brackets 600 for attaching the vehicle attachment member 400 with the vehicle cab attachment points 14, 16 when the vehicle attachment member aperture 414, 416 and the vehicle cab 12 attachment points 14, 16 are not in alignment; an electrical mount 800; and a kit embodiment.
US08087620B2	Retaining device A retaining device includes a fireproof core enclosed by a non-fireproof case, wherein a pre-tensioned fireproof device is integrated in the case and attached to the core. The fireproof device relaxes in such a way, when the case melts, that a construction element is reliably held between the carrier and the device.
US08087616B2	Method and system for aviation navigation A system operates to guide an aircraft to or along a route designed to maintain the aircraft within a safe glide distance of an acceptable emergency landing area. The system uses a database of emergency landing areas with glide characteristics of an aircraft to determine a route that minimizes travel time or other specified parameter, while keeping the aircraft within a safe glide distance of a landing area in the database meeting the landing requirements for the aircraft.
US08087610B2	Aircraft shock strut having fixed upper bearing An aircraft shock strut includes a cylinder and a piston movable within the cylinder. A lower bearing and an upper bearing provide sliding engagement between the cylinder and the piston. The upper bearing is fixed to the cylinder and provides sliding engagement with an outer surface the piston. An upper bearing that is fixed to the cylinder facilitates use of lighter weight materials for the cylinder without sacrificing durability.
US08087609B2	Dynamic human/wind powered flying suit A completely dynamic human powered flying suit comprising of a pair of bat wings and an interconnecting flexible main sheet with the body of the pilot-operator lying on top of and in the center of the non-rigid section of the apparatus when in flight. Each wing has a front section or a wing paddle with supporting spar network and a similar but smaller rear section with the pilot-operator's arms and legs respectively operating the front and rear sections in a swimming motion in order to make lift and thrust. A rear air dam extends along the trailing underside edge of the central part of the apparatus to slow passing air. Large straps extend from wing tip to wing tip at radial intervals down the underside of the aircraft to prevent hyper-extension of the large wing paddle outer ends from bypassing behind the pilot-operator to ensure capturing lift and for the making of thrust. A body harness is provided with quick disconnect clips to hold the pilot-operator onto the suit. A pilot-operator manipulates the rigid and non-rigid sections in concert to radically change the shape of the body wing chord or angle of attack on the wind by bending at the waist and legs to maneuver from high lift shapes to lower lift shapes for takeoff, flight, stunts and landing. A pilot-operator can sweep the wings down and forward or down and backward in a delta shape to bypass wind to safely walk on the ground when wearing the suit into or away from the wind.
US08087602B1	Mortar and pestle A mortar and pestle, the pestle having a dome-shaped top formed to be cupped within the palm of the hand, a body, and a bottom portion, the bottom portion formed to include a male apex. The interior of the mortar is formed to include an inverted frustum-shaped wall and an interior bowl extending from the interior inverted frustum-shaped wall. The bowl includes a female apex which cooperates with the male apex and into which the male apex may nest. The pestle has an external surface profile which is substantially similar to, and cooperates with, a mortar internal surface profile. Rotating the top of the pestle in a smooth, continuous motion about a circular locus processes material placed in the mortar as the pestle profile sweeps the mortar profile.
US08087598B2	Nozzle module for an injection valve A nozzle module for an injection valve has a nozzle body with a recess with a wall, being operable to hydraulically couple the recess to a high pressure fluid circuit, a seal seat embodied on the wall, at least one nozzle needle arranged in an axially moveable fashion in the recess. The needle has a seat area with a sealing surface interacting with the seal seat to open and close the valve, respectively, and a supporting area, arranged radially outside and axially at a distance from the seat area and supporting the needle against the wall when the needle closes. The needle has at least one needle recess, which when the supporting area rests against the wall of the body recess, an area of the body recess facing axially away from the seat area is hydraulically coupled to an area of the body recess which axially faces the seat area.
US08087595B1	Combination rinse pitcher and shower spout A combination rinse pitcher, particularly for rinsing shampoo from the head of a child during “bath time.” A main container body is made of relatively rigid material, and has a bottom and a plurality of main body sidewalls. A lip element is attached to the main container body and defines a rim of the rinse pitcher. The lip element is made of a relatively soft material which is sufficiently flexible such that at least a first portion of the rim can conform to the shape of the child's forehead. The first portion of the rim can be pressed against the child's forehead forming a seal to prevent poured water from flowing down the forehead of the child. A second one of the lip element sidewalls has apertures through which water can be poured to provide a shower-like flow.
US08087581B2	Banknote handling device In addition to storing cassettes (16a) to (16f) that store banknotes that are dispensed when money is normally dispensed, a bait money storing portion (14) is provided that stores bait money serving as an emergency banknote to be dispensed in case of an emergency. When the bait money is requested to be dispensed in case of an emergency, the bait money is forcibly transported from the bait money storing portion (14) to a banknote outlet, with the result that the bait money is dispensed quickly.
US08087579B2	Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers Systems and methods for verifying branding of pharmaceutical/medical containers are provided. In some embodiments, systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a scanning system including at least one scanner for determining the branding of at least one of a first medication container and a cap used to cover the first medication container; a transport system that transports the first medication container; and a control system that: controls the transport system to transport the first medication container to the scanning system; and controls the scanning system to determine whether the branding of at least one of the first medication container and the cap correctly matches a predetermined branding among a plurality of brandings based on predetermined criteria.
US08087576B2	Data storage device and method for determining the dependency of the risk for prostate cancer, device and method for indicating a risk for a disease of an individual A data storage device comprises a memory in which a collection of prostate cancer screening data is stored. The screening data is obtained from a selection of the general male population without medical pre-selection. A device for indicating a risk for a disease of an individual, comprises an indicator for indicating a determined value for said risk. The indicator comprises a risk scale representing a range of values of said risk, and at least one dialler for entering a value of a diagnostic parameter of an individual. The dialler comprises a parameter scale representing a range of values of said diagnostic parameter. The dialler is movable with respect to said indicator such that when a parameter value on said parameter scale is selected, an associated risk value is indicated on said risk scale according to a predetermined mathematical relationship.
US08087575B2	Printer with a touch panel A printer has a base, a cover, a touch panel, a printing module and a detachable bracket. The base has two mounting rails. Each mounting rail has an engaging slot and an engaging protrusion. The cover is mounted detachably on the base. The touch panel is mounted on the base. The printing module is mounted detachably on the base and covered by the cover. The detachable bracket is mounted securely on the printing module and has a bottom plate and two opposite side plates. Each side plate has an engaging tab and an engaging notch detachably engaging the engaging slot and protrusion of a corresponding mounting rail. The printer with the mounting rails and detachable bracket allows the printing module to be repaired independently without disassembling the touch panel.
US08087573B2	Slide in locking newspaper box A support for a newspaper box includes a support attaching to a post, a slide for sliding the newspaper box within the support, and a tab for locking the newspaper box within the support.
US08087572B2	Container blank for a storage container The present invention is directed toward a blank of material configured to form a storage/display container. The blank includes fold lines at predetermined locations to provide panels selectively foldable into a predetermined configuration. Specifically, the blank forms a container having a pedestal, a tower, and a lid hinged to the tower. The container defines a cavity in which items are selectively stored and accessed. The container, moreover, may function as a component of an award given to an award recipient. In one embodiment, the container is stylized as a trophy housing items related to an accomplishment or an occasion reached by the recipient.
US08087571B2	Pouring package and pouring member formed from a wall extending over an opening A pouring package for a fluid comprises a container (10) substantially impermeable to the fluid and having a pouring opening (11). The pouring opening is hermetically sealed by means of a breakable seal (30) in at least unopened state of the container. The container is provided with a pouring member (20) at the position of the pouring opening. Situated between a wall of the pouring member and the seal is a breaking member (21) which is awe and adapted to act on and break the seal when an external pressure is exerted on the wall.
US08087569B2	Polygonal tray having reinforced corners A tray includes a bottom panel having first, second, third and fourth edge portions. The tray further includes at least one end wall that extends perpendicularly outward from one of the first, second, third and fourth edge portions of the bottom panel, and at least one side wall that extends perpendicularly outward from another of the first, second, third, and fourth edge portions of the bottom panel. The at least one side wall is perpendicular to the at least one end wall. At least one corner extends between the at least one side wall and the at least one end wall. The at least one corner includes an outer member and an inner member. The inner member is folded onto the outer member to reinforce the at least one corner.
US08087564B2	Apparatus for forming a metallic container A method of forming a metallic container by placing body and lid portions together, keeping parts of the body and lid portions in contact with one another, and vibrating the lid with respect to the body, thereby generating frictional heat to form a friction metallic weld therebetween. Apparatus for attaching the lid and body portions of the metallic container includes a body supporting base, an assembly to support a flange of the body, a sonotrode to contact a flange of the lid so that wherein the flanges of the lid and body are held together between the support assembly and the sonotrode. A motor vibrates the sonotrode relative to the support assembly to thereby move the flanges relative to one another generating sufficient frictional heat to create a friction metallic weld therebetween.
US08087560B2	Accessory attachment system An accessory system has one or more accessory elements which are removably attachable to a waist belt. A loop is fastened to the rear wall of each accessory element to define a passage between the rear wall and the loop which extends generally perpendicularly to the direction of the belt. A first part of a two-part fastener such as a snap is attached to an exterior surface of the loop. A strap is fastened to the accessory element rear wall spaced from the loop. A second part of the two-part fastener is configured to mate with the first part of the two-part fastener. The second part is fixed to the strap, so the strap is capable of passing through the loop, and around the loop to bring the first part and the second part of the fastener into engagement to retain the belt between the strap and the accessory rear wall.
US08087559B2	Wheelchair vehicle ramp A loading apparatus for allowing wheelchair access to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus attaches to the hitch receiver of the vehicle, such as a van, truck or similar vehicle. The apparatus includes three ramp section pivotably connected such that the apparatus does not obstruct vision through the rear of the vehicle but also provides sufficient ground clearance for operation of the vehicle.
US08087557B2	Load carrier for fixed roof rail A load carrier that includes a load carrier bar with a load carrier foot at each end of the load carrier bar. Each load carrier foot has a fixed clamping jaw and a movable clamping jaw configured to be arranged on an upper side and an opposite lower side of the respective roof rails and to cooperate with a clamping device that is configured to move the movable clamping jaw towards the fixed clamping jaw. The movable clamping jaw is pivotally connected at the load carrier foot and in a first mounting position. The movable clamping jaw is firmly connected to at least one guiding protrusion, located on a distance from the movable clamping jaw and in a first mounting position is arranged so that the distance between the guiding protrusions, which are located at each end of the load carrier, is larger than the distance between the roof rails.
US08087548B2	Spray products with particles and improved valve for inverted dispensing without clogging A product is disclosed for inverted spray dispensing of material that comprises at least some particulate matter. The dispensing end of the container is connected to a valve, which includes a valve that moves from a biased closed position to an open position to discharge the product downward through the valve, when the dispensing end of the container is directed downward. An inlet end of the valve is spaced vertically above the dispensing end of the container when the dispensing end of the container is directed downward. The inlet end of the valve or spring cup is connected to a mesh filter having a pore size at least as large as an average diameter of the solid particles. Even when the container and a layer of settled particles forms at the dispensing end of the container, valve and mesh filter are designed so that at a portion of the proximal end of the mesh filter is disposed above the layer of settled particles to prevent clogging of the mesh filter.
US08087546B2	Dispenser for containing and dispensing a liquid or pourable solid product A dispenser is provided for containing and dispensing a liquid or pourable solid product. The dispenser includes a shell having a bottom and a continuous side wall, which together define a hollow cavity. A lid assembly covers the rigid shell and includes a central opening. A flexible pouch is arranged for locating within the hollow cavity and for containing the product to be dispensed. The flexible pouch includes a pouring spout having an outlet opening. The pouring spout is arranged for extending through the lid assembly opening when the flexible pouch is situated within the hollow cavity. The lid assembly additionally includes a set of clamping members positioned to surround the pouring spout. The clamping members are responsive to actuation and arranged to move from a retracted position to a clamping position to prevent movement of the pouring spout when situated within the opening.
US08087544B2	System for mixing beverage components in a predetermined ratio A system for mixing beverage components in a predetermined ratio is characterized by a housing having a mixing chamber therein, first and second inlets to the chamber and an outlet from the chamber. A first beverage component is flowed through the first inlet to the mixing chamber and a second beverage component is flowed through the second inlet to the chamber for mixing of the components in the chamber and exit of the mixture from the chamber through the chamber outlet. The pressure of the second beverage component in the second inlet is sensed upstream from the chamber and the flow of at least one of the first and second beverage components to the chamber is controlled in accordance with the sensed pressure to deliver to the mixing chamber a predetermined ratio of the first and second beverage components.
US08087543B2	Electric soap dispenser An electric soap dispenser that includes sensors for detecting the presence of an object. The dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. The dispenser can include various features for enhancing the performance thereof. For example, the dispenser can include an additional button for manual operation of the pump. Additionally, the dispenser can detect the voltage of a power supply and compensate for a drop in voltage of the power supply so as to produce more uniform dispensations of the liquid product.
US08087542B2	System for whipping a fluid slurry and method therefor An apparatus, method and vending system mixes a dry mix with water to produce a whipped fluid slurry for a beverage. The mixing apparatus includes an inlet for receiving an unwhipped fluid slurry and an outlet for discharging the whipped fluid slurry. A whipping chamber is connected to the inlet for whipping the unwhipped fluid slurry and further includes an impeller that induces fluid turbulence to produce the whipped fluid slurry when the impeller rotates above one or more indentations in the surface of the whipping chamber.
US08087532B2	Waste container A waste container includes a top chamber, a base chamber, upper and lower lids, and a drive mechanism mechanically coupling the lower lid with the upper lid. The upper lid is disposed on the top chamber and moves between a closed position covering a first opening and an open position exposing the first opening. The lower lid is disposed on the base chamber and moves between a closed position covering a second opening and an open position exposing the second opening. The drive mechanism is actuated so as to move the lower lid to the open position when the upper lid moves to the closed position from the open position. The lower lid returns to the closed position when the upper lid is in the closed position.
US08087531B1	Anti-splash/spill container lid A container lid for dispensing a pourable substance is disclosed, the lid comprising a flexible closure tab having a snap, a lid opening closure, an opening actuator disposed on a planar cantilever section of the flexible closure tab between the snap and the lid opening closure; a lid base having a snap receptacle for releasably retaining the snap, a lid opening for receiving the lid opening closure, and an actuator guide cutout for enclosing the opening actuator.
US08087530B2	Container lid with integrally molded utensil A container closure includes a utensil formed of a first polymer material, and a lid formed of a second polymer material, the utensil being detachably adhered to the lid by a chemical bond between the first and second polymer materials in the absence of any adhesive or bonding agent. A method for making the closure comprises the steps of introducing a quantity of a first polymer material into a mold to form a utensil, transferring the utensil from the first mold into a second mold or structurally modifying the first mold, and introducing a quantity of a second polymer material into the second mold or modified first mold to form a lid in such a manner that the utensil is detachably adhered to the lid by a chemical bond between the first and second polymer materials in the absence of any adhesive or bonding agent.
US08087527B2	Interconnecting container system for food or other product A container system for containing a product. The container system includes a primary container containing a primary product and at least one secondary container containing a secondary product. The secondary container is releasably connected to the primary container.
US08087526B2	Knockdown storage vessel A knockdown storage vessel has an internal bladder and external barrel sections. The ends of two barrel sections include a centrally-located bush that can be engaged by a handle so as to secure the barrel sections and allow for rolling transport of the vessel. The vessel barrel sections are dimensioned so as to nest within one another for compact storage.
US08087523B2	Closure assembly A closure assembly (11) for a baby's bottle (10) comprising a regulator cap (16) which is adapted to be mounted to the bottle (10) and having one or more apertures (22), a teat collar (17) threaded to the bottle and moveable between an open and closed position and a teat (18) coupled to the teat collar (17) and having an outlet (45) for passage of fluid, the teat having (17) a base flange (38) adapted for cooperation with the regulator cap (16) such that in the open position of said teat collar (17) fluid can pass through the one or more apertures (22) and through the teat outlet (45) and air can pass between the base flange (38) and regulator cap (16) into the bottle (10) through one or more of the apertures (22). In the closed position, fluid is prevented from passage through the one or more apertures (22) into the teat (16) and air is prevented from passing between the base flange (38) and regulator cap (16) into the bottle (10).
US08087522B2	Quick secure shelving A shelving system includes a product, a base, a tray insert, a template, and a placement clip. The base has a top surface forming a receptacle and includes a hanger assembly for releasably securing the base to a shelving unit positioned in a retail environment. The tray insert is releasably secured into the receptacle formed in the top surface of the base. The tray insert has a plurality of slots spaced along a length of the tray insert. The template is received over the tray insert to cover the tray insert. The template has a plurality of openings through the tray insert to selectively expose a desired subset of slots. The placement clip is releasably secured through one of the openings in the template into a pair of the desired subset of slots. The placement clip acts to releasably secure the template to the tray insert and is adapted to maintain the product.
US08087520B2	Locking automobile mat hanger and display device A locking automobile mat hanger and display device consists of two hanger housings that cooperate with an interchangeable adapter insert to secure a plurality of automobile floor mats. The device includes housings having a retaining portion and an adapter insert, whereby the adapter insert and the retaining portion of the housing create channels in which automobile floor mats may be inserted and retained. The device also has a cutout section in the housings whereby a user may easily grasp and carry the entire mat hanger assembly. The device further contains a hook section disposed on the housings, which allows for the entire mat hanger assembly to be hung from retail displays, and also allows for efficient storage. The label application section of the hanger aids inventory organization.
US08087513B2	Music instrument case with interchangeable lids A flexible music instrument case uses an interchangeable lid system to allow different types of lids to be attached to a main body depending on the particular needs of the user. The main body of the music case has an internal chamber configured to closely contain and protect the musical instrument or instruments, depending on the particular instruments being carried. The main body is somewhat structured to maintain a container shape, and may include various levels of rigidity. In addition, the main body further has at least one attachment mechanism attached to a portion thereof, to allow an interchangeable lid to be removably attached to the main body. The interchangeable lid has a similar attachment mechanism attached thereto to allow for the removable attachment of various lid elements. The interchangeable lids are configured differently to allow a user to configure the carrying case as necessary, and may include accessory compartments, sheet music pockets, or extended accommodations to allow portions of the musical instruments to extend beyond the open top while also being contained. Additional handles, wheels and straps are also included to increase the ease of use for the musical instrument case.
US08087508B2	Torsional vibration damper hub for a vehicle clutch A torsional vibration damper hub for a vehicle clutch includes a first row of springs extending substantially in the clutch rotating direction and disposed in openings formed in a first inner annular plate and a first pair of outer annular plates; a second row of springs extending substantially in the clutch rotating direction and is disposed in openings formed in the second inner annular plate and the second pair of outer annular plates; the first and second row of the springs being arranged on a same radius from a center of rotation of the clutch; the springs in the first row of springs arranged in one first axial level are axially overlapping the springs in the second row of springs arranged in a second axial level with the purpose to decrease a total axial length of the clutch. In an alternative embodiment the damper hub is substantially identical to a dual damper hub in conventional twin-plate clutches.
US08087507B2	Release bearing assembly A release bearing assembly has a roller bearing, an enclosure and a slinger. The enclosure has first and second flange portions. The slinger has a body portion sized for radial disposition within an inner diameter of the first flange portion. A lip portion extends from the body portion and defines a channel between itself and the enclosure.
US08087506B2	Multiple-disk brake in an automatic transmission having controllable cooling oil supply and method for operating the same The invention concerns a multi-disk brake (1) in an automatic transmission, with an inner disk carrier (4) and an outer disk carrier (6), with inner disks (3) and outer disks (5) arranged axially in alternation on the disk carriers (4, 6), with friction linings (7) on the inner and/or outer disks (3, 5), with a piston (10) of a pressure-medium-actuated piston-cylinder arrangement such that the inner disks (3) and outer disks (5) can be acted upon by a force to close the multi-disk brake, with an end disk (9) or support disk (11) that forms an axial abutment for the disk set (14) formed by the disks (3, 5, 9, 11), and in which the disk brake (1) and/or the components around it are so configured that the disks (3, 5, 9, 11) can be wetted by a cooling oil. To cool the disk multi-brake (1) even in slip operation phases and in the engaged condition, it is provided that depending on the operating condition of the brake, the cooling oil (13) can be passed over and/or through the disk set (14) in radially different directions. The invention also concerns a method for operating such a disk brake.
US08087504B2	Friction clutch and vehicle equipped with the same A friction clutch includes clutch housing having a friction plate, a clutch boss having a clutch plate, a pressure plate, a sub clutch, and a power-assist mechanism. The power-assist mechanism receives torque from the pressure plate when the clutch is disengaged and converts the torque into a force for moving the pressure plate in a direction which separates the pressure plate from a plate group. A cam surface, which supports and guides one or more roller weights, is formed on the pressure plate. The one or more roller weights move outward in a radial direction by a movement amount according to the magnitude of centrifugal force and press the pressure plate toward the plate group with force according to the movement amount.
US08087503B2	Driving mechanism and wheel assembly for toy car A driving mechanism for driving a wheel of a toy car includes a motor, a first clutch, a second clutch, a guide shaft, a spring, and a limiting element. The first clutch driven by the motor has an engaging end surface defining a center hole thereon. The second clutch capable of latching with the wheel for driving the wheel has an engaging surface engaging with the engaging end surface. The second clutch defines a stepped hole substantially perpendicular to the engaging surface thereof, the stepped hole includes a first portion and a second portion. The guide shaft is disposed running through the stepped hole and has an end thereof fixed in the center hole. The spring sleeves the guide shaft and is compressed between the limiting element secured on the guide shaft and a stepped surface in the stepped hole.
US08087502B2	Actuator for shifting a selectable one-way clutch An actuator shifts a selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) between a plurality of operating modes. A first spring has a preload compression that is equivalent to a first start pressure. A second spring, disposed adjacent to the first spring, has a preload compression that is equivalent to a second start pressure. A plunger movably contacts the first spring and a slide plate movably extends from the plunger. The slide plate engages the SOWC such that the SOWC shifts between the operating modes in response to movement of the slide plate. The first spring is compressible from beyond the preload compression to a first stop position as the pressure is increased from the first start pressure to a first stop pressure. The second spring is compressible from beyond the respective preload compression to a second stop position as the pressure is increased from the second start pressure to a second stop pressure.
US08087499B1	Vibration wave controlled variable stiffness structures and method of making same In some embodiments, a variable stiffness structure is provided having a plurality of constant stiffness members. The plurality of constant stiffness members are movably adhered together through a friction force generated by a normal force. Vibration generators are operatively coupled to the plurality of constant stiffness members. The vibration generators can vibrate at a plurality of frequencies. The friction is responsive to the plurality of frequencies whereby providing a change in stiffness of the variable stiffness structure. The variable stiffness structure may have different shapes, for example, beam, rod, plate, or cylindrical. The vibration generators may be ultrasonic resonators in some embodiments.
US08087498B2	High power/weight ratio braking device based on shape memory material technology The braking device is provided a set of shape memory alloy activators positioned, in an agonistic-antagonistic configuration on each side of a brake lever. Braking and releasing phases are dictated by the austenitic transformation of the shape memory alloy activators. During brake activation, shrinking of the braking activator brings the friction pad in contact with a rotating drum creating a braking friction torque. Once the brake has been activated, deformation of a flexible fiberglass component prevents brake releasing by applying sufficient normal force between the drum and the friction pad. Conversely, upon heating of the releasing activator, the pad looses its grip and the drum is free to rotate.
US08087497B2	Compensation in an elevator system having multiple cars within a single hoistway An elevator system (20) includes multiple elevator cars (22, 32) within a hoistway (28). A first compensation member (40) is associated with a first counterweight (24). A second compensation member (50) is associated with a second one of the elevator cars (32). Each compensation member has one end that moves with the associated elevator system component and an opposite end (44, 54) secured in a fixed position within the hoistway. In one example, a compensation member has a linear density that is approximately four times a linear density of a corresponding load bearing member.
US08087492B2	Methods and systems for integrating sound attenuation into a filter bank A filter bank is provided. The filter bank includes a housing having a front face and a back face. Air flows along an air flow path from the front face to the back face. A filter layer is held in the housing. The filter layer is oriented between the front and back faces such that air flows through the filter layer before discharging from the back face. An attenuation layer is positioned within the housing to attenuate sound as the sound propagates between the front and back faces. The attenuation layer is oriented to extend along the air flow direction.
US08087489B2	Articulated construction vehicle including a lever-operated electrical Control device An articulated construction vehicle is provided with an articulated, self-propelled body, body-articulating hydraulic cylinders for articulating the self-propelled body, a pilot-operated directional control valve for controlling a flow of pressure oil to the body-articulating hydraulic cylinders, and a steering-wheel-operated control device for outputting a pilot signal to corresponding one of signal-receiving ports of a directional control valve by rotational operation of a steering wheel. The articulated construction vehicle includes a lever-operated, electrical control device for outputting an electrical signal by tilt operation of a lever, a controller for receiving the electrical signal from the control device to output an electrical signal concerning the operation of the lever, a signal converter for converting the electrical signal into a pilot signal and outputting the pilot signal to a corresponding signal-receiving port of the directional control valve to switch the control valve, and a selector of an operation system.
US08087481B2	Dual lever steering controls with control stops Dual lever steering controls with control stops are provided for a zero turning radius mower. Each control arm is mounted to a neutral position lever that is pivotable between a full forward drive position and a full reverse drive position. Each control stop is mounted to block the control arm and neutral position lever from pivoting to a position under a minimum forward speed. Each control stop may be biased to the minimum forward speed position, and also may be pivotable between an operating position and a non-operating position.
US08087479B2	Drill bit with an adjustable steering device A drill bit is provided that includes a force application device on a body of the drill bit. The force application device includes a force application member pivotally coupled to the drill bit and configured to extend from the drill bit body to apply force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit is used to drill a wellbore, and an actuator configured to actuate the force application member to apply force on a wellbore wall during drilling of the wellbore.
US08087477B2	Methods and apparatuses for measuring drill bit conditions Drill bits and methods of measuring drill bit conditions are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit bearing at least one cutting element and adapted for coupling to a drill string. The drill bit may also comprise a chamber formed within the bit and configured for maintaining a pressure substantially near a surface atmospheric pressure while drilling the subterranean formation. In addition, the drill bit may comprise at least one optical sensor disposed in the chamber and configured for sensing at least one physical parameter exhibited by the drill bit while drilling a subterranean formation.
US08087476B2	System and method for damping vibration in a drill string using a magnetorheological damper A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a magnetorheological fluid valve assembly having a supply of a magnetorheological fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil for inducing a magnetic field that alters the resistance of the magnetorheological fluid to flow between the first and second chambers, thereby increasing the damping provided by the valve. A remnant magnetic field is induced in one or more components of the magnetorheological fluid valve during operation that can be used to provide the magnetic field for operating the valve so as to eliminate the need to energize the coils during operation except temporarily when changing the amount of damping required, thereby eliminating the need for a turbine alternator power the magnetorheological fluid valve. A demagnetization cycle can be used to reduce the remnant magnetic field when necessary.
US08087471B2	Agricultural implement with improved tillage point An agricultural implement includes a framework configured to be towed behind a vehicle, and a plurality of shanks mounted to the framework and configured to engage the soil. A tillage point is mounted on each shank. Each shank tillage point includes a body having a top surface and a nose extending from the top surface. The tillage point also includes two wings each disposed on a lateral side of the body and extending laterally outward. In certain embodiments, a slope of the nose relative to a horizontal plane of movement of the tillage point through soil is greater than a slope of the top surface of the body. In further embodiments, the wings are configured to engage the soil at a shallower depth than the nose, and/or a tip of each wing is configured to engage the soil at a greater depth than a respective wing root. In yet further embodiments, the tillage point includes a boss positioned forward of openings configured to receive a fastener for coupling the tillage point to a shank.
US08087466B2	Centralization and running tool and method The invention relates to a centralization and running tool (CTR) in a subsea installation in connection with offshore related oil and gas exploration, where the subsea installation (SCM) is arranged to be placed on the ocean bottom or a drilling template and comprises a pipe-formed body (10), at least partially open at the top and extended, arranged to receive and carry through a drill stem (12) from a drilling rig or a drilling vessel. The centralization and running tool (20) is arranged to surround the drill stem (12) and to be placed in the pipe-formed body (10), and the centralization and running tool (20) comprises, together with the drill stem (12), a rotary packing housing (22) with a number of seals (24,26) that lie against the drill stem (12), and the packing housing (22), in accordance with the movements of the drill stem (12), is arranged for radial movement to take up angular deviations of the drill stem (12). The invention also relates to a method to provide a fluid-tight seal against a drill stem (12) and against the surroundings in a subsea installation.
US08087463B2	Multi-position hydraulic actuator A method of actuating a well tool utilizing first and second pressure sources includes the steps of: placing an actuator chamber in communication with the first pressure source, thereby displacing a piston from a first position to a second position; and then placing another chamber in communication with the second pressure source, thereby displacing the piston to a third position. A multi-position actuator includes an operating member which displaces to operate a well tool, a first position of the operating member corresponding to a pressure source being in communication with a chamber and another pressure source being in communication with another chamber, a second position of the operating member corresponding to the same pressure source being in communication with both of the chambers, and a third position of the operating member corresponding to the pressure sources being connected to the chambers oppositely to that of the first position.
US08087461B2	Logging while producing apparatus and method Production logging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises a coupling module, an electronic module, a micro-winch, a docking station, and a micro-production logging tool. The coupling module provides mechanical support for the production logging apparatus below a pumping arrangement disposed in a wellbore, and allows flow to enter the pumping arrangement. The electronic module comprises a winch controller, a powering module and a telemetry module, and adapted to automate the micro-winch. The docking station comprises a latching mechanism for ensuring positive engagement of a micro-production logging tool with the production logging apparatus during docking. And the micro-production logging tool comprises at least one sensor and is coupled to the micro-winch by a cable for regular production logging runs to measure the evolution of well characteristics.
US08087460B2	Granular electrical connections for in situ formation heating A method for heating a subsurface formation using electrical resistance heating is provided. In one aspect, the method includes creating a passage in the subsurface formation between a first wellbore located at least partially within the subsurface formation, and a second wellbore also located at least partially within the subsurface formation. An electrically conductive granular material is placed into the passage so as to provide electrical communication between the first wellbore and the second wellbore. Electrically conductive members are provided in the first wellbore and second wellbore so as to form an electrically conductive flow path comprised of the electrically conductive members, the granular material, and a power source. An electrical current is established through the electrically conductive flow path, thereby resistively heating at least a portion of the conductive members which in turn heats the subsurface formation.
US08087457B2	Method for a short-term well operation by means of an electrically-powered submersible pumping unit (Kuzmichev method) A method of short-term well operation using a submersible impeller pump unit is disclosed, the method includes the steps of alternating pumping a liquid out of a well and accumulating a liquid in the well, and adjusting an average integral-in-time capacity of the unit by changing a proportion between time intervals of pumping the liquid out and accumulating the liquid. The method further includes adjusting a pressure produced by the unit during the time interval of pumping the liquid out of the well, selecting a time interval of a complete operational cycle of the unit to have a production rate reduction factor greater than 0.95 as compared to continuous well operation, and selecting a factor of cyclic time interval of unit-turning-on equal to a ratio of the time intervals of pumping the liquid out and the complete operational cycle of the unit such that the factor is less than 50%.
US08087453B2	Programmable controlled heat dissipating fan A programmable controlled heat dissipating fan is comprised of a base, a stator assembly, a magnet frame assembly, a fan blade assembly, an inductor set, a first circuit board and a second circuit board. The stator assembly is firmly installed in the base, while the magnet assembly is sleeved into the periphery of the stator assembly. The fan blade assembly is rotated through the alternatively changing magnetic field produced by the stator winding and magnet frame, while the second circuit board is rotated and powered by electromagnetic coupling. The data content stored in the data repository is loaded by the microprocessor to drive the light emitting unit to display.
US08087452B2	Contact cooling device A high performance cold plate cooling device including multiple, relatively thin plates, each having patterns formed thereon that, as arranged within the device, cause turbulence in a fluid passing within the cooling device. Adjacent plates within the cooling device are arranged such that fluid channels within their patterns are arranged crosswise. One or more barriers extending at least a portion of the length of the device separate the crosswise channels into two or more flow sections and increase uniformity of thermal performance over the active plate area. Manufacturing of the device includes stacking the plates in an alternating fashion such that the channels within the pattern of each plate are crosswise with respect to the channels in the pattern of an adjacent plate and adjacent barrier walls abut.
US08087447B2	Method for checking wall thickness of hollow core airfoil A molding technique is utilized to form the cooling channels in an airfoil for a gas turbine engine. The cooling channels are formed by lost core mold cores, which are leached away after metal has been molded around them. At least one of the mold cores is provided with a cone which will extend into the airfoil. The cone forms an opening in a wall of the airfoil, and the size of this opening is indicative of the thickness of the wall. By comparing the size to expected sizes, a determination can be made of whether the wall is of an acceptable thickness at locations where it is difficult to otherwise measure the wall.
US08087446B2	Method and apparatus for production of a cast component A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.
US08087436B2	Modular connector A modular connector system that permits changes to the connector, for example changes in the type of connection interface that is used and/or changes in the type of actuator that is used to actuate the connector. By making parts of the connector changeable, the connector can be changed so as to be able to connect to different fluid systems. This eliminates the need to have separate connectors for different fluid systems.
US08087430B1	Leak detecting hose A leak detecting hose for transporting fluid. The hose has an inner and outer layer. The outer layer circumscribes the inner layer. A transition layer is located between the inner and outer layer, and the transition layer provides a flow path for the fluid in the hose when the inner layer is breached. A first conductive wire is placed in contact with the transition layer, and a second conductive wire is placed in contact with the transition layer. The conductive wires are adjacent to and spaced from each other. When the inner layer of the hose is breached, the first and second wires will contact the fluid in the flow path. The conductive wires are radially equidistant from the center of the hose and helically wound around the inner layer. The transition layer may include reinforcement material, which can have filaments that provide a flow path for the fluid.
US08087429B2	System and method for a pump with reduced form factor Embodiments of the present invention provide pumps with features to reduce form factor and increase reliability and serviceability. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide features for gentle fluid handling characteristics. Embodiments of the present invention can include a pump having a motor driven feed stage pump and a motor driven dispense stage pump. The feed stage motor and the feed stage motor can include various types of motors and the pumps can be rolling diaphragm or other pumps. According to one embodiment, a dispense block defining the pump chambers and various flow passages can be formed out of a single piece of material.
US08087425B2	Hose and tubing assemblies and mounting systems and methods A hose assembly includes a length of hose and a bracket. The bracket includes a rigid insert and a resilient overmold encapsulating at least a portion of the insert and mechanically bonding with at least a portion of an exterior of the hose. A method to produce this assembly may employ thermoplastic injection molding and include the steps of associating the rigid insert with the length of hose and overmolding the rigid insert and a section of the length of hose associated with the rigid insert with the resilient material, thereby encapsulating a portion of the insert and mechanically bonding the resilient material with the section of the length of the hose. A portion of the rigid insert may extend from the bracket and provide amounting holes and a bearing surface for mounting fasteners.
US08087418B2	Deaeration device and ultrasonic cleaning device using the same A deaeration device for bubbling dissolved air in the cleaning liquid by cavitation is connected on a cleaning-liquid circulation path so as to bubble the dissolved air in the cleaning liquid flowing through the cleaning-liquid circulation path, and the bubbled dissolved air flows back to the cleaning tank together with the cleaning liquid so that the bubbled dissolved air is ejected from the liquid surface of the cleaning tank to the outside of the tank. Moreover, a propeller-type pump is used as the circulating pump, and the dissolved air concentration of the cleaning liquid is controlled within a range of 2.5 to 3.5 mg/l.
US08087417B2	Cosmetic applicator The applicator for cosmetics has one or more plies with scoring to form a handle area and a sample area. The scoring upon the top ply guides the applicator to bend into a handle area grasped by a woman's fingers and the sample area has a slight bow to apply eye shadow or other powdered cosmetic as the woman sees fit. The sample area has embossing in the bottom ply to retain pre-deposited cosmetics for further sampling.
US08087414B2	Machine for styling hair in the form of long locks of hair entwined in dreadlocks Machine for styling hair in the form of long locks of hair entwined in dreadlocks includes a container body accommodating an electric or pneumatic motor. There is a handle which, in its lower front part, forms a nose through which an interchangeable harpoon needle projects, the needle being provided with at least one traction harpoon and being installed in a particular rotary position with the aid of removable device. The container body has a switch above and behind the nose. The electric or pneumatic motor has a regulator for the speed and has a shaft, which extends parallel to the interchangeable harpoon needle, rotationally coupled to it.
US08087407B2	Conveyor oven apparatus and method An oven according to some embodiments includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a heating element, a fan, a sensor for sensing the temperature of the oven chamber, a remote input device, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the remote input device and to change the fan or heating element based at least in part upon the signal received from the remote input device. In a method of operating the oven according to some embodiments, the oven enters an operating mode from an energy-savings mode responsive to receiving an signal from a remote device.
US08087405B2	Bow-type soft projectile launcher A projectile launcher for launching soft projectiles. The projectile launcher features a pump assembly having a cylinder and piston. The piston includes a pump grip so that a pressure charge is generated when the user moves the piston. The pressure charge is released into a chamber which contains a soft projectile. The chamber includes a radius bend joining a projectile receiving orifice to a projectile discharging orifice. The pressure charge is introduced proximate the apex of the radius bend.
US08087394B2	Dual-level combustion chamber system, for fastener driving tool, having dual-level rotary valve mechanism incorporated therein A combustion chamber system, for use in connection with internal combustion powered fastener-driving tools, comprises a dual-level combustion chamber comprising first and second pre-combustion and main combustion chambers, and a dual-level rotary valve mechanism which is operatively connected to the dual-level combustion chamber so as to control the intake of the air/fuel mixture as well as the scavenging or purging of the exhaust gases or combustion products. The first and second pre-combustion and main combustion chambers are also separated by a plate having a plurality of apertures defined therein whereby multiple jets or flame fronts are defined throughout the combustion chamber system.
US08087393B2	Zero float valve for internal combustion engine and method of operation thereof A valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine, the valve apparatus including: a main part having a wall section defining a valve cavity extending along a longitudinal length of the main part and an opening located in the wall section of the main part, the opening flow connected to the combustion chamber; an outer part configured and arranged so as to be reciprocally located in the valve cavity, the outer part having a wall section defining an inner passage extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; an inner part having a first end situated outside of the cavity and a second end situated within the cavity and the inner passage of the outer part, the inner part having a wall section defining an inner passage, a first opening at the first end, and one or more openings in that part of the walled section which is situated within the cavity.
US08087392B2	Variable valve actuation system A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system may comprise a rocker arm that includes first, second and third contact surfaces. The first contact surface may contact the engine valve. A hydraulic lost motion system may contact the rocker arm at the second contact surface, and a mechanical valve train element may contact the rocker arm at the third contact surface. The lost motion system may include a slave piston with a valve seating device incorporated therein. The lost motion system and the mechanical valve train element may be provided side by side at the end of the rocker arm opposite that of the engine valve.
US08087391B2	Apparatus and methodology for rocker arm assembly One possible embodiment of the invention is essentially an apparatus and methodology for mounting a rocker arm assembly to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine comprising of at least a unitary stanchion to which multiple rocker arms may be moveably connected. In least one embodiment, the unitary stanchion may comprise a base from which project multiple rows of pedestals. Two of more of these rows may be set in essentially parallel orientation, which further defines a primary space in which a portion of the rocker arm is located. The unitary stanchion may be secured to the cylinder head thorough multiple rows of fasteners. The footprint of the base of unitary stanchion could allow the unitary stanchion to possibly act as generally efficient external buttress for generally providing greater support across the top of the cylinder head.
US08087387B2	Special rawhide holding device for pets A unique pet device that is used to hold “chewable” objects for pets such as rawhide bones, carrots and other consumables. The device for pets may be used with dogs, cats, ferrets and other animals that have a proclivity to chew. The device is comprised of a unique combination of a base support with special features, a bone or object holding structure with special integral or discrete components and features, and an optional hold down lid or top to assist the containment of the rawhide or chew toy that is being held by the device. The device is made of high quality, durable material that is pet safe and non-toxic to animals and humans.
US08087385B2	Pet carrier access portal An access portal for a pet carrier allows a pet owner to insert a hand into the pet carrier but prevents the animal contained therein from escaping through the access portal. The access portal may be blocked by an elastic barrier with an aperture that stretches to allow the pet owner to gain access to the interior of the pet carrier. Doors covering the access portal on the inside and/or the outside of the carrier may also be used instead of, or in conjunction with the elastic barrier.
US08087382B2	Method and arrangement for animal management A method is provided for managing animals (10) in a milking system which comprises a milking stall (11) provided with a milking apparatus (13) for milking the animals, a gate arrangement (18a-b; 18a-b, 32; 55a-b) allowing the animals to enter said milking stall, one at a time, from at least two different locations, and a control device (15) which holds and updates a milking suitability index for each of the animals. According to the method a first animal is identified and received at a first location, and a milking suitability index for the first animal is retrieved. A second animal is identified and received at a second location, and a milking suitability index for the second animal is retrieved. The milking suitability indexes for the first and second animals are compared and an animal at either one of said first and second locations is allowed to enter the milking stall depending on the outcome of the comparison.
US08087380B2	Evaporative system for solar cell fabrication A plurality of chamber are arranged about a transport chamber. The linear transport chamber may include a linear track supporting robot arms. The robot arms transport substrates to and from the chambers. Each chamber includes a plurality of evaporators, each controlled independently. Each substrate positioned in the chamber is coated from a plurality of the evaporators, such that by controlling the operation of each evaporator independently the formation of the layers and the concentration gradient of each layer can be precisely controlled.
US08087379B2	Localized plasma processing A method of localized plasma processing improves processing speed and reduces work piece damage compared to charged particle beam deposition and etching. In one embodiment, a plasma jet exits a plasma generating chamber and activates a reactive gas. A jet of plasma and reactive gas impacts and processes the work piece. Because the plasma and the ions in the reactive gas can have low kinetic energy, there can be little or no surface damage. This is particularly useful for deposition processes. When it is desired to etch material, the reactive ions can be more energetic to enhance etching.
US08087376B2	Coating apparatus The present invention has as an object to provide a coating apparatus for forming a coating film on each of many lenses in a short time. To attain this object, in the coating apparatus for a lens according to the invention, a lens support portion of a lens centering device, a lens support portion of a lens spinning device, and a lens support portion of a lens drying device are arranged at equal distances. A pair of lens holding portions of a lens transport device are provided at the same distance as the distance between the lens support portions. The first lens holding portion of the lens holding portions transports the lens from the lens support portion of the centering device to the lens support portion of the applicator device, and the second lens holding portion of the lens holding portions simultaneously transports the lens from the lens support portion of the applicator device to the lens support portion of the drying device.
US08087366B2	Needle threader for sewing machine A needle threader for a sewing machine includes a threading mechanism including a threading hook mounted on a lower end of a threading shaft and a thread guide member. The threading hook and the thread guide member are movable among a thread guide preparation position where the threading hook and the thread guide member are located near a height position of a needle clamp, a threading operation position where a threading operation is carried out with the threading hook being level with an eye of a needle, and a retreat position which is located above the thread guide preparation position and to which the threading hook and the thread guide member are retreated. A vertical moving mechanism moves the threading shaft vertically so that the threading mechanism is moved among the thread guide preparation position, the threading operation position and the retreat position.
US08087364B2	Assembly of pallet component and fasteners An assembly of a pallet component and fasteners makes a pallet on which various kinds of objects can be placed and which is movable by a forklift. The pallet component includes two outer unit members and an intermediate connector. Each outer unit member has an inner side formed with spaced projections and concavely provided with spaced receiving recesses adjacent thereto. The spaced projections of each outer unit member correspond in position to and are therefore receivable in the spaced receiving recesses of the other outer unit member. The intermediate connector is bilaterally provided with connecting sections that have different orientations. The working end of each connecting section has spaced projections and spaced receiving recesses adjacent thereto so as to connect with the corresponding outer unit member. Thus, a pallet can be easily made according to the widths of objects to be placed on the pallet.
US08087363B2	Rail car collision system A rail car collision system is disclosed that includes a front face and an underframe having a first anticlimber. The first anticlimber protrudes from and extends across at least a portion of the front face at a first position. At least one second anticlimber extends along at least a portion of the front face at a second position that is vertically different than the first position.
US08087357B2	Process for creating a unit dose product with a printed water soluble material A process for selectively and repeatedly printing at least two graphics onto a water soluble material to create a randomized print for unit dose products.
US08087356B2	Handling device of a printing press A handling device of a printing press, in particular for handling printing plates during an automated change of printing plates on a printing unit of a printing press, is disclosed. The handling device has a manipulator arm, where a manipulator head is allocated to one end of the manipulator arm, which head features a handling element, in particular a holding element for printing plates. The manipulator arm is of a multi-piece design of several segments, where a swivel axis is included on each end of each segment, around which axis at least the respective segment can be swiveled, and where a separate drive for providing the respective swivel motion is allocated to each swivel axis.
US08087355B2	Method of treating on-press developable lithographic printing plate A method of treating an on-press developable lithographic printing plate with a treating solution after imagewise exposure and before on-press development is described. The plate comprises on a substrate a photosensitive layer developable with ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to a radiation. The plate is imagewise exposed with a radiation, overall treated with a treating solution to cause at least one chemical or physical change in the photosensitive layer or on the substrate surface, and then on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution. Such a treatment allows improvement on the performance of the imagewise exposed plate by, for example, improving the white light stability, forming visible imaging, increasing the hydrophilicity of the substrate, or increasing the developability of the photosensitive layer.
US08087354B2	Method of forming visible image for on-press developable lithographic printing plate A method of forming visible image on an on-press developable lithographic printing plate is described. The plate comprises on a substrate a photosensitive layer developable with ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to a radiation. The plate is imagewise exposed with a radiation, overall treated with a discoloring agent to form visible image or enhanced visible image, and then on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution. The formation of visible image allows easy identification or inspection of the plate by the pressman before mounting on press.
US08087351B2	Passive thermal insert for temperature-controlled trays and food service counters Temperature control is provided to food dispensing vessels like condiment dispensers that are too tall to be stored in a shallow, temperature-controlled tray or basin by using inclined or tilted, thermally-conductive tubes placed inside a temperature-controlled tray. Thermal insulating covers improve the thermal efficiency of the tubes.
US08087349B2	Rotary screw blancher A food processing apparatus includes a tank defining an inner compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and positioned relative to the tank in a first position, and a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen for advancing food product within the tank from the inlet end of the tank toward the outlet end.
US08087347B2	Insert, a machine and a system for the preparation of beverages An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge. The brew head comprises an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, and a closure mechanism moveable between open and closed configurations. The insert comprises a receptacle and sealing means, the receptacle having an opening through which, in use, a quantity of beverage ingredients may be loaded into the receptacle, a lower portion of the insert comprising an inlet and an outlet. In use, on insertion of the insert into the brew head of the beverage preparation machine and movement of the closure mechanism into the closed position the sealing means is contactable with, and sealable against, the brew head to thereby close the opening of the receptacle to define a I brewing volume containing the quantity of beverage ingredients, and on inserting the insert into the brew head the inlet and outlet of the insert are arranged to communicate respectively with the inlet and outlet of the brew head such that, in use, water from the inlet of the brew head passes upwardly through the inlet of the insert into the brewing volume and such that beverage produced from the water and the quantity of beverage ingredients passes downwardly through the outlet of the insert to flow out of the outlet of the brew head.
US08087341B2	Personal protection apparatus for vehicles The invention provides a personal protection apparatus for use in vehicles comprising: a behind-the-seat ballistic shield provided with support means extending to the floor of the vehicle for distributing a weight component of the shield, and a deployable protective ballistic shield and visor articulately linked to the behind-the-seat ballistic shield for protecting the upper chest, neck and head areas of a driver and displaceable between an active deployed position in front of the driver and a storage position.
US08087340B2	Composite treatment of ceramic tile armor An improved ceramic tile armor has a core of boron nitride and a polymer matrix composite (PMC) facing of carbon fibers fused directly to the impact face of the tile. A polyethylene fiber composite backing and spall cover are preferred. The carbon fiber layers are cured directly onto the tile, not adhered using a separate adhesive so that they are integral with the tile, not a separate layer.
US08087339B2	Armor system An armor system and method for the interior of a structure to be protected wherein releasable fastener material is secured to an inside wall of the structure and at least a first armor panel includes, in one example, a spacer layer, a ceramic hard face layer behind the spacer layer, a ballistic material behind the ceramic energy absorber layer, an encapsulant about the spacer layer, the ceramic energy absorber layer, and the ballistic material. Releasable fastener material is on the encapsulant adjacent the spacer layer for mating the panel to the inside wall of the structure.
US08087338B1	Firearm suppressor with slip and capacitance chambers A firearm noise suppressor having an internal base frame member with a plurality of inserts mounted thereto. In one form the suppressor is provided with a slip chamber allowing gas to be forwarded to a longitudinally forward chamber for pre-compression of gas therein.
US08087335B2	Systems and methods for repeating area denial Systems and methods inhibit locomotion of a human or animal target in a denial zone. Acquiring the target includes forming a prediction of at least two locations of impact on the target and testing the prediction according to criteria that may include whether the locations are within a boundary corresponding to the target and whether the locations are separated by a minimum physical and/or electrical distance. The two locations may serve for conducting a current through the target for impeding locomotion by the target. The current may be repeated in response to determining that locomotion was not sufficiently impeded. Determination may depend on analysis of video of the target.
US08087334B2	Sectioning instrument A sectioning instrument fabricates a section having an accurate and uniform thickness to be carried to a next step automatically without deforming a surface of an embedded block and while observing the surface of the embedded block. The sectioning instrument includes a sample base for fixing an embedded block, a cutter for fabricating a section by sectioning the embedded block, a carrier for carrying the section, and a feed mechanism for moving the sample base in a predetermined feed direction. The carrier includes a belt, a direction switching portion provided on an upper side of the cutter, and a rear roller. The belt is inserted to between the cutter and the direction switching portion from a rear side of the cutter, folded back to an upper side by the direction switching portion and is reeled back to the rear side of the cutter by the rear roller substantially in parallel with the feed direction of the feed mechanism in a plane view.
US08087333B2	Method for press punching a hole in sheet metal and press die A punch unit for a press die is provided for punching a hole in sheet metal. The punch unit includes a piercing punch provided with a sharp projection, a plunger for pressing the piercing punch, a cylinder for supporting the piercing punch and the plunger slidably in a punching direction, and a coil spring for retracting the piercing punch and the plunger. Also disclosed is a press die for punching a hole in sheet metal using the punch unit.
US08087332B2	Lathe In order to improve a lathe comprising a machine frame, a spindle housing which is arranged on the machine frame and in which a workpiece spindle rotatable about a spindle axis is arranged, as well as at least one functional unit designed as a tool carrier and/or as a workpiece transport device in such a manner that as efficient a machining as possible of the workpiece is possible, it is suggested that the spindle housing be designed as an upright housing member, that the upright housing member be arranged on one side of a working space and border on it and that several functional units be arranged on the upright housing member.
US08087329B2	Screwdriver for bone screws In a screwdriver for bone screws, having a handle and rotationally fixedly held thereon a shaft, the free end of which has a non-circular cross section and is insertable in a positively locked manner in a non-circular receiving opening in the head of a bone screw, at least one expander element being mounted so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction in the shaft and so as to slide, when displaced in the longitudinal direction, along a slide surface in the area of the free end of the shaft in such a way that it projects laterally over the contour of the shaft, in order to simplify the actuation of the at least one expander element, it is proposed that the at least one expander element be pretensioned by an elastic spring element in the direction towards the free end of the shaft and be retractable against the action of the spring element in the shaft until it no longer projects laterally over the contour of the shaft.
US08087328B2	Adjustable one way screw remover A tool for removing conventional one way fasteners that includes, generally, a member, a collar, and, a shaft that can be removably received by the collar, wherein in the shaft is configured to engage regions of the fastener head. The collar is adjustable to fit fastener heads of different sizes. The member can be configured to correspond to a threaded portion of the outer surface of the collar. The collar may also have a bottom portion that includes multiple splines.
US08087326B2	Low profile wrench and method A member may be rotated by engaging the member with a drive element and rotating the drive element in a single direction such that rotation in an opposite direction is prevented.
US08087323B2	Gear transmission with reduced transmission wall housing deflection A gear transmission is provided including at least a first and a second shaft with substantially fixed and substantially parallel axes of rotation, a transmission housing with a first and a second wall that extends perpendicular to the axes of rotation, and a plurality of gearwheels that are rotationally fixed or rotationally fixable to the shafts. The shafts include at least one input shaft and at least one output shaft, the shafts being suspended by bearings that are seated in the first and second walls. The first wall is connected to the second wall with at least one rod in order to reduce deflections in operation of the first and second walls.
US08087320B2	Special path generating device A special path generating device includes a base, a first axis slide assembly, a second axis slide assembly, a working portion, a driving portion, a first cam and a second cam. This first axis slide assembly includes a first bar and a first slide. The second axis slide assembly includes a second bar and a second slide. This working portion is mounted on the second slide that has two contacting portions. The driving portion is mounted on the base. When the driving portion drives the driving shaft rotating, the first cam and the second cam rotate accordingly and makes the working portion generating a special path. It can generate a constant-speed circular movement. It is easy to control. In addition, its volume is small.
US08087319B2	Transmission including a park arrangement with combination detent/latch A transmission for a vehicle includes a shift rail movable in a longitudinal direction. The shift rail carries a fork engaging a shift collar. A shift block carried by the shift rail includes a latch and a detent. The latch is latchable with the shift rail for preventing longitudinal movement of the shift rail. A cross shaft extending transverse to the shift rail carries a shift arm engageable with the shift block.
US08087316B2	Flat yoke valve actuator A Scotch yoke actuator is disclosed with a dual yoke and a diagonally symmetric design. A pair of shafts and pushing devices apply equal, opposing forces to the yoke, causing end loading forces applied to a rotatable shaft attached to the center of the yoke to be cancelled. In embodiments, the weight of the pushing devices is balanced about the yoke, each shaft extends in only one direction from the yoke, and/or the shafts are supported only by the yoke and the pushing devices. In embodiments that use yoke pins, the yoke pins include rollers or bearings to reduce friction, and/or two pair of yoke pin slots support protruding ends of the yoke pins. The yoke pin slots can extend to edges of a yoke housing face, allowing easy shaft removal and reinstallation, and each shaft can include a split end with extensions on opposing sides of the yoke.
US08087313B2	Method for determining expected water uptake in hygroscopic material Some embodiments relate to methods and processes for determining how a range of weather conditions can affect a selected physical parameter of a material. In some embodiments the weather conditions can include relative humidity and/or temperature, and the selected physical parameter can be mass and or dimensions. For instance, some embodiments can be used to estimate the amount of water that a material may be expected to absorb under in-service conditions. In some embodiments the amount of water can defined by a range bounded by amounts observed at opposing extremes of simulated conditions.
US08087312B2	Automotive transmission shift system linear measurement device A measurement device includes a base extending along a longitudinal axis, an input connector configured for attachment to a shifter assembly of a vehicle and a clamp configured for attachment to a linkage support bracket of the vehicle. The measurement device measures the linear displacement of a linkage interconnecting the shifter assembly and a transmission of the vehicle in response to movement of the shifter assembly between a first position and a second position. A scale is attached to the input connector and slideably supported by the clamp. A scale reader is attached to the base for measuring linear movement of the scale in response to movement of the shifter assembly between the first and second positions. Preferably, the scale and the scale reader comprise a digital measuring unit having a digital display for displaying the measured linear movement.
US08087311B2	Remote pipe inspection using a mounted camera and sensor Inspecting an interior portion of a pipe system. An imaging device includes a camera that is fixedly attached to an interior surface of a pipe. The camera captures a plurality of images of an interior portion of a pipe. The imaging device is connected to a data communication network and transmits data over the data communication network. The data includes image signals representative of the captured images. A computing device, also connected to the data communication network, receives the data transmitted over the data communication network by the imaging device. The computing device is remotely located with respect to the imaging device.
US08087310B2	Interconnect for MEMS device including a viscoelastic septum Provided is a micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) device for use with an elongate structure. The MEMS device includes a generally planar substrate, a device wall layer formed upon the substrate, a septum cavity formed in the device wall layer, a channel formed in the device wall layer in fluid communication with the septum cavity, and a septum element disposed in the septum cavity. The septum element is formed of a viscoelastic material. The septum element defines a septum entry surface and a septum exit surface with the septum exit surface being exposed to the channel and disposed between the septum entry surface and the channel. The septum element is without any openings formed through the septum element extending between the septum entry and exit surfaces. Methods of manufacturing and interacting with the MEMS device are also provided.
US08087309B2	Hermetic sample holder and method for performing microanalysis under controlled atmosphere environment A hermetic sample holder for use in performing microanalysis of a sample under a controlled atmosphere environment. The sample holder comprises a sample holder body with a sample cavity to receive the sample and a cover movably mounted to the holder body between an open position to allow access to the cavity and a closed position to seal the cavity. The cover is secured in and released from the closed position at least in part by a pressure differential between the cavity and the ambient atmosphere. The cover may be biased toward the open position. The cover may be pivotally mounted about an axis that is perpendicular to a sealing surface of the cover and/or movable in a direction along the pivot axis. A valve may be provided to allow direct evacuation of the cavity to create a pressure differential. An adjustable clamp may be located in the cavity to secure the sample.
US08087307B2	Removal of particulates from gas sampling stream A sample probe includes a sample probe tip filter and a deflector disposed in relation to the sample probe tip filter, where the deflector is operable to deflect particles in a gas stream away from the sample probe tip filter.
US08087303B2	Product dispensing system A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.
US08087300B2	Edible wafer products produced by extrusion The present invention relates to edible wafers, in particular to extruded wafers and to the use of these wafers in confectionery.
US08087297B2	Vibrating debris remover A system and a retrofit kit for removing debris from a surface of a material. At least one vibration subunit is provided which is either embedded within or operatively connected to a back surface of the material. The vibration subunits are capable of converting a driving energy to a vibrating mechanical output energy which is coupled to the material. At least one external energy source is provided which is operatively connected to the vibration subunits. The external energy source is capable of providing the driving energy to the vibration subunits. The vibrating mechanical energy is capable of causing debris to be removed from the surface of the material.
US08087286B2	Method for checking the permeability rate of a closed container In a method for checking the permeability rate of a closed container (3) with respect to a medium, in particular for checking the permeability rate of a film-type container for accommodating a film container for accommodating a pharmaceutical active constituent formulation, the container (3) is filled with a medium, charged with a gas, and the increase in the amount of medium in the gas is then analysed.
US08087285B2	Apparatus and method for a seal immersion test with aerated fluid A test apparatus for testing fluid seals within an aerated fluid includes a container and a fluid located within the container. A plurality of seal coupons are submerged within the fluid in the container. An air supply is connected to the container to aerate the fluid within the container. Testing the seal coupons includes flowing air from the air supply through the fluid to contact the seal coupons. After the air has contacted the seal coupons then the plurality of seal coupons are removed from the fluid. A value for at least one characteristic of the seal coupons is then compared with a standard value.
US08087284B2	Method and apparatus for measuring particle characteristics through mass detection Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.
US08087279B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing a legged annular member A method and apparatus for manufacturing a legged annular member. In one aspect, a work member is formed from a ring-like raw material, and has an annular part and an outer wall part, which is formed from a leg part and a connecting part. The connecting part is removed from the work member to form an intermediate legged annular member having an annular part and a leg part. An inner diameter of the leg part of the intermediate legged annular member is expanded while a burr is removed to form a carrier, which serves as a legged annular member. Therefore, the number of manufacturing processes until completion of the carrier can be reduced, compared to performing separate processes to expand the diameter of the leg part and remove the burr. Thus, it is possible to shorten the period of time needed for completion of the carrier.
US08087266B2	Laundry machine A novel-structure laundry machine that is capable of washing laundry using steam is disclosed. The laundry machine includes a machine body constituting the external appearance thereof, a drum mounted in the machine body for receiving laundry, a steam generation unit for generating steam, and a primary steam supply part for supplying the steam generated in the steam generation unit into the lower part of the drum.
US08087256B2	Cooling methods and systems using supercritical fluids The methods and systems using supercritical fluids for cooling of objects with high thermal emissions are disclosed. The unique thermodynamic properties of supercritical fluids combined with microchannel cooling technology allow effective absorption of the waste heat and exclude “vapor lock”, “boiling crisis”, and other deficiencies of conventional two-phase liquid cooling.
US08087255B2	Air-conditioning system for aircraft Air-conditioning system (10) for aircraft, in particular for commercial aircraft, with a bleed air source (12), a bleed air line (22-30) comprising a main valve (16), and an air-conditioning unit (32), wherein a mass air flow conveyed from the bleed air source (12) through the bleed air line (22-30) to the air-conditioning unit (32) can be controlled by means of the main valve (16). According to the invention it is envisaged that a by-pass line (36-50, 58, 60) comprising a by-pass valve (34) and by-passing at least a part (22-26, 16) of the bleed air line, is present between the bleed air source (12) and the air-conditioning unit (32).
US08087252B2	Turbomachine combustion chamber An annular combustion chamber for a turbomachine is disclosed. The combustion chamber includes radially internal and radially external cylindrical walls which are fixed by bolting at their upstream ends to an internal and an external annular flange of an annular chamber end wall, and an annular fairing extending in the upstream direction from the chamber end wall. The internal and external annular ends are fixed by bolting to the flanges of the chamber end wall in axial alignment with the annular ends of the walls of the chamber.
US08087247B2	Heat engine/ heat pump using centrifugal fans An engine/heat pump is shown. Most of its parts rotate around the same central axis. It comprises two doubly connected chambers. Blades in each chamber substantially rotate with the chamber and may be firmly attached to the walls of the chamber, thus forming a modified centrifugal pump with axial input and discharge. An expandable fluid is rotated outward by one of the pumps and then heat is added for an engine or removed for a heat pump as the fluid is being sent to the outer part of the second pump. The fluid travels toward the center of the second pump, thus impelling the pump in the rotation direction. Then heat is removed for an engine or added for a heat pump as the fluid leaves the second pump and travels back to the first pump near the center of rotation. Rotation energy of the fluid is typically much larger than the circulation energy. A modified centrifugal pump with axial discharge having a casing rotating with the blades is also claimed.
US08087243B2	Internal combustion engine turbocharged by a turbocharger The invention is intended to optimize the recovery of the residual energy contained in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion piston engine by means of a turbocharger group, in which each cylinder (1) from which the combustion gases escape through the exhaust pipe (5) is equipped with a turbine (7), and the volume (5) between the exhaust valve (3) and the inlet of the turbine (7), detrimental to the efficiency thereof, is minimized by the attachment of the turbine directly on the cylinder head of the engine without the intermediary of a collector and, the counter-pressure acting on the piston of the cylinder (1) during its exhaust upstroke is minimized owing to an adjustment of the turbine pressure by means of an additional exhaust valve (4), called a “dynamic discharge valve”, optionally equipped with a downstream throttle valve (8) in order to continuously adjust the corresponding flow rate and, consequently, the pressure of the turbine unless the control of the dynamic discharge valve (4) is not variable itself.
US08087241B2	Compressed air energy storage system utilizing two-phase flow to facilitate heat exchange A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
US08087235B2	Process for the removal of harmful substances from exhaust gases of combustion engines and catalyst for carrying out said process The present invention relates to an integrated system for the treatment of exhaust gases, which preferably consists of at least one NOx-storing component, at least one in situ ammonia-generating component, at least one ammonia-storing component and at least one ammonia (NH3)-SCR-component, as well as to a process for the treatment of exhaust gas comprising at least the steps (i) storing of NOx under lean exhaust gas conditions in at least one NOx-storing component; (ii) in situ conversion of the stored NOx to ammonia (NH3) under rich exhaust gas conditions; (iii) storing of the ammonia (NH3) in at least one NH3-storing component under rich exhaust gas conditions as well as the (iv) reaction of NH3 with NOx under lean exhaust gas conditions. Thereby, the partial steps “storing of NOx” and “conversion of NH3 with NOx” are carried out at least partially and/or temporarily simultaneously and/or parallelly. Furthermore, preferred catalysts are disclosed for carrying out the process.
US08087234B2	Exhaust emission purification control device for internal combustion engine An exhaust gas purification controller for controlling bed temperature of a DPF, which is arranged in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, at a target bed temperature by supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas purification controller includes a control unit and a transitional state detection unit. The control unit, when controlling the bed temperature of the exhaust gas purification catalyst, learns a supply amount of fuel that allows for correction of a difference between the catalyst bed temperature and the target bed temperature in the present state and reflects a learned value obtained through the learning on the supply amount of fuel. The transitional state detection unit detects a transitional state of an exhaust gas flow to the DPF. The control unit restricts the learning when the transitional state of the exhaust gas flow is detected.
US08087230B2	Exhaust system for motor vehicles An exhaust system for discharging exhaust gases through an exhaust passageway, emitted from a multi-cylinder combustion engine mounted on a motor vehicle includes a partition plate formed therein for dividing the exhaust passageway into a plurality of juxtaposed exhaust passages and having a communicating hole defined therein, and an exhaust gas sensor positioned at a location in proximity of the communicating hole for detecting a composition of the exhaust gases.
US08087228B2	Segmented combustor cap A combustor cap is cooperable with an impingement plate in a turbine fuel nozzle and includes a plurality of cap segments independently securable to the impingement plate. The plurality of cap segments are radially and tangentially movable relative to the impingement plate.
US08087227B2	Connector This invention relates to a connector, particularly to a shackle suitable for use in connecting two links of a chain or a chain to an anchor, more particularly to a connector comprising a first portion and a second portion, at least one first connector arm on the first portion and at least one second connector arm on the second portion, wherein both the first and second connector arms have multiple bearing surfaces, preferably six, and are able to engage one another when the connector is coupled by means of the bearing surfaces. The connector of the present invention has the advantage of having a break load of 1.3[0.0274 d2(44−0.08 d) kN, wherein d is the nominal diameter, and preferably a thickness of 1.3 d.
US08087226B2	Detent spring on adjustment mechanism for reel-to-bedknife clearance An adjustment mechanism for reel-to-bedknife clearance includes an adjuster base having an internal bore, an adjustment knob attached to a rod extending through the internal bore to engage one of the reel or bedknife, and a detent spring captured between the adjuster base and the adjustment knob and biased against the adjustment member to resist rotation of the adjustment knob. The detent spring may engage radial notches on the adjustment knob at a plurality of reel-to-bedknife clearance positions.
US08087222B2	Cotton picker spindle with grease reservoir and a grease and dirt seal A spindle assembly includes a spindle with a blind bore extending along the spindle axis from the drive gear towards the outer end to reduce spindle weight and provide a lubrication reservoir in the spindle. Cross-formed holes extend from the blind bore through to the bearing surface of the spindle. Lubricant from the spindle bars passes into the bore where it is stored and distributed to the journal areas through the small metering apertures. A very low friction seal between the outer bushing and dust collar is pressed into the spindle nut and seals against the polished chrome spindle surface. The seal allows a slight amount of lubricant passage outwardly from the bushings while limiting inward movement of dust towards the bushings.
US08087220B2	Film sealing and wrapping machine with rotary cut and seal jaw The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.
US08087219B2	Vacuum packaging system A vacuum packaging system for packaging a vacuum apparatus includes a first accommodating room, a second container, a vacuum room, a first hatch, a second hatch, a delivery apparatus, a discharge device, and a heating apparatus. The delivery apparatus transports the vacuum apparatus from the first accommodating room to the vacuum room to the second accommodating room. The discharge device discharges a sealing element to seal an exhaust through hole of the vacuum apparatus. The heating apparatus is mounted on the inner wall of the vacuum room between the second hatch and the transport pipeline to heat and soften the sealing element.
US08087217B2	Method and a device for forcibly expelling a cork from a bottle of champagne or the like The method consists in: a) screwing a spherical impact part (16) onto the body of the cork so as to extend it axially; b) orienting and holding the bottle (14) in a predetermined position such that the bottle extends below a reference level (18), the impact part (16) emerging above said level; and c) striking the impact part with a striker surface (22) situated at the end of the arm of a striker accessory (24), e.g. a golf club. This produces a sudden force on the cork of amplitude that is sufficient to forcibly expel the cork solely by the fact of striking against the impact part. The device further comprises a podium (10) defining the reference level (18) and means (30) for orienting and holding the bottle (14) in a predetermined position which may be vertical or inclined.
US08087215B2	Forming, filling and sealing machine, and methods for producing, filing and closing bags A forming, filling and sealing machine for producing bags from semifinished products, and for filling and closing the bags, includes a plurality of processing stations. At least two processing stations of at least one first group are successively, largely linearly, arranged in the horizontal plane (x, z) in the transport direction (z) of the bags. The bags or semifinished products are transported between the processing stations by transport devices which generally include gripping devices. The machine also includes at least one second group having at least one processing station that is not linearly arranged behind the first group in the horizontal plane (x, z) in the processing direction (z) of the bags.
US08087214B1	Matchbooks having advertising media Improved matchbooks having separable message sheets are provided for. The novel matchbooks each comprise a comb of matches having a plurality of matches and a cover. The cover is attached to and folded over the comb such that the cover substantially encloses the comb when the cover is in a first closed position and permits a consumer to access the matches in the comb when the cover is in a second open position. The cover has igniting material on the cover on which the matches may be struck and ignited. The matchbooks also have a message sheet providing a substrate on which a message may be imprinted. The message sheet is separably connected to the cover such that the message sheet is separable from the cover. Thus, the message sheet may be removed from a novel matchbook by a consumer without compromising the integrity of the matchbook.
US08087213B2	Interactive product packaging A package and lock combination includes a package having an unopened state and including an aperture, and a lock contained within the package. The lock includes a first portion and a second portion moveable relative to the first portion for operating the lock. The first portion is substantially fixed within the package, and the second portion extends through the aperture so that the lock is operable while the lock is contained within the package and the package is in the unopened state.
US08087208B2	Frame member fastening device and method of manufacture A frame member fastening device and method of manufacture provides a single configuration fastening device which can be used singly in connection with a frame member, or which can be combined with another identical fastening device to form a fastening device assembly for use with frame members of different internal widths, by interlocking two identical fastening devices in an opposed, base-to-base assembly configuration. The fastening device is manufactured in a progressive metal forming process with successive stages in which the features of the device are formed.
US08087205B2	Fire-rated wall construction product The present application is directed toward fire-rated wall construction components and wall systems for use in building construction. Embodiments can include tracks for holding studs which incorporate various geometries capable of receiving fire-retardant material, flat straps for use between tracks and fluted wall components, fire sponges for use in fluted wall components, and tracks with protruding grooves or other structures which prevent unwanted air movement between a wallboard component and the track.
US08087204B1	Sealing cap for intermediate anchor system A sealing cap for an anchor of a post-tension anchorage system has a tubular body, a flange formed on an end of the tubular body, and a seal positioned adjacent an interior wall of the tubular body. The flange has a connector formed on a circumferential surface thereof for detachably engaging the flange with a tubular section of the anchor. The seal is positioned against the interior wall of the tubular body. The seal has a tubular shape so as to extend entirely around the interior wall. The seal is positioned in liquid-tight relation between the interior wall of the tubular body and a sheathed portion of a tendon extending from the anchor. The seal is inserted between the sheathed portion and the interior wall of the tubular body.
US08087203B2	Waveguide for a radio frequency door A waveguide for a radio frequency door like that used in a medical imaging room allows intravenous lines and electrical conduits to be inserted through the door frame without being disconnected from the patient. The waveguide includes a door frame section, and a removable, telescoping or pivoting movable member that cooperates with the door frame section to retain the conduits. The movable member is positioned away from the door frame section during insertion and removal of the conduits from the door frame section, and is positioned adjacent the door frame section when the conduits are being retained. The dimensions and materials of the waveguide are selected to achieve attenuation of electromagnetic interference.
US08087199B2	Partial-body large game decoy A partial-body large game decoy shiftable between a disassembled configuration and an assembled configuration. The decoy may comprise an internal support system, an elongated handle configured for selective attachment to the internal support system, and a cover having a likeness of a large game animal therein or thereon. The cover may have the internal support system disposed therein for providing a desired shape to the cover depicting head, neck, and/or shoulders of a large game animal. A user may hold the decoy by the handle from behind a visual obstacle such that the decoy appears to be a large game animal with its body and legs hidden behind the visual obstacle. In the disassembled configuration, the internal support system may be at least partially disassembled such that the cover may be folded up into a more compact configuration for transport or storage by the hunter.
US08087198B2	Combined illuminated reticle switch and focus knob for sight A sight. A saddle is connected between an ocular housing and an objective housing. A crosshair is disposed in the ocular housing. A light-emitting element is disposed in the ocular housing, illuminating the crosshair. A focal adjustment member is disposed on the saddle, adjusting an objective focus for the sight. A key-type member is connected to the focal adjustment member and is electrically connected to the light-emitting element, controlling operation of the light-emitting element and adjusting luminous brightness thereof.
US08087196B2	Dot sighting device with large caliber Provided is a dot sighting device with large caliber for binocular vision in which sighting can be performed rapidly and accurately by minimizing parallax. The dot sighting device is attached to and detached from a mount for a heavy machine gun. In addition, by using the dot sighting device with large caliber, a user can rapidly and accurately sight and fire a target by taking into consideration types and characteristics of the target and a distance to the target.
US08087195B2	Tree mounted apparatus A portable apparatus, removably attached to an existing vertical support or structure, such as a tree, for providing a firearm rest or suspending articles above the ground. The apparatus may include associated vertical and a horizontal members, where the vertical member is secured to the tree using a securing device such as a cord and binder arrangement. The multi-purpose apparatus is supports a firearm such as a rifle.
US08087191B2	Device for the pixel-integrated return of fluid An apparatus for the pixel-integrated return of fluid in the pixel of a fluidic display is characterized in that the fluid with which the desired information is to be displayed and/or the carrier fluid in which the fluid is optionally embedded can be returned in a particularly compact manner and in a manner which is invisible to an observer past the visible part of a pixel (image compartment) into a reservoir (reservoir compartment) through or out of the reservoir. The device comprises an image compartment, a reservoir compartment, a connecting duct and at least one return duct, whereby the at least one return duct is formed by the fact that the connecting duct has at least one area with an uninterruptedly enlarged cross section which transitions in a specified manner into the cross section of the original cross section.
US08087189B2	Chemically-treated outsole assembly for a golf shoe An out-sole assembly for a golf shoe. The outsole assembly includes an internal base member composed of EVA, an inner frame member composed thermoplastic polyurethane subjected to an isocyanate solution, an external base member composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane, a dual looping frame composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane, and a plurality of spike members.
US08087187B2	Article of footwear with support assemblies An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a top plate, a bottom plate positioned below the top plate, and a plurality of support assemblies extending between the upper plate and the midsole. Each support assembly includes a fluid-filled bladder and a retaining member surrounding the fluid-filled bladder.
US08087186B2	Piezoelectric-based toe-heaters for frostbite protection A footwear including a body; a base structure; and one or more electrical energy generators disposed in the base structure for generating electrical energy upon application of an impact to the base structure. The footwear is used to produce electrical energy by impacting a base structure of the footwear; and vibrating a mass-spring unit in the base structure to generate an electrical energy.
US08087181B2	Valve body seat pocket inspection tool A technique is provided for detecting the surface profile of a seat pocket of a gate valve. An inspection tool is used to detect data at a plurality of points around the bore of the valve. The inspection tool has a sensor that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The inspection tool is disposed within a valve body cavity with the sensor in the retracted position. The sensor of the inspection tool is then extended outward so that it is located within the portion of the bore of the valve having the surface profile to be detected. The sensor is rotated so that the sensor may obtain surface profile data at a plurality of points around the seat pocket of the valve body. The sensor of the inspection tool is connected to a processor-based device, such as a computer. The processor-based device processes the data from the sensor and provides it to a user in a form that is recognizable to the user.
US08087180B1	Adjustable picture frame wall hanging template system The present invention is an adjustable picture frame wall hanging template system and device with adjustable elements to easily determine and visualize the placement and positioning of an object to be hung on a wall. It can be adjusted by size and shape to determine a desired size and shape of an object to be placed on a wall prior to acquisition of the object. It is light weight and can be easily handled for a single person operation and temporarily attached to the wall for hands free viewing.

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