最新美国发明专利第2012-02-21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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US08119468B2	Thin film transistor and method for manufacturing the same Disclosed is a thin film transistor which includes, over a substrate having an insulating surface, a gate insulating layer covering a gate electrode; a semiconductor layer which functions as a channel formation region; and a semiconductor layer including an impurity element imparting one conductivity type. The semiconductor layer exists in a state that a plurality of crystalline particles is dispersed in an amorphous silicon and that the crystalline particles have an inverted conical or inverted pyramidal shape. The crystalline particles grow approximately radially in a direction in which the semiconductor layer is deposited. Vertexes of the inverted conical or inverted pyramidal crystal particles are located apart from an interface between the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor layer.
US08119463B2	Method of manufacturing thin film transistor and thin film transistor substrate Provided is a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor that can improve self-alignment. In this method, a semiconductor layer comprising a first doped region, a second doped region and a channel region is formed on a sacrificial layer on a first substrate. Next, the semiconductor layer is separated from the first substrate and is then coupled on a second substrate. Next, a dielectric layer is formed on the second substrate and the semiconductor layer, and a first photoresist layer is formed on the dielectric layer. Thereafter, the first photoresist layer is exposed to light from a rear surface of the second substrate by using the first doped region and the second doped region as a mask, to form a first mask pattern. Next, a gate electrode overlapping the channel region is formed on the dielectric layer by using the first mask pattern as a mask, and a source electrode and a drain electrode connected to the first doped region and the second doped region, respectively are formed to complete a thin film transistor.
US08119461B2	Reducing the creation of charge traps at gate dielectrics in MOS transistors by performing a hydrogen treatment By performing a heat treatment on the basis of a hydrogen ambient, exposed silicon-containing surface portions may be reorganized prior to the formation of gate dielectric materials. Hence, the interface quality and the material characteristics of the gate dielectrics may be improved, thereby reducing negative bias temperature instability effects in highly scaled P-channel transistors.
US08119460B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming the same A semiconductor device includes a plurality of transistors disposed on a semiconductor substrate, a device isolation layer disposed around the transistors, a guard ring disposed to surround the device isolation layer and the transistors, and a guard region disposed between adjacent transistors.
US08119458B2	Placement method of an electronic module on a substrate The aim the disclosed process is to ensure maximum precision both at the level of the manufacturing of an electronic assembly from a chip with small dimensions as well as the level of the placement of such an assembly on an insulating substrate. This aim is achieved by a placement process on a substrate, of at least one electronic assembly comprising a chip having at least one electric contact on one of its faces, said contact being intended to be electrically connected to a conductive track segment. The electronic assembly is built on a holding device which seizes and holds at least one conductive track segment previously formed and a chip. A placement device places this electronic assembly thus built at a predetermined position relative to the substrate and embeds or inserts said electronic assembly into the substrate.
US08119455B1	Wafer level package fabrication method A method of forming an electronic component package includes coupling a first surface of an electronic component to a first surface of a first dielectric strip, the electronic component comprising bond pads on the first surface; forming first via apertures through the first dielectric strip to expose the bond pads; and filling the first via apertures with an electrically conductive material to form first vias electrically coupled to the bond pads. The bond pads are directly connected to the corresponding first vias without the use of a solder and without the need to form a solder wetting layer on the bond pads.
US08119452B2	Method of fabricating a semiconductor device One method includes fabricating a semiconductor device including providing a dielectric layer. At least one semiconductor chip is provided defining a first surface including contact elements and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The semiconductor chip is placed onto the dielectric layer with the first surface facing the dielectric layer. An encapsulant material is applied over the second surface of the semiconductor chip in a reel-to-reel process.
US08119449B2	Method of manufacturing an electronic part mounting structure An electronic part mounting structure includes electronic part having a plurality of electrode terminals, a substrate provided with connection terminals in locations corresponding to these electrode terminals, and protruding electrode for connecting one of electrode terminals and one of connection terminals, where electrode terminal of electronic part and connection terminal of substrate are connected through protruding electrode and protruding electrode is formed of a conductive resin including a photosensitive resin and a conductive filler.
US08119446B2	Integrated chip package structure using metal substrate and method of manufacturing the same An integrated chip package structure and method of manufacturing the same is by adhering dies on a metal substrate and forming a thin-film circuit layer on top of the dies and the metal substrate. Wherein the thin-film circuit layer has an external circuitry, which is electrically connected to the metal pads of the dies, that extends to a region outside the active surface of the dies for fanning out the metal pads of the dies. Furthermore, a plurality of active devices and an internal circuitry is located on the active surface of the dies. Signal for the active devices are transmitted through the internal circuitry to the external circuitry and from the external circuitry through the internal circuitry back to other active devices. Moreover, the chip package structure allows multiple dies with different functions to be packaged into an integrated package and electrically connecting the dies by the external circuitry.
US08119445B2	Organic semiconductors and growth approaches therefor Organic semiconductor devices exhibit desirable mobility characteristics. In connection with various example embodiments, a monolayer of methyl-terminated molecules exhibits density characteristics that are sufficient to promote two-dimensional growth of organic semiconductor material formed thereupon. In some applications, the methyl-terminated molecules are sufficiently dense to dominate inter-layer interactions between layers of the organic semiconductor material.
US08119444B2	Method for manufacturing the image sensor An image sensor and a method of manufacturing an image sensor. An image sensor may include a semiconductor substrate which may include a readout circuitry. An image sensor may include an interlayer dielectric over a semiconductor substrate, and/or a first metal pattern over an interlayer dielectric. An interconnection may penetrate an interlayer dielectric and/or may be connected to a readout circuitry. A first metal pattern may be formed over an interlayer dielectric, and/or may be connected to an interconnection. A second metal pattern may be formed over a first metal pattern. A photodiode pattern may be formed over a second metal pattern.
US08119435B2	Wafer level processing for backside illuminated image sensors A backside illuminated image sensor comprises a sensor layer having a plurality of photosensitive elements of a pixel array, an oxide layer adjacent a backside surface of the sensor layer, and at least one dielectric layer adjacent a frontside surface of the sensor layer. A color filter array is formed on a backside surface of the oxide layer, and a transparent cover is attached to the backside surface of the oxide layer overlying the color filter array. Redistribution metal conductors are in electrical contact with respective bond pad conductors through respective openings in the dielectric layer. A redistribution passivation layer is formed over the redistribution metal conductors, and contact metallizations are in electrical contact with respective ones of the respective redistribution metal conductors through respective openings in the redistribution passivation layer. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device.
US08119429B2	Method for fabricating nitride semiconductor laser device and nitride semiconductor laser device A p-type GaN guiding layer, an n-type GaN layer, and an n-type AlGaN current blocking layer are sequentially formed over an active layer, and then part of the current blocking layer is etched by using an alkali solution and irradiating the part with light to form an opening. Thereafter, a second p-type GaN guiding layer is formed on the current blocking layer to cover the opening. In this structure, the GaN layer has a smaller energy gap than the AlGaN current blocking layer.
US08119428B2	Method of manufacturing nitride semiconductor light emitting device An object is to provide a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device having high light emission output and allowing decrease in forward voltage (Vf). The invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device including at least an n-type nitride semiconductor, a p-type nitride semiconductor and an active layer formed between the n-type nitride semiconductor and the p-type nitride semiconductor, wherein the n-type nitride semiconductor includes at least an n-type contact layer and an n-side GaN layer, the n-side GaN layer consists of a single or a plurality of undoped and/or n-type layers, and the method includes the step of forming the n-side GaN layer by organic metal vapor deposition with the growth temperature set within the range of 500 to 1000° C., such that the n-side GaN layer is formed between the n-type contact layer and the active layer.
US08119419B2	Check valve-less fluid-transfer collection assembly and method of using the same A method of using a fluid transfer collection assembly includes providing an assembly including a base, a test media carried by the base, an inlet for receiving a sample fluid, an outlet, a fluid transfer path located between the inlet and the outlet, a movable first finger mechanism, a movable second finger mechanism operatively coupled to the movable first finger mechanism; first moving at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism relative to the path so that at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism engage the path to draw the sample fluid into the path; and then moving at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism relative to the path so that at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism engage the path to transfer the sample fluid through the path to the test media.
US08119414B2	Test strip with slot vent opening Methods of manufacturing test strips are disclosed. Embodiments include laminating a two piece covering layer over a substrate with a series of cavities, wherein the two pieces are separated by a gap, the gap forming a vent opening for the cavities. Other embodiments include covering the sample receiving chamber with a cover thinner than the cover covering the body of the test strip, the thicker body cover absorbing more force than the chamber cover to reduce the possibility of adhesives squeezing out from under the chamber cover. The present invention also provides an advantageous method of mass-producing the inventive test strips without having to align the slot or vent opening laterally with respect to the test strips and without having to punch a vent opening. The method is also well suited to mass production by roll processing techniques.
US08119411B2	Method for analyzing C-terminal amino acid sequence of peptide using mass spectrometry The present invention provides a method for analyzing the C-terminal amino acid sequence of a peptide by using a reaction for successively releasing the C-terminal amino acids of the peptide, which method can suppress, when successively releasing the C-terminal amino acids of a peptide of long amino acid length, such a undesirable side reaction as cleavage of peptide bond in the intermediate position of the peptide and can carry out the chemical treatment thereof under widely applicable conditions; In the method, a dry sample of a peptide with long amino acid length is beforehand subjected to an N-acylation treatment; by using a reaction reagent where an alkanoic acid anhydride is combined with a small amount of a perfluoroalkanoic acid, successive release of C-terminal amino acids is conducted under mild conditions; a hydrolysis treatment is applied; then, selective fragmentization at site of arginine residue is performed by digestion by trypsin; thereafter, decreases in molecular weight are measured for the C-terminal side fragments derived from a series of reaction products with use of a MALDI-TOF-MS apparatus; thereby, the C-terminal amino acid sequence of the peptide sample is identified.
US08119406B2	System and method for production of antibodies in plant cell culture A system and method for production of antibodies in plant cell culture, which results in highly functional antibodies, produced with a high level of expression efficiency. The present invention also encompasses host cells, vectors and methods for mass production of full size assembled immunoglobulins.
US08119405B2	Methods of inducing regulated pancreatic hormone production in non-pancreatic islet tissues Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing pancreatic hormone production.
US08119403B2	Disease model incorporation into an artificial immune system (AIS) The present invention relates to methods for preparing an artificial immune system. The artificial immune system comprises a cell culture comprising a three-dimensional matrix comprising lymphoid tissue, a three-dimensional matrix comprising epithelial and/or endothelial cells, and diseased cells. The artificial immune system of the present invention can be used for in vitro testing of vaccines, adjuvants, immunotherapy candidates, cosmetics, drugs, biologics and other chemicals.
US08119402B2	Methods of inhibiting T1R1/T1R3 heteromeric umami taste receptors Methods of inhibiting umami taste receptors are provided. These methods comprise contacting T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptors with a sweet-taste inhibitor that also inhibits both the T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor and the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor.
US08119399B2	Method and system for collecting cells of a biological specimen A method for determining when sufficient cells of a biological specimen have been collected by a filter is based on measuring an air flow rate between a filter and a vacuum source. The air flow rate can be measured by a mass air flow sensor. The air flow rate dropping below a threshold, such as a certain percentage of an initial or baseline flow rate, indicates that sufficient cells have been collected to provide sufficient filter coverage.
US08119398B2	Adipose-derived stem cells for tissue regeneration and wound healing Compositions and methods for promoting tissue regeneration, particularly skin regeneration, with adipose-derived stem cells are provided. Additionally methods and compositions for promoting tissue regeneration with adipose-derived stem cell side population cells are provided. The adipose-derived cells are administered in a tissue regenerating effect amount optionally with a bioactive agent. Additionally the adipose derived cells can be autologous or syngeneic.
US08119392B2	Biocompatible resists This invention relates to biomaterials, biocompatible photoresists, and electroactive photoresists, and methods to engineer the interactions between biomaterials and cells. In one aspect, this invention provides for modifying surface topography through micro-patterning techniques that require no organic solvent development to reveal the lithographic patterns. Cells can be cultured on these surfaces directly and exhibit strong cell alignment features.
US08119390B2	Methods and compositions for concentrating secreted recombinant proteins Methods and compositions are described that relate to obtaining concentrated preparations of secreted recombinant proteins. These proteins are expressed in the form of fusion proteins with a chitin-binding domain (CBD). The fusion proteins are capable of being concentrated in the presence of chitin. Also described is: a shuttle vector that includes a modified LAC4 promoter; a chitinase-negative host cell; a CBD capable of eluting from chitin under non-denaturing conditions; and sterilized chitin, which can be optionally magnetized for facilitating recovery of recombinant protein.
US08119385B2	Nucleic acids and proteins and methods for making and using them The invention provides polypeptides, including enzymes, structural proteins and binding proteins, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Polypeptides, including enzymes and antibodies, and nucleic acids of the invention can be used in industrial, experimental, food and feed processing, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications, e.g., for food and feed supplements, colorants, neutraceuticals, cosmetic and pharmaceutical needs.
US08119375B2	Method for the production of ramipril An improved method for preparing ramipril is disclosed, and also an intermediate for use in the method.
US08119374B2	Nucleotide sequences of coryneform bacteria coded for proteins participating in L-serine metabolism and method for microbial production of L-serine This invention relates to the nucleotide sequence of coryneform bacteria coding for proteins which are involved in L-serine metabolism with reduced and switched off L-serine dehydratase activity. The invention also relates to microorganisms used in methods for producing L-serine.
US08119372B2	Method of production of L-amino acids An isolated polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, with the L-aspartic acid at position 5 of the amino acid sequence replaced by another proteinogenic amino acid, and possesses citrate synthase activity. In addition, a vector comprises the polynucleotide and a bacterium comprises the vector. An isolated polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising, from position 1 to 39, the nucleotide sequence corresponding to position 1 to 39 of SEQ ID NO: 11, from position 40 to 105, a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12, with each proteinogenic amino acid except L-aspartic acid being present at position 5. A method of producing an L-amino acids is also described.
US08119371B2	Process for the preparation of polymyxin B employing (PAENI) Bacillus polymyxa The invention is related to the process of fermentation with production strain Bacillus polymyxa for industrial production of antibiotic polymyxin B with yield from 1.8 to 2.8 g/l of filtrate of fermentation broth at temperature 28° C., pressure 40−70 kPa, aeration from 0.4 to 1 vvm, concentration of dissolved oxygen minimal 60%, maintenance of pH and optimal concentration of glucose and ammonium ions.
US08119369B2	Human SUMO-3 for enhancing protein expression The inventive subject matter relates to novel compositions, methods, and kits for enhancing the expression, solubility, and isolation of heterologous proteins. Further, the inventive subject matter relates to methods for generating proteins with novel N-terminal amino acids, unlike wild-type proteins which always are translated from mRNA with methionine at the N-terminus.
US08119367B2	Nucleic acids, compositions and uses thereof The subject invention provides at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding an aldouronate-utilization regulon isolated from Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR-2, a bacterium which efficiently utilizes xylan and metabolizes aldouronates (methylglucuronoxylosaccharides). The subject invention also provides a means for providing a coordinately regulated process in which xylan depolymerization and product assimilation are coupled in Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR-2 to provide a favorable system for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biobased products. Additionally, the nucleic acid sequences encoding the aldouronate-utilization regulon can be used to transform other bacteria to form organisms capable of producing a desired product (e.g., ethanol, 1-butanol, acetoin, 2,3-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, succinate, lactate, acetate, malate or alanine) from lignocellulosic biomass.
US08119364B2	Methods for generating analogs of coenzyme A Methods to generate analogs of coenzyme A in vivo are disclosed. The methods to generate analogs of coenzyme A in a cell comprise reacting pantetheine or a derivative thereof with a reporter to form labeled pantetheine or a derivative thereof, contacting the cell with the labeled pantetheine or derivative thereof such that the labeled pantetheine or derivative thereof enters the cell, phosphorylating the labeled pantetheine or derivative thereof to form phosphopantetheine or a derivative thereof, adenylating the labeled phosphopantetheine or derivative thereof to form a labeled dephosphoCoenzyme A or derivative thereof, and phosphorylating the 3′-hydroxyl of the labeled dephosphoCoenzyme A or derivative thereof to form a labeled coenzyme A analog or derivative thereof.
US08119363B2	Cell sample preparation method and apparatus An apparatus and method for automatic thin-layer cell sample slide preparation without requiring human intervention are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a cell sample is measured to derive a cell sample measurement. An estimation of total cellularity of the cell sample is determined based upon the cell sample measurement. A differential volume of diluent is dispensed to the cell sample based upon the estimation of total cellularity of the cell sample to form a cell suspension. In one embodiment, a differential volume of the cell suspension and a differential volume of cell adherent may be combined based upon the estimation of total cellularity of the cell sample to form a cell mixture. A differential volume of the cell suspension or cell mixture (if an adherent is mixed with the cell suspension) is dispensed onto a surface of a sample slide.
US08119362B2	Method of screening for compounds that can be used for the treatment of respiratory conditions The present invention relates to the use of a screening method for identifying candidate molecules that can be used for the treatment of respiratory conditions in a mammal, wherein the screening method comprises a step which comprises determining whether the functional activity of a TASK-2 polypeptide in the presence of a test molecule is decreased or eliminated compared with the functional activity of the TASK-2 polypeptide in the absence of the test molecule, the test molecule being considered to be a candidate molecule when it decreases or eliminates the functional activity.
US08119358B2	Diabetes-related biomarkers and methods of use thereof The invention describes biomarkers which can be used to predict the likelihood that an individual will develop Diabetes. The biomarkers can also be used to screen large groups in order to identify individuals at risk of developing Diabetes.
US08119351B2	CC2D2A gene mutations associated with Joubert syndrome and diagnostic methods for identifying the same The present invention provides a method of screening a subject for mutations in the CC2D2A gene that are associated with Joubert syndrome, an autosomal recessive form of mental retardation. The present invention also provides proteins that are associated with Joubert syndrome including proteins comprising an amino acid sequence that terminates in DHEGGSGMES (SEQ ID NO: 1). Also provided are nucleotide sequences encoding such proteins and methods of screening subjects to identify nucleotide sequences or proteins associated with Joubert syndrome.
US08119349B2	Methods and materials for detecting mutations in quasispecies having length polymorphisms The present invention is directed to a method for detecting the presence or absence of a mutation of interest in the nucleic acid of a pathogen, wherein the mutation of interest is located adjacent to a length polymorphism defining multiple quasispecies of the pathogen.
US08119346B2	Light emission modifiers and their uses in nucleic acid detection, amplification and analysis The present invention relates to methods and reagents for modifying the emission of light from labeled nucleic acids for the purpose of real time detection, analysis, and quantitation of nucleic acid sequences, e.g., using singly labeled probes. These methods and reagents exploit advantageous properties of thiazine dyes and diazine dyes. Furthermore, the use of these light emission modifiers in background reduction, nucleic acid duplex stabilization and other uses is also described. Related kits, reaction mixtures and integrated systems are described.
US08119345B2	Method for discriminating single nucleotide polymorphisms A method for discriminating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) offers improved sensitivity and specificity. A test kit is also provided. The method may be for genotyping in typing assays applied to a biological sample. The method may include steps of performing a real-time amplification of the target, generating multiple copies of amplicons, in presence of at least two different labeled probes, each probe allowing real-time detection at the SNP position of both the wildtype and at least one possible mutation, assessing the discriminatory variable value(s) based on the signals of each combination of two detection probes, and discriminating between the genotypes. The methods may be for diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic applications.
US08119343B2	Method for identifying oculoskeletal dysplasia in dogs Provided are methods for identifying dogs as likely to be genetically normal, carriers of, or affected with Oculo-skeletal dysplasia (OSD) by determining the presence or absence of a drd2 COL9A2 mutation and/or a drd1 COL9A3 mutation. Also provided is a method for selective breeding of dogs and kits useful for carrying out the methods of the invention.
US08119340B2	Methods and compositions for diagnosis and treatment of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia Provided are isolated and purified preparations of a combination of a light chain antibody gene and a heavy chain antibody gene, where the light chain and heavy chain antibody genes are the same among more than one patient with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Vectors comprising those genes and cells comprising those vectors are also provided, as are isolated and purified antibodies encoded by the antibody genes. Anti-idiotype antibodies, peptides, and aptamers that bind to the antigen-binding region of an antibody encoded by the antibody genes are additionally provided, as are multimeric molecules comprising multiple binding sites that bind to the antigen-binding region of an antibody encoded by the antibody genes. Methods of determining whether a patient with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) has a form of B-CLL that is susceptible to treatment directed to eliminating idiotype specific B cell receptor-bearing B-CLL cells are also provided, as are methods of following the progression of treatment of B-CLL in the patient. Additionally, methods of treating a patient having B-CLL are provided, as are methods of identifying a therapeutic agent for B-CLL.
US08119339B2	Heteroduplex tracking assay A change in viral tropism occurs in many HIV positive individuals over time and may be indicated by a shift in coreceptor use from CCR5 to CXCR4. The shift in coreceptor use to CXCR4 has been shown to correlate with increased disease progression. In patients undergoing HAART, the predominant populations of virus may be shifted back to CCR5-mediated entry soon after the CXCR4-specific strains have emerged. The present invention relates to a diagnostic method to monitor coreceptor use in the treatment and clinical management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The present invention further relates to a diagnostic method applied to HIV-positive individuals undergoing HAART to monitor the suppression of CCR5- or CXCR4-specific strains. The diagnostic methods may be used to assist in selecting antiretroviral therapy and to improve predictions of disease prognosis over time. The methods of the invention include cell-based methods, including cell fusion assays, and molecular-based methods, including heteroduplex tracking assay, to both quantitatively and qualitatively analyze patient-derived HIV for coreceptor usage.
US08119337B2	Decreasing potential iatrogenic risks associated with influenza vaccines Influenza viruses for use in preparing human vaccines have traditionally been grown on embryonated hen eggs, although more modern techniques grow the virus in mammalian cell culture e.g. on Vero, MDCK or PER.C6 cell lines. The inventor has realized that the conditions used for influenza virus 5 culture can increase the risk that pathogens other than influenza virus may grow in the cell lines and have identified specific contamination risks. Suitable tests can thus be performed during manufacture in order to ensure safety and avoid iatrogenic infections.
US08119336B2	Compositions for use in identification of alphaviruses The present invention provides oligonucleotide primers and compositions and kits containing the same for rapid identification of alphaviruses by amplification of a segment of viral nucleic acid followed by molecular mass analysis.
US08119332B2	Method for manufacturing coordinate detector A method for manufacturing a coordinate detector having a resistive film formed on a substrate formed of an insulating material and a common electrode for applying a voltage to the resistive film. The substrate includes a quadrangular shape. The method includes the steps of a) forming first resistive film removal regions by removing predetermined first regions of the resistive film provided along a peripheral edge of the substrate, b) forming the common electrode on the first resistive film removal regions, c) applying voltage to the resistive film, d) measuring an electric potential of the resistive film, e) calculating second resistive film removal region data according to the measured electric potential, and f) forming second resistive film removal regions by irradiating a laser beam to predetermined second regions of the resistive film according to the calculated second resistive film removal region data.
US08119326B2	Lithographic-printing plate precursor and image forming method using the same To provide an infrared-sensitive or heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor which has high printing durability and wide development latitude, and also has good developing properties capable of preventing the formation of deposits during the development. In an infrared-sensitive or heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, comprising a substrate, a first image recording layer formed on the substrate, and a second image recording layer formed on the first image recording layer, the first image recording layer contains a resin which is soluble or dispersible in an aqueous alkali solution, and the second image recording layer contains a polyurethane which has a substituent having an acidic hydrogen atom.
US08119320B2	Heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet is provided in a form that it is wound into a roll and all periphery of the roll is covered with a protective sheet, and in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains, on a support, at least one receptor layer containing a latex polymer, and at least one heat-insulating layer containing hollow polymer particles.
US08119319B2	Method for producing positive charging toner The present teaching provides a method for producing a positive charging toner that can exhibit stable charge characteristics. According to the present teaching, a positive charging toner is produced by preparing a base particle suspension having a conductivity not higher than 70 μS/cm and comprising base particles that are obtained by mixing and emulsifying an aqueous medium and a resin solution containing the polyester resin; producing toner base particles by mixing the base particle suspension with a charge control resin microparticle suspension containing charge control resin microparticles; causing the charge control resin microparticles to adhere to the surfaces of the base particles; and washing the toner base particles.
US08119318B2	Wet developer To provide a wet developer which is capable of improving fixability, while ensuring a sufficient heat-resistant storage property. The wet developer contains toner particles composed of a colorant and a binder resin, which are dispersed in a non-volatile carrier solution by using a dispersant. As the binder resin, a polyester resin, which has an alcohol component containing a mixture of an ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A and a propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, with a ratio thereof being 1:19 to 10:10 (weight ratio), is used.
US08119314B1	Imaging devices comprising structured organic films An imaging member for a xerographic liquid immersion development machine having an outermost layer including a solvent resistant structured organic film (SOF) having a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be multi-segment thick.
US08119313B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: supplying a liquid resist containing a water-repellent additive to a surface of a rotating semiconductor wafer fixed to a rotary support to form a resist film to a design thickness on the surface of the semiconductor wafer; spin drying the resist film; bringing a liquid into contact with the resist film and exposing the resist film through the liquid after the spin drying; developing the resist film to form a resist pattern; and performing processing on the semiconductor wafer.A condition for adjusting contact angle between the resist film surface and the liquid is controlled so that the contact angle assumes a desired value, the condition including at least one selected from the group consisting of spin drying time for the resist film, resist temperature during the supplying, pressure of an atmosphere above the semiconductor wafer surface, and humidity of the atmosphere above the semiconductor wafer surface.
US08119312B2	Manufacturing method for a semiconductor device In a manufacturing method for divisionally exposing a wafer, a focus correction processing is performed after a shot is moved to a position where the focus correction processing for all foci is enabled when the shot is at a wafer outer periphery, and a portion overlapped with an adjacent exposure area is shielded from light by a reticle blind to expose only an opening area unshielded by the reticle blind.
US08119309B2	Reflective photomask and method of fabricating, reflective illumination system and method of process using the same A reflective photomask includes a phase shift object on a substrate, a reflective layer stacked on the substrate and the phase shift object, a capping layer on the reflective layer, the capping layer including at least one surface portion having a bent shape, and a light absorption pattern on the capping layer, the light absorption pattern including at least one slit exposing the surface portion of the capping layer having the bent shape.
US08119307B2	Electrode for fuel cell, method of manufacturing the electrode, and fuel cell employing the electrode An electrode for a fuel cell, the electrode including a catalyst layer, a method of making the same, and a fuel cell including the electrode. The catalyst layer includes a catalyst and at least one selected from the group consisting a first benzoxazine monomer, represented by Formula 1 below, a second benzoxazine monomer represented by Formula 2 below, a combination thereof, a homopolymer consisting of the first benzoxazine monomer, a homopolymer consisting of the second benzoxazine monomer, and a copolymer consisting of the first and second benzoxazine monomers. The electrode the first and/or second benzoxazine monomers contain fluorine or a fluorine-containing functional group.
US08119305B2	Electrochemical cells An electrochemical cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a porous separator, between the first and second electrodes, a first channel, having an inlet and an outlet, and a second channel, having an inlet and an outlet. The first channel is contiguous with the first electrode and the porous separator, and the second channel is contiguous with the second electrode and the porous separator.
US08119302B2	One-step method of bonding and sealing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly A method is provided for making an edge-sealed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising the steps of: i) providing a suitable membrane electrode assembly lay-up; ii) positioning a suitable annular layer of a thermoplastic; and iii) applying pressure and heat sufficient to melt impregnate the thermoplastic into the fluid transport layer or layers of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up and simultaneously bond the fluid transport layer or layers to the polymer electrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up. The polymer electrolyte membrane of the membrane electrode assembly lay-up may be perforated in its outer sealing area. Membrane electrode assemblies made according to the method of the present invention are also provided.
US08119300B2	Air conditioning control system An air conditioning control system having a cooling device for cooling a fuel cell by circulating a liquid coolant through the fuel cell using a main circulation pump while also providing an air conditioning control device for controlling air conditioning in a vehicle interior, wherein heat exchange between the cooling device and the air conditioning control device is possible. When the fuel cell is operated intermittently in the air conditioning control system, the main circulation pump is continuously operated.
US08119295B2	Metal oxygen battery containing oxygen storage materials A battery system includes a metal oxygen battery. The metal oxygen battery includes a first electrode, an oxygen storage material, and a selective transport member separating the oxygen storage material and the first electrode.
US08119291B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a non-aqueous electrolyte; and a porous insulating film adhered to a surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the porous insulating film including an inorganic oxide filler and a film binder, wherein the ratio R of actual volume to apparent volume of the separator is not less than 0.4 and not greater than 0.7, and wherein the ratio R and a porosity P of the porous insulating film satisfy the relational formula: −0.10≦R−P≦0.30.
US08119290B2	Electrode and manufacturing methods An electrode (30) comprises a plate (31) having a major surface to which there has been attached an initially separate raised pattern (32) for guiding application of and/or retaining electrolyte paste adjacent the plate (31).
US08119287B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery, and negative electrode and material thereof A negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery that can stably and efficiently realize a high-performance nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery in which a high discharge capacity, high charge/discharge efficiency at an initial stage and during charge/discharge cycles, and excellent charge/discharge cycle properties are provided as well as electrode expansion in volume after charge/discharge cycles is suppressed. The negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery in the form of particles having, at least on the surface thereof, a compound of the phase in which an element Z is present in Si in a non-equilibrium state. The compound is expressed by the general formula SiZxMy, where Z represents C and/or N, M represents an element other than C and N, and when the concentration of the element Z in a compound SiaZp, where each of a and p is an integer, having a composition closest to that of Si and present in an equilibrium state is presumed to be 100 atomic percent, the concentration of the element Z in the compound SiZxMy is in the range of 10 to 95 atomic percent, and y is in the range of 0 to 0.5.
US08119285B2	Cathode material for secondary battery, method for producing cathode material for secondary battery and secondary battery A positive electrode material is disclosed which contains an iron lithium phosphate as a positive electrode active material and has a large charge/discharge capacity, high-rate adaptability, and good charge/discharge cycle characteristics at the same time. Also disclosed are a simple method for producing such a positive electrode material and a high-performance secondary battery employing such a positive electrode material. Specifically, disclosed is a positive electrode material for secondary battery characterized by mainly containing a positive electrode active material represented by the general formula: LinFePO4 (wherein n is a number of 0-1) and further containing at least one different metal element selected from the group consisting of vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), indium (In) and tin (Sn). This positive electrode material can be produced using a halide of such a metal element as the raw material.
US08119277B2	Stack type battery A stack type battery has positive electrode current collector tabs (11) overlapped with each other and welded to a positive electrode current collector terminal (15), and negative electrode current collector tabs (12) overlapped with each other and welded to a negative electrode current collector terminal (16). The positive electrode current collector tabs (11) existing between the positive electrode plates (1) and an end part (15a) of the positive electrode current collector terminal (15) that is on the positive electrode plate (1) side are welded to each other and/or the negative electrode current collector tabs (12) existing between the negative electrode plates (2) and an end part (16a) of the negative electrode current collector terminal (16) that is on a negative electrode plate (2) side are welded to each other.
US08119273B1	Unique battery with an active membrane separator having uniform physico-chemically functionalized ion channels and a method making the same The invention relates to a unique battery having an active, porous membrane and method of making the same. More specifically the invention relates to a sealed battery system having a porous, metal oxide membrane with uniform, physicochemically functionalized ion channels capable of adjustable ionic interaction. The physicochemically-active porous membrane purports dual functions: an electronic insulator (separator) and a unidirectional ion-transporter (electrolyte). The electrochemical cell membrane is activated for the transport of ions by contiguous ion coordination sites on the interior two-dimensional surfaces of the trans-membrane unidirectional pores. The membrane material is designed to have physicochemical interaction with ions. Control of the extent of the interactions between the ions and the interior pore walls of the membrane and other materials, chemicals, or structures contained within the pores provides adjustability of the ionic conductivity of the membrane.
US08119272B2	Battery connector and holding structure for battery A battery connector for a portable electronic device comprises a seat body and a plurality of elastic pins, the seat body includes a first plate and a second plate perpendicularly formed a side of the first plate, the first plate and the second plate cooperatively enclosing a plurality of assembly grooves to assemble the elastic pins. Each elastic pin includes a first folding portion and a second folding portion connecting with the first folding portion. The elastic pins are assembled in the assembly grooves accordingly, the first folding portion protrudes from the first plate and the second folding portion protrudes laterally from the second plate. It is also provides a holding structure applying the battery connector.
US08119269B2	Secondary battery with auxiliary electrode The present invention includes three-dimensional secondary battery cells comprising an electrolyte, a cathode, an anode, and an auxiliary electrode. The cathode, the anode, and the auxiliary electrode have a surface in contact with the electrolyte. The anode and the cathode are electrolytically coupled. The auxiliary electrode is electrolytically coupled and electrically coupled to at least one of the anode or the cathode. Electrically coupled means directly or indirectly connected in series by wires, traces or other connecting elements. The average distance between the surface of the auxiliary electrode and the surface of the coupled cathode or the coupled anode is between about 1 micron and about 10,000 microns. The average distance means the average of the shortest path for ion transfer from every point on the coupled cathode or anode to the auxiliary electrode.
US08119267B2	Glass substrate for magnetic disk and manufacturing method of the same A glass substrate for a magnetic disk of the invention is a disk-shaped glass substrate for a magnetic disk where the substrate has a main surface and end face and is subjected to chemical reinforcement treatment, and is characterized in that the penetration length in the uppermost-portion stress layer on the main surface is 49.1 μm or less, and that assuming that an angle between the main surface and compressive stress in the stress profile by a Babinet compensator method is θ, a value y of {12·t·ln(tan θ)+(49.1/t)} is the penetration length in the uppermost-portion stress layer or less.
US08119264B2	Perpendicular magnetic recording disk with ultrathin nucleation film for improved corrosion resistance and method for making the disk A perpendicular magnetic recording disk has a granular cobalt alloy recording layer (RL) containing an additive oxide or oxides, an intermediate layer (IL) as an exchange-break layer on the “soft” magnetic underlayer (SUL), and an ultrathin nucleation film (NF) between the IL and the RL. In the method of making the disk, the IL is deposited at a relatively low sputtering pressure, to thereby reduce the roughness of the RL and overcoat (OC), while the NF and RL are deposited at substantially higher sputtering pressures. The resulting disk has good recording properties and improved corrosion resistance over a comparable disk made with an IL deposited at high sputtering pressure and without the NF. The NF may be a discontinuous film with an average thickness of less than about 1 nm.
US08119262B2	Multilayered coated cutting tool The present invention relates to a coated cutting tool wherein a substrate is coated with a thin, adherent, hard and wear resistant coating comprising a laminar, multilayered structure of alternating layers of metalnitrides, metalcarbides or metalcarbonitrides. In the coating the sequence of individual layer thicknesses has no repeat period but is essentially aperiodic throughout the entire multilayered structure. The average chemical composition of the coating was AlaTibSicCrd(CeN1−e) where a is greater than zero and less than about 0.5, preferably a is greater than about 0.05 and less than about 0.4, where b is greater than about 0.1 and less than about 0.9, preferably b is greater than about 0.3 and less than about 0.9, where c is greater than about 0.01 and less than about 0.17, preferably c is greater than about 0.02 and less than about 0.1, where d is greater than or equal to zero and less than about 0.06, and a+b+c+d=1, where e is greater than or equal to zero and less than about 1, preferably e is greater than or equal to zero and than about 0.2.
US08119260B2	Rare-earth magnet In a ferromagnetic material containing at least one kind of rare-earth element, a layer containing at least one kind of alkaline earth element or rare-earth element and fluorine is formed at the grain boundary or near the powder surface of the ferromagnetic material. A further layer containing at least one kind of rare-earth element, having a fluorine concentration lower than that of the layer described first and having a rare-earth element concentration higher than that of the host phase of the ferromagnetic material, or an oxide layer containing a rare-earth element is formed in adjacent with a portion of the layer described first.
US08119259B2	Quinoxaline derivative, and light-emitting element and electronic device using the same An object is to provide a novel quinoxaline derivative. Another object is to provide a light-emitting element with low driving voltage and less power consumption. Further, another object is to provide a light-emitting device and an electronic device each consuming less power by using the light-emitting element. A quinoxaline derivative represented by a general formula (G11) is provided, in which at least one of carbon at a 2-position and carbon at a 3-position, and carbon at a 2-position of benzoxazole are bound via an arylene group.
US08119258B2	White organic light emitting device (OLED) A white Organic Light Emitting Device (OLED) includes: an anode and cathode spaced apart from each other; first, second, and third light emitting layers sequentially stacked between the anode and the cathode; and an electron injection induction layer, arranged between the second light emitting layer and the third light emitting layer, to induce the electron to flow into the second light emitting layer from the third light emitting layer. A difference between a Lowest Occupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) energy level of the electron injection induction layer and the LUMO energy level of a dopant existing in the second light emitting layer is 0.4 eV or below.
US08119256B2	Organic light emitting device An organic light emitting device is provided that includes: an anode including an anode material and for injecting holes; an organic layer including a light emitting layer on the anode; and a cathode on the organic layer and through which light emitted from the light emitting layer passes, wherein the cathode includes: a buffer layer, a metal oxide layer including a metal oxide, and a metal layer including a metal having an absolute work function value lower than an absolute work function value of the anode material and coupled to the buffer layer and the metal oxide layer.
US08119255B2	Cross-linkable iridium complexes and organic light-emitting devices using the same Organic devices comprising an organic layer, wherein the organic layer is non-electroluminescent and comprises a cross-linked metal complex. The cross-linked metal complex may be formed by cross-linking a cross-linkable iridium complex, which comprises a set of ligands coordinated to a central iridium atom. One or more of the ligands have attached thereon, one or more polymerizable groups that are able to polymerize with other molecules to form intermolecular covalent bonds. In some cases, the organic layer may also comprise a dopant. Also provided are a method of making an organic light-emitting device, an iridium complex, and an organic-light emitting device using certain iridium complexes.
US08119250B2	Flexible substrate, method of fabricating the same, and thin film transistor using the same A flexible substrate for a TFT includes a metal substrate having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion, and a buffer layer on the metal substrate, the buffer layer including a silicon oxide or a silicon nitride, wherein the predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal substrate satisfies an equation as follows, α f + 0.162 × ( 1 - v f ) E f ≤ α s ≤ α f + 0.889 × ( 1 - v f ) E f Ef representing Young's modulus of the buffer layer, vf representing Poisson's ratio of the buffer layer, αf representing a coefficient of thermal expansion of the buffer layer, and αs representing the predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal substrate.
US08119245B2	Dual-cure coating compositions based on polyaspartates polyisocyanates and acrylate-containing compounds A radiation-curable coating composition is provided. The composition comprises a) an amino-functional polyaspartate; b) a (cyclo) aliphatic polyisocyanate; c) an acrylate-functional compound; and d) a photoinitiator. Substrates coated with the coating compositions are also provided.
US08119239B2	Surface-conditioning composition comprising metal phosphate particles, metal alkoxide and stabilizer, and method of production thereof A surface-conditioning composition includes a particle of a phosphate of a bivalent or trivalent metal and has a pH value ranging from 3 to 12. The particle has a D50 value of 3 μm or less. The composition additionally includes (1) at least one metal alkoxide selected from a silane alkoxide, a titanium alkoxide and an aluminum alkoxide and (2) a stabilizing agent.
US08119237B2	Fibers made from copolymers of ethylene/α-olefins A fiber is obtainable from or comprises a blend of a propylene based polymer and an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer characterized by an elastic recovery, Re, in percent at 300 percent strain and 1 cycle and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the elastic recovery and the density satisfy the following relationship: Re>1481−1629(d). Such interpolymer can also be characterized by other properties. The fibers made therefrom have a relatively high elastic recovery and a relatively low coefficient of friction. The fibers can be cross-linked, if desired. Woven, knitted or non-woven fabrics can be made from such fibers.
US08119232B2	Flake compound The present invention provides a flake compound which is useful for a conductive film. The flake compound comprises a conductive layer containing M and O, wherein M represents at least one metal element, preferably at least one transition metal element in mixed valent state.
US08119221B2	Composition having a non-Newtonian behavior A composition with non-Newtonian behaviour which comprises a matrix former and nanoscale solid particles whose surface charge has been increased by reaction with an acid or base, and a process for the preparation thereof. The process is suitable for adjusting the rheology of materials.
US08119219B2	Optical recording medium An optical recording medium is provided. The optical recording medium includes a first recording layer and a second recording layer. The second recording layer includes a compound in the form of (CuXM(1-X))YO(1-Y), where M is one of Sn, Si, Zn, Al, Mg, Ge, Sb or Te, and X is approximately 0.5 to 1, and Y is approximately 0.001 to 0.1.
US08119218B2	Optical recording medium An optical recording medium is provided. The optical recording medium includes a first recording layer and a second recording layer. The first recording layer includes a compound in the form of M(1−X)OX, where M is one of Si, Zn or Sn, and X is approximately 0.001 to 0.1.
US08119217B2	Optical recording medium with ink receptive coating The instant disclosure relates to an ink jet printable optical recording medium including a substrate having opposing surfaces, namely a recording surface and a printing surface. The printing surface of the substrate is coated with an adhesion promotion layer which includes polyurethane, a high surface area inorganic pigment having a surface area of at least 100 m2/g, and a low surface area inorganic pigment having a surface area of at most 50 m2/g. The adhesion promotion layer is coated with an ink receptive coating.
US08119207B2	Process and apparatus for manufacturing set cellular cement A process for manufacturing set cellular cement, including the steps of: (i) mixing cementitious material, water, foaming agent and optionally additives into a free flowing slurry having a slump of at least 100 mm; subsequently (ii) injecting and distributing air into the slurry of step (i) to form a cellular slurry; subsequently (iii) casting the cellular slurry of step (ii); and finally allowing the cellular slurry to set. And, an apparatus for carrying out the process.
US08119206B2	Negative coefficient of thermal expansion particles A method of forming a negative coefficient of thermal expansion particle includes flattening a hollow sphere made of a first material, annealing the flattened hollow sphere at a reference temperature above a predetermined maximum use temperature to set a stress minimum of the flattened hollow sphere, and forming a coating made of a second material on the flattened hollow sphere at the reference temperature, the second material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the first material, the negative coefficient of thermal expansion particle characterized by volumetric contraction when heated.
US08119204B2	Film formation method and method for manufacturing light-emitting device A binder material layer including an evaporation material is formed over a main surface of an evaporation source substrate, a substrate on which a film is formed is placed so that the binder material layer and a main surface thereof face each other, and heat treatment is performed on a rear surface of the evaporation source substrate so that the evaporation material in the binder material layer is heated to be subjected to sublimation or the like, whereby a layer of the evaporation material is formed on the substrate on which a film is formed. When a low molecular material is used for the evaporation material and a high molecular material is used for the binder material, the viscosity can be easily adjusted, and thus, film formation is possible with higher throughput than conventional film formation.
US08119202B2	Method of applying a thermally settable coating to a patterned substrate This application relates to a method of applying a thermally settable coating to a patterned substrate, such as an asphalt surface. The coating is applied in one or more preformed thermoplastic sheets and heated in situ to conform the thermoplastic material to the pattern formed in the underlying substrate. In one embodiment of the invention a pattern is formed in the asphalt surface using a removable template which is impressed into the asphalt when it is in a pliable state. The pre-formed sheets are then applied to the patterned surface and gradually heated. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the template is impressed into the pre-formed sheet and asphalt surface simultaneously after the sheet has been heated to a suitable temperature in situ. A bond reduction agent may be used to minimize adhesion between the template and the heated thermoplastic material.
US08119198B2	Three-dimensional carbon fibers and method and apparatus for their production This invention relates to novel three-dimensional (3D) carbon fibers which are original (or primary) carbon fibers (OCF) with secondary carbon filaments (SCF) grown thereon, and, if desired, tertiary carbon filaments (TCF) are grown from the surface of SCF forming a filamentous carbon network with high surface area. The methods and apparatus are provided for growing SCF on the OCF by thermal decomposition of carbonaceous gases (CG) over the hot surface of the OCF without use of metal-based catalysts. The thickness and length of SCF can be controlled by varying operational conditions of the process, e.g., the nature of CG, temperature, residence time, etc. The optional activation step enables one to produce 3D activated carbon fibers with high surface area. The method and apparatus are provided for growing TCF on the SCF by thermal decomposition of carbonaceous gases over the hot surface of the SCF using metal catalyst particles.
US08119195B2	Mixture containing quaternary ammonium compound and its use The present invention pertains to the use of quaternary organic ammonium compounds for the reduction of efflorescence in building materials. In addition, a mixture containing at least one quaternary organic ammonium compound and at least one water-soluble organic polymer and, optionally, further additives is described. The mixture according to the invention can be prepared by a) at least one quaternary organic ammonium compound and at least one water-soluble organic polymer being mixed with one another in water and the obtained aqueous mixture optionally being subsequently dried, or b) at least one powdery quaternary organic ammonium compound and at least one powdery water-soluble organic polymer being mixed with one another, or c) at least one liquid and/or dissolved quaternary organic ammonium compound being applied on at least one powdery water-soluble organic polymer, in particular by means of spraying, adsorption, mixing, fluidized bed drying and/or granulation.
US08119194B2	Infrared reflecting layer system for transparent substrate An infrared radiation reflecting transparent layer system on a transparent substrate and a method for producing same is provided. The infrared radiation reflecting layer system comprises an infrared radiation reflecting layer sequence which includes a selective function usually consisting of a noble metal, mostly silver, or an alloy thereof and having a good selective reflectivity in the infrared range. The layer sequence is supplemented by at least one transparent dielectric layer of an oxynitride of a metal, a semiconductor or a semiconductor alloy having a low to moderate refractive index arranged directly on the substrate or above the infrared radiation reflecting layer sequence.
US08119192B2	Method of manufacturing piezoelectric element and method of manufacturing liquid ejection head The method of manufacturing a piezoelectric element includes: a lower electrode forming step of forming a lower electrode on a surface of a substrate; a piezoelectric film deposition step of depositing a piezoelectric film made of a piezoelectric material by one of epitaxial growth and oriented growth onto a surface of the lower electrode reverse to a surface adjacent to the substrate; an upper electrode forming step of forming an upper electrode onto a surface of the piezoelectric film reverse to a surface adjacent to the lower electrode; and a polarization direction reversal step of reversing a polarization direction of the piezoelectric film by maintaining, after the upper electrode forming step, a state for a prescribed duration where a temperature of the piezoelectric film is set to a first temperature while application of an electric field to the piezoelectric film in a direction from the upper electrode toward the lower electrode is performed, then keeping the application of the electric field while lowering the temperature of the piezoelectric film to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and then stopping the application of the electric field.
US08119191B2	Dispensable cured resin The present invention discloses methods, materials and devices for facilitating electromagnetic/radiofrequency interference (EMI/RFI) shielding and thermal management in packaging circuits. More specifically, a method of packaging integrated circuits with improved thermal and EMI management, a process of treating a compound for use as a thermal interface and/or an EMI shield, and an EMI shielding and thermal management apparatus. More specifically, the present invention divulges methods and apparatuses for adjusting viscosity of a thermally and/or electrically conductive (or thermally conductive and/or electrically insulative), form-in-place, fully cured compound thereby rendering the compound dispensable. Further, a process of treating a compound for use as a thermal interface or/and an EMI shield is disclosed. The compound is an admixture of a particulate filler component and a pre-cured gel component. The process includes applying a shearing force on the compound, thereby rendering the compound dispensable.
US08119181B2	Process for producing nut-based expandable pellets and nut-based snack chips A method is disclosed for producing an intermediary product in the form of a nut-based pellet that is capable of being stored for up to about six months. To form the nut pellets, a nut dough is passed through an extruder. The extrudate produced is then cut into pellets and dried. Starch pellets can then optionally be mixed with the nut pellets or small nut pieces and cooked to form a snack chip. The snack chip is formed by compressing and cooking the pellet mixture, expanding the pellet mixture, and compressing the pellet mixture again.
US08119180B2	Method for maintaining freshness of fruits and vegetables A process and a composition to extend the freshness of fruits and vegetables are disclosed. The method comprises treating fresh fruit or vegetable structures with a solution comprising organic acids including N-acetyl cysteine.
US08119177B2	Method for preparing a crumbly dairy product with expanded structure Method for the preparation of a crumbly, and expanded dairy product, comprising the steps of subjecting a hard cheese with a humidity content lower than or equal to 45% to a microwave treatment until a crumbly and expanded product with a humidity content lower than 15% is obtained, which is subjected to immediate cooling with dry air at 4-10° C., wherein the starting hard cheese is finely divided.
US08119176B2	Thermoplastic polymeric ovenware Ovenware made from thermoplastic polymeric compositions which have relatively high thermal conductivities has advantages in cooking food. Such compositions can be made by mixing a thermoplastic polymer with a particulate material which has a relatively high thermal conductivity. This composition usually allows faster heating of the food and/or improved browning of the food in contact with the ovenware surface.
US08119174B2	Low sugar presweetened dry coated cereals and method of preparation A ready to eat breakfast cereal is prepared by coating dried cereal base pieces with a low sugar sweetener in powder form such as a high conversion maltodextrin or low conversion corn syrup that includes a high potency sweetener. The cereal is pre-coated with a liquid oil for better adhesion of the powdered low sugar sweetener. The low sugar coating has a sugars content of less than 10% yet provides taste, texture, appearance and bowl life that mimics presweetened RTE cereals having a sucrose based coating.
US08119172B2	Microorganism for biological detoxification of mycotoxins, namely ochratoxins and/or zearalenons, as well as method and use thereof A microorganism for the biological inactivation or detoxification of mycotoxins, in particular ochratoxins, which is selected from bacteria and/or yeasts, which cleaves the phenylalanine group of the mycotoxins, in particular ochratoxins, as well as a method for biologically inactivating or detoxifying mycotoxins, in particular ochratoxins, in food products and animal feeds by the aid of a microorganism, and the use of the microorganism(s).
US08119171B2	Method for the prevention or reduction of haze in beverages The invention relates to a method for the prevention or reduction of haze in a beverage by the addition of an prolyl-specific endoprotease and to new beverages obtainable by the method according to the invention. It also relates to new endoproteases. Sequence information of a genomic DNA, cDNA as well as protein sequences.
US08119170B2	Herbal compositions and methods for enhancing vital energy and athletic performance Compositions, kits and methods are provided for enhancing vital energy and athletic performance, improving or restoring blood circulation, promoting mental acuity, reducing fatigue, and improving aerobic performance. In one embodiment, the composition comprises the herbal extracts of Rhodiola crenulata (root) and Ginkgo biloba (leaf). The composition can be used as a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical to promote mental concentration, and to promote aerobic and anaerobic performance by enhancing strength, endurance, muscle tissue oxygenation, and optimal oxygen consumption.
US08119167B2	Food supplement composition suitable for promoting iron absorption Use of a composition comprising cartilage or chondroitin sulphate and absorbable zinc for the preparation of a food supplement or a drug suitable for promoting iron absorption in patients suffering from lack of iron.
US08119164B2	Perfuming or flavouring microcapsules comprising an explosion suppressant A method for preparing a powder that includes perfuming or flavoring microcapsules of a perfuming or flavoring ingredient, a carrier material, and an explosion suppressant. The powder, when suspended in hot air during its preparation, has a reduced tendency for explosion. The explosion suppressant is selected from C1 to C12 carboxylic acids, their salts and mixtures of these.
US08119161B2	Blister pack and solid dosage form therefor The present invention relates to a blister pack for pharmaceutical use comprising blisters containing a solid dosage form of desmopressin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and to said solid dosage form. In one embodiment it specifically relates to a blister pack for pharmaceutical use comprising blisters containing a solid dosage form of desmopressin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent and/or carrier, wherein said solid dosage form is adapted to prevent moisture related degradation of said desmopressin.
US08119160B2	Hemostatic compositions and devices The present inventions includes a plurality of packed particles that contain interstitial pores, where the interstitial pores have a pore volume and a median pore diameter effective to provide improved absorption of physiological fluids or an aqueous media when placed in contact therewith, compared to a plurality of unpacked particles of the same material, where the particles are made of a biocompatible material and hemostatic agents and have an average diameter suitable for use in providing hemostasis to a site of a body of a mammal requiring hemostasis, hemostatic compositions containing such plurality of packed particles, methods of making such particles and compositions and medical devices suitable for delivering and containing the hemostatic plurality of particles and/or composition to a site of a body.
US08119156B2	Dual action, inhaled formulations providing both an immediate and sustained release profile Methods for formulating immediate and sustained release anti-infectives and delivery of such for treatment of respiratory tract infections and other medical conditions, and devices and formulations used in connection with such are described.
US08119155B2	Nutrition with lipids and non-digestible saccharides The invention relates to a liquid nutrition comprising short chain fatty acyl chains, polyunsaturated fatty acyl chains, vegetable oil and a non-digestible, fermentable saccharide. The composition is particular suitable for use as an infant nutrition. The composition is also suitable for treatment and/or prevention of gut barrier related disorders.
US08119153B2	Stents with drug eluting coatings The present invention relates generally to medical devices, preferably a stent, having a drug eluting surface coated or covered with a coating of particles comprising at least an outer layer, an inner layer, and a core comprising a therapeutic agent. Specifically, the invention relates to medical devices having a hydrophilic coating comprising particles with a hydrophilic outer layer, a hydrophobic inner layer, and a core comprising a hydrophobic therapeutic agent, as well as medical devices having a hydrophobic coating comprising particles with a hydrophobic outer layer, a hydrophilic inner layer, and a core comprising a hydrophilic therapeutic agent. The coating, outer layer, and inner layer are preferably biodegradable and capable of providing sustained release of the therapeutic agent over a time period. The invention also relates to methods of making and methods of using the coated or covered medical device.
US08119152B2	Implant material and process for producing the same The present invention provides an implant material comprising an organic-inorganic complex porous article and a production method thereof. The organic-inorganic complex porous article is a biodegradable and bioabsorbable bioactive porous article in which a bioactive bioceramics powder is uniformly dispersed in a biodegradable and bioabsorbable polymer, wherein it has continuous pores and the bioceramics powder is partly exposed to the pore inner surface or the pore inner surface and the porous article surface.
US08119144B2	HIV-1 Clade A consensus sequences, antigens, and transgenes The present invention relates to consensus nucleotide and protein sequences for HIV-1 Clade A antigens, and to nucleotide and protein sequences for Clade A antigens from circulating HIV-1 field isolates wherein the antigen sequences are closely related to the these consensus sequences. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to HIV-1 Clade A transgenes that are derived from such sequences, and that encode either HIV-1 Clade A Gag, Pol (RT and Int), and Nef (referred to as “GRIN”), HIV-1 Clade A Gag, RT, and Nef (referred to as (“GRN”), or HIV-1 Clade A Env. The invention also relates to vectors containing such transgenes, including in preferred embodiment, adenovirus vectors containing such transgenes. The invention also relates to immunogenic compositions comprising the HIV-1 Clade A antigens, nucleotide sequences, vectors, or transgenes of the invention, and to methods of generating an immune response against HIV in a subject by administering an effective amount of such immunogenic compositions.
US08119141B2	Cinnamomi and poria composition, method to prepare same and uses thereof This invention provides a method for identifying a composition of Cinnamomi and Poria. This invention further provides a composition comprising: Ramulus Cinnamomi, Poria Cortex, Moutan Radicis, Radix Paeonize Alba, and Semen Persicae. This invention provides various uses of these compositions.
US08119140B2	Immunogenic compositions comprising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mosaic Nef proteins The present invention relates to mosaic clade M HIV-1 Nef polypeptides and to compositions comprising same. The polypeptides of the invention are suitable for use in inducing an immune response to HIV-1 in a human.
US08119137B2	Prevention of thrombus formation and/or stabilization with inhibitors of factor XII or activated factor XII The present invention relates to the use of at least one antibody and/or one inhibitor for inhibiting factor XII and preventing the formation and/or the stabilization of three-dimensional thrombi. It also relates to a pharmaceutical formulation and the use of factor XII as an anti-thrombotic target.
US08119133B2	Engineered anti-IL-23R antibodies Antibodies to human IL-23R are provided, as well as uses thereof, e.g. in treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune, and proliferative disorders.
US08119129B2	Combination of anti-CTLA4 antibody with dasatinib for the treatment of proliferative diseases Compositions and methods are disclosed which are useful of the treatment and prevention of proliferative disorders.
US08119119B2	Non-integrative and non-replicative lentivirus, preparation and uses thereof The invention concerns a non-integrative and non-replicative recombinant lentivirus as well as its uses, in particular for preparing a composition for transferring genes in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. The invention is useful for transferring genes in any mammal organism, for example in liver, muscle, pancreas or central nervous system (including the ocular sphere) tissues or cells, and in particular for treating disorders or pathologies such as, for example, central nervous system, including the ocular sphere, disorders.
US08119116B2	Therapeutics for cancer using 3-bromopyruvate and other selective inhibitors of ATP production The present invention relates to methods of treating a cancerous tumor using selective inhibitors of ATP production. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical preparations comprising such inhibitors and methods for administering them intraarterially directly to a tumor, as well as methods for identifying compositions that selectively inhibitor ATP production for use in the invention.
US08119114B2	Polymer conjugates of mutated neublastin A dimer comprising a mutated neublastin polypeptide coupled to a polymer is disclosed. Such dimers exhibit prolonged bioavailability and, in preferred embodiments, prolonged biological activity relative to wild-type forms of neublastin.
US08119111B2	Topical administration carrier composition and therapeutic formulations comprising same A topical administration carrier composition including water, glycerin and polysorbate, suitable for use in formulations with active ingredient compositions containing active ingredients such as minoxidil that are susceptible to systemic penetration, and solvents that are susceptible to evaporative loss, when the active ingredient composition is topically applied to the body. The carrier formulation retards the evaporative losses of the solvent component(s) and systemic migration losses of the active ingredient composition, to provide sustained topical action, in relation to formulations lacking the carrier composition of the invention.
US08119110B2	Cosmetic composition comprising a block polymer and a non-volatile silicone oil Disclosed herein are a cosmetic composition comprising a cosmetically acceptable organic liquid medium, at least one non-volatile silicone oil and at least one film-forming block ethylenic polymer and use of the composition for making up keratin materials, such as the skin.
US08119108B2	Dispersion of microparticulate titanium oxide and cosmetics containing the same The present invention provides a dispersion of microparticulate titanium oxide that can generate a natural finish feeling, which includes a feeling of transparency, and has good long-term stability and an excellent UV protective effect in both UVA and UVB regions. The present invention is a dispersion of microparticulate titanium oxide characterized in that the microparticulate titanium oxide with the average major axis of 30 to 100 nm and the average minor axis of 8 to 50 nm is dispersed, by maintaining the average size of dispersed particles to be 80 to 110 nm, in a hydrophobic dispersion medium. In the dispersion of microparticulate titanium oxide, the content of silicone oil relative to the total hydrophobic dispersion medium is preferably 10 to 100 weight %. Furthermore, it is preferable that the dispersion of microparticulate titanium oxide contains a biterminally-siliconized polyglycerin as a dispersant. The dispersion of microparticulate titanium oxide can be preferably contained in a cosmetic.
US08119099B2	Chromium-free water gas shift catalyst Catalyst for use in the high temperature shift reaction comprising in its active form a mixture of zinc alumina spinel and zinc oxide in combination with an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, Cs and mixtures thereof.
US08119092B2	Pegylation and hydroxylation of trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerenes A pegylated and hydroxlated trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerene is provided comprising a plurality of hydroxyl groups and one or more polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties covalently bonded to a fullerene encapsulating a trimetallic nitride. Methods of pegylation and hydroxylation of trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerene and methods of using pegylated and hydroxlated trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerene are described.
US08119084B2	Reactor for isoparaffin olefin alkylation A reactor for the autorefrigerant alkylation process has a cylindrical upright reactor vessel with the inlet for the refrigerant reactant and the sulfuric acid at its lower end and a series of inlets for the olefin reactant at vertically spaced intervals up the length of the reactor. An extended, sinuous flow path for the reactants is provided by means co-acting baffles co-acting baffles having, alternately along the length of the reactor, central flow passages and peripheral flow passages for the reaction mixture to define sequential reaction zones in which alkylation takes place. The baffles interact with a rotary mixer with multiple impellers located on the reactor axis. The reaction mixture flows alternately towards and away from the reactor walls in the sequence of serial reaction zones within the reactor to promote mixing of the isoparaffin reactant with the acid catalyst.
US08119079B2	Microfluidic apparatus having fluid container A microfluidic apparatus having a substrate including a channel through which a fluid is conveyed, a fluid container in which at least one kind of fluid is accommodated and which is disposed on the substrate so as to allow the fluid to flow toward the channel, and a fluid flow controller which controls a flow of the fluid toward the channel from the fluid container.
US08119078B2	System for stabilizing gas hydrates at low pressures The present invention provides a system for stabilizing gas and particularly gas hydrates at low pressures and for safe storage and transportation of the gas. The invention also provides minimization of the decomposition of the gas in hydrate form.
US08119077B2	Control joints in refractory lining systems and methods A refractory lining system comprises an inner refractory layer; and an outer layer located outside of the inner refractory layer, the outer layer comprising: a plurality of layer segments; and at least one control joint located between the plurality of layer segments, the at least one control joint configured to allow expansion and contraction in the outer layer. A segment of an outer layer of a refractory lining comprises an edge shaped corresponding to a control joint configured to allow expansion and contraction in the outer layer.
US08119075B2	Diesel particulate filters having ultra-thin catalyzed oxidation coatings The present invention is directed to an exhaust gas treatment system and method for removing particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from diesel engine exhaust streams. More specifically, the present invention relates to an emission treatment system that effectively provides simultaneous treatment of the particulate matter, as well as the NOx and other gaseous components of diesel engine exhaust. The emission treatment system uses an integrated soot filter coated with a catalyst washcoat composition comprising sub-micron particles, thereby providing an ultra-thin sub-micron washcoat layer showing improved catalyst performance without causing excessive backpressure.
US08119070B2	Apparatus for removing scent from clothing The scent removing device has a housing that forms an interior compartment. The compartment is separated into a first and second portion by a shelf that is disposed within the compartment and connected to the interior of the housing. The shelf has at least one channel and a plurality of openings to permit air to flow between the first and second portions. An air tube extends from the first portion, through the shelf to the second portion. A fan motor is in communication with the air tube to blow air through the air tube and into the second portion.
US08119069B2	Test element analysis system A test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of a liquid sample, comprising a test element including a carrier film having at least one flat side and a test field secured to the flat side and an evaluation instrument including a test element holder for positioning a test element in a measuring position, a measuring device for measuring the optically measurable change in the detection zone, and a housing within the measuring device is positioned. The test element is positioned in the measuring position in such a manner that a first partial section of the test element is located inside the housing and a second partial section is located outside of the housing to be easily accessible.
US08119067B2	Automatic physiological assay device An automatic physiological assay device analyzes light reflected by an assay device and prevents ambient light from interfering with the assay device. The automatic physiological assay device in accordance with the present invention comprises a chassis, an assay device connector assembly, an assay device and a light detecting device. The chassis comprises closed bottom, multiple sidewalls, an inner cavity, an open top and a removable top cover. The assay device connector assembly is mounted slidably through a sidewall and comprises an outer end, two sides and a cover. The cover is mounted on the outer end, seals the sidewall and keeps ambient light away from the assay device. The light detecting device is mounted in the inner cavity and on top edges of guides adjacent the assay device connector assembly.
US08119066B2	Multimode reader A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample are provided. The cartridge has one or more light sources and/or optical systems and other components that are specific for a certain type of application such as fluorescence, absorbance, or luminescence. The light source, optical systems, and other components for a specific application are housed in a single cartridge. The system has a plurality of cartridges for different applications for a multimode instrument. The cartridges are removably engaged with the apparatus in a “plug-in” format such that one cartridge may be removed from the apparatus and another cartridge may be easily installed.
US08119064B2	Methods, devices, compositions, and systems for improved scent delivery Systems, devices, methods, and compositions that improve the scent perception for a user. Improved scent perception is achieved by presenting alternating scents and by varying levels of output of scents, as well as by minimizing device clogging, thereby improving evaporation profiles.
US08119049B1	Continuous injection molding processes and systems with retractable core Injection-molding processes and systems are described herein. An exemplary method involves: (a) holding one or more inserts in a desired position within a mold cavity by contacting a retractable core to at least a portion of each insert, wherein the retractable core is a feature of a mold plate; (b) while the one or more inserts are being held in the desired position by the retractable core, initiating an injection of molten plastic into the mold cavity; (c) retracting the retractable core from the one or more inserts while continuing the injection of molten plastic into the mold cavity, wherein retracting the retractable core creates additional cavity space within the mold cavity between the retractable core and the one or more inserts; and (d) continuing the injection of molten plastic into the mold cavity until the mold cavity, including the additional cavity space, is filled. The retractable core is preferably retracted at a point when molten plastic filling cavity space further from the retractable core has substantially cooled and hardened, while molten plastic filling cavity space in close proximity to the retractable core remains substantially heated.
US08119048B2	Housing case, method for manufacturing housing case, and glass insert molding die used in same A housing case for a small electric device and communication device includes a flat plate having a dimension substantially the same as that of the front portion of the housing case and comprising at least a glass plate, and a resin frame integrated with the flat plate to support the backside periphery of the flat plate.
US08119044B1	Device and method for plasticization control of electric injection molding machine {Problem} The exact method with small time-lag of detecting screw back pressure for controlling the screw back pressure in the plasticizing process of an electric-motor driven injection molding machine without using a pressure detector has been asked for because the pressure detector is very expensive, necessitates troublesome works for mounting, an electric protection against noise and the works for zero-point and span adjustings and causes a complicate mechanical structure.{Solution} The present invention uses a high-gain observer which contains the discrete-time arithmetic expressions derived from a mathematical model of a plasticizing mechanism in an electric-motor driven injection molding machine consisting of a state equation and an output equation and outputs an estimate of screw back pressure, which is one of the state variables of the above state equation, by using a screw backward velocity signal, a motor current demand signal applied to a servomotor for injection or actual motor current signal and a screw revolution speed signal as inputs. The high-gain observer obtains the exact screw back pressure estimate with very small time-lag without using a pressure detector. Thus the estimate of screw back pressure fed by the high-gain observer can be adopted as a feedback signal of actual screw back pressure for controlling the screw back pressure in the plasticizing process.
US08119043B2	Method of making master for manufacturing optical disc and method of manufacturing optical disc The method of the present invention includes: an exposing process in which an inorganic resist layer 101 formed on a substrate 100 is irradiated with recording laser light modulated by an information signal corresponding to an information signal of an information concave and convex pattern formed on an optical disc to form an exposed pattern corresponding to the information concave and convex pattern on the optical disc, and after the above process a development process in which development processing is performed on the inorganic resist layer to form a concave and convex pattern corresponding to the information concave and convex pattern of the inorganic resist layer; in the above exposing process, after a trial exposure is performed on a non-recording area of the above resist layer, the exposed portion is irradiated with evaluation laser light and a recording signal characteristic of the above resist layer is evaluated from the reflected light to determine based on the evaluation result an optimum focus position of recording laser light which is later performed; and accordingly the recording signal characteristic (jitter value) of the optical disc is predicted and evaluated in the exposing process from the recording characteristic of the exposed portion on the resist to appropriately adjust an exposure focusing position based on the evaluation result and thus, a master having an appropriate concave and convex pattern and consequently an optical disc having an excellent characteristic can be manufactured.
US08119041B2	Non-resonant two-photon absorption induction method and process for emitting light thereby The present invention provides a two-photon light-emitting compound represented by formula (1), an optical data recording medium comprising a compound represented by formula (1), a two-photon polymerizable composition comprising a polymerizable monomer or polymerizable oligomer and at least compound represented by formula (1), and a photopolymerization process: X2—(—CR4═CR3—)m—C(═O)—(—CR1═CR2—)n—X1 (1) wherein X1 and X2 may be the same or different and each represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or substituent; some of R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be connected to each other to form at least one ring; and n and m each independently represent an integer of from 1 to 4, with the proviso that when n and m are 2 or more, the plurality of R1's, R2's, R3's, and R4's each may be the same or different.
US08119038B2	Organic electrolyte solution comprising glycidyl ether compound and lithium battery employing the same An organic electrolytic solution includes a lithium salt; an organic solvent containing a high dielectric constant solvent and/or a low boiling point solvent; and a glycidyl ether compound represented by Formula 1: where, n, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and A are described in the detailed description. In conventional organic electrolytic solutions, irreversible capacity is increased due to decomposition of a polar solvent. A lithium battery employing the organic electrolytic solution has excellent charge/discharge characteristics by inhibiting cracks of a negative electrode active material which occur during charging and discharging of the battery. Therefore, the lithium battery can have high stability, reliability and charge/discharge efficiency.
US08119031B2	Mixed solubility borate preservative Preservative composition for lignocellulosic-based composites providing rapid and long-lasting protection against insect and fungal attack, in both low and high moisture environments, through the use of a combination of higher solubility and lower solubility borates. Pesticidal amounts of a lower solubility borate and a higher solubility borate are combined before or during their incorporation into a lignocellulosic-based composite. Useful low solubility borates include copper borate, zinc borate and barium metaborate. Useful high solubility borates include boric acid, boric oxide, ammonium borate and alkali metal borates such as sodium borate. Some alkaline earth metal borates, including calcium borates, calcium magnesium borates, magnesium borates and calcium sodium borates, are of intermediate solubility and may be used effectively as either a low soluble or high soluble borate depending on the combination used.
US08119030B2	Thulium-containing fluorescent substance for white light emitting diode and manufacturing method thereof Disclosed is a thulium-containing fluorescent substance for a white light emitting diode represented by a following chemical formula 1, (Chemical Formula 1) (M1-X-J7EuxTnIy)2SiO4 where M is a divalent cation metal including Sr or Ba, with 0.005
US08119027B2	Green phosphor and plasma display panel A green phosphor represented by Formula (A1-xTbx)a(B1-yMny)bCcOb+1.5(a+c), wherein A includes La, and Yb and/or Gd, B includes at least one kind selected from Mg, Zn, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, In, Zr, Nb, Ta, Mo, and Sn, C includes at least one selected from Al, B, Ga, Si, P, Ti, Fe, B, and Ge, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0.8≦a≦1.2, 0
US08119026B2	Birefringent layer with negative optical dispersion The invention relates to a birefringent layer having negative optical dispersion, a liquid crystal (LC) medium for its preparation, and the use of the birefringent layer and the LC media in optical, electrooptical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices.
US08119021B2	Functional nanoparticle filled carbon nanotubes and methods of their production Carbon nanotubes filled with a suspension or colloidal solution of functional nanoparticles and methods for production of carbon nanotubes loaded with functional nanoparticles are provided.
US08119019B2	Method of fabricating filtered printhead ejection nozzle A method of fabricating a printhead ejection nozzle is provided which includes depositing sacrificial material on a planar substrate form a scaffold of the sacrificial material on the substrate, defining openings in the sacrificial material to the plane of the substrate at positions for sidewalls of a nozzle chamber and a filter structure for the nozzle chamber, depositing roof material over, and into the openings of, the sacrificial material so as to form the sidewalls of the nozzle chamber on the substrate, a roof of the nozzle chamber bridging the sidewalls, and the filter structure, etching the roof material to the sacrificial material to form a nozzle aperture through the roof of the nozzle chamber, and removing the sacrificial material.
US08119018B2	Magnetoresistive effect element manufacturing method and multi-chamber apparatus for manufacturing magnetoresistive effect element A magnetoresistive effect element manufacturing method includes a first step of preparing a magnetoresistive effect element including a magnetic film and a substrate, a second step of etching a predetermined region of the magnetic film by a reactive ion etching method, and a third step of exposing the magnetic film having undergone the second step to a plasma at an ion current density of 4×10−7 A/cm2 or less.
US08119017B2	Method using block copolymers for making a master mold with high bit-aspect-ratio for nanoimprinting patterned magnetic recording disks The invention is a method for making a master mold to be used for nanoimprinting patterned-media magnetic recording disks. The method uses conventional optical or e-beam lithography to form a pattern of generally radial stripes on a substrate, with the stripes being grouped into annular zones or bands. A block copolymer material is deposited on the pattern, resulting in guided self-assembly of the block copolymer into its components to multiply the generally radial stripes into generally radial lines of alternating block copolymer components. The radial lines of one of the components are removed and the radial lines of the remaining component are used as an etch mask to etch the substrate. Conventional lithography is used to form concentric rings over the generally radial lines. After etching and resist removal, the master mold has pillars arranged in circular rings, with the rings grouped into annular bands.
US08119015B2	System for generating a discrete liquid phase in a continuous liquid phase The device (1) serves for the generation of a discrete liquid phase in a continuous liquid phase with a first or a second liquid. The two liquids coexist as separate phases, have different densities and permit a desired exchange of material. Provision is made to arrange the device in a container (9) which contains the second liquid forming the continuous phase. The device includes a distribution member (2), in particular a cylindrical tube, and a collection passage (3) for the first liquid in a horizontal longitudinal extent. The collection passage has an outlet side (4), a collection side (5) and at least one side wall (6) connecting the outlet side and the collection side. The side wall establishes a connection between the outlet side and a horizontal drip edge (7). This side wall has a shape and an inclination which enables the formation of a liquid film of the discrete liquid phase. For enhancing the stability of the Film, the side wall (6) can have a good wettability for the first liquid. The drip edge or the side wall preferably have a profiling, in particular a toothed arrangement (70) for the generation of the discrete phase in the form of drops which are preferably of an equal size due to a uniform toothed arrangement.
US08119008B2	Fluid purification methods and devices Disclosed is a method of purifying fluid, typically an aqueous fluid steam, with the method involving at least two reverse osmosis stages with retentate from a first reverse osmosis stage being subjected to the second reverse osmosis stage, and with intermediate treatment of retentate from the first reverse osmosis stage by exposure to an electric field. The intermediate treatment may involve electrocoagulation to remove sparingly-soluble compounds and permit enhanced reverse osmosis recovery. Additional treatment may be performed prior to the first reverse osmosis stage, between the first reverse osmosis stage and the intermediate treatment with an electric field, between such intermediate treatment and the second reverse osmosis stage, or after the second reverse osmosis stage.
US08119006B2	Ethanol stable epoxy amine based membrane for aromatics separation The present invention is directed to a membrane for aromatics separation that is stable in an alcohol containing environment. The polymeric membrane is a epoxy amine based membrane.
US08119003B1	Methods for reducing biosolids odors A method for reducing the odors of an anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids or other biosolids or sludge may include separating first anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids into first and second portions, storing second anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids, removing a portion of the second biosolids, and mixing the removed second biosolids portion with the first portion of the first biosolids. The method may be implemented in a system including a separation device, first, second and third transporters, a storage area, and a mixer. The separation device may separate the first biosolids into first and second portions. The first transporter may transport the first portion to the mixer. The second transporter may transport the second portion to the storage area. The second portion may be stored in the storage area for a select time period. The third transporter may transport a portion of the stored first biosolids to the mixer for blending.
US08119002B2	Liquid filter assembly; and methods A liquid filter assembly is provided. The preferred assembly includes a serviceable filter cartridge having a primary filter section and a secondary or bypass filter section. The preferred assembly includes a bypass valve arrangement and a suction filter arrangement. The suction filter arrangement preferably includes a dimensionally biased valve arrangement, preferably one which is devoid of a helical coiled spring, to control flow through the suction filter. A flow/pressure regulation valve, to allow flow from an interior of the assembly to a reservoir if needed, is preferably provided. Preferred serviceable filter cartridges are shown.
US08118998B2	Self-adjusting minimum load filter cartridge and bypass valve A combination full flow media and bypass media filter cartridge for filtering fluid in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a venturi filter having a full flow media attached to and extending between a first endplate and a second endplate. The second endplate includes an orifice. The apparatus further includes a stack of disks extending between a compression end and a venturi end. The stack of disks has a flow path defined by a plurality of openings wherein each disk includes at least one opening. The flow path extends between the compression end and the venturi end. The venturi end is substantially adjacent the second endplate of the venturi filter. The apparatus further comprises resilient compression member connected to the venturi filter for maintaining a minimum sealing force on the stack of disks.
US08118996B2	Apparatus and process for cracking hydrocarbonaceous feed utilizing a pre-quenching oil containing crackable components An apparatus and process are provided for cracking hydrocarbons. Hot, cracked effluent is removed to a quench header where it is pre-quenched with an oil containing crackable components, e.g., 1000° F.+ (538° C.+) boiling range bottoms taken from a vapor/liquid separator, cracking the bottoms to more valuable products, e.g., steam crack naphtha. The overhead of the separator is fed to a cracker, and then quenched with a quenching oil.
US08118994B2	Compositions, configurations, and methods of reducing naphtenic acid corrosivity Naphthenic acid corrosivity of hydrocarbon feedstocks is correlated with the chemical composition of naphthenic acids, and especially with a ratio between an alpha fraction and a beta fraction of naphthenic acids. Contemplated plants, configurations, and methods are directed to reducing naphthenic acid corrosivity of hydrocarbon feedstocks by increasing the beta fraction over the alpha fraction.
US08118991B2	Apoenzyme reactivation electrochemical detection method and assay The invention discloses a device and method by which dry reagent enzyme based electrochemical biosensors, which are in a relatively mature form due to the extensive amount of development pioneered by the blood glucose monitoring industry, may be simply adapted to perform tests for blood coagulation, enzymatic activity, or immunochemical assays for antigens present in a fluid sample. In particular, the utility of combining apoenzyme based dry reagent electrochemical biosensors with apoenzyme reactivation technology is taught. This combination creates a novel combination test technology capable of detecting a wide range of different analytes, and operating in a wide variety of wet or dry, in vivo or in vitro environments.
US08118990B2	Electroplated magnetic film for read-write applications A process is described for the fabrication, through electrodeposition, of FexCoyNiz (x=60-71, y=25-35, z=0-5) films that have, in their as-deposited form, a saturation magnetization of at least 24 kG and a coercivity of less than 0.3 Oe. A key feature is the addition of aryl sulfinates to the plating bath along with a suitable seed layer.
US08118986B2	Determination of the hydrodynamic radii of the constituents of an admixture by means of analysis of a taylor dispersion carried out following a separation by means of capillary electrophoresis A method for determining the hydrodynamic radius for the constituents of an admixture, includes: (A) by separating capillary electrophoresis, the constituents of the admixture, leaving them within the capillary; (B) at one of the ends of the capillary obtained in this manner, containing, in different zones, the separated constituents, a detectable marker is injected in the region of a detection device which is placed at the side of the other end of the capillary; (C) a pressure difference is induced between the ends of the capillary in order to cause the various constituents separated in step (A) and finally the marker to migrate towards the outlet of the capillary; and (D) by analyzing the Taylor dispersion produced in step (C), the hydrodynamic radius is determined for each of the constituents, based on the detection time of the marker and the elution profile of each of the constituents.
US08118984B2	Sintered sputtering target made of refractory metals Proposed is a sintered sputtering target containing two or more types of refractory metals. In particular, proposed is a sintered sputtering target of refractory metals that is able to improve the target structure to prevent the dropout of metal particles other than the matrix-forming major component, improve the deposition quality as well as the workability of the target by reducing impurities such as gas components, enhancing the density and eliminating the generation of arcing and particles in sputtering. This sintered sputtering target of refractory metals is composed of one or more types of minor components selected from W, Ta and Hf at less than 50 at % as well as at least one or more major components selected from Ru, Rh and Ir and inevitable impurities as the remainder. The metal structure of the major component comprises a granular minor component metal phase, or an alloy phase or a compound phase of the major and the minor component having an average grain size of 100 μm to 500 μm.
US08118980B2	Loading device for a shoe press roll The present invention relates to a loading device for a shoe press having a shoe press roll (1) and a mating roll (2) for forming a press nip, preferably in a dewatering device such as in a papermaking machine, through which press nip at least one paper web is guided for dewatering. The shoe press roll (1) has at least one press shoe (4) and at least one supporting device (5), and the press shoe (4) and the supporting device (5) are connected by a multiplicity of hydraulic devices, in order to load the press shoe (4). The invention is characterized in that the hydraulic device has at least one first guide element (7) for guiding a cylinder sleeve (8) substantially linearly, and the cylinder sleeve (8) engages at least in sections into at least one second guide element (9) which is connected to the press shoe (4) in a substantially stationary manner.
US08118977B2	Dryer section in a paper machine An apparatus for handling a moving material web includes: a treatment unit including a rotating conveyor belt which forms a closed loop and carries the material web; a second treatment unit with a second conveyor belt which also forms a closed loop, both treatment units being connected parallel relative to each other; a first switch-over for the transfer of the web from the first to the second conveyor belt; and a second switch-over unit for the transfer of the web from the second to the first conveyor belt.
US08118976B2	Process for the production of a cellulosic product The present invention concerns a process for the production of a cellulosic product comprising providing a fiber-containing suspension, wherein at least about 60% by weight of the fibers are cellulosic fibers, and dewatering the suspension on a wire to form a cellulosic fiber web, the process further comprising adding silica-based particles to the formed web and a wet strength agent to the suspension and/or to the formed web. The invention also concerns a product obtainable by the process. The invention further concerns a dispersion comprising silica-based particles and a substantially aldehyde-free wet strength agent. A further aspect of the invention concerns a dispersion comprising silica-based particles having a specific surface area ranging from about 1000 to about 1700 m2/g and a wet strength agent. Still another aspect of the invention concerns the use of the dispersion as an additive in a papermaking process.
US08118973B2	Method of applying de-dusting agents to fibrous products and products A system and method for applying de-dusting agents to fibrous mats, webs, and/or blankets requiring a lower usage of the de-dusting agents, and producing fibrous products having improved dust suppression are disclosed. The dedusting agent or agents are first reduced to very fine particles or droplets and then, in an air suspension, are passed through the fibrous mat, web and/or blanket to deposit the very fine particles or droplets onto the surfaces of the fibers.
US08118970B2	Soft magnetic metal strip laminate and process for production thereof A soft magnetic metal strip laminate that has high adhesion strength between metal strips, free from delamination, an excellent magnetic property, a high space factor, and a process for production thereof. A process for production of a soft magnetic metal strip laminate that includes plural soft magnetic metal strips laminated by using a polyamide acid solution includes the steps of applying the polyamide acid solution on the soft magnetic metal strip, performing semicuring heat treatment to obtain the degree of imidization of the polyamide acid solution which is in the range of 15 to 70%, laminating plural soft magnetic metal strips to each other through the polyamide acid solution, and performing the heat treatment of the heating and the hot pressing to obtain the degree of imidization of the polyamide acid solution which is more than 90%.
US08118968B2	Two-component bonding agent A bonding agent system is provided that contains at least components (A) and (B), where (A) is at least one compound with at least two cyclic carbonate groups and (B) is at least one compound with at least two primary and/or secondary amine groups. The bonding agent system is particularly suitable for use as a two-component adhesive or sealant and has very good adhesion to various substrates.
US08118966B2	Method for producing joined belt A flat belt 20 is prepared. A first belt end 21 of the belt 20 has a finger shape and a second belt end 22 of the belt 20 has the complimentary shape to the first belt end 21. An adhesive is applied to one of an end face 21K of the first belt end 21 and an end face 22K of the second belt end 22 or to both. Next, both end faces 21K and 22K are butted. The butted portion B of the first and second belt ends 21 and 22 are pressed in the belt width direction. Due to this, the end faces 21K and 22K are bonded by the adhesive so that the first and second belt ends 21 and 22 become joined.
US08118957B2	Vibration welding method and vibration welding apparatus In a vibration welding method and a vibration welding apparatus, a base plate and a vibrating plate which can be vibrated relatively to each other clamp an instrument panel, a storage box, and a duct as layers therebetween, which are joined to each other under pressure with vibration. A protective member of urethane is disposed on a workpiece rest for placing the base plate thereon. The storage box is made of a material having a relatively low melting point, and the duct is made of a material having a relatively high melting point. The thickness of the protective member is different depending on the location where the protective member supports the resin base, and the storage box or the duct.
US08118955B2	Thermobaric materials and devices for chemical/biological agent defeat A thermobaric self-sustaining reactive composition, method and device for defeating chemical or biological agents includes a first material including at least one of a Group IV or Group V metal; a second material reactive with the first material in an exothermic intermetallic reaction to generate heat sufficient to vaporize a third material; and the third material that when vaporized combusts with air producing an elevated temperature sufficient to destroy the chemical and biological agents. The device includes a container having a center core explosive driver with the self-sustaining reactive composition surrounding the center core explosive driver.
US08118949B2	Copper precipitate carburized steels and related method A carburized and tempered hardened steel structure includes an iron based steel alloy including from about 3.7 to about 6 wt % copper, from 6 to about 10 wt % cobalt and from about 1 to about 10 wt % of non-ferrous secondary carbide formation elements selected from any of the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and combinations thereof. At least a percentage of the secondary carbide formation elements are in the form of metal carbides attached to nucleation sites on copper precipitates within a carburized portion of the structure, and wherein the copper precipitates are at least one of i) characterized by a mean copper precipitate radius of from about 0.1 nm to about 5 nm, or ii) characterized by a density of about 2.7×1018 per cubic centimeter.
US08118946B2	Cleaning process residues from substrate processing chamber components A component from a substrate processing chamber which has plasma process residues on both its internal and external surfaces, is removed from the processing chamber, and transferred to a cleaning chamber. The component is exposed to an energized cleaning gas in the cleaning chamber, and the cleaning gas is exhausted from below the component so that the cleaning gas cleans off the residues on both the internal and external surfaces of the component. It has been determined that the cleaning gas can also repair surface defects in the component.
US08118941B2	Semiconductor processing parts having apertures with deposited coatings and methods for forming the same Holes in semiconductor processing reactor parts are sized to facilitate deposition of protective coatings, such as by chemical vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the holes each have a flow constriction that narrows the holes in one part and that also divides the holes into one or more other portions. In some embodiments, the aspect ratios of the one or more other portions are about 15:1 or less, or about 7:1 or less, and have a cylindrical or conical cross-sectional shape. The holes are coated with a protective coating, such as a silicon carbide coating, by chemical vapor deposition, including chemical vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure.
US08118940B2	Clamping mechanism for semiconductor device A clamping mechanism for a semiconductor substrate includes: a C-shaped pickup plate; a susceptor top plate having a periphery adapted to receive and support an inner periphery portion of the C-shaped pickup plate thereon; and a clamp comprising (i) a top ring portion for clamping the substrate by sandwiching a periphery of the substrate between the top ring portion and the susceptor top plate and (ii) a pickup plate supporting portion adapted to support an outer periphery portion of the C-shaped pickup plate, wherein the C-shaped pickup plate is movable between the top ring portion and the pickup plate supporting portion, and the clamp is movable upward together with the C-shaped pickup plate and the susceptor top plate.
US08118936B2	Method and apparatus for an improved baffle plate in a plasma processing system The present invention presents an improved baffle plate for a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the baffle plate advantageously provides for a uniform processing plasma in the process space with substantially minimal erosion of the baffle plate.
US08118930B2	Setting accelerator for sprayed concrete An accelerating admixture for concrete, containing a liquid mixture being an aqueous solution or an aqueous dispersion, wherein a) the liquid mixture contains 13 to 43 weight % dissolved aluminium sulfate, b) the liquid mixture contains less than 1 weight % dissolved carboxylic acid, c) the liquid mixture contains at least 31 weight % water, d) the molar ratio of dissolved aluminium to dissolved sulfate in the liquid mixture is from 0.5 to 10.0.
US08118928B1	Cast ceiling tile A cast type ceiling tile comprising a mixture containing 30 to 70% mineral wool, 10 to 40% expanded glass beads, 8 to 20% starch, 0 to 15% stucco, and 0 to 1% boric acid.
US08118920B2	Multi-layered support system In various embodiments, a support system includes a multi-layer cover sheet with a number of layers. In certain embodiments, a source to move air inside and outside the multi-layer cover sheet can be provided. The source can include a source of positive pressure or negative pressure.
US08118919B1	Air filter and method of constructing same An air filter comprising natural and or man made organza wherein the organza allows air to pass but prevents undesirable air particulates to pass and wherein the organza may be disposed over a frame and may include other mesh material.
US08118915B2	System for separating carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon gas from a produced gas combined with nitrogen Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.
US08118907B2	Methods and systems for leaching a metal-bearing ore for the recovery of a metal value A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap.
US08118897B2	Mix head assembly for forming chemical mechanical polishing pads A mix head assembly for use in the manufacture of chemical mechanical polishing pad polishing layers is provided, wherein inclusions of entrained gas inclusion defects are minimized.
US08118894B2	Commingled coal and biomass slurries An energy efficient process for converting biomass into a higher carbon content, high energy density slurry. Water and biomass are mixed at a temperature and under a pressure that are much lower than in prior processes, but under a non-oxidative gas, which enables a stable slurry to be obtained containing up to 60% solids by weight, 20-40% carbon by weight, in the slurry. The temperature is nominally about 200° C. under non-oxidative gas pressure of about 150 psi, conditions that are substantially less stringent than those required by the prior art. In another embodiment, the biomass water slurry can be mixed with a coal water slurry to further optimize the carbon content and pumpability of the biomass slurry.
US08118891B2	Grate for high temperature gasification systems An improved active grate consisting of at least two elongated rockers positioned parallel to one and another, each rocker having a lower surface and an upper surface and configured to rotate back and forth about their longitudinal axis. Each individual rocker is further configured to rotate in the opposite direction of the adjacent rockers such that any pair of adjacent rockers alternately forms a void allowing material to pass through active grate when rotating in one direction into a first position, and closes the void when rotated in the opposite direction in a second position. The active grate finds particular utility in a combined gasification/vitrification waste treatment system, where it is used to pass partially oxidized materials from a gasification chamber to a vitrification chamber. The rockers include a coolant loop through the longitudinal axis of the rockers.
US08118887B2	Packaged charcoal briquet product An improved charcoal briquet having combustion aiding surfaces is packaged in a compact boxed package. A charcoal briquet having improved burning characteristics and also improved shipping and retailing characteristics is thereby provided. An improved packaged charcoal product including a flat sided box adapted to hold randomly oriented briquets and be split open at its corners and at a lower portion for use in igniting the briquets and a grooved pillow shaped briquet are also disclosed.
US08118886B2	Fuel mixture, fuel reliquefying system, fuel cartridge using the same, and method of extracting fuel; for fuel cells A fuel mixture for fuel cells, comprising a gelled product containing at least a fuel and a gelling agent, in which reliquefaction for the fuel of the gelled product is brought about in the coexistence with a reliquefying agent; and a method of extracting a fuel for fuel cells, including: providing a gel structure in which a fuel is incorporated into a network structure of a gelling agent, with a reliquefying agent dispersed therein; adding a reliquefaction inducing agent to the gel structure to make the reliquefying agent break the network structure of the gelling agent, and thereby reliquefying and extracting the fuel.
US08118882B2	Polymeric hair dyes Disclosed are cationic oligomeric dye, comprising a low molecular weight polyamine comprising the repeating units (1a) or (1b), wherein at least 90% of the polyamine molecules are selected from tetramines, pentamines and hexamines; and R is the residue of a cationic dye, which is covalently bonded, optionally via a linker, to the nitrogen atoms of the polyamine; or hydrogen; wherein the polyamine repeating units (1a) and (1b) comprise at least one carionic dye residue; and n is a number from 3-12. The dyes are distinguished by their depth of shade and their good fastness properties to washing, such as, for example, fastness to light, shampooing and rubbing.
US08118879B2	Prosthetic foot with flexible ankle portion A keel for a prosthetic foot comprises a unitary keel body having a longitudinal axis and a length L. The keel body includes a forefoot portion, a heel portion, and an ankle portion extending therebetween. In addition, the keel comprises a first bumper disposed in a first capture cavity in the ankle portion. The first bumper has a central axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the keel body in top view.
US08118870B2	Expandable articulating intervertebral implant with spacer An expandable articulating intervertebral implant is described for insertion between vertebrae of a human spine. The expandable intervertebral implant includes an upper body that engages a first vertebra of the human spine, a lower body that engages a second vertebra of the human spine, and an insert. The upper body may include an upper portion and a lower portion. The insert may be positioned between an inferior surface of the lower portion of the upper body and a superior surface of the lower body. The insert may be translated or rotated to increase a separation distance between the lower body and the upper body. A spacer may be inserted between the upper body and the lower body to maintain at least a portion of the increased separation distance between the upper body and the lower body after expansion of the intervertebral implant in the human spine.
US08118868B2	Method and apparatus for attaching soft tissue to an implant A system and method for attaching soft tissue to a prosthetic implant can include a prosthetic component that defines a soft tissue attachment region having an attachment surface thereon. A first construct can be formed of porous metal and be removably coupled to the attachment surface. A second construct can be positioned outboard of the soft tissue. A fastener can be engaged to the second construct capturing the soft tissue against the first construct. The fastener can be coupled on a distal end to the first prosthetic component.
US08118867B2	Orbital implant coating having bulbously raised suture zone A coating for an orbital implant where the coating has an anterior portion having a different, longer term bioabsorbability than a posterior portion. This allows the implant to have a smooth surface for insertion and to provide reduced irritation to neighboring tissues, to help prevent exposure of the porous core of the implant, and to provide a stable anchorment for extraocular muscles, but which also encourages rapid fibrovascular ingrowth. The coating is marked with a visual indicator to facilitate proper orientation. Shell materials are further selected to allow for sterile packaging, the securing of therapeutic agents thereon, and to provide adequately strong securing of the coating to the core. Apertures are formed through the coating to enhance fluid flow to and from the core, and to provide exposure of the surface of the core to extraocular muscles, and for sutures. The apertures are sized and shaped to reduce irritating surface contact with orbital tissues. In an alternate embodiment, one of the coating portions has a bulbous raised zone encompassing suture holes. The gap created between the undersurface of the raised zone and the core facilitates threading of the sutures.
US08118863B2	RGD peptide attached to bioabsorbable stents Provided herein is a method of forming medical device that includes RGD attached to the device via a spacer compound. The method comprises providing a spacer compound comprising a hydrophobic moiety and a hydrophilic moiety, grafting or embedding the spacer compound to the surface layer of the polymer to cause the hydrophobic moiety to be grafted to or embedded within the surface layer of polymer, and attaching a chemo-attractant to the hydrophilic moiety.
US08118859B2	Occlusion device combination of stent and mesh having offset parallelogram porosity An occlusion device for implantation within a body vessel is provided with a screen member and an associated support member. The occlusion device is radially expandable from a compressed condition, suitable for inserting the device in an introducer, to a deployed or expanded condition within a vessel. The screen member includes a plurality of substantially parallelogram-shaped openings in the compressed condition arranged in longitudinal rows, the openings being axially offset from each other. The porosity of the screen member is less than the porosity of the support member in the expanded condition.
US08118858B2	Intraluminal stent An intraluminal stent made of a zig-zag or sinusoidal member defining a successive series of struts connected by apex sections and formed into a series of axially displaced hoop members wherein at least one of the hoop members has at least one strut connected to a strut of an adjacent hoop. The connected struts may be connected by spot welding, continuous welding, or suturing, for example, or by a bridging member connected to each strut, and may be spaced along the length of the stent in a pattern to form a connective spine. The number of zigs of the zig-zag member in each hoop member may be varied, as can the zig length. A plurality of connective spines may also be included.
US08118854B2	Endovascular delivery device An endovascular delivery device (2) for a stent graft which has a pusher catheter (4), a flexible sheath (10) over the pusher catheter and at least one auxiliary catheter (32) extending between the pusher catheter and the flexible sheath. The pusher catheter has one or more longitudinal grooves (30) on its outside surface and the auxiliary catheter or catheters extend along the longitudinal grooves. A guide wire in the auxiliary catheter can be used to pre-catheterize a fenestration in the stent graft and a branch stent or stent graft delivered through the auxiliary catheter.
US08118852B2	Introducer for self-expandable medical device An introducer apparatus for deploying a self-expandable medical device, such as a stent, to a target area of a body vessel of a patient comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal end portion disposed at the shaft distal end. The distal end portion comprises an introducer body and at least one deployment member. The introducer body is sized and shaped relative to the self-expandable medical device such that the medical device is receivable on a surface of the introducer body when the medical device is in a compressed condition. The deployment member is configured and arranged relative to the introducer body for selectively restraining the self-expandable medical device in the compressed condition on the introducer apparatus surface.
US08118851B1	Skin marking method A skin marking method includes positioning a panel on a person's skin. The panel has a top side, a bottom side and a peripheral edge. The panel has an artistic shape. The panel has a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon and is adhered to the skin with the adhesive. The panel is also a water resistant material. The panel and areas of the skin adjacent to the panel are exposed to light which may be natural or artificial sunlight until the areas of the skin adjacent to the panel have been tanned by the light. The panel is removed from the skin to expose an area of the skin not tanned by the light.
US08118847B2	Anterior vertebral plate with underside locking mechanism Provided is a device, system, and method for the fixation of the spine. In particular, the present invention provides a system that includes a low profile anterior vertebral plate and screws for fixation and stabilization of the cervical spine, the anterior vertebral plate having a selectable locking mechanism embedded in the underside of the plate during the manufacturing thereof and providing a visual locked indicator on the top side of the plate.
US08118846B2	Orthopedic plates for use in clavicle repair and methods for their use The present invention relates to a series of orthopedic plates for use in repair of a clavicle. The plate has a Y-shaped profile or an X-shaped profile which includes an elongate central trunk with a complex contour and wither one or two terminal pairs of arms that have a first arm and a second arm that form differing angles and lengths relative to the trunk portion of the plate. The arms include locking screw holes where the screws converge toward each other to provide for multiplanar fixation but which do not impinge.
US08118838B2	Inter-cervical facet implant with multiple direction articulation joint and method for implanting Systems and method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can include an implant for positioning within a cervical facet joint for distracting the cervical spine, thereby increasing the area of the canals and openings through which the spinal cord and nerves must pass, and decreasing pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The implant can be inserted laterally or posteriorly.
US08118836B2	Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to a bone A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.
US08118835B2	Suture anchor A suture anchor (e.g. 100) for knotlessly securing nearby tissue to bone is formed from an anchor body (e.g. 101/102) that includes a mechanism for being securely anchored to the bone, an elongated suture puller (e.g. 122) extending through the anchor body with a proximal end for being pulled in a proximal direction by a surgeon and a distal end (e.g. 125) with a suitable mechanism for engaging suture (e.g. 127), suture (e.g. 132) carried by the engaging mechanism (e.g. 127) at the distal end (e.g. 125) of the elongated suture puller (e.g. 122), and a suture locking mechanism (e.g. 110) that substantially prevents the suture (e.g. 122) from moving in at least a first direction after being pulled into and through the anchor body (e.g. 101/102) by the elongated suture puller (e.g. 122).
US08118827B2	Total occlusion guidewire device A guidewire having a spreader or at least one centering device which may be used to open occluded vessels or other biological passages, especially chronic total occlusions. The guidewire may be used to either open the lumen or to center a boring device within the lumen, so that the chronic total occlusion can be crossed, and an interventional procedure can then be performed.
US08118826B2	Method of performing a suprapubic transurethral cystostomy and associated procedures and apparatus therefor A suprapubic transurethral cystotomy apparatus and method of forming a surgical opening therewith. The apparatus includes an elongate tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion inclined relative to one another. The distal portion extends along an axis to an end configured for receipt through a urethra. An elongate arm has a first end operably attached to the proximal portion of the tubular body and a second end providing an indicator establishing an axis aligned coaxially with the axis of the distal portion. A surgical opening is formed with a cutting member being extended along the axis of the indicator.
US08118825B2	Lancet device A lancet device including a housing with an at least partially open interior, a cocking seat coupled with the housing and structured to define an open interior therewith, a lancet with a piercing tip moveably disposed within the open interior, and a biasing assembly engaging the lancet. The cocking seat is structured to engage the lancet and retain the lancet against a force of the biasing assembly so as to maintain a potential energy of the biasing assembly. A release element is provided to at least partially disengage the lancet from the cocking seat such that the potential energy of the biasing assembly moves the lancet relative to the cocking seat and drives the piercing tip of the lancet at least temporarily into a piercing orientation.
US08118823B2	Shear stress ultrasonic horn for ultrasonic surgical aspiration An ultrasonic horn for use with an ultrasonic surgical hand piece including a resonator comprises a contacting annulus having a plurality of angled lands. The lands are alternated around the annulus such that adjacent lands have opposite angles. As a result of the adjacent angled lands, a shear stress field is developed in contacted tissue due to the promotion of refracted longitudinal ultrasonic waves propagating in different directions at the interface to the coupled tissue. The shear stress field enhances the fragmentation and removal rate of fibrous, elastic, and tenacious tissue. The horn is hollow permitting suction to be applied to the tissue for controlling tissue contact with the lands.
US08118820B2	Method for instrument insertion through a body orifice A method for inserting an instrument through a natural orifice. The instrument has a low profile orientation and a deployed orientation which is larger than the size of the natural orifice through which it is to be inserted. The method is achieved by coupling the instrument to an endoscope and placing the instrument in its low profile orientation, inserting the endoscope and the instrument through a natural orifice to a target position within a body while the instrument is in its low profile orientation, actuating the instrument to it is deployed orientation, and returning the instrument to its low profile orientation and withdrawing the instrument from the body through the natural orifice.
US08118818B2	Method and device for computer assisted distal locking of intramedullary nails A method and a device for computer assisted distal locking of intramedullary nails comprising the steps of: A) establishing a virtual geometric representation of an intramedullary nail (1); B) acquiring a first medical image (28) using a radioscopic unit (25) with its focal line (23) adjusted at an angle between 0° and 30° to the axis (8,9) of the at least one distal locking hole (3,4); C) acquiring a second medical image using a radioscopic unit (25) with its focal line (23) adjusted at an angle between 60° and 90° to the axis (8,9); D) computing the position of the longitudinal axis (2) of the distal part (5) of the intramedullary nail (1) using said first and second medical image and said virtual geometric representation by means of a computer (40); E) computing the position of the axis (8,9) of the at least one distal locking hole (3,4) using said first and second medical image (28,29); F) transferring information related to the positions of the distal part (5) and the at least one distal locking hole (3,4) from a central processing unit of the computer (40) to an external guide means (41) for drilling a hole in a bone (30).
US08118815B2	Systems and methods for joint replacement Systems and methods for joint replacement are provided. The systems and methods include a surgical orientation device, a reference sensor device, and at least one orthopedic fixture. The surgical orientation device, reference sensor device, and orthopedic fixtures can be used to locate the orientation of an axis in the body, to adjust an orientation of a cutting plane or planes along a bony surface, or otherwise to assist in an orthopedic procedure(s).
US08118814B2	Implement for orientating a tool, particularly useful in surgical tools for harvesting and implanting bone plugs to repair damaged bone tissue An implement for orientating a tool at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane of a target surface to be engaged by the tool includes a rod having a distal end coupled to a head formed with three contact points arranged in a circular array around the longitudinal axis of the rod, such that the three contact points define a plane. The rod is coupled to the head with the longitudinal axis of the rod at the predetermined angle to the plane defined by the three contact points, such that when the three contact points of the rod are in contact with the target surface, the longitudinal axis of the rod is at the predetermined angle with respect to the plane of the target surface. The implement is described particularly for orientating a surgical cutting tool perpendicularly to bone tissue for harvesting and implanting a bone plug to repair damaged bone tissue.
US08118807B2	Biomedical return electrode having thermochromic layer A biomedical return electrode for electrosurgery or radiofrequency (RF), a biomedical electrode pad (100), a system (300), and a method of treating tissue using a biomedical return electrode are disclosed. The biomedical return electrode comprises an electrode conductor (114) for receiving electrical energy from tissue via a return path, and a thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) layer (116) coupled to the conductor (114). The TLC layer (116) changes color at one or more sites dependent upon the conductor temperature at each site. The TLC layer (116) changes color in a predetermined range of temperatures from about 40° C. to about 50° C. to alert an operator about the risk of a burn occurring. The biomedical electrode pad (100) comprises at least one such biomedical return electrode and a conductive body (112) to form a contact with tissue. The system (300) comprises an apparatus for delivering electrical energy to tissue and such a biomedical electrode pad (100). The system (300) may optionally comprise a color sensor (340) for viewing the pad (100) and monitoring equipment for remotely observing the pad (100).
US08118804B2	Catheter assembly A catheter assembly comprises an outer catheter including an outer catheter body and an outer catheter hub at a proximal portion of the outer catheter body; and an inner catheter including an inner catheter body insertable in the outer catheter body, a tip at the distal portion of the inner catheter body which is rich in flexibility, and an inner catheter hub at the proximal portion of the inner catheter body adapted to be coupled to the outer catheter hub. The inner catheter body includes a flexible section connected the tip, a physical property transition section on the proximal side of the flexible section, a first body section on the proximal side of the physical property transition section, a second body section on the proximal side of the first body section, greater than the first body section in flexural rigidity, and having a reinforcing material layer.
US08118801B2	Force focused fastening member A force focused fastening system maintaining a fastener element in plane during fastening. The force focused fastening system includes a force focused fastening member including an extensible region and an end region. The end region includes a fastener element and the extensible region includes a high modulus region aligned relative to a center portion of the fastener element. During fastening, the force focused fastening member directs forces toward the center portion of the fastener element, away from end portions, minimizing distortion of the fastener element.
US08118800B2	Fluid absorbent tape A fluid absorbent tape is divided into sections that can be separated to customize the length of the tape and simplify use. In one embodiment of the invention, the fluid absorbent tape includes an absorbent material enclosed in a fluid permeable cover to form an elongated fluid absorbent tape. Separating structure formed in a transverse direction through the elongated fluid absorbent tape divides the elongated tape into a first section of fluid absorbent tape and a second section of fluid absorbent tape. The first section of fluid absorbent tape is separable from the second section of fluid absorbent tape along the separating structure. In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid absorbent tape includes a fluid absorbent material including a super absorbent polymer. An elongated fluid permeable cover having a length encloses the fluid absorbent material, and is divided into sections along the length. Each of the sections have closed ends to inhibit the fluid absorbent material from falling out of the sections through the ends.
US08118798B1	Absorbent undergarment liner An absorbent undergarment liner including an absorbent material placed in a medial crotch area of an undergarment that is used to prevent leakage of male genitalia onto the undergarment. The absorbent undergarment liner is constructed with a lower outward flared base in which a first lower flare extends radially inward around an inner thigh region of a trunk leg toward the rear of the undergarment. A second lower flare extends radially outward toward an outer thigh region of the trunk leg. A vertical elongated portion extends upwardly and offset from the center of the open fly region of the undergarment from a front panel lower crotch region to a front panel medial region of the undergarment.
US08118793B2	Medicinal composition with active ingredients and wound contact layer with a composition The invention relates to a wound dressing, a wound contact layer and a medicinal composition comprising a hydrophilic base in which hydrocolloids are dispersed, wherein the hydrophilic base comprises at least one emulsifier and the use of said composition for treating wounds.
US08118792B2	Antimicrobial wound contact layer The invention relates to a wound dressing, a wound contact layer and a medicinal composition comprising a hydrophilic base in which hydrocolloids are dispersed, wherein the hydrophilic base comprises at least one emulsifier and the use of said composition for treating wounds.
US08118789B2	Deodorizer devices and systems for controlling perspiration-related body odor A deodorizer device for controlling body odor comprises a structure having an external metal oxide surface with a contour to contact the surface of the skin where perspiration is produced and is degraded by bacterial organisms on the skin into body odor. The metal oxide surface is reactable with water supplied to the surface of the skin to render the bacterial organisms ineffectual to degrade perspiration later produced on the skin into body odor. The deodorizer device together with a water source form a deodorizer system. A method of controlling body odor involves supplying water to the surface of the skin where perspiration is produced and is degraded by bacterial organisms into body odor and, at the same time, contacting the surface of the skin with a metal oxide surface of a deodorizer device.
US08118788B2	Pre-filled hypodermic syringe fitted with a stoppering device A pre-filled hypodermic syringe includes a tubular body having two open ends and containing a fluid to be administered to a patient; a plunger which, having at one of its ends a piston mounted to slide in the tubular body, passes through the opening of the first end of the tubular body; a tip for connection in the form of a cone of the Luer or Luer-Lock type, for example for connecting to a needle or to a drip, intended to pass the fluid that is to be administered and comprising a tubular part communicating with the opening of the second end; the tip comprising an obturator connected by a frangible region to the free end of its tubular part, the syringe being made of a synthetic material and obtained by molding, the obturator being molded as one piece with the tip and the tubular body.
US08118787B2	Safety device for a syringe The invention relates to a safety device comprising a supporting sleeve (16) for holding the syringe body (10), a protective sleeve (18), and at least one holding tongue (19, 20) which is rigidly connected to the protection sleeve and can be held by the supporting sleeve (16), in the holding position. The piston comprises a cylindrical skirt (13A) that can end up facing a part of the proximal end (16A) of the supporting sleeve, at the end of the injection stroke, in order to co-operate with an actuating part (19B, 20B) of the holding tongue, and to release same in such a way as to enable a relative sliding of the protection sleeve and the supporting sleeve in order to protect the neddle. This proximal end part (16A) has at least one deflection ramp (30, 32) that can co-operate with the skirt (13A), at the end of the piston stroke, in order to deform the skirt in such a way as to bring part of the skirt of the actuating part (19B, 20B) closer to the holding tongue (19, 20).
US08118779B2	Collagen delivery device A collagen delivery device is disclosed and can include a barrel having a syringe chamber. Further, a syringe can be disposed within the syringe chamber. The syringe can include a collagen material therein. Additionally, the collagen delivery device can include a plunger within the barrel. The plunger can be moved to expel the collagen material from the syringe.
US08118766B2	Skin antiseptic composition dispenser and methods of use Skin antiseptic composition dispensers and methods of use are disclosed. The skin antiseptic composition dispenser may include a container with one or more walls that are substantially impermeable to ethylene oxide gas during normal ethylene oxide sterilization processes. In some embodiments, the container may include flexible walls free of metallic foil barrier layers. The containers may also include one or more vents in addition to one or more openings used to dispense the skin antiseptic composition within the container. The dispenser may include an applicator with a hydrophilic foam.
US08118760B2	Joint brace and a movement restraining device therefor A movement restraining device for use in combination with an elastic wrap of a joint brace includes at least one elongated bendable member including a plurality of spaced-apart strips each of which has opposite strip surfaces parallel to the strip surfaces of the remaining ones of the strips, and first and second retaining plates facing each other. The strips further have first end portions substantially perpendicular to and fixed between the first and second retaining plates, and second end portions extending away from the first and second retaining plates.
US08118759B2	System for producing an orthopedic splint The disclosure relates to a system for producing an orthopedic splint made of a cast material, wherein the system includes at least one thermoplastic cast material present as a flat material web and a template having a flat template body, wherein the cast material can be wound around the template body in a prescribed direction for generating a splint blank, and the splint blank can be activated in order to achieve deformability, particularly after cutting the cast material to length, and to a method for producing an orthopedic splint.
US08118753B2	Barb-wired micro needle made of single crystalline silicon and biopsy method and medicine injecting method using the same Disclosed are a barb-wired single crystalline silicon micro needle and a biopsy method and a medicine injecting method using the same. The micro needle comprises a main body part, at least one extension part formed on a side surface of the main body part, and a protrusion part protruded from both side surfaces of the extension part. A medicine storage is formed on a surface of the main body part. A fluid passage is formed in the extension part and the main body part. It is easy to pick the tissue sample with the protrusion part just by inserting and extracting the extension part of the micro needle into and from the tissue for a biopsy. Therefore, the biopsy procedures can be simplified. In addition, the medicine in the storage can be injected into the tissue via the fluid passage.
US08118752B2	Apparatus and methods for mapping retinal function The present invention provides an electrode array device for simultaneously detecting electrical potentials at five or more locations on the anterior surface of an eye. The device comprises a dielectric lens substrate having a concave inner surface conforming to the anterior surface of the eye, and at least five recording electrodes positioned in relation to the inner surface of the lens substrate so as to make electrical connection with the anterior surface of the eye when the lens substrate is placed on the anterior surface of eye. Each recording electrode is in electrically conductive communication with a corresponding conductive contact, there being one conductive contact for each recording electrode. Each conductive contact is adapted for operable connection to signal processor, and each conductive contact is electrically insulated from the anterior surface of the eye. A computational method for analyzing electrophysiological potentials recorded at five or more locations on the anterior surface of the eye, which reflect the spatial distribution of activity of the retina, is also provided.
US08118749B2	Apparatus and method for sensor deployment and fixation An implant assembly is implanted in vivo within a vascular system in which a vessel divides at a furcation into two sub-vessels, each sub-vessel having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said vessel. An implant assembly is released into a vessel such as a pulmonary arterial vessel of a patient. The implant assembly has a diameter smaller than or substantially equal to the inner diameter of the vessel and larger than the inner diameter of each of the sub-vessels. The implant assembly is configured so that it moves downstream within the vessel along with the flow of blood. When the implant assembly reaches a furcation where the vessel divides, the implant assembly is too large and not sufficiently compliant to fit through either of the smaller branch vessels. The implant assembly thus lodges at the furcation, prevented from moving downstream by being too large and stiff to fit into the branch vessels, and prevented from moving upstream by the flow of blood through the arteries. Alternatively, the implant assembly has a diameter greater than a vessel and compliance characteristics such that, upon release, the implant assembly travels down a narrowing vessel until an interference fit is created between the anchor structure and the vessel wall, thereby preventing further distal movement.
US08118741B2	Method and apparatus for prediction and warning of hypoglycaemic attack The present invention includes a method and device for warning of hypoglycaemic attacks, which is a big problem for especially diabetics, who are in insulin treatment. It is estimated that about 1 million people have a decreased quality of life as a result of hypoglycaemic attacks. The invention collects EEG signals from people, who must be supervised and analyses these in order to detect characteristic changes in the EEG signals, which occurs in advance of a hypoglycaemic attack. In a preferred embodiment the EEG signals are collected with subcutaneously placed electrodes and the signals are lead via wires drawn under the person's skin to a similar subcutaneously placed signal processing unit. The signal processing analyses the EEG signals and when the pre-seizure characteristics signal changes are detected, a warning signal is given to the person from an alarm giver build into the signal processing unit, e.g. in form of a vibrator. When a person detects a warning signal, the person can prevent the hypoglycaemic attack by e.g. consuming a sugary food.
US08118739B2	Endonasal speculum A short (60-70 mm) endonasal speculum for performing operations within and around the sellar region of the human head includes two side members each of which is composed of a handle and an elongated blade. The handles are attached to each other by a hinge and one of the handles includes a variable dilation control that is used to open the speculum. The elongated blades are arcuate in cross section and have distal ends that are opposed to each other in a trapezoidal configuration, either up or down, which permits greater visualization and access into the regions above and below the sella and greater instrument maneuverability within the speculum.
US08118738B2	Vaginal speculum including collapsible and expandable frame A vaginal speculum includes a frame and a first handle assembly pivotally mounted to the frame. The frame defines an opening between a first blade that is attachable to the frame and a second blade that is attachable to the frame opposite of the first blade, and a hinge assembly configured to flex the frame to selectively change a size of the opening. The first handle assembly includes a lever portion and a blade portion coupled to the lever portion. The blades have a proximal end attachable to the blade portion and a distal end portion spaced from the proximal end. When in a first collapsed insertion state, the hinge assembly collapses the frame and the first blade contacts the second blade. When in a second deployed state the hinge assembly expands the frame and the first blade is spaced apart from the second blade.
US08118736B2	Method of accessing a bladder and associated apparatus therefor A bladder access apparatus and method of provided access into a bladder through a abdominal wall therewith is provided. The apparatus has an annular body extending between opposite ends with a through passage extending between the ends. A tubular sheath is attached to one end of the body in coaxial alignment with the through passage. The sheath is expandable from a first diameter to an enlarged second diameter. The apparatus has an elongate stylet with a rod sized for receipt in the sheath. The rod has a length greater than the tubular sheath and a diameter substantially the same as the first diameter of the sheath. The apparatus includes a rigid, tubular body having an outer diameter corresponding substantially to the second diameter of the sheath and a rigid, cylindrical member sized for sliding receipt in the tubular body.
US08118729B2	Endoscopic instrument having a rotatably mounted and detachable coupling part An endoscopic instrument with a hollow shank which on the proximal side is provided with a connection part with at least one suction connection and/or rinsing connection, with a coupling part for fixing a working insert. The coupling part is mounted rotatably with respect to the connection part and the coupling part is detachably connected to the connection part. The endoscopic instrument further includes an annular axial seal which is arranged between the connection part and the coupling part.
US08118728B2	Method for implanting an adjustable surgical implant for treating urinary incontinence A method of treating urinary incontinence of a patient by introducing a surgical implant through a vaginal incision. The surgical implant includes a suburethral support having first and second suspending members and first and second tissue anchors. The width of each suspending member is less than the width of the suburethral support. Each tissue anchor has a conical tip and is coupled with a respective one of the first and second suspending members. The first and second tissue anchors are inserted into tissue on first and second sides, respectively, of a urethra of the patient without penetrating an abdominal wall. A position of the suburethral support relative to the patient's urethra is adjusted, including pulling the second suspending member through the patient's vagina to adjust the distance between the suburethral support and the second anchor, after which the distance between the suburethral support and the second anchor is fixed.
US08118727B2	Method for supporting pelvic anatomy A method for providing support to an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes making a vaginal incision for securing a support portion under a urethra of a patient, passing a narrowed portion of an introducer through an introducer aperture of a first soft tissue anchor, seating the first soft tissue anchor on the introducer, and inserting a second soft tissue anchor through the vaginal incision and pressing the second soft tissue anchor into tissue on a second side of the urethra such that a support portion is suspended from the first and second soft tissue anchors under the urethra without the first and second soft tissue anchors penetrating an abdominal wall of the patient.
US08118726B1	Incontinency abatement system A body portion fabricated of an essentially rigid material is formed of similarly configured first and second segments each shaped to include a generally spherical interior enlargement, a generally spherical exterior enlargement, an intermediate section between the enlargements, and a slit extending through the exterior enlargement and the intermediate section. The body portion pivots between a collapsed orientation with the slit at a reduced spacing and an expanded orientation with the slit at an enlarged spacing. An operational zone has a plurality of operational components. Application of a radial force to the second section by a user's external anal sphincter muscle causes axial movement of the segments to both contract and retain expanded segments and expand and retain contracted segments to reorient the system between a collapsed orientation and an expanded orientation.
US08118724B2	Rotary blood pump Various “contactless” bearing mechanisms including hydrodynamic and magnetic bearings are provided for a rotary pump as alternatives to mechanical contact bearings. In one embodiment, a pump apparatus includes a pump housing defining a pumping chamber. The housing has a spindle extending into the pumping chamber. A spindle magnet assembly includes first and second magnets disposed within the spindle. The first and second magnets are arranged proximate each other with their respective magnetic vectors opposing each other. The lack of mechanical contact bearings enables longer life pump operation and less damage to working fluids such as blood.
US08118720B2	Abdominal exercise and training apparatus An exercise apparatus designed to specifically target the abdominal muscles is described along with a method of using the apparatus. The apparatus generally comprises four parts: a base; a seat frame attached to the base; an upper portion having a back support and handles; and a lower portion to retain the legs of a user. The apparatus allows a user to complete a typical “crunching” motion and a twisting motion encompassing both the upper torso and the lower body simultaneously. In other words the lower portion and the upper portion of the device are capable of movement about at least two distinct axes simultaneously.
US08118717B1	Dumbbell with rotatable weights A dumbbell includes a bar, an axle, two weights and two cover. The bar includes a holding portion and two enlarged reception members connected to two ends of the bar. The axle extends through a passage of the bar and each reception member has a space for reception of the weight. Each weight includes a ridge and a weight body, the ridge is connected between the axle and the weight body. The two covers are respectively connected to the reception members to cover the two respective spaces. The weights are rotatable during using the dumbbell and the rotation exercises more muscles of the user's body.
US08118713B2	Respiratory muscle endurance training device and method for the use thereof A respiratory muscle endurance training device (RMET) includes a chamber and a patient interface. In one implementation, one or both of a CO2 sensor or a temperature sensor can be coupled to the chamber or patient interface to provide the user or caregiver with indicia about the CO2 level in, or the temperature of, the chamber or patient interface, and/or the duration of use of the device. In another implementation, the RMET may have a fixed volume portion adjustable to contain a measured portion of a specific patient's inspiratory volume capacity. Methods of using the device are also provided.
US08118709B2	System and method for processing information A system for processing biological data is provided and includes a monitoring device configured to receive biological data responsive to a living being. The system also includes an interface device communicated with the monitoring device to receive the biological data. Furthermore, the system includes a data transfer device, configured to receive the biological data from the interface device and communicate the biological data to a processing device for processing. Additionally, a method for processing biological information is provided, wherein the method includes receiving biological information from a monitoring device responsive to a first party and responsive to an exercise regime and processing the biological information to generate resultant information responsive to at least one physical characteristic of the first party.
US08118705B2	Vehicle control system and method of controlling vehicle A control system of a vehicle including an engine and an automatic transmission operable to form one of a plurality of gear positions set according to running conditions of the vehicle, and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. In the control, the rotational speed of an input-side rotary shaft of a shifting mechanism of the transmission is detected, and the vehicle is controlled so that, when an execution condition that one of the gear positions set according to the running conditions is maintained and the rotational speed of the input-side rotary shaft has increased to be higher than a rotational speed corresponding to the set gear position is satisfied, the vehicle is brought into running conditions that will eliminate a state in which air is present in the hydraulic fluid supplied from an oil supply device.
US08118702B2	Power tool with planet type reduction gearing A power tool having a rotation motor coupled to an output shaft (11) via a reduction gearing (13,14), wherein the reduction gearing (13,14) comprises at least one planetary gearing (14) with a sun gear (30), a ring gear (22), a planet wheel carrier (32) supporting two or more planet wheel units (35) each comprising two axially spaced spur gears (36,37) both secured to a spindle (38) which is rotatively journalled relative to the planet wheel carrier (32) via a bearing located between the spur gears (36,37).
US08118701B2	Outboard motor In an outboard motor, a speed reduction mechanism includes an inner gear connected with an input shaft (i.e., second output shaft), a planetary gear that meshes with the inner gear and that rolls inside the inner gear, and a sun gear that meshes with the planetary gear and that is not rotatable. A shaft portion of a carrier that supports the planetary gear, and a shaft core portion of the sun gear, preferably have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape. The shaft portion of the carrier is inserted and arranged to overlap with the shaft core portion of the sun gear in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the shaft. The output shaft (i.e., drive shaft) is inserted and coupled to the shaft portion of the carrier. Accordingly, this provides an outboard motor that makes it possible to prevent the size of a speed change device from increasing in size when a speed reduction mechanism is added.
US08118699B2	Sprocket for chain A sprocket for a chain drive using a roller or bushing chain has a plurality of different pitch angles, including both pitch angles larger than the standard pitch angle, and pitch angles smaller than the standard pitch angle. The number of pitch angles in the sprocket larger than the standard pitch angle is greater than the number of pitch angles in the sprocket smaller than the standard pitch angle. The sprocket teeth are integrally molded with the sprocket by sintering.
US08118696B2	Virtual shuffleboard A virtual shuffleboard table gaming apparatus including a housing having a playing field, a game acquisition circuit, and a display. As a puck is propelled towards a puck return at the distal end of the playing field, the puck temporarily obstructs at least two beams from transmitters. Sensors that receive the transmitted beams provide information to the game acquisition circuit indicative of the time when the beams were blocked and unblocked. The duration of time the beams are block are used by a game controller to calculate the angle of travel, location, and velocity of the puck. This information is then used by the game controller to determine the travel path and resting place of a virtual puck on a virtual playing field, as well as determine whether the virtual puck rests in a scoring zone and maintain a game score.
US08118695B2	Arrow fletching The present invention is a shrinkable tube with pre-attached fletching with or without cresting. When heat is applied to the tube, it only takes seconds to shrink the tube to the arrow. The tube will shrink to a tight and secure fit on any size-hunting arrow. The fletching can be made with plastic vanes or feathers of any length, size or color. The shrinkable tube can be of any thickness or color or of any length, with or without cresting designs. This shrinkable fletching will allow hunters to fletch their own arrows in most situations. The situations where the shrink fletching can be used are unlimited as long as access to a proper heat source is available.
US08118693B2	Practice bat A practice bat including a free sliding region provides a means for training batters to improve swing quality.
US08118692B2	Baseball swing development tool It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.27(b).
US08118690B2	Golf ball Golf ball 2 has a spherical center 10, a mid layer 12 covering this center 10, a reinforcing layer 6 covering this mid layer 12, and a cover 8 covering this reinforcing layer 6. Base polymer of the mid layer 12 is an ionomer resin. Base polymer of the cover 8 is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The cover 8 has a thickness Tc of equal to or less than 1.2 mm, and particularly equal to or less than 0.8 mm. The difference (Ho−Hc) between the central hardness Ho of the center 10 and the hardness Hc of the cover 8 is 1 or greater and 30 or less. The cover 8 has a hardness Hc of 15 or greater and 40 or less. The product (Tc·Hc) of the thickness Tc (mm) of the cover 8 and the hardness Hc of the cover 8 is equal to or less than 25.
US08118688B2	Golf club head and method for producing the same A golf club head 1 having an improved dischargeability of foreign matters such as water and mud caught in face line grooves and a sufficient frictional force with a golf ball generated when hitting the ball, the club head 1 comprising a ball hitting face 2 including a hitting surface 7 and at least one face line groove 8 formed in the hitting surface 7, wherein the hitting surface 7 includes a rough surface portion 7a having an arithmetic mean roughness Raf of 0.20 to 0.55 μm, and the surface of the face line groove 8 has an arithmetic mean roughness Ra1 smaller than the arithmetic mean surface roughness Raf of the rough surface portion 7a, and a method for producing the club head 1.
US08118685B2	Golf swing practice device An indoor and outdoor golf swing practicing device for a user is disclosed. The device comprises at least one hard board having a plurality of holes, at least one hinge means having a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm and a pivot arm, a plurality of wedges mounted to the hard board, at least one hanger bolt, at least one extension spring, at least one golf ball, a plurality of supporting pads attached to opposing first and second ends of an inner surface of the first hinge arm, a set of plurality of pads fixed to at least one end of the plurality of wedges proximate the hinge means and a plurality of pads fixed to the at least one hard board. A carpet is placed partially over the device to facilitate a user to stand on the hard board to practice their swing techniques.
US08118684B2	Infant support structure with a collapsible frame An infant support structure with a collapsible frame is disclosed. In one embodiment, the infant support structure includes a frame with a lock mechanism that is configured to maintain the collapsible frame in a deployed or use configuration.
US08118681B2	Gaming system having retractable gaming unit Various aspects are directed to a gaming system configured or designed for use with a bar top or table top. In at least one embodiment, the gaming system may include a movable gaming unit, the movable gaming unit which is operable to be lowered below an upper surface of the bar top or table top, and which is operable to be raised, at least partially, above the upper surface of the bar top or table top. In at least one embodiment, the gaming system may be operable to control a wager-based game played on the gaming system. The gaming system may be further operable to lower the gaming unit below the upper surface of the bar top or table top in response to detecting at least one first condition or event. The gaming system may be further operable to raise a first portion of the gaming unit above the upper surface of the bar top or table top in response to detecting at least one second condition or event.
US08118679B2	Peer-to-peer distributed gaming application network This description describes methods and apparatuses of a peer-to-peer distributed gaming application networks. In one embodiment the method includes transmitting, to a first gaming terminal, an invitation to participate in a shared gaming session. The method also includes receiving a reply from the first gaming terminal indicating that the invitation has been accepted and transmitting, to a second gaming terminal, an indication that the first gaming terminal will participate in the shared gaming session, wherein the second gaming terminal will serve a gaming application to the first gaming terminal.
US08118678B2	Extended and editable gamer profile A user profile for an online gaming service is created. The user profile contains user gaming information received from a first location. The user profile is stored in a database, and the user is permitted to access the user profile from a second location.
US08118677B2	Device identification The system provides the capability of identifying the presence and location of network devices. During start-up, a device sends its MAC address out on the network. A local switch collects MAC and IP addresses for the devices connected to it. Periodically, the switch transmits raw Ethernet frames, USB packets, or TCP packets containing tables of devices and associated MAC/IP addresses. When a device receives information about another device, the device may attempt communication with that device. First, a verification procedure is used to validate the devices. Subsequently, communication is possible between the devices.
US08118674B2	Gaming machine having a 3D display A gaming machine including a controller coupled to a 3D display that displays true 3D or virtual 3D imagery associated with a basic or a bonus wagering game. 3D displays can display true 3D imagery or virtual 3D imagery that is displayed in 2D but perceived by the viewer to be 3D. True 3D displays include a volumetric 3D display, a multi-layer display, and a holographic display. Virtual or stereoscopic displays include a lenticular display employing cylindrical or spherical lenslets, a parallax illumination display employing light lines to create a parallax effect, or non-autostereoscopic displays requiring a special viewing aid to complete the 3D effect.
US08118673B2	Collectable card-based game in a massively multiplayer role-playing game that dynamically filters player communications A massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) or, more specifically, a card-based MMORPG enables characters in a virtual world to collect cards representing specified actions or powers and presents three-dimensional (3D) elements to players representing one or more aspects associated with the characters and environment. This 3D display can, in some implementations, offer a real-time combat engine that processes the card-based events. The 3D display may also offer hanging effects that dynamically present state information associated with the respective character. Further, the MMORPG may offer a real-time responsive and flexible chat management system.
US08118668B2	Apparatus and methods for an account based gaming system Apparatus, systems, architectures, and methods provide instrumentality to assign a game instance as an account owner in a gaming system and to convey owner functions in the gaming system to the game instance.
US08118665B2	Wagering game providing rewards independent from gaming session A wagering game is comprised of a basic game, a progressive game with a progressive payout, and an input device for identifying players who are playing the basic game and who become eligible for the progressive payout. The progressive payout can be awarded to a player during a selected time period. But, if the progressive payout is not awarded during the selected time period, the progressive payout is awarded to an eligible player that is randomly selected in a drawing. The progressive payout can have first and second payouts that are awarded, respectively, during a first time period (e.g., per week) and a second time period (e.g., per month). Thus, the player does not need to be at the gaming terminal to win the progressive jackpot.
US08118664B2	Method of awarding prizes for jackpot and gaming machines based on amount wagered during a time period Periodic prize draws are conducted by a jackpot controller in a gaming system having one or more electronic gaming devices. The probability of each electronic gaming device winning a particular prize draw is dependent upon the amount wagered on that gaming machine during a period preceding that prize draw. The prize may be a progressive jackpot which comprises an initial starting value and a contribution from the amounts wagered on the electronic gaming devices. If an electronic gaming device wins a prize draw, its player may be granted a feature game to determine the actual prize. Jackpots are suspended pending the completion of the feature game. The probability that a gaming device will win the prize draw, or the relative win probabilities of the gaming devices, may be displayed graphically.
US08118662B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing player selection of modifiers to game components In one embodiment, the gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a plurality of gaming devices that each participate in a group game including a plurality of masked group game components and determines and provides separate awards to each player of the gaming devices based on the amount of modifiers applied to each of the group game components having a modifier applied by the player of that gaming device. In one embodiment, the gaming system enables each player to selectively apply or associate a plurality of modifiers to a single game component or apply the plurality of modifiers across the plurality of game components. For each gaming device, the gaming system displays and provides any awards to the player of that gaming device.
US08118661B2	Gaming machine A gaming machine includes plural stations and a processor. Each station can determine a game result and execute a game independently. The processor obtains an operation status of each station when a predetermined condition is satisfied. There is selected an event game among a plurality of event games, based on the operation status of each station. Then, there is executed the selected event game in common at plural stations.
US08118658B2	Rolling raffle game A game of chance add-on raffle game, independent base game and a system for funding the raffle game prize payout is provided. For a premium wager, an add-on raffle game is offered to be added to a state on-line lottery game play at the time of the initial base game play purchase in one embodiment of the present invention. The add-on game play status is printed on the base game ticket. All players of the base game (who purchased the add-on game or not) who achieve a pre-determined outcome receive a raffle ticket containing a unique ticket number that will automatically be entered into the following add-on game raffle drawing at no additional cost. The raffle drawing is held, and the winning raffle numbers are identified. Winning raffle ticket recipients submit their tickets to the lottery authority for their prize. A determination is made if the add-on game was purchased with the base game play associated to the winning raffle ticket. If the add-on game was purchased with the base game play associated to the winning raffle ticket, the player receives the raffle prize. If the add-on game was not purchased with the base game play associated to the winning raffle ticket the player receives a free QP lottery ticket in lieu of receiving the raffle prize and the unpaid raffle prize or a percentage of the unpaid raffle prize will rollover to a subsequent raffle drawing.
US08118647B2	Device for punching out and collecting eyeball section of fish A device for efficiently and accurately punching out and collecting in a continuous and automatic manner an eyeball section of a fish. The device comprises a head part supporting table and a body part supporting table which can be opened and closed. The head part supporting table has an eyeball section discharge hole and a head part gripping device arranged on both sides of the head part supporting table to position an eyeball section of the fish on the eyeball section discharge hole. The device further comprises an eyeball section punching out blade body arranged above the eyeball section discharge hole in a manner of being movable up and down. The eyeball section of the fish is punched out by the punching out blade body and the punched out eyeball is collected through a suction hose connected to and communicating with a lower face of the eyeball section discharge hole.
US08118644B2	Chemical mechanical polishing pad having integral identification feature Chemical mechanical polishing pads having a polishing layer with a polishing surface adapted for polishing a substrate are provided, wherein the polishing layer has a unique integral identification feature; wherein the unique integral identification feature is non-polish active, wherein the unique integral identification feature comprises at least two visually distinct characteristics, wherein at least one of the at least two visually distinct indicia is a non-color based indicia, wherein one of the at least two visually distinct indicia is a color based indicia, and wherein the at least two visually distinct characteristics are selected to uniquely identify the chemical mechanical polishing pad as a type of chemical mechanical polishing pad selected from a plurality of types of chemical mechanical polishing pads; and, wherein the polishing layer has a polishing surface adapted for polishing the substrate. Also provided is a method of making such polishing layers and for using them to polish a substrate.
US08118641B2	Chemical mechanical polishing pad having window with integral identification feature Chemical mechanical polishing pads having a window with an integral identification feature, wherein the window has a polishing face and a nonpolishing face, wherein the integral identification feature is observable through the window, and wherein the integral identification feature identifies the chemical mechanical polishing pad as a type of chemical mechanical polishing pad selected from a plurality of types of chemical mechanical polishing pads. Also provided is a method of making such chemical mechanical polishing pads and for using them to polish a substrate selected from a magnetic substrate, an optical substrate and a semiconductor substrate.
US08118637B2	Toy A toy that is capable of moving between a first orientation and a second orientation and includes a housing having a first end portion with a first handle and a second end portion with a second handle, at least one of the first and second handles is rotatable within a respective handle opening defined by the housing. To move the toy from the first orientation to the second orientation, the at least one of the first and second handles is rotated by a user within its handle opening, such that the housing is rotated between its first orientation and second orientation.
US08118629B2	Bushing apparatus for electrical and hydraulic lines on a watercraft A trimmable and controllable outside drive of a watercraft which comprises at least two actuators (113) for adjusting a thrust tube as well as at least one suspension apparatus (102) which can be fixed to a transom (101), for pivotally mounting the actuators (113). The drive comprises hydraulic (112) and electrical lines (111) for the actuators (113), the hydraulic or electrical energy for adjusting the actuators (113) and electrical signals from the sensors being transmitted by the lines. A bushing apparatus (100) is arranged on the transom (101) and the hydraulic (112) and/or electrical lines (111) are connected, via the bushing apparatus (100), both inside and outside the transom (113)).
US08118628B2	Mount structure of outboard motor A mount structure of an outboard motor includes a first member, a second member, a buffer member, a sandwiching member, and a second elastic member. A propulsive force generated by a propeller of the outboard motor is applied to the first member. The second member is arranged such that the propulsive force is transmitted to the second member via the first member. The buffer member includes an outer sleeve fixed to the first member, an inner sleeve inserted in the outer sleeve, a first elastic member fixed to the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve. The sandwiching member is arranged to sandwich the second member and the inner sleeve in a direction of action of the propulsive force. The second elastic member is fixed to the first member. The second elastic member is opposed to the sandwiching member across a gap in the direction of action.
US08118627B2	Propulsion arrangement A propulsion arrangement for a marine vessel is disclosed. The propulsion arrangement comprises an engine (12, 14) for propelling the vessel and an electrical machine (26, 28) coupled to the engine. The electrical machine is arranged to supply onboard electrical power for the vessel. A control unit (44) controls the electrical machine such that the electrical machine is selectively operable as a generator or a motor. The control unit and the electrical machine are arranged such that the electrical machine when operating as a motor can supplement the power of the engine while the engine is in operation. In one embodiment, the control unit and the electrical machine are arranged to provide active damping of the engine torque.
US08118615B2	Connector assembly having grounding means A connector assembly (100) includes an insulative cover (1) defining a plurality of grooves arranged in a row along a transversal direction; a plurality of connectors (21) accommodated in the grooves, respectively, each of the connectors having a terminal module and a metallic shell enclosing the terminal module; a metallic cage (5) enclosing the insulative cover; and a plurality of conductive members (3), each of the conductive member (3) including a horizontal portion (31) and a vertical portion (32), the horizontal portion having a first tab (311) abutting against the metallic cage, and the vertical portion having a second tab (321) pressing against the metallic shell of a corresponding connector.
US08118613B2	Apparatus to connect a shielded line to a housing using a crimp sleeve with a sealing projection with a metal seal With a connecting apparatus for connecting a shielded line with a housing the line can be electrically contacted in the housing interior. The connecting apparatus comprises at least one crimp sleeve through the sleeve hollow of which at least one conductor of the line is guidably arrangeable up into the housing interior. A conductor shielding of the line can be fixed at a free end section by means of crimping relative to the crimp sleeve and is in a shielded contact with the housing. According to the invention the corresponding conductor shielding is connected with the housing in an easy manner so as to achieve a corresponding shielded contact between the housing and the conductor shielding. The conductor shielding and the housing as a whole may hence be regarded as a shielding. A good electrical and electronic freedom from interference is obtained for corresponding devices inside the housing as well as for the corresponding connecting apparatus with respect to the environment, see EMC.
US08118611B2	PCB bridge connector for connecting PCB devices A bridge connector made of PCB material has a first plurality of press-fit pins on one portion of the bridge connector and a second plurality of press-fit pins on another portion of the bridge connector. Within the connector is a set of signal conductors. Each conductor connects a press-fit pin of the first plurality of press-fit pins to a corresponding press-fit pin of the second plurality of press-fit pins. When the connector is attached to a printed circuit board (PCB), the press-fit pins extend into and engage corresponding plated through holes in the PCB. The press-fit pins exert enough retention force to mechanically couple two PCB frame sections. The PCB frame sections are electrically connected through the press-fit pins and corresponding signal conductors of the bridge connector. A bridge connector attached at each corner of an infrared touch sensor frame assembly allows the assembly to be solidly assembled from four sections of PCB: a top, bottom, left, and right PCB frame section.
US08118609B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector that can provide stable contact between a signal transmission terminal and a short-circuit terminal even if the connector is downsized. The connector includes a main body having a plurality of terminal receiving cavities provided with lances by which signal transmission terminals are secured and a plurality of short-circuit terminal receiving cavities adjacent to the terminal receiving cavities for receiving short-circuit terminals. Each short-circuit terminal includes a bent part at a forward position and a contact at a rearward position. The main body further includes a window that is formed at a position to the rear of the lances corresponding to the contacts of the short-circuit terminals and through which the terminal receiving cavities and the short-circuit terminal receiving cavities communicate with each other. The contacts of the short-circuit terminals are in contact with the female terminals through the window.
US08118602B2	Method of connecting two area array devices using a printed circuit board with holes with conductors electrically connected to each other A method is disclosed for providing electrical connections for an area array device. Each of a plurality of holes in a circuit board has a conductor within it and has an opening on a side of the circuit board. Electrically conductive contact posts extend from the openings of the holes. The contact posts are in a pattern corresponding to contact pads on an area array device. A compliant portion of each contact post is inserted within a hole. The conductor compresses the compliant portion to removably secure the contact post within the hole. The conductors form an electrical connection with the contact post. A spring portion of each contact post extends away from the circuit board. The spring portion is compressible toward the circuit board, and provides an electrical connection between a contact post and a contact pad in response to contact with the contact pad.
US08118596B2	One-piece, screw-receiving, externally-threaded endosseous dental implants and related transfer components, comfort caps and abutments A one-piece, screw-receiving, externally-threaded endosseous dental implant includes a body portion with external threading and, at its proximal end, an unthreaded, cylindrical portion including a retentive groove for engaging a complementary transfer component or comfort cap; a one-or two-piece screw-receiving implant abutment for attachment to a one or two-piece implant, including a retentive groove for engaging a complementary transfer component or comfort cap; and a fixture mount for insertion in a one-piece implant, that can be sectioned with the distal end used to extend the implant height.
US08118595B2	Conforming gingiva retraction compression cap and method of retracting tissue around a tooth A rolled compression cap having a central bore. The rolled compression cap has adjacent layers that slide or telescope to conform to the prepared tooth and to apply more direct mechanical pressure to the interface between the prepared tooth and the gingiva. The gingiva or gum retracts from the tooth forming or widening a gingival sulcus. This improves the preparation of the tooth for taking an impression and fitting a crown or cap. In one embodiment, a rolled compression cap is pre-dosed or soaked with an astringent material or retraction agent. In another embodiment, the central bore of the rolled compression cap is filled with a paste-like or gel material containing an astringent or hemostatic agent.
US08118592B2	Hybrid orthodontic appliance An orthodontic appliance is provided for controlling positioning of a patient's teeth. The appliance includes at least one dental encasing component formed to overlay at least one of the patient's teeth and at least a portion of a palate of the patient. The at least one dental encasing component has a lingual surface and a labial surface. The appliance also includes at least one rigid component fused to an entire length of the lingual surface of the at least one dental encasing component and over a portion of the at least one dental encasing component overlaying a portion of the palate of the patient.
US08118588B2	Energy efficient low NOx burner and method of operating same A burner assembly that produces very low NOx emissions includes a plurality of furnace gas openings for receiving a portion of furnace gasses back into a combustion cylinder. The burner assembly includes the combustion cylinder, a plurality of combustion air inlet conduits that extend into the cylinder and a plurality of fuel gas discharge nozzles that also extend into the cylinder. The burner assembly is mounted within a combustion chamber of a furnace, wherein the walls of the combustion chamber are provided with or are made up of heat transfer pipes. Thus, in operation, furnace gasses exit the combustion cylinder and, due to combined aspirating action created by air jets as they exit the air conduits and fuel gas jets discharging from the fuel gas discharge nozzles inside the combustion cylinder and a pressure differential between the combustion cylinder and the combustion chamber, a portion of the furnace gasses flow from the outlet of the combustion cylinder and past the heat transfer pipes toward the proximal or upstream end of the combustion cylinder. Passage of the furnace gasses past the heat transfer pipes cools the furnace gasses and the furnace gasses then flow through the furnace gas openings and mix with the combustion air and fuel gas to provide a lower NOx emission in an energy-efficient manner.
US08118585B2	Pattern formation method and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device In one embodiment, a pattern formation method is disclosed. The method can place a liquid resin material on a workpiece substrate. The method can press a template against the resin material and measuring distance between a lower surface of a projection of the template and an upper surface of the workpiece substrate. The template includes a pattern formation region and a circumferential region around the pattern formation region. A pattern for circuit pattern formation is formed in the pattern formation region and the projection is formed in the circumferential region. The method can form a resin pattern by curing the resin material in a state of pressing the template. In addition, the method can separate the template from the resin pattern.
US08118584B2	Device and method for processing carrier tape A carrier tape forming apparatus includes a tape paying-out unit for paying out a tape to be worked, a tape feeding unit for feeding the tape, a forming unit for effecting embossing on the tape, a perforating unit for perforating at least a feeding hole in the tape, and a tape taking-up unit for taking up the finished (embossed) tape thereabout. The apparatus includes also double-acting driving units provided as driving sources at least for the tape feeding unit, the forming unit and the tape taking-up unit, each driving unit being fluid-operated and movable along a straight path and a controller for independently controlling driving/stopping of the double-acting driving units for the forming unit and the tape taking-up unit in association with driving/stopping of said double-acting driving unit for the feeding unit.
US08118583B2	Molding construction and a molding method for a resin-molded product A connector (20) is placed in a first die (50) so that an end of a wall (41) of the connector (20) closely contacts a recess (55) of the first die (50) to define a cutoff (58). The dies then are closed to define a filling space (60C) between a surface (62) of a second die (51) and an outer surface (46) of the wall (41). The outer surface (46) of the wall (41) is inclined moderately upward. Molten resin is directed into the filling space (60C) and presses the inclined outer surface (46) of the wall (41) so that an inner surface (47) of the bottom wall (41) is pressed against the recess (55) of the first die (50) and strongly held in close contact by a component of this pressing force. Thus, molten resin cannot intrude through the cutoff (58).
US08118582B1	Method and apparatus for producing biobased carriers from byproducts of biomass processing An apparatus for producing biobased carriers for dispersal of biological and chemical molecules includes a premixer having a cavity for receiving a coproduct of a wet biomass process and a binder and being operable to premix the coproduct and binder to produce a substantially homogeneous DDGS mixture; a high shear mixer having a receptacle for receiving the DDGS mixture and being operable to shear mix the mixture and produce very small DDGS particles; and, an agglomerator having an interior chamber sized and configured to receive and transform the DDGS particles into substantially spherical DDGS pellets.
US08118580B2	Injection mold An injection mold has a lower mold half having a chamber at a top thereof. A holding plate has a top within the chamber formed with a plurality of holding slots. The holding slots extend frontward and rearward. A positioning plate is attached to a front surface of the holding plate, an upper portion of which within the chamber has a plurality of positioning holes at a front surface thereof. A fixing plate disposed rearward of the holding plate has a plurality of through holes at a top thereof. A plurality of first positioning rods is mounted to the installing holes, each of which defines a free end extending beyond the top of the fixing plate. A free end of each of a plurality of second positioning rods is capable of inserting into the positioning hole. An upper mold half is engaged with the lower mold half.
US08118574B1	Radial suction valve assembly for a compressor A suction valve for a reciprocating compressor includes a hollow cylindrical valve seat having a plurality of suction ports formed therethrough. The suction ports are covered by flaps moveably mounted on the inner surface of the valve seat which open and close in response to pressure differentials in the compressor. The flaps are oriented in a consistent circumferential direction so as to induce a vortex effect in gas moving through the suction ports.
US08118573B2	Piston pump with at least one piston element A piston pump having a piston longitudinally movable in a housing. A first pressure chamber is delimited by the piston element and a component affixed to the housing. The first pressure chamber is connected to a suction region via an inlet valve and is operationally connected to a delivery side via an outlet valve. A compensation piston unit has a working piston chamber connected to the delivery side. A stroke volume of the first pressure chamber is twice the size of a stroke volume of the working piston chamber. The piston element and a component affixed to the housing delimit a second pressure chamber connected to the suction region which is operationally connected to the first pressure chamber during a suction stroke of the piston element whose volume varies by half the stroke volume of the first pressure chamber and expands with a delivery stroke of the piston element.
US08118570B2	Anisotropic bearing supports for turbochargers An exemplary anisotropic member (625, 1200, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1950) supports a bearing in a bore and can reduce non-synchronous vibration (NSV) of the bearing in the bore. An exemplary anisotropic member includes an annular body configured to receive a bearing and to space the bearing a distance from a bore surface and is configured to impart anisotropic stiffness and damping terms to the bearing when positioned in the bore. Such a member is suitable for use in a rotating assembly for a turbocharger where the bearing may be a floating bearing, a semi-floating bearing or a ball bearing. Various exemplary members, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are disclosed.
US08118568B2	Hermetic compressor A hermetic compressor has a hermetic container storing oil, and a compressing element accommodated in the hermetic container and compressing a refrigerant gas. The compressing element has a compression chamber, a cylinder forming the compression chamber, a piston inserted into the cylinder for reciprocation, and a suction muffler whose one end communicates with the compression chamber. The suction muffler has a sound deadening space, a gas flow forming part forming a gas flow flowing in a constant direction in the sound deadening space, and an oil discharge opening provided in a downstream side of the gas flow in a lower part of the sound deadening space. By this construction, there is realized a hermetic compressor in which the oil does not readily remain in the suction muffler, whose noise is lower, and whose performance is stabilized.
US08118566B2	Piston compressor with second intake In a piston-type compressor in which a working fluid is taken in through an intake port is first compressed with pistons and is then let out through an outlet port, an axial hole ranging along the axial direction and a radial hole communicating with the axial hole and opening into a crankcase are formed within the shaft. Additionally, a first intake passage through which the working fluid having flowed in through the intake port is guided via the crankcase to the radial hole and the axial hole and a second intake passage through which the working fluid having flowed in through the intake port is guided to join the working fluid having been drawn into the first intake passage by bypassing the crankcase are formed in the compressor. The working fluid is taken into cylinders from the area where the first working fluid and the second working fluid join each other.
US08118561B2	Erosion- and impact-resistant coatings Erosion- and impact-resistant ceramic coatings suitable for protecting surfaces subjected to collisions with particles, including nominally round particles that typically inflict impact damage and more aggressive irregular-shaped particles that typically inflict erosion damage. The ceramic coating is formed to have one of three compositions: at least one layer of titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) having a thickness of about 25 to about 100 micrometers; multiple layers of chromium nitride (CrN) and TiAlN, each layer having a thickness of about 0.2 to about 1.0 micrometers to yield a total coating thickness of at least about 3 micrometers; and at least one layer of titanium silicon carbonitride (TiSiCN) having a thickness of about 15 to about 100 micrometers. The ceramic coating preferably has a total coating thickness of up to about 100 micrometers, and is deposited by a physical vapor deposition process to have a columnar and/or dense microstructure.
US08118560B2	Blade A blade surrounded by: a leading edge portion, which is where fluid flows in; a pressure surface which is a concave curve shape concaved along a direction the fluid flows; a suction surface which is a convex curve shape convexed along a direction the fluid flows; and a trailing edge portion, which is where the fluid flows out, in which a disturbance addition portion is provided on the suction surface closer to the leading edge portion than a maximum velocity point, where the flow velocity of the fluid is maximized on the suction surface, for disturbing a laminar flow on the suction surface and for transitioning to a turbulent flow.
US08118559B2	Lightning arrester system for a wind generator blade The invention relates to a lightning arrester system for wind generator blade, which replaces the standard main copper cable and which employs two strips of copper that extend along the entire length of the beam such as to be in direct contact with the carbon fibre. In this way, the carbon fibre laminate and the copper strip are always at the same potential, thereby preventing any possible arc-over between the two elements. The carbon fibre laminate is barely affected by the passage of current owing both to the electrical characteristics of the two components and to the selected configuration which conveys most of the current through the copper strips. In addition, with said novel system it is possible to position intermediate receivers on the actual laminates and in direct contact with the copper strip.
US08118556B2	Compressor wheel for a turbocharger system A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine includes at least one compressor wheel. The at least one compressor wheel of a single stage or multiple stage turbocharger system is formed, such as by pressure casting, from at least one of an aluminum metal matrix composite and an aluminum alloy containing up to 5 weight percent scandium.
US08118555B2	Fluid-flow machine and rotor blade thereof A fluid-flow machine, especially for an aircraft engine, includes a rotor having rotor blades 3. The rotor blades 3 include, on a suction side 9, at least two zones of different surface finish, with one zone being positioned between a rotor blade 3 leading edge 5, a casing line 1, a line SLM and a line EL and being provided with a boundary layer-energizing surface structure, with the line SLM being a meridional flow line at a Mach number-critical blade height of the rotor, and with the line EL being a connecting line of all points E to form a chord-orthogonal projection line EL.
US08118552B2	Apparatus and method for manipulating a component of a wind turbine A wind turbine includes a tower member a yaw system, and a wind energy collection system. The wind energy collection system includes a central hub and a plurality of blade members. The wind turbine further includes a component manipulating system operatively coupled between at least one of the plurality of blade members and the tower member. The component manipulating system includes a blade member support structure including a first end pivotally connected relative to the tower member that extends to a second end operatively coupled to the one of the plurality of blade members, and a winching system operatively connected to the one of the plurality of blade members and the tower member. The winching system is selectively operated to shift the one of the plurality of blade members relative to the tower member in order to enable serving of the wind turbine.
US08118551B2	Casing and fluid machine A casing includes an upper casing and a lower casing jointed in a dividable manner, and a sealing structure that suppresses outward leakage of gas from a joint area between the upper casing and the lower casing. The casing 1 also includes: an upper protruding element that protrudes from an outer circumference of the upper casing; a lower protruding element that protrudes from an outer circumference of the lower casing; and an intermediary member that is arranged on outer circumferences of the upper protruding element and the lower protruding element. The joint area between the upper casing and the lower casing is extended by the upper protruding element and the lower protruding element, and the intermediary member is welded to the upper protruding element and the lower protruding element, at a position offset from the joint area.
US08118549B2	Gas turbine transition duct apparatus A gas turbine transition duct is provided comprising a generally tubular main body having first and second ends, the first end being adapted to be positioned adjacent to a combustor unit and the second end being adapted to be positioned adjacent to a turbine and a collar coupled to the main body second end. The collar may have upper, lower and side portions. At least one of the side portions may be provided with a notched section.
US08118548B2	Shroud for a turbomachine A turbomachine includes a casing defining a hot gas path, and a shroud member attached to the casing. The shroud member is spaced from the casing to define a gap. The shroud member includes a first end having a first hook member provided with a first sealing surface and a second end including a second hook member provided with a second sealing surface. At least one of the first and second sealing surfaces includes a plurality of labyrinth seal elements that reduce air leakage through the gap into the hot gas path.
US08118546B2	Grid ceramic matrix composite structure for gas turbine shroud ring segment A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component such as a ring seal segment (50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D) for a gas turbine engine (10), the component formed with a base plate (52) and a frame portion (54) that extends substantially normally from the base plate around its perimeter. A grid of intersecting CMC ribs (73) is formed on the base plate within the frame portion. The ribs have a height (H) that may be within 3 times the total thickness (B) of the base plate, including any rib base (39) bonded to the base plate, along at least most of the rib length. The grid of ribs may be assembled from an array of CMC cups (40) bonded to the base plate, to adjacent cups, and to the frame portion.
US08118543B2	Centrifugal compressor having switchable two passages A centrifugal compressor for compressing gas has a casing, a rotary shaft, an impeller, a diffuser, a first scroll, a second scroll, a first passage, a second passage, and a switching member. The rotary shaft is supported by the casing. The impeller is rotatably fixed to the rotary shaft, and sends the gas radially outward to a flow path downstream thereof. The diffuser is formed around the impeller. The first scroll is formed around the diffuser. The second scroll is formed between the diffuser and the impeller. The first passage is formed from the impeller to the first scroll through the diffuser. The second passage is formed from the impeller to the second scroll. The switching member switches the flow path between the first passage and the second passage by opening and closing the diffuser.
US08118537B2	Vertical axis windmill An upstanding bladed rotor is journalled from support structure and a windshield assembly is also journalled from the support structure for angular displacement about an upstanding axis about the rotor. The windshield assembly includes a wind-shielding portion which extends generally about one half the periphery of the rotor and further includes a wind vane operative to maintain the assembly in predetermined position relative to wind incident upon the rotor with the wind-shielding portion in position to shield generally one lateral half of the rotor from the incident wind. The windshield assembly additionally includes a combined wind booster and excess wind controlling vane supported therefrom and disposed outward of the other lateral half of the rotor into the sweep area thereof responsive to high velocity wind incident thereon so as to apply rotary torque to the windshield assembly partially overcoming the directional control thereon by the wind vane and swinging the wind-shielding portion into position across the side of the rotor upon which the wind is incident so as to reduce the amount of high velocity wind available to drive the rotor and thus prevent the latter from overspeeding.
US08118533B2	Narrow four-bar linkage for suspending a wide header for an agricultural implement A suspension system for towed agricultural implements having at least one floating head of a first width suspended by a four-bar linkage of a second width wherein the first width is much greater than the second width. The floating head is permitted to float to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical bearings.
US08118531B2	Tray holding device A tray holding device includes a frame (20) that defines a tray elevation area (A) in which a tray containing workpieces can be lifted and lowered and that allows the loading and unloading of workpieces from above, a lower supporting member (40) that is fixed to the frame to horizontally receive and support the tray in the tray elevation area (A), an elevation mechanism (60) that is provided at the frame to lift and lower the tray supported by the lower supporting member, and an upper supporting mechanism (50) that is mounted to the frame to receive and support the tray lifted by the elevation mechanism from below and to horizontally carry it out. Thus, the size, installation space, etc., of the tray holding device can be reduced, and the productivity can be heightened by shortening a waiting time.
US08118530B2	Substrate storage facility and substrate processing facility, and method for operating substrate storage Substrate storage facility includes a container that holds a plurality of the substrates with the substrates lined up vertically with space therebetween and that is tubular having a generally quadrangular cross section, the container including a first opening provided on one end side and a second opening provided on the other end side spaced apart in a horizontal direction from the first opening, the first opening serving as an entrance for loading and unloading the substrate; a fan filter unit, provided in an area of the second opening of the container, that causes movement of air from the second opening toward the first opening; and a controller that controls an operation of the container transfer device such that the container is stored in the storage section with a side of the container where the fan filter unit is provided is positioned toward the traveling space, and the entrance side of the container is positioned away from the traveling space.
US08118524B2	Overrideable guide and vertical restraint for an air cargo system A centerline restraint includes a conventional center guide/restraint and a pair of a overrideable guide/restraint at either end. Each overrideable guide/restraint is lockable into one of three rotational positions about a common axis: a retracted position, an erect position and an overridden position. The overrideable guide/restraint has a yoke-shaped body with a pair of legs rotatably mounted on an axle which, in turn, is mounted on a base of the centerline restraint. Lift handles, each operatively connected to a spring-loaded plunger are used to adjust the overrideable guide/restraint between the three positions. A head of the spring-loaded plunger abuts one or more stops formed on the legs of the overrideable guide/restraint to lock the overrideable guide/restraint in various predetermined positions. Lift handles operatively connected to the plungers, when operated, cause the overrideable guide/restraint to switch between positions.
US08118523B2	Support system for a wind turbine component, a vehicle transport system for a wind turbine component and a method for operating a support system The invention relates to a support system for a wind turbine component with a rigid structure such as a wind turbine nacelle or a section of a wind turbine tower. The support system comprises a plurality of engagement mechanisms (6, 7, 8, 9) defining at least three corners, possibly at least four corners, of a surface. The surface, in case of the support system comprising at least four engagement mechanisms, is capable of forming a curved surface, and the surface, in case of the support system comprising at least three engagement mechanisms, is at least capable of being tilted in relation to e.g. a vertical orientation. Further, the invention includes a method for operating the support system by simultaneously operating the lower and upper telescopic actuator on each of the support systems, so that the wind turbine component can be lifted or lowered.
US08118520B2	Drilling device with displacement dependent spring and/or damper In order to improve a device for a drilling machine in such a way that manual drilling can be carried out with optimum conditions, it is proposed that the device include a workpiece jigging device, a guide device for the guidance of the machine when there is a displacement of the workpiece jigging device, and a control device for the control of the feed displacement of the workpiece jigging device and the machine. The control device has combinations of impact dampers and/or springs to achieve control over the feed displacement.
US08118519B2	Grout and lifting tube A grout and lifting tube for casting within a concrete segment. The tube provides enhanced sealing between the tube and the concrete to prevent moisture leakage into a structure formed by a plurality of the concrete segments. The tube includes a generally cylindrical body having an exterior with an anchoring rib structure, a threaded interior, a proximal end, a distal end. An annular gasket is disposed at the proximal end of the tube body, and may be secured to the proximal end of the tube body by a mechanical interlock and/or by unitary co-molding. After the concrete section is placed and grout is pumped through the tube, a plug is threadable into the proximal end of the tube to both compress the gasket between the plug and the tube at a first seal, and to compress the gasket between the plug and the concrete surrounding the proximal end of the tube at a second seal to provide robust, watertight sealing.
US08118515B2	Coupling rod for vehicle suspension system The fastening element connects two parts in a chassis of a vehicle. The fastening element has a central axle on which two opposing paired support elements of damping material are arranged at an axial distance from one another. In order to achieve an improved performance at least one of the support elements is composed of two different components and/or of different material.
US08118514B2	Combination flipbook and pull-up focal header A display system includes a binder, a header, a retaining bracket and an extension assembly. The binder includes a plate, a plurality of sheets and an attachment assembly. The plate has a front surface, a rear surface and an edge. The attachment assembly secure the sheets at the front surface of the plate and maintains and displays information. The header includes indicia and is adapted to be positioned in a retracted position where the header is substantially obscured from view by the plate and an extended position where the header extends substantially from the edge of the plate. The retaining bracket is attached to the rear surface of the plate. The extension assembly is adapted to engage the retaining bracket to maintain the header in the extended position.
US08118503B2	Blade driving device for cameras A base plate is elongate and an opening for a photographing optical path is configured close to one end in its longitudinal direction. A shutter blade is rotatably mounted to the blade-mounting shank of the base plate so that when the opening is fully opened, a part covering the opening is stored in the region of the base plate in the longitudinal direction. Another shutter blade is slidably mounted to the blade-mounting shank of the base plate so that when the opening is fully opened, a part covering the opening is stored in the region of the base plate in its lateral direction. Each of the shutter blades is constructed so that the reciprocating operation is performed by the driving pin of an electromagnetic actuator to open and to close the opening.
US08118501B2	Device with a cover unit to protect a camera unit A device with a camera unit, and an operational procedure for the device, where the device has a lens for taking pictures of the area outside of a motor vehicle and a cover unit that can change by means of a drive from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, where the cover unit covers the lens of the camera unit in the closed position and uncovers the lens in the open position making it possible to take a picture, and where the cover unit has a lens cover that is movable on one side by means of a bearing shaft on the device.
US08118500B2	Vibrating device and image equipment having the same A vibrating device includes first and second members, each shaped almost like a rectangle and composed of first and second parts, a connection member composed of a first circuit which inputs an electrical signal to the first part, a second circuit which outputs an electrical signal generated in the second part, and a connection part which connects the first and second circuits electrically, and a drive unit which drives the first and second members while the first and second circuits remain connected by the connection part. The first and second members are shaped symmetrically to one another in weight balance with respect to a virtual symmetry axis at the same distance from the first and second members and also to an virtual centerline connecting gravity centers of the first and second members. The second member is shaped asymmetrically in vibrational amplitude with respect to its vibrational axis.
US08118499B2	Infrared camera assembly systems and methods A camera assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a camera cassette slidably receivable in a front end thereof. The slide-in cassette includes a sled having a pair of legs slidably receivable in respective ones of a pair of complementary longitudinal slide guide recesses located in the housing and aligned substantially parallel to the central axis thereof, an electrical connector located at a rear end of the sled, a camera electrically coupled to the electrical connector, and an apparatus disposed at a front end of the sled for coupling the camera to the front ends of the sled and the housing such that the optical axis of the camera is located generally concentric with the central axis of the housing and disposed at a selectably adjustable angle relative thereto.
US08118490B2	Low profile baseframe with ballbearing slides A low profile baseframe is used with a desk or other support to movable support a keyboard or other device. The baseframe has ball races integrally formed along each side. The ball races face one another and contain ball retainers that are sized and shaped to fit within the ball races so that rows of ballbearings in each slide are substantially vertical relative to one another. The ball retainers are made from molded plastic and are folded into a U-shape after being removed from the mold. The baseframe has a slide plate that extends between the two ball races with side edges inserted into the ball retainers. The baseframe is constructed without the use of fastening means. The ball retainers rest in the ball races and the slide plate rests in the ball retainers without welding, bolts or rivets.
US08118488B2	Mobile medical imaging system and methods A mobile medical imaging device that allows for multiple support structures, such as a tabletop or a seat, to be attached, and in which the imaging gantry is indexed to the patient by translating up and down the patient axis. In one embodiment, the imaging gantry can translate, rotate and/or tilt with respect to a support base, enabling imaging in multiple orientations, and can also rotate in-line with the support base to facilitate easy transport and/or storage of the device. The imaging device can be used in, for example, x-ray computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.
US08118485B2	Very high speed thin film RTD sandwich A very high speed thin film RTD sandwich is provided that can be used in high speed temperature probes for medical applications and in environments that are corrosive or hostile in a protected configuration, as well as ambient and surface temperature measurements in an unprotected configuration. The high speed is achieved by maximizing the transfer of heat from the outside perimeter of the sandwich to its internal thin film RTD element to the absolute minimum of time. The thin film RTD element is electrically insulated by the extremely thin film layers. The insulating layers and thin film RTD are then embedded in two layers of high purity silver, the element with the maximum conduction coefficient of heat transfer k.
US08118479B2	Apparatus for heat exchange with radial mixing An apparatus for heat exchange with radial mixing comprises a trough with two rotatably arranged shafts extending alongside each other, which shafts are each provided with paddles spaced apart in an axial direction with an intermediate distance. The paddles extend substantially in a radial plane with respect to the shafts, and extend in a circumferential direction over at least a part of the circumference. In the circumferential direction, the paddles are at least partly wedge-shaped. Upon opposite rotation of the shafts, successive paddles mesh alternately, thereby forming a gap narrowing again and again. Per shaft, successive paddles in an axial direction are staggered relative to each other in circumferential direction through an angle.
US08118477B2	Apparatus for reservoir mixing in a municipal water supply system One or more turbulent jet flows of fluid are discharged from inlet nozzles communicating with an inlet pipe to mix fluid in a reservoir, such as a water storage tank. The turbulent jet flows are directed to reach the surface of the fluid already existing in the reservoir. A horizontally disposed outlet section includes low loss contraction nozzles distributed throughout a lower portion of the reservoir to induce draining from all areas of the lower portion.
US08118475B2	Kneading degree adjusting apparatus, extruder and continuous kneader Provided is a kneading degree adjusting apparatus, which can have a wide adjusting range for a kneading degree even if a gate member and a cylindrical segment are not made so close as to invite a fear of metallic contacts. The kneading degree adjusting apparatus is disposed in a kneading treatment equipment, which includes a cylindrical segment formed at a predetermined portion and a kneading screw for kneading a material while feeding the same to the downstream side, thereby to adjust the kneading degree of the material. The kneading degree adjusting apparatus comprises a gate member having an opposed face confronting the outer circumference of the cylindrical segment and moved toward and away from the outer circumference of the cylindrical segment thereby to change the area of the material passage to be formed between the opposed face and the outer circumference of the cylindrical segment. The outer circumference and the opposed face are corrugated to form the passage into a bent shape.
US08118474B2	Device and method for mixing substances, mixing reactor and method for continuously ejecting a treated substance using said mixing reactor The invention relates to a device and to a method for mixing substances, wherein a substance to be treated is pressed with a press piston (3, 4) through a nozzle block (6) arranged between two press cylinders (1, 2). During the mixing, a fixed mixture constituent in the form of a suspension (13) is fed to the substance to be treated. The substance to be treated may be cooled during the mixing process by way of stepwise, controlled evaporation of a process fluid. Preferably, several, differently designed, exchangeable nozzle blocks are used, in order to adapt machine conditions to the changing viscosity of the substance to be mixed. The invention also relates to a mixing reactor and to a method for the continuous discharge of a product. For this, several mixers and an extrusion press are arranged next to one another and connected to one another via a transfer vehicle.
US08118468B2	Illumination apparatus and methods Disclosed are apparatus and methods for illuminating a display. In certain embodiments, the illumination apparatus includes a light guide that receives light from a light generator along an edge of the light guide and directs the received light via light extractor features (e.g., grooves) towards a display. The light guide includes at least two sets of light extractor features that are rotated with respect to each other so as to reduce a shadowing effect on the display when the display is viewed from within a specific range of viewing angles. In further embodiments, the spacing or orientation of each or one of the extractor feature sets may also be adjusted so that other visual artifacts, such as a Moiré effect, are reduced.
US08118465B2	Spread illuminating apparatus There is provided a spread illuminating apparatus including an LED, a light guide plate and a flexible printed circuit board on which the LED is mounted, wherein the light guide plate includes: a light entrance end surface at which the light source is disposed; a light emitting portion from which light emitted from the light source and introduced into the light guide plate exits out in a spread manner; a slope portion which is disposed between the light entrance end surface and the light emitting portion and which has a thickness decreasing toward the light emitting portion; and a seat block disposed at the slope portion and configured to fixedly receive the flexible printed circuit board. In the spread illuminating apparatus, the length of the slope portion is substantially 1.78 times as large as the largest thickness of the slope portion.
US08118464B2	Light guide plate and backlight module A light guide plate (LGP) including a first surface, a second surface, a light incident surface and a plurality of optical micro-structures is provided. The first surface is opposite to the second surface. The light incident surface connects the first surface and the second surface. The optical micro-structures are disposed on the second surface and include a plurality of round protrusive points and a plurality of curved protrusions. The curved protrusions are disposed among the round protrusive points. Each of the curved protrusions has a first arc side and a second arc side opposite to the first arc side, and an indentation of the first arc side and an indentation of the second arc side are substantially towards a same direction. In addition, a backlight module employing the above-mentioned LGP is also provided.
US08118463B2	Uniformly lighting a cylindrical cavity via a prism Systems and methods are disclosed for substantially uniformly lighting a substantially cylindrical cavity using a minimal amount of light sources. The primary technique disclosed utilizes directing light through a light pipe where is dispersed appropriately. Further, techniques are disclosed for performing the above functions when the substantially cylindrical cavity is partially filled with an opaque obstruction.
US08118460B2	Motorcycle headlamp A lens includes extended lens portions extending leftward and rightward beyond a high beam reflecting portion, respectively. The lens forms an X shape when viewed from the front, due to the extended lens portions. Paired left and right light guide members are disposed below a reference axis of a low beam bulb on lateral sides of a high beam bulb, respectively. Extension members are disposed along side edges of the lens in such a manner as to cover front sides of the light guide members, respectively. Opening portions are formed in the extension members so as to guide light from the light guide members to the extended lens portions respectively. Light from the low beam bulb is emitted to an outside through the light guide members, the opening portions, and the extended lens portions.
US08118459B2	Vehicle headlight A vehicle headlight has at least one lens module. The lens module, or each lens module, respectively has a lighting device and a projection lens. Accordingly, at least two lens modules are positioned one on top of the other and at least one reflector is positioned between, in each case, two lens modules which are positioned one on top of the other.
US08118455B2	Lighting fixture with resilient clip mounting element A specialized lighting fixture including a main housing and a front bezel, and a pair of clip elements mounted in the bezel to removably secure one or more filters and a reflector. The clip elements also include a pair of opposed spring arms angled towards the bezel axis with the upper portion of the side edges of the arms positioned closer to the bezel axis than the lower portion of such edges. The bezel includes support surfaces that function, together with the clip elements to position the reflector with respect to the bezel and the bezel with respect to the main housing.
US08118452B2	Searchlight having rotational beam focus for marine applications A searchlight is provided featuring a searchlight having a searchlight assembly and a searchlight control circuitry module. The searchlight assembly has a central axis and includes a ramped insert and a light source socket arrangement. The ramped insert is configured with an angled surface that is oblique in relation to the central axis. The light source socket arrangement is configured to receive a bulb or light source for providing the light beam, is also configured with a corresponding angled surface that is also oblique in relation with to the central axis, and is also configured to respond to an applied force and rotate so as to move axially along the central axis in relation to the ramped insert.
US08118451B2	Reflective variable spot size lighting devices and systems In one aspect, a lighting system is disclosed that includes an inner reflector extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis, where the proximal end is adapted to receive light from a light source and the distal end provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The system can further include an outer reflector that is axially positioned relative to the inner reflector. The outer reflector extends from a proximal end adapted to receive light from the light source to a distal end that provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The inner and outer reflectors are axially movable relative to one another and are configured such that, beginning in a position with the inner reflector nested within the outer reflector, distal movement of the outer reflector (that is, a movement away from the inner reflector) along the axis about which the reflectors are disposed progressively reduces a flood spread produced by the lighting system.
US08118449B2	Threaded LED retrofit module An LED based module designed to be easily retrofitted into existing incandescent based light fixtures with minimum or no modification is provided. The LED module of the present disclosure includes a generally cylindrical threaded adapter module including a flat top surface and a conical bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a threaded cavity for receiving a conventional threaded rod of a light fixture which then couples the LED module to the light fixture. The top surface of the LED module is configured to mount a metal core printed circuit board including at least one LED (light emitting diode). Furthermore, the LED module includes at least two channels running therethrough to accommodate wires or conductors from the light fixture to the metal core printed circuit board. The threaded surface of the LED module is configured to accept a conventional shade retainer ring or nut.
US08118448B2	Reflector component for a LED lamp A reflector component is provided for a light emitting diode (LED) lamp that includes a plurality of spaced-apart LED light sources. The reflector component includes a bottom wall having two side edges extending along a longitudinal direction. The bottom wall is formed with a plurality of spaced-apart through holes, each of which permits a respective one of the LED light sources to extend therethrough. The reflector component further includes two side walls extending respectively and upwardly from and along the two side edges of the bottom wall. Each of the side walls has a reflecting surface that faces toward the other of the side walls and that extends upwardly and inclinedly relative to the bottom wall such that a distance between the reflecting surfaces increases in a direction away from the bottom wall.
US08118447B2	LED lighting apparatus with swivel connection Disclosed is a LED lighting apparatus with one or more swivel connections. The LED lighting apparatus includes a housing with at least one end, at least one light emitting diode extending along the housing and at least one end cap. The end cap has an opening with a sidewall to cap the end of the housing and a surface opposite the opening and spanning the sidewall. At least two pin connectors extend from the surface and are connectable to a standard fluorescent or incandescent light fixture. Various configurations are described such that the housing will rotate within the end caps with application of a rotational force after connection of the pin connectors to the light fixture to adjust the light output direction of the LED lighting apparatus.
US08118445B1	Vanity light system A light system for a vanity having a horizontal counter top with a wash basin positioned therein. Mounted on a wall, adjacent the counter top, is a mirror for reflecting a person's image. Along an upper edge of the mirror is a horizontal row of lights, similar to those typically mounted above conventional vanities. At least two light housings angularly depend from the lower surface of the counter top, each including an interior chamber, an open top and an outer wall. Received within the interior chamber is a compact fluorescent lamp removably mounted within a conventional light socket. An opening is formed on the counter top, immediately above the open top of each housing, for receiving a tempered-glass panel. Accordingly, activating the angled lamps and the conventional overhead lights illuminates a user's entire face thereby allowing the user to gauge the appearance of makeup in daylight conditions.
US08118441B2	Color-variable LED light, particularly for lighting the interior of vehicles The invention relates to an LED light, particularly a reading or seat lamp for vehicles such as travel coaches or airplanes, said light being equipped with a housing (36), a plurality of LEDs comprising first LEDs (16) that transmit electromagnetic radiation in a first wavelength range, and an activation unit (12) for activating the first LEDs (16). The LED light further comprises a conversion material (24) that, upon excitation by at least part of the electromagnetic radiation from the first LEDs (1.6), emits electromagnetic radiation in a conversion wavelength range that is in the visible spectrum range and is at least partially different from the first wavelength range. The LEDs further comprise second LEDs (18) that, in order to shift the color of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the conversion material (24) upon excitation by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first LEDs (16), emit electromagnetic radiation in a second wavelength range. The second LEDs (18) may be selectively activated by the activation unit (12) in addition to the first LEDs (16), wherein the electromagnetic radiation from the second LEDs (18) is at least partially in the visible spectrum range and is at least partially different from the wavelength range of the first LEDs (16) and passes the conversion material (24) substantially without exciting said conversion material and/or wherein the electromagnetic radiation of the second LEDs (18) additionally excites the conversion material (24) to emit electromagnetic radiation, the wavelength range of which is inside or outside of the conversion wavelength range.
US08118440B1	Capture system and method equipped with at least one steerable deflecting mirror A capture system and method are provided for capturing an object utilizing at least one mirror. In use, a first angular dimension, a second angular dimension, and a curvature of the mirror are controlled for manipulating the capture of the object. By this design, a variety of applications may be provided.
US08118439B2	Repositionable lens cover A selectively positionable lens cover is disclosed having a lens housing volume and an arcuate lip portion for the selective engagement to and disengagement from a lens. The lens cover has a first engagement structure whereby the first engagement structure may be releaseably engaged with and removed from a second engagement structure. The lens cover has an aperture having a first longitudinal axis whereby the first engagement structure may be selectively engaged with and removed from the second engagement structure in a first position that is substantially aligned with a user-defined second longitudinal axis.
US08118437B2	Optical device and projector An optical device that includes a light modulation device, a projection optical device, and a retention member that holds the light modulation device and the projection optical device. The retention member includes: a projection optical device attachment section for attach the projection optical device; and a light modulation device attachment section that is provided for attachment of the light modulation device with a protrusion to a side opposite to the projection optical device along an optical-axis direction of the projection optical device, and the projection optical device attachment section includes: a fixing section that fixes the projection optical device substantially at a position of the center of gravity; a support section that is disposed opposing the fixing section in the optical-axis direction, and supports the light modulation device attachment section; and a connection section that connects together the fixing section and the support section.
US08118436B2	Projection image display apparatus A projection image display apparatus has a front panel, a projection lens, a lens hood, and a lens dial. The front panel has an opening for the projection lens. The projection lens projects through the opening for the projection lens. The lens hood covers the projection lens circumferentially, and has an opening spaced from an end of the lens hood for a dial. The lens dial is provided for adjusting focusing or zooming. It is provided at a circumference of the projection lens and exposed through the opening for the dial. The apparatus can thus avoid dust or the like foreign matters otherwise entering from a top side thereof into its main body, and also protect the projection lens when the apparatus is carried and inadvertently has a projection lens unit brought into contact with a desk or the like.
US08118433B2	Image projection apparatus and control method for same In an image projection apparatus, a sensed image obtained by sensing a projection surface, which contains a projected image, is obtained. Then, a difference image obtained by removing the projected image from the sensed image is used to detect a region corresponding to a predetermined object such as a user's hand or a pointer. Then, a user operation is determined based on the position and temporal variations of a particular portion of the region corresponding to the predetermined object.
US08118431B2	Split view adapter for a microscope This invention discloses an apparatus that is attached to the objective lens of a microscope to split its field of view into at least two. In one embodiment, a mirrored gonio lens is snapped to the objective of an ophthalmic surgical microscope to provide a view of the eye's anterior surface and a view of the eye's anterior chamber.
US08118429B2	Systems and methods of phase diversity wavefront sensing A phase diversity wavefront sensor includes an optical system including at least one optical element for receiving a light beam; a diffractive optical element having a diffractive pattern defining a filter function, the diffractive optical element being arranged to produce, in conjunction with the optical system, images from the light beam associated with at least two diffraction orders; and a detector for detecting the images and outputting image data corresponding to the detected images. In one embodiment, the optical system, diffractive optical element, and detector are arranged to provide telecentric, pupil plane images of the light beam. A processor receives the image data from the detector, and executes a Gerchberg-Saxton phase retrieval algorithm to measure the wavefront of the light beam.
US08118427B2	Method for optimizing and/or manufacturing eyeglass lenses A method for determining an optimal eyeglass lenses design for a viewer (1) comprising the successive steps of: showing the viewer (1) a stereoscopic scene including optical effects of a first lens design;—introducing a relative movement between the viewer (1) and the shown stereoscopic scene, said scene being shown with optical effects of the first lens design; expressing the viewer's opinion; showing the viewer (1) a stereoscopic scene including optical effects of a modified lens design; introducing a relative movement between the viewer (1) and the shown stereoscopic scene, said scene being shown with the modified lens optical effects; expressing again the viewer's opinion; repeating the three last steps up to viewer's satisfaction. A system for customizing vision correction suitable to implement said method. Related computer program for dynamically calculating a stereoscopic image. Related computer program for actuating an electro-active component.
US08118418B2	Printer with gas bubble occlusion resistant conduits An inkjet printer with a printhead and a conduit connected to the printhead. The conduit defines a flow path for the printing fluid and has an internal cross section configured such that the surface tension of printing fluid within it favors gas bubble growth along the conduit length over radial bubble growth that would fully occlude the flow path.
US08118415B2	Ink cartridges and ink supply systems An ink cartridge includes an ink tank which includes an ink chamber formed in an interior of the ink tank, and a first wall separating the interior of the ink tank and an exterior of the ink tank, in which the first wall has a first opening formed therethrough. The ink tank also includes a partition wall connected to the first wall. The partition wall defines a first chamber formed therein, and the first chamber is continuous with the first opening. Moreover, the ink tank includes a divider. The first chamber and the ink chamber are in fluid communication via the divider, and when ink flows through the divider from the first chamber to the ink chamber, the divider is configured to divide a first air bubble contained in the ink into a plurality of second air bubbles. Specifically, a size of the first air bubble is greater than a size of each of the plurality of second air bubbles. The ink cartridge also includes a pump configured to selectively force ink into and out of the interior of the ink tank.
US08118414B2	Method for manufacturing pattern formed body The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body by the electric field jet method, capable of stabilizing the discharge amount and the discharge direction of a liquid. The present invention achieves the object by providing a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body characterized in that a pattern is formed on a substrate by: discharging a liquid from a discharge orifice by applying a voltage between a first electrode, disposed in the vicinity of the discharge orifice of a nozzle of a discharge head, and a second electrode, disposed in between the discharge orifice and the substrate, having an opening for discharge; and adhering the liquid onto the substrate by passing through the opening for discharge of the second electrode.
US08118403B2	Inkjet printhead and method of manufacturing the same An inkjet printhead and a method of manufacturing the inkjet printhead. In the inkjet printhead, an anti reflective layer is formed of a material absorbing light on a chamber layer, and a nozzle layer including a plurality of nozzles is formed on the anti reflective layer.
US08118401B2	Printing apparatus Provided is a printing apparatus that superposedly forms an image layer representing an image and a specific glossy layer that is different from the image layer on a printing medium, including: a first connection unit, a second connection unit, a reception unit, a print head and at least one of specific color nozzle columns and a printing unit, wherein at least the connection unit that can supply the ink to the end-portion specific color nozzle column inside the second connection unit can be connected to a specific gloss agent container containing a specific gloss agent that is used to form the specific glossy layer instead of the specific color ink container, and wherein, when the specific gloss agent container is connected to the second connection unit and the reception unit receives the specific gloss agent as the available ink, the printing unit ejects the specific gloss agent from the end-portion specific color nozzle column to form the specific glossy layer.
US08118399B2	Ink receiving unit and inkjet printer including the same An ink receiving unit for an inkjet printer includes an ink receiver and an ink removing device. The inkjet printer has an inkjet head configured to eject ink onto a first surface of a medium. The ink receiver is provided to face the inkjet head via the medium. The ink receiver is configured to receive ink dripping from a second surface opposite to the first surface of the medium during printing. The ink removing device is configured to remove the ink from the ink receiver. The ink receiver unit is detachably mounted to a main body to which the inkjet head is mounted.
US08118396B2	Ink-jet printer An ink-jet printer including: (a) a medium feeder operable to feed a recording medium in a medium-feed direction along a medium-feed path; (b) a recording head having (b-1) a nozzle opening surface which extends in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the medium-feed direction and (b-2) a plurality of nozzles which open in the nozzle opening surface and which are arranged in the widthwise direction, the recording head being operable to eject ink toward the recording medium through the nozzles and being pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to the widthwise direction; and (c) at least one waste ink receiver configured to receive the ink ejected through the nozzles, the waste ink receiver being positioned relative to the recording head and the medium-feed path such that the at least one waste ink receiver and the recording head are both located on one of opposite sides of the medium-feed path and such that the waste ink receiver is positioned outside a locus that is described by the nozzle opening surface during pivot movement of the recording head.
US08118395B2	Mobile device with a printhead and a capper actuated by contact with the media to be printed A mobile device that is (a) an inkjet printhead, (b) a print media feed path extending past the printhead, (c) a capping mechanism with a capper moveable between a capping position, in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position, where the capper is spaced from the printhead, and (d) a locking mechanism configured to move the capper to the uncapped position in response to engagement with the media such that the capper returns to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.
US08118388B2	Adjustment of misalignments of recording positions during bidirectional printing Misalignments of dot forming positions are adjusted by selectively using a position adjustment value for a used bi-directional print mode out of a plurality of position adjustment values that are respectively suitable for a plurality of bi-directional print modes including a first bi-directional print mode and a second bi-directional print mode that are made available by changing ink types.
US08118382B2	Method for measuring a gap between an intermediate imaging member and a print head using thermal characteristics A method uses temperature measurements for a print head and an imaging member to identify a distance between a print head and an imaging member. The method determines whether the print head at the print position is too close to the imaging member to identify the gap distance without damage to the print head. Then, if the print head is not too close, the print head is heated to quantify the heat sink effect of the imaging member on the print head. This effect is related to a heat transfer function that identifies the gap distance between the imaging member and the print head.
US08118379B2	Washing machine Disclosed is a support apparatus for a washing machine. The support apparatus includes a first adjustment unit coupled to a base, in which a coupling position of the first adjustment unit to the base is adjustable, and a second adjustment unit that is movable relative to the first adjustment unit.
US08118372B2	Wheel hub arrangement The invention relates to a wheel hub arrangement (1) having at least one wheel hub (2) which is mounted rotatably via at least one wheel bearing (3) on a bearing journal (4) of an axle body (5) which is mounted on a vehicle chassis. Furthermore, the wheel hub arrangement (1) can have a brake system (6). The bearing journal (4) is assigned a display device for displaying critical temperature loading of the wheel bearing (3) and/or the brake system (6), wherein this display device has a display element which responds when critical temperature loading is exceeded.
US08118371B2	Resilient pick shank In one aspect of the invention, a pick assembly comprises a pick shank press fitted within a bore of a pick holder. The pick comprises a pick head opposite the shank. The shank also comprises at least one longitudinal slot extending towards the pick head along the shank from a distal end of the shank. The slot allows the shank to resiliently collapse upon insertion into the bore while still allowing the shank to maintain a press fit while within the bore.
US08118365B2	Vehicle seating In an example embodiment, a vehicle seating arrangement includes a fore-facing lower seat convertible between a sitting position and a lie flat sleeping position in a lower horizontal plane, an aft-facing lower seat convertible between a sitting position and a lie flat sleeping position in the lower horizontal plane, and a fore-facing upper seat positioned between the fore-facing lower seat and aft-facing lower seat, the fore-facing upper seat convertible between a sitting position and a lie flat sleeping position in an upper horizontal plane. The seats may be arranged so that portions of the fore-facing lower seat and aft-facing lower seat underlap the fore-facing upper seat when the seats are positioned in the lie-flat sleeping position.
US08118360B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat having a first support and a second support, and a first stay and a second stay for attaching a head rest to a seat back also includes a position adjusting mechanism and a retaining mechanism. The position adjusting mechanism adjusts positions of the stays with respect to the supports. The retaining mechanism prevents the stays from slipping out of the supports at positions above positions at which the stays are highest in an adjusted range by the position adjusting mechanism. A check hole for checking the connection state between two members, for example a cable and an operating rod, is formed in the first stay in such a position that the check hole is not visible when the stays are positioned in the adjusted range and is visible when the stays are prevented from slipping out of the supports by the retaining mechanism.
US08118359B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat can be configured to include a variety of types of cushions. The seat may include primary and secondary cushions that are joined together such that the secondary cushion has a stored position under the seating surface of the primary seat cushion and a deployed position where the secondary seat cushion is positioned adjacent the primary seat cushion. The effective width of the seat may be greater when it is in one position than when it is in the other position. The back cushion may include first and second portions and a third portion intermediate the first and second positions. A vehicle may include left, right, and middle seats, the middle seat being configured to have two positions, the effective width of the middle seat in one position being greater than in the other position.
US08118354B2	Collapsible under-seat exhaust duct for battery compartment A collapsible exhaust air duct for an automotive vehicle having a reconfigurable seat and an electric compartment rearward of the seat that contains heat-producing electric components. The collapsible exhaust duct is in fluid communication with the electric compartment to carry exhaust air therefrom. The duct extends forwardly beneath the seat, maintains an expanded condition when the seat is in a seating position, and is converted to a collapsed condition by movement of the seat to a stowed position. The disclosed apparatus provides a duct that maximizes usable space and flexibility in a vehicle having reconfigurable seating.
US08118352B2	Lining for the hood of an automotive vehicle and combinations thereof with certain parts of the vehicle A motor vehicle hood lining for stiffening the hood in the vicinity of its periphery and co-operating therewith to form a hollow body over at least a fraction of its periphery, the lining being generally of channel section with a bottom and side walls. Said bottom or at least one of said side walls presents, at least locally, a zone of weakness that is dimensioned in such a manner that in the event of the hood impacting the head of a pedestrian, once the bottom of the hollow body has come to bear against a high hard point placed in the engine compartment, the zone of weakness breaks. The invention also relates to a combination of such a lining with various hard points in an engine compartment.
US08118350B2	Vehicle body with a floor-side reinforcement A vehicle body has a floor-side reinforcement, in particular crash reinforcement structure, laterally on both sides of the central tunnel, for a transmission support. The transmission support is arranged between reinforcement elements of the vehicle floor which are held so as to be situated opposite on the vehicle floor interior and on the vehicle floor exterior respectively. Outer lateral longitudinal edges of the reinforcement elements are connected to floor longitudinal beams and inner lateral longitudinal edges are connected to transmission longitudinal beams which are held so as to be supported at the central tunnel.
US08118349B2	Vehicle body front part structure A vehicle body front part structure having a front side frame including a compressive load bearing frame member extending longitudinally of a vehicle body, and a bending load bearing frame member branched from a longitudinally central portion of the compressive load bearing frame member and curved inwardly toward a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body as extending rearwardly of the vehicle body. The compressive load bearing frame member has a rear end portion curved inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body, and reinforcement beads formed on a sidewall of the rear end portion of the compressive load bearing frame member.
US08118347B2	Structure of mounting impact absorption material for use with vehicle An aspect in accordance with the present invention is a structure of mounting an impact absorption material for use with a vehicle. The structure includes: a door trim 30, a holder, and an EA pad. The holder includes a base and a plurality of legs, the base of the holder being disposed on the compartment outer side surface of the EA pad. The plurality of legs are disposed at intervals around an outer peripheral edge of the base of the holder and extend from the base of the holder, along an outer peripheral side surface of the EA pad, and to the door trim, thereby fixing the base of the holder to the door trim.
US08118345B1	Flooring system for use with flatbed trailers The present invention is directed to an improved wooden flooring system for use with flatbed trailers used in the commercial trucking industry. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a plurality of reinforced, domestically grown, wooden floorboards that are affixed together in an end-to-end manner using top and bottom joiner plates and fasteners to create a plurality of integrated floor planks to replace costly and increasingly hard to find tropical hardwood flooring for flatbed trailers.
US08118337B2	Engaging and fixing structure A bumper is provided with to-be-engaged projections, a radiator grille is provided with engaging projections. The radiator grille is allowed to move and approach bumper rearward of a vehicle. According to this configuration, the engaging projections engage the to-be-engaged projections and they are engaged with and fixed to each other. At this time, a bumper-side seizing unit of the bumper is fitted into a grille-side seizing unit of the radiator grille, thereby limiting the vertical direction. In an engaged state between the engaging projections and the to-be-engaged projections, an inclining surface of one of the engaging projections comes into contact with a rearward inclining surface of the one of the to-be-engaged projections, and an inclining surface of the other engaging projection is separated from a rearward inclining surface of the other to-be-engaged projection.
US08118334B2	Adjusting device for rotating and tilting bolts The description relates to an adjusting device for hook spindle rotating bolts, sash fastener rotating bolts, pull-turn bolts, swiveling bolts and the like of closures, particularly of closures for mounting in thin walls, such as sheet-metal cabinets with a frame and door, in which the closures have a closure driveshaft which is provided with an external thread and which holds a bolt so as to be axially adjustable, and/or a bolt which is provided with an internal thread or bore hole near its free end and which holds a back-engaging device so as to be adjustable perpendicular to the back-engagement plane. According to the invention, the rotating bolt carries or forms an internal thread for screwing in the closure driveshaft and one side of a coupling, such as a claw coupling, which acts by positive engagement, whose other side is held by the closure driveshaft so as to be rigid against rotation.
US08118325B2	Inflatable knee airbags and internal tethers produced from single panels of material An airbag assembly with a reduced-cost knee airbag cushion and internal tethers can be formed from a single rectangular panel of material so that there is very little material waste. A pleat can be formed in a rear face so that the combination of tethers and pleat help the cushion deploy with favorable characteristics and adopt an arced shape when inflated. The cushion can have apertures for inserting an inflator with mounting stems partially within the cushion so that the mounting stems can be used to couple the cushion to an airbag housing. The assembly can also have a bag strap formed from a single piece of fabric that can wrap around a rolled and/or folded cushion. The assembly can also have a stabilizer strap that can be coupled to the cushion and to the airbag housing so that during deployment, the cushion does not skew or twist.
US08118324B2	Inflatable airbag and method of making the same An inflatable airbag cushion (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is provided. The bag includes a face portion and a rear portion formed from first and second fabric layers (30, 32). The bag further includes a number of straight line woven in joints (16) defining flow barrier elements (14). The flow barrier elements (14) serve to contain the inflation gases and to restrict inflation of the cushion.
US08118322B2	Convertible cycling apparatus Cycling apparatus (10) including at least one front wheel (12) and at least one rear wheel (14) rotatably mounted on axles on a frame (18), a riding sea (20) attached to the frame (18), a drive mechanism (24) coupled to at least one of the wheels for driving the cycling apparatus, at least one handlebar post (26) attached to a portion of the frame (18), and a carrier member (28) attachable to the frame (18) for carrying at least one of a child and an object therein and movable between first and second attachment orientations, wherein in the first attachment orientation the cycling apparatus is in a rider orientation drivable by a rider sitting on the seat, and wherein in the second attachment orientation the cycling apparatus is in a stroller orientation wherein the at least one handlebar post (26) is arranged with respect to the carrier member (28) to form a pushable stroller, wherein in the stroller orientation there are two rear wheels (14).
US08118321B2	Vehicle with central wheel drive, in particular a wheelchair or stand-up wheelchair The vehicle, for example a stand-up wheelchair, comprises a frame (11) and, arranged on the latter, a seat device (19). On each side of the frame (11), the central wheel (13), which can be driven by a motor (27), and the front wheel (15) are operatively connected to each other by an endless chain (45). The frame (11) has a front part (21) and a rear part (23), which are connected to each other in an articulated manner by way of a joint (25). In the sitting position, the front wheels (15) are not in contact with the ground, which means that they do not obstruct the manoeuvring of the vehicle in a confined space. In the standing position, the front wheels (15) are in contact with the ground, but the central wheels (13) are not. The user, in the standing position, is thus able to turn about the axis of the vehicle, without the central wheels (13) having a blocking action.
US08118320B2	Steering mechanism for a push and pull vehicle A steering mechanism for a push-and-pull vehicle provides a handlebar to be used to steer a vehicle left and right while simultaneously being used to drive the vehicle forward by pushing and pulling action. The handlebar is at the top of a swing pole, the swing pole being held by a turning sleeve on a swing arm pivoted on the vehicle frame. The swing pole connects the handlebar to a frame supported u-joint which is connected to a vehicle steering mechanism. The turning sleeve connects the handlebar and swing pole to the swing arm, the output of the swing arm driving the vehicle forward.
US08118317B2	Convertible luggage carrier One embodiment of a carrier for carrying articles and luggage may include a case member. The case member may include a container and a lid pivotally attached to the container. The carrier may further include a railing arrangement, which may include a plurality of telescopic members and a plurality of rail members. The plurality of telescopic members may extend from the lid, and may be extended and retracted. The plurality of rail members may be disposed horizontally on the plurality of telescopic members for extending and retracting the plurality of telescopic members. The extension of the plurality of telescopic members may enable the railing arrangement to assume an open position for configuring and defining a confined space above the lid to receive the luggage therein. The carrier may further include a plurality of wheels, which may be coupled to the container for moving the case member and the luggage.
US08118309B1	Hard pass craps wager A wager for casino craps which allows a player to win when a come out shooter makes a hard point (e.g. rolls 2/2 or 3/3 or 4/4 or 5/5), and then the shooter makes the point (before the shooter rolls a seven) with the same hard point (e.g. 2/2 or 3/3 or 4/4 or 5/5). If the shooter does not roll a hard point (1/1 and 6/6 are considered ‘craps’ and are not points) or the shooter rolls a hard point on the come out roll but does not make the same hard point before rolling a seven (or makes the point without rolling the hard point), then the player loses the wager.
US08118307B2	Bible walk board game A board game, Bible Walk provides fun while testing one's knowledge of the bible and teaches as you play. The game Bible Walk is designed to be and interactive multi-player game which includes a board, playing pieces and an electronic device which displays questions. The board is generally rectangle on which the players would move their pieces around the board. The board has colors and writings on the squares as well as on the center of the board. The electronic device contains questions from Genesis to Revelation from the Holy Bible. The players must answer short questions correctly in order to move to the next square. All questions are T-true or F-false. The game is meant to move at a fast pace. The first player or group of players to land on the well done square wins. Game may continue with other players for second or third and so on if players desire.
US08118305B2	Mechanized playing card dealing shoe with automatic jam recovery A distinct dealing shoe having no shuffling functionality receives a shuffled, randomized or ordered group of cards. The cards may be mechanically moved one at a time from a receiving area for the deck to a buffer area where more than one card is temporarily stored. The cards in the buffer area are then mechanically moved to a card delivery area where the cards may be manually removed, one at a time, by a dealer. The cards are read one at a time inside of the dealing shoe, either before the buffer area or after leaving the buffer area, but preferably before the cards are being manually removed from a card delivery area. Information from the card reading may be used for game tracking, hand tracking, player information, and other security issues at casino table card games.
US08118302B2	Passive linear encoder A passive linear encoder includes a loop and a sensor. The loop is configured to engage print media and to move in concert with, and under power of, the print media. The sensor is positioned to scan indicia defined on an inner surface of the loop.
US08118296B2	Open/close mechanism for paper tray for use in image forming apparatus An open/close mechanism can be used for paper trays of an image forming apparatus. The open/close mechanism includes a plate member provided on a side of a housing of the image forming apparatus and configured to pivot upon an axis between an open position and a close position, and a box member that is arranged in the housing beneath the plate member and that can be drawn out of the housing from the side. The open/close mechanism includes also includes a restricting unit that is coupled to the plate member and that abuts against the box member when the box member is set in the housing and when the plate member is in the open position thereby restricting detachment of the box member from the housing.
US08118295B2	Stitcher/stapler for binding multi-sheet collations and method of operating the same A system for binding variable thickness multi-sheet collations includes first and second processing stations including a stitcher and stapler, respectively and a means for determining the thickness of a multi-sheet collation. A processor is responsive to a thickness value signal and selects one of the first and second processing stations to bind the multi-sheet collation. A conveyance system then transports the multi-sheet collation to the selected one of the first and second processing stations. A method includes the steps of: stacking sheet material to produce a multi-sheet collation, determining the thickness of the multi-sheet collation, and selecting an apparatus to bind the multi-sheet collation from one of at least two binding apparatus based upon the thickness of the multi-sheet collation. The multi-sheet collation is then conveyed along a feed path to a selected one of the binding apparatus. The method further includes the steps of disposing the multi-sheet collation between a pair of opposed registration members and aligning opposed edges of the multi-sheet collation by oscillating at least one of the registration members into and out of engagement with at least one of the opposed edges based upon the thickness of the multi-sheet collation.
US08118292B2	Operation table with telescopic table board positioned with eccentric rocker The present utility model provides an operation table with a telescopic table board positioned with an eccentric rocker. The operation table includes a table board and support feet, the support feet being positioned at both ends of the table board along the length direction. The table board is characterized by the following features: The table board includes a left table board and a right table board, which are slidely nested with each other at the inner end, and connected at the outer end to the support feet at both ends, respectively; as for the left table board and the right table board, one of them is fixedly provided with a rack, while the other with a corresponding claw clutch, which is mainly composed of a claw and a spring; the claw is provided at the head with a tooth head engaged with the corresponding rack, and at the tail with an unlocking operation handle; the claw is supported at the central part via the spring on the left table board or the right table board correspondingly provided with the claw clutch; the spring acts in the same direction with the tooth head, and the tooth head and the unlocking operation handle are eccentrically positioned on one side of the support center of the spring, thus constituting the telescopic positioning mechanism between the left table board and the right table board. The present utility model improves the table board structure of the operation table, greatly enhancing versatility of the operation table.
US08118291B2	Workpiece positioning device The invention relates to a workpiece positioning device (1) comprising at least one positioning axis (35, 39) and a modular machine frame (3) on which at least one workpiece receiving element (8, 9) is arranged. At least one frame part (4, 5, 6, 7) comprises at least one frame module (15) provided, in turn, with a long carrier element (16) and at least one connection element (17, 18, 18′).
US08118290B2	Method for holding wafers and device for fixing two parallel arranged wafers relative to one another The invention relates to a device having a first holding instrument (1) for a first wafer (5) and having a second holding instrument (7) for a second wafer (9) arrangeable parallel to the first wafer (5), the two holding instruments (1, 7) being fixable relative to one another. According to the invention, at least one of the holding instruments (1, 7), preferably both holding instruments (1, 7) respectively, comprises at least one gel film (2, 8) for holding the associated wafer (5, 9). The invention furthermore relates to the use of a gel film for holding integral wafers.
US08118286B2	Impact energy dissipation device An impact energy dissipation device for the prevention of high-speed vehicles and more specifically automotive vehicles, aircraft, helicopters, components and the like from receiving high-speed impact energy directly onto their structures in case of a collision. The device is to isolate high-speed impact energy from the crashworthy structures by breaking down the huge impact energy with many small manageable shear fragments. The device includes a slidable assembly with a series of resistive pins with predetermined shear strength, staggered in two tandem rows to shear in a controlled manner that only one pin is sheared at a time thereof bearing an approximate equivalent of one shear pin load transmission throughout a collision.
US08118284B2	Collector-distributor combination A collector-distributor combination in a column, which is filled with a random packed bed or with a structured packing, is disclosed. The liquid phase is guided over a collector with inclined planes to a central opening, which is connected to an ascending pipe, from which the liquid phase is distributed to the plane underneath via the distributor pipes. By guaranteeing a constant filling level of the liquid phase in the ascending pipe, the distributor functions as a pressure distributor. The liquid phase is distributed independent of the inclination of the column over the entire length of the distributor pipes. The gaseous phase passes through the collector via the chimney.
US08118277B2	Intercepting valve The present invention has as its object an intercepting valve of a fluid comprising an obturator which can be turned clockwise or anti-clockwise. By turning clockwise, the fluid in transit is given a first characterization, while by turning anti-clockwise it is given a second characterization. In addition, the present invention has as its object, a method of fabrication of a valve fitted with obturator as described above.
US08118276B2	Valve actuators A valve actuator having an electric drive motor with a motor shaft and having an output shaft linked to the motor shaft to drive movement of a valve, the actuator further having a control system arranged to provide a first closed loop control of the actuator output shaft and including a controller coupled to a first position sensor to sense the position of the actuator output shaft, and to a second position sensor to sense the position of the motor shaft and to enable determination of the speed of the motor shaft, the control system being configured to respond to sensed signals from the first and second sensors and adjust the motor speed/position accordingly.
US08118270B2	Disk drive assembly A mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a securing element. The mounting bracket is configured to receive a disk drive. The securing element is slidably mounted to the mounting bracket. The securing element includes a stopping portion. The securing element is configured to slide, along a first direction to engage the disk drive to prevent the disk drive from moving along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The stopping portion is configured to block the mounting bracket to prevent the securing element from sliding out of the mounting bracket along a third direction that is opposite to the first direction.
US08118267B2	Mounting mechanism for retaining slide rail to chassis A mounting mechanism is disclosed. The mounting mechanism includes a chassis with an anchor member, a slide rail defining a mounting slot to receive the anchor member, and a retaining member slidably attached to the slide rail. A first end of the retaining member is pivotable attached to the slide rail. The retaining member comprises a stop surface and an inclined surface opposite to the stop surface formed from a second end of the retaining member. The anchor member slides in the mounting slot to drive the inclined surface of the retaining member to rotate the retaining member, when the anchor member rides over the stop portion, the retaining member is restored to make the stop surface of the stop portion retain the anchor member in the mounting slot of the slide rail.
US08118266B2	Apparatus for generating position signals for rail-bound vehicles, in particular magnetic levitation vehicles An apparatus generates position signals to indicate the position of a rail-bound vehicle along a travel way throughout which travel way many markings are located. The apparatus includes at least one sensor located on the vehicle for scanning the markings and outputting signals and an evaluation unit that is connected to the sensor for generating the position signals by evaluating the signals generated by the sensor by scanning the markings. When the vehicle passes a marking, the sensor outputs a “marking present” signal and otherwise outputs a “marking absent” signal. The vehicle has a receiver of a navigation system that is connected to the evaluation unit and outputs current location signals. The evaluation unit is connected to a memory device (20) for storing position data associated with the markings, where, upon receiving each “marking present” signal, the evaluation unit outputs a position signal associated with the marking based on a comparison of the current location signal and the memory-stored position data.
US08118265B2	Devices and methods to improve wing aerodynamics at low airspeeds Aircraft wings are provided with aerodynamic devices that improve the wing's low airspeed aerodynamics. In preferred embodiments, the aircraft wings include a slat operatively positioned at the wing's leading edge for movement between a retracted position for relatively high airspeed aircraft operations, and a deployed position for relatively low airspeed aircraft operations. An aerodynamic device is positionally fixed to the wing laterally adjacent the leading edge slat, the device having a forward end extending forwardly of the wing leading edge. The device is operable in response to movement of the slat into the deployed position thereof so as to improve the aerodynamics of the wing at low airspeed aircraft operations, but provides substantially no aerodynamic improvement when the slat is in the retracted position thereof during high airspeed aircraft operations.
US08118263B2	Method of controlling an aircraft in flight, especially to reduce wake vortices The flight of an aircraft is controlled by controlling the aircraft propulsion thrust and adjusting aerodynamic control elements so that the aircraft flies along a specified flight path. In order to reduce wake vortices generated by and trailing behind the aircraft, a wake vortex parameter is determined as a function of a spoiler deflection, and a spoiler element is adjusted to a spoiler deflection value in an optimum range in which the spoiler influence on the wake vortex parameter is maximized and the spoiler influence on the aircraft performance is at its lowest level for achieving that maximum spoiler influence on the wake vortex parameter.
US08118256B2	Brake shutoff valve test A system, apparatus and method of verifying operation of a vehicle fluid brake system shutoff valve is provided, wherein the shutoff valve is adapted to enable or inhibit the transmission of fluid pressure to at least one brake solenoid valve that controls operation of at least one brake actuator so as to effect wheel braking. In verifying operation of the system, the shutoff valve is commanded to inhibit the transmission of fluid pressure to the at least one brake solenoid valve, and the at least one brake solenoid valve is commanded to apply fluid pressure to the at least one brake actuator. An operational status of the shutoff valve is determined based on the absence or presence of wheel braking.
US08118253B1	Auxiliary power unit (APU) of an aircraft An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) includes a power module (1) to be supplied with fuel (2), a gearbox (5), an electric generator (6), and an element selected from a compressor (4), a hydraulic pump and a combination thereof, in order to provide a functioning mode for production of power selected from electric (8), pneumatic (7), hydraulic and a combination thereof; the APU presents the novelty of including an electric motor (9), integrated into the electric generator (6), with the electric motor (9) and the electric generator (6) connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and a main clutch (10). Moreover, the compressor (4) and/or the hydraulic pump are also connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and the main clutch (10). Also, the compressor (4) and/or hydraulic pump are connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and the main clutch (10). This architecture permits the functioning modes of the APU to be extended, increasing its performance and reducing harmful environmental effects.
US08118251B2	Mounting system for a gas turbine engine A mounting system for a gas turbine engine includes a thrust ring and a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is at least partially received by the thrust ring. The linkage assembly reacts at least a side load and a thrust load communicated from the thrust ring.
US08118248B2	Method for recovering and/or recycling material A cutting mill for crushing broken polycrystalline needle-shaped silicon material, which contains particles that have an aspect ratio of AI with 5
US08118244B2	Internal cutter on submersed mixer A mixing system for a fluid tank is described herein, the system having a drive motor, an impeller capable of being submersed, a shroud having a sidewall enclosing the impeller, and a cutter mounted on the shroud and cooperating with a blade of the impeller to cut solids within the shroud. The shroud is open at both an inlet end and a discharge end for drawing in and discharging fluid from the tank. A recess is provided on the internal surface of the shroud, wherein the cutter is adjustably positioned within the recess. Additionally, the cutter is also detachable from the recess so that it may be replaced when worn. In use, homogeneity is maintained in a slurry contained within the tank by submerging an impeller into the slurry, the impeller being shrouded in a housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, securing a cutter on an internal surface of the housing such that during operation of the impeller the cutter cooperates with a blade of the impeller to cut solids within the slurry, drawing tank contents into the impeller at the inlet opening, cutting solid material in the drawn tank contents between the cutter and an impeller blade, and then discharging the drawn tank contents out the discharge opening back into the tank.
US08118243B2	Fluidized bed systems and methods including micro-jet flow Methods and systems for enhancing fluidization of nanoparticle and/or nanoagglomerates are provided. A fluidization chamber is provided with a fluidizing medium directed in a first fluidizing direction, e.g., upward into and through a bed containing a volume of nanoparticles and/or nanopowders. A second source of air/gas flow is provided with respect to the fluidization chamber, the secondary air/gas flow generally being oppositely directed relative to the fluidizing medium. Turbulence created by the secondary gas flow is advantageously effective to aerate the agglomerates and the shear generated by the jet is advantageously effective to break apart nanoagglomerates and/or reduce the tendency for nanoagglomerates to form or reform. A downwardly directed source of secondary gas flow located near the main gas distributor leads to full fluidization of the entire amount of powder in the column. The oppositely directed fluid flow facilitates powder circulation within the fluidization chamber, thereby enhancing fluidization results.
US08118238B2	User interface for building controller A user interface for a building appliance controller that may include a control panel and one or more option cards. The user interface may allow a user or technician to program, modify, and/or view one or more parameters of the control panel and/or the one or more option cards. In some cases, the control panel may be configured to send one or more messages to a selected option card that indicate an input at the user interface, and in response, the selected option card may send one or more messages to the control panel that indicate display information for display on the user interface of the control panel. In some embodiments, such as when the user interface includes a segmented display, the display information may include the on/off state of the various segments of the display.
US08118234B2	Coding pattern comprising translation symbols for aligning cells with tags A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of target elements defining a target grid. The target grid comprises a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements. A plurality of data elements are contained in each cell. Tags are defined by a plurality of contiguous cells and each tag comprises respective local tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each cell comprises one or more translation symbols encoded by a respective set of the data elements. The translation symbols identify a translation of the cell relative to a tag containing the cell.
US08118230B2	Stored-value card with audio capabilities A stored-value card includes a housing, an audio circuit storing an audio file, and a speaker coupled to the audio circuit. The housing includes a first panel, a second panel spaced from and positioned opposite the first panel, and a side wall extending between the first panel and the second panel. The side wall extends substantially perpendicular to each of the first panel and the second panel such that an open cavity is formed between the first panel and the second panel. The housing further includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card. The audio circuit and the speaker are substantially enclosed within the open cavity of the housing. Stored-value card assemblies and methods of using a stored-value card are also disclosed.
US08118229B2	Method of printing marks on an optical article An optical article with a plurality of optically detectable marks on a first surface of the optical article, wherein a mark of the plurality of marks has a thickness of less than or equal to about 1 micrometer, and wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks have uniform thickness.
US08118227B2	Multiple camera imaging-based bar code reader with optimized imaging field A multicamera imaging-based bar code reader wherein for least one camera assembly of the reader, a sensor array of the camera assembly is non-orthogonal with respect to an optical axis of an imaging lens assembly of the camera assembly such that an imaging or scanning volume of the camera assembly more closely conforms to a desired imaging field or region of the reader. In one exemplary embodiment the reader features: a housing supporting first and second transparent presentation windows and defining an interior region; an imaging system including a plurality of camera assemblies within the interior region, at least one camera assembly includes a sensor array and an imaging lens assembly, the sensor array being positioned with respect to the imaging lens assembly at an angle so as to be non-orthogonal with respect to an optical axis of the imaging lens assembly of the camera assembly.
US08118226B2	High-resolution optical code imaging using a color imager An optical code or other data reading device includes a color image sensor array positioned to sense light reflected from an object, and to produce image data. In one configuration, the color image sensor array has multiple sets (e.g., first and second sets) of sensor elements that are sensitive to corresponding visible wavelength bands of light (e.g., first and second wavelength bands), the sets also being sensitive to light within an infrared wavelength band. An artificial illumination source is positioned to illuminate the field of view with light that is reflected off an object in the field of view toward the image sensor array, the illumination source being operable to produce infrared light having wavelengths within the infrared wavelength band so that, upon illumination, at least some sensor elements of each of the sets are sensitive to the infrared light and contribute to production of the image data.
US08118224B2	Handheld electronic book reader with annotation and usage tracking capabilities A handheld electronic book reader, program product, and method incorporate enhanced annotation and/or usage tracking capabilities. Users may create “contexts” for defined terms in an electronic document. Moreover, annotation data such as contexts, comments and highlighting may be associated with various users, and displayed in connection with the display of an electronic document so as to indicate that different annotation data has been originated by different users. In addition, from the standpoint of usage tracking, usage statistics for an electronic document displayed in a handheld electronic reader may be generated on a page-by-page basis, and/or in association with term definitions. Moreover, usage statistics for multiple users may be combined and analyzed. Through such analysis, the usage statistics may be used in the conduct of various beneficial actions such as revising an electronic document, revising a lesson plan with which an electronic document is associated, determining whether a user has read a selected portion of an electronic document, or determining whether a user needs supplemental assistance.
US08118223B2	Smart sign mobile transit fare payment A system and method for facilitating the payment and collection of transit system fares using a mobile device utilizes a smart sign including near field communication (NFC) devices that communicate with a contactless element embedded within a mobile wireless device. Each NFC device is associated with a different transit location. The NFC devices may be included on the same smart sign located at one transit location or on different smart signs located at different transit locations. Alternatively, one NFC device may be included on a smart sign at a departure location and another NFC device may be activated when or after the user enters the transit system to provide proof of fare purchase. The mobile device is positioned proximate the NFC devices to activate the NFC devices and access fare and/or schedule information or purchase a fare.
US08118222B2	Automated transaction machine An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc.
US08118213B2	Indirect mobile codes with flexible formats A method of operating a code clearing house is provided. The method comprises receiving an indirect mobile code from a mobile code client. The indirect mobile code comprises a length field, a routing prefix, and an identification code. The method further comprises determining the routing prefix in the indirect mobile code using the length field.
US08118207B2	Surgical stapling device A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a SULU. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes. The handle portion includes a spindle and barrel assembly drive mechanism for advancing and retracting a drive member positioned in the tool assembly. In one embodiment, the tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly.
US08118201B1	Storage and carrier apparatus for patient transport litter An apparatus for carrying a patient transport litter includes a support mount for releasably mounting a separate litter carrier for carrying a patient transport litter. The support mount includes a mounting panel adapted to be mounted to a supporting structure and a pair of flexible side flaps that wrap around the litter carrier to secure the litter carrier to the support mount in a storage condition. Each side flap includes a fastener or buckle component for releasably joining together the respective side flaps snugly around the litter carrier, to thereby releasably secure the litter carrier to the support mount and the supporting structure. The litter carrier may include carrying straps for facilitating transport to a site of injury, where the litter carrier is opened and the patient transport litter removed from the litter carrier for use in transporting an injured person.
US08118200B2	Device for removing wrinkles from the sleeve of a garment A device for removing the wrinkles from the sleeve of a garment. A working surface defines a plurality of openings. Each of first and second sleeve holders are secured proximate an opening at a proximal end of each sleeve holder. First and second air bags are each configured to substantially surround a cooperating sleeve holder. Each sleeve holder and cooperating air bag is adapted to be received within a sleeve of the garment to extend the sleeve from the working surface. In one embodiment, a steam transfer device is configured to selectively transfer steam into each air bag and outwardly through each air bag to an interior surface of the sleeve. In another embodiment, a heated air transfer device is configured to selectively transfer heated air into each air bag and outwardly through each air bag to an interior surface of the sleeve.
US08118197B2	Method of making aerosol valve mounting cups and resultant cups Metal discs, preferably circular, are cut to a precise diameter and drawn to a preform with a channel and skirt for an aerosol valve mounting cup. The preform then undergoes further forming operations at stations in a press system. “Bumping” is carried out on the skirt edge at a station, to eliminate non-burr trimming of the cup edge, save material and obtain a carefully controlled skirt height and a substantially even skirt edge with minimized earring. The resultant cup terminating skirt edge is characterized by reformed metal. A further coaxing or pinch-cut operation may be performed on the cup skirt.
US08118195B2	Fluid product dispensing member and dispenser comprising same A fluid dispenser member (1) for associating with a fluid reservoir (2) so as to form a fluid dispenser, the member (1) including a body (11) via which the dispenser member is mounted in stationary manner on a mounting part (3), the body (11) defining a housing (113) for receiving another component element (13) of the dispenser member. The housing (113) includes a movable portion (115) that is displaceable from an initial configuration in which the housing is open, to a final configuration in which the housing is closed on the component element (13) while the dispenser member (1) is being mounted in the mounting part (3).
US08118193B2	Dispensers e.g. for cosmetics The application describes small hand-held dispensers suitable for use with creamy flowable products such as cosmetics. The dispensers are of a kind having a top plate (4) with a dished pick-up surface (42), and a product discharge opening (43) opening into the pick-up area (42). Specific proposals include positioning the pick-up surface (42) and an actuator (8) side-by-side on the top plate. The actuator (8) operates a pump (6), desirably positioned beneath the actuator and offset from the pick-up surface (42). A corresponding transverse outlet conduit (69) may be provided. The container (1) may be plastics or a metal container. Embodiments using plastic pump springs and resiliently deformable pump chamber walls are also described. Also, embodiments in which actuation is by tilting of the top plate in its entirety, the pick-up area then optionally being central.
US08118192B2	Methods, systems, and products for marking concealed objects Methods, systems, apparatuses, and products are disclosed for locating concealed objects by discharging the contents of an aerosol container. A housing encloses an inner volume, and a hollow conduit extends along the housing. An elongate rod slides within the conduit. An actuator of the aerosol container is engaged between a discharge position and a non-discharge position by movement of the elongate rod.
US08118191B2	Liquid dispensing system with enhanced mixing A dispense apparatus and system for dispensing suspensions or emulsions. The system ensures uniformity of distribution of the dispersed phase within the continuous-phase liquid by moving the fluid through the dispense cartridge, such as with a continuous or pulsating flow. In one embodiment, peristaltic pumps are positioned upstream and downstream of the dispense cartridge, in fluid communication with and forming a single loop with a fluid source. Circulation between the fluid source and the dispense cartridge is maintained. In a second embodiment, a pump circulates fluid into and out of the dispense cartridge and is also in fluid communication with a fluid source such as with a pinch valve to allow proper filling of the dispense cartridge from the fluid source. In a third embodiment, a reversing pump is placed between the dispense cartridge and fluid source to continually or continuously pump fluid into and out of the dispense cartridge.
US08118184B2	Container lid with pivoting gate valve and linear actuator A lid for controlled drinking from a drinking container includes an aperture adjacent a periphery, and a closure device formed as a single continuous piece of material. The closure device has an actuator portion, a web portion and a valve portion. The actuator portion has a distal portion extending outward of the periphery, and a proximal portion attached to a first end of the web portion. A second end of the web is attached to the valve portion. The valve portion can rotate about a pivot point and move from a closed position over the aperture when the actuator portion is in a first position, towards an open position away from the aperture when the actuator portion is moved towards a second position, during which the web winds around a suitably shaped region partially surrounding the pivot point.
US08118183B2	Delaminatable laminated bottle A particularly small eyedropper or the like is provided, which has a construction such that, when a body thereof is squeezed, an introduction hole thereof can be easily closed to compress air in a space between an inner layer and an outer layer thereof even in the absence of a check valve in the introduction hole, and defectiveness of the introduction hole can be easily checked. To this end, a test hole (19) communicating with an introduction hole (17) via a space between an outer layer bottle. (1) and an inner layer bag (16) is provided in an outer layer mouth portion (4). The test hole (19) is closed by the inner layer bag (16) and an inside plug (21) fitted in the mouth portion (4). Further, the introduction hole (17) is provided in a middle portion of a body which is pressed by a finger when the bottle is squeezed. The introduction hole (17) is closed by the finger.
US08118180B2	System for supporting objects A system (1) for supporting a rollable object (4), such as a cylindrical container. The system comprises at least one elongated rail (2) and at least one supporting part. The rail (2) has a contact surface (6) for bearing on a base, and is furthermore provided, along at least two sides, with an at least partly profiled surface (5) for holding a supporting part (3) in position at least in a longitudinal direction of said elongated rail (2). The supporting part (3) comprises a supporting surface (7) for preventing a movement of the object (4) in a horizontal direction, and, optionally, for supporting the object (4) in a vertical direction, and a contact surface (8) for bearing on the rail (2) and/or the base. The supporting part (3) further comprises a passage (9) for receiving at least a part of the rail (2). This passage (9) is provided with an inner wall which is at least partly provided with a profiled surface (10) complementary to the profiled surface (5) of the two sides of the rail (2), for at least partly transmitting a force, applied to the supporting part in said longitudinal direction, to the rail (2).
US08118179B2	Adjustable storage rack for cooking utensils The present invention is directed to a method for providing a storage rack for cooking utensils, such as skillets and the like, that can be adjusted to accommodate cooking utensils having different characteristics. Adjustment of the rack is accomplished by assessing a particular cooking utensil and bending one or more bendable members to define a slot between two of the bendable members that is of a width that potentially accommodates the cooking utensil. In another embodiment, a bendable handle support member is provided that is capable of being moved between two positions, one of which supports an extended handle of a cooking utensil in an elevated position and the other of which does not support the handle in an elevated position. In yet a further embodiment, a bendable positioner is provided that can be bent to engage a surface adjacent to a support surface and prevent the base from moving.
US08118177B2	Non-woven webs and methods of manufacturing the same A product including a web and a method of manufacturing such a product. The product may be for use as an industrial absorbent or a thermal or acoustic insulator and includes a web including scrap and/or recycled cellulose, the cellulose being selected from a source of post-industrial cellulose and/or a source of post-consumer cellulose, the cellulose being treated with a fire-retardant, the cellulose being dry before web formation, and opened, individuated bicomponent fibers mixed with the cellulose, at least some of the bicomponent fibers being thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose. The method may include shredding the cellulose, declumping and sizing the cellulose, metering the cellulose into a spray booth, applying a fire retardant to the cellulose in the spray booth, if the fire retardant is a liquid, drying the cellulose, adding bicomponent fibers to the cellulose, forming a web, and heating the web in an oven.
US08118176B2	Membrane unit element, semipermeable membrane, filtration device, and processes for manufacturing the same The object of the invention is a unit element forming a membrane comprising a semi-permeable material able to separate in two compartments a filtration device for extracorporeal treatment of a fluid such as blood or plasma, said material being negatively charged, said element having a first internal face intended to be in direct contact with blood or plasma and a second external face intended to be in contact with filtrate, wherein said second face of said element is treated on the surface by one selected in the group comprising at least a cationic polymer, a mixture of polymers of which at least one polymer is cationic. The unit element can also have said first face treated on the surface by one selected in the group comprising: at least one cationic polymer, a mixture of polymers of which at least one polymer is cationic.The object of the invention is also a semipermeable membrane consisting of such unit elements; a filtration device for extracorporeal treatment of a fluid such as blood or plasma comprising two compartments separated by such a semipermeable membrane.The object of the invention is also the processes for manufacturing such devices.
US08118173B2	Streamer trap assembly A streamer trap assembly for collecting streamers from a flow of polymer pellets includes a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet, and an opening bounded by a sealing surface; and a streamer trap positioned in the housing through the opening. The streamer trap comprises a screen sized to collect the streamers at the screen and to allow the polymer pellets to pass through the screen, a guide positioned to guide the flow of polymer pellets from the inlet to the screen and from the screen to the outlet, and a cover adapted to engage the sealing surface and cover the opening.
US08118171B2	Process and device for aerating suspensions The disclosure relates to a process and device for aerating suspensions, particularly to flotate them, for example in deinking of pulp suspensions which includes a primary and secondary stage. In order to improve ash removal, a washing process is interposed between the primary and secondary stages.
US08118170B2	Particulate size classification apparatus and method Particulates called nanoparticles (principally having a diameter of 10 nm or less) are reliably and easily according to size with high throughput. An impactor includes a particulate size classifying chamber provided with an exhaust port for particulates, a nozzle ejecting to the inside of the particulate size classifying chamber a carrier gas containing particulates to be classified, and a trapping plate as particulate trapping unit provided in the particulate size classifying chamber and selectively trapping particulates ejected from the nozzle.
US08118168B2	Portable cabinet and storage caddy for holiday, hobbies and crafts A combination rolling cabinet and storage assembly for storing and transporting collectibles therein, having: a top and bottom compartment; top and bottom walls joined by opposed side walls all joined to an upright rear wall, the cabinet defining an interior compartment accessible through an open upright front side of the door between open and closed positions; a base cabinet including wheels and a retractable/extendible pulling handle for locomoting; at least one additional cabinet connectable on top of the base cabinet; upper storage apparatus connectable on top of the base cabinet; a plurality of removable tote tray drawers or containers, and light holder carried in trunklike housing between top compartment and bottom compartment; can be loaded or unloaded upright or laying on floor or flat surface; and components are made of any suitable materials, preferably plastic.
US08118167B2	Medical container The present invention relates to a medical container useful upon transportation of plural syringe barrels. The medical container includes at least a container main body and a holding member arranged inside the container main body. The holding member is provided at least with a plurality of cylindrical holding portions for holding syringe barrels. The container main body has at least a peripheral rim arranged on and along an outer periphery of an opening and a shoulder-shaped portion arranged on an inner wall of the container to arrange the holding member. The shoulder-shaped portion has at least three ribs for supporting the holding member, and has a structure that enables to arrange via the ribs the holding member in a horizontal position relative to a bottom wall of the container main body. According to the present invention, there is provided a medical container of a construction that can be promptly brought into a sterilized state by various methods, can be readily brought into a state capable of maintaining the sterilized state, and during transportation, can fixedly secure, without rattling, syringe barrels held upright by holders.
US08118163B2	Apparatus for sharps protection Devices and methods are disclosed for protecting individuals from the sharp ends of medical objects following use on a patient. Such sharp objects include hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, cannulae, trocars, and the like. The invention utilizes a disposable protective cover for the used sharp. The protective cover is designed to surround and embed the sharp in a permanent cover that is blunt and will not permit further puncture or cutting with the sharp. In an embodiment, the protective cover also absorbs any fluids on or in the used sharp and prevents any fluids from escaping the protective cover. The sharp cover is configured to irreversibly lock, once closed. A refillable or replaceable dispenser dispenses the protective covers at points of use. A disposable receptacle receives the used sharp embedded in the protective cover. When the receptacle is full, the entire receptacle may be discarded in a medical waste container.
US08118162B1	Fastener organizing system An inexpensive, portable, and convenient organizer for bolts and screws is provided that holds fasteners and gaskets of various types and sizes. Fasteners may be stored in a pattern according to user-preference. Fasteners held may occupy relative positions on the organizer similar to their relative positions on the original assembly to facilitate identification for proper reassembly. The organizer may be preprinted or labeled by the user to further clarify sequence, position, or other useful information about the fasteners being held.
US08118161B2	Pressurized cigarette packages and methods A cigarette or other tobacco product package may be constructed with a sealed outer overwrap. The overwrap may be multi-layered and configured to contain an internal pressure higher than an ambient external air pressure. The multilayer overwrap may be assembled to a cigarette or other tobacco product pack in two or more layers adhered together during assembly.
US08118159B2	Apparatus and method for safely disposing medicines An apparatus and a method for safely disposing of medicines. The apparatus includes a container assembly and a bag. The container assembly includes a container member capable of storing the medicines, and a lid extending from a top portion of the container member. The bag includes a pair of gloves capable of being worn by a user for allowing hygienic handling of the medicines, one or more funnels capable of being configured in one or more openings of the lid for allowing receiving of the medicines and storing of the medicines in the container member, a first receptacle having a bittering agent capable of denaturing the stored medicines, a second receptacle having a coloring agent capable of providing a characteristic color to the denatured medicines and a third receptacle having a thickening agent capable of converting the denatured medicines into a partially solid disposable mass.
US08118154B2	Sod handler A sod handling method and a sod handling apparatus, in one embodiment the sod handling apparatus uses a pressure differential to hold a sod slab during sod transfer, other embodiments include a sod lift member for lifting sod, a sod transport mechanism for moving sod; a sod carriage for transporting sod, a sod bed positioning system for stacking sod, a system and method for checking sod quality as well as an apparatus and method of machine stacking sod to maintain the integrity of a sod stack.
US08118153B2	Shuttle-type conveying device, microplate feeding and collecting device, pickup device for microplate, cassette for microplate, and shelf for containing microplate A shuttle-type conveying system to convey an article. The system includes a feeding and collecting device capable of setting a cassette in which articles to be conveyed are stacked as they are on a rotating and feeding table, a pickup device taking out the article and placing it on a receiving/delivery table, and a conveying device feeding the article on the receiving/delivery table to another receiving/delivery table by a shuttle conveying portion traveling on conveying paths below the receiving/delivery table. After the article is lifted up by the shuttle conveying portion and moved to outside the receiving/delivery table, the article is lowered below the receiving/delivery table and made to travel under the receiving/delivery table to another receiving/delivery table.
US08118148B2	Control method of external control type fan clutch The invention provides a control method of an external control type fan clutch able to improve engine performance, fuel cost and cooling performance of a capacitor of an air conditioner (A/C) and restrain fan noises due to associative rotation. Namely, in the external control type fan clutch device constructed so as to control the opening and closing of a supply adjusting hole of oil by a valve member operated by an electromagnet, the opening and closing of the supply adjusting hole of the oil is on-off-controlled with the temperature of a cooling liquid of a radiator, a fan rotating speed, the temperature of transmission oil, a vehicle speed, an engine rotating speed, the pressure of a compressor of the air conditioner, etc. as parameters.
US08118144B2	Hydraulic dampers with pressure regulated control valve A suspension damper includes a housing bounding a main chamber. A hydraulic fluid is disposed within the main chamber. A piston rod is selectively movable between an advanced position wherein a portion of the piston rod is advanced into the main chamber and a retracted position wherein the portion of the piston rod is retracted from the main chamber, wherein as the piston rod is moved a fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the main chamber progressively increases and a portion of the hydraulic fluid passes through a passage within the housing. A control valve is at least partially disposed within the main chamber, the control valve being moved by the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid so as to progressively restrict the flow of the hydraulic fluid through the passage as the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the main chamber progressively increases.
US08118137B2	Multiple duty portable pneumatic lubrication device A portable multiple duty grease gun is permanently housed and operated out of a portable housing. Two grease tubes feeding through a common funnel to a retractable hose with a hand held grease gun on the end. A pressure regulator, a compressor or mechanical pump with an electric motor, a rechargeable battery pack, and a control panel in the housing operate the system.
US08118134B2	Front resonator for a speaker of a wireless device A front resonator for a speaker of a wireless device, comprising: an enclosure mounted over the speaker and forming with an upper surface of the speaker a front volume for the front resonator; and, a horizontal or approximately horizontal tube formed or mounted on a surface of the enclosure, the tube coupled to the front volume, and the tube having at least one end to emit sound generated by the speaker and passing through the front volume and tube from the wireless device.
US08118132B2	Hydraulic hybrid vehicle method of safe operation A hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes elements such as a hydraulic pump driven by an internal combustion engine and arranged to draw in low pressure fluid and pump the fluid at high pressure to an accumulator. A hydraulic motor is powered by the pressurized fluid. Safety processes are provided for detecting and addressing a number of conditions that may arise in the operation of the hydraulic hybrid vehicle, including an initialization procedure for start-up of the vehicle, a shut-down procedure, and procedures for detecting and responding to failure of the pump or motor, internal and external fluid leaks, and non-responsive actuation and mode control systems.
US08118130B2	Method and apparatus for controlling an actuatable restraining device using XY crush-zone satellite accelerometers An apparatus is provided for controlling a vehicle actuatable occupant restraining system including a central crash accelerometer sensing crash acceleration at a central vehicle location and providing a first crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. A crush zone crash accelerometer senses transverse crash acceleration at a forward location of the vehicle. A controller actuates the actuatable occupant restraining system in response to the central crash acceleration signal and the transverse crash acceleration signal from the crush zone sensor.
US08118129B2	Drainage structure in fuel cell motorcycle A layout for an exhaust pipe which also serves as a drainage pipe which prevents splashing of water generated in a fuel cell toward a passenger or splashing toward a tire. Humid excessive gas supplied from a fuel cell is diluted in a dilution box by off-gas discharged from the fuel cell and is used for humidifying air in the humidifier. An exhaust pipe is connected to the dilution box, and diluted hydrogen gas is discharged via the exhaust pipe. Vapor mixed in hydrogen gas is condensed in the exhaust pipe and turned into water, which is drained through the exhaust pipe that extends rearwardly of a vehicle body through the interior of a power unit. A discharge port of the exhaust pipe (which is also a drainage port for water generated in the fuel cell) is positioned at the widthwise center of the vehicle body.
US08118126B2	Steering assist system and steering assist method A steering assist system for applying a steering torque reduces the influence of a time-dependent steering control amount on an assist steering torque when a predetermined driving operation by a driver is detected. Thus, the influence of the time-dependent steering control amount on the applied steering torque, which increases when the period of time over which actual moving state deviates from the target moving state increases is reduced when the driver makes the predetermined driving operation. Thus, it is possible to avoid the problem where steering feel degrades because the steering torque increases over time.
US08118123B2	Method for the generation of electrical energy, method for operation of an electrically-driven motor vehicle and device for generation of electrical energy and electric vehicle A process for generation of electrical power comprises the exothermic, possibly catalytic, decomposition of a medium, preferably hydrogen peroxide, with the addition of water and the use of the steam to drive a steam machine, which is connected to an electricity generator. In order to improve the process specifically for use in electrical vehicles, highly concentrated medium, preferably hydrogen peroxide, is decomposed and the steam is condensed after emerging from the steam machine, and is fed back into the process. An electrical vehicle is advantageously operated in such a way that the electrical power is generated as explained above and is fed to at least one rechargeable battery, with the electrical power for at least one electric motor being taken from the rechargeable battery.
US08118122B2	Method and system for monitoring signal integrity in a distributed controls system A method to monitor integrity of a signal in a distributed control system for a powertrain system includes communications link transmitting signals between control modules. Integrity of each of the control modules is monitored. The signal is generated and verified in an originating control module and transmitted to a receiving control module whereat it is subsequently verified.
US08118121B2	Rechargeable automobile electric power system configured to replace the unpowered rear axle of a front wheel drive vehicle A rechargeable automobile electric power system and method modifying a front-wheel drive automobile through installation of the system is disclosed. The system is designed as a unit meant to replace the rear axle of a front-wheel drive vehicle. The system comprises: an axle assembly configured to replace the existing unpowered rear axle of a front-wheel drive automobile, an electric motor powered by rechargeable batteries which drives the axle assembly.
US08118118B2	Modular rotary drill head A modular base assembly for a rotary drill head includes a drive flange assembly having a tubular drive shaft configured to engage at least a lower drive interface. The modular base assembly also includes a gear housing supporting the drive flange assembly. Furthermore, the modular base assembly can also include a plurality of interchangeable gear pinions selectively coupled to the drive flange assembly.
US08118115B2	Method and system for installing geothermal heat exchangers, micropiles, and anchors using a sonic drill and a removable or retrievable drill bit There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a micropile. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A micropile is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground. In another embodiment, a removable drill bit may be used in place of the retrievable drill bit.
US08118108B2	Combustion process stopper A fire extinguishing apparatus in which one embodiment comprises of a dome lengthening into an extendable and flexible cylinder which contains a device that can adapt and form a seal with the surface as it is lowered, by means of a lifting device, on to a fire below, encapsulating said fire and extinguishing it by striving it of oxygen. The apparatus can be stretched or collapsed by means of installed winches, to accommodate different sizes of burning materials and to facilitate transportation.
US08118106B2	Flowback tool In one embodiment, a flowback tool for running a tubular string into a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and a tubular mandrel. The mandrel: has a bore therethrough in communication with the housing bore, is longitudinally movable relative to the housing, is torsionally coupled to the housing, and has a threaded coupling for engaging a threaded coupling of the tubular string. The flowback tool further includes a nose: longitudinally coupled to the housing, operable to receive an end of the tubular string, and including a seal operable to engage a surface of the tubular string, thereby providing fluid communication between a bore of the tubular string and the mandrel bore. The flowback tool further includes an actuator operable to move the mandrel and the nose longitudinally relative to the housing for engaging and disengaging the tubular string.
US08118102B2	Downhole swivel apparatus and method What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel.
US08118101B2	Ball catcher with retention capability A ball catcher is designed to stop balls that are the same size or different sizes at an inlet on a seat that is connected to a movable biased sleeve. Once the ball or other shaped object lands at the seat the flow around it increases differential pressure on the seat and sleeve and displaces them against the bias. The ball goes into a surrounding annular space and cannot exit. A preferably spiral sleeve guide the movement of the balls in the annular space so that efficient use of the annular space is made to maximize the number of balls that can be captured per unit length of the annular space. As soon as the ball enters the annular space the sleeve shifts back to the original position to stop the next ball at the inlet. Once in the annular space, the balls cannot escape if there is a flow reversal. The central passage remains open to pass other tools and flow.
US08118097B2	Formation evaluation while drilling An apparatus comprising a fluid communication device configured to extend from a drill string and establish fluid communication with a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore in which the drill string is positioned, wherein the drill string comprises a passage configured to conduct drilling mud and an opening extending through an outer surface thereof and into a cavity. A sample chamber is coupled within the cavity and is in selectable fluid communication with the formation via the fluid communication device. A retainer is configured to absorb axial loading of the sample chamber within the cavity.
US08118095B2	In situ combustion processes and configurations using injection and production wells Methods and systems relate to in situ combustion utilizing configurations of injection and production wells to facilitate the in situ combustion. The wells define vertically deviated lengths that have different orientations from one another. Further, heating processes such as resistive heating and cyclic steam stimulation may take place in one or both of the injection and production wells to precondition a reservoir prior to the in situ combustion.
US08118094B2	Tracer injector tool for well investigation A tool system for monitoring a flow of liquid within a borehole. The tool system comprises a plurality of tools disposed on a longitudinal axis of the tool system. The plurality of tools comprises at least a first injector tool for ejecting in the borehole a tracer and a detector tool to detect the ejected tracer. The tool system further comprises a standard digital bus traversing at least a portion of each tool of the plurality of tools. The standard digital bus allows a communication between each tool of the plurality of tools.
US08118093B2	Threaded retention device for downhole transmission lines An apparatus for retaining and tensioning an end of a transmission line includes a nut element having internal threads configured to engage an externally threaded transmission line, such as an externally threaded coaxial cable, thereby retaining an end of the transmission line. The internal threads may form a passageway extending from a first end of the nut element to a second end of the nut element. This passageway may allow a transmission line to pass through the nut element. A socket may be incorporated into one end of the nut element to enable a tool to apply torque thereto. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08118089B2	Down hole delivery system An improved delivery system for pumping fluid from a pay zone to the surface of a well consisting of a pump situated near the pay zone of the well, a drive head at the surface of the well and a rod string connecting the two, wherein a transmission is interposed between the pump and drive head on the rod string and fluid pumped from the pay zone passes through conduits, extending longitudinally in isolation through the transmission.
US08118084B2	Heat exchanger and method for use in precision cooling systems An improved precision cooling system for high heat density applications comprises a heat exchanger having more fluid outlet conduits than fluid inlet conduits to optimize the pressure drop across the heat exchanger at a given fluid flow rate. The heat exchanger may be of microchannel or tube fin construction, and the cooling system may utilize single phase or multi-phase pumped or compressed fluids.
US08118083B2	Circulation-type liquid cooling apparatus and electronic device containing same A cooling apparatus includes a tank for keeping a coolant liquid therein and including an air layer, a heat receiver in contact with a heat generating part for receiving heat therefrom, a radiator for radiating the heat absorbed by the coolant liquid, and a circulating mechanism for circulating the coolant liquid from the heat receiver through the tank, through the radiator and again to the heat receiver. The tank is mounted on the radiator. The radiator includes a coolant liquid circulating conduit for radiation which includes a width narrower at the middle position of the tank, and is divided by a gap at the middle position of the tank. The radiator includes cavities on both sides of a portion in which the gap in the coolant liquid circulating conduit is formed, each of the cavities having an area covered with the tank mounted on the radiator.
US08118081B2	Heat dissipation device with locking tabs A heat dissipation device (100) includes a fin assembly (10) having a plurality of fins (12). Each fin includes a locking tab (126b) with a connecting end (1268), a free end (1269), a hole (1261) adjacent to the connecting end, a hook (1262) adjacent to the free end, and a tongue (1263) between the hole and the hook. A punched hole (127b) in each fin is adjacent to the locking tab, which extends through the punched hole of an adjacent fin. The hook of the locking tab engages the hole in the locking tab of the adjacent fin, locking them together.
US08118077B2	Retractable arched window covering A shade for an arched window including an arched track with a movable slide base and a pleated blind attached to the slide base. A cord actuates the slide base to move along the track and pull the blind between retracted and extended positions. A top rail of the blind is removably connected to the slide base by a connector and one or more pleats of the blind include connectors which are received within a groove along an inner wall of the track.
US08118068B2	Apparatus and methods for storing and dispensing solid material The invention is directed to a dispensing unit suitable to precisely dispense material in powdery and/or granular form. The dispensing device comprises an gate valve opening sealingly closed by a blend. A control unit, which is interconnected to a scaling device, controls the opening of the gate valve opening by the position of the blend. The precise amount of the material is adjusted in relation to the signal of the scaling device.
US08118067B2	Sulfur loading apparatus A chemical loading system is used for loading a molten chemical into a tanker. The chemical loading system includes a source supplying a molten chemical and a tanker for receiving the molten chemical. The chemical loading system has a stationary feed line supplying a chemical from the source. An extendable loader has a feed passage that is in fluid communication with the feed line. The extendable loader has a retracted position and an extended position relative to the feed line. The feed passage is adapted to have at least a portion thereof inside the tanker when in the extendable loader is in the extended position. A hoist assembly selectively extends and retracts the extendable loader assembly between the retracted and extended positions.
US08118066B2	System for replenishing flowable or pourable washing or cleaning agents System for replenishing washing or cleaning agents, comprising a spout placeable on the opening of a bottle and having a first collar with a fastener for fastening the spout to a bottle, a second collar with a fastener for fastening a closure and/or metering cap on the spout, a wall extending from the first collar or second collar, a funnel, and an adapter element connectable to the pouring opening of a replenishing container and that comprises a cylinder element and a peripheral collar, a membrane for closing the replenishing container and preventing leakage of washing or cleaning agents out of the replenishing container, wherein the cylinder element of the adapter element has a guide groove configured such that the cylinder element can be detachably placed over the funnel and the web of the spout, whereby the positioning of the adapter element relative to the spout is determined.
US08118065B2	Sailcloth with high 1% warp and high warp efficiency and method of making same A woven sailcloth comprising warp yarns and fill yarns and having one or more of (i) a 1% warp of at least about 125 and/or a warp efficiency of at least about 17, (ii) a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1, and (iii) a weight of at least about 7 and at least one of a 1% warp to 1% fill ratio of at least about 4:1, a 1% fill to 1% bias ratio of less than about 1:1, a 1% warp:1% fill to 1% fill:1% bias ratio of at least about 1:1, a 10 lb. warp to 10 lb. fill ratio of less than about 0.5:1, a 10 lb. fill to 10 lb. bias ratio of at least about 1:1, and a 10 lb. warp:10 lb. fill to 10 lb. fill:10 lb. bias ratio of less than about 0.5:1; a sail comprising panels of sailcloth at least one panel of which is woven sailcloth as described; a method of making such a woven sailcloth comprising weaving warp yarns and fill yarns, which can comprise a reinforcing yarn and can be weaved in a ripstop pattern, in a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1; and a method of making a sail comprising assembling panels of sailcloth, at least one panel of which is woven sailcloth as described and wherein said at least one panel of woven sailcloth is assembled into the sail with load paths oriented along its warp yarns.
US08118062B2	Pleated washer spring for fuel pressure regulator A spring-actuator assembly (10) is provided for a fuel pressure regulator. The assembly includes a housing (30) and a washer spring (10) received in the housing. The washer spring has a body (12) with a top surface (13) and a bottom surface (15). The body includes an opening (14) there-through and a plurality of pleats (16, 16′) therein so that that first faces (20) of the top surface are disposed on a plane that is different from a plane of second faces (22) of the top surface. At least certain first faces define contact points (24). The assembly also includes an actuating member (26) disposed at least partially in the opening and engaging the contact points of the certain first faces such that a fluid flow passage (36) are defined between the washer spring and the actuating ball for dampening.
US08118060B2	Valve part of a hydraulic control valve for controlling flows of pressurized medium A valve part of a hydraulic control valve for controlling flows of pressurized medium is provided, wherein the valve part includes a cylindrical valve housing with a first cylinder casing section extending in the axial direction and a first cylinder base section extending perpendicular to the axial direction, with the sections defining a valve housing hollow space that is open on one side. The first cylinder casing section is provided with a first work connection, a second work connection, and a pressure connection, each of which open into the valve housing hollow space. A cylindrical control piston is held in the valve housing hollow space so that it can move in the axial direction, and has a second cylinder casing section extending in the axial direction and a second cylinder base section extending perpendicular to the axial direction, with these sections defining a control piston hollow space that is open on one side. The second cylinder casing section adjacent to the second cylinder base section is provided with a radial discharge connection opening into the control piston hollow space, and the control piston is constructed such that the work connections can be connected selectively in a fluid conducting manner to the pressure connection and to the discharge connection through axial displacement of the control piston. The valve part is distinguished in that the discharge connection of the control piston includes at least one inclined opening, having a wall direction that assumes an angle of less than 90° to the axial direction.
US08118059B2	Control valve for a camshaft adjuster A control valve for a hydraulic adjuster for the camshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, wherein an actuator acts on a pressure part (12) embedded in a control piston (5). In order to prevent the piston (5) from being blocked in the valve housing by the expansion thereof caused by the pressure part embedment, the pressure part (12) and/or the control piston (5) is/are provided with radial recesses (34) in the embedment area (13) which make it possible to limit joining forces and the resulting radial expansion of the piston (5). Alternatively or in addition, the external surface of the control valve (5) has a reduced cross-section in the embedment area (13).
US08118057B2	Temperature rotational limit stop for a mixing valve A temperature limit stop assembly for a mixing valve including a stop surface supported by a stem and a hot water stop shoulder supported by a stop member and engagable with the stop surface of the stem to limit rotational movement of a valve plate.
US08118055B2	Valve component for faucet A valve component for a faucet includes a substrate comprising a base material and a strengthening layer provided above the substrate in an amount sufficient to improve abrasion resistance of the substrate, the strengthening layer comprising tantalum. A layer including amorphous diamond is provided above the strengthening layer. The amorphous diamond has sp3 bonding of at least about 40%, a hardness of at least about 45 GPa, and an elastic modulus of at least about 400 GPa.
US08118053B2	Adjustable backflow prevention device A backflow prevention device is to be installed between various equipment drain lines and a drain cover or drain pipe. The backflow prevention device provides an air gap operable to prevent backflow of sewer waste into the drain lines. The device includes a drainage hub and a tubing mount attached to the drainage hub. The drainage hub defines a liquid flow conduit throw which liquid discharged from the drain lines can flow and can be connected to the drain. The tubing mount supports the drain lines in such a way that the drain line effluent is positioned to be in fluid connectivity with the upper opening of the liquid flow conduit at a vertically displaced position from the drainage hub.
US08118051B2	Valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank Valve for the ventilation circuit of a liquid tank, comprising: a) a chamber comprising a base, a side wall and a cover; b) at least two independent ventilation orifices in the chamber cover connecting the chamber to the venting circuit; c) at least one orifice in the chamber side wall connecting the chamber to the inside of the tank; d) at least two independent concentric floats, each comprising an apex capable of sealing one of the ventilation orifices, each being able to slide vertically inside the chamber depending on the liquid level in the chamber and to rest on the chamber base when the chamber is empty; one of the floats being calibrated so as to seal one of the ventilation orifices at one liquid level L1 in the tank and the other float being calibrated so as to seal the other ventilation orifice at a level L2 above L1.
US08118050B1	On-line constant flow dilution A system for providing constant flow on-line dilution comprising a first fluid introduction line carrying a first fluid, a second fluid introduction line carrying a second fluid, a flow path selection assembly coupled to the fluid introduction line and the second fluid introduction line, a mixing assembly suitable for mixing the first fluid, the second fluid and a sample, and a plurality of fluid transport lines coupled to the flow path selection assembly suitable for transporting the first fluid, the second fluid and a sample to the mixing assembly. The flow path selection assembly is suitable for selecting a flow path for each of the first fluid introduction line and second fluid introduction lines and providing changeable coupling of each of the first fluid introduction line and second fluid introduction line to one of the plurality of fluid transport lines through the flow path selection assembly.
US08118049B2	Safety system for fluid conduit A safety system for a fluid conduit includes an elongated flexible conduit having a first end and a second end and a central opening running therethrough and capable of transporting a first fluid under pressure. A first valve is located near the first end of the conduit and a second valve is located near the second end of the conduit. Each of the valves is moveable between a closed position and an open position so as to control the flow of the first fluid through the conduit. The central opening of the conduit is surrounded by a conduit wall which extends substantially the entire length of the conduit. A plurality of enclosed channels are located within the conduit wall and extend at least a substantial length of the conduit. A second fluid under pressure is contained in the channels and a sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the second fluid within the channels. One or both of the valves are operatively associated with the second fluid and close when the monitored pressure falls below a predetermined level.
US08118045B2	Outdoor canopy An outdoor canopy includes a canopy frame, a canopy shelter and a side entrance arrangement. The canopy frame includes a roof frame and a legs frame downwardly extended from the roof frame to form a canopy area. The canopy shelter, which is made of waterproof fabric, is detachably fastening at the canopy frame to define a ceiling wall, a front wall, a rear wall and two sidewalls for enclosing the canopy area therewithin. The side entrance arrangement is formed on one of the sidewalls of the canopy shelter for a user to gain entry to and exit the canopy area without having to pass through the front entrance, wherein the side entrance arrangement contains a side entrance opening formed on the corresponding sidewall of the canopy shelter, and comprise at least one entrance fabric operatively mounted on the corresponding sidewall.
US08118043B2	Vehicle washing installation with artificial turf covered wash bay A vehicle washing installation includes a wash bay having a floor for supporting a vehicle to be washed and a washing apparatus for washing a vehicle. An artificial turf covers the floor of the wash bay which functions to pre-filter dirt and debris from the water used to wash the vehicle before the water is passed thru a water filtration system.
US08118042B2	Apparatus and method for cleaning a liquid handling probe The present invention concerns an improved apparatus for cleaning the interior of a liquid handling probe to reduce the amount time and the volume of wash fluid required to clean the probe and minimize carryover of material between different samples. In addition to the probe, the apparatus includes one or more wash fluid reservoirs, a compressed gas supply, one or more pumps, two or more valve-controlled probe lines and a controller for opening and closing the valves and actuating the pump(s) at desired time intervals. The invention further concerns a method of cleaning a liquid handling probe using the claimed apparatus and comprising sequential steps of pumping wash fluid and compressed gas through the probe.
US08118033B2	Apparatus for manufacturing rod-shaped smoking articles An apparatus for manufacturing rod-shaped smoking articles which includes a forming section (10) for forming a material layer (K) made up of particles of smoking material and delivering the formed material layer (K); a wrapping section (20) disposed downstream of the forming section (10), for forming a rod (KR) by wrapping the material layer (K) in a web (W); a pair of guide blocks (54) disposed in the terminal end portion of the forming section (10), for guiding the material layer (K); a web shield (56) disposed downstream of the guide blocks (54) as viewed in the direction of delivering the material layer (K), for separating the material layer (K) and the web (W) from each other; a tongue (40) disposed in the start end portion of the wrapping section (20); and injection openings (64, 70, 76) provided to the guide blocks (54), the web shield (56) and the tongue (40), for injecting a liquid flavor additive into the material layer (K).
US08118031B2	Hearing protection device with damped material The invention provides a hearing protection device having an attenuating body composed of an elastomer with an increased glass transition temperature and a reduced glass-to-rubber transition temperature such that the damping factor of the material peaks at a higher temperature and, resultantly, the damping factor is increased over a range of temperatures and frequencies typically experienced by the device during usage. The increased damping results in higher sound attenuation provided by the hearing protection device.
US08118028B2	Intrauterine contraceptive device An intrauterine contraceptive device comprising a carrier body (1) and an active metallic alloy (4), characterized in that the active metallic alloy is of the formula ZnxCuyMnzAuk (I) or ZnxCuyMnzAgk (II), wherein x+y+z+k=100 weight %, x is in the range from approximately 18 to 30 weight %, z is in the range from approximately 0.5 to 3 weight %, and k is in the range from approximately 3 to 12 weight %, y being the balance.
US08118024B2	Mechanical ventilation system utilizing bias valve A portable mechanical ventilator having a ROOTS® blower is configured to provide a desired gas flow and pressure to a patient circuit. The mechanical ventilator includes a flow meter operative to measure gas flow produced by the ROOTS® blower and an exhalation control module configured to operate an exhalation valve connected to the patient circuit. A bias valve connected between the ROOTS® blower and the patient circuit is specifically configured to generate a bias pressure relative to the patient circuit pressure at the exhalation control module. The bias valve is further configured to attenuate pulsating gas flow produced by the ROOTS® blower such that gas flowing to the mass flow meter exhibits a substantially constant pressure characteristic. The bias pressure facilitates closing of the exhalation valve at the start of inspiration, regulates positive end expiratory pressure during exhalation, and purges sense lines via a pressure transducer module.
US08118019B2	Cooking apparatus with charcoal starting device A barbecue cooking system with moveable charcoal chimney device is provided, the system comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, and the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; and a chimney movable through the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl, and at least a portion of the chimney is situated within the firebowl during a usage position and at least a portion of the chimney is moveable to a position below the firebowl during a stowage position.
US08118014B2	Fuel system for multi-fuel engine An engine system and corresponding control method are described. As one example, the control method includes transferring one type of fuel from one fuel tank to a second fuel tank holding another type of fuel and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on the blended fuel mixture by selective operation of a first and second fuel pump.
US08118011B2	Marine vessel propulsion device A marine vessel propulsion device includes an engine, a fuel injection device, an intake system, a vapor separator tank arranged to separate fuel vapor from liquid fuel to be supplied to the engine, a pump unit arranged to transport the fuel from the vapor separator tank to the fuel injection device, a fuel pipe arranged to connect the fuel injection device and the pump unit, a vapor pathway arranged to connect the vapor separator tank and the intake system, a valve disposed in the vapor pathway, and an engine control unit. The engine control unit is arranged to control the opening degree of the valve in accordance with a valve opening speed set based on at least the pressure of the fuel in the fuel pipe when starting the engine.
US08118009B2	On-board fuel vapor separation for multi-fuel vehicle A fuel delivery system for a fuel burning engine of a vehicle and a method of operating the fuel delivery system is provided. As one example, the method includes separating a first fuel and a second fuel from a fuel vapor on-board the vehicle, said fuel vapor including at least an alcohol component and a hydrocarbon component and said first fuel including a higher concentration of the alcohol component than the fuel vapor and the second fuel; condensing the separated first fuel from a vapor phase to a liquid phase; delivering the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel to the engine; and combusting at least the condensed liquid phase of the first fuel at the engine.
US08118006B2	Fuel injector diagnostic for dual fuel engine Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection of a dual fuel engine which includes first and second fuel rails and first and second fuel pumps. In one example, while pumping is suspended in the second fuel rail, the first fuel is injected to all but one cylinder of the engine and the second fuel is injected to the one cylinder in a predetermined sequence. As such, the fuel injector injecting to the one cylinder is isolated and its performance may be assessed without significantly affecting engine performance.
US08118005B2	Auxiliary power units for vehicles Cooperative operation of an auxiliary power unit having a mechanical power output shaft with a transmission coupled power takeoff operation system of a vehicle is provided by allowing the vehicle's main engine to be cranked by the auxiliary power unit through the power takeoff operation system.
US08118002B2	Continuously variable valve lift system including valve deactivation capability on one of two dual intake valves In a dual intake valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine, a continuously variable valve lift (CVVL) system controls two intake valves for one or more engine cylinders. In each cylinder, one of the intake valves includes an associated valve deactivation device, and the other intake valve does not. To improve in-cylinder air flow turbulence under low valve lift, one of the intake valves may be deactivated, resulting in mixture intake through only one valve, resulting in strong swirl by unbalanced flow. A CVVL-equipped engine including a valve deactivation device provides the same amount of air flow for the same engine load as a prior art CVVL engine. A method of introducing a swirl to the mixture is also described.
US08118001B2	Cooling system for an internal combustion engine in a motorcycle A cooling system for a water-cooled internal combustion engine includes a coolant flow circuit and a coolant return passage. The coolant flow circuit includes a water pump, a water jacket having a plurality of serially connected flow passages, an oil cooler, a radiator, and a pressure-regulating valve for discharging coolant to a reservoir tank when pressure of the coolant in the coolant flow circuit reaches a predetermined target value. The coolant return passage supplies coolant from the reservoir tank to the coolant flow circuit via a check valve, which only allows coolant to flow in one direction from the reservoir tank to the coolant flow circuit.
US08117999B2	Electrolyte delivery system and method In a system for providing electrolyte to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen gas to inject into the intake of an internal combustion engine, a water store is in communication with a water supply line, for replenishing the level of electrolyte solution used by the electrolysis cell. A valve which may be disposed at a level below the level of the water supply line and is opened, for example upon deactivation of the engine, to drain the water out of the water supply line and prevent freezing in sub-freezing temperatures.
US08117993B2	Pet enclosure A pet enclosure includes a cover and a support frame. The cover includes a bottom panel, a top panel opposite the bottom panel, and a plurality of side panels extending between the bottom panel and the top panel to define an interior space of the cover. An aperture is defined in at least one of the top panel and one of the plurality of side panels for accessing the interior space. The support frame is pivotable between a collapsed configuration and an upright configuration and is insertable into the interior space of the cover through the aperture in the collapsed configuration of the support frame. The support frame is also pivotable from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration while disposed within the interior space of the cover.
US08117991B1	Refrigerated pet water dispensing and bowl cleaning system A pet water dispenser having a system of water pumps to circulate water, a water bowl containing a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the water in the bowl, an ultra violet light and a filter to purify and clean the circulating water, an in-line water heater and a thermoelectric cooling plate to keep the water at a desired temperature, water jets inside the bowl to spray water against the inside of the bowl to clean hair and debris from the bowl, a rotating drain disc in the bowl which periodically opens to permit emptying of old water from the water bowl and closes to permit filling of the bowl with fresh water, a digital controller to permit a pet owner to control the operation of the dispenser and the temperature of the water presented in the bowl to the pet.
US08117985B2	Laser cladding device with an improved nozzle A laser cladding device for applying a coating to a part comprising a laser which can generate laser light, which is adapted to heat the coating and the part, a main body defining a laser light channel adapted to transmit the laser light to the part, a coating channel adapted to transmit the coating to the part, and a vacuum channel and a nozzle having an exit. The nozzle comprises a delivery port at one end of the laser light channel, a coating port at one end of the coating channel, and a vacuum port at one end of the vacuum channel, wherein the vacuum port is positioned generally adjacent the delivery port. In operation the vacuum port draws a vacuum, pulling the coating towards the part.
US08117984B2	Coating abluminal surfaces of stents and other implantable medical devices A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.
US08117983B2	Directional extruded bead control A micro-extrusion printhead assembly utilized in a micro-extrusion system to form parallel extruded lines of material on a substrate includes a material feed system for pushing/drawing materials out of extrusion nozzles defined in the printhead assembly, a Z-axis positioning mechanism, and a base. The micro-extrusion printhead includes a layered nozzle structure sandwiched between back and front plate structures. The layered nozzle structure includes stacked plates including top and bottom nozzle plates sandwiching a nozzle outlet plate. According to various embodiments, at least one of the nozzle structure materials of the printhead assembly, the output geometry of the printhead assembly, and the internal conduit geometry of the printhead assembly are modified to cause the bead traveling through the extrusion nozzle to be reliably directed (biased) toward the target substrate as it leaves the printhead nozzle orifice.
US08117980B1	Rigid quick connect mooring device A rigid mooring system that instantly secures pontoons, float planes, boats, and other forms of craft to a variety of dockage types and consists of two identical, yet separately positioned devices which together moor a craft safely away from the dockage. Barrel plate hinges permanently secure the two devices to the dockage allowing both the devices and the attached craft vertical motion but prohibit parallel or lateral movement. Each device has two reinforced arms coming together to form a right triangle shaped rigid body with one arm projecting further, bending into a curved attaching end. This attaching end is integrated with a self closing latch. The latch opens when pressed against the craft's mooring fixture then automatically snaps back into place capturing the craft. Pressing the release button opens the latch, freeing the craft. Each device also provides a place for a separate lock to be installed preventing theft or unauthorized use of the craft.
US08117976B2	Handicraft needle puncher, handicraft assisting tool and handicraft needle punch set A handicraft needle punch set includes a needle puncher, and an assisting tool used in performing needle punching to an object. The assisting tool includes a plurality of tubular template portions each having a desired sectional shape. The needle puncher includes a plurality of needles, a grip member supporting the needles in a manner allowing the tips of the needles to protrude to the outside, and a tubular attachment member detachably attached to the grip member. The tubular attachment member is configured to surround the needles in a noncontact manner and have a contact end portion coming into contact with the upper portions of the tubular template portions.
US08117974B2	Biomass energy recovery apparatus An apparatus for extracting energy from fiber introduced as a fuel into a vertically elongated combustion chamber having a suspension burner capable of projecting a flame down the axis of the combustion chamber with a heat collection surface located radially from the flame and below the burner, and an exhaust opening located below the flame and below at least a portion of the heat collection surface, in which the combusted fiber yields a mixture containing hot flue gas and molten ash above the exhaust opening and heat transfers therefrom to the heat collection surface prior to any substantial contact of ash to a surface of the combustion chamber, to yield a mixture containing warm flue gas and non-molten ash, that is thereafter cooled to yield a mixture containing cool flue gas and non-molten ash.
US08117971B1	Table cloth and trash bag combination A table cloth and trash bag combination having a table cloth upper portion dimensioned to be laid on top of a picnic table or other types of outdoor and indoor tables and made of thin sheet paper, plastic and like material. The upper portion includes decorative designs of toys, animals, birthday cakes, logos, and like festive items for birthdays, anniversary, and other party events. On opposite corners of the upper portion is an outwardly extending first portion of pull strings. A second portion of the pull strings is received through seams disposed along sides of a length and a width of the table cloth upper portion. In the center of the table cloth upper portion and parallel to the length is an elongated opening having sides attached to a top of a folded trash bag lower portion. The opening provides access into the folded trash bag lower portion. The lower portion is made of thin sheet plastic for receiving trash items placed on top of the upper portion and picnic table.
US08117967B2	Bullet A projectile (10), where necessary covered with a jacket, possesses a front-side core (1) and a rear-side core (2). The rear-side core (2) here bears positively in a centered manner against the front-side core (1) and this rear-side core (2) fills the entire cylindrical and the frustoconically configured rear region (2) of the projectile (10). A contact zone (11, 12 is respectively configured on the two cores (1, 2), which contact zone allows the projectile (10) to be joined together in a press fit, a perfectly aligned external form (3) of the projectile (10) being obtained and the contact faces (15; 13; 11 to 12) of the cores (1, 2) directly touching one another substantially without a clearance or gap over the whole of the contact face (15; 13; 11 to 12). When the projectile (10) impacts upon a surface oriented in any chosen manner relative to the firing direction (20), the projectile (10) is split into two less dangerous projectile parts.
US08117966B1	Stun grenade A stun grenade that provides a flash and an associated loud report without use of pyro-ignition sources. The flash is generated by discharge of a conventional flash bulb. The loud, explosive noise comes from rupturing of an inflatable bag at a predetermined rupture pressure and inflation volume.
US08117963B2	Printing security features A printing machine for printing security features onto a web. The machine has a first printing cylinder defining a first circumference and carrying a first number (m) of rows of first image elements, each adjacent row of first image elements having a first circumferential separation. The machine also has a second printing cylinder defining a second circumference, different to the first circumference, and carrying a second number (n) of rows of second image elements, different to the first number (m) of rows, where each adjacent row of second image elements has the same first circumferential separation as adjacent rows of first image elements. The printing cylinders are operable to print the first and second image elements in registration on a web so that composite security features are created on the web from the first and second image elements.
US08117953B2	Stop rule with hold-down device for circular saw benches A stop rule for circular saw benches includes a profiled hollow body extending longitudinally with a substantially right-angled cross section, on which means are located for the attachment thereof to a table. One side of the profiled hollow body is designed as a guide member with a coplanar extension extending therefrom, which has a guide rule on the front edge thereof for low workpieces. Such guide rule extends vertically at right angles from the table, on which the guide member lies when the stop rule is in a horizontal position. The extension protruding sideways has a horizontal contact surface in the horizontal position of the stop rule, on which surface a vertically adjustable hold-down device for low work pieces is connected.
US08117951B2	Double flex wrench A wrench having a main body defines a first end, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween. A handle body defines a first end, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween, wherein the handle body first end is pivotally coupled to the main body second end. A handle is axially fixed and rotatably coupled to the handle body second end. A tang, having a first end configured to releasably receive a tool, an opposite second end, and an axis extending therebetween, is pivotally coupled to the main body first end. A detent is received in a recesses defined in one of the handle body first end and the main body second end.

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