最新美国发明专利第2012-03-27期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08143117B2	Active device array substrate and method for fabricating the same A method for fabricating an active device array substrate is provided. A first patterned semiconductor layer, a gate insulator, a first patterned conductive layer and a first dielectric layer is sequentially formed on a substrate. First contact holes exposing the first patterned semiconductor layer are formed in the first dielectric layer and the gate insulator. A second patterned conductive layer and a second patterned semiconductor layer disposed thereon are simultaneously formed on the first dielectric layer. The second conductive layer includes contact conductors and a bottom electrode. The second patterned semiconductor layer includes an active layer. A second dielectric layer having second contact holes is formed on the first dielectric layer, wherein a portion of the second contact holes exposes the active layer. A third patterned conductive layer electrically connected to the active layer through a portion of the second contact holes is formed on the second dielectric layer.
US08143113B2	Omega shaped nanowire tunnel field effect transistors fabrication A method for forming a nanowire tunnel field effect transistor device includes forming a nanowire connected to a first pad region and a second pad region, the nanowire including a core portion and a dielectric layer, forming a gate structure on the dielectric layer of the nanowire, forming a first protective spacer on portions of the nanowire, implanting ions in a first portion of the exposed nanowire and the first pad region, implanting in the dielectric layer of a second portion of the exposed nanowire and the second pad region, removing the dielectric layer from the second pad region and the second portion, removing the core portion of the second portion of the exposed nanowire to form a cavity, and epitaxially growing a doped semiconductor material in the cavity to connect the exposed cross sections of the nanowire to the second pad region.
US08143108B2	Semiconductor device and method of dissipating heat from thin package-on-package mounted to substrate A semiconductor device has a first substrate with a central region. A plurality of bumps is formed around a periphery of the central region of the first substrate. A first semiconductor die is mounted to the central region of the first substrate. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the first semiconductor die over the central region of the first substrate. A height of the first and second die is less than or equal to a height of the bumps. A second substrate has a thermal conduction channel. A surface of the second semiconductor die opposite the first die is mounted to the thermal conductive channel of the second substrate. A thermal interface layer is formed over the surface of the second die. The bumps are electrically connected to contact pads on the second substrate. A conductive plane is formed over a surface of the second substrate.
US08143097B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming open cavity in TSV interposer to contain semiconductor die in WLCSMP A semiconductor device is made by mounting a semiconductor wafer to a temporary carrier. A plurality of TSV is formed through the wafer. A cavity is formed partially through the wafer. A first semiconductor die is mounted to a second semiconductor die. The first and second die are mounted to the wafer such that the first die is disposed over the wafer and electrically connected to the TSV and the second die is disposed within the cavity. An encapsulant is deposited over the wafer and first and second die. A portion of the encapsulant is removed to expose a first surface of the first die. A portion of the wafer is removed to expose the TSV and a surface of the second die. The remaining portion of the wafer operates as a TSV interposer for the first and second die. An interconnect structure is formed over the TSV interposer.
US08143096B2	Integrated circuit package system flip chip An integrated circuit package system includes: providing a substrate having a top side with a trace conductor connected to a bottom side with a system interconnect; forming a bump ring on the substrate, the bump ring having an inner cavity area over the trace conductor and an outer bump area; applying a substrate mask layer adjacent a perimeter of the outer bump area; connecting a device to the trace conductor below the bump ring; and applying a compound between the device and the substrate.
US08143094B2	Silicon carbide semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A manufacturing method of a silicon carbide semiconductor device in which an electric field applied to a gate oxide film can be relaxed and thereby reliability can be ensured, and by the method manufacturing costs can be reduced. Well regions, channel regions, and gate electrodes are formed so that, given that extending lengths, with respect to the inner sides of source regions, of each of the well regions, the channel regions, and the gate electrodes are Lwell, Lch, and Lg, respectively, a relationship of Lch
US08143092B2	Methods for forming resistive switching memory elements by heating deposited layers Resistive switching nonvolatile memory elements are provided. A metal-containing layer and an oxide layer for a memory element can be heated using rapid thermal annealing techniques. During heating, the oxide layer may decompose and react with the metal-containing layer. Oxygen from the decomposing oxide layer may form a metal oxide with metal from the metal-containing layer. The resulting metal oxide may exhibit resistive switching for the resistive switching memory elements.
US08143090B2	Method of fabricating photo sensor A method of fabricating a photo sensor includes the following steps. First, a substrate is provided, having a conductive layer, a buffer dielectric layer, a patterned semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer, and a planarization layer disposed thereon from bottom to top, wherein the patterned semiconductor layer comprises a first doped region, an intrinsic region, and a second doped region disposed in order. Then, the planarization layer is patterned to form an opening in the planarization layer to expose a portion of the dielectric layer, wherein the opening is positioned on the intrinsic region and portions of the first and the second doped regions. Thereafter, at least a patterned transparent conductive layer is formed in the opening, covering the boundary of the intrinsic region and the first doped region and the boundary of the intrinsic region and the second doped region.
US08143087B2	Method of manufacturing photoelectric conversion device A fragile layer is formed in a region at a depth of less than 1000 nm from one surface of a single crystal semiconductor substrate, and a first impurity semiconductor layer and a first electrode are formed at the one surface side. After bonding the first electrode and a supporting substrate, the single crystal semiconductor substrate is separated using the fragile layer or the vicinity as a separation plane, thereby forming a first single crystal semiconductor layer over the supporting substrate. An amorphous semiconductor layer is formed on the first single crystal semiconductor layer, and a second single crystal semiconductor layer is formed by heat treatment for solid phase growth of the amorphous semiconductor layer. A second impurity semiconductor layer having a conductivity type opposite to that of the first impurity semiconductor layer and a second electrode are formed over the second single crystal semiconductor layer.
US08143086B2	Optically controlled electrical-switch device based upon carbon nanotubes and electrical-switch system using the switch device Described herein is an optically controlled electrical-switch device which includes a first current-conduction terminal and a second current-conduction terminal, and a carbon nanotube connected between the first and the second current-conduction terminals, the carbon nanotube being designed to be impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation and having an electrical conductivity that can be varied by varying the polarization of the electromagnetic radiation incident thereon. In particular, the carbon nanotube may for example, in given conditions of electrical biasing, present a high electrical conductivity when it is impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength and a polarization substantially parallel to the axis of the carbon nanotube itself, and a reduced electrical conductivity when it is impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength and a polarization substantially orthogonal to the axis of the carbon nanotube itself.
US08143082B2	Wafer bonding of micro-electro mechanical systems to active circuitry A single integrated wafer package includes a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) wafer, an active device wafer, and a seal ring. The MEMS wafer has a first surface and includes at least one MEMS component on its first surface. The active device wafer has a first surface and includes an active device circuit on its first surface. The seal ring is adjacent the first surface of the MEMS wafer such that a seal is formed about the MEMS component. An external contact is provided on the wafer package. The external contact is accessible externally to the wafer package and is electrically coupled to the active device circuit of the active device wafer.
US08143081B2	Method for dicing a diced optoelectronic semiconductor wafer A method for dicing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer has steps of preparing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer, laser scribing, diamond saw dicing and forming optoelectronic semiconductor dies. A product for dicing an optoelectronic semiconductor wafer has a substrate and an epitaxial layer. The substrate has a first surface, a second surface and two rough surfaces. The rough surfaces are formed by laser scribing the wafer to define multiple guide grooves on the wafer and diamond saw grooving the wafer along the guide grooves. The epitaxial layer is formed epitaxially on the first surface of the substrate.
US08143079B2	Silicon nanoparticle white light emitting device Multiple films of red-green-blue (RGB) luminescent silicon nanoparticles are integrated in a cascade configuration as a top coating in an ultraviolet/blue light emitting diode (LED) to convert it to a white LED. The configuration of RGB luminescent silicon nanoparticle films harnesses the short wavelength portion of the light emitted from the UV/blue LED while transmitting efficiently the longer wavelength portion. The configuration also reduces damaging heat and/or ultraviolet effects to both the device and to humans.
US08143076B2	Manufacture of defect cards for semiconductor dies A method for producing a defect card for individual dies located on a wafer, comprising: producing first and second defect cards, where the defective individual dies whose adjoining individual dies form an environment having a defect density up to a first value (δ1) are classified as defective on the first defect card, and where the defective individual dies which are not considered upon the production of the first defect card are classified as defective on the second defect card; producing a third defect card by classifying additional individual dies on the second defect card as defective, where adjoining individual dies of the additional defective individual dies form an environment having at least one defect density of a second value (δ2), which second value is less than the first value (δ1); and producing a fourth defect card by unifying the third defect card with the first defect card.
US08143075B2	Semiconductor manufacture method A semiconductor device manufacture method has the steps of: (a) forming a semiconductor device structure in a chip and alignment marks, respectively in a semiconductor wafer; (b) forming a workpiece layer above the semiconductor wafer; (c) exposing the alignment marks; (d) coating an electron beam resist film on the workpiece layer; (e) scanning the alignment marks with an electron beam to obtain plural position information on the alignment marks and obtaining differences between the plural position information; (f) removing abnormal values of position information in accordance with the difference between the plural position information; and (g) performing an electron beam exposure in accordance with plural position information of the alignment marks with the abnormal value being removed. An alignment mark detection precision can be improved in electron beam exposure.
US08143071B2	Method and device for extracting an analyte The invention provides columns and methods for the purification and concentration of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution. The columns typically include a bed of extraction medium positioned in the column between two frits. In some embodiments, the extraction columns employ modified pipette tips as column bodies. The invention also provides methods for purifying and concentrating multiple analytes simultaneously.
US08143066B2	Methods and apparatus for performing retention-time matching A method (100) for analyzing chemicals includes fractionating a complex sample into at least two sample portions that each includes portions of two polypeptides though in different concentration ratios, digesting and performing LC/MS on each of the sample portions (110, and associating precursor ions observed via LC/MS with their corresponding polypeptide in response to LC/MS provided intensity data (170). A set of precursor ions that has substantially similar intensity ratios in both sample portions is determined to be associated with the same polypeptide.
US08143065B2	Specimen processing device, specimen conveyance device, and specimen conveyance method A specimen processing device comprising: a specimen processing unit for processing specimens; a first conveyance mechanism for conveying specimens from a carry-in side towards a carry-out side on the opposite side of the carry-in side with respect to the specimen processing unit through a specimen supply position for supplying specimens to the specimen processing unit; a second conveyance mechanism for conveying specimens from the carry-in side towards the carry-out side without passing the specimen supply position; a first control device for controlling the first conveyance mechanism; and a second control device for controlling the second conveyance mechanism, is disclosed. A specimen conveyance device and a specimen conveyance method are also disclosed.
US08143058B2	Human CDR-grafted antibody and antibody fragment thereof A human CDR-grafted antibody or the antibody fragment thereof which specifically reacts with the extracellular region of human CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) but does not react with a human blood platelet; a human CDR-grafted antibody or the antibody fragment thereof which specifically reacts with the extracellular region of CCR4 and has a cytotoxic activity against a CCR4-expressing cell; and a medicament, a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent comprising at least one of the antibodies and the antibody fragments thereof as an active ingredient.
US08143057B2	Chelating agents and highly luminescent and stable chelates and their use This invention relates to a group of novel chelating agents, novel chelates, biomolecules labeled with said chelates or chelating agents as well as solid supports conjugated with said chelates, chelating agents or labeled biomolecules. Especially the invention relates to novel chelating agents useful in solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides or oligopeptides and the oligonucleotides and oligopeptides so obtained.
US08143053B2	Lockable cell growth chamber with antilocking feature A lockable cell growth chamber is disclosed wherein the lid and base of the dish are provided with at least two pairs of locking and anti-locking members, the locking and antilocking functions being activated by application of rotational torque.
US08143052B2	Process for preparing optically active (S or R)-α amino acid and (R or S)-α amino acid ester in one phase organic reaction medium The present invention discloses a process for preparing an optically active (S or R)-α-amino acid represented by the formula (II): wherein R represents an alkyl group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, cycloalkyl group, aralkyl group, heteroarylalkyl group, aryl group or heteroaryl group, each of which may have a substituent(s), and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and an optically active (R or S)-α-amino acid ester represented by the formula (III): wherein R1 represents an alkyl group which may have a substituent(s), and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, provided that it has an opposite absolute configuration to that of the compound of the formula (II), which comprises selectively reacting water with one of enantiomers of an α-amino acid ester which is a racemic mixture and represented by the formula (I): wherein R and R1 have the same meanings as defined above, in the presence of a lipase or a protease in an organic solvent.
US08143049B2	Modified beta-glucosidases with improved stability Provided are modified beta-glucosidase enzymes, derived from the Trichoderma reesei Cel3A beta-glucosidase, that exhibit improved stability at low pH, low pH and high aeration, low pH and high agitation, or low pH and elevated temperature. Also provided are genetic constructs comprising nucleotide sequences encoding for modified beta-glucosidase enzymes, methods for the production of modified beta-glucosidase enzymes from host strains and the use of the modified beta-glucosidase enzymes in the hydrolysis of cellulose.
US08143044B2	Crystal structure of the influenza virus polymerase PAC-PB1N complex and uses thereof Provided are the expression method of influenza virus polymerase PAc-PB1N complex, the co-crystallization method of the complex and the three-dimendional structure of the crystal of PAc-PB1N complex. Also provided are the compounds binding to the influenza virus polymerase PAc and the expression method of influenza virus polymerase PAN. The three-dimensional structure of the crystal of PAc-PB1N complex can be used for screening and designing the drug for the treatment of influenza.
US08143041B2	Method of stimulating ethanol production and growth of aquatic plants A method of stimulating ethanol production and growth of aquatic plants includes the steps of placing aquatic plants in a cell containing water and creating an anoxic condition within the pool to initiate an anaerobic process by the aquatic plants. The aquatic plants increase in size and release ethanol by metabolism of stored carbohydrates during the anaerobic process. An oxygenated condition is then created within the cell to initiate an aerobic process. The aquatic plants create and store carbohydrates during the aerobic process. The steps of creating anoxic and oxygenated conditions are repeated to stimulate increased aquatic plant size and to increase the release of ethanol.
US08143039B2	Use of genetically modified organisms to generate biomass degrading enzymes The present invention provides a method and compositions for high throughput screening of genetically modified photosynthetic organisms for plasmic state. The present invention provides methods of producing one or more proteins, including biomass degrading enzymes in a plant. Also provided are the methods of producing biomass degradation pathways in alga cells, particularly in the chloroplast. Single enzymes or multiple enzymes may be produced by the methods disclosed. The methods disclosed herein allow for the production of biofuel, including ethanol.
US08143035B2	Pantothenate kinase overexpression and pantothenic acid supplementation in actinomycetes The invention relates to the synthesis of polyketides in Actinomycetes by overexpression of pantothenate kinase and supplementation with pantothenic acid. This results in increasing in vivo CoA production and thereby drives increased production of secondary metabolites, such as polyketides.
US08143031B2	Production of N-acylated sulphur-containing amino acids with microorganisms having enhanced N-acyltransferase enzymatic activity The present invention claims an isolated polypeptide having L-amino-acid-N-acyl transferase enzymatic activity and a modified microorganism in which this enzyme is overexpressed. Substrates of said enzyme include mainly methionine and their derivatives or analogs. Overexpression in sulphur-containing amino acid producing microorganisms permits the production of large amounts of N-acylated sulphur-containing amino acids. The isolation of the N-acylated sulphur-containing amino acids from the fermentation medium is also claimed.
US08143026B2	Albumin fusion proteins The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.
US08143018B2	Method for preparing a measurement sample for detecting live cells of a microorganism in a test sample According to the following steps, live cells, injured cells, VNC cells and dead cells of a microorganism in a test sample are detected by flow cytometry: a) the step of treating the test sample with an enzyme having an activity of decomposing cells other than those of the microorganism, colloidal particles of proteins or lipids existing in the test sample, b) the step of treating the test sample with a topoisomerase poison and/or a DNA gyrase poison. c) the step of treating the test sample treated in the steps a) and b) with a nuclear stain agent, and d) the step of detecting the microorganism in the test sample treated with the nuclear stain agent by flow cytometry.
US08143012B2	Fuidi herd management schema The invention is a herd management schema based upon the inventor's analysis of the natural history of bovine infection due to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) and related genomic variants and upon the ability of two distinct Map ELISA tests to sequentially or in parallel determine prior and current Map infection and evidence of active mycobacterium replication. Interpretation of the test results are integrated into sequential directives designed to enhance productive retention of infected animals as well as identify animals not previously infected. The sequential utilization of the data guidelines is developed to minimize the adverse economic impact.
US08143011B2	MAGE-C2 antigenic peptides and uses thereof This invention relates to isolated peptides derived from MAGE-C2, nucleic acid molecules that encode MAGE-C2 and the isolated peptides derived from MAGE-C2, expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules, host cells transformed or transfected with the nucleic acid molecules or the expression vectors, and to tetramers comprising the peptides, HLA molecules, ∃2 microglobulin and a first and second binding partner. This invention also relates to methods for using the peptides, nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors, tetramers and complexes of this invention as well as to cytolytic T cells which recognize the peptides in complex with an HLA molecule.
US08143005B2	Nucleic acids encoding sodium channel SCN1A alpha subunit proteins and mutations associated with epilepsy The present invention relates to epilepsy. More particularly, the present invention relates to idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and to the identification of three genes mapping to chromosome 2, which show mutations in patients with epilepsy. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences, and protein sequences of these loci (SCNA) and to the use thereof to assess, diagnose, prognose or treat epilepsy, to predict an epileptic individual's response to medication and to identify agents which modulate the function of the SCNA. The invention also provides screening assays using SCN1A, SCN2A and/or SCN3A which can identify compounds which have therapeutic benefit for epilepsy and related neurological disorders.
US08143004B2	Method of assaying target substance in sample, aptamer molecule method of constructing the same A method for measuring a test substance whereby the test substance in a sample can be specifically measured without using an antibody against the test substance; an aptamer molecule used therefor; and a method for creating the aptamer are disclosed. An aptamer capable of hybridizing with an oligonucleotide when it is bound to a test substance, but is incapable of hybridizing with the oligonucleotide when it is not bound to the test substance, is utilized. The aptamer is brought into contact with a sample, and the aptamer bound to the test substance is brought into contact with an immobilized oligonucleotide which hybridizes with the aptamer, to bind the aptamer to a solid phase, followed by measurement of the aptamer immobilized on the solid phase.
US08143002B2	Methods for isolating and characterizing endogenous mRNA-protein (mRNP) complexes Cellular mRNA-protein (mRNP) complexes are partitioned in vivo by contacting a biological sample with at least one ligand that specifically binds at least one component of a mRNP complex. Suitable biological samples comprise at least one mRNA-protein (mRNP) complex and include cell cultures, cell extracts, and whole tissue, including tumor tissue. Ligands include antibodies that specifically bind RNA-binding or RNA-associated proteins present in the mRNP complex. The mRNP complex is separated by binding the ligand with a binding molecule specific for the ligand, where the binding molecule is attached to a solid support. The mRNP complex is collected by removing the mRNP complex from the solid support. After collecting the mRNP complex, the mRNA bound within the complex may be characterized and identified. Subsets of the total mRNA population of a cell may accordingly be characterized, and a gene expression profile of the cell obtained.
US08143000B2	Mutation within the connexin 26 gene responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness and method of detection A purified polynucleotide having a chain of nucleotides corresponding to a mutated sequence, which in a wild form encodes a polypeptide implicated in hereditary sensory defect, wherein said mutated purified polynucleotide presents a mutation responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness selected from the group consisting of a specific deletion of at least one nucleotide.
US08142999B2	HLA alleles associated with adverse drug reactions and methods for detecting such This invention relates to a method of determining the presence of certain HLA alleles, such as HLA-B1502 or HLA-B5801, and a kit for carrying out this method. Also disclosed is a method for assessing whether a patient is at risk for developing adverse drug reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or hypersensitivity syndrome) based on the presence or absence of a genetic marker (e.g., HLA-B1502, HLA-B5801, or HLA-B*4601).
US08142997B2	Mixed cell diagnostic systems for detection of respiratory, herpes and enteric viruses The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.
US08142994B2	Classification, diagnosis and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia by gene expression profiling The present invention relates to methods of genetic analysis for the classification, diagnosis and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The invention provides a method for producing a classification scheme for AML comprising the steps of a) providing a plurality of reference samples, the reference samples comprising cell samples from a plurality of reference subjects affected by AML; b) providing reference profiles by establishing a gene expression profile for each of the reference samples individually; c) clustering the individual reference profiles according to similarity; and d) assigning an AML class to each cluster. The invention further relates to a method for classifying the AML of an AML-affected subject, to a method for diagnosing AML in a subject, and to a method of determining the prognosis for an AML-affected subject.
US08142985B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including: forming a resist film 11 on a film to be processed 32; baking the resist film 11; performing immersion exposure on the resist film 11 after the baking; performing post exposure bake on the resist film 11 after performing the immersion exposure; developing the resist film 11 after performing the post exposure bake; and after the post exposure bake is performed on the resist film 11, removing an edge 15 of the resist film 11, the edge not being exposed.
US08142979B2	Resist composition for immersion exposure and method of forming resist pattern using the same A resist composition for immersion exposure, including a base component (A) that exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid, an acid generator component (B) that generates acid upon exposure, and a fluorine-containing compound (C) represented by general formula (c-1) (in formula (c-1), R1 represents an organic group which may contain a polymerizable group; X represents a divalent organic group having an acid dissociable portion; and R2 represents an organic group having a fluorine atom).
US08142971B2	Electrostatic charge developer, electrostatic charge image developer cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus An electrostatic charge developer includes a carrier having a core material and a resin coating layer covering the surface of the core material, and a toner having a binder resin that contains a non-crystalline polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin. The resin coating layer contains a copolymer that contains a nitrogen-containing acrylic ester or nitrogen-containing methacrylic ester and an alicyclic acrylic ester or alicyclic methacrylic ester. The non-crystalline polyester resin contains at least an alkyl succinic acid or an anhydride or lower alkyl ester thereof, or an alkenyl succinic acid or an anhydride or lower alkyl ester thereof. The crystalline polyester resin is an aliphatic polyester resin.
US08142970B2	Toner compositions A toner having a core with a first latex having a specific glass transition temperature, and further having a shell surrounding the core with a second latex having a specific glass transition temperature and possessing functional groups, and processes for producing the same.
US08142969B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge and image forming apparatus An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive support; a photosensitive layer; and a surface protective layer as an outermost layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor satisfies following formulas (a) and (b): 3.6≦(A+B)/C×100≦6 (a) B≦0.3 (b) wherein A (μm) represents a ten-point-averaged surface roughness RZJIS94 of the conductive support, B (μm) represents a ten-point-averaged surface roughness RZJIS94 of the surface protective layer, and C (%) represents a reflectivity of the surface protective layer against the conductive support.
US08142960B2	Exposure method, mask data producing method, and semiconductor device manufacturing method An exposure method has irradiating a mask with light based on an exposure performing condition, a first mask pattern and a second mask pattern being formed in the mask, and projecting images of the first mask pattern and second mask pattern onto a wafer through a projection lens, a lower-layer film material and a photoresist being sequentially laminated on the wafer, wherein the exposure performing condition is a condition on which, when exposure is performed on a predetermined exposure condition, the predetermined exposure condition is adjusted such that a difference between a wafer position at which a best focus is obtained for the image of the first mask pattern and a wafer position at which a best focus is obtained for the image of the second mask pattern falls within a predetermined range, the wafer position of the first mask pattern and the wafer position of the second mask pattern being predicted using film thicknesses and optical characteristics of the photoresist and the lower-layer film material.
US08142958B2	EUV mask and method for repairing an EUV mask An EUV mask comprises a substrate, a reflective multilayer on the substrate, a phase-shifting material disposed above the multilayer in at least one first portion of the substrate, and a masking material disposed above the multilayer in second portions of the substrate and corresponding to mask patterns of an EUV mask. There is also provided a method for repairing an EUV mask including a substrate, a reflective multilayer on the substrate and at least one defect beneath or within the multilayer. The method includes the steps of determining the position of a defect area of the substrate, in which a phase-shift difference of an exposure radiation is caused by the defect, and depositing a phase-shifting material above the multilayer in at least one first portion of the substrate, the first portion at least partially comprising the defect area.
US08142953B2	Hydrophilic adjuvant Disclosed is an adjuvant capable of imparting a hydrophilic or superhydrophilic function to various materials or interfaces. The hydrophilic adjuvant comprises: a composite metal oxide containing Si and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Sn(IV) and Al(III); and a hydrophilic group-containing organic compound physically or chemically bonded with the Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Sn(IV) or Al of the composite metal oxide.
US08142950B2	Hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24′) and a cathode flow path (38, 38′). A controlled-oxidant flow device (209) near an oxygen source (58′) permits a minimal amount of atmospheric oxygen to enter the power plant (200) during shut down to equalize pressure between ambient atmosphere and the flow paths (24′, 28′) and to keep limited atmospheric oxygen entering the power plant (200) through the device (209) as far as possible from fuel cell flow fields (28′, 42′). A non-leaking hydrogen inlet valve (202), a non-leaking cathode exhaust valve (208), and a combined oxidant and fuel exhaust line (206) also minimize penetration of oxygen into the shut down power plant (200).
US08142948B2	Fuel cell based power generator A power generator is formed with a container adapted to hold a hydrogen generating fuel. A valve assembly has a valve plate with a border less than a border of the container. A fuel cell is laterally disposed outside and around the valve assembly having a lateral width that fits within the border of the container. A cover is adapted to mate with the container and enclose the valve plate and fuel cell.
US08142944B2	Micro fuel cell and corresponding microreactor, supplied with hydrogen, for producing electric energy A device for producing energy for portable applications including at least one micro fuel cell and a microreactor, having a reaction chamber including a catalyst, for producing hydrogen gas to be fed to the micro fuel cell. The microreactor includes at least one substrate of a composite material for making printed circuits micromachined with printed circuit technology suitable for making the reaction chamber and having a semipermeable membrane on top of it. The substrate and the membrane are connected to the micro fuel cell to make a single body through a single pressure assembly step.
US08142933B2	Anode material for high power lithium ion batteries A battery with a carbonaceous anode and a lithium manganese oxide spinel cathode. The carbonaceous anode is manufactured from graphite particles selected from the group consisting of: synthetic graphite particles, carbon-coated graphite particles, carbonized petroleum coke particles, carbon-coated coke particles and mixtures thereof. The lithium manganese oxide spinel cathode has a valence above 3.5. The production of the carbonaceous anode is obtained by: a) determining the initial coulombic efficiency and the specific capacity of the lithium manganese oxide spinel cathode in a cell against lithium metal; b) selecting a desired mixture of the graphite particles; c) comparing the initial coulombic efficiency of the graphite particles to that of the lithium manganese oxide spinel cathode; and d) selecting the appropriate amount and mixture of the graphite particles so that the initial coulombic efficiency of the carbonaceous anode is lower than that of the lithium manganese oxide spinel cathode.
US08142930B2	Negative electrode active material for charging device To present a carbon material which provides an electrical storage device not only ensuring a high energy density but also realizing a high output and an excellent low temperature performance.A negative electrode active material for an electrical storage device employing an aprotic organic solvent electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt as an electrolytes characterized in that it is made of a carbon material having a specific surface area of from 0.01 to 50 m2/g and a total mesopore volume of from 0.005 to 1.0 cc/g, wherein volumes of mesopores having pore diameters of from 100 to 400 Å occupy at least 25% of the total mesopore volume.
US08142926B2	Portable computer and battery device thereof A battery device includes a containing shell, a first battery set, and a second battery set. The battery device is configured on an electronic device along an assembling plane. The containing shell has a first containing portion and a second containing portion, which are disposed abreast with each other and form an angle with the assembling plane. The first battery set is disposed in the first containing portion, and the second battery set is disposed in the second containing portion.
US08142922B2	Secondary battery and method for manufacturing secondary battery An electrode group 4 having a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate arranged with a porous insulating layer interposed therebetween and end portions of the positive and negative electrode plates protruding from the porous insulating layer is prepared, and current collector plates 10 and 11 each of which is provided with a projection 12 having a gap 12a formed therein is prepared. With the end portion 2a of the electrode plate protruding from the porous insulating layer 3 kept in contact with a principle surface of the current collector plates 10 and 11, the projection 12 is locally heated to join the end portion 2a of the electrode plate and the current collector plates 10 and 11. the end portion 2a of the electrode plate is welded to the current collector plates 10 and 11 with a fused material obtained by fusing the projection 12.
US08142920B2	Ceramic, flexible membrane providing improved adhesion to the support fleece The present invention relates to a flexible ceramic membranes which, depending on embodiment, are useful as separators for batteries, especially lithium batteries and also as a process for their production. Ceramic or hybridic membranes have the advantage that, whatever the level of flexibility already achieved, they tend to crumble of the ceramic coating on bending. this is prevented by the present membranes, which comprise, on and in a polymeric nonwoven, a solidified ceramic coating which is constructed from two fraction which metal oxide particles of different size and which adheres to the polymeric nonwoven through a network constructed by two different adhesion promoters.
US08142919B2	Battery pack apparatus with a plurality of medium feeding parts for adjusting temperature thereof A battery pack apparatus including at least one battery assembly, a plurality of medium feeding parts for adjusting temperatures of the battery assembly, at least one temperature detector, a storage unit, and a controller. The storage unit stores a relation between a temperature of the battery assembly and a revolution level of the medium feeding parts. The controller reads out a revolution level corresponding to the detected temperature of the battery assembly from the storage unit, and allocates the revolution level to the medium feeding parts. The controller changes the value of the revolution levels allocated to the respective medium feeding parts based on the allocated revolution levels so that any one of the revolution levels of the plurality of the medium feeding parts is different from the other revolution levels thereof, and controls the plurality of medium feeding parts at changed revolution levels.
US08142917B2	Proton-conducting polymer membrane comprising polyazole blends and its use in fuel cells The present invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane which comprises polyazole blends and is obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) preparation of a mixture comprising polyphosphoric acid, at least one polyazole (polymer A) and/or one or more compounds which are suitable for forming polyazoles under the action of heat according to step B), B) heating of the mixture obtainable according to step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) application of a layer using the mixture from step A) and/or B) to a support, D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is self-supporting, wherein at least one further polymer (polymer B) which is not a polyazole is added to the composition obtainable according to step A) and/or step B) and the weight ratio of polyazole to polymer B is in the range from 0.1 to 50.
US08142916B2	Magnetic recording medium Provided is a magnetic recording medium which maintains high S/N ratio and coercive force (Hc) and has high recording density, even with fine magnetic particles, by further improving crystal orientation of a magnetic recording layer. The magnetic recording medium is provided with an orientation control layer (16), a nonmagnetic under layer (18), and a magnetic recording layer (22) on a substrate. The orientation control layer (16) has an fcc structure and a (111) plane parallel to the substrate. The under layer (18) has an hcp structure and a (0001) plane parallel to the substrate. An atomic distance of the (111) plane of the orientation control layer (16) is −0.2 Å to +0.15 Å to a lattice spacing of the under layer (18).
US08142915B2	Foamed slurry and building panel made therefrom A gypsum slurry is described that includes water, a hydraulic component comprising at least 50% calcined gypsum by weight based on the dry weight of the hydraulic component, foam, a defoamer and a polycarboxylate dispersant. In some embodiments of the invention, the defoamer is combined with the dispersant prior to being added to the gypsum slurry. The defoamer and dispersant can be added as a physical mixture, wherein the defoamer is attached onto the dispersant polymer, or a combination thereof. A gypsum building panel is made from the gypsum slurry.
US08142914B2	Gypsum-containing product and gypsum board The invention provides a set gypsum-containing product having increased resistance to permanent deformation and a method for preparing it comprising forming a mixture of a calcium sulfate material, water, and an appropriate amount of one or more enhancing materials chosen from condensed phosphoric acids, each of which comprises 2 or more phosphoric acid units; and salts or ions of condensed phosphates, each of which comprises 2 or more phosphate units. The mixture is then maintained under conditions sufficient for the calcium sulfate material to form a set gypsum material.
US08142911B2	Organic compound, benzoxazole derivative, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device using the benzoxazole derivative Novel benzoxazole derivatives are provided to reduce driving voltage of light-emitting elements, and to reduce power consumption of light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices, and electronic devices. A benzoxazole derivative represented by the general formula (G1) is provided. Since the benzoxazole derivative represented by the general formula (G1) has an electron-injecting property, the benzoxazole derivative can be suitably used for light-emitting elements, light-emitting devices, and electronic devices.
US08142903B2	Construction boards with improved facers A construction board (10) comprising a cellular body and at least one facer (22,23), where the at least one cellulosic facer (22,23) is characterized by a burst strength of at least 250 kPa pursuant to T403 om-02 (TAPPI).
US08142901B2	Barrier laminate and method for producing same, barrier film substrate, device and optical component A barrier laminate having an organic layer and an inorganic layer, in which the organic layer contains a polymer having a structural unit of the following formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; R2 represents a hydrocarbon group; X1 represents a single bond or a carbonyl group.
US08142900B2	Laser-weldable resin composition and molded product A laser-weldable polybutylene terephthalate-series resin composition having a high laser weldability, a high welding strength, and a high heat shock resistance is provided.The laser-weldable PBT-series resin composition comprises (A) a polybutylene terephthalate-series resin and (B) a core-shell polymer (e.g., a core-shell polymer having an acrylic rubber as a core thereof), and if necessary (C) a filler or reinforcing agent (e.g., a glass fiber) and a polycarbonate-series resin. In the resin composition, the core-shell polymer (B) may usually have an average particle size of not less than 2 μm.
US08142892B2	Tailored magnetic particles comprising a non-magnetic component and a magnetic core-shell component, and method to produce same Bio-functionalized magnetic particles have a non-magnetic material matrix which supports core/shell magnetic elements composed from a ferromagnetic core material and a shell material. The shell material can be chosen either among an antiferromagnetic material, a ferromagnetic material of a kind different from the core ferromagnetic material or a metal material. By a proper choice of materials and dimension tuning of both the core and the shell as well as the amount and the concentration of the magnetic elements within the non-magnetic matrix, the bio-functionalized magnetic particles is tailored to exhibit an enhanced magnetic energy. When subjected to an alternating magnetic field, the magnetic particles exhibit specific rotational dynamics in correspondence with the amplitude and the frequency of the applied magnetic filed. Aggregation structures of the magnetic particles are controlled and manipulated by the alternating magnetic field. The magnetic particles are functionalized by specific ligands for the probing and manipulating of biomolecules and chemical substances.
US08142890B1	Fabrication of high aspect ratio core-shell CdS-Mn/ZnS nanowires Compositions and methods for fabrication or synthesis of high aspect ratio (up to >150) CdS:Mn/ZnS core/shell nanowires (CSNWs) is disclosed for the first time. The CSNW solvothermal synthesis involved two steps—the formation of Mn doped CdS core followed by the growth of a ZnS outer shell. The nanowire growth process is engineered in such a way that the ZnS layer grows radially onto the prematurely grown CdS:Mn core prior to the formation of its well faceted surface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and other characterization techniques confirmed the formation of uniform, thin (5-8 nm in diameter) CSNWs with high aspect ratio up to >150. This solvothermal method is simple, versatile and useful in a large scale production process to synthesize thin ultra-long CSNWs with and without dopants.
US08142889B2	Reinforcement composition and method thereof The present invention relates generally to a reinforcement composition and a method of reinforcing an asphalt cement concrete composition. The reinforcement composition includes a core and an outer container. The core includes a plurality of fibers, and the outer container includes a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and mixtures thereof.
US08142886B2	Porous laser sintered articles The present invention provides selectively laser sintered porous polymeric articles and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, a method of the present invention comprises providing a first layer of particles of a first polymeric material, heating selected locations of the first layer to sinter particles of the first polymeric material to form a three-dimensional article, the three-dimensional article having a porosity of at least about 30 percent.
US08142880B2	Housing for electronic device, mold for making the housing, and method for making the housing A housing for an electronic device is disclosed, the housing comprises a base layer and a transparent film layer overlapped in the base layer, the film layer includes an inner surface abutting the base layer and an outer surface having ridges protruding thereform. The housing is formed by injection molding a molten plastic material over the transparent film layer, the ridges are formed on the transparent film layer by the molten plastic pressing the transparent film layer in injection molding. It is also disclosed a mold for making the housing and a method to make the housing.
US08142879B2	Pre-applied protective jacketing to grooved insulation A V-grooved composite insulation is provided with an adhesive coating and a protective jacketing material bonded to the adhesive. The protective jacketing material extends beyond the perimeter of the grooved insulation board and comprises at least one intact release layer at a location in which the protective jacketing is clear of contact with the bottom surface of the insulation member and a pressure sensitive adhesive between the portion of the protective jacketing material and the at least one release layer. The method also comprises preshaping the grooved insulation board around a pipe by bending the grooved insulation board, removing the release layer of the protective jacketing material, thereby exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive and securing the pressure sensitive adhesive to the protective jacketing to thereby surround the pipe in a vapor free manner. Grooved insulation boards with protective jacketing so constructed are also provided.
US08142873B2	Rod for supporting components in a fuselage cell structure of an aircraft A rod for supporting components in a fuselage cell structure, in particular produced with fibre-reinforced composite materials, of an aircraft, in particular for supporting at least one floor frame on at least one annular former and/or at least one further component of the fuselage cell structure.In accordance with the invention the rod is formed, at least in portions, with a metal foam, in particular for the absorption of crash loads.The metal foam can transform, irrespective of its inherent weight, the high mechanical loads produced in the event of an accident into work of plastic deformation at the microcavities within the metal foam.A first variant of the rod is almost completely formed by a metal foam, whereas a second embodiment comprises merely a core made of the metal foam with a relatively small diameter, which core is surrounded coaxially by a support casing and an outer sleeve.
US08142871B2	Coated pipes having improved mechanical properties at elevated temperatures and a method of production thereof The present invention deals with coated pipes having a layer of multimodal polyethylene. The multimodal ethylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene with one or more alpha-olefin comonomers having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms and has a weight average molecular weight of from 70000 g/mol to 250000 g/mol and a melt index MFR2 of from 0.05 g/10 min to 5 g/10 min, a melt index MFR5 of from 0.5 to 10 g/10 min and a density of from 945 kg/m3 to 958 kg/m3. The coatings have a high stiffness, good properties at elevated temperatures and acceptable stress-cracking properties.
US08142860B2	3D-inkjet printing methods A 3D-inkjet printing method includes the steps of a) providing two or more fluids having a different composition to an inkjet printer; b) mixing the two or more fluids in a controlled amount; c) jetting the mixture of the two or more fluids with the inkjet printer onto a support; d) at least partially curing the jetted mixture by actinic radiation or electron beam; and e) repeating steps b) to d) in order to build a 3D-relief on the support. The method is capable of printing 3D-objects with inkjet fluid sets in an inkjet printer.
US08142856B2	Hydrophobing minerals and filler materials A method of preparing a hydrophobic mineral and/or filler material, for example a gypsum material, comprises (i) preparing a hydrolyzate containing polysiloxanes by hydrolyzing a hydrolysable silane or hydrolysable silane mixture in the presence of an acid hydrolysis catalyst; and (ii) combining the polysiloxane hydrolyzate with the mineral and/or filler, and optionally water and/or a catalyst for condensation of the hydrolysate.
US08142855B2	Michael addition curing using phosphine catalyst A method of applying a curable composition to a substrate is disclosed. The composition comprises a polyene and a active hydrogen-containing compound that are capable of undergoing a Michael Addition reaction. The reaction is conducted in the presence of a tertiary phosphine catalyst. The components of the composition are sprayed in separate streams whereby the streams overlap prior to contacting the substrate and the composition cures quickly on the substrate.
US08142854B2	Method for forming corrosion-resistant film and high-temperature apparatus member There is provided a method for forming a corrosion-resistant protective film, which can preventing peel off of the protective film and enables long-term stable use of the film under high-temperature conditions. The corrosion-resistant film forming method includes the steps of: carrying out Ni (or Ni—B) plating of a surface of a substrate of a Ni—Cr alloy to form a Ni (or Ni—B) layer on the substrate surface; and carrying out Al diffusion treatment of the surface of the Ni (or Ni—B) layer to form a protective layer of Ni—Al.
US08142853B2	Covering material for biomass, and process for its preparation The invention relates to a covering material for biomass and a method for the production thereof, in which at least two components (A) and (B) are mixed and subsequently applied onto the biomass, wherein component (A) comprises an oil of animal or vegetable origin and an alginate and component (B) comprises an aqueous latex dispersion and/or a protein dissolved in water.
US08142852B2	Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method In an immersion lithography apparatus, the immersion liquid is supplied from a tank via a flow restrictor. The liquid held in the tank is maintained at a substantially constant height above the flow restrictor to ensure a constant flow of liquid.
US08142851B2	Method of fabricating a drop cloth using an apertured screen A method for fabricating a drop cloth from a sheet of material such as canvas. The sheet of material is formed from a generally liquid impermeable material and has a front surface and a rear surface. The method includes the steps of: depressing an apertured screen onto the front surface of the sheet of material; applying a liquid onto the front surface of the sheet of material through the apertured screen, resulting in the liquid being dispersed in a plurality of spaced apart formations on the front surface of the sheet of material; separating the apertured screen from the sheet of material; and solidifying the liquid to form a plurality of spaced apart solid formations onto the sheet of material.
US08142849B2	Recording media, recording media-ink set, inkjet recording method and inkjet recording apparatus To provide an inkjet recording method including: flying ink by application of stimulation to the ink to form an image on a recording media, wherein the recording media has at least one barrier layer of 10 m or less in thickness on at least one surface of a substrate comprising a cellulose pulp, the barrier layer contains 30% by mass or more of an inorganic pigment with a refraction index of 1.5 or less other than alumina, and the content of pigment with a refraction index of less than 1.5 in the barrier layer is 10% by mass or less, wherein the ink contains either a pigment or colored fine particle as coloring material, and a coloring material fixing constituent, and the surface tension of the ink is 25 mN/m or less, and the total amount of the ink on the recording media is 15 g/m2 or less.
US08142845B2	Process for the manufacturing of dense silicon carbide A method of producing a densified SiC article is provided. Near-net shape porous silicon carbide articles are produced and densified using the developed method. A substantial number of pores within the porous near-net shape silicon carbide article are filled (impregnated) with a carbon precursor, a silicon carbide precursor, or a mixture of both. The carbon precursor can be liquid or gas. The filled SiC preform is heated to convert the carbon or silicon carbide precursor to porous carbon or SiC preform inside the pores of the net-shape silicon carbide article. The impregnation/pyrolysis cycle is repeated until the desired amount of carbon and/or silicon carbide is achieved. In case of a carbon or a mixture of silicon carbide/carbon precursor is used, the pyrolyzed near-net shape silicon carbide article is then contacted with silicon in an inert atmosphere. The silicon diffuses through the pyrolyzed near-net shape silicon carbide article and reacts with the carbon contained within the pores of the porous SiC preform producing a new phase of silicon carbide within the pores of the near-net shape silicon carbide article. The produced silicon carbide is a near-net dense silicon carbide article.
US08142840B2	Adhesion promotion in printed circuit boards An adhesion promotion process and composition for enhancing adhesion between a copper conducting layer and a dielectric material during manufacture of a printed circuit board. The composition contains a corrosion inhibitor, an inorganic acid, and an alcohol which is effective to increase copper-loading in the composition.
US08142836B2	Multi-layered coatings and methods for controlling elution of active agents Embodiments of the invention include multi-layered coatings for controlling the elution rates of active agents and methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of applying an elution control coating to a substrate. The method can include depositing a coating solution onto the substrate to form a base layer. The method can also include selecting a desired concentration of the solvent based on a desired elution rate. The method can further include removing solvent from the base layer to reach a desired concentration of the solvent and depositing a layer of parylene on the base layer. In an embodiment, the invention can include a medical device including a substrate, a base layer, and a porous layer. The base layer can include a polymeric matrix and an active agent dispersed within the polymeric matrix. The porous layer can include parylene. Other embodiments are also included herein.
US08142830B2	Pressure regulated supercritical fluid fractionation of oil seed extraction materials Generally, a method of pressure regulated supercritical fluid fractionation of oil seed extraction materials which can be utilized to refine oil seed extraction material established in an amount of supercritical fluid. Specifically, a method of pressure regulated supercritical fluid fractionation of corn germ extraction material to produce a refined corn oil extraction material.
US08142829B2	Beverage composition and method of reducing degradation of monatin A beverage comprising a first ingredient which comprises a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound in an effective amount to reduce degradation of a second ingredient in the beverage, the second ingredient being monatin, and to reduce a corresponding change in a characteristic of the beverage. In addition, a method of preventing the degradation of monatin in a monatin-containing composition is provided.
US08142828B2	Tumble breading system, and related method Tumble breading assemblies, systems, and methods for applying breading material to food are described herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a rotary tumbling breading assembly for applying a breading material to a food generally includes a first rotary tumbler having a first channel for accepting the food and breading material and for rotating the food with the breading material, a second rotary tumbler offset beneath the first tumbler and having a second channel arranged to accept the food and the breading material from the first channel of the first rotary tumbler.
US08142823B2	Nutraceutical composition A nutraceutical substance comprising Adansonia digitata (Baobab), Borojoa patinoi (Borojo), Cyclanthera Pedata (Caigua) and Aframomum melegueta (Grains of Paradise). In some embodiments, the whole fruit of these plants may be used. In other embodiments, roots bark, saps, roots or seeds from these plants may be used. The substance may be dried, powderized, and packaged for use directly, or processed into a pill or digestible capsule form. In other embodiments, the substance may be used as brew, water extract, alcohol extract, or pulp mixture. The substance is intended for ingestion by a human user, and may be useful to promote well-being, provide nutritional value, and aid in preventative health management. Cosmeceutical and hair care formulations employing these ingredients are also disclosed.
US08142821B2	Xanthohumol-enriched hop extract A method for preparing a xanthohumol-rich hop composition. The method includes providing a solution that contains xanthohumol-containing hop substances and effecting precipitation of non-xanthohumol hop substances by adjusting both the salt concentration and pH value of the solution. The xanthohumol-rich hop composition prepared by this method can be used for treating various diseases, e.g., skin disorders, and bacterial infection.
US08142820B2	Methods for treating or preventing infestation The present invention provides methods and compositions for controlling a fungal or insect infestation.
US08142819B2	Synergistic compositions that treat or inhibit pathological conditions associated with inflammatory response A natural formulation of compounds that would to modulate inflammation is disclosed. The formulation would also inhibit expression of COX-2, inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins selectively in target cells, and inhibit inflammatory response selectively in target cells. The compositions containing at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops. Other embodiments relate to combinations of components, including at least one fraction isolated or derived from hops, tryptanthrin and conjugates thereof, rosemary, an extract or compound derived from rosemary, a triterpene species, or a diterpene lactone or derivatives or conjugates thereof.
US08142816B2	Methods of enhancing the quality, nutritive and health values of meat from bovine The present invention relates to methods of increasing the selenium content in beef by feeding special enriched diets, methods of improving human immune function, such as providing anticancer benefits. The present invention further provides methods for improving the quality of beef meat through a special enhanced diet, wherein organic selenium, copper, zinc and manganese replace all inorganic and metallic forms.
US08142815B2	Injectable and swellable microspheres for dermal augmentation The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, swellable, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres microspheres and a biocompatible carrier for use in dermal augmentation. The present invention further relates to methods of dermal augmentation, particularly for the treatment of skin contour deficiencies, using the injectable compositions.
US08142814B2	Method and apparatus for supercritical fluid assisted particle production The present invention provides an apparatus and methods of producing particles that include a polymer, a wax and/or lipid and, optionally, a biologically active substance. In accordance with the methods of the invention, a load stock including a polymer, a wax and/or a lipid that is a solid at standard temperature and pressure and, optionally, a biologically active substance is provided. The load stock is contacted with a supercritical fluid to form a melt. The melt is contacted with a polar solvent under suitable conditions to form an emulsion. The emulsion is expanded across a pressure drop to form solid particles that include the load stock. The methods and apparatus facilitate the production of very small particles that have a narrow particle size distribution.
US08142813B2	Polymer latex compound A polymer latex composition has an acrylonitrile component, a polychloroprene component, and a natural latex component. When these components are blended together and formed into a film, the film exhibits a resistance to ozone that is greater than a resistance to ozone of materials in which acrylonitrile is not included. Furthermore, the combination of acrylonitrile and chloroprene imparts a synergistic effect to the composition with regard to ozone resistance. The film can be formed into a glove having a resistance to ozone that is improved over the resistance to ozone of gloves not including acrylonitrile. The glove may include an antimicrobial agent.
US08142812B2	Chemical carrier based on a beta-limit dextrin A formulation, especially a pharmaceutical formulation, comprises an active agent and a carrier for the active agent, wherein the carrier comprises a beta-limit dextrin. The formulation may be a bioadhesive pharmaceutical formulation in which the beta-limit dextrin acts as a mucoadhesive agent. The active agent is a pharmaceutically active agent or a flavour or fragrance which is intended for delivery into the buccal cavity. A use of beta-limit dextrin as a disintegrant, a dispersant, and a mucoadhesive agent is also described. Also described is a nutritional product such as an energy drink which includes beta-limit dextrin as an energy source.
US08142807B2	Bone void fillers and methods of making the same The invention relates to a material for use as bone void filler comprising soluble keratin protein. The material may be in the form of a putty, gel or emulsion. Additional components may be added to the material to improve handling characteristics and bone enhancement capabilities. The material may be formulated to serve as a suitable carrier for demineralized bone matrix. This invention also describes methods for making the material.
US08142805B1	Implantable devices including fixed tissues Disclosed are implantable tissues including one or more enzyme inhibitors bound in the tissues, bioprostheses including the tissue, and methods for incorporating enzyme inhibitors in implantable tissues. Disclosed tissue can exhibit increased resistance to degradation, and specifically, degradation due to enzyme activity following implantation. Moreover, the disclosed methods can lead to increased levels of beneficial components bound in implantable tissues following a fixation/stabilization protocol. Increased levels of beneficial agents in an implantable tissue can further improve the implantable tissues and bioprostheses incorporating the tissues through improved mechanical characteristics and longer lifespan.
US08142799B2	High potency clinical anti-craving treatment and method of use A practical high potency anti-craving medication is disclosed which comprises three components: an amino-acid component, a vitamin component, and a mineral component, wherein each component is selected for maximum efficacy in the body of an individual suffering from substance abuse disorder as opposed to the body of a healthy individual. Additionally, the active agents are received by means of a prolonged administration, preferably by means of an IV drip, thus assuring a period of time in which the active agents are present in desired concentrations, and more preferably a prolonged time during which they are simultaneously present in desired concentrations. The agents of each component are also selected so as to allow easy administration of the medication to patients in three vials of medication rather than as a large number of individual vials.
US08142798B2	Augmentation of titer for vaccination in animals The disclosure relates to a composition added to animal feed used in combination with a vaccine to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine. Amongst other effects, the composition raises the titer of antibodies to the vaccine.
US08142797B2	Therapeutic TB vaccine Therapeutic vaccines comprising polypeptides expressed during the latent stage of mycobacteria infection are provided, as are multiphase vaccines, and methods for treating and preventing tuberculosis.
US08142796B2	Monoparamunity inducers based on attenuated rabbit myxomaviruses The present invention relates to monoparamunity inducers based on paramunizing viruses or viral components of a myxomavirus strain from rabbits with typically generalizing disease, to a method for the production thereof and to the use thereof as medicaments for the regulatory optimization of the paramunizing activities for the prophylaxis and therapy of various dysfunctions in humans and animals.
US08142790B2	Methods of using molecular conjugates comprising monoclonal antibodies to dendritic cells The present invention provides novel methods for targeting an antigen to a dendritic cell using an antibody linked to the antigen. The present invention further provides methods of inducing or enhancing an immune response and methods of immunization using an antibody linked to the antigen.
US08142788B2	PRRSV GP5 based compositions and methods The disclosure includes compositions and methods for the production of an immune response against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, or PRRSV. The disclosure is based in part on the use of two or more peptide domains, each with a different sequence, from the PRRSV GP5 protein ectodomain. Compositions and methods comprising polypeptides containing the two or more domains, or nucleic acids encoding them, are described.
US08142787B2	Recombinant chimeric antigens for diagnosis and prevention of scrub typhus Recombinant chimeric antigens comprising unmodified and modified reactive polypeptide fragments of expressed product of the recombinant 56 kDa proteins of multiple strain of scrub typhus, such as Karp, Kato (Ktr56), Gilliam (Gmr56), and TA763 (TAr56). The invention is useful for detecting prior exposure to a number of strains of scrub typhus, based on the strength of reaction toward the chimeric protein and as a component in vaccine formulations and production of immune globulins for passive prophylaxis and immunity in subjects against heterologous infections.
US08142784B2	Antibody-drug conjugates and methods The present invention relates to antibody-drug conjugate compounds of Formula I: Ab-(L-D)p I where one or more maytansinoid drug moieties (D) are covalently linked by L to an antibody (Ab) which binds to an ErbB receptor, or which binds to one or more tumor-associated antigens or cell-surface receptors. These compounds may be used in methods of diagnosis or treatment of cancer, and other diseases and disorders.
US08142780B2	Anti-bacterial antibodies A pharmaceutical composition includes a purified antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The antibody can be a monoclonal antibody having both an antigen-binding portion that binds at least one bacterial antigen and a constant region that does not bind staphylococcal protein A.
US08142779B2	Treatment of follicular lymphomas using inhibitors of the LT pathway Therapeutic uses of inhibitors of the lymphotoxin pathway to treat tumors, specifically to treat follicular lymphomas.
US08142773B2	Methods of implanting mesenchymal stem cells for tissue repair and formation The invention relates to methods of isolating and implanting mesenchymal stem cells for tissue repair or formation, without prior culture expansion of the mesenchymal stem cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods of isolating mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, for repairing or inducing formation of bone, without prior culture expansion of the mesenchymal stem cells. The invention further relates to an isolated, non-culturally expanded human adult mesenchymal stem cell population.
US08142772B2	Attack of tumor cells with missing, low or aberrant MHC expression by combining non MHC-restricted T-cells/NK-cells and MHC-restricted cells This invention is directed to therapeutic compositions containing non-MHC-restricted Tcells/NK-cells in combination with MHC-restricted T-cells and especially to therapeutic compositions, which comprise LAK cells. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to the use of the above combination in the treatment of tumors in humans, which tumors show a missing, low or aberrant expression of MHC class Ia or Ib molecules. By using the aforementioned compositions/combinations it is possible to provide a balanced selective pressure against emergence of tumor cell variants that would otherwise escape immune detection.
US08142769B2	Preparation and xenotransplantation of porcine islets The invention relates to developments in the treatment of diabetes in mammals. Particularly it relates to a method of preparing a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation capable upon xenotransplantation of producing porcine insulin in an appropriate recipient mammal, the method including or comprising the steps of: (I) harvesting the pancreas of piglets at or near full term gestation, and (ii) extracting pancreatic β islet cells from the harvested pancreas wherein the islets (at least at some stage in the performance of the method) are exposed to nicotinamide. Further, the invention relates to a method of encapsulation of a xenotransplantable porcine islet preparation, and transplantation of such a preparation, or a capsule containing such a preparation, into an appropriate recipient mammal.
US08142768B2	Cosmetic preparation The invention relates to a cosmetic preparation containing a crosslinked (meth) acrylic acid ester resin powder having a compression strength of 0.7 to 10 kgf/mm2. The invention also relates to a cosmetic preparation, for example, in the form of a cosmetic sheet, powder spray cosmetic, gel cosmetic, two phase separable cosmetic, emulsion cosmetic or the like.
US08142767B2	Cosmetic hair composition The hair cosmetic composition contains a solvent-containing silicone emulsion (A) which is prepared by emulsifying a mixture of high-molecular-weight polyorganosiloxane (a) obtained by emulsion polymerization and a volatile solvent (b), a surfactant (B) and water (C). The component solvent-containing silicone emulsion (A) is contained at a ratio of 0.1-10 wt % as a total amount of the high-molecular-weight polyorganosiloxane (a) and the volatile solvent (b). And, the component surfactant (B) is contained at a ratio of 0.05-40 wt %. Hair is provided with outstanding smoothness and softness, and particularly good finger combing when rinsing the hair.
US08142756B1	Methods of reforming hydrocarbon fuels using hexaaluminate catalysts A metal substituted hexaaluminate catalyst for reforming hydrocarbon fuels to synthesis gas of the general formula AByAl12-yO19-δ, A being selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and lanthanide metals or mixtures thereof. A dopant or surface modifier selected from a transitions metal, a spinel of an oxygen-ion conductor is incorporated. The dopant may be Ca, Cs, K, La, Sr, Ba, Li, Mg, Ce, Co, Fe, Ir, Rh, Ni, Ru, Cu, Pe, Os, Pd, Cr, Mn, W, Re, Sn, Gd, V, Ti, Ag, Au, and mixtures thereof. The oxygen-ion conductor may be a perovskite selected from M′RhO3, M′PtO3, M′PdO3, M′IrO3, M′RuO3 wherein M′=Mg, Sr, Ba, La, Ca; a spinel selected from MRh2O4, MPt2O4, MPd2O4, MIr2O4, MRu2O4 wherein M=Mg, Sr, Ba, La, Ca and mixtures thereof; a florite is selected from M″O2.
US08142754B2	Method for synthesis of high quality graphene A method is described herein for the providing of high quality graphene layers on silicon carbide wafers in a thermal process. With two wafers facing each other in close proximity, in a first vacuum heating stage, while maintained at a vacuum of around 10−6 Torr, the wafer temperature is raised to about 1500° C., whereby silicon evaporates from the wafer leaving a carbon rich surface, the evaporated silicon trapped in the gap between the wafers, such that the higher vapor pressure of silicon above each of the wafers suppresses further silicon evaporation. As the temperature of the wafers is raised to about 1530° C. or more, the carbon atoms self assemble themselves into graphene.
US08142750B2	Method of manufacturing active material The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an active material which can form an electrochemical device excellent in discharge capacity. The method of manufacturing an active material in accordance with the present invention comprises a hydrothermal synthesis step of heating a mixture including a lithium compound, a metal compound containing one species selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, and V, a phosphorus compound, and water within a reactor while keeping an internal pressure of the reactor at 0.3 MPa or lower by ventilating the inside of the reactor to the outside, and closing the reactor at a time when the temperature of the mixture reaches 100 to 150° C.; and a firing step of firing the mixture after the hydrothermal synthesis step.
US08142749B2	Readily-densified titanium diboride and process for making same Additions of substitutional transition metal elements are made to improve the densifiability of titanium diboride while eliminating or minimizing the presence of deleterious grain boundary phases in the resultant bulk titanium diboride articles.
US08142745B2	Separation of carbon dioxide from nitrogen utilizing zeolitic imidazolate framework materials The present invention relates to the selective separation of carbon dioxide (“CO2”) from nitrogen (“N2”) in streams containing both carbon dioxide and nitrogen utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in a process to separate carbon dioxide from combustion gas (e.g., flue gas) streams preferably for sequestration of at least a portion of the carbon dioxide produced in combustion processes.
US08142740B2	Sample rack system A rack for an automated processing system. The rack includes a number of wells adapted to hold at least a first sample container having a first size, and a second sample container having a second size. The second size, which may be a diameter, a height, or both, is substantially different from the first size. A structure joins the wells. The rack is adapted to fit in an automated processing system that is adapted to remove both the first sample container and the second sample container from the rack.
US08142739B2	Automated tissue staining system and reagent container An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.
US08142731B2	Device for providing a relatively constant rate of dissolution of a solid article within it A device for providing a relatively constant rate of dissolution of a solid article (2) within it has one or more opening (22) to allow the passage of water. There is a flow pathway between said one or more openings and the solid article, which flow pathway is obturated by a water-permeable packing (26), through which water must pass, in entering or leaving the device.
US08142730B2	Two-stage granular moving-bed apparatus A two-stage granular moving-bed filter includes a gas inlet part, a gas outlet part, and a plurality of flow-corrective elements. The gas outlet part is disposed opposite to the gas inlet part, and the plurality of flow-corrective elements is disposed in a channel formed between the gas inlet part and gas outlet part. Meanwhile, a first granular material is provided to flow through a channel formed between the gas inlet part and the flow-corrective element in a state of mass flow, and a second granular material is provided to flow through a channel formed between the flow-corrective element and the gas outlet part. By means of having two different kinds of filter media moving through the channels between the gas inlet and outlet part, it is capable of performing two-stage filtering process after the raw gas flows therethrough, so as to improve the filtering effect of the gas.
US08142724B2	Hydrogen sensor mounting structure for fuel cell vehicle A hydrogen sensor mounting structure applicable to a fuel cell vehicle that includes a fuel cell system installed under a floor panel, and a hydrogen sensor located above the fuel cell system is provided. The floor panel includes a floor tunnel portion protruding into a cabin of the vehicle; the fuel cell system is located on an outer side of the floor tunnel portion; and the hydrogen sensor is mounted from an inner side of the cabin of the floor tunnel portion.
US08142722B2	Test element and tester for analyzing solutions An apparatus for analyzing an aqueous solution, as may be implemented with a hand-held portable electronic device (10) and test element (16). A test pad (32) of the test element responsive in color to a characteristic of an aqueous solution is interrogated by the device by measuring intensity values of an interrogating test light as reflected off of the test pad. The test pad may be supported on an opaque and non-reflective substrate (28) that cooperates with an opaque edge portion (14E) of a test element placement member (14B) and associated side walls (14W) of the device to minimize the impingement of ambient light onto the test pad during interrogation.
US08142720B2	Molecules suitable for binding to a metal layer for covalently immobilizing biomolecules An article is provided for immobilizing functional organic biomolecules (e.g. proteins, DNA, and the like) through a covalent bond to a thiolate or disulfide monolayer to a metal surface wherein an extra activation step of the surface layer or an activation step of the functional biomolecules or bioreceptors could be avoided. The monolayer can contain, but is not limited to, two moieties. One has a group that resists nonspecific adsorption and another has a group that directly (without activation) reacts with functional groups on the biomolecules. In addition, poly(ethylene oxide) groups are incorporated in the monolayer surfaces to resist the nonspecific adsorption and to enhance the specific affinity interactions. A sensor device including these monolayers is also provided to perform reproducible, sensitive, specific and stable bioanalysis.
US08142718B2	Disposable for application in a device for heating a physiological fluid A disposable that is suitable for application in a device for heating a physiological fluid, in particular blood, comprising a conduit for conducting fluid, which conduit comprises conduit sections that are arranged next to each other and bends that connect the conduit section, wherein at least one of the bends comprises a first turbulence-inducing obstruction.
US08142716B2	Method of altering a fluid-borne contaminant An improved method of purifying a fluid having fluid-borne contaminants I including the steps of: providing a pump (21) having an inlet (22) and an outlet (23); connecting the pump inlet to a source (24) of contaminated fluid; operating the pump at. a pressure ratio of at least 2.0 so as to sufficiently elevate the temperature of the fluid and contaminants passing through the pump, or, alternatively, operating the pump so that the outlet temperature of the fluid and contaminants passing therethrough is at least about 200° C.; and controlling the time during which the temperature of the fluid and contaminants are elevated; thereby to alter or convert substantially all of the contaminants passing through the pump.
US08142715B2	Method and apparatus for photosensitized ultraviolet decontamination of surfaces and aerosol clouds A method of deactivating chemical contaminants and biological agents from a target surface by and aerosol spraying the target surface with an electrostatically charged, photosensitizer solution, and then illuminating the surface with ultraviolet light.
US08142706B2	Device and method for injection molding product having hydrophobic pattern The present invention relates to device and method for injection molding a product having a hydrophobic pattern, which permits mass production of the product having a hydrophobic surface and clear formation of the hydrophobic pattern on the product. The method includes the steps of heating a mold having a stamper with a hydrophobic pattern formed thereon mounted thereto, bringing the mold into close contact with other molds for enclosing an inside of the molds, injecting a predetermined resin material into the inside of the molds, and cooling down the molds, and separating the molds.
US08142704B2	Imprint lithography system and method A loading unit, surface scanning module, and an imprint module may be integrated into a single tool. Template may be loaded on loading unit and positioned within imprint module. Substrate may then be loaded on loading unit and scanned defects using surface scanning module. If substrate passes inspection by surface scanning module, substrate may be positioned imprint module where formable material may be dispensed thereon and imprinted. The imprinted substrate may then be unloaded from imprinting module.
US08142700B2	Dry adhesives and methods for making dry adhesives Dry adhesives and methods for forming dry adhesives. A method of forming a dry adhesive structure on a substrate, comprises: forming a template backing layer of energy sensitive material on the substrate; forming a template layer of energy sensitive material on the template backing layer; exposing the template layer to a predetermined pattern of energy; removing a portion of the template layer related to the predetermined pattern of energy, and leaving a template structure formed from energy sensitive material and connected to the substrate via the template backing layer.
US08142696B2	Method and device for the production of back-foamed air-permeable textile products A method for producing back-foamed air-permeable textile products, whereas, instead of providing a film or the like to prevent the penetration of reaction products or foam to the visible face, the pressure created during the reaction is intentionally decreased so that none of the reaction products nor the foam created by the reaction of the reaction products is able to penetrate the textile product. With a product manufactured in this way, the climatic comfort is improved and a better acoustic effect can be achieved. The disclosure also relates to a device which is suitable for carrying out the method and to a corresponding back-foamed air-permeable textile product.
US08142693B2	Stamper and stamper evaluation method According to one embodiment, letting Vf be a maximum voltage value level within the range of a frequency 60 to 170 times the rotational speed of a stamper and Vave be the average sum signal voltage value of a data recording portion in the sum signal of a voltage signal when the data recording portion is irradiated with a laser having a wavelength of 450 nm or less and an NA of 0.6 or more, whether Vf and Vave meet Vf/Vave<7.7×10−4 . . . (1) is determined.
US08142687B2	Method for producing heterogeneous composites A method for selecting materials and processing conditions to prepare a heterogeneous structure in situ via the reaction of a homogeneous mixture of a reactive organic compound and a filler, which may then optionally be sintered. The method is employed to provide a heterogeneous composite possessing exceptionally high thermal and/or electrically conductivities for a given concentration of conductive filler. The choice of materials as well as processing conditions employed, as will be described below, have a strong effect on the rate domain formation/heterogeneity of the structure formed, the extent of filler particle-particle interactions within filler-rich domains, and ultimately the thermal and/or electrical conductivity. Proper choice of these conditions can lead to composites having enhanced properties at a reduced bulk filler concentration.
US08142683B2	Liquid crystal polyester resin composition for camera module A liquid crystal polyester resin composition includes, based on 100 parts by mass of a liquid crystal polyester, 15 to 60 parts by mass of talc having a number average particle size of 10 to 50 μm, 25 to 50 parts by mass of a glass fiber having a number average fiber length of 100 to 200 μm and a number average fiber diameter of 4 to 8 μm, and 2 to 10 parts by mass of carbon black, wherein a melt viscosity as determined at a shear rate of 100 sec−1 at 370° C. is 10 to 100 Pa·S and a deflection temperature under load is 220° C. or more. The liquid crystal polyester resin composition is used to provide a liquid crystal polyester resin composition for a camera module, having good heat resistance, rigidity, strength, and moldability, and also an excellent surface exfoliation property in a well balanced manner and being capable of being surface mounted (SMT).
US08142679B2	Piezoelectric ceramic composition and piezoelectric element made by using the same The present invention provides a piezoelectric ceramic composition having a high thermal resistance and a high piezoelectric distortion constant and a piezoelectric element using the piezoelectric ceramic composition. The piezoelectric ceramic composition of the present invention contains Na, Bi, Ti, Cr and O, wherein the content ratio of Na, Bi, Ti and Cr in terms of oxides thereof falls within the following composition range: aNa2O-bBi2O3-cTiO2-dCrO3/2 where a, b, c and d are mole fractions; 0.030≦a≦0.042; 0.330≦b≦0.370; 0.580≦c≦0.620; 0
US08142670B2	Micro-oscillating element and method of making the same A micro-oscillating element includes a frame, a movable functional portion, and a torsional joint for joining the frame and the functional portion. The micro-oscillating element also includes first and second comb-tooth electrodes for generation of the driving force for the oscillating motion of the movable functional portion about the torsional joint. The first comb-tooth electrode includes a plurality of first electrode teeth each having a first conductor, an insulator and a second conductor laminated in the direction of the oscillating motion, where the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically connected with each other. The second comb-tooth electrode includes a plurality of second electrode teeth caused not to face the second conductor but to face the first conductor of the first electrode teeth during non-operation. The second electrode teeth are longer than the first conductor in the direction of the oscillating motion.
US08142666B1	Baffle box deflectors and flow spreaders Devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using baffle boxes with turbulence deflectors and flow spreaders. Turbulence deflectors are added about the inlet port of a baffle box, and a flow spreader is added centrally beneath an outlet port to increase removal efficiency of pollutants and prevent the conveyance of pollutants down stream. The turbulence deflectors and the flow spreader will increase the removal efficiency of particles, especially fine and ultra fine particles without impeding the water flow. The turbulence deflectors will significantly reduce the turbulence within the sediment chambers which will lead to better settling and less re-suspension. The flow spreader spreads the flow wide sooner within the baffle box to reduce the linear velocity of the water current, and directs water flow away from the area of greatest turbulence adjacent to the inflow, and will increase the settling of particles and minimize re-suspension. By increasing the removal efficiency of the first sediment chamber the shielding will prevent the re-suspension of fine and ultra fine particles.
US08142665B2	Fast reduction of iodine species to iodide In a method of fast reduction of all iodine species, exclusively, including all volatile iodine species, into non-volatile iodide ions in an aqueous solution, a reducing agent and a co-agent with phase transfer catalyst—ion-exchanger property are simultaneously added to the aqueous solution and concurrently, thermal and radiolytic oxidation of iodide ions, otherwise yielding to revolatilzation, is suppressed producing an efficient retention of all iodide species in the aqueous solution.
US08142663B2	Low pressure production of drinking water An apparatus and methods for producing purified drinking water are disclosed. A hand pump is used in a closed system to generate pressure sufficient to pass the untreated water through a system of filters and a reverse osmosis membrane. The system preferably includes an ultrafiltration filter. The resulting water is substantially pure, being free of bacteria and having a significant amount of minerals and salts removed to make it safe for drinking. The system can produce enough potable water to supply the daily needs for a small village.
US08142657B2	Insertion-point seal for spiral wound module An improved method of fabricating a spiral wound module seals a juncture between each scroll face, preferably a smooth, trimmed scroll face, and a central permeate tube. The tube is generally perpendicular to the scroll face. Modules produced using the improved method have fewer insertion point leaks than those produced without using the improved method.
US08142650B2	Water treatment system A water treatment system comprises: an oil removal apparatus including a fixed-bed reactor configured to hold an adsorption particles by use of a magnetic unit, the adsorption particles each including a base material containing magnetite, the adsorption particles configured to adsorb oil included in to-be-treated water; a pretreatment apparatus configured to recover the oil from the adsorption particles sent from the oil removal apparatus; and a thermal energy generating apparatus configured to obtain thermal energy from the oil recovered by the pretreatment apparatus.
US08142645B2	Process for increasing the mono-aromatic content of polynuclear-aromatic-containing feedstocks Hydrocarbons containing polynuclear aromatics, such as cycle oil and pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO), are upgraded using an catalyst complex that selectively cracks the polynuclear aromatic compounds to form higher value mono-aromatic compounds, such as benzene toluene, xylenes and ethyl benzene (i.e., BTX). The catalyst complexes include a catalytic metal center and a plurality of organic ligands. During the hydrocracking procedure, the organic ligand preserves one of the aromatic rings of the polynuclear aromatic compounds while the catalytic metal breaks the other aromatic rings thereby yielding a monoaromatic compound.
US08142642B2	Small volume in vitro analyte sensor A sensor designed to determine the amount and concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 μL. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a non-leachable redox mediator. The redox mediator acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. In addition, a second electron transfer agent, such as art enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or etectroreduction of the analyte. The redox mediator is typically a redox compound bound to a polymer. The preferred redox mediators are air-oxidizable. The amount of analyte can be determined by coulometry. One particular coulometric technique includes the measurement of the current between the working electrode and a counter or reference electrode at two or more times. The charge passed by this current to or from the analyte is correlated with the amount of analyte in the sample. Other electrochemical detection methods, such as arnperometric, voltammetric and potentiometric techniques, can also be used. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecute, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecute is provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08142640B2	Chloride analysis in acid copper plating baths The chloride concentration in an acid copper plating bath is determined from the chloride oxidation current measured under controlled hydrodynamic conditions at a noble metal electrode using specific voltammetric parameters. The measurement is made directly on the undiluted plating bath so that the chloride measurement is fast and no waste stream is generated.
US08142639B2	Hard gold alloy plating bath A hard gold plating solution and plating method which provides a gold plating solution with high deposition selectivity using a gold plating solution containing gold cyanide, cobalt salt, and hexamethylenetetramine.
US08142637B2	Gold alloy electrolytes Compositions and methods for depositing gold alloys are disclosed. The compositions include certain dithiocarboxylic acids, salts and esters thereof and mercapto group containing compounds which provide bright gold alloy deposits with uniform color.
US08142636B2	Electrochemically desorbing or adsorbing cryptate [18F] fluoride complexes The present invention relates to a method of electrochemically desorbing or adsorbing a cryptate [18F] fluoride complex using a substituent substituted cryptand A. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and a kit for performing this method. A: which can be used for nucleophilic radiofluorination.
US08142635B2	Capillary array A capillary array includes a light detection portion, a sample supply portion, a buffer solution supply portion and a voltage application portion which are necessary functions for electrophoresis, thereby, when assembling the capillary array into an electrophoresis apparatus, the same can be immediately used. Accordingly, a capillary array is provided which can be easily incorporated into an electrophoresis apparatus.
US08142633B2	Electrodialysis system and process A treatment system and method for continuous deionization of a biologically derived feed stream includes a plurality of electrodialysis units (3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged in stages along a treatment line, and stages are controlled such that the feed stream attains a certain quality before entering the next stage. The feed and concentrate streams move in generally opposite sense along the line, matching fluid characteristics of dilute and concentrate cells. The treatment line has two or more stages. Systems may have phased staging operations, and cell constructions may adapt the electrodialysis units for enhanced processing of difficult process fluids. A controller sets operating potentials in different electrical stages, and simple control parameters optimize ion removal and current efficiency without polarization of the fluid. The invention also includes phased staging of reversal operation, and cell constructions or fillings that adapt the treatment cells for enhanced processing.
US08142631B2	Particle focusing apparatus and method for focusing particles by using the same In a particle focusing apparatus and a method for focusing particles, the particle focusing apparatus includes a channel, a fixing member, a fluid feeding portion and a power supply. The channel has first and second ends and extends substantially in a line. The fixing member includes a first fixing portion connected to and fixing the first end, and a second fixing portion connected to and fixing the second end. The fluid feeding portion feeds fluid having particles into the channel. The power supply has first and second terminals. The first terminal passes through the first fixing portion and is electrically connected to an anode of the power supply. The second terminal passes through the second fixing portion and is electrically connected to a cathode of the power supply. Thus, particles fed into the channel may be more easily and efficiently focused to a central region inside the channel.
US08142624B2	Portable contact lens cleansing apparatus and cleaning method of contact lens The present invention provides a manufacturing method of normal saline solution and cleansing apparatus for contact lens, more particularly, a cleansing apparatus for contact lens comprising: a lens receiver for accommodating lenses, at least one electrode unit including a negative electrode and a positive electrode which set apart from the negative electrode each other, a power supply for supplying electric current to the negative electrode and the positive electrode, thereby effectively disinfecting and sterilizing viruses and bacteria and to remove foreign substances within the short time and protein on contact lenses in the lens receiver by oxidants generated by electrolysis in the electrode unit.
US08142621B2	Insert for milling of cast iron A coated cemented carbide insert is particularly useful for milling of cast iron, methods for making the insert, and methods of their use are disclosed. The insert is formed by a composition of the substrate of about 5-7 wt % Co, about 0.05-20 wt % total amount of the metals selected from the group consisting of Ti, Nb, Ta and combination thereof, and balance WC with a coercivity (Hc) of 1 about 4-19 kA/m and an S-value of about 0.81-0.96. The coating includes a homogeneous layer of (TixAl1-x)N, where x is between about 0.25 and abut 0.50 with a crystal structure of NaCl type and a total thickness of between about 1.0 and about 5.0 μm as measured on the middle of the flank face.
US08142617B2	Apparatus and method for degrading a web in the machine direction while preserving cross-machine direction strength An embossing system for embossing and perforating at least a portion of a web is provided comprising a first embossing roll having embossing elements and at least a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein the elements of the first and second embossing rolls define perforate nips for embossing and perforating the web and wherein at least a predominate number of the perforate nips are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Moreover, substantially all of the nips defined by the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls can be substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Further, the cross-machine embossing elements are at an angle of about 85° to 95° from the machine direction.
US08142609B2	Plasma processing apparatus A plasma processing apparatus including a mounting table that includes a mounting table body having a temperature adjusted to be a predetermined level, and an electrostatic chuck disposed on an upper portion of the mounting table body, joined thereto with an acrylic adhesive having a thickness of 60 μm or more, to adsorb the substrate thereon. The apparatus further including first and second heat transfer gas diffusion regions formed at a center and a circumferential edge, respectively, of an upper surface of the electrostatic chuck, and first and second heat transfer gas supply units to supply heat transfer gas to the first and second heat transfer gas diffusion regions, respectively. A volume ratio of the second heat transfer gas diffusion region to the first heat transfer gas diffusion region is equal to or less than 0.1
US08142604B2	Labeling method A method useful for applying labels to a container, the labels having an activatable adhesive coating on a surface thereon, the adhesive is activated by contact with a low viscosity activator solution from an apparatus comprising at least a label pallet that receives a low viscosity activator solution by contact with a spinning roller, the spinning roller receives at least one stream of the low viscosity activator solution delivered or sprayed by a fluid manifold.
US08142602B2	Method for mounting semiconductor device A method of forming a bonded structure comprises the steps of: mounting a semiconductor device having an electrode; a convexity protruding higher than the electrode and formed of a resin; and a conductive unit electrically coupled to the electrode and extending over the surface of the convexity, onto a specific substrate with an intermediary of a bonding material; and mounting the semiconductor device by hot pressing within a temperature range including the glass transition temperature of the resin.
US08142600B2	Method for mounting a tag in a tire sidewall A pneumatic tire includes a tire body having a crown portion and a pair of sidewalls. At least one reinforcing belt is disposed in the crown portion of the tire. A tag is carried by the reinforcing belt. In one embodiment, the tag is disposed in the location of one of the reinforcing cords that is disposed in the reinforcing belt. In another embodiment, the tag is disposed at the splice of the reinforcing belt. An alternative version of the tire has the tag carried in a depression formed in the outer surface of the tire sidewall. The tag may be encapsulated with an encapsulation material that is also disposed in the depression.
US08142599B2	Methods for manufacturing a paint roller and component parts thereof Described is a method of making a non-porous composite cover material formed of a pile material and an adhesive layer made from polypropylene or predominantly from polypropylene. A width of the pile material is advanced, and a layer of adhesive is applied thereupon. The adhesive is allowed to set, and the width of material is longitudinally cut into strips of composite cover material. Laminated paint rollers are thereafter made by helically one or two strips of polypropylene or strips made predominantly of polypropylene about a mandrel and applying a layer of adhesive made from polypropylene or predominantly from polypropylene on the strip or strips, and applying a non-porous composite cover material. A compressive force is applied upon the outer surface of the composite cover material to urge the composite cover material, the layer of adhesive and strip or strips of thermoplastic material together against the mandrel, thereby laminating the inner surface of the composite cover material and the strip or strips together and forming a continuous product that can be cut and finished to make paint rollers.
US08142598B2	Filter tube making A hollow filter tube is produced with a longitudinal seam and a fixed diameter. In the formation of the hollow tube glue is applied along a longitudinal side edge portion of an endless strip, and the strip is then formed into a tubular shape with an unglued longitudinal edge portion tucked directly under and against the glued side edge portion. The hollow tube is then heated to drive moisture from the glue and size and shape the hollow tube. Ultimately the formed hollow tube is cut into specific lengths.
US08142597B2	Method for manufacturing a printed-wiring board having a resistive element A method for manufacturing a printed-wiring board having an organic resin insulating layer and a metal wiring layer and having a film-like resistive element formed on the metal wiring layer thereof, the method including: disposing a metal wiring layer on one surface of one organic resin insulating layer 1 to form an organic resin printed-wiring board 4; forming a pair of electrodes 5 on the metal wiring layer of the organic resin printed-wiring board; forming a film-like resistive element 7 between the electrodes; applying a temperature and a pressure of a laminating press to the side of the metal wiring layer in the wiring board without use of a laminating adhesive agent to change a resistance value of the film-like resistive element; trimming the film-like resistive element for adjusting a resistance value; providing a circuit member 12 having at least one layer of insulating layer; and laminating the circuit member with a laminating adhesive agent 13 in between so as to contact with a layer of the organic resin printer-circuit board having the film-like resistive element formed thereon. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a printed-wiring board with built-in resistive element formed by resistive paste with high accuracy and high yield at low cost.
US08142595B2	Mounting apparatus and mounting method To provide a mounting apparatus for uniting a semiconductor wafer with a ring frame, the wafer having an adhesive sheet stuck on one surface thereof. In the mounting apparatus, a portion of the adhesive sheet is preliminarily peeled off through a preliminary peeling means, the wafer is disposed inside the ring frame after a preliminarily peeled portion is formed, and a mounting tape is stuck to the ring frame and the wafer through a sticking means. The mounted wafer is fully peeled off by holding the preliminarily peeled portion.
US08142594B2	Method for the multi-track tailoring of transdermal therapeutic patches A method for the multi-track tailoring of transdermal therapeutic patches having at least a one-layer, adhesive reservoir foil containing an active ingredient, which is disposed between an adhesive back foil and a removable protective foil. The reservoir foils are applied per track with their adhesive layers on a transport element moving discontinuously in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir foils. After separating sections of the size of a patch or band aid the same are transferred to a further transport element that is moved continuously for depositing the same thereon in spaced relationship. The present invention provides a method for multi-track tailoring, wherein web-shaped reservoir foils, which can be unwound from rolls, may be utilized without producing any waste containing the active ingredient.
US08142593B2	Method of transferring a thin film onto a support A method of transferring a thin film onto a first support, includes supplying a structure comprising a film of which at least one part originates from a solid substrate of a first material and which is solidly connected to a second support having a thermal expansion coefficient that is different from that of the first material and close to that of the first support, forming an embrittled area inside the film that defines the thin film to be transferred, affixing the film that is solidly connected to the second support to the first support, and breaking the film at the embrittled area.
US08142591B2	Method for producing liquid crystal display element without substrates The present invention relates to a method for liquid crystal display element without substrates, which comprises applying a release agent to assisting substrates in the process of producing the liquid crystal display so that the assembled liquid crystal display element can be separated from the assisting substrates and the liquid crystal display element is obtained, wherein said release agent comprises (a) 2-20 wt % of compounds selected from the group consisting of silicone, fluorine compounds and mixtures thereof; (b) 0.01-0.6 wt % of release modifier; and (c) a solvent as a complement to 100 wt %.
US08142590B2	Method of manufacturing a disposable undergarment This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable panty, subassemblies of the panty, and an apparatus and methods for making the panty and subassemblies. The panty is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The panty may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user, the panty provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The panty includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable panty, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the panty, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen. The apparatus and methods facilitate assembling leg elastics and crotch elastics into the panty subassemblies while assembling a series of panty subassemblies in a continuous web structure at a constant, or relatively constant, continuous and efficient speed.
US08142589B2	Method of making a dunnage platform A dunnage platform is in the general shape of a rectangular slab with legs extending form one side. The dunnage platform is made from an expanded polystyrene core. A chemical combination process is used to chemically combine portion of the core proximal to its surface with high impact polystyrene. In a first of two parts of the combination process, the core is placed in a forming mold with one of its two sides and two thirds of its thickness extending therefrom. A heated sheet of high impact polystyrene is brought into contact with the portion of the core extending from the mold. In a similar manner, the other of the two sides of the core is made to extend from the forming mold for contact with a heated sheet of high impact polystyrene.
US08142587B2	Methods for manufacturing a paint roller and component parts thereof Described are methods of making a paint roller using an adhesive made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using preformed strips or core material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using a composite cover material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 50% calcium carbonate by weight. One or various compounds may be used to form portions of one or multiple components that make up the paint roller, including, for example, the thermoplastic strips, adhesives and/or the backing of a composite cover material. The materials can be assembled in a continuous manufacturing process.
US08142586B2	Method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite sabot by using resin-injection vacuum assisted resin transfer molding after stitching Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite sabot for use in APFSDS (Armor. Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) wherein a plurality of fiber mats are laminated instead of one-directional prepreg ply and whole part is reinforced by stitching through long fiber bundle in order to enhance circumferential shear strength, and high quality fiber-reinforced composite sabot is manufactured in a short time using resin-injection vacuum assisted resin transfer molding after stitching.
US08142582B2	Explosive formulation An explosive formulation used in blasting operations such as, but not limited to, mining operations and the like. The formulation is composed of a modified form of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) explosives which have been modified by the incorporation of a solid fuel material. The formulation comprising a dry granular solid component, a liquid high-boiling point component of about 4% by weight, and a solid fuel material. The solid fuel material comprising vitrinite macerals, liptinite macerals, and inert macerals fusinite and semifusinite, and is characterized as (1) having a concentrate of liptinite that is higher than normal coals, and (2) having a concentrate of pseudovitrinite that is significantly lower than normal coals.
US08142579B2	Process for producing aluminum alloy material and heat treated aluminum alloy material According to the present invention, a process for producing an aluminum alloy material, whereby reduction in toughness and in fatigue strength of the aluminum alloy material can be inhibited even after solution treatment is provided. Also, the following is provided: a process for producing an aluminum alloy material comprising at least the steps of subjecting a heat treatable aluminum alloy material to solution treatment and applying aging treatment to the aluminum alloy material subjected to solution treatment, which further comprises the following step between the solution treatment step and the aging treatment step: the step of subjecting the aluminum alloy material to plastic forming in a manner such that a given amount of equivalent strain is imparted to the aluminum alloy material from at least two directions while the aluminum alloy material subjected to solution treatment is maintained under temperature conditions that do not cause softening of the aluminum alloy material by over-aging.
US08142576B2	Clutch member and process for manufacturing the same A clutch member and a process for manufacturing the same. In the clutch member, a steel sheet has an initial composition of 0.32 to 0.38% of C, 0.15% or less of Si, 0.3 to 0.5% of Mn, and 0.16 to 0.60% of Cr, by mass; and has an initial uniformly dispersed structure of carbide with an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 1.2 μm; and is subjected to punch and subsequent heat treatment for the main body to have a tensile strength of 1307 to 1633 MPa, hardness of 400 to 500 HV, impact value of 70 J/cm2 or more, and degree of flatness of 0.15% or less which is obtained by a formula of F=d/D where d is camber of the flat portion and D is a diameter of a circumscribed circle of the main body.
US08142574B2	Steel product for welding A steel product for welding includes the following component: by mass %, C: 0.3% or less, Si: 0.5% or less, Mn: 0.3˜2%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.03% or less, Al: 0.3˜5%, O: 0.003˜0.01%, and N: 0.006% or less; wherein the balance is composed of Fe and inevitable impurities; wherein Al-containing oxides having a size of 0.005 to 0.05 μm are dispersed in steel at a ratio of 1×106/mm2 or more.
US08142572B2	Lavatory pan washing apparatus and washing method A lavatory pan washing apparatus includes a water supply unit supplying washing water into a rim so that a whirling flow is formed in a lavatory bowl, an air inlet pipe connected to a water discharge channel continuing to the downstream side of a water sealing portion of a pan, an air sucking unit sucking air through the pipe from the channel, and a control unit configured to activate the water supply unit at a time of washing of the pan so that the washing water is supplied into the water sealing portion. The control unit is configured to start activation of the air sucking unit after rise of a water level in the lavatory bowl, so that air is sucked through the pipe from the channel. The control unit is configured to deactivate the water supply unit after air has flowed through the air inlet pipe into the channel.
US08142571B2	Process for treatment of semiconductor wafer using water vapor containing environment A process is provided for treating a semiconductor wafer at a target wafer temperature. This process includes the following steps:a) determining the target wafer temperature of the semiconductor wafer during a given wafer treatment process step; b) providing a treatment chamber having at least one semiconductor wafer disposed therein; c) dispensing water vapor into the treatment chamber in an amount to provide the chamber with an atmospheric environment having a dew point sufficiently close to the target wafer temperature to provide a temperature regulating effect; and d) initiating the given wafer treatment process step when the atmospheric environment of the treatment chamber is at the dew point of step c).
US08142570B1	Extraction device and methods An extraction device for a filter element containing collected particles of target material and an extraction fluid, wherein the device may have a piston and a vibration apparatus for vibrating the filter element to cause particles to move from the filter element and into the extraction fluid. The piston may first create compressed air to urge a first amount of extraction fluid and particles out of the filter element, and may then compress the filter element to urge a second amount of extraction fluid and particles out of the filter element.
US08142569B2	Apparatus for forming structured material for energy storage device and method A method and an apparatus of the present invention is used for the high-rate deposition of materials, such as carbon, silicon, metals, metal oxides, and the like, onto a metal substrate defined by a metal tape. The particles of the material are mixed with fluid and are injected against the metal tape at high pressure and high velocity. The particles of the material form a current collection surface of the metal tape. The metal tape is used as cathode or anode combined with a separator to form a fuel cell of a secondary battery, metal-ceramic membranes, film composite metal-ceramic materials for electronic devices.
US08142568B2	Apparatus for synthesizing a single-wall carbon nanotube array An apparatus for synthesizing a single-wall carbon nanotube array, includes a reactor, a local heating device, a gaseous carbon supplier, and a reactant gas supplier. The reactor includes a reaction zone receiving a catalyst. The local heating device is configured for focusing heat at reaction zone and/or the catalyst. The gaseous carbon supplier is configured for introducing gaseous carbon into the reactor from an upstream position of the reaction zone. The reactant gas supplier is configured for introducing a reactant gas containing a carbon source gas into the reactor.
US08142566B2	Method for producing Ga-containing nitride semiconductor single crystal of BxAlyGazIn1-x-y-zNsPtAs1-s-t (0<=x<=1, 0<=y<1, 0 A Ga-containing nitride semiconductor single crystal characterized in that (a) the maximum reflectance measured by irradiating the Ga-containing nitride semiconductor single crystal with light at a wavelength of 450 nm is 20% or less and the difference between the maximum reflectance and the minimum reflectance is within 10%, (b) the ratio of maximum value to minimum value (maximum value/minimum value) of the dislocation density measured by a cathode luminescence method is 10 or less, and/or (c) the lifetime measured by a time-resolved photoluminescence method is 95 ps or more.
US08142563B2	Soy flour slurry and method of providing same A stable aqueous soy flour slurry comprising defatted soy flour, water, and a water soluble polymer dispersing agent having a molecular weight in the range of from 1,000 to 20,000, wherein the viscosity of the slurry is in the range from 200 to 2,000 cps as measured by a DV-III Ultra LV Viscometer viscometer at 6 rpm using spindle #31 at 25° C.; and a method for providing such a slurry.
US08142559B2	Thermal ink jet ink composition A thermal ink jet ink composition includes one or more volatile organic solvents, one or more humectants, one or more binder resins, and one or more dyes. The one or more volatile organic solvents are selected from C1-C4 alcohols, C3-C6 ketones, and mixtures thereof. The humectants are present in an amount not more than 30% by weight of the ink jet ink composition.
US08142553B2	Air cleaner scavenge kit The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for removing debris from an air cleaner of an internal combustion engine. The method includes receiving a flow of air from a source of air flow associated with an internal combustion engine at a first end portion of a conduit and passing the flow of air towards a second end portion of the conduit. The method also includes passing the flow of air into a scavenging conduit of the air cleaner towards an exhaust end of the scavenging conduit and creating a suction pressure at an end of the scavenging conduit connected to the air cleaner. The suction pressure results in a drawing in of the debris from the air cleaner.
US08142551B2	Energy recuperating filtration apparatus A filtration apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity with an upper cylindrical portion and a lower hopper portion. An inlet feeds gas and solids into the inner cavity and causes movement of the solids in a downward spiral path in the casing. A solids outlet at a bottom of the lower hopper portion outlets the solids from the casing. A gas outlet exhausts gases from the casing. An annular arrangement of ports in a wall of the lower hopper portion of the casing injects an other gas in the inner cavity. The ports are oriented to guide the other gas into following a partially vertical path into the inner cavity to disrupt the movement of the solids in the downward spiral path to allow a capture of the solid particles by the capturing solids. A gas source is connected to the arrangement of ports.
US08142547B1	Method for extracting gas from liquid A method for extraction of gas from liquid provides for reliable and accurate extraction of gases dissolved in fluids and routing the extracted gas to an analytical instrument. An extraction module comprises one or more fluorosilicone membranes molded into the shape of a flattened disk. The membranes are retained in a housing in a spaced apart relationship. The membrane is permeable to target gas(es), but not to the fluid. Porous support members support the membranes and prevent damage to them and the housing defines separate fluid flow paths for the fluid and the gas extracted from it. Fluid is passed over the membrane in a first fluid phase; target compounds in the fluid diffuse across the membrane to a second fluid phase until equilibrium is achieved.
US08142546B2	Artificial lung An artificial lung includes a housing, a tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle contained in the housing and providing a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes having a gas exchange function, a gas inflow port and a gas outflow port communicating with each other through hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood inflow port and a blood outflow port through which blood is distributed. The tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle has a cylindrical overall shape, and a filter member having a bubble-trapping function is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the tubular hollow fiber membrane bundle.
US08142545B2	Dust separation system for use with mobile equipment Embodiments of the invention include a dust extraction system including an array of two or more centrifugal dust removal devices, e.g., axial cyclones. The array of axial cyclones is configured to operate in parallel. The array of axial cyclones includes one or more sensor and a controller in communication with the sensor and adapted to receive air flow information from the one or more sensor. Inflow valves are operatively connected to the controller such that air flow through the array of axial cyclones is monitored and maintained at an optimum operating condition for each of the individual cyclones in the array. This is done, in general, by opening inflow valves as the air flow increases above a predetermined air flow value and shutting inflow valves as air flow decreases below the predetermined air flow value threshold.
US08142540B2	Alloyed zinc powders with pierced particles for alkaline batteries The invention concerns alloyed zinc powders for alkaline batteries and a method to manufacture such powdersThe powders are characterized by the presence of particles pierced with at least one hole. This appears to benefit the high drain discharge capacity while preserving the process ability of the powder, and the shelf life and the gassing behavior of the batteriesThe invented powders can be manufactured using centrifugal atomization in a cooled, oxygen-depleted atmosphere.
US08142535B2	High dust holding capacity filter media Provided is a method of forming a self supporting fibrous nonwoven filter media comprising dispersing glass fibers, crimped polymer fibers, and cellulosic fibers in a fluid dispersion. The dispersion is subjected to a moving forming wire to form a fibrous web. Binder is applied to the web. The web is dried and cured/melted and later pleated in a subsequent operation. Inclusion of crimped polymer fibers in filter media improves dust holding characteristics of the filter media.
US08142534B2	Gas generating system In one aspect of the present invention, a filter is provided including a first layer of sheet material having a first base portion, and a plurality of first raised portions extending from the first base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of first openings through the first layer. A second layer of sheet material also has a second base portion and a plurality of second raised portions extending from the second base portion and defining a corresponding plurality of second openings through the sheet material. The second layer of sheet material is positioned adjacent the first layer of sheet material such that the first raised portions extend from the first base portion toward the second layer, and the second raised portions extend from the second base portion toward the first layer. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system utilizing the filter are also described.
US08142531B2	Shaped abrasive particles with a sloping sidewall Shaped abrasive particles each having a sloping sidewall, each of the shaped abrasive particles comprising alpha alumina and having a first face and a second face separated by a thickness, t. The shaped abrasive particles further comprising either: a draft angle α between the second face and the sloping sidewall, and the draft angle α is between about 95 degrees to about 130 degrees, or the sloping sidewall having a radius, R, between the first face and the second face and the radius, R, is between about 0.5 to about 2 times the thickness, t.
US08142529B2	Fuel processor having carbon monoxide removing unit and method of operating the same A fuel processor having a CO removal unit including an apparatus for warming a CO shifter, is provided. A method of using the fuel processor is also provided. The fuel processor includes a reformer that extracts hydrogen gas from a raw fuel by reacting the raw fuel with water. A burner heats up the reformer to a temperature suitable for extracting the hydrogen gas. A CO shifter removes CO produced during the extraction reaction from the hydrogen gas, and a medium path line in which a heat exchange medium disposed therein absorbs heat from the reformer and passes the heat to the CO shifter. A fuel processor having the above structure can greatly reduce the time required to increases the temperature of the CO shifter to an appropriate operating temperature at an early stage of start up, since a rapid heating of the CO shifter is possible using the heat exchange of steam.
US08142527B2	Production of diesel fuel from vegetable and animal oils A process for producing a fuel composition from vegetable and/or animal oil comprises hydrodeoxygenating and hydroisomerizing the oil in a single step. The fuel composition has acceptable lubricity and comprises a mixture of C14 to C18 paraffins having a ratio of iso to normal paraffins of 2 to 8 and less than 5 ppm sulfur.
US08142524B2	Biodiesel-derived combustion improver The present invention is generally directed to novel fuel compositions and to methods (i.e., processes) for enhancing the combustion efficiency and/or other properties of diesel fuels, particularly wherein such diesel fuels are, or comprise, biodiesel, such biodiesel typically having poorer low-temperature properties than traditional (petroleum) diesel. Generally, such fuel compositions are provided by the creation and inclusion of a quantity of one or more epoxy-ester species, such species serving as combustion improvers for the fuel composition of which they are part.
US08142523B2	Electrochemical battery and method for making same A method for making a battery is disclosed which comprises providing a plurality of Electrochemical Cell (EC) bundles; providing a current collecting terminal having first and second ends; electrically connecting the projections of the sheet like electrodes extending from one end a first EC bundle together via the first end of the current collecting terminal; electrically connecting the projections of the sheet like electrodes extending from one end of a second EC bundle together via the second end of the current collecting terminal such that the first and second EC bundles are mechanically and electrically connected together and form a string of at least two EC bundles; and folding the string of at least two EC bundles by bending the current collecting terminal connecting the at least two EC bundles together such that the first and second EC bundles are positioned in a side by side relationship.
US08142520B2	Blue anthraquinone dyes, production and use thereof The present invention concerns dyes of the general formula I where X and Y represent hydrogen, bromine or chlorine, but not simultaneously hydrogen; R represents F, Cl, Br, COOR1 or CF3; R′ represents H or F; R1 represents C1-C6-alkyl; and one of W1 and W2 represents hydroxyl and the other nitro and Y is always ortho to the hydroxyl group; but not compounds in which R represents Cl attached to the phenyl nucleus in a is position ortho to the NH group nor compounds in which W1 represents nitro, W2 represents hydroxyl, Y represents hydrogen, X represents chlorine and R represents bromine attached to the phenyl nucleus in a position meta to the NH group, mixtures with further dyes, and also their preparation and use.
US08142518B2	Agent for dyeing and/or bleaching keratin fibers in two parts, comprising at least one fatty substance and at least one sequestrant The present disclosure relates to an agent for dyeing and/or bleaching keratin fibers formed by: a first composition (A) comprising at least one basifying agent, and a second composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent, wherein at least one of the two compositions (A) and (B) comprises at least one fatty substance not containing any carboxylic acid functional groups, the total amount of fatty substances in the mixture of compositions (A) and (B) representing at least 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture of these compositions, and at least one of the compositions (A) and (B) comprises at least one sequestrant chosen from those of formula (I) and acids thereof: The present disclosure also relates to a process for dyeing and/or bleaching keratin fibers using the agent, and to a kit containing thereof.
US08142514B2	Intragastric prosthesis for the treatment of morbid obesity A porous weave of bioabsorbable filaments having an open mesh configuration is formed into an oblate shape having dimensions greater than the esophageal opening and gastric outlet of a stomach. The resulting prosthesis is deployed in the stomach and is of a size to be retained in the proximate portion thereof for exerting pressure on the upper fundus. The prosthesis limits the amount of food that may be held within the stomach, and exerts pressure on the fundus to create a sensation of being full, resulting in weight loss.
US08142513B2	Devices and methods for altering eating behavior A device for modifying an eating behavior of a subject is provided. The device includes a device body which is attachable to GI tract tissue of a subject and functions in altering an eating behavior thereof.
US08142511B2	Bi-material prosthesis component A prosthesis has prosthetic components principally comprising metallic materials, in which a portion of an articular interface between respective components is a metallic-nonmetallic interface. At least a portion of the articular surface of a femoral head may include a ceramic material defining an articulation zone, such as at a polar region of the femoral head, so that the ceramic articulates with a metallic acetabular liner. The area covered by the ceramic may be engineered to optimize the contact conditions between the femoral head and the acetabular liner, such as by providing two clearances therebetween. A relatively smaller, polar articulation clearance is defined by the gap between the ceramic coating and the metallic acetabular liner. A relatively larger, equatorial non-articulation clearance between the femoral head and the acetabular liner is defined by the gap between the portion of the femoral head not covered by the ceramic coating.
US08142508B1	Spinal cage having deployable member which is removable A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage.
US08142505B2	Intervertebral disc replacement An intervertebral disc replacement has two members attached to vertebral body endplates of two adjacent vertebrae. The two members are formed with respective articulation surfaces which form at least part of an articulation arrangement. When loaded with compressive axial force, the articulation arrangement supports the vertebral contact surfaces against the compressive force to ensure a predefined minimum intervertebral spacing, and allows a range of turning motion in all directions. The articulation arrangement is formed to provide an increase in the intervertebral spacing as a smooth function of angular displacement from a neutral position over at least part of the range of motion in each direction for each direction of motion, thereby providing motion attenuation and restoring forces.
US08142502B2	Stable cartilage defect repair plug An apparatus and method of distributing a load to a cartilage defect repair plug is provided. A load is applied to a first articulation layer. The load is distributed to a second layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to the first density of subchondral bone. The load is distributed to a third layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to a second density of subchondral bone. The load is then distributed to a fourth layer and the load is transferred in the normal direction to a third density of subchondral bone.
US08142500B2	Variable-length ossicular prosthesis An ossicular prosthesis has a first fastening element for connection to the tympanic membrane or a component of the ossicular chain, a second fastening element for connection to a further component of the ossicular chain, or directly to the inner ear, an elongated connecting element that connects the two fastening elements in a sound-conducting manner and includes an adjusting device for adjusting the axial length of the prosthesis and including at least two partial strands that extend symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the connecting element, are extendable and/or compressible in the axial direction, are permanently plastically deformable, and are folded into a plurality of loops transversely to the longitudinal axis before being deformed. As a result, a relatively simple design of the adjusting device considerably reduces the number of different prostheses that must be kept on hand, while ensuring that the prosthesis may be optimally adapted for a specific case.
US08142499B2	Presbyopia correction through negative high-order spherical aberration Devices, systems, and methods for treating and/or determining appropriate prescriptions for one or both eyes of a patient are particularly well-suited for addressing presbyopia, often in combination with concurrent treatments of other vision defects. High-order spherical aberration may be imposed in one or both of a patient's eyes, often as a controlled amount of negative spherical aberration extending across a pupil. A desired presbyopia-mitigating quantity of high-order spherical aberration may be defined by one or more spherical Zernike coefficients, which may be combined with Zernike coefficients generated from a wavefront aberrometer. The resulting prescription can be imposed using refractive surgical techniques such as laser eye surgery, using intraocular lenses and other implanted structures, using contact lenses, using temporary or permanent corneal reshaping techniques, and/or the like.
US08142498B2	Injector for intraocular lens system Disclosed is an injector which comprises an injector housing having a longitudinal axis and an injection probe disposed along the longitudinal axis. The injector further comprises an intraocular lens disposed in the housing. The intraocular lens comprises first and second interconnected viewing elements, and the optical axes of the first and second viewing elements are substantially aligned. The optical axes are substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The injector further comprises a lens carrier which engages one of the viewing elements. The viewing elements are moveable in response to longitudinal movement of the lens carrier relative to the injector housing. The longitudinal movement causes both (i) the optical axes to be displaced relative to each other and (ii) the viewing elements to be disposed substantially on the longitudinal axis of the injector housing.
US08142494B2	Devices, systems, and methods for retaining a native heart valve leaflet Devices, systems and methods retain a native heart valve leaflet to prevent retrograde flow. The devices, systems, and methods employ an implant that, in use, rests adjacent a valve annulus and includes a retaining structure that is sized and shaped to overlay at least a portion of one or more native valve leaflets. The retaining structure retains the leaflet or leaflets it overlays, to resist leaflet eversion and/or prolapse. In this way, the implant prevents or reduces regurgitation. The implant does not interfere significantly with the opening of and blood flow through the leaflets during periods of antegrade flow.
US08142491B2	Stent segments axially connected by thin film In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient and a method for manufacturing the same. The stent has front and back open ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stent has a plurality of adjacent hoops that are held in alignment with the longitudinal axis between the front and back open ends by a thin film tube. The hoops are attached to either the inner or outer surface of the thin film tube. The stent is compressed into a first smaller diameter for insertion into the vessel with a delivery tube and a second larger diameter for deployment into the vessel. The inventive stent can be retracted into the delivery tube if it is improperly deployed.
US08142490B2	Stent segments axially connected by thin film In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient. The stent has a front and back open ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stent has a plurality of adjacent hoops that are held in alignment with the longitudinal axis between the front and back open ends by a thin film tube. The hoops are attached to either the inner or outer surface of the thin film tube. The stent is compressed into a first smaller diameter for insertion into the vessel with a delivery tube and a second larger diameter for deployment into the vessel. The inventive stent can be retracted into the delivery tube if it is improperly deployed.
US08142488B2	Stent removal and repositioning aid and associated method A removable stent for placement within a lumen is provided. The stent includes a scaffolding of struts configured to define a substantially cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end. The stent also includes at least one flexible element spirally wound along at least a portion of a respective strut, wherein the element comprises at least one engageable member such that a force applied to the engageable member does not result in purse-stringing.
US08142487B2	Balloon catheter for multiple adjustable stent deployment A catheter configured to carry one or more stents and having an inflatable balloon for expanding a stent surrounding the balloon. The catheter is characterized in having a positioner for moving the one or more stents relative to the balloon torn a first position in which the stent does not surround the balloon to a second position in which the stent surrounds the balloon. Also disclosed is a method for deploying a stent at a desired location in the vascular system.
US08142485B2	Bone connection device An implantable orthopedic device having a load-bearing element, such as a bone plate, with at least one opening for a fixation element and one insert which can be inserted in an inclined opening in a receptacle in the bore. This insert has an external form that is at least partially complementary to the internal form of the receptacle and a central through-bore for receiving the body of the fixation element such as a bone screw. The insert also provides a locking system for holding the insert in the receptacle, in which the insert exhibits at least one locking mechanism with which conformal locking with the load-bearing element may be achieved.
US08142484B2	Vertebral fixation plate assembly A vertebral fixation plate assembly for insertion into the resection site between two vertebrae of a patients vertebral column and fixation to front or lateral side of the two adjacent vertebral bodies above and below the resection site by means of surgical implantation is disclosed to include a fixation plate that has a plurality of round holes and elongated holes and an opening on the middle, a plurality of bone screws respectively inserted through the round holes and elongated holes for fastening the fixation plate to the patient's vertebral column, and a cage affixed to the opening on the fixation plate and holding holes cut through the periphery for bone fusion and grow. The cage is linked to a vertebral spacer for artificial vertebrae by means of bone fusion to prevent vertebral sinking or slipping of the vertebral spacer and to improve bone fusion efficiency.
US08142483B2	Flexible spinal stabilization system and method Devices, methods and systems for stabilizing at least a portion of the spinal column are provided. Devices include anchors and coupling members for engaging an elongate member. Systems include an elongate member sized to span a distance between at least two vertebral bodies and being at least partially formed of a flexible material. A number of anchors and coupling members are used to secure the elongate member to each of the vertebral bodies. The anchors can be compressed towards one another and the elongate member secured thereto and/or the elongate member can be tensioned to provide corrective forces to the spine.
US08142480B2	Dynamic stabilization and motion preservation spinal implantation system with horizontal deflection rod and articulating vertical rods A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
US08142474B2	Tubular shaft instrument The invention relates to tubular shaft instruments, which are provided with a handle, a tubular shaft and a tool head. The tool head usually has two mouth parts, which can be displaced in relation to one another for gripping and fixing tissue. The invention discloses a slotted guide system for forming the articulation, said system having a virtual fulcrum outside the tubular shaft instrument.
US08142472B2	Low-cost disposable tourniquet cuff A low-cost disposable tourniquet cuff includes: a first sheet formed of flexible material that is impermeable to gas; a second sheet facing the first sheet and formed of flexible material impermeable to gas; a bladder seal joining the first sheet to the second sheet around a perimeter to form an inflatable bladder within the perimeter; port means communicating pneumatically with the bladder and releasably connectable to a tourniquet instrument; stiffener means contained within the inflatable bladder and formed of gas-impermeable material less flexible than the first sheet, wherein the stiffener means has a stiffener width dimension less than the bladder width dimension and is joined to the first sheet to form a non-inflatable portion of the first sheet; and securing means attached to the non-inflatable portion of the first sheet and adapted to allow a surgical user to releasably secure the cuff around the limb at the desired location so that the bladder overlaps upon itself.
US08142471B2	Small diameter deployment system with improved headpiece A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the coil assembly such that, when the deployment catheter is pressurized with a fluid the distal section of the catheter expands radially to release the coil assembly at the preselected position.
US08142469B2	Gastric space filler device, delivery system, and related methods A gastric space filler device effective for reducing stomach volume comprises at least one inflatable space filler and a sleeve to prevent leakage out of the gastric space filler device. The gastric space filler device may be inflated with an insufflation fluid and with mineral oil, which further has the effect of reducing leakage. Delivery systems and methods are effective for inserting a gastric space filler device into a patient. The gastric space filler device may be provided with sheaths and methods for covering the gastric space filler device during delivery into a patient.
US08142467B2	Tamponade trocar device and method A tamponade trocar includes an elongate balloon having a closed distal end and is adapted to expand from a small diameter to a large diameter. A cannula is positioned at a proximal portion within the balloon lumen. A rigid stylet is removably positioned within the balloon and cannula lumens. A distal end of the stylet supported balloon is inserted into a perforation in a body wall and advanced into a body cavity while the balloon is unexpanded. The balloon is expanded and the cannula is advanced to a distal portion of the balloon lumen and across the body wall. At this stage, the perforation is dilated and in compressive tamponade. The proximal portion of the balloon may be removed and a seal housing may be coupled to the proximal end of the cannula. The distal end of the balloon may be punctured and opened, making the trocar ready for use.
US08142462B2	Instruments and methods for reducing and stabilizing bone fractures Instruments and methods for reducing and stabilizing bone fractures are presented. One method provides for cutting a portion of a bone having a fracture to create a cavity, wherein the cavity is substantially axisymmetric, and expanding the volume of the cavity thereby reducing the fracture. The fracture may be further reduced and/or stabilized by adding a material, such as an implant, in-situ curable material and/or in-situ hardenable material.
US08142461B2	Surgical instruments A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.
US08142459B2	Anterior capsulotomy device and procedure A device for performing an anterior capsulotomy procedure and a method using the same is presented. The device includes a body having a rotatable cutting element rotatably disposed on the proximal end. The cutting element further includes multiple surgical blades. In certain embodiments, the device further includes an arcuate member, wherein two surgical blades are attached at opposing ends and extend outwardly from the arcuate member. In using the device to perform an anterior capsulotomy, the device is inserted into an incision made in an eye and the surgical blades are brought in contact with the anterior capsule wall. The anterior capsule wall is then transformed by rotating the rotatable cutting element, creating an aperture there through.
US08142455B2	Delivery of minimally invasive lung volume reduction devices A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.
US08142453B2	Method for marking and connecting tissue A surgical marker/connector can be provided in the form of a ring made of a fluoroscopic material, including a shape memory alloy such as NITINOL. The ring preferably includes a plurality of small suture attachments in the form of loops that are disposed on the periphery of the ring and which lie in a plane that includes the ring itself. The loops are large enough to receive sutures which, in turn, can be used to connect the ring to a portion of a patient's body, or to connect separate portions of a patient's body to each other using the marker/connector as an intermediate connector. If the ring is made of a shape memory alloy, the ring can be wrapped tightly about an elongate member such as a mandrel, which than can be inserted into the patient's body through a trochar or cannula. After insertion, the ring will change temperature and resume its original configuration where it can be sutured in place as desired. If the ring is not made of a shape memory alloy, the ring can be inserted into the patient's body by conventional surgical techniques and then sutured in place as desired.
US08142451B2	Actuator and detachable connector of flexible clip applier A clip applier for deploying a surgical clip includes an actuator having a flexible wire and a collet chuck coupled to a piston. Further, actuation of the piston in a forward direction towards a distal end of the clip applier advances the flexible wire in the forward direction.
US08142449B2	Device for inserting at least one anchor piece into a hollow space of a living being A device is used for inserting at least one anchor piece into a hollow space of a living being, in order to fix a wall of the hollow space temporarily to a wall of the body by means of the at least one anchor piece. It is proposed that the device has two shaft-like elements which are axially movable relative to one another and by which the at least one anchor piece is held captive at its axially spaced apart opposite ends, and moreover has an actuating mechanism via which the at least one element can be moved in such a way that the anchor piece held by it is released.
US08142446B2	Toolkit for implanting an intracorporeal lead such as for cardiac pacing or sensing A toolkit for implanting an intracorporal lead, preferably a cardiac sensing/pacing lead. This toolkit includes a guide-catheter (10), having a sheath (12) with an internal lumen (42) opened at its distal and proximal ends, and cuttable along a generatrix in order to allow extracting of the guide-catheter after use. A hemostatic valve (14) is mounted at the proximal end (40) of the guide-catheter, for selectively filling, or not, the internal lumen of the guide-catheter at its input end. The valve is frangible in at least two parts, each dissociable from the guide-catheter at both sides around a median axial plane. The valve comprising a mobile element sliding on the guide-catheter between two extreme positions, with an opened position where the proximal end (40) of the guide-catheter (10) freely emerges out of the valve so as to allow access to said internal lumen, and a closed position where this proximal end of the guide-catheter is filled in a tight manner.
US08142445B2	Stone retrieval device and related methods of manufacture A medical device includes an elongate member having a plurality of flexibility features and a basket having a plurality of legs. The elongate member and the basket are formed from a single piece of a material. The flexibility features are formed by removing first portions of the material to increase flexibility of the elongate member. The legs are formed by removing longitudinal portions of the material.
US08142442B2	Snare An intravascular snare device for use in capturing debris found in blood vessels. The snare device is fabricated from a tube and includes longitudinally and circumferentially extending members. The snare device specifically embodies structure that provides enhanced radial opening and angular resistance to collapse.
US08142440B2	Transverse centering tool with pin placement guides A centering tool for transverse centering between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra is disclosed. The centering tool comprises a support portion having a proximal end and a distal end, two handles, and two pin placement guides, each guide having a hollow cylinder shape for the placement of a drill or pin on each of the upper and lower vertebrae. The two handles each have a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of each handle is connected to the proximal end of the support portion, and the distal end of each handle ultimately contact the uncular joint of one of the vertebrae when centering is achieved. Preferably, each handle has a spring that biases the handle in a closed position so that the distal portions of both handles abut each other in a resting or closed position.
US08142439B2	Method of connecting an impactor to an orthopaedic implant A method of connecting an impactor to an orthopaedic implant includes the steps of: providing the impactor including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a trigger pivotably connected to the distal end, the trigger including a cam end, a push rod within the shaft and connected to the cam end of the trigger and a threaded pair connected to an end of the push rod opposite the trigger; providing the orthopaedic implant including a threaded hole; locating the threaded pair within the threaded hole; pivoting the trigger; linearly displacing the push rod; and radially expanding the threaded pair to engage the threaded hole.
US08142438B2	Methods and instruments for interbody surgical techniques This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The instruments include a distractor and a cutting instrument. In one embodiment the distractor includes a body portion and a pair of flanges extending along opposite sides of the body portion such that a slot is formed between the flanges and the body portion. The cutting instrument is positionable over the body portion and into the slots of the distractor so that the flanges are positioned between the cutting instrument and the adjacent tissue.
US08142431B2	Sphincterotome cutting wire improvement A sphincterotome having a portion of its drive wire coated with a material selected from poly-p-xylylene, 2-chloro-p-xylylene, 2,4-dichloro-p-xylylene, poly(tetraflouro-p-xylylene), poly(carboxyl-p-xylylene-co-p-xylylene), fluorinated parylene, parylene HT, and any combination thereof. The coating preferably provides an electroinsulated coating on a portion of the drive wire exposed outside the sphincterotome shaft such that a non-electroinsulated portion of the exposed drive wire may be targeted more specifically to tissue desired to be cut.
US08142430B2	Electro-cautery catheter An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse endoscopic in situ therapies. The assembly includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal electrode tip portion that acts as a hemostat, and a cutting wire for making incisions in or ablating tissue. A cutting wire hub provides a sealing entrance for a cutting wire. An operator enables the physician to displace the cutting wire between extended and retracted positions. The cutting wire and electrode are electrically isolated. In addition, the catheter assembly may include a planar tip which, when extended outside the distal end of the assembly, assumes a substantially flat unbiased configuration for use. The apparatus of the present invention allows the physician to make incisions in or ablate tissue using electrosurgery, irrigate tissue, and cauterize or coagulate tissue without having to remove the apparatus from the working channel of the endoscope.
US08142429B2	High-frequency treatment based upon a calculated impedance A high-frequency treatment apparatus includes a treatment high-frequency wave output unit configured to output a treatment high-frequency wave to be applied to a treatment target living tissue, a detection unit for detecting an impedance of the treatment target living tissue, and a control unit configured to control the treatment high-frequency wave output unit on the basis of the result of the detection in the detection unit, the control unit configured to set a treatment frequency of the treatment high-frequency wave to a first treatment frequency in order to treat the living tissue primarily by Joule heat when the impedance of the treatment target living tissue is lower than a threshold value and to set the treatment frequency to a second treatment frequency higher than the first treatment frequency in order to treat the living tissue primarily by high-frequency dielectric heating when the impedance of the treatment target living tissue is higher than the threshold value.
US08142427B2	Invasive ablation probe with non-coring distal tip An invasive medical device for delivery radio frequency energy to a target tissue region includes an elongate delivery cannula having a lumen in communication with a distal opening. A deployment member is positioned and longitudinally movable in the lumen. An array of electrode elements are secured to a distal end of the deployment member, the deployment member being movable from a delivery position, in which the electrode elements are positioned within the lumen, to a deployed position, in which the electrode elements extend distally out of the cannula distal opening. A sealing member formed from a biocompatible material sufficiently rigid to penetrate solid body tissue partially extends from, and substantially seals, the distal cannula opening when the deployment member is in the delivery position. By way of examples, the sealing member may be carried on a distal end of the deployment member, or on a separately movable deployment member, or frictionally fit in the cannula distal opening.
US08142425B2	Hemostatic surgical blade, system and method of blade manufacture A hemostatic surgical blade is described which is formed of five symmetrically disposed layers. A martensitic stainless steel core is provided with oppositely disposed faces which are bonded to hard pure copper thermal transfer layers which, in turn, are supported by buttressing layers of austenitic stainless steel. The blade is heated by a blade heater circuit which is provided as a flexible circuit carrying one or more resistor heaters and associated leads supported by a polyimide substrate. A thermally conductive and electrically insulative adhesive is used to bond the flexible circuit to a blade blank. The system employs a multi-lead cable which is removable from an instrument handle. One blade embodiment involves an elongate stem for accessing body cavities and another embodiment incorporates a controller function within an instrument handle.
US08142424B2	Probe based low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods Probe based low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods include, in one embodiment, a surgical probe having a relatively short shaft (e.g., between 3-12 cm) defining a distal portion and a proximal portion, an inflatable cryogenic element, defining an exterior surface, associated with the distal portion of the shaft; and at least one temperature sensor on the exterior of the inflatable cryogenic element. In another embodiment, a method of forming a lesion in a tissue structure includes the steps of positioning an inflatable cryogenic element on the tissue structure with a temperature sensor between a portion of the inflatable cryogenic element and a portion of the tissue surface, supplying cryogenic fluid to the inflatable cryogenic element, maintaining pressure within the inflatable cryogenic element below about 100 mm Hg, and measuring tissue temperature with the temperature sensor.
US08142421B2	Surgical tool having positively positionable tendon-actuated multi-disk wrist joint The present invention is directed to a tool having a wrist mechanism that provides pitch and yaw rotation in such a way that the tool has no singularity in roll, pitch, and yaw. A positively positionable multi-disk wrist mechanism includes a plurality of disks or vertebrae stacked in series. Each vertebra is configured to rotate in pitch or in yaw with respect to each neighboring vertebra. Actuation cables are used to manipulate and control movement of the vertebrae. In specific embodiments, some of the cables are distal cables that extend from a proximal vertebra through one or more intermediate vertebrae to a distal vertebra, while the remaining cables are medial cables that extend from the proximal vertebra to one or more of the intermediate vertebrae. The cables are actuated by a pivoted plate cable actuator mechanism. In specific embodiments, the actuator mechanism includes a plurality of small radius holes or grooves for receiving the medial cables and a plurality of large radius holes or grooves for receiving the distal cables. The holes or grooves restrain the medial cables to a small radius of motion and the distal cables to a large radius of motion, so that the medial cables to the medial vertebra move only a fraction of the amount as the distal cables to the distal vertebra, so as to achieve precise control and manipulation of the vertebrae.
US08142420B2	Robotic arm with five-bar spherical linkage A robotic arm with a parallel spherical five-bar linkage having a ground link, two inboard links, and two outboard links. Each inboard link is coupled to the ground link at an axis of rotation and has an intermediate axis spaced apart from the axis of rotation. Each outboard link is pivotally coupled to one of the inboard links at the intermediate axis. The two outboard links are pivotally coupled together at an outboard axis. A constraint limits the rotation of a first one of the outboard links about the intermediate axis of the coupled inboard link such that a maximum angle between the links is substantially less than 180°. A second one of the outboard links and the coupled inboard link are constructed and assembled such that the two intermediate axes are on the same side of a plane including the outboard axis and one of the axes of rotation.
US08142419B2	Reduced-pressure, wound-closure and treatment systems and methods A reduced-pressure, wound closure system is presented that generates a closing force on a surface wound and optionally provides reduced pressure to a body cavity or tissue site. The sealed contracting member, when placed under reduced pressure, generates the closing force. One illustrative system includes a first attachment member and a second attachment member, a sealed contracting member coupled to the first attachment member and the second attachment member, and wherein the closing force is generated between the first attachment member and the second attachment member when reduced pressure is supplied to the sealed contracting member. Other systems and methods are presented.
US08142418B2	Automatic shut-off connector for enteral feeding devices An in-line connector for use in an enteral feeding system includes a first component connectable to a first feeding device of the feeding system, and a second component connectable to a second feeding device of the feeding system. A releasable coupling is configured between the first and second components, wherein in a connected state the first and second components define a fluid passage between the different feeding devices. Each of the first and second components includes a one-way automatic shutoff valve configured therein such that in a disconnected state of the components, the shutoff valve in the first component prevents flow out of the first component in a first direction and the shutoff valve in the second component prevents flow out of the second component in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction.
US08142417B2	Clamp adapter for a catheter A clamp adapter for a catheter that has a clamp body that receives an elastomeric clamp bushing. In order to fix a catheter inserted into the clamp bushing, the clamp bushing is axially compressed by a clamp lid. For this purpose, the clamp lid is moved axially on the clamp body with a clamp lever by means of a slotted guide.
US08142413B2	Coaxial guide catheter for interventional cardiology procedures A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.
US08142412B2	Method and apparatus for delivering oxygen and/or other gases to tissue A system comprising: a hollow tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end; at least a portion of the tube comprising a porous membrane; and a gas-rich perfluorocarbon solution incorporated in the porous membrane; wherein the porous membrane has a porosity in the range of 0.001-200 microns, in order that: (i) the gas-rich perfluorocarbon solution is effectively incorporated into the porous membrane; and (ii) when the porous membrane is positioned in blood, the gas-rich perfluorocarbon solution elutes out of the porous membrane, in aggregations small enough to prevent the creation of embolisms in the blood, with the elution of the gas-rich perfluorocarbon solution into the blood varying between minutes and several hours, depending on the temperature and the hemodynamics of the blood.
US08142410B2	Fluid absorption mat A fluid absorption mat for use in a medical environment, the fluid absorption mat being a substantially planar mat having at least one fluid absorption layer. At least two absorption portions, presenting substantially juxtaposed projections on a principle plane of the mat, and present different absorption capacities are provided. Furthermore, use of the fluid absorption mat in a medical environment is provided.
US08142406B2	Ostomy coupling An ostomy coupling including a body-side coupling member, an appliance-side coupling member including plural fastener lugs, and a bracing member. The lugs flex independently of each other to provide plural independent latching fastenings. The bracing member is moved between a bracing position in which the bracing member locks the lugs by resisting flexing movement, and a non-bracing or dismounted position in which the lugs are free to flex. The ostomy coupling is used with an ostomy pouch or with a controlled evacuation device.
US08142404B2	Controller for pumping apparatus A controller for operating a pumping apparatus to supply fluid to a patient through a pump set includes a processor programmed to instruct a first source of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation in a direction for striking a safety interlock of the pump set. The processor activates a first electromagnetic radiation detector to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source. The processor instructs a second source of electromagnetic radiation to emit electromagnetic radiation in a direction for striking the safety interlock. The processor activates a second electromagnetic radiation detector to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the second source. The processor controls the pumping apparatus to operate for pumping fluid in the pump set only when electromagnetic radiation emitted from the first source is detected by the first detector and when the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the second source is not detect by the second detector.
US08142401B2	Anchor instrumentation and methods Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system includes an anchor sleeve and a catheter (or other medical instrument) to advance though a working channel of the anchor sleeve. The anchor sleeve may have a subcutaneous cuff device arranged along an outer surface. In such circumstances, the embedded cuff device can inhibit the migration of infection from outside the skin and into the blood stream.
US08142399B2	Pump set with safety interlock A safety interlock for use in a medical device includes a central tubular portion defining a fluid passage for passing fluid through the safety interlock. An outer ring portion is adapted for mounting on the medical device. The outer ring portion is formed of a light transmitting material and includes at least one interposing surface. A connector portion connects the central tubular portion to the outer ring portion so that the outer ring portion is spaced radially outwardly from the central tubular portion in opposed relation with at least a portion of the central tubular portion. The safety interlock device is adapted for mounting in medical device in a path of electromagnetic radiation from a source of electromagnetic radiation for reflecting the electromagnetic radiation to a electromagnetic radiation detector when properly loaded on the medical device.
US08142398B1	Fluid dispenser A dispensing device for dispensing pain management medicaments to a patient comprising first and second threadably interconnectable sub-assemblies. The first of these sub-assemblies houses a novel collapsible fluid reservoir defining component while the second comprises a fluid delivery and control assembly that includes a novel flow control means that functions to control the flow of medicinal fluid from the fluid reservoir of the collapsible reservoir defining component toward the patient via a plurality of fluid flow control passageways.
US08142394B1	Enteral feeding catheter device with an indicator A balloon catheter device, for example an enteral feeding catheter, includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and catheter walls defining a catheter lumen. A base is located at the proximal end of the catheter and has an opening to the catheter lumen. An inflatable balloon is located at a distal end of the catheter and is inflated through an inflation valve located on the base. An internal cavity is defined in the base and is in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon such that fluid used to inflate the balloon to an operational fill volume fills the internal cavity as well. A translucent window is disposed over the internal cavity such that an interior volume of the cavity is externally viewable. Introduction of a colored fluid through the inflation valve to inflate the balloon results in the colored fluid also being present in the internal cavity, thereby providing an externally visual indication of the inflation state of the balloon.
US08142393B2	Hands-free breast pump with balanced reciprocating drive A hands-free breast pump that includes a balanced push-pull reciprocating drive system that applies pumping force to a vacuum chamber formed by a breast interface cup during inward and outward pump strokes. The breast pump includes a breast cup that has a resilient bellows structure that partially collapses the volume of the vacuum chamber during the inward stroke and recovers the volume of the vacuum chamber during the outward stroke. The pump mechanism includes a cam drive system that translates rotary electric motor power into reciprocating linear action of an actuator arm that drives the bellows structure. The bellows structure acts like a spring that charges (resists the pump force) during the inward stroke and discharges (assists the pump force) during the outward stroke, and the shape of the cam track is designed to produce a desired operating profile for the pump.
US08142392B2	Milk pump A milk pump for pumping milk from a woman's breast, includes a receptacle for receiving milk pumped from the woman's breast and a manual pumping unit. The pumping unit includes a displacement space surrounded by a wall that defines a longitudinal axis and having a predetermined cross-sectional dimension. This displacement space is or may be connected to a breast hood. The pump unit includes a suction member which is displaceable within displacement space substantially along its longitudinal axis. The suction member is formed as a generally cup-shaped membrane so that a first portion of said cup-shaped membrane extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of said displacement space, whereas a second portion extends substantially in circumferential direction. The membrane is able to move substantially free of friction relative to a wall of the displacement space.
US08142391B2	Electrostatic transcutaneous hypodermic spray (electrostatic hypospray) A method and apparatus for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents as a low pressure high velocity spray into tissue. According to the particular desired spray characteristics, the spray may be generated via the combined use of pressure atomization and electrostatic spray charging, or via the combined use of pressure atomization and electrostatic atomization. Particle velocity, spray flow-rate, and spray dispersion are further controlled via electrostatic means.
US08142389B2	Microdialysis probe and method for the production thereof A microdialysis probe including a probe body, a supply line and a discharge line for a perfusion solution and a dialysis membrane, wherein a probe needle for introduction into a tissue is provided by a generally elongate frame. The frame has at least one recess at least partially open for receiving at least a portion of the supply and discharge lines. The invention encompasses a method for making such a probe, wherein the method includes arranging a dialysis membrane on a shaping device, shaping the dialysis membrane in a selected shape, applying an adhesive agent to the dialysis membrane to keep the membrane in the selected shape, and separating the dialysis membrane and the shaping devices after the adhesive agent has been applied.
US08142386B2	Anti-reflux ureteral stents and methods An anti-reflux ureteral stent includes an elongated member with a distal end having a first retention structure and a proximal end having a second retention structure. A lumen extends between the distal and proximal ends. The elongated member may include a valve near the proximal end and distal to the second retention structure. The valve may include one or more slits or windows tending to render the elongated member collapsible. The valve may include one or more protrusions to partially occlude the lumen. A protrusion, if present, may be shaped as a helical thread. The second retention structure may be shaped as a barb to engage a ureteral orifice in a bladder.
US08142384B2	Blood tube system for extracorporeal uses, such as dialysis devices A blood tube system for extracorporeal uses, such as dialysis devices, wherein an arterial expansion chamber including a lower region for receiving blood, in which a blood inlet channel terminates, and from which a blood outlet channel extends, and an upper region for receiving air, where a venting channel provided with a venting valve extends from the upper region. The blood tube system includes a central region of the expansion chamber which has considerably reduced cross-sectional dimensions, the blood level being adjustable by means of the venting valve in such a manner that blood/air contact takes place in the central region. The amounts of heparin and EPO needed for a dialysis treatment can thereby be reduced.
US08142381B1	Foot brace device A foot brace assembly for immobilizing a user's foot while providing some degree of flexibility through independent shock absorbers that avoid drastic application of loads to the user's foot. A top shoe assembly is coupled through spring members to a bottom shoe assembly that has slightly larger dimensions to receive the top shoe assembly. The underside of the bottom shoe assembly includes rear, middle, and front assemblies that are independent from each other and are compressed depending on the user's gait. The underside of the shoe assembly includes perpendicularly mounted upper tubular members that telescopically receive and guide corresponding lower tubular members that are perpendicularly mounted to the upperside of the sole assembly. The lower tubular members are mounted to depressed walls below the sole assembly's upperside to reduce the effective separation of the shoe and sole assemblies while providing a sufficient guiding distance. Adjustable extension bracing members with corresponding straps are used to secure the foot brace assembly to a user's cast and leg.
US08142378B2	Immobilizing and supporting inflatable splint apparatus Disclosed is a medical device which operates as a supporting splint for the treatment of orthopedic conditions. Said device is an inflatable, flexible, lightweight water-resistant splint whose measure of rigidity is easily controlled by the user. According to the present invention there are several embodiments of the splint, each suited to fit a different body part such as the limbs, the torso, the chest and the neck. Said device which is constructed of inflatable tubes is made of two nylon layers soldered together and is coated with polyurethane. The tubes may be inflated by an attachable hand pump or by other means of supplying air pressure. The present invention is especially designed to allow the normal blood circulation to the treated body part, provide ventilation to the area and enable easy inspection of an injury.
US08142377B2	Double pull body brace The double pull body brace comprises a one-piece panel which engages around the torso and overlaps at the front. At the overlap, it is attached to itself by means of a hook-and-loop fastener so that a wide range of adjustment is possible. In the back, spaced cord guides are mounted on said panel. Each cord guide carries a plurality of cord guide lobes. An upper cord is engaged around the upper cord guide lobes, and a lower cord is engaged around the lower cord guide lobes. These cords are separately attached to pull tabs. When donned, the user pulls on the pull tabs to separately adjust upper and lower closure tension of the body brace. When in correct adjustment, the pull tabs are attached in place by hook-and-loop fasteners.
US08142372B2	External left ventricular assist device for treatment of congestive heart failure The invention provides a treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) in a patient. At least one pressure applicator is arranged externally around a body segment of the patient. Negative pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, is applied to the body segment of the patient during cardiac systole using the pressure applicator, thereby reducing ventricular afterload in the patient. The negative pressure to the body segment of the patient is removed during cardiac diastole.
US08142365B2	Apparatus and method for accessing the bone marrow of the sternum An apparatus and method for accessing the bone marrow of a human's sternum is provided. The apparatus includes a tissue penetrator configured to penetrate the sternum, a trigger mechanism configured to engage when the tissue penetrator contacts the sternum and a depth control mechanism operable to limit the penetration of the tissue penetrator into the sternum to a pre-selected depth.
US08142357B2	Condition monitoring device and monitor main unit for condition monitoring device A condition monitoring device for monitoring conditions related to a user. A monitor main unit includes a connection structure for detachably attachment to a first sensor unit. The first sensor unit includes a first connector mated with the connection structure of the monitor main unit and a second connector detachably attachable to a second sensor unit. Data associated with the monitored condition detected by the first sensor unit is provided to the monitor main unit via the first connector and the connection structure. Data associated with a monitored condition detected by the second sensor unit is provided to the monitor main unit via the second connector, the first sensor unit, the first connector, and the connection structure.
US08142355B2	Surgical tissue retractor A retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis. The retractor further comprises a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In operation, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, thereby stretching the skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.) The retractor thus forms an aperture for passage of surgical instruments and viewing of the surgical field by surgical personnel. In some embodiments, the retractor features a pair of removable handles that may be removed from the arms during surgery in order to afford the surgeon improved space management about the incision. In specific embodiments, the invention provides a method of performing an operation, e.g. a spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor.
US08142354B1	Laminated surgical access port A surgical access port comprises a wound protector adapted for insertion into a wound in the abdominal wall of a patient. A resilient pad comprising a laminated structure with a plurality of layers of resilient materials is attached to the wound protector. The pad comprises an aperture adapted to receive and seal against a surgeon's arm or surgical instruments and is self-closing in the absence of a surgeon's arm or surgical instrument.
US08142351B2	Endoscope with movable optical member and heating unit An endoscope insertion portion includes an imaging unit including a distal end optical member arranged at a distal end portion of the imaging unit and a movable optical member configured to be moved relative to the distal end optical member, an actuator unit arranged in a position relative to the distal end optical member, configured to drive the movable optical member and including a shape memory member configured to deform according to temperature, and a heater unit including a heating member configured to heat the distal end optical member wherein the heater unit is arranged on one side opposite to other side on which the actuator unit is arranged and the heating member is configured to heat the distal end optical member from the one side to the other side, relative to the optical axis of the imaging unit, when viewing in the axial direction of the insertion portion.
US08142348B2	Endoscope insertion apparatus An endoscope insertion apparatus is provided that has an inner-side unit in which a plurality of inner-side fixing sections having an inner-side arm are uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction, an outer-side unit in which a plurality of outer-side fixing sections having an outer-side arm are uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction and in which slit portions that extend in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction and from which the inner-side arms protrude are uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction between the outer-side fixing sections, and an insertion operation portion that changes a front/rear relationship between the inner-side arms and outer-side arms.
US08142347B2	Self-orienting polypectomy snare device A snare device and methods of making and using the same. The snare device may include a sheath having a proximal end region, a distal end region, and a shaft slidably disposed therein. A handle may be coupled to the shaft and disposed adjacent the proximal end region. The snare device may also include a swivel disposed adjacent the distal end region of the sheath and coupled to the shaft and to a snare loop.
US08142346B2	Endoscope with electromagnetic wave shield An endoscope including an insertion portion, an operation portion, an image pickup device provided in the operation portion, an image display device connected to the operation portion and provided with a monitor portion, an image processing portion such as an image pickup device control circuit processing an image pickup signal of a portion to be inspected picked up by the image pickup device, a cylindrical rotating shaft formed by an electromagnetic wave shielding member such as metal, slidably engaged with the operation portion, for rotatably connecting the operation portion and the image display device to each other, and an image pickup cable inserted through the rotating shaft and electrically connecting the image pickup device control circuit and the image pickup device to each other.
US08142345B2	Systems and methods employing a push tube for delivering a urethral sling Systems, methods, and devices employing a push tube to deliver an implant are disclosed.
US08142338B2	Methods and devices for treating pathological conditions of the human knee Kit and method for treatment or rehabilitation of medical conditions of the human knee using an apparatus having a substantially rigid support member having two substantially similar sides joined at one end, which forms an apex, and having a third side including two opposing linear surfaces separated by a cavity; an adjustable strap; and a wedged insole.
US08142332B2	Transmission device and method for operating a vehicle drivetrain A transmission device has at least two change-under-load shift elements with transmission capacities that are varied an actuation device. A method for operating a drive train including transmission and drive engine includes a step that when the transmission is shifted, one of the shift elements, which is engaged in the force flow, is disengaged by the actuation device and the other shift element, which is engaged, is disengaged. The actuation device includes an actuator which applies an actuating force to actuate the shift elements and a coupling device by which the actuator communicates with the shift elements to actuate them, such that an actuating force of the actuator, which is actuating the shift element to be disengaged, can be reduced, while an actuating force of the actuator, which is actuating the shift element to be engaged can simultaneously be increased.
US08142330B2	Continuously variable transmission and control method thereof When a through speed ratio, which is an overall speed ratio of a variator and a subtransmission mechanism, varies from a larger speed ratio than a mode switch speed ratio to a smaller speed ratio than the mode switch speed ratio, a gear position of the subtransmission mechanism is changed from a first gear position to a second gear position and the speed ratio of the variator is modified to a large speed ratio side. The mode switch speed ratio is set midway between a low speed mode Highest speed ratio and a high speed mode Lowest speed ratio.
US08142327B2	Method for controlling the coupling and the decoupling of two motors of a parallel hybrid motive power group According to this method for controlling the coupling and the decoupling of the first and second motors of a parallel hybrid motive power group comprising a first motor driving an input shaft, a second motor, and a coupling/decoupling means motors, maneuverable between an open position and a closed position, the motive power group is controlled so that the rotational speed of the input shaft at the moment of coupling and of decoupling remains unchanged while using a law of control that creates a discontinuity between the torques output to the input shaft when the first and the second motors are decoupled or coupled, selected for compensating for the difference between the inertias produced by the input shaft when the first and the second motors are decoupled or coupled in order to ensure a continuity of the acceleration of the input shaft when coupling or decoupling.
US08142322B2	Transmission with hydraulically actuated splined clutch A transmission includes an input member, an output member, and an intermediate member coaxially aligned with the input member and the output member. The transmission further includes at least one countershaft substantially parallel with the input member, output member and the intermediate member, and at least one gear associated with each of the input member, the output member, intermediate member, at least one countershaft. The transmission also includes a planetary gear set to operatively couple a gear of the at least one gear associated with the intermediate shaft with the output shaft, and a plurality of clutches to selectively define a torque transfer path from the input member to the output member via one or more of the intermediate member, first countershaft, second countershaft, and the at least one associated gears therewith. The plurality of clutches include a direct drive clutch to selectively couple the input member directly to the intermediate member.
US08142320B2	Shift control apparatus for automatic transmission A shift control apparatus that disconnects and connects respective pairs of friction engagement elements during downshift to a speed spaced apart by two or more steps through an intermediate shift speed. A shift controller controls a hydraulic pressure of a second shift release element by feedback control, and in accordance with the increase in the torque capacity of the second shift release element, also controls the torque capacity of a first shift engagement element so as to be sufficiently higher than the amount of change in the torque capacity of the second shift release element. The occurrence of adverse consequences in which a shift shock is generated is effectively suppressed because a sufficient reaction force cannot be ensured during engagement switching due to insufficient torque capacity of the first shift engagement element, and since the second shift release element cannot be appropriately feedback-controlled, difficulty in control of rotation change results.
US08142310B2	Arrowhead assembly with interchangeable blades The arrowhead assembly has a ferrule having a tip end and an arrow end. The arrow end is structured and arranged to couple to an arrow shaft. The ferrule has plural slots or grooves extending longitudinally. The grooves receive blades. Each blade has a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is received into a nook on the ferrule, while the rear portion forms a corner that is received by a collar on the ferrule. Some of the blades have first and second cutting edges, wherein the second cutting edge is inserted into the groove while the first cutting edge is exposed for cutting. The blades are reversible in that the first cutting edge can be put into the groove while the second cutting edge is exposed. The grooves have an edge keeper to prevent the cutting edge from becoming dulled through contact through the ferrule. There are also disclosed lopper type blades which have cutting edges swept forward.
US08142308B2	System of golf club performance enhancement and articles resultant therefrom The performance of a golf club is enhanced through the provision of a void space behind a face plate and above a sole portion, to decrease club weight and provide single, or combinations, of selectable weighting elements within volumetric coordinates of an orthonormal matrix about the void space and entire club. The weighted coordinates are provided in response to ball strike, flight analysis and physiologic observation of the golf strike swing. Ball backspin, trajectory, penetration hook or slice, and ballooning may be modified through the use of definable combinations of weighting strategies and sub-strategies.
US08142307B2	Golf club attachment mechanisms and methods to attach golf clubs Embodiments of golf club attachment mechanisms and methods to attach golf clubs are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US08142305B2	Sports activity swing trainer A sports activity swing trainer having a concave curved surface area on which a person stands to practice a swing for a sports activity.
US08142304B2	Golf round data system golf club telemetry Golf club telemetry equipment sends signals to a receiver in a golf round data system. The signals uniquely identify the particular club a player has selected for a stroke and the fact that a stroke has been taken. The club identification can occur either before or during a stroke. Automatic detection of clubs and strokes simplifies round data collection for the player. Club identification before a stroke permits a forecast of the result of the stroke to be presented to the player prior to the stroke. The signals can be either acoustic or electromagnetic.
US08142302B2	Method and system for shot tracking A system and method for shot tracking disclosed herein. The system preferably includes a golf club and a receiver. The golf club preferably includes an active RFID transponder, a power source, a switch and an accelerometer.
US08142300B2	Analysis method of golf club According to the present invention, a torque applied from a golf player to a golf club during a swing is analyzed in a time-series manner. A DLT method is suitable as a determination procedure. Preferably, a link model is used in this analysis. Preferably, the three-dimensional coordinate of the mark provided at a position that corresponds to the link model is determined by a DLT method. Preferable analysis method includes: modeling using a golf club, and at least a part of a golf player who grips a grip member of the golf club to provide a link model in which the golf club is connected with the golf player via a joint; and analyzing the torque that acts on the joint is analyzed during the swing in a time-series manner. This joint is positioned in the vicinity of the grip member. This analysis can be applied to a method of diagnosing a swing, a method of selecting a golf club, and a method of designing a golf club.
US08142299B1	Training aid A wrist guide for athletic training comprises a first wrist structure extending along a user's wrist, the first wrist structure having a first end and a second end, the first wrist structure having an inner surface and an outer surface, a curved element having a first end connected to the first wrist structure and a second end connected to a second wrist structure, the second wrist structure extending from the curved element above the first wrist structure, a visual aid receiver on an upper surface of the second wrist structure, the receiver having a first portion for receiving a visual aid and a second portion in communication with the first portion for movement of the visual aid, the visual aid positioned in the receiver and being positionable in at least one of a first orientation wherein the visual aid is substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the second wrist structure and a second orientation wherein the visual aid is substantially parallel to the outer surface of the second wrist brace structure.
US08142297B2	Infant swing apparatus and method of operating the same An infant swing is provided with a swing lock that can desirably block oscillating motion of the seat portion. The infant swing comprises a support frame and that has front and rear leg frames defining two lateral sides and respectively coupled with at least a hinge structure. At least one of the two lateral sides includes a swing arm pivotally coupled with the support frame via a pivot assembly. The swing lock is movably mounted with the pivot assembly, which includes a coupling hub provided with first and second engaging portions. The swing lock includes a latch bolt having a key movable relative to the coupling hub. When the key of the latch bolt engages with the second engaging portion, a distal end of the latch bolt is engaged through the hinge structure for locking rotation of the swing arm relative to the support frame.
US08142294B2	Power transmission shaft and propeller shaft for vehicle A power transmitting shaft includes a coupling member, a cylindrical intermediate member, a tube member and an increased diameter portion. The coupling member connects to a counterpart. The cylindrical intermediate member is on a side of one end of the coupling member and has a mechanical strength larger than that of the coupling member. The tube member has one end portion connected to either one of an inner circumferential portion of the intermediate member and an outer circumferential portion of the intermediate member. The increased diameter portion is on one end portion of the intermediate member which is opposed to the one end of the coupling member in an axial direction of the power transmitting shaft. The increased diameter portion is connected with the one end of the coupling member in the axial direction.
US08142290B2	Gaming machine security interface module A gaming machine includes an electronic gaming module which includes a game controller, and also includes a separate security interface module which monitors door switches and various devices. The security interface module has a separate unswitched power supply and also has a separate communication connection with a backend system so that it can continue to communicate with a backend system even when the electronic gaming module is powered down.
US08142286B2	Programmable movement of an orientation of a game character view of a game environment A control system comprises a control device comprising a programmable macro button, a memory containing view change settings, a driver program and a microprocessor. The driver program includes a view change output that is produced in response to actuation of the macro button and is based on the view change settings. The microprocessor is configured to move the orientation of the character view of the game environment from a beginning orientation to an ending orientation in response to the view change output. Also disclosed is a method of using a control system to move an orientation of a character view of a game environment in a video game.
US08142284B2	Method and apparatus for selecting and animating game elements in a gaming machine A method and apparatus for selecting game elements in a gaming machine are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes presenting a bonus event setting that includes a plurality of game elements and receiving a plurality of game element selections. In the method, each game element selection indicates that one of the game elements has been selected. Additionally, the method also includes presenting an animation sequence for each of the game element selections, wherein portions of the animation sequences are presented simultaneously.
US08142276B1	Method and system of gaming A method and system of gaming. A game has three tiers including a primary game, bonus game and secondary bonus game. The primary game involves two player cards and a sum value thereof. The bonus game involves a combination of the two player cards and three bonus cards and a poker rank thereof. A secondary bonus game is triggered responsive to a rank, value and/or position associated with the player cards, bonus cards or combinations thereof. The secondary bonus game comprises a Magic Ball or Magic 7 Icons.
US08142273B2	Presentation of wheels on gaming machines having multi-layer displays Gaming machines, systems and methods for presenting gaming wheels are disclosed. Gaming machines can include an exterior housing, master gaming controller, display device, specialized wheel processor, speakers and a network interface. A multi-layer display device adapted to display a gaming wheel having a plurality of wheel stops distributed thereupon can include a display controller that generates or transmits display signals, a first display screen that presents a first visual display and a second display screen that presents a second visual display, where the second display screen is positioned behind the first display screen such that the first and second visual displays combine for a single visual presentation that can include a gaming wheel. Different portions of the gaming wheel can be presented on both of the first and second display screens. Multiple spinning wheels can overlap and/or align concentrically for alternative wager-based games.
US08142272B2	Method and apparatus for facilitating entry into bonus rounds The present invention allows gaming devices to set or modify game parameters through the use of random events such as spinning slot machine reels and/or random number generators. In one embodiment, a player may purchase an entry into a bonus round of a bonus game, without first having to qualify for the entry by obtaining a qualifying outcome of a base game. In one embodiment, a player may provide payment for an entry into one or more bonus rounds to establish an initial credit meter balance, wherein the initial credit meter balance is set to a number of credits based on the results of the one or more bonus rounds and not to an amount of credits corresponding to the payment provided by the player, wherein the player can pay for the entry without first having to qualify for the entry via a qualifying outcome of the base game.
US08142271B2	Electronic gaming system with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual card and betting images Electronic gaming system with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual card and betting images. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets. By converting the identities of the cards in play into processor-usable information, the exemplary system can add entertaining graphics, automate tedious and costly aspects of double-checking card and chip movement and whereabouts, and provide confidence and security to those at the gaming table that the cards and chips are being digitally tracked for each participant to see and verify.
US08142268B2	Systems and methods for simulating a particular user in an interactive computer system The field of the invention relates to interactive computer systems and more particularly to systems and methods for simulating a particular user's behavior in an interactive computer system. In one embodiment, a computer program product includes a simulator configured to simulate a user interacting with a computer program. The simulator includes a learning mode of operation and a simulation mode of operation. During the learning mode, the simulator is configured to monitor the user's interaction with the computer program for one or more events and analyze one or more current circumstances during the occurrence of the one or more events. The simulator is further configured to record one or more user inputs in response to the occurrence of the one or more events, store the one or more user inputs in one or more data fields, and associate the one or more data fields with the one or more events and the one or more current circumstances. During the simulation mode of operation, the simulator is configured to monitor the computer program for the one or more particular events, retrieve the one or more data fields associated with the one or more particular events, analyze one or more current circumstances upon the occurrence of the one or more particular events, and invoke one or more simulated inputs based on the value of the one or more data fields in response to the occurrence of the one or more events and the one or more current circumstances.
US08142264B2	Computer program products for ruckers capable of rucking fixed diameter coverings Computer program products for ruckers for rucking sleeves of covering material onto a chute body include a translating member disposed in a housing having an axis of movement configured to reciprocally translate a chute body about the axis of movement; and at least one gripping member disposed in the housing in cooperating alignment with the translating member. In operation, the at least one gripping member has an automated stroke cycle whereby the at least one gripping member is configured to travel inwardly a distance sufficient to snugly abut an outer surface of the chute body while the chute body travels in a first direction about the axis of movement and to travel outwardly a sufficient distance to prevent contact with the chute body while the chute body travels in a second opposing direction about the axis of movement.
US08142263B2	Method of manufacturing revolving whetstone and revolving whetstone manufactured by the same In a method of manufacturing a revolving whetstone comprising a central portion in which a whetstone center hole into which a whetstone driving shaft of a grinder is inserted is arranged and a disk-shaped whetstone body that has an effective whetstone circular portion arranged in the circumferential outside of the central portion as one body, the wall thickness of the central portion is formed thinner than the wall thickness of the effective whetstone circular portion, and a whetstone material for the thinned wall thickness of the central portion is put on the wall thickness surface of the effective whetstone circular portion, and the wall thickness of the effective whetstone circular portion is formed thicker than the wall thickness of the central portion.
US08142260B2	Methods and apparatus for removal of films and flakes from the edge of both sides of a substrate using backing pads Apparatus and methods are provided to polish an edge of a substrate. The invention includes a polishing head adapted to retain a backing pad having a selected contour, wherein the polishing head is adapted to press the backing pad against an edge of a substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08142257B2	Detecting device for abnormal workpiece rotation in non-circular workpiece grinding machine In a non-circular workpiece grinding machine, a proximity sensor is arranged to face a non-circular portion of a workpiece for sensing a maximum diameter portion of the non-circular portion to detect that the maximum diameter portion is rotating in a detection phase section when the work spindle is rotating in a low speed rotational phase region in which the work spindle is controlled by a numerical controller to rotate at a low speed. Abnormality judging means is provided for judging that an abnormal workpiece rotation is occurring when the maximum diameter portion of the non-circular portion is not detected by the proximity sensor in the state that the work spindle is rotating in the low speed rotational phase region.
US08142255B2	Bra pad and method of relieving breast engorgement A pad for relieving breast engorgement includes a material comprising absorbent fibers and an acidic agent. The pad is configured to insert within the cup of a bra. A bra pad has a layer of absorbent fiber material with a front surface and a back surface. A liquid barrier layer has a first side interfacing the back surface of the absorbent fiber material and an opposing second side. An acidic agent is disposed within the absorbent fiber material. A method of relieving breast engorgement includes providing an absorbent pad including absorbent fibers and an acidic agent shaped to insert within a cup of a bra and disposing the pad between the cup of the bra and an engorged breast to be relieved.
US08142254B1	Toy vehicle A vehicle having a chassis and motor. An electronic controller and receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control. A pair of ground-engaging front and rear wheels mounted to a front and rear portions of the chassis, and being freely rotatably mounted to the chassis. A ground-engaging center drive wheel operably coupled to the drive motor, the center drive wheel being mounted on a rotatable platform positioned on the chassis within a perimeter defined by the front and rear wheels, the rotatable platform rotating with respect to the chassis to allow the central drive wheel to steer the vehicle in different directions, the central drive wheel having a coefficient of friction higher than the front and rear wheels to aid in driving the vehicle in different direction.
US08142250B2	Method of forming a color filter touch sensing substrate A method of forming a color filter touch sensing substrate integrates touch-sensing structures/elements of a touch panel into the inner side of the color filter substrate, which faces a thin film transistor substrate, and forms patterned assistant electrodes on the surfaces of the transparent sensing pads for decreasing the equivalent resistance of the touch-sensing structures/elements. Moreover, since an adjacent transparent conductive layer and an assistant electrode layer are patterned to form the transparent sensing pads and the patterned assistant electrodes, a simplified pattern-transferring process can be applied to the transparent sensing pads and the patterned assistant electrodes, or bridge structures can be formed from the assistant electrode layer for electrically connecting between some transparent sensing pads. Therefore, the forming process is simplified.
US08142248B2	Method of uprighting and locating a water sports board in the water and a directional float therefor This invention relates to a novel method and a novel inflatable flotation device for the method which are used in association with water sports boards such as kite boards, surfboards and the like, for the purpose of uprighting the water sports boards when inverted and encouraging the water sports boards to be moved by the wind in the direction of a water sports board rider when the rider becomes separated from the water sports board.
US08142245B2	Outboard engine unit An air intake passage system includes an external air intake port provided in a rear portion of a top cover and a passageway section projecting upwardly from the engine cover for directing taken-in external air to the engine. The top cover is provided over the engine cover with a gap therebetween such that the taken-in external air is allowed to flow into the passageway section and a water discharge section is provided between the engine cover and the top cover. Water, having entered together with external air, flows along the upper surface of the engine cover, bypasses the passageway section and is then discharged via the water discharge section.
US08142242B2	Marine propulsion system Illustrative marine propulsion systems are disclosed. In a non-limiting, illustrative embodiment, a marine propulsion system includes a pump housing that is configured to be disposed below a waterline of a marine vessel and a centrifugal pump assembly that is disposed in the pump housing. The centrifugal pump assembly includes an inlet pump stage configured to receive inlet water and to discharge impulse water. The centrifugal pump assembly also includes an outlet pump stage that includes an impulse turbine wheel configured to rotate about an axis responsive to the impulse water and an outlet pump stage impeller integral with the impulse turbine wheel. The outlet pump stage impeller is configured to rotate about the axis.
US08142238B2	Electrical connector for high temperature environments An electrical connector for establishing an electrical contact with a complementary connector, in particular in a high-temperature environment, the electrical connector including: a housing having an essentially cylindrical inner volume with an opening at least at one end; an elongated contact element disposed inside the inner volume to contact the complementary connector when the latter is introduced into the inner volume; and an elongated spring element disposed between a wall of the inner volume and the contact element to resiliently support the elongated contact element. The contact element includes an anchor section clamped between a first and a second part of the housing.
US08142235B2	Arrangement for current distribution and contact arrangement and fuse protection thereof of the outgoing cables The invention relates to a potential distribution system for motor vehicles, which makes provision for a reserve on contact bars of an excess number of connection possibilities for further outlets. The connection possibilities which are not required can be closed off with a blanking plug and the connection possibilities which are required are brought in contact by means of an intermediate element, wherein the intermediate element can be designed as a fuse box or as an intermediate plug with integrated fuses.
US08142233B2	Terminal assembly and flat cable connector A connector for connecting together two ends of flat flexible cable includes a base member and a cover member. The base member has a plurality of slots that receive a corresponding number of conductive terminals. The terminals have two upward bends in them near their midpoint and these bends are spaced apart longitudinally along the terminals so as to mate with exposed ends of the lengths of flat cable. Two projections serve as press arms to retain a cover in place upon the base member. The cover exerts a pressure on the cable ends and the terminals to provide a reliable electrical contact between them.
US08142226B2	Electrical connector with improved notch structure to separate large and small receiving cavities arranged side by side An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative body (1) having a wide tongue (123) and a narrow tongue (121) split by a gap (124) therebetween. A metallic shell (32) includes a front pocket (320) defining a large receiving cavity (327) enclosing the wide tongue (123), a small receiving cavity (325) enclosing the narrow tongue (121), and a non-circumferentially enclosed notch structure (33) which protrudes into the gap (124) so as to form the large receiving cavity (327) and the small receiving cavity (325). Besides, the notch structure (33) defines a notch (330) opened to an exterior from a bottom side thereof. First and second sets of contacts (211, 212) are located in the wide tongue and the narrow tongue, respectively, and the first contacts (211) are compatible to version 2.0 Micro Universal Serial Bus.
US08142216B1	Electrical connector with improved actuator An electrical connector includes a base having a plurality of terminals received therein and defining a first aperture extending therethough, a cover mounted on the base and having a second aperture corresponding to the first aperture and an actuating device actuating the cover moving along the base in a front-to-back direction. The actuating device includes three separated parts called as a rotating shaft define a position rib, an eccentric wheel and a concentric wheel assembled on the rotating shaft from an up-to-down direction. The eccentric wheel used as a cam has a first slot engaging with the position rib. The concentric wheel received in the second aperture has a second slot engaging with the position rib. The eccentric wheel is received in the second aperture to actuate the cover move along the base.
US08142212B2	Locking mechanisms and locking caps for USB connectors According to various embodiments, an exemplary locking mechanism for a USB connector comprises a hook, a hook bracket at least partially inserted within the hook to form a first assembly, a holder, the holder enclosing at least a portion of the first assembly to form a second assembly, and a button, the button enclosing at least a portion of the second assembly to form the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may further comprise a spring fitted around a protruding portion of the hook bracket, the protruding portion extending outward from the first assembly. The locking mechanism may further comprise one or more screws attaching the first assembly to the holder to form the second assembly. The locking mechanism may include a cap enclosing at least a portion of the button to form a locking cap.
US08142210B2	Data card with rotatable connector and rotatable connector for data card In the field of data cards with a rotatable external port, a data card with a rotatable connector and a rotatable connector for a data card are provided. The data card with a rotatable connector includes a data card body and a rotatable connector, where the rotatable connector includes an external port for connecting with an external device, and the rotatable connector is rotatably connected with the data card body. The data card further includes an antenna set in the rotatable connector. The rotatable connector for a data card includes a rotatable connector body and an external port for connecting with an external device, and includes an antenna therein. Through setting the antenna in the rotatable connector, no matter what angle the data card is rotated, the antenna is always maintained in the same state, so that the antenna can be modulated in advance, so as to eliminate the interference on the performance of the antenna caused by the external device, and ensures stable performance of the antenna.
US08142208B2	Adapter plug The invention relates to a three-pole adapter plug (11), comprising, on a first side, a safety plug (13) with two pins (31, 33) and two earth conductors (23,24), in particular a hybrid plug according to the standard CEE 7/7 with an additional contact sleeve (49.5) for a FR earth pin. On the second side, opposite to the first side the adapter has a socket (15) for at least one plug of British standard. A housing (41,43) for the adapter plug (11) forms a safety plug body (21). Contact sleeves (45.3, 47.3, 49.3) for such plugs to British Standards are arranged within the safety plug body (21). According to the invention, one of said earth conductors (23) of the safety plug (13) forms a contact sleeve (49.3) for the UK earth pin on the inner side thereof.
US08142207B1	QSFP receptacle with grounding plate and noise cancellation A QSFP receptacle includes a grounding plate in the housing between the first and second contact arrays such that the first and second contact arrays are equidistant from the grounding plate and a noise cancellation member making electrical contact with the grounding contacts of the first and second contact arrays and the grounding plate to provide an electrical connection among the grounding contacts of the first and second contact arrays and the grounding plate.
US08142206B2	Electrical connector having contact arrangement ensuring reliable high speed transmission An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (10) defining a receiving room (110) for receiving a mating connector, and a receiving cavity (16) below and separated from the receiving room for receiving a portion of the mating connector. A number of contacts are supported by said insulative housing, and arranged in distinct sets of upper and lower contacts (20, 30) on opposing faces of said insulative housing. The upper and the lower contacts are inserted into the receiving room along a back-to-front direction. An elongated spacer (40) is supported by said insulative housing. The upper contacts are arranged by the elongated spacer.
US08142199B1	Electric connector with a linearly and circularly displaceable plug An electric connector connecting one plug with several sockets in a housing, arranged to allow rotating the plug relative to the housing, as well as linearly moving the plug along the housing, while keeping the connector functional. The plug pins are movably connected to round flat tracks, which are movably connected to linear tracks that are connected via straps to the corresponding sockets' slots.
US08142198B2	Method for developing fine motor skills of the hand A method for developing fine motor skills of the hand, the method having the steps of manufacturing a fine-motor-skills-of-the-hand development workbook system that is made up of more than one workbook, wherein substantially all of the workbook pages are construction paper, and each of the workbooks are respectively made up of distinct printed subject matter and patterns; printing subject matter and patterns on each of the construction-paper pages that are to be inserted into each of the respective workbooks; inserting and binding the pre-printed construction-paper pages into each of the system's respective workbooks; and identifying and visually displaying each of the system's workbooks as having relatively different levels of complexity in the development of fine motor skills of the hand.
US08142193B2	Compound angular joint for connecting an abutment to a dental implant in a predefined angle A compound angular joint for connecting an abutment to a dental implant in a predefined angle. One compound angular joint includes a basal member connectable to the dental implant, and an apical member connectable to the abutment. The apical member is connected to the basal member forming the predefined angle. Assembling the compound angular joint of the two members allows achieving a strong and stable connection between the basal member and the dental implant, between the apical member and the abutment, and between the basal member and the apical member. The compound angular joint may be used in prostheses to allow optimally exploiting the bone structure of the jaw.
US08142191B2	Ceramic/metallic dental abutment A ceramic/metallic dental abutment for use with an implant, the abutment generally including a ceramic body portion having a base region, a transgingival region, and a supragingival region. The base region includes an anti-rotational implant interface, such as an external polygonal fitting, for engaging a cooperating internal polygonal fitting of an implant to prevent relative rotation between the abutment and the implant. The ceramic abutment body portion additionally includes a metal implant contact portion for contacting the implant and providing a load-bearing, metal-on-metal interface between the abutment and the implant.
US08142187B2	Method and apparatus for digitally evaluating insertion quality of customized orthodontic arch wire A method and apparatus is provided for digitally checking the insertion quality of a target customized virtual arch wire designed during treatment planning prior to actually manufacturing the target arch wire. The method includes the steps of digitally simulating the insertion of the customized target virtual arch wire into the virtual brackets placed up on virtual teeth of a patient in an initial state of interest for checking if the arch wire could be inserted into the virtual brackets without conflicts or collisions. The initial state may be a malocclusion state or any intermediate treatment state of the patient. In the event the target virtual arch wire would cause conflicts, then the simulation optimizes the arch wire design in an attempt to eliminate the conflicts. In another aspect, a method is provided for selecting the recommended starting point for inserting the customized arch wire in the brackets placed on the dentition of the patient in the initial state.
US08142185B1	Injection mold forming a product having a barbed structure A mold for making a product having a barbed structure at an intermediate position thereof has a stationary mold including a fixing board, a mold board, a core, an oblique block, a limiting element, and an elastic element. The mold board has a trough and a limiting chute. The core has a cavity and a slide chute. The oblique block having a hole communicating the cavity is movably disposed in the slide chute. An end of the block is extendable out of the cavity and an opposite end forms an accommodating hole. The limiting element includes a limiting end extending into the accommodating hole and a fixing end movably disposed in the limiting chute. The elastic element of which one end is against the accommodating hole and an opposite end is set against the trough is disposed in the accommodating hole.
US08142183B2	Hot runner including nozzle-support structure Disclosed is a hot runner (100), including: a first plate (102) having a first-plate alloy; a second plate (104) having a second-plate alloy, the second plate (104) being coupled with the first plate (102), and the second plate (104) and the first plate (102) defining a manifold pocket (213); a manifold (224) being supportively received in the manifold pocket (213), and the manifold (224) having a drop (225); a nozzle assembly (400) being supportively received by the second plate (104), the nozzle assembly (400) connecting with the drop (225) of the manifold (224); and a nozzle-support structure (101), including: a first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the second plate (104), the first load-bearing insert (207) contacting the nozzle assembly (400), the first load-bearing insert (207) having a first insert material being stronger than the second-plate alloy of the second plate (104), the first insert material being strong enough to withstand a first high-point load (150) to be transmitted from the nozzle assembly (400) to the second plate (104) via the first load-bearing insert (207), and the second-plate alloy of the second plate (104) withstands transmission of the first high-point load (150) once the first load-bearing insert (207) distributes the first high-point load (150) to the second plate (104).
US08142179B2	Stereolithography apparatus A stereolithography apparatus that is configured to fabricate a three-dimensional model by forming a cured layer by irradiating an interface of a photocurable resin with light corresponding to sectional data of the three-dimensional model and stacking the cured layers includes a container holding the photocurable resin and having a constraining window configured to constrain the interface of the photocurable resin; a vertical movement table movable in a vertical direction orthogonal to the interface of the photocurable resin; an optical system configured to form the cured layer between the vertical movement table and the constraining window by irradiating the interface of the photocurable resin with light through the constraining window; and a position constraining mechanism configured to substantially flatten the constraining window by applying a force to the constraining window from the outside of the container when the cured layer is formed by the optical system.
US08142169B2	Variable geometry ejector An ejector for a turbine engine is described herein. The ejector may include a variable geometry motive nozzle and a variable geometry mixing tube positioned downstream of the variable geometry motive nozzle.
US08142168B2	Vibration-driven droplet transport devices having textured surfaces Methods and devices for moving a droplet on an elongated track on a textured surface using vibration. The elongated track on the textured surface includes a plurality of transverse arcuate projections such that a droplet on the surface is in the Fakir state and when the surface is vibrated the droplet is urged along the track as a result of an imbalance in the adhesion of a front portion of the droplet and a back portion of the droplet to the textured surface.
US08142157B2	Separable blade for wind turbine To provide a light and economical separable blade for a wind turbine that is also equipped with a lightning rod function. A separable blade for a wind turbine wherein the blade as a whole is assembled by connecting two electrically non-conductive part blades 1T and 1R in the lateral direction, comprising metal fasteners 4, 5, 6, and 7 for fastening together the two adjacent part blades, and lightning discharge conductive wires 8 and 9, provided in an inner blade portion. The fastener 4 is exposed on the blade surface of the part blade 1T, and is connected to the lightning discharge conductive wire 9 through the other fasteners 5, 6, and 7, or a lightning discharge conductive wire 8. The lightning discharge conductive wire 9 extends to the blade root.
US08142146B2	Steam turbine A steam turbine has a stationary section, a turbine rotor, nozzle diaphragms, and a nozzle box. The stationary section includes a casing. The turbine rotor includes moving blade stages arranged in an axial direction. Each of the moving blade stages is provided with moving blades arranged in a circumferential direction, and rotatably provided in the casing. Each of the nozzle diaphragms has turbine nozzles arranged in the circumferential direction provided substantially coaxially with the turbine rotor by being secured to the stationary section. The nozzle box is supported on the stationary section and arranged at an upstream part of the moving blade stages substantially coaxially with the turbine rotor so as to lead steam flowing toward the turbine moving blades. The nozzle box holds at least two stages of the nozzle diaphragms.
US08142145B2	Riser clamp for pumps for pumping molten metal This disclosure features a transfer pump for pumping molten metal having a riser with a reusable socket. The pump includes a motor, support structure above a molten metal bath, a motor driven shaft and an impeller on an end of the shaft rotatable in a base. A riser made of refractory material extends from a transfer opening in the base to the support structure. The riser has a passageway for molten metal along a length of the riser. A clamp has a first clamp portion fixedly connected to the support structure and a second clamp portion that is pivotable with respect to the first clamp portion. A fastener is used to open and close the clamp. Sections of a split socket each have a flange and a body portion. The socket is received in the clamp such that the flanges of the socket are disposed above the clamp, and when the clamp is closed the socket holds the riser.
US08142144B2	Turbine engine for aircraft Disclosed is an aircraft turbine engine. The turbine engine includes an air intake having a tubular internal wall and a fan enclosed by a tubular fan casing, and the rear end of the said air intake internal wall and the front end of the fan casing are joined together by at least one fastener. The air intake internal wall, the fan casing, or both, are comprised of a resin/fiber composite. The rear end of the air intake internal wall and the front end of the fan casing are uniform, and have no projections that join the internal wall and casing together.
US08142142B2	Turbine transition duct apparatus A gas turbine transition duct apparatus is provided comprising first and second turbine transition ducts and a strip seal. The strip seal may comprise a sealing element and a spring structure.
US08142140B2	Fan unit, electronic apparatus with fan unit, method of opening/closing shutter of fan unit, and shutter There is provided a fan unit including a shutter capable of closing the shutter despite a change in installation direction of the fan unit, an electronic apparatus including such fan unit, a method of opening/closing the fan unit, and the shutter. In the fan unit with the shutter, the shutter is opened and closed in different directions according to the installation direction of the fan unit.
US08142135B2	Semi trailer dolly A dolly is disclosed for a semi-trailer that has a compromised structure due to a load shift or an accident. The semi-trailer dolly can also be used to extricate a semi-trailer stuck under a bridge without damaging the wheels or tires of the semi-trailer. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the dolly is configured to provide transverse support of a semi-trailer in an area between the rear axles of the semi-trailer and the front of the semi-trailer. More particularly, the dolly is configured to provide a uniform transverse lifting force to a semi-trailer in an area between the rear axles of a semi-trailer and the front of a semi-trailer where a structural failure of the semi-trailer is likely to occur. The semi-trailer dolly includes a removable saddle and a wheeled cart that includes lifting mechanisms. The removable saddle can be removed from the wheeled cart and positioned under the trailer. Tow truck boom winches connected to opposite sides of the saddle can then be used to lift the saddle and thus the trailer to enable the wheeled cart to be put in position under the saddle. Once the wheeled cart is positioned under the saddle, adjustable lifting mechanisms on the wheeled cart enable the height of the saddle to be varied. The lifting mechanisms are then used to level the floor of the semi-trailer and provide support for the floor of the semi-trailer 24 so that the breached semi-trailer can be transported by a tractor. The wheeled cart may include self steering wheels which facilitate transport of the breached semi-trailer by a tractor.
US08142134B2	Transportable bin or like object A transportable apparatus has a main body in a working position with a bottom end resting on the ground. The bottom end of a frame is pivotally attached to the main body above the bottom end of the main body and the frame is aligned with a side of the main body. An actuator pivots the frame downward about the pivot axis to a transport position where the frame extends substantially horizontally away from the main body. Wheels support the frame and a hitch at a top end of the frame is adapted for connection to a tow vehicle when the frame is in the transport position. When the frame is connected to a tow vehicle, the actuator can be operated to pivot the main body downward about the pivot axis to a lowered transport position where the main body rests on the frame for transport on the wheels.
US08142133B2	Integrated tray converter A method and system for converting mail between trays in a multiple pass mail sorting system using a plurality of different tray types. Mail from a first type of tray is unloaded and stacked along with mail from other trays to form a large stack. The large stack of mail is then broken down into smaller stacks which are transferred to one of several outputs where the mail is loaded into different types of trays.
US08142129B2	Method and apparatus for feeding items of laundry to a laundry treatment device, in particular a mangle Items of laundry have to be stretched out by a spreading device (14) before they are inserted into a mangle or any other laundry treatment device. To this end, the spreading device (14) has spreading clips (15) which can be moved away from one another. In the case of relatively large items of laundry, the spreading clips (15) have to cover a relatively large distance in order to spread out the item of laundry. This reduces the insertion rate. The invention provides for the items of laundry to be preliminarily spread out before being passed to the spreading clips (15), so that the spreading clips (15) receive the item of laundry in a state in which it is already virtually spread out. The spreading clips (15) only have to cover a small residual distance in order to spread out the item of laundry completely. As a result, the spreading device (14) can spread out the item of laundry very quickly. It is particularly advantageous to measure the width of the item of laundry and to then preliminarily spread out the item of laundry as far as possible as a function of the measured width.
US08142126B2	Multi-piece fastener with self-indexing nut According to a preferred embodiment, a multi-piece fastener with self-indexing nut is disclosed. The multi-piece fastener is designed for use in low clearance areas such as aircraft wing side-of-body joint locations. The multi-piece fastener comprises a stud comprising an elongated part extending between a first end face and a second end face, a threaded head fastener, a threaded tail fastener, and a wrenching feature. A self-indexing feature is provided on the stud and head fastener which allows automatic orientation of the head fastener with respect to the stud.
US08142124B2	Methods and systems for captive fastening Methods and systems for an integrated captive fastener system is provided. A system includes an integrated nut assembly configured to be tethered to a first structure, the nut assembly including at least one of a lock washer and a flat washer coupled to a nut using a retainer, and a bolt configured to be tethered to at least one of the first structure and a second structure, the nut assembly configured to be threadably couplable to the bolt.
US08142122B2	Plastic anchor for drywall, plaster, brick and concrete An anchoring device for insertion in a hole provided in a structure such as a wall (hollow or solid) comprises proximal and distal sections. The proximal section includes a head defining an aperture for receiving a fastener, and the distal section includes a pair of expandable wings displaceable between collapsed and expanded positions. Each wing is biased towards its expanded position such that the wings can engage the structural material delimiting the hole or a distal surface of the structure. The distal section comprises, proximally of the wings, a variable-length flexible portion for allowing the wings to engage the distal surface of the structure for various structure thicknesses. The distal section comprises, distally of the wings, a tip section adapted to spread outwardly when engaged by the fastener. The proximal section comprises a pair of legs each having a toothed rack for engaging the structural material.
US08142120B2	Large tower railroad transportation system and method A system for transporting tower with a first end, a second end, and an elongated portion, using a railcar with a deck for carrying a load. The system includes a first support means for disposition between the railcar and the tower at a first location, and that is adapted to support the tower above the deck. The system also includes a first saddle assembly with a base for resting upon the deck of the railcar, and a saddle that conforms to the shape of a large tower. The saddle assembly is adapted to support the tower above the deck. The system also includes a spacer assembly, for disposition between the saddle of the first saddle assembly and a second location along the elongated portion of the tower, and that has a saddle rest that conforms to the shaped of the saddle, and that has a spacer saddle that conforms to the shape of the elongated portion of the tower at the second location.
US08142117B2	EZ key registration assembly A locating system and method for accurately positioning key blanks with respect to a key cutter where the key head is clamped between opposing jaws with the key blade working edges projecting therefrom, the key head is provided with shaped recesses having at least a partially specifically shaped edge wall and wherein at least one jaw member is provided with a projection having a correspondingly shaped sidewall, the pin being positioned with respect to the clamp such that when the key blank head is abutted against the pin with the key blank edge configuration mating to the pin sidewall configuration, the key blade will project from the jaw in a proper position for engagement by either the bitting follower or bitting cutter respectively.
US08142116B2	Tool for rotary cutting machining A tool for rotary cutting machining includes a tool body and a replaceable cutting head detachably attachable to the tool body. At its front end, the tool body is provide with two coupling legs projecting in an axial direction. The respective coupling leg is provided with a stop surface for transferring torque from the tool body to the cutting head, which stop surface is designed for abutment against a corresponding stop surface of the cutting head. The respective coupling leg is provided with a shoulder protruding from the stop surface of the coupling leg. The cutting head is provided with two shoulders facing the front end of the cutting head and arranged on opposite sides of the center axis of the cutting head, which shoulders border on a respective one of said stop surfaces of the cutting head and are arranged to extend in under a respective one of said shoulders of the coupling legs of the tool body when the cutting head is attached to the tool body, so as to thereby present the cutting head from being displaced in axial direction away from the tool body. The invention also relates to a tool body and a cutting head included in such a tool.
US08142114B2	Stationary power drill A stationary power drill has a drill unit disposed in a tool housing is connected to a base vertically adjustably via a guide column and is vertically adjustable along the guide column by means of a drive unit. The drive unit includes a rotating drive shaft, and a compensation spring element engaging the drive shaft and braced on the other end on the tool housing.
US08142110B2	Anchor fixing agent, anchor fixing agent ampule, and method for fixing anchor Provided are an anchor fixing agent which can fill up fine concave and convex portions present on the inner surface of a hole formed in a base material and can maintain great strength, in particular, even after the lapse of a long period of time; an anchor fixing agent ampule; and a method for fixing an anchor. An anchor fixing agent which comprises an alumina cement, a lime and/or a portland cement, and water. Preferably, it further comprises an agent for the retardation of setting and light magnesia. The anchor fixing agent ampule holds a solid component and a liquid component in the anchor fixing agent in the state wherein the components are separated from each other.
US08142109B2	Corrosion-protected, self-drilling anchor and anchor subunit and method for the production thereof A corrosion-protected, self-drilling anchor and an anchor subunit and to a method for the production thereof is provided. A self-drilling anchor of the invention includes a number of anchor subunits, each with a hollow bar element, which are connected together by the formation of an axial bell butt joint to form a connected pull and pressure member. The first subunit t its end has a drill bit and the subunit is connected non-rotatably with its end to a drilling and injection device. It is provided according to the invention that each hollow bar element is surrounded by a sheathing except for its end sections and the annular gap between the sheathing and hollow bar element is grouted with a first corrosion protection compound. A coupler in the area of the bell butt joint fits tightly against the sheathings of the two hollow bar elements which are part of the bell butt joint. The hollow space between the coupler and hollow bar elements is filled with a second corrosion protection compound. A method of the invention provides for the prefabrication of a number of anchor subunits at the factory to drill these into the substrate at the site of the anchor to be produced and thereby for connecting them together with the formation of bell butt joints, whereby in the area of the bell butt joint a coupler fits tightly against the ends of two neighboring sheathings and the hollow space between the coupler and hollow bar element is filled with a second corrosion protection compound.
US08142100B2	Animal crossing warning zone and method of applying it to a roadway This invention pertains to an animal crossing warning zone wherein a motorist is alerted that he or she is entering, passing through, and then exiting a section of roadway where wild animals, such as whitetail deer, have a tendency to cross the road. A method of applying the animal crossing warning zone onto, into or out of an upper surface of a roadway is also disclosed.
US08142098B2	Assembly member and method of manufacturing assembly member Technology which enables a first member and a second member to be firmly fastened together is provided. A bar-shaped section is formed on the first member, a hole is formed in the second member, and the bar-shaped section of the first member is pressure fitted into the hole of the second member. Here, peak sections which extend intermittently in the axial direction or peak sections which extend obliquely with respect to the axial direction are formed in a repeating fashion in the circumferential direction, on the side face of the harder of the bar-shaped member and the hole.
US08142097B2	Ball joint A ball joint comprises a ball stud having a stud portion at a middle thereof, a ball portion and a screw portion at opposite sides of the stud portion, and a seat surface portion facing the screw portion between the respective portions, and a bearing member into which the ball portion is slidably fitted so as to universally pivotably-support the ball stud, so that the stud portion is inserted through a mounting member, and a nut is screwed with the screw portion projected from the mounting member, and the seat surface portion abuts and is fastened to the mounting member by fastening the nut to the mounting member. The seat surface portion abutting the mounting member is subjected to a co-rotation preventing process which prevents the ball stud from co-rotating along with the nut when the nut is fastened.
US08142095B1	Sponge with soap sleeve and method of use thereof A sponge-like device with an internal cavity for receiving a carrier for liquid and solid soaps. The exterior of the carrier has a variety of design models and shapes; however, the carrier is sized to receive a conventional solid bar of soap or an amount of liquid soap. The carrier has a plurality of drain holes to allow the soap solution, as it mixes with the water during bathing, to drain onto the sponge. The use of the device is for washing oneself, children, invalids, as well as for scrubbing household surfaces like decks and siding, and also for cleaning motor vehicles all without the disadvantages associated with separate sponges and soap material.
US08142091B2	Writing implement A writing implement capable of eliminating troubles associated with the adoption of a grip member having an end surface inclined from a vertical surface perpendicular to a central axis of a shaft tube. The inclination angle α of a step-facing surface 5A of the grip member 5 is made smaller than the inclination angle β of an inclined step surface 12 of the shaft tube 10. A gap G is partially formed between the step-facing surface 5A and the inclined step surface 12 when a compressive force is not applied to the grip member 5. When the grip member 5 is compressed, the whole of the step-facing surface 5A is further inclined and comes into contact with the inclined step surface 12. Accordingly, even when the step-facing surface 5A of the grip member 5 is inclined for imparting excellent design to the writing implement, an acute-angled tip-end portion of the grip member 5 is prevented from moving along the inclined step surface 12 and rising from the surface of the shaft tube 10, thereby preventing the occurrence of the troubles.
US08142089B2	Image forming apparatus and sheet containing apparatus A protecting member is detachably mounted to an inside of an apparatus main body so as to protect a protected member in the apparatus main body during transportation. A fixing member fixes a protecting member in a position to protect the protected member. The fixing member fixing the protecting member covers a part of an indicating portion, which displays operating instructions of the apparatus main body.
US08142087B2	Printing device with paper width detector mounted to carriage and method of controlling the printing device An image printing device and a method of controlling the image printing device are provided. One embodiment of an image printing device includes a load unit that loads a plurality of overlapped printing media, a printing unit that performs a printing process for the printing media transported from the load unit, a moving unit that is movable in a predetermined main scanning direction, a printing medium detecting unit that is mounted to the moving unit and detects a signal relating to a presence of a printing medium, a position detecting unit that detects a position of the moving unit, and a control unit.
US08142084B2	Method for manufacture of dome cover, dome cover, and dome-type camera A dome cover (6) is manufactured by injection molding by steps of: forming a cavity (14) having the shape of the dome cover (6) between an upper mold (12) and a lower mold (13) for an injection molding die (11), providing a gate port (16) for injecting melt resin at a position (of the upper mold (12)) corresponding to the zenithal portion (15) of the dome cover (6), and injecting the melt resin into the cavity (14) through the gate port (16). The resin injected from the center portion (the portion corresponding to the zenithal portion (15) of the dome cover (6)) of the cavity (14) flows uniformly toward the circumference of the cavity (14). Therefore, variations in pressure and temperature of the resin in the cavity (14) are restrained and, consequently, molding irregularity of the manufactured dome cover (6) is restrained. According to the method of manufacturing the dome cover as described above, generation of the partial molding irregularity on the manufactured dome cover is restrained.
US08142080B2	Sealed rolling bearing A radially outer portion of the seal member is fitted in each of a pair of seal grooves formed in the radially outer surface of an outer ring at both ends thereof. A seal lip formed at the radially inner portion of each seal member is brought into elastic contact with an inner seal surface of each of annular grooves formed in the radially outer surface of an inner ring at both ends thereof. The contact portion of the seal surface that is in elastic contact with the seal lip has a circumferential flatness of 5 to 20 μm. With this arrangement, it is possible to improve sealability at the contact portions, thereby preventing entry of e.g. muddy water into the bearing.
US08142077B2	Bag structures and methods of assembling the same A bag structure includes, in an example embodiment, a bag body including side walls having inner and outer surfaces, and the bag body further includes a top end and a bottom end. A closure member is coupled to the top end for opening and closing the bag body. A sealing material is applied to an area proximate at least one of a top edge of the side walls and a bottom edge of a portion of the closure member. An adhesive member is secured to the bag body. The adhesive member includes a reinforced section and an adhesive section. The adhesive member is configured to retain the top end of the bag body in a folded over relationship until the adhesive member is severed along the reinforced section.
US08142075B2	Foldable blank in use with a bag material for securing and retaining articles of evidence in tamper-evident fashion and including side configured evidence re-entry locations with additional tamper evident reclosure and recording features A tamper-evident evidence bag including a blank having first and second planar shaped and pivotally connected panels. The bag has an open perimeter edge and is secured to first selected lacing surfaces of the pivotally connected panels and such that an interior of the bag is communicable through an aperture defined between the panels. The first and second panels are folded from an open position, in which they panels are established in a substantially parallel relationship, to a closed position in which opposingly facing surfaces of are adhered against one another and in order to maintain, in tamper-evident fashion, items placed within the bag enclosure. Additional tamper-evident resealing structure is located along at least one facing side of the associated bag material, allowing documentable re-entry of the pre-sealed evidence bag. The tamper-evident resealing structure includes a re-closable and adhesives peel away flap, a reverse face of includes recordable information fields for documenting the particulars of the re-entry and subsequent tamper evident-resealing event.
US08142074B2	Radiation sensing device and holder A system for holding and aligning a radiation sensing device is described. The system includes a radiation sensing device having a sensor engagement member. The system also includes a holder having a retention member including first and second retention guides connected with opposing ends of a back plate. The first retention guide also includes a complementary holder engagement member configured to mate with the sensor engagement member at a preset position.
US08142073B2	Snap-fit sensor assembly A two-piece sensor assembly is disclosed comprising a sensor body insert having a thermoplastic sensor body molding that can be snap-fit into a thermoplastic sensor housing a spherical-type snap-fit eliminating leak paths or openings that may damage the sensor body.
US08142072B2	External stimulus indicator and indication method using the same The invention provides an indicator excellent in constitutional simplicity and capable of indicating both the temperature of an article to be indicated and elapsed time at that temperature, as well as an indicator of simple constitution capable of indicating the level of deformation of the article by external force. Disclosed is an external stimulus indicator including a polymer composition composed of a polymer and a dye, wherein the polymer composition has the dye fixed in a specific molecular dispersion state in the polymer, and when kept at a temperature not lower than a specific temperature for at least a predetermined time or deformed to at least a certain level by external force, changes its color to a hue different from the initial hue thereof.
US08142070B2	Timepiece crown including an uncoupling mechanism Winding crown for a timepiece, said crown (32) including an uncoupling mechanism (1) comprising a rigid drive ring (4, 400) secured to the crown (32) and cooperating with at least one elastically deformable element (2; 200) secured to a pipe (12) to one end of which a winding stem is secured, the rigid ring (4; 400) driving the deformable elastic element (2; 200) in at least one rotational direction until the resistant torque opposed by said elastic element (2; 200) exceeds a threshold value beyond which said elastic element (2; 200) is deformed so as to interrupt the drive connection thereof with the rigid ring (4; 400), the elastically deformable element (2; 200) therefore having means for temporary coupling said element to said rigid drive ring (4; 400), the crown (32)) being characterized in that the elastically deformable element (2; 200) includes means for centering said element relative to the rigid drive ring (4; 400).
US08142066B2	Mixing device for synthetic leather to joint with a solid powder material A mixing device for synthetic leather to joint with a solid powder material includes a material mixing unit and a stirring and conveying unit. The material mixing unit includes a mixing body and two feeders. The mixing body is connected with the two feeders and has a mixing chamber therein which is intercommunicated with the two feeders. The stirring and conveying unit is connected with the material mixing unit and has a stirring and conveying chamber therein which is intercommunicated with a solid material container and the mixing chamber. Thereby, a solid powder material, a first material and a second material are respectively disposed in the solid material container and the feeders, and then guided into the mixing chamber to be well mixed for forming a mixture. The mixture is manufactured to form synthetic leather containing the solid powder material.
US08142065B2	Backlight assembly and display device having the same A backlight assembly includes at least one light-generating board, a light source driving board and a coupling board. The light-generating board generates light. The light source driving board provides control signals to the light-generating board. The coupling board is coupled via slot connectors to the light-generating board and the light source driving board to electrically connect the light-generating board and the light source driving board to each other. Thus, manufacturing efficiency may be improved in comparison with electrically connecting the light-generating board and the light source driving board through wires.
US08142061B2	Light guides, illuminated articles and devices A side-emissive flexible polymeric light guide 1 is formed with a main body portion 6 and an integral attachment or anchoring element 7 that extends along its length for attaching the light guide 1 to an item. The attachment element 7 may be in the form of a flat strip of material which may be stitched to an item or may be formed for a snap-fit or in any other appropriate form, e.g. a rib and groove profile. The attachment element 7 is preferably opaque and co-extruded with the main body portion. The light guide may provide effective and simple to use trim and piping and may be used with bags, mobile phone pouches, clothing, furniture and signage. Various new mobile phone alert and signage systems are also disclosed which may, but need not, include a light guide having an integral attachment element.
US08142060B2	Light source and vehicle lamp The disclosed subject matter includes light sources that have high use efficiency and a favorable bright distribution, and includes vehicle lamps that have both a favorable light distribution pattern and a capability of being simply composed by using the LED light sources. The light source can include a base board, at least one die bonding pad and wire bonding pad on the base board, at least one LED chip mounted on the die bonding pad and connected to respective bonding pads, and an encapsulating resin over the LED chip. The at least one LED chip can emit a uniform light with a distribution electrode on a top surface thereof and can form a favorable light distribution using a shield electrode on the top surface. The vehicle lamp can include the light source and an optical lens selected according to a kind and/or design of a vehicle lamp.
US08142052B2	Medical light solidifying device A medical light solidifying device includes a housing box, a rotary work table, a lighting source reflection body, and an LED lighting source set. The rotary work table is rotatably located in the housing box for being placed with a target material. The lighting source reflection body includes at least two reflection masks. Each mask has a reflection wall surrounding the rotary work table. Each of the reflection walls of the two reflection masks respectively has at least one reflection surface. The LED lighting source set is located above the rotary work table and the lighting source reflection body, and includes a plurality of LED units for emitting a beam with a specific wavelength for solidifying the target material. Thereby, the dead zone of the LED lighting source set is reduced so that the usage efficiency thereof is increase, and furthermore the target material can be efficiently and uniformly solidified.
US08142051B2	Systems and methods for converting illumination An illumination system according to the principles of the invention may include a first LED and a carrier material. The carrier material may be comprised of plastic, synthetic material, polymer, latex, rubber or other material. The carrier material may also contain a phosphor, fluorescent material, organic fluorescent material, inorganic fluorescent material, impregnated phosphor, phosphor particles, phosphor material, YAG:Ce phosphor, or other material for converting electromagnetic radiation into illumination or visible light.
US08142046B2	Combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle A combined device for power generation and illumination mounted on the wheel axle of a bicycle, particularly a power generator of a bicycle combined with a lamp provides two or three other functions in addition to supplying a power source. The device is a standalone device hung on or installed at an external end of the bicycle wheel axle. Unlike a traditional way of rubbing with a tire, or a traditional hub type power generator, the combined power generation and light device has the features and advantages of an easily installation, a high efficiency, a low resistance, a low cost, a low failure rate, an integrated structure, a hidden electric wire and an adjustable angle.
US08142043B2	Planar light source apparatus having reflective surfaces A planar light source apparatus includes a number of lighting elements disposed in a common plane, and a number of mirror reflectors arranged perpendicular to the common plane and facing the lighting elements. The mirror reflectors each have a reflecting surface facing the lighting elements. The light elements are arranged in a lattice such that the distance from one of the reflectors to the nearest lighting element is a maximum of the half the distance between two adjacent lighting elements.
US08142037B2	Ribbon cable lighting for a water-bearing household appliance A water-bearing household appliance such as a dishwashing machine is provided with a housing having a housing edge which defines a washing compartment opening and with a washing compartment which is enclosed by the housing and which is defined by the housing. A seal is provided onto which a device door can be closed to abut the seal and the dishwashing machine has lighting elements arranged in the area between the housing edge and the seal for illuminating the washing compartment.
US08142036B2	Keypad device with light source and reflector A device is disclosed having a keypad and an adjacent light guide with at least one light source. At least one reflector is provided, having at least an area thereof adjacent to the light source. At least a portion of the reflector is located either between the light source and the keypad or between the light guide and the keypad.
US08142035B2	Mirror with selectively oxidized areas for memory effect and method of making same A coated article such as a mirror or window is provided, the coated article including a coating supported by a glass substrate. The coating may include at least a reflective layer in certain example embodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments, the reflective layer and/or a layer proximate thereto is selectively oxidized or oxidized in areas corresponding to draw lines or other non-uniformities in the glass substrate. This permits reflections from the coated article to be more uniform and/or less distorted.
US08142031B2	Image display apparatus and light source unit An image display apparatus includes: a plurality of laser beam sources which emit different color light beams; a plurality of light modulators which modulate the light beams emitted from the laser beam sources; and a projection element which projects the light beams modulated by the light modulators, wherein the light modulators are disposed such that the light beams are incident from different directions, and the laser beam sources are concentrated in a single position.
US08142027B2	Electronic device and method for controlling the same The disclosure refers to an electronic device and methods for cooling an object within the electronic device. In one example, an electronic device includes a cooling fan for cooling an object. An air-quantity measuring device measures a quantity of cooling air sent by the cooling fan. An ambient-temperature measuring device measures an ambient temperature around the electronic device. A control unit is configured to control the electronic device. The control unit includes an object-temperature calculating section configured to calculate a temperature of the object from the measured air quantity and the measured ambient temperature. An operation control section is configured to control the cooling fan according to the calculated temperature of the object.
US08142026B2	Projector alignment in a multiple-projector projection system Projector alignment in a multiple-projector projection system is checked by determining a location of at least a portion of a boundary of an image field projected by at least one of the projectors and comparing the determined location of the at least the portion of the image field to a system-calibrated reference location of the at least the portion of the boundary of the image field.
US08142024B2	Image display device and adjustment method thereof An image display device includes: an optical modulator; and an optical compensation element configured to cancel out phase difference generated within the optical modulator; wherein the optical compensation element is installed in a state in which the brightness of a projected image corresponding to a region having relatively great phase difference within the optical modulator becomes a minimal value, at the minimum driving voltage to be applied to the optical modulator.
US08142022B2	Image display apparatus An image display apparatus includes an illumination optical system that includes first and second beam splitting units, a first polarization conversion element, third and fourth beam splitting units, a second polarization conversion element, a first beam combining unit configured to combine a plurality of first polarized light beams with a plurality of second polarized light beams, a third polarization conversion element configured to convert a plurality of combined light beams into a plurality of polarized light beams, and a condensing unit configured to superimpose the plurality of polarized light beams onto the image display element, wherein each of the first and third beam splitting units includes a cylinder lens array.
US08142019B2	Dolly and track system A dolly and track system is provided that includes a dolly assembly configured to enable tripod-mounted camera angles as well as low profile camera mountings. The camera plate can be positioned at prescribed locations on the dolly assembly to enable optimum view angles without concern for capturing the track or dolly in the field of view, particularly when shooting from a low profile. In this manner, the system provides users with multiple filming options, to include tripod use and low-profile filming, in a compact system.
US08142018B2	Reflectance measurement of macular pigment using multispectral imaging Imaging apparatus and filters are provided for accurately imaging, assessing and measuring a patient's macular pigment. A multi-band filter is employed in combination with a color digital fundus camera to provide a method that operates with a single imaging exposure. The multiband filter has bandpass regions within spectral ranges of the red, green and blue detectors of the CCD array employed within the fundus camera, the bandpass regions being sufficiently sharply defined so as to avoid regions where the CCD detector responses spectrally overlap. This provides three discrete channels of grayscale data corresponding to the bandpass regions of the multiband filter, which can be used to calculate macular pigment topographically. Methods are also disclosed for calculating the optical density of the macular pigment and advantageously displaying the resulting data.
US08142014B2	Safety eyewear The present invention relates generally to safety eyewear and more particularly to a safety eyewear having a horizontal ledge defined within a lens of the safety eyewear for attaching the nose piece structure. The safety eyewear includes a frame and a lens. The nose piece structure configured for attachment to a central portion of the lens. The nose piece structure having a channel defining horizontal ledge indents for mating engagement with horizontal ledge protrusions defined within the central portion of the lens. The central portion of the lens defining horizontal ledge protrusions for inserting within the ledge indents of the nose piece structure when the nose piece structure and the lens are attached together. In another embodiment, the channel of the nose piece structure defines horizontal ledge protrusions for mating engagement with horizontal ledge indents defined within the central portion of the lens.
US08142013B2	Glasses structure A glasses structure includes a frame, two temple arms and a bridge. The frame has two end portions arranged at lateral sides thereof and a middle portion connecting the two end portions. Each temple has a elastic engagement member at a front end thereof for clamping the respective end portion of the frame. The bridge has a elastic clip member clamping the middle portion of the frame. Therefore, the temple arms and the bridge could link to the frame without screw members.
US08142009B2	Inkjet printer and printing method An inkjet printer including an inkjet head unit having inkjet heads for ejecting UV inks, an UVLED unit having a UVLED for emitting ultraviolet light, and a control unit for controlling the inkjet head unit and the UVLED unit. The control unit controls the inkjet head unit and the UVLED unit to move in the scanning direction, controls the inkjet heads to eject UV inks, and controls the UVLED to emit ultraviolet light of a first light quantity. After that, the control unit controls the inkjet head unit and the UVLED unit to move in the direction opposite to the scanning direction and controls the UVLED to emit ultraviolet light of a second light quantity.
US08142003B2	Inkjet printer system and ink supply apparatus An inkjet printer system includes a print head and a sub tank. The print head is configured to eject ink. The sub tank is provided above the print head and connected to the print head via a head-side supply passage. The sub tank has a first supplying hole and a second supplying hole which are connected to the head-side supply passage. A position of the first supplying hole is higher than a position of the second supplying hole.
US08142002B2	Rotating coanda catcher A catcher includes a housing and a drop contact structure. The housing defines a liquid removal conduit. The drop contact structure includes a moveable surface that delivers collected liquid drops to the liquid removal conduit of the housing.
US08141999B2	Valve mechanisms and ink cartridges A valve mechanism includes a particular wall having a first opening formed therethrough, and a tube member including a particular surface which contacts the particular wall, and a central axis. The valve mechanism also includes a lid member configured to selectively cover and uncover the first opening, and a flexible inner wall positioned in an interior of the tube member. The flexible inner wall extends from the tube member to the lid member in a direction which intersects the central axis, and the flexible inner wall has a second opening formed therethrough. Moreover, a cross-sectional shape of the flexible inner wall in a particular plane is bent, and the central axis lies on the particular plane.
US08141997B2	Ink supply system An ink supply system including a reservoir and a foam regulator. The reservoir is configured to hold a volume of ink and configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid ejection structure. The foam regulator is operable in a first state in which the foam regulator permits application of negative pressure through the foam regulator to apply negative pressure to the fluid ejection structure and to the reservoir, and a second state in which the foam regulator blocks passage of ink foam through the foam regulator.
US08141991B2	Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and piezoelectric actuator A liquid ejecting head includes a pressure generating chamber that communicates with a nozzle opening and a piezoelectric element that includes: a first electrode; a piezoelectric body layer that is formed on the first electrode and which has a perovskite structure with a general formula of ABO3, and a second electrode that is formed the piezoelectric body layer. There is lead in a B site of the piezoelectric body layer, and the peak position of A1(3LO) for a Raman shift of the piezoelectric body layer that is acquired by Raman scattering is 710 cm−1 to 712 cm−1.
US08141986B2	Heating element A heating element of a fluid ejection device includes an insulative layer, a resistor portion interposed between and spaced apart from a pair of conductive portions, and an upper structure defining a fluid chamber above the resistor portion. The insulative layer defines a shoulder portion adjacent a side edge of the resistor portion, the shoulder portion vertically spaced below a top surface of the resistor portion by a distance of no more than twice a thickness of the resistor portion.
US08141985B2	Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and method for manufacturing liquid ejecting head A liquid ejecting head is provided which ejects liquid from nozzle openings by driving pressure generating elements, and includes: at least two rows of lead electrodes that supply an electrical signal to the pressure generating elements; and at least two wiring boards for supplying the electrical signal to the lead electrodes, wherein: the wiring boards respectively have individual wires which are electrically connected to the pressure generating elements, respectively, via the lead electrodes, and common wires which are electrically connected in common to a plurality of pressure generating elements via the lead electrodes; and, the wiring boards are formed such that a spacing between the respective common wires of the two opposing wiring boards is narrower than a spacing between the respective individual wires of the two opposing wiring boards.
US08141982B2	Color imaging apparatus having yellow nozzle array and magenta nozzle array on same head and shifted relative to each other by a half-pitch An imaging apparatus is disclosed that includes plural heads that are arranged in a main scanning direction, the heads including plural nozzle arrays that are arranged in the main scanning direction and configured to discharge droplets of recording liquids in at least three different colors including a yellow recording liquid. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge the yellow recording liquid are separately arranged in at least two of the heads. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge a first recording liquid of the recording liquids in a first color other than yellow are arranged together in one of the heads. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge a second recording liquid of the recording liquids in a second color other than yellow are arranged together in one of the heads.
US08141979B2	Ink jet recording head and method for manufacturing ink jet recording head A manufacturing method for an ink jet recording head including the steps of preparing a recording element substrate provided with an ejection outlet array for ejecting ink; preparing a supporting member, provided with a plurality of ink supply passages, for supporting the recording element substrate; and connecting the recording element substrate to the supporting member with an adhesive material. The supporting member has an adhesive material application region surrounding adjacent ink supply passages, and a part of the adhesive material application region which extends along the ejection outlet array has a width larger than another part of the adhesive material application region.
US08141977B2	Inkjet head module and method of aligning inkjet head using the same An inkjet head module and a method of aligning inkjet heads using the inkjet head module are disclosed. The inkjet head module can include a frame, which can be attached to and detached from an inkjet apparatus; a multiple number of heads, which may be coupled to the frame, and which may each have at least one nozzle formed for ejecting ink; a multiple number of support racks, each of which may be interposed between the frame and a head, and which may support the head such that the head is movable in relation to the frame; and a multiple number of piezoelectric motors, which may move the heads to align the heads in relation to one another. Certain embodiments of the invention make it possible to reduce the size of the overall inkjet apparatus, as well as to align a multiple number of inkjet heads with higher precision.
US08141971B2	Image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus includes a recording section having a head holding member holding a plurality of head units ejecting ink, and a position adjusting mechanism including position adjusting members, each being provided for each head unit, for adjusting a position of the head unit relative to the head holding member according to movement thereof, a driving mechanism for generating a force moving the position adjusting member, and transmission mechanisms, each being provided for each position adjusting member, for transmitting the force generated by the driving mechanism to the position adjusting member, the driving mechanism selecting the transmission mechanism to be transmitted with the force from the plurality of transmission mechanisms to supply the force to only the selected transmission mechanism.
US08141970B2	Method and device for decorating an uneven surface of a dimensionally stable object A method for decorating an uneven surface of a dimensionally stable object is disclosed. According to the method, the object to be decorated and a digital, contactless printing head are moved in relation to one another during the printing operation and the printing head is controlled by a control unit in order to dispense ink. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a control program is created to control the printing head in accordance with the height profile of the uneven surface to be decorated of the object; the position of the surface to be decorated is detected in relation to the printing head; and the digital printing head is controlled using the program that has been created. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.
US08141969B2	Print control apparatus, print control method, and program therefor Provided is a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus that is able to perform color printing by using coloring agents of a plurality of colors. The print control apparatus includes: a residual amount acquisition section that acquires residual amounts of the coloring agents; a print instruction receiving section that receives instruction for printing an image; a required amount information acquisition section that acquires information on required amounts of the coloring agents required for the image instructed to be printed; and a control section that performs a residual amount precedence print control for controlling the printing apparatus to preferentially perform printing of the image, among a plurality of images instructed to be printed, which requires the smaller amount of the coloring agent having the smallest residual amount on the basis of the acquired information on the required amount and the residual amounts of the coloring agents.
US08141968B2	Support beam for a cabinet drawer A cabinet drawer support beam is provided, and may include on an upper part of such beam, a rail or longitudinal sliding mechanism. An alignment mechanism may be fastened to the rail or longitudinal mechanism. The alignment mechanism may include a pinion that runs in the rack of the lower part of the support beam, and the support beam may be fastened to the cabinet wall by way of barrels and/or fasteners. At least two beams per cabinet may be included.
US08141967B2	Display device with moving controller, the controller capable of moving horizontally An exemplary display device (2) includes a display body (22) and a support body (23) configured for supporting and moving the display body. The support body includes at least one trolley wheel assembly (28) capable of moving horizontally, and at least one stopper (380) corresponding to the trolley wheel assembly, which is capable of braking the trolley wheel assembly. The display body is moved horizontally when the trolley wheel assembly is moved horizontally.
US08141966B2	Telescopic pull-out arrangement A telescopic pull-out arrangement for a refrigerator is provided that includes two telescopic pull-out mechanisms each provided with a stationary rail on a common frame and a movable rail, and a storage part retained on the movable rails by a pair of identical adapters. The storage part has a first engagement contour cooperating with a first adapter of the couple and a second engagement contour cooperating with the second adapter of the couple. Each adapter is provided with a third and a fourth engagement contour. The first engagement contour of the storage part and the third engagement contour of the first adapter engage into one another with less tolerance transverse to the pull-out direction than the engagement of the second engagement contour of the storage part and the fourth engagement contour of the second adapter engage into one another.
US08141960B2	Motor vehicle braking assembly A vehicle braking assembly comprising a master cylinder (10) with no central valves, a brake fluid reservoir (62) mounted separately from the master cylinder (10), pumps (50) for pressurizing the brake fluid and first solenoid valves (68) in pipes (66) connecting the brake fluid reservoir (62) to the inlets of the pumps (50). According to the invention, a calibrated orifice (76) and a nonreturn valve (78) which are connected in parallel are mounted in these pipes (66).
US08141956B2	Chair foldable from a single sheet of planar material Chair folded from a single sheet of planar material that is made to measure to a predefined contour cut, and that is provided with predefined first fold lines along which the material is bendable into a ready-to-use shape or form of the chair and wherein same is unfoldable to the original single sheet so as to facilitate the ease of storing and transportation of said chair.
US08141951B2	Child safety seat A child safety seat includes a seat body, an engaging board, a backrest, and an engaging mechanism. The engaging board is connected to the seat body. A tooth-shaped structure is formed on the engaging board. The backrest is movably disposed on the engaging board. The engaging mechanism is disposed between the engaging board and the backrest. The engaging mechanism includes an engaging member and a driving device. The engaging member is pivotally connected to the backrest for engaging with the tooth-shaped structure. The driving device is pivotally connected to the engaging member and movably connected to the backrest. When the driving device moves between a locking position and a releasing position relative to the backrest, the driving device drives the engaging member to rotate relative to the backrest.
US08141949B2	Computer display viewing support A computer display viewing support having a display positioning tray, including a vertical unit having a substantially vertical orientation adapted to vary a vertical location of the display tray between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, the vertical unit terminating in horizontal base and a tray pivoting unit supported by the vertical unit and adapted to pivot the display tray from a plurality of pivoting positions between a closed position to an open position.
US08141948B2	Seat back entertainment system A seat back entertainment system includes a seat panel connected to a frame of a vehicle seat. A video unit provides a video signal. A display device is mounted to the seat panel. The display device displays the video signal provided by the video unit. One or more compartments formed in the seat panel.
US08141945B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat includes a first sensor that is disposed inside a seat back and is capable of detecting a back-side collision of a vehicle when pressed by a body of a sitting passenger, and a second sensor that is capable of detecting the back-side collision of the vehicle based on a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. A head rest is constructed to be moved forwardly based on detection signals when both of the sensors detect the back-side collision of the vehicle.
US08141943B2	Children's chair Children's chair having a height adjusting device and a folding device completes folding up by height adjusting. A first leg frame of the children's chair includes a first upper leg and a first lower leg capable moving relatively. When operating the height adjusting device to adjust the first upper leg relative to the first lower leg, an actuator on the first upper leg pushes a slider of the folding device, which locates at the pivot of the first leg frame and a second leg frame. The slider then interferes with a coupler locating at the second leg frame to disengage from a base mounted on the first leg frame. The second leg frame is then rotatable relative to the first leg frame and may be folded to a folding position. The children's chair is easy to perform height adjustment and folding movement by simply operating a button at the handle.
US08141942B2	Motor vehicle body with an adapter carrier for a roof module A motor vehicle body is proposed with a roof-carrying frame, upon which an adapter carrier is placed and secured for holding roof windows, sliding roofs, roof opening systems and/or roof module variants, and an adapter carrier suitable for installation in a motor vehicle body according to the invention. A corresponding method of manufacturing is also proposed for a motor vehicle body with a roof-carrying frame.
US08141941B2	Slidable window assembly with retractable sunshade A slidable window assembly mounted within the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The roof includes an opening and the slidable window assembly includes a window panel having a catch. The window panel is slidably mounted within the roof and slidable between an open position and a closed position. The slidable window assembly further includes a sunshade disposed beneath the window panel. The sunshade is also slidable between an open and closed position. The sunshade has a first surface facing the window panel and a stop mounted on the first surface. The catch is operable to engage the stop so as to move the sunshade from the closed position to the open position.
US08141940B2	Headliner assembly having a reinforcement member and subcomponent routing aid A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point.
US08141939B2	All terrain vehicle with lower portion protector A protector includes: a protector main body covering the lower portion of the vehicle body and a fixing plate for fixing the protector main body to the vehicle body. The protector main body has a surface portion and a recessed portion recessed from the surface portion to the vehicle body. The fixing plate has a plurality of the first insertion holes through which the fastening members for securing the protector main body to the vehicle body are passed. The recessed portion has second insertion holes through which fastening members are passed. The fixing plate is disposed in the recessed portion. The plurality of the first insertion holes are formed apart from one another.
US08141937B2	Vehicle body structure A vehicle body structure capable of preventing a bumper beam of another vehicle from riding over the rear part of the vehicle body. A vehicle body structure (10) is provided with a rear side door (13) located forward of a rear wheel (17) with respect to the vehicle body, and the rear side door is provided with a rear door beam (21) extended in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body. The vehicle body structure is provided with a side member upper section (56) extending toward the rear of the vehicle body from a rear wheel arch (33) and provided on a line extended from the rear door beam (21), and also with a side member lower section (57) extending on a down grade from the rear section (67) of the side member upper section toward a lower rear section (33c) of the rear wheel arch (33).
US08141934B2	Mount for an armrest in the interior of a motor vehicle A mount (22) for an armrest (14, 14a, 14b) in the interior of a motor vehicle is distinguished by the fact that the mount (22) is designed to react differently to forces that act on the mount (22) from different directions (18, 20).
US08141933B2	Vehicle door and method of manufacturing same A vehicle door, such as a tailgate (1), having a pull pocket (P) on which a hand is put when the door is manipulated includes a door panel (2), a lining (3), and a pull pocket member (4). The lining (3) is provided over an inside of the door panel (2) facing toward a vehicle cabin when the door is mounted to a vehicle body. The pull pocket member (4) is a member formed independently of the lining (3) and mounted to the lining (3). The pull pocket member (4) includes a recessed portion (41) which is recessed toward the door panel (2) and configured to form an undercut at a face (3a) of the lining (3) facing toward the vehicle cabin when the pull pocket member (4) is mounted to the lining (3).
US08141931B1	Movable roof for transportable tank A moveable roof for a transportable tank for fish includes a roof platform attached to spaced roof joists secured at opposing ends to parallel headers laterally spaced and traversing a length of the roof platform. At least two pair of support arms is included, with each pair mounted on opposite sides of the tank. Further, each support arm has an upper support arm portion and a lower support arm portion. The upper and lower support arm portions are attached at a support arm pivot point. The lower support arm portion is pivotally attached to the corresponding sidewall of the tank and the upper support arm portion is pivotally attached to the header above said corresponding sidewall. Still further, a crank is positioned between the support arms of each pair of support arms. The crank has crank cables attached to each support arm of the corresponding pair of support arms, so that winding the crank pulls the upper and lower support arm portions to a vertical position to unfold the support arms and elevate the roof above the transportable tank. Stabilizing shafts can be included to further support the roof.
US08141929B2	Power operated retractable tailgate assembly A power operated retractable tailgate assembly for a vehicle that includes a tailgate with opposite end edges thereof connected via sliding pivots to a respective one of a pair of elongate slide rails. The slide rails mount in lateral spaced apart relation on the underside of the floor of the cargo carrying box on the vehicle. A first extendible and retractable assembly, having relatively movable respective first and second portions, has the first portion anchored to the vehicle and a second portion that is hingedly connected to the tailgate proximate a lower marginal edge thereof. A power means is operatively connected to the extendible and retractable assembly and is operable from within the cab of the vehicle selectively to extend and retract the tailgate by moving the tailgate along the slide members. A second power operated extendible and retractable assembly is connected to the tailgate to move the same from its open position wherein it is horizontally disposed and projects rearwardly from the vehicle to a raised closed position wherein it is disposed vertically. Each of the extendable and retractable assemblies include a hydraulic cylinder unit operatively associated with a motor-driven pump. An alternate method of opening and closing the tailgate uses an electric motor directly driving a cable system which opens and closes the tailgate utilizing for example a winch unit comprising an electric motor driving a cable drum rather than the use of a screw drive or hydraulic means to control the cables.
US08141927B2	Control of a slide-out room A control system for a slide-out room of a recreational vehicle includes a number of room slides which move the slide-out room between retracted and extended positions. If multiple room slides are used, a controller synchronizes the movement of the room slides to prevent damage to the components of the system. The retracted and extended positions of the slide-out room can be reset by the end user. The controller is also capable of detecting faults and communicating faults to the user via LEDs on a control panel. The controller automatically stops the motion of the slide-out room if a fault is detected. The control system includes a lock which is automatically disengaged before motion of the slide-out room. The lock is also automatically engaged when the slide-out room moves to the retracted position.
US08141922B2	Pick-and-place apparatus A pick-and-place apparatus for transferring and loading semiconductor devices between first and second loading elements is provided. The pick-and-place apparatus includes a multiplicity of picking unit modules, each of which has at least one or more picking units, and an interval regulation apparatus for regulating intervals between the picking unit modules at the first to third modes. The first to third row interval values are different from each other. The intervals between the picking unit modules are all regulated to be identical to the first row interval at the first mode, are alternately regulated to the second row interval and the third row interval in turn at the second mode, and are alternately regulated to the third row interval and the second row interval in turn at the third mode.
US08141921B2	Dumpster Several embodiments of plastic dumpsters with improved strength and durability are disclosed. In one embodiment, gussets connect pockets to bevel walls, connecting the side walls to front and rear walls of the dumpster. The bevel walls are stronger than the side walls of the dumpster. Other embodiments disclose gussets integral with front and rear walls of the dumpster for improved strength. Other embodiments disclose removable, separately formed sleeves that are secured to the sides of the dumpster to form pockets for receiving the forks of a truck.
US08141918B2	Pedestrian bumper system and method A pedestrian bumper system and method can include an attachment bumper and an attachment bracket for connecting the attachment bumper to the existing vehicle bumper or existing vehicle frame. The attachment bumper can be configured to conform to the existing vehicle bumper such that the frontal crash mode of the vehicle is substantially unchanged. In addition, the attachment bumper can create a new front surface area that includes an area that is lower than the front area of the existing vehicle bumper. Thus, the bumper system can be configured to contact a pedestrian at a lower location to minimize injury during an accident. The bumper system can also be configured to be easily adapted to existing vehicles by either the consumer or the vehicle manufacturer to take advantage of easily modifying vehicles for different market and/or consumer requirements and tastes.
US08141908B2	Security device and method A security device comprises a substrate having a viewing region. A first pattern of a first color and a second pattern of a second color are printed on one side of the viewing region. A third pattern of the first color and a fourth pattern of the second color are printed on the other side of the viewing region. The first and second patterns on the one side of the viewing region overlap the fourth and third patterns respectively on the other side of the viewing region whereby a) when each side of the viewing region is viewed in reflected light, the patterns on that side can be distinguished by at least their colors, and b) when the viewing region is viewed in transmitted light, from either side of the substrate, the viewing region is sufficiently transparent that subtractive color mixing between the overlapped different colors results in a perceived single resultant color being visible.
US08141904B2	Energy absorbing structure for a vehicle A frontal collision energy absorbing structure includes a pair of left and right main frames. A front cross member and a rear cross member each connect the left and right main frames. A suspension tower and an engine mount bracket may each be attached to each main frame. Each front suspension tower is spaced out from the joint between the front cross member and the main frame. Each rear suspension tower is spaced out from the joint between the rear cross member and the main frame. Each of engine mount bracket is longitudinally spaced apart from the following joints: the front cross member and the main frame; the rear cross member and the main frame, and the suspension tower and the main frame.
US08141902B2	Airbag device An airbag (10) has a vent hole (18) in one side end portion. One end of a third base fabric (20) is sewn to the airbag (10) through a first sewn portion (23) that closes the vent hole (18), and the other end of the third base fabric 20 is sewn to the other side end portion of the airbag (10) through a second sewn portion (24). The first sewn portion (23) has weaker binding force by sewing than the second sewn portion (24) so that the first sewn portion (23) is separated to open the vent hole (18) when tension force is applied from the third base fabric (20) to the first and second sewn portions (23) and (24).
US08141901B2	Valve assembly for gas generating system A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage and a forcing member positioned in the passage. A flowable material is positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The housing is configured to enable a flow of flowable material out of the housing responsive only to a motion of the forcing member.
US08141898B2	Airbag module with an airbag and a tubular gas generator that can be fastened to a module housing An airbag module with an airbag and a tubular gas generator fastened to a module housing is provided. Said tubular gas generator having gas outlet openings along the periphery thereof and can be fastened to the module housing by means of only a clamping ring that is movable over the tubular gas generator and over a section of the module housing. The clamping ring has in axial direction elongated sections being separated from each other and continuing axial in the opposite direction. The module housing has in its bottom an opening for inserting the tubular gas generator, wherein on the module housing below this opening a support for the tubular gas generator is provided. The clamping ring is designed such that said clamping ring reaches below the support after positioning the tubular gas generator with the elongated section by axial moving in direction of the center of the tubular gas generator.
US08141897B2	Guide plate for side air bag There is provided a guide plate for a side air bag. The guide plate includes a fastening member fastened to an inner surface of a vehicle body, a support member bent from a lower end of the fastening member and extending toward a passenger space of a vehicle, and a retaining member extending from a surface of the fastening member toward the passenger space of the vehicle. As the guide plate prevents a side air bag tube from being deployed in an upward direction, force for deploying the side air bag tube is not spread but concentrated to allow the side air bag tube to be properly deployed by opening a head liner.
US08141895B2	Collapsible stroller and method of operating the same A stroller comprises a support frame and a handle, and a seat assembled between the support frame and the handle. A front leg is coupled with a rear leg via a first pivot link, and a side segment of the handle is movable relative to the front and rear leg. The seat has a front portion pivotally connected with the front leg, and a rear portion pivotally connected with the side segment of the handle. The side segment is in stable abutment against a contact region of the support frame adjacent to the first pivot link for supporting the seat. For folding the stroller, the handle is moved in a first direction that raises the side segment above the support frame for displacing the contact region of the support frame in a forward direction to a disengaged position out of reach for the lower end portion of the side segment.
US08141894B1	Custom cylinder grate assembly (CCGA) An invention apparatus designed to serve as a functional add-on accessory for V-twin cylinder motorcycle engines. The invention Custom Cylinder Grate Assembly (CCGA) is configured to perform three functions simultaneously as the invention protects V-twin engine cylinders from damage, reduces the risk potential burn injuries to motorcycle operators and provides an attractive custom appearance for the V-twin engine cylinders. Components of the invention are designed to encircle the V-twin engine cylinders shielding the cylinders from damage caused by flying road debris and exposure to environmental elements. The invention serves as a physical barrier between hot V-twin engine cylinders and the motorcycle operator. The inventions barrier prohibits the motorcycle rider from direct contact with the hot V-twin engine cylinders, mitigating the risk of burns or injury to the rider. The invention replicates the silhouette of V-twin engine cylinders, masking unsightly V-twin engine cylinders while providing a cosmetic custom appearance for the motorcycle and the V-twin engine cylinders.
US08141893B2	Folding apparatus for a bicycle frame A folding apparatus for a bicycle frame includes a bicycle frame and at least one engaging device assembled on the bicycle frame. The bicycle frame includes at least one first tube and at least one second tube. Each of the at least one engaging device includes a stationary sleeve disposed on the second tube and has a series of second tooth formed thereon. A rotary sleeve is fixed to the first tube and rotatably mounted on the second tube. The rotary sleeve has a series of first tooth formed thereon for correspondingly engaging with the stationary sleeve. A locking device is movably mounted on the second tube for securely retaining the rotary sleeve firmly engaging with the stationary sleeve. When the locking device is released, the rotary sleeve and the first tube rotate relative to the second tube, and the bicycle frame is folded.
US08141891B2	Friction control apparatus for vehicle suspension A vehicle suspension friction control apparatus includes a first link having a first end and a second end, and a second link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first link is mounted to one of a steering knuckle or a lower control arm connected to a lower part of the steering knuckle. The first end of the second link is mounted to the other of the steering knuckle or the lower control arm. A friction control joint connects the second end of the first link and the second end of the second link for controlling friction between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm.
US08141888B1	Surfboard transportation device A surfboard transportation device for allowing a user to transport a surfboard comprising a first vertical support component connected to a second vertical support component via a first telescopic center support bar and a second telescopic center support bar. Attachment ropes can be attached to the first and second vertical support components to secure the surfboard in the device.
US08141887B1	Game gurney system A tubular frame has leading and trailing sections. The leading section has a leading end with parallel rearwardly extending legs. The trailing section has a trailing end with parallel forwardly extending legs receiving the rearwardly extending legs. An axle has central and end sections with wheels rotatably mounted on the end sections. A riser plate has a lower edge pivotably coupled to the axle. The riser plate has an upper edge with a concave curve. The riser plate is pivotably coupled to the frame. A handle assembly has a tubular grip with parallel downwardly extending arms. The handle assembly also has parallel upwardly extending arms receiving the downwardly extending arms. The upwardly extending arms are pivotably coupled to the axle.
US08141885B2	Rack with wheels A rack includes a chassis, and a plurality of wheel assemblies secured to the chassis. Each wheel assembly includes a bracket, a wheel, and a handle. The bracket is rotatable relative to the chassis between a first position and a second position. Each wheel is capable of rotating about an axis. A distance between the axis and the chassis when each bracket is in the first position is less than a distance between the axis and the chassis when the bracket is in the second position. The handle is secured to the bracket and configured to rotate the corresponding bracket, and extends inside the chassis.
US08141884B2	Clamping device The invention relates to a clamping device which comprises a base, having a center holding fixture for a structural component to be clamped and a plurality of cavities arranged around the holding fixture. The base can be elastically deformed in such a manner by radial compressive forces applied from the outside in the area of the cavities that a structural component to be clamped can be inserted in the holding fixture and can be elastically returned to its former shape by reducing or releasing the radial forces, thereby establishing a pressure connection with the structural component to be clamped. The invention is characterized in that centrifugal counterweights are provided inside the cavities.
US08141883B2	Self-locking mechanism of manually tightened drill chuck The present invention publicly discloses a self-locking mechanism of a manually tightened drill chuck, including a ratchet wheel, a clamp bearing, at least one resilient pawl, and a clip ring, wherein said ratchet wheel is fixed in connection with the main unit of said manually tightened drill chuck, and on its back there are provided ratchet teeth facing the end surface of said main unit; said clamp bearing is fixed in connection with the outside surface of a screw ring on said manually tightened drill chuck, and the end surface of this clamp bearing is provided with at least one ratchet wheel slot; said resilient pawl is fixed on said ratchet wheel slot, and it includes a protuberance and a tooth piece; and said clip ring includes at least two arc segments that can mutually antagonistically snap onto the front end position of said main unit, the outer perimeter surface of this clip ring is fixed in connection with a front cap of said manually tightened drill chuck, said clip ring is connected with said clamp bearing and drives said clamp bearing to rotate, and the end surface of said clip ring is provided with deep and shallow recesses for receiving the protuberance on said resilient pawl.
US08141881B2	Seal and seal arrangement A seal is disclosed, for sealing a seal surface (5) between two machine parts (6, 7) which move relative to each other, wherein a seal body of the seal (1) comprises a retainer piece (10), arranged towards the groove base in a groove (8) in one of the machine parts (7), a sealing part (11), arranged in the groove (8) facing the sealing surface and a resilient connector part (12) between the sealing part (11) and the retaining part (10). The seal (1) has a recess (21) between the retainer part (10) and the connector part (12) and a further recess (20) between the connector part (12) and the sealing part (11). The seal (1) has spacer elements (25), said spacer elements (25) extending into at least one of the recesses (20, 21), preferably at least into the recesses (20) between the sealing part (11) and the connector part (12).
US08141880B2	High pressure sealing apparatus There is provided a high pressure sealing apparatus including: a top adapter including a packing receiving recess having an inverted V-shaped section; a bottom adapter including a packing supporting wall having an inverted V-shaped section; packing members each having an inverted V-shaped section, and interposed between the top adapter and the bottom adapter; and backup rings each having an inverted V-shaped section, and alternately overlapped with the packing members. The packing members are made of hard synthetic resin. A deformation allowing gap is formed on at least two facing walls of a top wall or a bottom wall of the packing member, and a bottom wall of the top adapter, a top wall and a bottom wall of the backup ring, or a top wall of the bottom adapter to be closed owing to compaction force in an axial direction X.
US08141879B2	Seals for a turbine engine, and methods of assembling a turbine engine A side seal for sealing the side edges of adjacent combustors of a turbine engine include extended ends. The extended ends of the side seal abut and seal against inner and outer circumferential seals to prevent leakage of combustion gases.
US08141877B2	Method of playing a modified poker based wagering game with side wager Some embodiments are directed to a method of playing a wagering game which comprises the steps of: receiving an ante wager from a participating player; delivering a partial hand of playing cards to the participating player; providing a community group of playing cards of unknown value; conducting one or more game events so long as there is at least one playing card of unknown value remaining among the community group of playing cards, wherein each game event comprises revealing the value of at least one playing card in the community group to the participating player and receiving a game event wager from the participating player thereafter; revealing the value of the at least one remaining unknown playing card among the community group; determining a final hand rank for the participating player, wherein the final hand rank is based on the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the community group of playing cards; comparing the final hand rank with a preset criteria, wherein the preset criteria sets forth guidelines for award payouts based on final hand ranks; and paying a game award payout to the player if one of the preset criteria are satisfied, wherein the game award payout is at least partially based on the total amount wagered, and wherein the total amount wagered is the ante wager plus the sum of all the game event wagers received during the one or more game events.
US08141875B2	Card handling devices and networks including such devices Devices for handling playing cards comprise a card infeed tray, a card output tray, and a movable card storage device with multiple compartments. At least one compartment of the multiple compartments comprises a preselected and designated bonus card compartment configured for storing bonus cards. A card sensing system is configured to detect a presence of bonus cards to be transferred into the movable card storage device. A control system is programmed to selectively transfer only bonus cards into the at least one designated compartment in response to detection of bonus card presence by the card sensing system and to selectively transfer playing cards into compartments of the multiple compartments separate from the at least one designated compartment.
US08141871B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; a conveyance unit; a motor; a stop order unit that orders stoppage of the motor; a detection unit, which detects a rotated number of the motor or a conveyance distance during a post-order period, and the post-order period being a period from when the stop order unit ordered stoppage of the motor until when the motor stops; a storage unit; a sensor, which detects passage of the recording medium; a timing determination unit, which determines a pre-order period as a appropriate order timing, wherein the pre-order period is calculated from dividing a difference between a first distance and a second distance by a conveyance speed, wherein the first distance is the conveyance distance stored in the storage, and the second distance is a distance between a position where the sensor detects passage of the recording medium and the target stoppage position.
US08141869B2	Arrangement for stacking sheets The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for conveying of sheets (2a, b), comprising upper and lower receiving rolls (3, 4), an upper belt element (5) and a receiving surface (6). The belt element (5) extends in a region above the receiving surface (6). The sheets (2a, b) are conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction of movement (7) towards the receiving rolls (3, 4), which receiving rolls (3, 4) during rotation move the sheets (2a, b) one after another between and past the receiving rolls (3, 4), during which the respective sheet (2a, b), after passing between and past the receiving rolls (3, 4), are situated between said receiving surface (6) and upper belt element (5). The sheets (2a, b) between the upper belt element (5) and the receiving surface (6) are placed on one another such that a rear edge (8) of a sheet (2a) passing through and between the receiving rolls (3, 4) is overlapped by a front edge (9) of a following sheet (2b). A lifting means (10) situated in the sheet movement direction (7) after the receiving rolls (3, 4) is adapted to acting upon sheets (2a, b) passing through the receiving rolls (3, 4) and over the lifting means such that the front edge (9) of a sheet (2b) which has passed over and past the lifting means (10) assumes a shape which strengthens the sheet (2a, b) in the sheet movement direction (7).
US08141867B2	Medium delivery device and medium processing apparatus with a pressing unit A medium delivery device comprising a medium insertion section into which a sheet-shaped medium to be delivered is inserted in a stacked state, first and second medium guide surfaces that are opposed to each other to guide the sheet-shaped medium to the medium delivery port, a feed roller that is disposed at a side of the first medium guide surface and delivers the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section, to the medium delivery port, a first pressing member that presses the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section against the feed roller, a second pressing member that presses the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section against the first medium guide surface at a position deviating from the feed roller, and a driving mechanism that drives the first pressing member in directions in which the first pressing member moves close to and away from the feed roller.
US08141863B2	Sheet processing apparatus The sheet processing apparatus is provided with: a sheet aligning part that accumulates and aligns sheets so as to generate a bundle of sheets; an edge stitching processor that performs an edge stitching process by which the generated bundle of sheets is stitched together at one edge of the bundle of sheets; an apparatus housing that includes an opening portion through which the bundle of sheets is discharged to an outside of the apparatus housing; a saddle stitching processor that performs, outside of the apparatus housing, a saddle stitching process by which the discharged bundle of sheets is stitched together at a center portion of the bundle of sheets in a transporting direction of the bundle of sheets; and a stacking tray that is provided below the opening portion and outside the apparatus housing, and on which the bundles of sheets subjected to the edge stitching process and the saddle stitching process are capable of being stacked.
US08141859B2	Apparatus and method for effecting pin-to-shoulder tool separation for a friction stir welding pin tool An apparatus and method for separating a pin tool from a shoulder tool, after the pin tool and shoulder tool have become welded together during a friction stir welding operation. In one exemplary embodiment a frame is used to support the shoulder tool. A fluid pressure actuating assembly is used for gradually exerting a force on the pin tool while the shoulder tool is held stationary within the frame. The gradually increasing force gradually breaks the weld and separates the pin tool from the shoulder tool without damaging the pin tool.
US08141858B2	Clamp A clamp adapted to be removably fixed to a further object. The clamp includes first and second clamp members, each being configured to apply a clamping force to the further object to which the clamp is removably fixed. One clamp actuator is adapted to drive movement of both the first and second clamp members with respect to each other along respective first and second axes. The first axis intersects the second axis.
US08141853B2	Connector for an insulator to be connected to a support member A connector for an insulator to be connected to a support member is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector includes a plurality of divergent arms. This connector may include a main body, and at least two side wings extending from the main body where each the side wing is configured to engage with at least one of the divergent arms of the support member. The connector may further include at least one strap engagement element configured to engage at least one strap to secure the connector to the support member.
US08141851B2	Portable vehicle lift A portable lift including a pair of elongate rails adapted for being located underneath corresponding lift points associated with a vehicle to be elevated. A pair of cross members fixedly securing at opposite ends to spaced apart locations associated with the rails and in order to construct a frame. Scissor jacks are associated with end location of the first and second rails. A drive shaft communicates to one or more of the scissor jacks, and responsive to a converted rotary input, actuates the jacks, separately or in unison, thereby causing the rails to vertically displaced for elevating and/or lowering the vehicle.
US08141841B2	Machine foot The invention includes a method for manufacturing a machine foot (1) and a machine foot (1). A machine foot (1) of the present type consists of a spindle (8), which is in the top screwn into the device which is to be supported and is in the bottom fastened to a base part (20). The spindle (8) can be turned in relation to the base part (20) in an angle (10). It is characteristic of the invention that the spindle (8) in the end, which is situated in the base part (20) is enclosed by a ball part (6,7), which consists of an upper part (7) and a lower part (6) and is fastened to the ball part (6,7) by engagement with a locking ring (11) which is also enclosed by the ball part (6,7). The ball part (6,7) is cast into a polymer material (3) whereby the end of the spindle (8) in the base part (20) is efficiently enclosed and closed from access of impurities, filth or bacteria. The machine foot (1) can thereby be cleaned by external washing only and is therefore especially suited for application in environments, which have high demands for hygiene and e.g. demand a compliance with the standard “3-A® Sanitary Standard for Machine Leveling Feet and Supports”.
US08141836B2	Adjustable computer component mounting system An adjustable system for mounting a computer component to a surface, including an adjustable horizontal assembly with swiveling mounting structure and an adjustable vertical assembly featuring two sliding extrusions and a stopper wedge engaged with a long screw for efficient mounting of computer components within workplaces.
US08141834B2	Test head positioning system An apparatus (1) for manipulating a load includes a first support structure (60) for supporting the load and a second support structure (4) for supporting the load. The apparatus also includes a coupling (3) coupled between the first support structure (60) and the second support structure (4). The coupling (30) includes a compliant mechanism (340a) for providing a compliant range of motion to the load about a rotative axis where a center of gravity of the load is located away from the rotative axis. The rotative axis is a non-vertical axis.
US08141832B2	Snap-on hook and cover for sunshade A one-piece molded holder clip is provided for retaining an associated sunshade rod. The clip has a body in which a hook element is formed with the body and having a generally C-shaped conformation to receive the rod therein. A sunshade guide surface is formed in the body and extends substantially tangentially from the hook element. A fastener is formed with the body and extends from a rear surface of the sunshade guide surface. First and second legs are received over a bracket extending from the automotive vehicle frame and at least one of the legs includes a locking tab dimensioned for snap-fit engagement with an associated bracket. A cover is formed with the one-piece body and extends from the hook element, and covers the fastener to provide an aesthetically pleasing design.
US08141831B2	Hanger connector for flexible tubing A connector for attaching a piece of flexible tubing to a pair of parallel brackets includes an arcuate bend support, front and rear clamping members, and at least one fastener interconnecting the front and rear clamping members. The clamping members are positioned on opposite sides of the brackets. The bend support includes a head rotatably received in a receiver in the rear clamping member. The head includes a collet sized to receive the tubing. A wedge is formed on the front clamping member in a position to engage the collet. As the fastener is tightened, the clamping members are drawn against the brackets and the wedge engages the collet to constrict the collet inwardly against the tubing.
US08141826B1	Pipe holding bracket A mounting bracket is provided for mounting pipes between studs of a building. An elongated support member has two elongated sides generally perpendicular to each other and has opposing ends adapted to fasten the support member to studs of a building. A locking bracket encircles the support bracket. The locking bracket has four segments comprising a first base segment, a second flange segment, a third intermediate segment and a fourth distal segment. A flexible hinge line is formed at least between the flange and intermediate segment. The base segment and flange either abutting or are close to adjacent sides of the elongated support member during use with the intermediate segment spanning the distal edges of the sides of the support member. The fourth distal segment overlaps and nests with the first base segment to restrain motion in the plane of the base segment. A latch mechanism restrains the projection from disengaging. The projection is preferably forced against the support member by the latch mechanism.
US08141824B2	Method and device for piloting an aircraft about a piloting axis The flight-control device (1) makes it possible, by offsetting part of a flight command according to a particular flight path, to obtain the same control as is obtained with usual flight control, but without flexible excitation that generates discomfort in the aircraft.
US08141822B2	Autophagous multifunction structure-power system A vehicle including at least one bladder for containing a two-phase liquid-gas fuel at a predetermined pressure, with a bladder outlet arranged to releasing vapor fuel from the bladder. The fuel provides energy for propulsion of the vehicle, and the vapor pressure of the fuel provides initial structural integrity of the vehicle, by rigidizing and stiffening the beam assembly to resist inward buckling until the liquid fuel is expended. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle. A combustion chamber and thermoelectric conversion module can generate electricity for a propeller and battery.
US08141821B1	Aircraft An aircraft capable of hovering, and having a fuselage in turn having a nose, a tail portion at the opposite end to the nose, and a cabin interposed between the nose and the tail portion; the cabin has a loading opening at the opposite end to the nose, and a first wall movable between a closed position engaging at least one portion of the loading opening, and an open position allowing free access to the portion of the loading opening; and, working from the tail portion towards the nose, the first wall in the open position extends on the opposite side of a first edge of the loading opening with respect to a second edge, opposite the first edge, of the loading opening.
US08141818B2	Ram door assemblies A ram door assembly is provided for an intake opening of an intake duct of an auxiliary power unit of an aircraft. The ram door assembly includes a ram door hingeably mounted adjacent to the intake opening and moveable between an open position to a closed position. The ram door has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The ram door assembly further includes a fairing positioned on the interior surface of the ram door.
US08141811B2	Shock wave modification method and system A shock wave in a gas is modified by emitting energy to form an extended path in the gas; heating gas along the path to form a volume of heated gas expanding outwardly from the path; and directing a path. The volume of heated gas passes through the shock wave and modifies the shock wave. This eliminates or reduces a pressure difference between gas on opposite sides of the shock wave. Electromagnetic, microwaves and/or electric discharge can be used to heat the gas along the path. This application has uses in reducing the drag on a body passing through the gas, noise reduction, controlling amount of gas into a propulsion system, and steering a body through the gas. An apparatus is also disclosed.
US08141809B2	Cross-cutting and roll-changeover apparatus for continuous moving web An apparatus for winding a flexible web continuously moving in a longitudinal travel direction as rolls onto sleeves has a winding station for holding a sleeve and rotating it about an axis for winding the web onto the sleeve. Upstream of the winding station at a changeover station a fresh sleeve is held adjacent the continuously moving web. A shell juxtaposed with the fresh sleeve in the changeover station forms therewith a gap. A cross-cutter for the web is provided adjacent an end of the gap and can form on the web a trailing end and a leading end so that the trailing end travels to the winding station for winding on the sleeve therein. Air is drawn air into the end of the gap to aspirate the leading end into the gap. This leading end is electrostatically adhered to the fresh sleeve in the changeover station.
US08141804B1	Curved hammer The various embodiments disclosed and pictured illustrate a curved hammer for comminuting various materials. The illustrative embodiments pictured and described herein are primarily for use with a rotatable hammermill assembly. The curved hammer includes a connection portion having a rod hole therein, a contact portion for delivery of energy to the material to be comminuted, and a curved neck portion affixing the connection portion to the contact portion. In other embodiments, a shoulder is positioned around the periphery of the rod hole for added strength. In still other embodiments, a neck reinforcement is positioned along a portion of the neck for increased strength. A weld or plurality of welds may be affixed to various surfaces of the contact portion to aide in comminuting and/or longevity of the curved hammer.
US08141800B2	Pulveriser mill The invention provides a method of improving an existing pulverizer mill by provision of an improved port ring located around the circumference of a grinding ring of the mill for common rotation therewith. The conventional port ring has openings separated by thin vanes. The improved port ring has wider openings now separated by lands. The wider openings can pass more unground materials back through the port ring as rejected material but the overall air mass flow can be kept unchanged.
US08141798B2	High velocity low pressure emitter with deflector having closed end cavity An emitter for atomizing and discharging a liquid entrained in a gas stream is disclosed. The emitter has a nozzle with an outlet facing a deflector surface having a closed end cavity. The nozzle discharges a gas jet against the deflector surface. The emitter has a duct with an exit orifice adjacent to the nozzle outlet. Liquid is discharged from the orifice and is entrained in the gas jet where it is atomized.
US08141796B2	Laser nozzle and iodine injection for coil An improved nozzle and iodine injector system for use in a COIL are disclosed. The improved nozzle is a two-dimensional, minimum length nozzle with a curved sonic line. The iodine injection system utilizes a series of slender struts for iodine injection into the oxygen stream through a series of small orifices that are located along the base of each strut. The struts are located within the nozzle such that the need for a diluent gas for the iodine is reduced. The use of the nozzle and iodine injection system, particularly when combined with the SOG disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/453,148, have the potential for yielding a highly efficient, high power, optically superior COIL device that is compact, scalable, can operate in space, and has good pressure recovery potential.
US08141795B2	Aerosol dispensing device and method A method for delivering an aerosol, especially an aromatic aerosol, comprising the steps of contacting a capillary wick, comprising an EHD comminution site, with a liquid source, whereby at least a portion of the liquid transports to the EHD comminution site; applying a voltage to the liquid within the capillary wick at a location spaced apart from the liquid source and proximate the EHD comminution site; and applying a ground reference at a location external to the EHD comminution site, wherein at least a portion of the liquid EHD comminutes to form a spray having a generally-consistent flowrate and a device therefor.
US08141794B2	Vehicle windshield cleaning system Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.
US08141788B2	Thermostatic control device A thermostatic control device for controlling the temperature of a food preparation or sanitation appliance comprises a temperature sensor, a controller in communication with the temperature sensor, and means for operatively connecting the controller to the appliance. When the temperature sensor senses that the actual temperature of the appliance is equal to or greater than a maximum threshold temperature, the controller shuts-off the compressor and overrides the flame sensor such that the appliance acts as if a flame is present. When the temperature sensor senses that the actual temperature of the appliance is equal to or less than a minimum threshold temperature, the controller starts-up the compressor and overrides the flame sensor such that the appliance acts as if a flame is absent.
US08141786B2	Thin smart card module having strap on carrier A Smart Card module with flip-assembled chip (101) on a metallic strap (112) adhering to an insulating substrate (111). Chip (101) is in the gap (122) of a metal carrier (120), strap (112) conductively attached to the carrier. Carrier (120) is designed to practically surround the chip, and has a thickness about equal to the chip thickness. Overall module thickness is less than 250 μm without dangerously thinning the chip. Additional strength may be acquired by filling any space of gap (122) not occupied by chip (101) with encapsulation compound (150). Metal carrier (120) further provides contact areas (120a, 120b) for higher level system interconnection (stacking of modules).
US08141779B1	Sensor and markers for speed feedback in a hand-operated document reader/imager A hand-operated document processor includes a base for receiving a document containing magnetic ink character data to be read and recognized, and a manually operated moving magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) subsystem. The subsystem includes a MICR read head. Movement of the subsystem causes the MICR read head to pass over the magnetic ink character data on the document. The base further includes a series of embedded markers that may be magnetic or optical. A speed sensing sensor is positioned such that the speed sensing sensor passes over the series of markers as the MICR read head passes over the magnetic ink character data on the document. MICR reading and recognition logic receives the signal from the MICR read head and the signal from the speed sensing sensor to provide position feedback information to the logic for use during character data recognition.
US08141776B2	System and method for implementing a virtual automated teller machine Method and system for implementing a virtual automated teller machine (“VATM”) system are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a VATM host connectable to each of a plurality of disbursement entities (“DEs”) via a secure connection. The system further includes an accessing computer connectable to the VATM host via a secure connection, the accessing computer comprising a device for acquiring user account information and having installed thereon VATM client software executable by the accessing computer to interact with the VATM host to validate the acquired user account information and an associated PIN provided by the user. Responsive to the validation, the user is presented with a list of DEs and prompted to select one DE from the list of DEs from which funds are to be disbursed to the user and specify an amount of funds to be disbursed. The VATM host sends a disbursement order to the selected DE indicating the specified amount of funds to be disbursed.
US08141775B1	Systems and methods for gesture-based interaction with computer systems The present disclosure facilitates gesture-based interaction with a computer-system. The method may comprise pairing a transaction account with a likeness, receiving the likeness and a transaction request based upon the location of a marker in three dimensional space, retrieving the transaction account paired with the likeness, and approving the transaction request at least partially based upon the transaction account and the likeness.
US08141772B1	System and method of reconciling currency and coin in a cash handling device A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes a system and method for counting and/or reconciling cash, including currency and/or coin, in a cash drawer or till. The cash drawer may be inserted into a cash handling device and the amount of cash in the drawer may be determined, i.e., using scales to weigh the cash. In some arrangements, the cash may be removed from the cash drawer. In other arrangements, some or all of the cash (i.e., the coin or the currency) may remain in the cash drawer for use in a subsequent shift, workday, etc.
US08141769B2	Process for repairing a component comprising a directional microstructure by setting a temperature gradient during the laser heat action, and a component produced by such a process In one aspect, a repair method for repairing components comprising a base material with a directed microstructure is provided. The repair is performed in such a way that the repaired location correspondingly has a directed microstructure like the surrounding base material. A solder is applied in the region of a location to be repaired and is soldered to the component via heat exposure, a temperature gradient, i.e., for instance a temperature variation from a higher temperature to a lower temperature, is thereby produced in the region of the location to be repaired.
US08141768B2	Application of high integrity welding and repair of metal components in oil and gas exploration, production and refining A method for welding and repairing cracks in metal parts is provided by subjecting the metal parts to be welded to friction stir welding and the cracks to be repaired to friction stir processing under conditions sufficient to provide a weld joint or crack repair having a preselected property or set of properties based upon the intended use of the weldment. The FSW and FSP methods are advantageous in joining and repairing metal structures and components in applications for natural gas transportation and storage, oil and gas well completion and production, and oil and gas refinery and chemical plants.
US08141767B2	Method for making transmission electron microscope micro-grid A method for making a TEM micro-grid is provided. The method includes the following steps. A carrier, a carbon nanotube structure, and a protector are provided. The carrier defines a first through opening. The protector defines a second through opening. The protector, the carbon nanotube structure and the carrier are stacked such that the carbon nanotube structure is located between the carrier and the protector. The second through opening at least partly overlaps with the first through opening. The carrier and the protector are welded with each other.
US08141763B2	Anvil assembly with improved cut ring An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapler is provided. The anvil assembly includes a cut ring assembly having a body and a cover. The cover has a first layer of material having a first hardness to allow penetration by a knife of a surgical stapler and at least one additional layer of material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness to minimize penetration of the cover by a knife of a surgical stapler.
US08141758B2	Holster for small arms A holster for retaining a pistol has a frame configured to receive a pistol, with a first pistol retention facility on the frame. The first pistol retention facility has a secure condition and a release condition, and operates operable to prevent extraction of a pistol from the holster when in the secure condition, and to enable extraction of the pistol when in the release condition. The first pistol retention facility includes a first actuator operable in response to deliberate user force to set the first pistol retention facility in the release condition. The holster has a second pistol retention facility on the frame, and having a secure condition and a release condition, and operable to prevent extraction of a pistol from the holster when in the secure condition, and to enable extraction of the pistol when in the release condition. The second pistol retention facility includes a second actuator operable in response to deliberate user force to set the second pistol retention facility in the release condition. The actuators may be adjacent to each other to enable simultaneous actuation, and operation of one actuator may operate the other.
US08141757B2	Belt convertible to backpack The belt, convertible to a backpack, is worn about the waist of a person and includes an elongated strap, free end sections and a belt latch. The belt-backpack also includes a sack attached to the strap mid-section. The sack has an opening to permit access to its interior and a closure system (zipper, velcro, etc.,) for closing the sack opening. A pair of elongated extension panels is longitudinally affixed to an outer surface of the sack and each panel has an opposing free side edge. Each opposing free side edge has a complimentary closing system (preferably zipper) such that the extension panels and the strap form a pouch within which is disposed the folded sack and, in an opened condition, the sack is unfolded to expose the closable opening of the sack. The free end sections form backpack straps which permits the user to carry the sack.
US08141755B2	Regulated fluid dispensing device and method of dispensing a carbonated beverage A device and method are provided for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized container. The dispensing device includes an integral source of compressed gas for maintaining the beverage within the container at a desired pressurized state. The dispensing device also includes a regulator for controlling the flow of gas from the compressed gas source to the interior of the container, as well as a pressure relief mechanism that accounts for potential over pressurization of the container. The beverage is selectively dispensed by actuation of a tap handle. Delivery is achieved through the device by a resilient delivery tube, and the delivery tube is either pinched closed or allowed to decompress by the actuation of the tap handle. In another embodiment, a check valve is used to control flow of the beverage in which the tap handle activates a transfer rod to seat and unseat a check element.
US08141751B2	Dosage-dispensing device for substances in powder-or paste form A dosage-dispensing device, for substances in powder- or paste form, includes a supply container and a dosage-dispensing head that is connected or connectable to the supply container. A housing has an outlet orifice of circular cross-section and a delivery- and closure element with a closure portion serving to close off the outlet orifice. The device further has a conveying tool with at least one conveying element that serves to direct the substance to the outlet orifice, wherein the outlet orifice and the delivery- and closure element are arranged on the central lengthwise axis of the dosage-dispensing head. The conveying tool is rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and the at least one conveying element is designed to move on a circular path about the central lengthwise axis. The delivery- and closure element includes a delivery portion which serves to deliver a substance that is to be dispensed, and the delivery- and closure element is configured to be rotatable about the central lengthwise axis in relation to the housing and to be capable of translatory displacement along the central lengthwise axis relative to the outlet orifice. The at least one conveying element of the conveying tool which serves for the delivery of substance is slanted in the direction of its rotation at an acute angle to the plane of its circular path.
US08141750B2	Storage container for granular fuel, a device and a method for feeding the fuel forward A storage container for granular fuel, comprising a lower, essentially horizontal, limiting surface and at least one adjoining lateral limiting surface, a feeding out device with an axial extension that considerably exceeds its radial extension, the feeding out device being arranged along at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and even more preferred at least 90% of the axial extension of said lower limiting surface, a forward-feeding device arranged to transport said fuel in a direction towards said feeding out device, comprising a flexible bag that via a pressurized air inlet is inflatable and that is arranged in connection with at least a portion of the storage container's lower limiting surface and its adjoining lateral limiting surface, the feeding out device being arranged inside said storage container and the bag also comprising at least one outlet for pressurized air, whereby a flow of pressurized air is allowed through the bag during the inflation thereof.
US08141749B2	Foam soap dispenser control valve An improved assembly of a foam soap dispenser control valve includes a lower casing, an upper casing and a valve body. In addition, a spring is installed in a protruding tube of the valve body, and a steel ball is disposed at the tip of the spring, and a bushing is sheathed onto the external periphery of the protruding tube for abutting the steel ball tightly against the top of the protruding tube and the internal side of the upper edge of the bushing, and a hollow joint bushing is protruded from the top of the upper casing, and the top of the joint bushing is a closed end, and a soap feeding inlet is disposed on a side of the bottom of the joint bushing, such that the upper casing and the lower casing can be engaged by screws to form the improved assembly of the soap dispenser control valve.
US08141747B2	Dispenser related technology A food storage apparatus enables dispensation of contents (e.g., ice and/or water) stored in the food storage apparatus and collects residual contents after the dispensation of the contents.
US08141744B2	Foam dispenser having selectively pressurized cartridge A foam dispenser having a selectively pressurized cartridge that includes a dispenser housing maintaining a motor driving an air compressor with a compressed air conduit extending therefrom. Also maintained within the dispenser is a foam generating head that receives air and liquid conduits that include dispensing valves. A control circuit controls the motor and dispensing valves, and further is interconnected with a hand sensor positioned in association with the dispensing head. In one embodiment of the invention, a disposable and replaceable cartridge of liquid soap or the like is adapted to sealingly and removably receive the compressed air conduit as well as the liquid and air outlet conduits, along with a vent valve and a pressure sensor, the vent valve and pressure sensor communicating with a control circuit. In another embodiment, the various conduits, valves and sensors, as well as the dispensing head, comprise a portion of the cartridge. The control circuit, upon sensing the presence of the user's hands, activates the motor and air compressor to generate a pressure head in the cartridge and the dispensing valves are activated when the pressure sensor determines that a pressure head sufficient for dispensing has been generated. The motor and compressor are turned off at an appropriate time in association with the activation of the dispensing valves. The vent valve is activated at the end of the dispensing cycle.
US08141737B1	Mesh container A mesh container includes a bottom meshwork, a side meshwork and a frame. The side meshwork is arranged around a periphery edge of the bottom meshwork. The side meshwork has a bottom edge which is connected with the periphery edge. The side meshwork has a top edge which stretches outwardly along a direction parallel to the bottom meshwork. The frame is arranged around the side meshwork. The frame clamps the top edge of the side meshwork. The frame has two reverse edgings and a crease so as to increase strength of the frame. As such, the container has a stable frame.
US08141733B2	Beverage container having circular arcs A plastic beverage container that can withstand deformation by positive pressure and that can be stably stored lying on its side is provided. The beverage container for storing a product under positive pressure includes a body portion having an outer wall made of plastic, and the body portion has a symmetrical cross-sectional shape formed by a plurality of circular arcs.
US08141732B2	Bottle and cup/lid combination A bottle. The bottle may include a cup with a number of first conical sections, a lid with a number of second conical sections, and a closure positioned on the lid. The upper conical sections mate with the lower conical sections.
US08141731B2	Closure with lid and slidable latch system The present dispensing closure system includes a closure base, which can be configured for securement to an associated container, and a lid hingedly connected to the closure base for movement between closed and open positions, wherein in the closed position of the lid, the lid coacts to close and seal a dispensing orifice defined by the closure base. Convenient manipulation of the lid between its closed and open positions is facilitated by the provision of a sliding element mounted on the closure base for sliding, reciprocable movement generally laterally of the closure base. Notably, the sliding element includes a latch portion which coacts with the lid to positively retain the lid in its closed position until manipulation of the sliding element by a user to unlatch the lid. The sliding element includes one or more camming surfaces which coact with the lid to urge it from its closed position to its open position.
US08141726B2	Railroad gondola car structure and mechanism therefor A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation cover. The rear draft stop extends longitudinally inboard past the truck center. The couple arrangement includes an AAR Type E shank with an AAR Type F coupler There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission. The main lever is bifurcated, and straddles the pneumatic cylinder. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.
US08141724B2	Double sided bin holder assembly A double sided bin holder assembly comprises four upstanding posts and at least one horizontal H-shaped frame including two spaced apart parallel side bars and at least one middle bar connected between the side bars. A collar is positioned at each end of the side bars for adjustable connection to the upstanding posts. At least one upwardly extending flange on the middle bar functions to receive and support a plurality of bins with undercut portions thereon that fit over the upwardly extending flange on the middle bar on the H-shaped frame.
US08141721B2	Jewelry organization, storage, and transportation assemblies and methods Jewelry support assemblies are provided that can include a substantially planar base portion having a member extending therefrom, the member including a plurality of openings; a plurality of arms extending from the openings, individuals ones of the arms being associated with individual ones of the openings; and a plurality of rods extending from the arms, the rods being staggered along the length of the arms. Other assemblies are also provided that include: a rod extending from a first end to a second end; flexible material at least partially wrapping the rod and extending therefrom, the material including multiple layers of overlapping material; and wherein exposed overlapping portions of material include openings. Jewelry storage assemblies are provided that can include: a case comprising at least two components configured to be coupled when in a closed position; and one of the two components configured to house a jewelry support assembly.
US08141714B2	Linear motors for shaker motion control Embodiments relate to a vibratory screen separator and methods for using a vibratory screen separator. The vibratory screen separator may have a stationary base, a movable basket, and at least one linear motor for imparting motion to the movable basket, and methods for using the vibratory screen separator. The linear motor may include a stationary component and a moving component, wherein the moving component is coupled to the movable basket, and wherein the stationary component is coupled to the stationary base. The method may include passing a material including solid particles onto the screen, and moving the basket with at least one linear motor having a movable component coupled to the basket and a stationary component coupled to a base.
US08141712B2	Thin wafer insert A plastic insert is configured to provide support of thin wafers in wafer carriers configured to provide peripheral wafer support. The invention includes the insert, the insert in combination with a wafer carrier, and the methods of supporting the thin wafers as provided by the insert and the wafer carrier. The inserts, in preferred embodiments, utilize tabs that fit into the side wall recesses and have an interference fit in said recesses to secure the insert in place. In preferred embodiments the inserts have a top surface with a plurality of ribs positioned inwardly from the wafer periphery for supporting the wafers with minimal contact. In preferred embodiments the insert has a lower surface having strengthening structure providing rigidity to the insert. The top surface ribs may preferably be oriented parallel to the insertion and withdrawal direction of the wafers and extend upwardly to position the supported wafer in the slot immediately above the slot defined by the recesses in which the tabs are positioned. Thus, the inserts may be inserted into alternate slots in the carrier. The insert, in preferred embodiments may have an h-shape offering an optimal combination of support of each wafer and precise positioning of the wafer while minimizing the amount of plastic and correspondingly the weight of the insert.
US08141706B2	Patch package structure The present invention relates to a patch package structure which includes: a package including a first sheet material and a second sheet material, the first and second sheet materials being sealed together in peripheral parts thereof; and a patch disposed in the package, the patch contains a backing, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on at least one side of the backing, and a release liner which protects a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the release liner having on a surface thereof a cut line supporting a peel-off of the release liner at the time of using the patch, the patch being disposed in the package so that the release liner faces the inner surface of the first sheet material, the first sheet material having a first region in which the inner surface of the first sheet material faces the cut line of the release liner, the first sheet material having in the first region a minimum first distance between the inner surface of the first sheet material and the surface of the release liner, and the inner surface of the first sheet material being spaced from the surface of the release liner at the minimum first distance in the first region.
US08141704B2	Convertible golf club carry bag/golf cart bench mat This invention is a convertible golf club carry bag/golf cart bench mat. The device is a single unit that is easily converted from a bag to a mat and vice versa. In a folded, zipped position it may be utilized as a golf club carry bag. In an unfolded, unzipped position it may be utilized as a mat to place on a golf cart bench seat for comfort. To add or remove clubs, the zippers are opened partially or fully to gain access to the clubs, according to the golfer's preference. The mat is held in place on a golf cart by unzipped side openings surrounding the cart railings.
US08141700B2	Bottle cap for dispersing powdered supplement in situ A dispensing cap system for dispensing a supplement material through a bottle neck opening and into the bottle. An exemplary embodiment includes a cap member configured for connection to beverage bottle necks of different sizes. A seal member is arranged to provide a liquid seal against the neck opening. A valve member passes through a storage member attached to the cap member, and is configured for movement between a storage position and a dispensing position, in which passage is permitted of the supplement material from the storage member into the bottle. A nipple member may be positioned over the valve member to allow the bottle contents to be utilized or consumed.
US08141696B2	Replaceable sound dampening conveyor chain flight A conveyor flight for a chain comprising at least two spaced apart links, and two side plates that connect the links, with each side plate including two spaced apart extension pins extending from the side plate. The flight comprises a metal support, and the metal support includes two spaced apart cylindrical portions adapted to receive the two spaced apart extension pins. The flight also includes a flexible casing surrounding the metal support.
US08141695B2	Clean conveyor sensing system A conveyor maintenance system and method determines when a conveyor requires cleaning by determining when the conveyor is soiled beyond a predetermined threshold level. The system comprises a detector that collects optical data indicative of the amount of soil on a conveyor, a memory that stores reference data indicative of a clean conveyor, and a controller that compares the optical data indicative of the amount of soil on the conveyor to the reference data and determines whether the conveyor requires cleaning based on the comparison.
US08141694B2	Apparatus for the production and/or machining of panels A method and apparatus for producing and/or machining panels. The apparatus includes a transport device for transporting a panel along a transport path and a machining device for machining the panel as it moves via the transport device. The transport device includes a plurality of positioning devices arranged one behind the other and spaced apart by a distance along the transport path. Each positioning device includes upper and lower abutment mechanisms arranged opposite one another and on opposite sides of a panel plane, and being spaced apart by a distance. An adjusting device is used for setting the distance between the upper and lower abutment mechanisms. An actuating arrangement is structured and arranged to actuate the adjusting device of at least two of the plurality of positioning devices. An arrangement is used for independently adjusting each of the upper and lower abutment mechanisms of at least one of the plurality of positioning devices.
US08141693B2	Combined traffic flow and maintenance information display for a passenger conveyor A display device (40) for use with a passenger conveyor (20) provides a traffic flow direction indicator and visible maintenance information. One example includes a display panel (42) supported on a surface (38) that is conveniently positioned between a handrail (28) and a landing (24). In one example, a single display panel (42) alternatively provides the traffic flow direction indicator or the maintenance information. In another example a first display panel (42) and a second display panel (48) are supported on a plate (43) that is selectively moveable into different positions, depending on which display panel should be visible. One example includes a remote signaling device (62) that allows an individual to control the information shown on the display device (40).
US08141691B2	Mechanism for adjustment of vehicle operating lever An operating lever, for example for use in a vehicle, is provided. The operating lever may comprise a lever holder, and an operating component pivotably coupled to the lever holder. Manipulation of the operating component may regulate or control a “pulling margin” of a wire that operates a device such as a clutch. The operating component and the lever holder may contact each other circumferentially at a contact portion. At the contact portion, projections on respective surfaces of the operating component and lever holder may engage each other in such a way that when the operating component is turned to regulate the pulling margin, the operating component undergoes elastic deformation in a radial direction. In this way, a definite operating feel is transmitted to a person operating the operating component.
US08141687B2	System for identifying tire position A system includes a first detector, second detector and processor section. The first detector is provided to a first wheel in a first position in a vehicle. The second detector is provided to a second wheel in a second position in the vehicle. The vehicle includes a brake system configured to brake the first wheel in response to a signal designating the first position. The first detector is assigned with a first identifier and the second detector is assigned with a second identifier. The first detector is configured to output the first identifier to the processor section, in response to a change in rotation of the first wheel. The second detector is configured to output the second identifier to the processor section, in response to a change in rotation of the second wheel. The processor section is configured to output the signal to the brake system, to associate the first identifier and a first position data indicating the first position and to identify a first tire mounted on the first wheel based on the first identifier.
US08141683B1	Expandable platform An expandable platform for use within an elevator hoistway is provided. The expandable platform includes a plurality of corner members slidably connected to a plurality of side members. The corner members and the side members form an adjustable frame assembly. A plurality of extension members is connected to opposing side members. The extension members are configured to support a plurality of support surfaces. A depth and a width of the adjustable frame assembly can be adjusted to fit elevator hoistways having various depths and widths.
US08141682B2	Security cone-door for a ladder A first embodiment of the security apparatus comprises a retaining collar; a plurality of segments forming a generally frusta-conical enclosure, with one or more of the segments having an access opening therein; and a lockable access door covering the opening. The retaining collar is separable into portions that conforms to the shape of the periphery and are coupled together around the structure. The segments have an upper portion that attaches to the collar; and have a bottom portion that extends radically downwardly from the collar at an angle of about 30 degree; with the radial edges interconnected forming the enclosure.A second embodiment of the apparatus secures a ladder supported on a wall and a retaining bar; a plurality of segments forming a generally semi-frusta-conical enclosure, with one or more of the segments having an access opening therein; and a lockable access door covering the opening.
US08141677B2	Ring shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker Ring-shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker, where said membrane comprises two or more dome-shaped annulus concentrically arranged around a central portion through which an imaginary axis of symmetry passes, where an outer periphery of said membrane is suitable to be attached to a surround; where the central portion is attached to a tower, which again is fastened to the loudspeakers driver, wherein the angle between a plane being perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and the attachment of the membrane to the surround resp. the tower is in the interval 0° to 40°, most preferred around 30°.

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