最新美国发明专利第2012-04-03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
US08148057B2	Methods, immunoassays and devices for detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies Compositions, methods and devices for the detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies and the diagnosis of disease, for example, syphilis, are described. In particular, a method for immobilizing a lipoidal antigen, comprising cardiolipin, lecithin, and cholesterol, on a solid support (such as a nitrocellulose membrane) is described. The ability to immobilize a lipoidal antigen on a membrane satisfies a long-felt need for a membrane-based assay for the detection of anti-lipoidal antibodies. Also described are immunoassay devices for concurrently performing treponemal and non-treponemal tests for syphilis.
US08148055B2	Method for developing a photoresist A method for developing a photoresist includes applying a first developer to the photoresist to remove non-cross-linked areas of the photoresist, and applying a second developer to the photoresist to remove remaining non-cross-linked areas of the photoresist, wherein the first developer and the second developer differ in their compositions.
US08148053B2	Method for manufacturing substrate for making microarray To provide a method for manufacturing a substrate for making a microarray which will ensure the secure immobilization of a material in a site-selective manner at a low cost. The method comprises the steps of: forming a monomolecular film on the surface of a substrate using a silane compound represented by the following general formula (1), Y3Si—(CH2)m—X (1), wherein m represents an integer from 3 to 20; X represents a hydroxyl group precursor functional group which will be converted to a hydroxyl group when exposed to acid; and Y independently represents a halogen atom or alkoxy group having 1-4 carbon atoms; and converting the hydroxyl group precursor functional group represented by X to a hydroxyl group; wherein the step of converting a hydroxyl group precursor functional group represented by X to a hydroxyl group comprises forming, on the monomolecular film, a polymer layer containing a compound represented by the following general formula (2) or (3),
US08148050B2	Method for fabricating probe needle tip of probe card Disclosed herein is a method for fabricating a probe needle tip of a probe card, in which, in order to prevent a poor grinding effect caused by irregular removal or flexibility of the photoresists laminated to be high in the course of polishing a first metal loaded into the opening of the photoresists laminated into a multilayer configuration upon formation of the probe needle tip of the probe card, a second metal is laminated on any one of one or more stacked photoresist layers, thus firmly holding the photoresist layers on/beneath the metal.
US08148048B2	Method of processing on-press developable lithographic printing plate having overcoat A method of processing an on-press developable lithographic printing plate involving the removal of the overcoat after laser imaging and before on-press development is described. The plate comprises a substrate, an on-press ink and/or fountain solution developable photosensitive layer, and an overcoat. The laser imaged plate is mechanically stripped off the overcoat, and then developed with ink and/or fountain solution on a lithographic press. Such a process allows the use of overcoat to achieve faster photospeed and improved durability of the plate without having various issues as related to overcoat such as contamination to the fountain solution, difficulty to remove of certain overcoat, and limited white light stability.
US08148047B2	Carboxyl resin, hardening composition containing carboxyl resin, and hardened material thereof A carboxyl resin according to the present invention is obtained by a process including following steps: epoxy groups on a resin (a) having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule is made to react with 0.3-0.85 mol of a monocarboxylic acid (b) per one epoxy-group equivalent weight to obtain a reaction product (c); the epoxy group or groups on the reaction product (c) are made to react with 0.15-0.95 mol of a polybasic acid (d) per one epoxy-group equivalent weight to obtain a reaction product (e); and the epoxy group or groups on the reaction product (e) are further made to react with 1.0-5.0 mol of a monocarboxylic acid (f) per one epoxy-group equivalent weight. The carboxyl resin thus obtained has an acid value within a range from 20 to 200 mgKOH/g and is soluble in an organic solvent.
US08148039B2	Crosslinked siloxane outmost layer having aromatic silicon-containing compounds for photoreceptors An aromatic silicon-containing compound has the formula: Ar—[X-L-SiRn(OR′)3-n]m where Ar represents an aromatic group, X represents a divalent or trivalent group; L represents a divalent linking group; R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group; R′ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; n is an integer of from 0 to 2; and m is an integer of from 1 to 5. The aromatic silicon-containing compound can be used in electrophotographic photoreceptors, particularly in outmost protective layers of such electrophotographic photoreceptors.
US08148038B2	Image bearing member, process cartridge, image forming apparatus and method of forming image bearing member An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a charge generating layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate, a charge transport layer located overlying the charge generating layer, the charge transport layer comprising a charge transport material and a protective layer having a thickness of from 3 to 15 μm located overlying the charge transport layer, wherein the density of the charge transport material in the protective layer at depth of 2 μm from the surface of the charge transport layer satisfies the following relationship: 10(%)≦(Charge transport material)/{(Radical polymerizable monomer having a charge transport structure)+(Radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure)+(Charge transport material)}×100≦30(%).
US08148035B2	Bipolar plate coating architecture for fuel cells and methods of making and using the same One exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a method including providing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell having a reactant gas flow field defined therein by a plurality of lands and at least one channel, and depositing a low contact resistant material selectively over portions of the lands leaving portions of the lands uncovered by the low contact resistant material.
US08148034B2	Metallic separator for fuel cell A metallic separator for a fuel cell including 2.2 to 6.0 parts by weight of tungsten based on 100 parts by weight of stainless steel containing molybdenum, and the weight ratio of molybdenum to tungsten (Mo/W) is 0.15 to 1.60. The separator for fuel cells has excellent anti-corrosive properties and contact resistance as low as that of a metal material, and thus, a fuel cell having high efficiency can be manufactured at a reasonable cost using the separator.
US08148028B2	Polybenzoxazines, electrolyte membrane comprising the same, and fuel cell employing the electrolyte membrane Crosslinked polybenzoxazines obtained by crosslinking a monofunctional first benzoxazine monomer and a multifunctional second benzoxazine monomer with a crosslinkable compound, an electrolyte membrane including the same, a method of preparing the electrolyte membrane, a fuel cell including the electrolyte membrane having the crosslinked polybenzoxazines using the method. The crosslinked polybenzoxazines have strong acid trapping capability, improved mechanical properties, and excellent chemical stability as it does not melt in polyphosphoric acid. Even as the amount of impregnated proton carrier and the temperature are increased, mechanical and chemical stability is highly maintained, and thus the electrolyte membrane can be effectively used for fuel cells at a high temperature.
US08148027B2	Electrode composite material The present invention refers to a self-humidifying electrically conducting composite material for the manufacture of a fuel cell.
US08148025B2	Solid polymer fuel cell A solid polymer fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, an anode 2 contacting one of the faces of the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, a cathode 3 contacting the other face of the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, and a gas-liquid separation membrane 4 enclosing a MEA 12 including the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 4, the anode 2, and the cathode 3, and which transmits gas but not liquid. An end face of the gas-liquid separation membrane 1 is sealed, and the MEA 12 is isolated from outside of the gas-liquid separation membrane 4. The anode 2 and the cathode 3 respectively include an electrode terminal extending from an end portion thereof, and the electrode terminal is exposed to outside of the gas-liquid separation membrane 4, through an end portion thereof. With such structure, a fuel is supplied in a form of vapor to the anode 2 through the gas-liquid separation membrane 4 opposing the anode 2, and a reaction product from the anode 2 is discharged through the gas-liquid separation membrane 4 located on a lateral side of the anode 2, and at least oxygen is supplied to the cathode 3 through the gas-liquid separation membrane 4 opposing the cathode 3.
US08148023B2	Regulating an oxidizer in an electrochemical cell pumping system A technique includes operating an electrochemical cell as a pump, including providing a current to the cell and providing a fuel flow to an anode chamber of the cell. The technique includes communicating an anode exhaust flow from the anode chamber to an oxidizer and controlling the current to regulate a temperature of the oxidizer.
US08148022B2	Fuel cell system having a plurality of gas/liquid separation units A fuel cell system having an excellent orientation free performance by separating a fluid into a liquid and a gas without being affected by shaking and/or rotation of the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell main body, a first liquid/gas separation unit, and a buffer line. The fuel cell main body receives a fuel containing hydrogen and an oxidizing gas containing oxygen and generates electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen. The first gas/liquid separation unit is installed on a first recycling line extending from an anode outlet of the fuel cell main body to separate a gas byproduct from unreacted fuel discharged through the anode outlet. The buffer line is fluidly connected to the first and second recycling lines to receive and mix the unreacted fuel and the liquid byproduct at a predetermined amount from the first and second recycling lines, and is further fluidly connected to a third recycling line extending toward an anode inlet of the fuel cell main body to direct the unreacted fuel and the liquid byproduct into the fuel cell main body through the anode inlet.
US08148016B2	Cathode and lithium battery including the same A cathode active material composition of a cathode of a lithium battery includes a conducting agent, a binder, and a cathode active material coated on one surface of a current collector, wherein the cathode active material composition is coated with a vanadium oxide.
US08148013B2	Conductive lithium storage electrode A compound comprising a composition Ax(M′1-aM″a)y(XD4)z, Ax(M′1-aM″a)y(DXD4)z, or Ax(M′1-aM″a)y(X2D7)z, and have values such that x, plus y(1−a) times a formal valence or valences of M′, plus ya times a formal valence or valence of M″, is equal to z times a formal valence of the XD4, X2D7, or DXD4 group; or a compound comprising a composition (A1-aM″a)xM′y(XD4)z, (A1-aM″a)xM′y(DXD4)z (A1-aM″a)xM′y(X2D7)z and have values such that (1−a)x plus the quantity ax times the formal valence or valences of M″ plus y times the formal valence or valences of M′ is equal to z times the formal valence of the XD4, X2D7 or DXD4 group. In the compound, A is at least one of an alkali metal and hydrogen, M′ is a first-row transition metal, X is at least one of phosphorus, sulfur, arsenic, molybdenum, and tungsten, M″ any of a Group IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, and VIB metal, D is at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, or a halogen, 0.0001
US08148007B2	Organic electrolyte solution including vinyl-based compound and lithium battery using the same An organic electrolyte solution includes a lithium salt; an organic solvent including a high permittivity solvent and a low boiling solvent; and a vinyl-based compound represented by Formula 1 below, wherein m and n are each independently integers of 1 to 10; X1, X2, and X3 each independently represent O, S, or NR9; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 are represented in the detailed description. The organic electrolyte solution of the present invention and a lithium battery using the same suppress degradation of an electrolyte, providing improved cycle properties and life span thereof.
US08148000B2	Power tool and protector for power tool It is an object of the invention to provide a technique to further increase protection performance for a battery pack of power tool. A representative power tool may include a tool body to which a tool bit is coupled to perform a predetermined operation, a driving motor that is disposed within the tool body, a battery pack that supplies driving current to the driving motor, the battery pack being removably mounted to the tool body and placed on the outside of the tool body in an exposed state, and a protector that is removably mounted to the tool body to protect the battery pack. The protector may include a battery pack protection area that protects the battery pack mounted to the tool body when the protector is mounted to the tool body. The battery pack protection area is dosed on at least part of the outer surface of the battery pack with a clearance and prevents transmission of external force upon the battery pack protection area to the battery pack.
US08147999B2	Closure assembly with low vapor transmission for electrochemical cell A closure assembly for an electrochemical cell including a container and an end assembly sealing an open end of the container in order to minimize mass or weight loss of the cell due to electrolyte vapor transmission is disclosed. The end assembly is provided with a vent member capable of venting a fluid when the pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined limit; a contact member operatively in electrical contact with a conductive contact of the end assembly and a current collector of an electrode of the cell; and an insulating, polymeric seal member disposed at least between conductive components of the closure assembly having different polarities. In a preferred embodiment, the seal member has a selected dimensional ratio in order to minimize vapor transmission of the electrolyte through the seal member.
US08147994B2	Layered structure having FePt system magnetic layer and magnetoresistive effect element using the same A layered structure includes an amorphous Ta layer, a metallic oxide layer formed from zinc oxide (ZnO) or magnesium oxide (MgO) on the Ta layer, and a FePt magnetic layer formed on the metallic oxide layer. Therefore, an L10 structural FePt ordered alloy is obtained at a temperature of 300° C. or lower.
US08147989B2	OLED device with stabilized green light-emitting layer The invention provides an OLED device including an anode, a cathode and a green light-emitting layer located therebetween, said light-emitting layer including an anthracene host, a bis-diarylamine 9,10-substituted anthracene and a stabilizer compound which is selected from a quinacridone or a biphenylstyrylamine. Devices of the invention provide improvement in features such as stability and efficiency while maintaining excellent color.
US08147987B2	Organic electroluminescent element and compounds for use in the element An organic electroluminescent element comprises: a pair of electrodes; and one or more organic compound layers at least one of which is a light-emitting layer, the one or more organic compound layers being provided between the pair of electrodes, wherein at least one of the one or more organic compound layers comprises a compound represented by general formula (Z): wherein R31 and R32 each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, R3A represents a substituent other than an aromatic hetero ring connected through a nitrogen atom, or a hydrogen atom, X31 to X38 each represents a substituted or unsubstituted carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, and Y31 to Y33 each represents a nitrogen atom or C—R3B (wherein R3B represents a substituent other than an aromatic hetero ring connected through a nitrogen atom, or a hydrogen atom).
US08147986B2	Organic electroluminescent device The invention provides an organic electroluminescent device having at least an organic compound layer provided between a pair of electrodes. The organic electroluminescent device has at least a polymer comprising a metal complex containing a tri- or higher-dentate ligand in the polymer molecule. The metal complex preferably contains a tetra- or higher-dentate ligand in the polymer molecule. At least one of the ligands is preferably a chain. The metal complex preferably contains a transition metal ion or a rare earth metal ion. The metal complex preferably contains a nitrogen atom in its complex structure. Further, the polymer preferably contains the metal complex in its main chain or its side chain.
US08147984B2	Clad textured metal substrate for forming epitaxial thin film thereon and method for manufacturing the same The present invention provides an oriented substrate for forming an epitaxial thin film thereon, which has a more excellent orientation than that of a conventional one and a high strength, and a method for manufacturing the same. A clad textured metal substrate for forming the epitaxial thin film thereon according to the present invention comprises a metallic layer and a nickel layer which is bonded to at least one face of the metallic layer, wherein the nickel layer has a {100}<001> cube texture in which a deviating angle Δφ of crystal axes satisfies Δφ≦7 degrees and has a nickel purity of 99.9% or more. The oriented metal substrate is manufactured by cold-working the nickel sheet having a purity of 99.9% or more, heat-treating it for orientation, and bonding the metal sheet with the oriented nickel sheet by using a surface activated bonding process.
US08147982B2	Porous protective coating for turbine engine components A method for coating a substrate of a turbine engine component, the method comprising cold spray depositing a metal-based material onto a surface of the substrate, and heating the deposited metal-based material to increase the porosity of the deposited metal-based material.
US08147980B2	Wear-resistant metal matrix ceramic composite parts and methods of manufacturing thereof The invention relates to a metal matrix ceramic composite (MMCC) wear-parts comprising a wearing portion formed by a ceramic cake and is impregnated by metal. The ceramic cake comprises ceramic grains and carbide grains. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the wear-parts. The invention further describes a grinding roll and a table liner for a vertical mill each comprising a metal matrix ceramic composite wear part(s) of the invention.
US08147977B2	Thermoplastic resin composition and composite molded product A thermoplastic resin composition that includes 100 parts by mass of a first vinyl (co)polymer (I) that is produced by (co)polymerization of at least one monomer component selected from the group consisting of aromatic vinyl compounds, vinyl cyanide compounds, and other vinyl monomers copolymerizable with these compounds, and 1 to 100 parts by mass of a vinyl copolymer (II) that is produced by copolymerization of a vinyl cyanide compound and another vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the vinyl cyanide compound and in which the content of the vinyl cyanide compound component in an acetone soluble fraction of the copolymer ranges from 0.1% to 15% by mass.
US08147976B2	Sealed glass package A method is described herein for sintering a frit to a glass plate where the sintered frit and glass plate are subsequently sealed to another glass plate to form a sealed glass package. Examples of the sealed glass package include a light-emitting device (e.g., organic light emitting diode (OLED) device), a photovoltaic device, a food container, and a medicine container.
US08147975B2	Plasma display panel including frameless EMI filter, and/or method of making the same A plasma display panel (PDP) includes a frameless EMI filter supported by a glass substrate for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves, with the filter being supported by a side of the substrate opposite a viewer. In certain example embodiments, the PDP filter includes a transparent conductive coating (TCC) for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and near infrared (NIR) blocking without the need for a conductive, peripheral buss bar. Additionally, in certain example embodiments, the need for a conductive frame is reduced or eliminated. The filter has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves.
US08147974B2	Protective coating for window glass having enhanced adhesion to glass bonding adhesives A composition comprising: a)one or more film forming resins having at least one functional group capable of polymerization; b) one or more adhesion promoters comprising compounds containing one or more unsaturated groups capable of free radical polymerization and one or more trialkoxy silane groups; c) one or more fillers capable of imparting abrasion resistance to the composition; d) one or more compounds which is reactive with the film forming resin which also contains an acidic moiety; and e) one or more compounds comprising a siloxane backbone and one or more active hydrogen groups capable of reacting with the functional groups on a glass bonding adhesive: one or more second adhesion promoters comprising one or more silicon, titanium, zirconium, aluminum, or metal containing compounds; organic materials having reactive groups reactive with reactive groups on the surface of substrates or adhesives; or mixtures thereof.
US08147973B2	Laminated glass A laminated glass comprising a first glass sheet; a first interlayer overlying the first glass sheet, wherein the first interlayer comprises a first polysilicate coating; a second glass sheet overlying the first interlayer; a second interlayer overlying the second glass sheet, wherein the second interlayer comprises a first reinforced silicone resin film having a first major surface and a second major surface, a first silicone adhesive coating lying directly on the first major surface of the film, and a second silicone adhesive coating lying directly on the second major surface of the film; and a third glass sheet overlying the second interlayer.
US08147970B2	Anti-scratch coating, procedure for its production and use of same The invention concerns an anti-scratch coating on a substrate, comprising one or several anti-scratch means and a pH buffer system which has in a watery solution a pH value ranging from neutral to highly alkaline, especially a pH value ranging between app. 7 and app. 12, preferably a pH value ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline, in particular a pH value ranging between app. 7 and app. 9. It is also the objective of the invention to produce and use the anti-scratch coating.
US08147962B2	Conductive polymer composites The invention relates to conductive polymer composites comprising a first layer comprising at least one electrically doped conductive polymer and a second layer comprising at least one material selected from a colloid-forming polymeric acid, a salt of a colloid-forming polymeric acid, a non-polymeric fluorinated organic acid, and a salt of a non-polymeric fluorinated organic acid.
US08147959B2	Color-change laminate A color-change laminate in which a color tone derived from a porous layer is visually perceived in a dry state and a metallic lustrous property is visually perceived in a liquid-absorbed state of the porous layer caused by water application is excellent in luminance and which satisfies both of changing properties and decorative properties in the dry state and in the liquid-absorbed state. A color-change laminate includes a support having a metallic lustrous property and a porous layer provided on the surface of the support. The porous layer includes a low-refractive-index pigment and a transparent metallic lustrous pigment formed by coating a transparent core material with a metal oxide and/or a transparent metallic lustrous pigment having a color-flopping property all fixed onto a binder resin in a dispersed state and is different in transparency in a liquid-absorbed state and in a liquid-unabsorbed state.
US08147957B2	Consolidated fibrous structure A consolidated fibrous structure including a multiplicity of fibrous layers. The fibers of each fibrous layer contain a core, a first layer and a second layer. The core has an exterior surface portion containing polypropylene. The first layer is disposed on at least a portion of the core and contains a first polymer. The first polymer contains a polymer having at least 70% α-olefin units and is characterized by a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface portion of the core. The second layer is disposed on at least a portion of the first layer and contains a second polymer.
US08147956B2	Hot-melt adhesive polyester conjugate fiber To obtain an ultrafine heat-shrinkable conjugate fiber at high productivity, in which a flow-drawing state of a polyester undrawn yarn is realized easily and stably.By drawing undrawn yarn comprising a conjugated polyester polymer and olefin polymer, a flow-drawing process can be easily and stably realized using conventional production facilities; and the heat-shrinkable fiber, a drawn intermediate, and an ultrafine hot-melt adhesive conjugate fiber produced by redrawing the drawn intermediate of the present invention can be obtained with high productivity and excellent runnability. More specifically, the ultrafine hot-melt adhesive conjugate fiber obtained by redrawing can be drawn at a heretofore unseen high drawing magnification, and the fiber structure of the olefin polymer constituting part of the conjugate fiber is markedly developed. The heat-shrinkable fiber and ultrafine hot-melt adhesive conjugate fiber thus obtained can be suitably used in hygiene products and industrial materials by utilizing these features.
US08147954B2	Per-fluoro polyether compound, antifouling coating composition and film containing same Disclosed are a perfluoropolyether-modified silane compound, an antifouling coating composition comprising the same, and a film comprising the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a novel perfluoropolyether-modified silane compound of the formula (1) below, an antifouling coating composition comprising the compound and, when coated on the surface of transparent glass or plastic materials, providing superior antifouling property, scratch resistance and durability while maintaining the transparency of the materials, and a film formed by coating the composition and applicable as antireflection film or optical filter of flat panel displays such as lenses, glass windows, liquid crystal displays (LCD), plasma display panels (PDP), organic electro-luminescence (EL) and filed emission displays (FED): wherein n is an integer of 10 to 70; m is an integer of 1 to 3; p and q are independently 2 or 3; R1 is C2-C4 alkyl; R2 and R3 are independently C1-C6 alkyl or phenyl; R4 is C3-C5 alkyl or C3-C6 alkyl ether; R5 is C1-C6 alkyl or phenyl; and X is C1-C3 alkoxy.
US08147951B2	Composite air and foam protective packaging A composite air and foam protective packaging product comprises a packaging cushion having, in cross-section, at least three plies of plastic film, foam between a first ply and a second ply of the three plies of plastic film, and air between the second ply and a third ply of the three plies of plastic film.
US08147950B2	Method for coating a multilayer film and product having a multilayer coated film The invention provides a method of applying a mutilayer coating film, in which two or more layers of coating are applied to a flat plate, such as steel plate; and a product with multilayer coating film obtained by the method. The method includes discharging paint films through multiple slits, simultaneously applying these films to a traveling plate to thereby form a multilayer paint film and carrying out drying or baking thereof, characterized in that the boiling point of the solvent contained in the layer close to the plate is equivalent to or lower than the boiling point of solvent contained in the layer remote from the plate, and that the boiling point of solvent contained in the layer closest to the plate is lower than the boiling point of solvent contained in the layer remotest from the plate.
US08147947B2	Nestable molded articles, and related assemblies and methods A man-made, molded article is provided. The article includes a profile including a planar wall, and an adjacent integral molded depression having a contoured wall extending downwardly from the planar wall. The contoured wall includes a bead portion, a cove portion, and a ledge between the bead and cove portions. The articles are stackable, one above another for transport, in a nestable relationship in which multiple contact zones are present between the contoured walls of an adjacently stacked pair of the molded articles. The contact zones include an arcuately extending contact interface zone between the bead exterior and interior surfaces. The depression has a substantially uniform thickness varying by no more than about +1 percent to about −11 percent in relation to a thickness of the planar wall. Related methods and assemblies are also provided.
US08147945B2	Display and labeled article [Problems] A higher forgery prevention effect is realized.[Means for Solving Problems] A display according to the present invention is characterized by includes a relief-structured region as an image-constituting element including recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them arranged two-dimensionally on one of main surfaces of a light-transmitting layer, and a reflection layer supported by the one of the main surfaces and covering at least a part of the relief-structured region, wherein a center-to-center distance of the recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them falls within a range of 200 nm to 500 nm. Further, it is characterized in that it comprises multiple relief-structured regions, and a shape, depth or height, the center-to-center distance and an arrangement pattern of the recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them in at least one of the relief-structured regions are different from those in other relief-structured region(s).
US08147939B2	Artificial grass granulated infill and artificial grass structure using the same The present invention provides an artificial grass granulated infill excellent in productivity, workability, and recyclability, and an artificial grass structure using the same. A hollow cylindrical granulated infill 5 which has a height h of 3.0 mm or less and an outside diameter of 3.0 mm or less and satisfies the condition: φ2/φ1=0.40 to 0.85, where φ1 presents the outside diameter and φ2 represents the inside diameter, is made from a material comprising a synthetic resin having a hardness of 60 or more in accordance with JIS-K6253 type A.
US08147935B2	Multilayer structure comprising at least one stabilized layer The invention relates to a multilayer structure comprising at least two layers: a layer, referred to as the inner layer, intended to be in contact with a fluid, comprising a composition comprising at least one polymer and not comprising any copper, and a layer, referred to as the outer layer, intended to be in contact with the air, comprising a composition containing at least one polymer and at least one copper-based stabilizer. The invention also relates to a pipe comprising such a multilayer structure, and also to its use for transporting or storing fluids.
US08147933B2	Textile food casing impregnated with food additive The invention relates to a tubular food wrapping made of an absorbent material that is imbibed with colorants and/or flavorings which can be transferred to a food item placed in the wrapping. The inventive food wrapping consists of a textile envelope, preferably comprising a longitudinal seam. Also disclosed are a method for producing said wrapping and the use thereof.
US08147927B2	Methods of making multilayered structures The present invention relates to a multilayered structure including at least one diamond layer and methods of making the multilayered structures. The multilayered structure includes a diamond layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first thin adhesion layer on the top surface, a second thin adhesion layer on the bottom surface, a first metal layer having a thermal conductivity greater than 200 W/m-K and a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than 12 ppm/K, wherein the first metal layer is deposited on the first thin adhesion layer, and a second metal layer having a thermal conductivity greater than 200 W/m-K and a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than 12 ppm/K, wherein the second metal layer is deposited on the second thin adhesion layer.
US08147925B2	Pattern forming method A pattern is formed by applying a coating composition containing magnetic particles to an article so that a coating film is formed, and a plurality of sheet form magnets are placed along the front surface of this coating film. Adjacent sheet form magnets are arranged in such a state that the magnetic poles on the front surface and the magnetic poles on the back surface are different between adjacent sheet form magnets, and side surfaces of the sheet form magnets contact each other. The coating composition contains a thermoplastic resin, magnetic particles with flaky form and a specific low boiling point solvent and a specific high boiling point solvent. A magnetic field is applied to the coating film by the sheet form magnets, so that the magnetic particles in the coating film are oriented by the magnetic field and the magnetic particles are oriented substantially parallel to the front surface of the coating film above the contact portions between the sheet form magnets. Light is reflected from the magnetic particles in the coating film so that a pattern is formed.
US08147921B2	Ink set for inkjet recording and inkjet recording method An ink set for inkjet recording is provided that includes at least a colored liquid comprising at least a radically polymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator, and a colorant and an undercoat liquid comprising at least a radically polymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, the undercoat liquid comprising a sensitizer represented by Formula (I) below. In Formula (I) above, X denotes O, S, or NR, n denotes 0 or 1, R denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an acyl group, and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 independently denote a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent. There is also provided an inkjet recording method employing the ink set for inkjet recording, the method including a step of applying the undercoat liquid on top of a recording medium, a step of semi-curing the undercoat liquid, and a step of carrying out image formation by discharging the colored liquid on top of the semi-cured undercoat liquid.
US08147919B2	Process for the production of multi-layer coatings A process for the production of multi-layer coatings in A′ color shades, comprising the successive steps: 1) applying a base coat layer in a total process film thickness in the range from 10 to 35 μm to a substrate provided with an EDC primer, 2) applying a clear coat layer onto the base coat layer, 3) jointly curing the base coat and clear coat layers, wherein the base coat layer is applied in a first layer of a modified water-borne base coat modAB prepared by mixing an unmodified, water-borne base coat A with an unmodified water-borne base coat B and with a pigment-free admixture component and in a second layer of the unmodified water-borne base coat A.
US08147918B2	Water-dilutable sol-gel composition The present invention provides a sol-gel composition which is dilutable with water in any proportion and is based on the reaction of at least the following components: (i) a glycidyloxypropylalkoxysilane, (ii) an aqueous silica sol having a solids content of >1% by weight, (iii) an organic acid as hydrolysis catalyst, and (iv) n-propyl zirconate, butyl titanate or titanium acetylacetonate as crosslinker, starting from a mass ratio of the solids mass of component (ii) to component (i) 0.75, a process for preparing it and its use, in particular as a sol-gel composition for corrosion control coatings, a corresponding corrosion control coat or primer coat, and articles equipped with such a coating.
US08147916B2	Process for making electrodes for lithium based electrochemical cells A process for making an electrode sheet for a solid lithium electrochemical cells is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) admixing a polyether polymer or copolymer, at least one lithium salt, at least one electrochemically active material and purified water to form an aqueous solution/suspension containing by weight at least 40% purified water, at least 20% active electrode material, up to 10% electrically conductive material, at least 5% polyether polymer or copolymer, and at least 1.5% lithium salt; b) coating the aqueous solution/suspension in the form of an electrode thin film onto an electrode support; and, c) evaporating the water from the electrode thin film to obtain an electrode sheet having less than 1000 ppm of residual water. The evaporation step is preferably carried out through a dryer/oven tunnel having incremental drying zones.
US08147913B2	Surface treatment method for magnesium alloy The present invention provides a surface treatment method for magnesium alloy, which comprising the following steps: 1) preparation; 2) fusion and uniformly coating; 3) heat diffusion, and 4) finish; so a coating alloy is placed on a magnesium alloy substrate, and the magnesium alloy substrate is heated so that the coating alloy is uniformly melted on the magnesium alloy substrate; when heating up to a preset temperature, the coating alloy generates heat diffusion on the magnesium alloy substrate; the coating alloy finally forms a corrosion-resistant hard layer on the magnesium alloy substrate. So, this invention features simple treatment process, stable structure and environmental-friendliness in a wide range of applications.
US08147912B2	Braking band composite structure of a brake disc A method for making a composite structure or a portion of a composite structure of a braking band of a brake disc, unusually capable of obtaining a structure with an especially long life, comprising at least the following steps: making a composite ceramic structure, comprising carbon fibre filaments, silicon and silicon carbides, obtaining a body of a braking band comprising at least one braking surface; processing said braking surface removing a surface layer so as to have carbon not bonded with the silicon on surface; removing at least partly the carbon not bonded with silicon from the surface; depositing an anchoring substrate on said braking surface; and depositing a protective coating on said anchoring substrate.
US08147908B2	Increased throughput for large-scale production of low melt organoamine stabilized silver nano-particles Process for producing organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles with a molar ratio of silver salt to organoamine of about 1:4 to about 1:10 are disclosed. The process includes: forming a solution including an organic solvent and a first amount of organoamine; adding silver salt particles to the solution; adding a second amount of organoamine to the solution; adding a hydrazine to the solution; and reacting the solution to form an organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles.
US08147905B2	Heat-sensitive recording material and production method thereof To provide a heat-sensitive recording material, including: a substrate; a heat-sensitive color developing layer on the substrate, the heat-sensitive color developing layer containing at least a leuco dye and a developer; and a protective layer on the heat-sensitive color developing layer, the protective layer containing at least a binder resin, wherein the binder resin in the protective layer contains diacetone-modified polyvinyl alcohol resin, the degree of polymerization of the binder resin in the protective layer is 1,000 to 1,800 and the degree of saponification of the binder resin is 90% or greater and less than 98%.
US08147903B2	Circuit pattern forming method, circuit pattern forming device and printed circuit board A circuit pattern forming method that can reduce a possibility of undesired short-circuits being produced in the circuit by satellites formed when fabricating a conductive pattern. Thereby, a highly reliable printed circuit board can be formed. A conductive pattern and an insulating pattern of a predetermined thickness are overlappingly drawn by scanning a liquid ejection head and a substrate relative to each other a plurality of times, while ejecting droplets of a conductive pattern forming solution and an insulating pattern forming solution. When forming the conductive pattern and the insulating pattern that adjoin each other on the substrate, the step of forming the insulating pattern of at least one scan is executed between the conductive pattern forming steps that are executed the plurality of times, until the conductive pattern has a predetermined thickness.
US08147898B2	Low temperature drug deposition A drug coating is formed by vaporizing a drug in a deposition chamber having an implantable medical device such as a stent loaded therein. A vacuum is utilized to lower the pressure within the deposition chamber, thereby reducing the temperature necessary to vaporize the drug. The drug is then deposited onto the implantable medical device while in a vapor phase to form the drug coating.
US08147895B2	Process for the preparation of a spreadable dispersion Process for the preparation of a spreadable edible dispersion wherein a mixture of oil and solid structuring agent particles is subjected to stirring and an aqueous phase and/or solid phase is gradually added to the mixture until a dispersion of the desired oil content is obtained, wherein the solid structuring agent particles have a microporous structure of submicron size particles.
US08147891B2	Use of an acaricidal powder Use of a powder comprising more than 40% by weight of sodium bicarbonate, for its acaricidal effects in the storage of cereals.
US08147885B2	Manufacturing method for fermented soybeans having increased gamma-amino butyric acid content The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing fermented soybeans having increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content, and more particularly, a method of manufacturing fermented soybeans having increased gamma-aminobutyric acid content which comprises the steps of: adding lactobacillus having glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity and glutamate (MSG) to soybeans; grinding and molding the mixture; and spraying starch powder mixed with seed malt onto the surface of the molded mixture. The present invention can provide a method of manufacturing fermented soybeans including GABA, which has been known to accelerate sodium ion discharge through urine, so that it may lower blood pressure hypertension which may be caused from excessive consumption of salts to prevent and can produce functional paste foods satisfying people's taste and desire for health.
US08147883B1	Use of a plant oil product as an agent for increasing the synthesis of skin lipids The invention concerns the use of at least a vegetable oil product selected among the group consisting of vegetable oil oleic distillates, vegetable oil unsaponifiable matters, vegetable oil furan lipids and mixtures thereof, as agents for increasing skin lipid synthesis, in particular lipids of the epidermal skin barrier, in or for preparing a composition containing a pharmaceutically or dermatologically acceptable medium. The use enables to prevent and/or treat deterioration of the skin barrier (dry skin, skin subjected to actinic radiation, ichthyosis, acne, xerosis, atopic dermatitis, sensitive skin, chafing and reactive skin, itching and the like).
US08147881B2	Stabilized anthocyanin compositions The invention describes stabile anthocyanin compositions, methods to prepare such compositions and also methods of use of such compositions to treat various afflictions. The present invention describes unique compositions of an anthocyanin and a stabilizing compound such that the combination of the two components provides that the anthocyanin does not readily undergo degradation, such as oxidation, pH instability, etc.
US08147880B2	Polyacetylenic compounds for stimulating insulin gene exression, production and secretion This invention relates to a method of treating type II diabetes with a polyacetylenic compound of the following formula: in which R1 is H, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkenyl, C1-C20 heterocycloalkyl, C1-C20 heterocycloalkenyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; R2 is H or a monosaccharide residue; R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl; m is 2, 3, or 4; n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; o is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and p is 1, 2, 3, or 4.
US08147879B2	Pulsed electric field enhanced method of extraction The present invention relates to a process enhancing the extraction of phytochemicals from plant materials using pulsed electric field. The process is also used with a step of pressing, wherein the pressing and the pulse electric field treatment can be accomplished in a unique treatment chamber.
US08147878B2	Water insoluble helychrisum extract, process for preparing the same and uses thereof The present invention relates to a water insoluble helychrisum extract, a process for preparing the same and its use for preparing pharmaceutical compositions for oral and/or topical administration. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the pharmaceutical compositions including said extract.
US08147875B2	Dermatologic use of milk proteins The invention provides a method for the treatment of acne comprising orally administering to a person suffering from acne an effective amount of a whey protein fraction containing lactoferrin, and preferably containing further specific whey proteins. The lactoferrin is preferably native bovine lactoferrin and the whey protein fraction is administered at a level of between 10 mg and 2 g lactoferrin per patient per day.
US08147873B2	Methods and compositions for treatment of ion imbalances The present invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of ion imbalances. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising sodium-binding polymers and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of use of the polymeric and pharmaceutical compositions for therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefits are disclosed herein. Examples of these methods include the treatment of hypertension, chronic heart failure, end stage renal disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic renal insufficiency, fluid overload, or sodium overload.
US08147872B2	Pharmaceutical compositions of drugs and neutralized acidic polymers Pharmaceutical compositions comprised of low-solubility and/or acid-sensitive drugs and neutralized acidic polymers are disclosed.
US08147868B2	Physiologically active polypeptide- or protein-encapsulating polymer micelles, and method for production of the same The invention provides a physiologically active polypeptide- or protein-encapsulating polymer micelle composition derived from a block copolymer comprising hydrophilic segments and hydrophobic segments.
US08147866B2	Transmucosal delivery devices with enhanced uptake The present invention provides methods for enhancing transmucosal uptake of a medicament, e.g., fentanyl or buprenorphine, to a subject and related devices. The method includes administering to a subject a transmucosal drug delivery device comprising the medicament. Also provided are devices suitable for transmucosal administration of a medicament to a subject and methods of their administration and use. The devices include a medicament disposed in a mucoadhesive polymeric diffusion environment and a barrier environment.
US08147864B2	Implants for administering substances and methods of producing implants A porous silicon implant impregnated with a beneficial substance, such as a micromineral required for healthy physiology, is implanted subcutaneously and is entirely corroded away over the following months/year to release the micromineral in a controlled manner. In a second embodiment the implant may have a large number of holes which contain beneficial substance and which are closed by bio-errordable doors of different thickness so as to stagger the release of the beneficial substance over time as the doors are breached.
US08147862B2	Highly mineralized osteogenic sponge compositions and uses thereof Osteogenic sponge compositions having enhanced osteoinductive properties for use in bone repair are described. The compositions include a quickly resorbable porous carrier, a more slowly resorbed mineral scaffold and an osteogenic factor, preferably a bone morphogenetic protein. The compositions enable increased osteoinductive activity while retaining a reliable scaffold for the formation of new bone at an implant site. Methods for therapeutic use of the compositions are also described.
US08147861B2	Antimicrobial implant A method of building an orthopedic implant including the steps of mixing a powder having antimicrobial properties with a biocompatible powder to form a mixture. Next, the mixture is deposited on top of a substrate. The substrate may be part of the finished product or only a work platform. The mixture layer is then selectively melted.
US08147860B2	Porous calcium phosphate bone material Porous calcium phosphate implant compositions that approximate the chemical composition of natural bone mineral are provided. In addition to calcium phosphate, the compositions include an effervescent agent to promote the formation of interconnected pores and a cohesiveness agent to maintain the shape and hardness of the hardened composition. When introduced at an implant site, the calcium phosphate compositions are remodeled into bone. Methods for using the calcium phosphate compositions, e.g., to repair or replace bone, are also provided.
US08147851B2	Treating eczema and/or psoriasis The treatment of humans or other mammals for eczema and/or psoriasis using dosage forms or compositions that include cetyl myristate alone or (in admixture or serially) both cetyl myristate and cetyl palmitate.
US08147850B2	Immunogenic constructs The present invention relates to molecules, which can be used to induce a therapeutic or prophylactic immune response against MAP. In particular, the present invention relates to polypeptides comprising an alipC polypeptide sequence, a gsd polypeptide sequence, a p12 polypeptide sequence and an mpa polypeptide sequence, wherein said ahpC polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, a variant thereof having more than 70% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 across the full length of SEQ ID NO: 2, or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2 which comprises an epitope; said gsd polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, a variant thereof having more than 70% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 6 across the full length of SEQ ID NO: 6, or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 6 which comprises an epitope; said pi 2 polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, a variant thereof having more than 70% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 10 across the full length of SEQ ID NO: 10, or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 10 which comprises an epitope; and said mpa polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, a variant thereof having more than 70% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 14 across the full length of SEQ ID NO: 14, or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 14 which comprises an epitope. Preferably such a variant maintains the ability to generate an immune response against the unmodified polypeptide.
US08147845B2	Reovirus clearance of ras-mediated neoplastic cells from mixed cellular compositions Reovirus can be used to selectively remove ras-mediated neoplastic cells from a cellular composition. It is of particular interest to purge autographs which may contain neoplastic cells with reovirus before transplanting the autographs back into the recipient, thereby reducing the risk of introducing or reintroducing neoplastic cells into the recipient.
US08147843B2	CD95L or trail fusion proteins The present invention refers to fusion proteins comprising a TNF superfamily (TNFSF) cytokine or a receptor binding domain thereof fused to a trimerization domain and a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein. The fusion protein is present as a trimeric complex or as an oligomer thereof and is suitable for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications.
US08147842B2	Mutant luciferase An object of the present invention is to provide a mutant luciferase having luciferase activity with an altered emission spectrum. A specific amino acid residue(s) is substituted in a luciferase derived from Cypridina noctiluca and then the resulting mutant luciferase having luciferase activity with an emission spectrum differing from that of the wild-type luciferase is screened for.
US08147838B2	Peptide The present invention relates to peptide epitopes of 5T4 antigen and their use in immunotherapy. In particular, the present invention relates to any one of the peptide epitopes as described herein as well as their used in diagnosis and therapy of cancer.
US08147834B2	Anti-TGF-beta receptor II antibodies The present invention is directed to antibodies against human transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TGFβRII), pharmaceutical compositions comprising antibodies and methods of using the antibodies, alone or in combination, for example, for treating cancer and fibrosis.
US08147831B2	Anti-CD19 antibodies The present invention provides humanized, chimeric and human anti-CD19 antibodies, anti-CD19 antibody fusion proteins, and fragments thereof that bind to a human B cell marker. Such antibodies, fusion proteins and fragments thereof are useful for the treatment and diagnosis of various B-cell disorders, including B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In more particular embodiments, the humanized anti-CD19 antibodies may comprise one or more framework region amino acid substitutions designed to improve protein stability, antibody binding and/or expression levels. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the substitutions comprise a Ser91Phe substitution in the hA19 VH sequence.
US08147830B2	Antibody fragment-polymer conjugates and uses of same Described are conjugates formed by an antibody fragment covalently attached to a non-proteinaceous polymer, wherein the apparent size of the conjugate is at least about 500 kD. The conjugates exhibit substantially improved half-life, mean residence time, and/or clearance rate in circulation as compared to the underivatized parental antibody fragment. Also described are conjugates directed against human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human p185 receptor-like tyrosine kinase (HER2), human CD20, human CD18, human CD11a, human IgE, human apoptosis receptor-2 (Apo-2), human tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), human tissue factor (TF), human α4β7 integrin, human GPIIb-IIIa integrin, human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human CD3, and human interleukin-2 receptor α-chain (TAC) for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
US08147829B2	Anti-IGR-1R antibodies and uses thereof The invention relates to antibodies which bind to insulin like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF-1R) and uses thereof, in particular in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Specific human and murine monoclonal antibodies which inhibit IGF-1R-mediated pro-survival and tumor proliferation pathways, and variants, fragments, and derivatives thereof are provided. Also provided are specific human and murine monoclonal antibodies which block the ability of the ligands, insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) to bind to IGF-1R, as well as fragments, variants and derivatives of such antibodies. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the above antibodies or fragments, variants or derivatives thereof, as well as vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotides. The invention further includes methods of diagnosing and treating cancer using antibodies of the invention.
US08147828B2	Methods and compositions for modulation of blood-neural barrier Methods and compositions for modulating blood-neural barrier (BNB) for the treatment of CNS conditions such as edema, and for increased drug delivery efficacy across the BNB. The present invention further relates to improved tPA treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular and related diseases in combination with antagonism of the PDGF signaling pathway. The inventive method and composition is particularly suitable for conjunctive therapy of ischemic stroke using tPA and an anti-PDGF-C antagonist or an anti-PDGFR-α antagonist.
US08147826B2	Method of making a soft gel capsule comprising CoQ-10 solubilized in a monoterpene The present invention is directed to compositions and methods of delivery of CoQ-10 solubilized in monoterpenes. Use of monoterpenes as dissolving agents, greatly effects the ability to incorporate greater amounts of bioactive CoQ-10 in formulations, such as soft gel capsules.
US08147825B2	Topical co-enzyme Q10 formulations and methods of use Topical formulations of CoQ10 reduce the rate of tumor growth in an animal subject. In the experiments described herein, CoQ10 was shown to increase the rate of apoptosis in a culture of skin cancer cells but not normal cells. Moreover, treatment of tumor-bearing animals with a topical formulation of CoQ10 was shown to dramatically reduce the rate of tumor growth in the animals.
US08147824B2	Immunomodulatory properties of multipotent adult progenitor cells and uses thereof Isolated cells are described that are not embryonic stem cells, not embryonic germ cells, and not germ cells. The cells can differentiate into at least one cell type of each of at least two of the endodermal, ectodermal, and mesodermal lineages. The cells do not provoke a harmful immune response. The cells can modulate immune responses. As an example, the cells can suppress an immune response in a host engendered by allogeneic cells, tissues, and organs. Methods are described for using the cells, by themselves or adjunctively, to treat subjects. For instance, the cells can be used adjunctively for immunosuppression in transplant therapy. Methods for obtaining the cells and compositions for using them also are described.
US08147819B2	Peptides for active anti-cytokine immunization Peptide of a size comprised between 5 and 40 amino acids, originating from a cytokine, in which at least one of its amino acids comprises at least one of its atoms separated by a distance d of less than 5 angstroms from an atom of the receptor corresponding to said cytokine, the spacing d being evaluated on the basis of structural data, derivatives, immunogenic compounds comprising them, use of a peptide or peptide derivative or immunogenic compound for the preparation of a curative or preventative medicament intended for the treatment or prevention of diseases linked to an excess or to the presence of cytokines or for the treatment of an auto-immune disease and pharmaceutical compositions which contain at least one abovementioned peptide or peptide derivative or immunogenic compound as active ingredient.
US08147817B2	IL-33 in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases and disorders This invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiac diseases and disorders, such as cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke, arteriosclerosis and heart failure. The invention also relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of fibrosis-related diseases as well as methods and compositions for reducing apoptosis, increasing ST2L signaling, decreasing NF-κB activation, decreasing IκBα phosphorylation, decreasing P38MAPK phosphorylation, decreasing JNK phosphorylation, decreasing reactive oxygen species generation, decreasing macrophage infiltration and/or decreasing the expression of hypertrophic genes. More specifically, the invention relates to IL-33 and/or soluble ST2 inhibiting agents for use in the methods and compositions provided.
US08147815B2	Topical administration carrier composition and therapeutic formulations comprising same A topical administration carrier composition including water, glycerin and polysorbate, suitable for use with compositions containing active ingredients such as minoxidil that are susceptible to volatilization and transdermal penetration in application to the body. The carrier formulation retards the evaporative and systemic migration losses of the active ingredient composition, to provide sustained topical action, in relation to formulations lacking the components of the inventive composition.
US08147814B2	Personal care compositions comprising certain dye-polymer complexes The present invention relates to personal care compositions comprising certain dye-polymer complexes. Additionally, methods for coloration of personal care compositions using said dye-polymer complexes are disclosed.
US08147811B1	Use of hyaluronic acid derivatives in pharmaceutical preparations and biomaterials for the prevention and treatment of cutaneous scars Use of hyaluronic acid derivatives for the preparation of biomaterials for the prevention of the formation and the treatment of cutaneous scars, wherein the hyaluronic acid derivatives are optionally combined with pharmacologically or biologically active compounds.
US08147808B2	Consumer noticeable improvement in wetness protection using solid antiperspirant compositions Anhydrous, solid antiperspirant compositions comprising: (a) from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight of the composition, of a high-efficacy antiperspirant active; (b) from about 0.1% to about 35% by weight of the composition, of a thickening agent; (c) from about 10% to about 99% by weight of the composition, of an anhydrous liquid carrier; (d) from about 5 ppm to about 20% by weight of the composition, of a primary fragrance; and (e) from at least about 5 ppm by weight of the composition, of a secondary fragrance that is distinct from the primary fragrance and is included in a surfactant-free, water-releasable matrix, which renders the secondary fragrance within the matrix substantially odorless prior to aqueous activation, wherein the anhydrous, solid antiperspirant composition exhibits an Antiperspirant Efficacy Index of at least about 0.9, and wherein the anhydrous, solid antiperspirant composition is substantially devoid of a malodor reducing agent.
US08147806B2	Cellular labeling for nuclear magnetic resonance techniques The disclosure provides, in part, fluorocarbon imaging reagents and formulations for the ex vivo labeling of cells. Labeled cells may be detected in vivo or ex vivo by a nuclear magnetic resonance technique, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The disclosure additionally provides methods for using the imaging reagents in a variety of clinical procedures.
US08147804B2	Method and device for isolating a chemically and radiochemically cleaned 68Ga-radionuclide and for marking a marking precursor with the 68Ga-radionuclide The invention relates to initial 68Ge/Ga-generator elute which is guided directly to a cation exchanger, whereon 68Ga is quantitatively absorbed and is cleaned simultaneously in a chemical and radio chemical manner. Subsequently, the 68Ga-radio nuclide is combined with a radio pharmaceutical substance by a marking precursor made of a ligand or a peptide or a protein which is cross-linked in a covalent manner to a ligand.
US08147802B2	Chelator-functionalized nanoparticles Provided herein are chelator-functionalized nanoparticles comprising a passive core; and an active coating that demonstrate T1 magnetic resonance pattern upon exposure to a magnetic field. Also provided are methods of making such chelator-functionalized nanoparticles as well as imaging methods using the nanoparticles.
US08147798B2	Amyloid imaging as a surrogate marker for efficacy of anti-amyloid therapies The present method for determining the efficacy of therapy in the treatment of amyloidosis involves administering to a patient in need thereof a compound of formula (I) or Formula (II) or structures 1-45 and imaging the patient. After said imaging, at least one anti-amyloid agent is administered to said patient. Then, an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or Formula (II) or structures 1-45 is administered to the patient and the patient is imaged again. Finally, baseline levels of amyloid deposition in the patient before treatment with the anti-amyloid agent are compared with levels of amyloid deposition in the patient following treatment with the anti-amyloid agent.
US08147797B2	Method and system for heating and cooling slurries A system for cooling and recuperative heating of a slurry in a metallurgical process which includes heat exchangers, pumps and autoclaves is described herein. The heat exchangers use a non-scaling common liquid heat transfer medium. Preferably, the heat exchangers are tube-in-tube heat exchangers with 3 to 7 slurry tubes in each heat exchanger. An advantage of this system is that it does not use flash tanks. To minimize abrasive wear on impinged surfaces, the velocity of the slurry is not more than 5 meters per second. The slurry comprises a solids concentration of 25% to 50%. Preferably, the pumps in the system are float-type pumps in which the driven liquid from the discharge pumps is also used as the drive liquid for the feed pumps.
US08147794B2	Multi-stage method for manufacturing titanium dioxide The invention relates to manufacturing titanium dioxide by oxidizing titanium tetrachloride by a multi-stage method, where liquid titanium tetrachloride is used in a first and gaseous titanium tetrachloride is used in a second stage. The process is energetically more favorable and offers the possibility, to a certain extent, of controlling the mean particle size of the end product.
US08147793B2	Process for the manufacture of nano-sized powders Nano-sized metal-bearing powders and doped-powders are synthesized by means of a process whereby a non-volatile metal-bearing precursor powder or powder mixture is dispersed in a hot gas stream at relatively low temperatures. A first volatile reactant is added, converting the metal in the precursor into a volatile metal compound. Subsequently a second volatile reactant is injected into the gas stream, converting the volatile metal compound into a solid, which condenses as a nano-sized metal-bearing powder upon quenching. Finally, the vapour/metal-bearing powder mixture is separated from the gas stream.
US08147792B2	Method for the preparation of reactive compositions containing superoxide ion The subject invention provides a potentially economically viable method for the preparation of reactive superoxide ion in deep eutectic solvents (DES). The superoxide ion can be used for many applications, e.g. the degradation of hazardous chemicals at ambient conditions or in the synthesis of some special chemicals, e.g. carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and ketones from the corresponding alcohols. The superoxide ion can be formed by either the electrochemical reduction of oxygen in DES or by dissolving Group 1 (alkali metals) or Group 2 (alkaline earth metals) superoxides, e.g. potassium superoxide, in DES, with/without chemicals used for the enhancement of the solubility of the metal superoxide in the DES, e.g. crown ethers.
US08147790B1	Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond by carbon pumping and polycrystalline diamond products Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding by carbon pumping, and PCD and polycrystalline diamond compacts formed by such methods. In an embodiment of a method of fabricating PCD, a plurality of diamond crystals and a metal-solvent catalyst may be provided. The diamond crystals and metal-solvent catalyst may be subjected to a first pressure-temperature condition during which carbon is dissolved in the metal-solvent catalyst. After subjecting the diamond crystals and metal-solvent catalyst to the first pressure-temperature condition, the diamond crystals and metal-solvent catalyst may be subjected to a second pressure-temperature condition at which diamond is stable. After subjecting the diamond crystals and the metal-solvent catalyst to the second pressure-temperature condition, the diamond crystals and metal-solvent catalyst may be subjected to a third pressure-temperature condition during which carbon is dissolved in the metal-solvent catalyst.
US08147786B2	Gas exhaust system of film-forming apparatus, film-forming apparatus, and method for processing exhaust gas A film-forming apparatus includes a processing chamber, and TiCl4 gas and NH3 gas are supplied into the processing chamber for forming a TiN film on a substrate W in the processing chamber by CVD. The processing chamber has a gas exhaust system. The gas exhaust system includes a gas exhaust pipe for exhausting the exhaust gas in the processing chamber a trap mechanism provided to the gas exhaust pipe for trapping a by-product in the exhaust gas, and a heated reaction gas supply mechanism for supplying a heated reaction gas into the exhaust gas. The heated reaction gas is adapted to react with a component in the exhaust gas to produce a by-product. Specifically, NH3 gas is supplied by the heated reaction gas supply mechanism as the heated reaction gas, and NH4Cl is produced as the by-product.
US08147785B2	Combustion flue gas NOx treatment Combustion flue gas containing NOX and SOX is treated to remove NOX in a multistep system in which NOX is reduced in the flue gas stream via selective catalytic reduction or selective non-catalytic reduction with ammonia or an ammonia-forming compound, followed treatment with hydrogen peroxide to remove residual ammonia and, optionally, treatment with an alkali reagent to reduce residual NOX in the flue gas stream. The NOX-depleted flue gas stream may also be subjected to a desulfurization treatment for removal of SOX.
US08147784B2	Combined waste gas treatment of waste gas streams containing ammonia and nitrogen oxides in industrial plants Combined removal of both ammonia from an ammonia-containing waste gas and nitrogen oxides from a nitrogen oxide-containing waste gas in a combined ammonia/urea synthesis plant is accomplished by mixing the gases and employing one or both of selective non-catalytic reduction at a temperature of 850° C. to 1100° C. or selective catalytic reduction at a temperature of 150° C. to 550° C., in which the ammonia and the nitrogen oxides react with one another to give nitrogen and water, the ammonia-containing waste gas derived from a low-pressure and/or atmospheric absorber of the urea synthesis plant, and the nitrogen oxide-containing waste gas derived from a flue gas duct of a primary reformer of the ammonia synthesis plant, both the ammonia and the nitrogen oxides of the mixed waste gas flows being depleted simultaneously during the same process step.
US08147783B2	Nickel hydroxide powder and method for producing same Disclosed are a nickel hydroxide powder and a method for producing the same. The nickel hydroxide powder comprises a particle in the form of sphere, an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or more and 30 μm or less, and the amount of the particles having a diameter of 0.7 times or more and 1.3 times or less the average particle diameter of 80% by weight or more based on the total amount of particles. The method for producing a nickel hydroxide powder comprises the steps of (1) to (4): (1) injecting a solution containing a nickel salt through a pore into a liquid mutually insoluble with the solution to obtain an emulsion including solution as a dispersed phase and the liquid as a continuous phase; (2) gelating the emulsion; (3) separating the dispersed phase from the obtained gel to obtain a cake; and (4) drying the cake.
US08147782B2	Producing nickel hydroxide suitable for pelletization with iron-containing ore and for stainless steel manufacture A process for producing a purified nickel hydroxide precipitate from a nickel-containing leach solution with impurities including one or more of the following: manganese, copper, zinc, iron and/or cobalt, so that the purified nickel hydroxide is suitable for pelletization with iron-containing ores and/or stainless steel production, includes treating the leach solution with a base to form a slurry of mixed hydroxide precipitate and low-nickel barren solution, thickening the slurry to form filter cake, washing the filter cake and contacting it with acid to dissolve nickel and other metals to produce a concentrated nickel-containing solution, subjecting the concentrated nickel-containing solution to solvent extraction with an organic acid extractant to remove metals other than nickel from the nickel-containing solution and form a solvent extraction raffinate of purified nickel solution and treating the solvent extraction raffinate with a base to precipitate the purified nickel hydroxide precipitate.
US08147774B2	Micro passage chip and fluid transferring method There is provided by the present invention a novel micro passage chip having such a structure that a fluid can be transferred without using a physical or mechanical squeezing means that is applied from above the substrate of the micro passage chip. The micro passage chip of the present invention comprises at least a first substrate, a second substrate, and an intermediate substrate interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and is characterized in that a first non-adhesive thin-film layer is formed on at least one of the mating sides of the first substrate and the intermediate substrate and at least one port for fluids that is in contact with the first non-adhesive thin-film layer and which is open to the outer surface of the first substrate is provided in any position on the first non-adhesive thin-film layer, and that at least a portion of a second non-adhesive thin-film layer whose length is either the same as or different from that of the first non-adhesive thin-film layer is formed on at least one of the mating sides of the second substrate and the intermediate substrate such that it lies either above or under the first non-adhesive thin-film layer, with the intermediate substrate lying in between, and a pressurizing port that is in contact with the second non-adhesive thin-film layer and which is open to the outer surface of the first or the second substrate is provided in at least one area on the second non-adhesive thin-film layer.
US08147771B2	Sterilizing material supply apparatus and isolator A sterilizing material supply apparatus has a sterilizing material gas generator including a mist generation unit and a vaporizing unit. In the mist generation unit, hydrogen peroxide solution in a cup is converted into a mist by ultrasonic vibration generated by an ultrasonic vibrator. The hydrogen peroxide solution which has been turned into the mist is heated by a heater in the vaporizing unit so as to be gasified. The gasified hydrogen peroxide solution is supplied to a workroom of an isolator as a sterilizing gas.
US08147769B1	Stent and delivery system with reduced chemical degradation Stents and delivery systems with reduced chemical degradation and methods of sterilizing the same are disclosed.
US08147766B2	Selective, integrated processing of bio-derived ester species to yield low molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrogen for the production of biofuels The present invention relates to methods and systems for processing biomass to selectively yield a variety of hydrocarbon molecules and hydrogen as products, wherein some or all of these products can be further utilized for other biomass processing sub-processes, particularly wherein they lead to the generation of biofuels and/or other high-value products.
US08147765B2	Apparatus for hydrogen and carbon production via carbon aerosol-catalyzed dissociation of hydrocarbons A novel process and apparatus is disclosed for sustainable, continuous production of hydrogen and carbon by catalytic dissociation or decomposition of hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures using in-situ generated carbon particles. Carbon particles are produced by decomposition of carbonaceous materials in response to an energy input. The energy input can be provided by at least one of a non-oxidative and oxidative means. The non-oxidative means of the energy input includes a high temperature source, or different types of plasma, such as, thermal, non-thermal, microwave, corona discharge, glow discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, or radiation sources, such as, electron beam, gamma, ultraviolet (UV). The oxidative means of the energy input includes oxygen, air, ozone, nitrous oxide (NO2) and other oxidizing agents. The method, apparatus and process of the present invention is applicable to any gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon fuel and it produces no or significantly less CO2 emissions compared to conventional processes.
US08147764B2	Honeycomb structure and exhaust gas treating apparatus A honeycomb structure includes four honeycomb units each including inorganic particles, an inorganic binder, and cell walls extending from a first end face to a second end face along a longitudinal direction to define a plurality of cells. The cell walls includes a first cell walls extending along a first direction in a cross sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a second cell walls extending along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction in the cross sectional plane. Adhesive layers are provided between the four honeycomb units to connect the four honeycomb units. The adhesive layers extend in a first extending direction and a second extending direction substantially perpendicular to the first extending direction in the cross sectional plane. A minimum angle between the first direction and the first extending direction or the second extending direction is approximately 22.5 degrees to approximately 45 degrees.
US08147763B2	Honeycomb body having a contraction limiter Honeycomb bodies, especially those used in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, contain a housing and a metal matrix with an average starting diameter. The matrix is connected to the housing, whereby at least one contraction limiter that causes an outward directed tensile stress in at least one part of the matrix is provided. The average starting diameter of the matrix is reduced by 5%, preferably by a maximum of 2%, during and/or after being subjected to thermal stress.
US08147760B1	Portable chemical oxygen generator A portable apparatus is provided which generates high purity breathable oxygen. The oxygen is produced in a reaction chamber from the reaction between an oxygen generating composition and a water/catalyst solution. The reaction chamber comprises a first compartment containing an oxygen peroxide adduct and a temperature stabilizing material formulated into controlled release tablets and a second sealed compartment containing a catalyst dispersed in an aqueous solution. The temperature stabilizing material undergoes an endothermic reaction upon dissolution in the solution. The tablets dissolve in the solution releasing hydrogen peroxide at a constant rate. The hydrogen peroxide is further decomposed into oxygen and water from contact with the catalyst. A first membrane made from a hydrophobic and gas permeable material, lets oxygen through while containing the reaction materials. A second membrane made of hydrophilic superabsorbent material and impregnated with catalyst particles absorbs any unreacted hydrogen peroxide letting high purity oxygen through.
US08147759B2	Automated protein analyzer A direct rapid automated protein analyzer is disclosed. The protein analyzer includes means for reducing protein samples to small particles, a reaction vessel in material transfer communication with the homogenizer, a reservoir for binding dye composition in fluid communication with the reaction vessel, a metering pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and the reaction vessel for distributing discrete predetermined amounts of a binding dye composition to the reaction vessel, a filter in fluid communication with the reaction vessel for separating solids from filtrate after a dye binding reaction has taken place in the reaction vessel, and a calorimeter in fluid communication with the filter and the reaction vessel for measuring the absorbance of the filtrate from the reaction vessel and the filter. The rapid analyzer can be used in conjunction with a kit that includes a sample cup for mixing a protein sample with a dye-binding solution and a filter holder for being positioned in the sample cup. The filter holder includes a filter media and a depending spout below the filter media that reaches bottom portions of the cup when the filter media is positioned above the cup. The kit can also include dye concentrate solution.
US08147757B2	Filter with memory, communication and concentration sensor The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the concentration sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of concentration values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read concentration values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment.
US08147748B2	Creep-resistant steel A creep-resistant steel is characterized by the following chemical composition (values in % by weight): 9.0 to 12.0 Cr, 0.1 to 0.5 Mn, 2.3 to 3 Ni, 1.5 to 2.0 Mo, 0.1 to 0.4 V, 0.01 to 0.06 Nb, 0.08 to 0.16 C, 0.02 to 0.08 N, 0.004 to 0.012 B, 0.001 to 2 Ta, 0.001 to 0.5 La, 0.0001 to 1 Pd, maximum 0.005 P, maximum 0.005 S, maximum 0.05 Si, maximum 0.005 Sn, the remainder iron and unavoidable impurities. This steel is distinguished, as compared with commercial steels, by a greatly improved creep behavior at temperatures of 550° C. and above. Moreover, it has an improved resistance to embrittlement during long-term aging and comparatively high toughness. The steel is advantageously used as a material for gas turbine rotors which are exposed to high inlet temperatures in order to increase the efficiency of the gas turbine, but is also used for steam turbines.
US08147747B2	Swirling column nozzle, swirling column smelting equipment using the same, and swirling column smelting method A swirling column nozzle comprises a nozzle body with an air chamber defined therein; an outlet portion, a feed pipe penetrating through the air chamber and extending to the outlet portion, an oxygen supplying portion disposed on the nozzle body, the outlet portion is formed with a swirling guide part for moving a mixture of the oxygen gas and the concentrate downwardly in the form of a swirling column. Further, a swirling column smelting equipment and a method thereof are disclosed. The air flow moves downwardly in a substantially swirling column, so the chemical reaction path and reaction time are extended remarkably, allowing the reduction of the height of the reaction shaft.
US08147741B2	Method and manufacturing a glass fiber reinforced article, and a glass fiber reinforced article A glass fiber reinforced article can be manufactured by: applying a mixture of glass fiber and binder over a mold surface of a first mold section to form a glass fiber matrix, wherein the binder comprises an organic solvent based binder capable of holding the glass fiber in place at room temperature; closing a second mold section over the first mold section to form a plenum between the first mold section and the second mold section, wherein the glass fiber matrix is provided in the plenum between the first mold section and the second mold section; injecting a reactive polymer forming composition into the plenum; and allowing the reactive polymer forming composition to react and form a thermoset resin. A glass fiber reinforced article is provided according to the invention.
US08147740B2	Method of producing footwear The present invention relates to a method of producing footwear. The footwear has an upper and an outsole with an upraised portion, such as a toe bumper or a heel bumper. The method uses a mould comprising a last, upon which the upper is arranged, an upper mould part divided into two side parts being laterally movable in relation to a lower mould part between a first and second position, and the lower mould part being vertically movable in relation to the upper mould part between a third and fourth position. The method comprises the following steps: —placing the outsole 3 in a lower mould part 4 of a mould, —placing an upper 2 in a cavity of the mould, —moving at least one side part 5 against the other side part 5 from a first to a second position whereby the two side parts abut the upper 2, —injecting a composition into the space 12 in order to connect the outsole to the upper and to make a midsole 9, and moving the lower mould part 4 towards the upper 2 from a third to a fourth position so that a tip 8 of the upraised portion 7 is pressed towards the upper 2 by a control surface 13 of the side parts 5 so that a space is maintained between the upper and upraised portion 7 of the outsole 3.
US08147739B2	Cable manufacturing process A method for manufacturing a cable, the cable including at least one transmissive element and at least one coating layer made of a polymeric material and arranged at a radially outer position with respect to the transmissive element. The method includes the steps of: a) feeding the polymeric material to an extrusion apparatus including an extrusion head, the extrusion head including a male die; a female die coaxially arranged with respect to the male die; a conveying channel, at least one portion of which is defined between the male die and the female die; and b) controlling a cross-sectional area of the at least one portion of the conveying channel in response to a detected quantity, the quantity being caused to vary during the manufacturing of the cable as a function of the actual extrusion speed. An extrusion apparatus for carrying out the process.
US08147736B2	Molding apparatus and method for making a cutting tool A molding apparatus for making a cutting tool includes a cylindrically shaped elastic bag having an internal cavity for receiving a granulated material, such as a mixture of cobalt and carbide. The profile of the interior cavity substantially corresponds to the shape of the cutting tool being produced. The ends of the bag are open to provide access to the interior cavity of the bag. A substantially rigid tubular-shaped pressure sleeve encloses an outer circumference of the elastic bag. A pair of end caps operate to seal the open ends of the elastic bag and are engageable with the ends of the pressure sleeve. The granulated material can be formed into a solid coherent structure by placing the assembled mold containing the granulated material into a hydrostatic press for applying a substantially uniform compressive load to the outer periphery of the elastic bag.
US08147734B1	Method for creating ornamental structures A method to create a hollow ornamental structure utilizing an inflatable balloon, the ornamental structure features an inner shell layer created by inflating the inflatable balloon to the predetermined size and shape with a filler material, allowing said filler material to harden and pouring out access filler material when a desirable thickness of hardened filler material is attained; and a textured and colored outer shell layer. The basic form of the hollow ornamental structure can be further modified to form a container such as a vase and other decorative pieces.
US08147733B2	Process for producing plastic foam composite Plastic foam has excellent heat insulation properties, however, moisture absorption is causing a decrease in the heat insulation, and plastic foam has almost no mechanical strength. Therefore, a heat insulation material that absorbs almost no moisture and has satisfactory strength is desired to appear. According to the present invention, a foam composite with a skin can be formed in one shot by charging plastic powders or minute particles together with polyolefin pellets that can be cross-linked and foamed in a mold, and heating the mold while rotating. The composite absorbs almost no moisture, having satisfactory strength, being excellent as an insulating material. Further, providing a covering of a non-foaming or a slightly foaming material to the pellet of polyolefin that can be cross-linked and foamed, and conducting the forming, foamed granules of preferably 5 to 50 mm largeness as a core, and a covering of a reinforcing member with 0.05 to 0.5 mm thickness for the core, can be formed, which permits that thus obtained shaped body is lightweight, strong, with an equivalent strength to wood that undergoes deformation without breaking when subjected to impact.
US08147732B2	Highly microporous polymers and methods for producing and using the same The present invention provides microporous polymers and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, microporous polymers of the present invention are highly porous as indicated by a Gurley air permeability flow rate of about 4 seconds or less per mL of air flow per 25 micron of microporous polymer thickness per square inch.
US08147728B2	Pad transfer printing of silicone hydrogel lenses using colored ink The present invention provides a method for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) applying a color coat to at least a portion of at least one of molding surfaces of a lens mold with an ink, wherein the ink comprises at least one colorant, a binder polymer, an adhesion promoter, and optionally a diluent, wherein the binder polymer is a copolymerization product of a polymerizable mixture including (i) at least one hydrophilic vinylic monomer; (ii) at least one functionalizing vinylic monomer containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group —OH, amino group —NHR (wherein R is hydrogen or C1 to C8 alkyl), carboxylic group —COOH, epoxy group, amide group —CONHR, and combinations thereof; (iii) at least one silicone-containing vinylic monomer or macromer, and (iv) optionally one or more components selected from the group consisting of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent, and a solvent, wherein the mold has a lens-forming cavity between the molding surfaces, wherein the colored coat contains a first surface exposed to the interior of the lens-forming cavity and a second surface in contact with the molding surface; (b) curing the ink printed on the mold; (c) dispensing a silicone hydrogel lens-forming material into the lens-forming cavity of the mold; (d) curing the lens-forming material within the lens-forming cavity to form the contact lens, whereby the colored coat detaches from the molding surface and becomes integral with the body of the contact lens.
US08147724B2	Tin oxide-based electrode composition A tin oxide-based electrode formed from a composition including a majority component comprising tin-oxide (SnO2), and additives comprising CuO, ZnO, and a resistivity modifying species. The total amount of CuO and ZnO is not greater than about 0.3 wt %, and the ZnO is present in an amount within a range between about 0.1 wt % and about 0.19 wt %.
US08147721B2	Electrically conductive polymer compositions The present invention relates to electrically conductive polymer compositions, and their use in organic electronic devices. The electrically conductive polymer compositions include an intrinsically conductive polymer having at least on monomer unit derived from Formula I: where: X=N, CR6 Z=NH, S, O, Se, Te Q=N, CR5 R1 through R4 can be H, F, Cl, C1-C24 alkyl, C2-C24 alkenyl, aryl, C1-C10 alkoxy, C1-C10 alkylseleno, C1-C10 alkylthio, C1-C10 alkylsilyl, NH2, or C1-C10 dialkylamino, where adjacent R groups can join together to form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic or aromatic rings, with the proviso that at least one of R1 through R4 is NH2, and. R5 and R6 can be H, C1-C24 alkyl, C2-C24 alkenyl, and aryl. The electrically conducting polymer is doped with a fluorinated acid polymer.
US08147714B2	Fluorescent organic nanoparticles and a process for producing fluorescent organic nanoparticles Fluorescent organic nanoparticles and a process for producing fluorescent organic nanoparticles having a size of less than about 500 nanometers comprising a polymeric matrix comprising one or more crosslinked polymer resins, and comprising one or more fluorescent dyes incorporated into the polymer matrix.
US08147712B2	Polishing composition Disclosed is a polishing composition containing not less than 1 wt % of a water-soluble resin, which is obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer containing an amino group and/or an amide group, based on the total weight of the polishing composition.
US08147707B2	Fibres treated with antimicrobial agents A composition for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on non-cellulosic fibers having a moisture regain of ≦5%, comprising; i) 1 to 50 wt % of at least a self-crosslinkable resin; ii) 0.25 to 20 wt % of at least a catalyst; iii) 0.1 to 4 wt % of at least an antimicrobial active agent, reactive with the resin; iv) 98.65 to 26 wt % of water; wherein i)+ii)+iii)+iv)=100%.
US08147703B2	Method for processing sludge The invention relates to a method for processing sludge, comprising the addition of a lime-based basic agent to a sludge having a first pH value in order to raise the pH to a second value higher than the first one, adding at least one anionic organic flocculating agent that is active at said second pH value, flocculating the sludge, and separating the flocculated sludge between dehydrated sludge and a liquid phase, wherein the sludge to be dehydrated has a first above-mentioned pH value lower than 9, while the lime-based basic agent induces said pH raise to said above-mentioned second value within less than 5 minutes. The invention also relates to a composition for implementing said processing.
US08147700B2	Wastewater treatment system and method A wastewater treatment system and method comprises a treatment chamber having a filtration membrane spanning an effluent outlet of the chamber and a pair of electrodes in the treatment chamber so as to be in communication with the wastewater. An electrical potential difference is applied between the electrodes such that one of the electrodes functions as an anode and one of the electrodes functions as a cathode. A flow of fluid is induced out of the treatment chamber through the filtration membrane to the effluent outlet. Accordingly the treatment chamber is arranged to biologically treat the wastewater, electrochemically treat the wastewater and mechanically filter the wastewater through the filtration membrane commonly therein.
US08147696B1	High-efficiency water-softening process A method for purifying a water process stream whereby a precipitating agent is added to the water process stream to elevate the process stream pH to at least 10.5 to drop out precipitates which form separated solids comprising at least one of calcium precipitate, magnesium precipitate, barium precipitate, strontium precipitate, and silica precipitate. The separated solids are then coagulated and removed from the water process stream so as to yield a purified water process stream.
US08147693B2	Multi-layer filter including retainers A multi-layer filter including a first media layer surrounded by a second media layer, a third media layer surrounding the second media layer, and at least one retainer disposed between the first and second media layers or between the second and third media layers. The first, second and third media layers surround the central axis of the filter. The filter has multiple media layers in a compact package, providing increased media surface area which allows greater contaminant holding capacity, lower pressure drop, and lower face velocity.
US08147692B2	Batch-operated reverse osmosis system with multiple membranes in a pressure vessel A reverse osmosis system and method for operating the same includes a fluid reservoir, a valve and a brine feed tank in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir through an input. The brine feed tank has brine feed fluid therein. The system also includes a high pressure pump and a pressure vessel in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir through the high pressure pump. The pressure vessel comprises a permeate outlet. The brine feed tank is in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. During a permeate production cycle, the high pressure pump pumps additional fluid under high pressure from the fluid reservoir into the pressure vessel using a high pressure pump. The pressure vessel communicates brine fluid into the brine feed tank. The high pressure pump raises a pressure in the pressure vessel until an amount of permeate is produced from a permeate output of the pressure vessel.
US08147691B2	Filter cartridge housing attachment systems The present disclosure pertains to a fluid filter having integral attachment means which may take the form of a threaded portion of a filter cartridge. The threaded portion threadably interacts with a complementary threaded portion of a filter mounting to retain the filter cartridge to the filter mounting. The disclosure also pertains to a fluid filter having a cartridge made from two plastic shells welded together. The disclosure also pertains to a fluid filter with filter media positioned within a filter cartridge by an end cap with extending ribs welded to one of the two shells which compose the filter cartridge.
US08147690B2	Chromatography column A chromatography column includes a tube, a fit assembly, a first end fitting and a second end fitting. An annular protrusion extends from an end face of the tube to a protrusion height and circumscribes a chamber in fluid communication with the axial bore. Both the chamber and the bore may be filled with a packing material. The fit assembly includes a deformable ring having a yield strength less than a yield strength of the annular protrusion. The ring contacts the annular protrusion such that the frit assembly provides a chamber boundary that retains the packing material. The first end fitting is securely fastened to the tube such that the ring is axially compressed and deformed around the annular protrusion, the chamber height is less than the protrusion height, and the packing material is compressed.
US08147687B2	Ballast water treatment apparatus The present invention provides a ballast water treatment system including a reaction tank in which raw water and ozone are imported and made to react each other for a predetermined period of time to kill microorganisms existing in raw water, an ozone decomposer in which water containing residual ozone discharged from the reaction tank is imported and the residual ozone is decomposed, and a circulation pump installed between the reaction tank and ozone decomposer, forming a circulation system which removes the residual ozone by means of circulating the water containing the residual ozone between the reaction tank and ozone decomposer. Accordingly, this system dispenses with a deaeration tank which would require a wide space for installation, small cost and is able to be applied to existing ships easily.
US08147685B2	Fluid delivery device A container (10) for liquids is provided, in which pressurization of the container is used to force the liquid through one or more membranes to an output. The membranes are disposed across substantially an entire length of the container, and pass liquid in preference to air. As a result, the liquid may be extracted from the container in any orientation. A particular use for this kind of container is as a portable water bottle containing a filter (20).
US08147682B2	Bitumen and thermal recovery from oil sand tailings A process and process line is provided for recovering heat in the form of cleaned warm water and residual bitumen from oil sand tailings produced during an oil sands extraction process. The process includes removing at least a portion of the coarse solids from the oil sand tailings to produce a reduced solids tailings fraction; separating at least a portion of the bitumen from the reduced solids tailings fraction to produce a bitumen fraction and a warm water and fines fraction; and removing at least a portion of the fines from the warm water and fines fraction to produce cleaned warm water and a concentrated fines fraction. The cleaned warm water can then be reused in the oil sands extraction process.
US08147677B2	Method and apparatus for introducing fluids into a hydrocracking reactor The invention provides a method and apparatus for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor. The method comprises atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and injecting the atomized liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The method may also comprise mixing hydrogen with the high-density hydrocarbon liquid prior to atomizing the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The apparatus comprises an injection valve for introducing a high-density hydrocarbon liquid into a hydrocracking reactor comprises an atomizer coupled to receive the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The atomizer comprises a nozzle configured to atomize the high-density hydrocarbon liquid and inject the high-density hydrocarbon liquid into the hydrocracking reactor. The injection valve may also comprise a mixer coupled to receive hydrogen and the high-density hydrocarbon liquid. The mixer may be configured to mix the hydrogen and high-density hydrocarbon liquid and deliver the mixture to the atomizer.
US08147673B2	System and process for treatment and de-halogenation of ballast water A system and process for de-halogenating ballast water before releasing the ballast water from the vessel. In one embodiment, the system comprises a means for measuring the halogen content of the ballast water, a reducing agent source in fluid communication with the ballast water, and a means for controlling the amount of reducing agent supplied to the ballast water. In one aspect, the means for measuring the halogen content comprises one or more oxidation/reduction potential analyzers. In another embodiment, the system comprises one or more hypochlorite electrolytic cells for generating hypochlorite to treat the ballast water.One embodiment of the process for de-halogenating ballast water comprises measuring the oxidation/reduction potential of the ballast water and adding one or more reducing agents to the ballast water to de-halogenate the ballast water in response to the measured oxidation/reduction potential. In one aspect, the oxidation/reduction potential is modulated so that excess reducing agent is present in the ballast water.
US08147671B2	Electroplating method and electroplated product A method for electroplating a substrate having an aluminum alloy surface comprises: applying a zinc layer onto the aluminum alloy surface; electroplating a first copper layer onto the zinc layer from an alkaline copper electroplating solution; electroplating a second copper layer onto the first copper layer from an acid copper electroplating solution; electroplating a Cu—Sn alloy layer onto the second copper layer from a Cu—Sn electroplating solution; and electroplating a chromium layer onto the Cu—Sn alloy layer from a trivalent chromium solution. The alkaline copper electroplating solution is substantially free of cyanide ion.
US08147670B2	Profile control on ring anode plating chambers for multi-step recipes The present disclosure generally addresses the problem of controlling a plating profile in multi-step recipes and addresses, in particular, the problem of compensating for variations of the plating tool state to stabilize the plating results. The compensation is done by adjustments of corrections factors for currents of a plating tool in a multi-anode configuration. The described method enables control of recipes with different current ratios in each recipe step and models different deposition sensitivities in each recipe step. Generally, the method of the present disclosure requires a measurement step, where the tool state is determined, and a data processing step, where the correction factors are set based on models describing the plating process and the tool state.
US08147663B2	Scaffold for an ion-conductive membrane A scaffold holding one or more ion-conductive ceramic membranes for use in an electrochemical cell is described. Generally, the scaffold includes a thermoplastic plate defining one or more orifices. Each orifice is typically defined by a first, second, and third aperture, wherein the second aperture is disposed between the first and third apertures. The diameter of the second aperture can be larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures. While at an operating temperature the diameter of the ceramic membrane is larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures, heating the scaffold to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time causes the third aperture's diameter to become larger than the membrane's diameter. Thus, heating the scaffold may allow the membrane to be inserted into the orifice. Cooling the scaffold can then cause the third aperture's diameter to shrink and trap the membrane within the orifice.
US08147661B2	Unit for the electrolysis of water The invention discloses a unit for the electrolysis of water. The unit includes a plurality of stacked conductive plates which are separated from each other by a non conductive sealing ring. At least one of the stacked conductive plates functions as an anode. A plurality of the conductive plates functions as a cathode, wherein the number of cathodes is double the number of anodes.
US08147660B1	Semiconductive counter electrode for electrolytic current distribution control A semiconductive counter electrode covers a highly electronically conductive electric current buss. The semiconductive counter electrode is impervious to ion flow. A substrate holder is operable to hold a substrate and to form a thin fluid gap between the semiconductive counter electrode and a substrate surface. A thin liquid electrolyte layer is located in the thin fluid gap. A power supply connected to the electric current buss and a peripheral edge of a conductive substrate surface is able to generate a potential difference between the electric current buss and the semiconductive counter electrode, on one side of the electrolyte layer, and the substrate on the other side. The semiconductive counter electrode provides a substantial resistance in the various current flow paths between the electric current buss and the semiconductive counter electrode, on one side, and the conductive substrate surface, on the other, thereby enhancing control of current distribution.
US08147656B2	Method for the production of silicon from silyl halides The present invention relates to a method for the production of silicon from silyl halides. In a first step, the silyl halide is converted, with the generation of a plasma discharge, to a halogenated polysilane, which is subsequently decomposed to silicon, in a second step, with heating.
US08147655B2	Processing materials with ion beams Materials such as biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) and hydrocarbon-containing materials are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, or oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, bitumen, and coal to produce altered materials such as fuels (e.g., ethanol and/or butanol). The processing includes exposing the materials to an ion beam.
US08147654B2	Wet paper web transfer belt A wet paper web transfer belt (1) has a wet paper web-side layer (31), including a hydrophilic fibrous body (30), and a machine-side layer (32). A base fabric (33) disposed in the belt comprises a first woven fabric (34), disposed on a wet paper web (W) side, and a second woven fabric (35) disposed on a press roll (10) side, and the first woven fabric (34) and the second woven fabric (35) are stacked together. A portion of the hydrophilic fibrous body (30) is exposed on a surface (37) of the wet paper web-side layer (31). The first woven fabric (34) and the second woven fabric (35) include weft yarns (36) made of a material of low water absorptivity. When the hydrophilic fibrous body (30) is formed in the wet paper web-side layer (31) of the belt (1) by needle punching, an increase in the widthwise dimension of the belt due to the absorption of water by the hydrophilic fibrous body (30) is reduced.
US08147651B2	Use of cyclodextrins for odor control in papermaking sludges, and deodorized sludge and products Methods to control and suppress odor in papermaking sludge are described. One method involves admixing sludge from a papermaking process and cyclodextrin to provide treated sludge with the cyclodextrin present in an effective amount to control odors in the treated sludge. The deodorized sludge may be used as a component of resin-wood composite products, such as composite decking materials, walls, flooring, casting forms, and the like.
US08147650B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials A method and apparatus for manufacturing a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials. The method includes blending cellulose particles and polymeric fibers into a cellulose and polymeric fiber blend. The blend is heated to a temperature at which the polymeric fibers begin to melt and to bond with the cellulose particles, so as to form a product of integrated cellulose and fibrous materials. An apparatus for the method includes a first conveying means, a second conveying means, a blending means and a heating means. The apparatus further include a primary shredder and a secondary shredder for shredding the cellulose material, typically recycled newsprint, prior to mixing with the polymeric fibrous material. A shredder is also described.
US08147648B2	Composite showerhead electrode assembly for a plasma processing apparatus A showerhead electrode for a plasma processing apparatus includes an interface gel between facing surfaces of an electrode plate and a backing plate. The interface gel maintains thermal conductivity during lateral displacements generated during temperature cycling due to mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion. The interface gel comprises, for example, a silicone based composite filled with aluminum oxide microspheres. The interface gel can conform to irregularly shaped features and maximize surface contact area between mating surfaces. The interface gel can be pre-applied to a consumable upper electrode.
US08147640B2	Fabricating method of flexible display A fabricating method of a flexible display device includes the steps of providing an adhesive layer including a first adhesive material on a first surface of a support film, a second adhesive material on a second surface of the support film such that an adhesive strength of the second adhesive material is lower than an adhesive strength of the first adhesive material, and a third adhesive material encompassing an edge of the second adhesive material such that an adhesive strength of the third adhesive material is higher than the adhesive strength of the second adhesive material; a first passivation film adhered to the first surface of the support film with the first adhesive material therebetween; and a second passivation film adhered to the second surface of the support film with the second adhesive material and the third adhesive material therebetween; peeling the first passivation film from the adhesive layer; adhering a rigid substrate to the first adhesive material; peeling the second passivation film from the adhesive layer; and adhering a flexible substrate onto the second and third adhesive materials.
US08147639B2	Process for manufacturing free standing thermoplastic polymeric films This invention discloses a novel process for manufacturing very thin freestanding polymeric films with the steps of supplying a molten film layer stream and a molten assist layer stream by a first extruder and second extruder; intimately contacting the film layer stream and the assist layer stream in coplanar fashion; extruding the film layer stream and the assist layer stream through a planar coextrusion die lip; stretching the multilayer melt curtain; cooling the multilayer film; delaminating the assist layer or layers from the film layer; and transporting the film layer to downstream processing operations. This process allows manufacturing of very thin freestanding films made from amorphous polymers, highly filled films made from amorphous, semi crystalline, or crystalline polymers, chemically cross linked films, and films with diffused addenda that would normally cause undesirable reactions in an extrusion environment.
US08147638B2	Polarizing plate and display using the same A polarizing plate comprising a polarizing film having thereon a retardation film containing a plasticizer and a cellulose ester, wherein a free volume radius of the retardation film determined by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy is in the range of 0.250-0.310 nm.
US08147630B2	Method and apparatus for wafer bonding with enhanced wafer mating An improved wafer-to-wafer bonding method includes aligning an upper and a lower wafer and initiating a bond at a single point by applying pressure to a single point of the upper wafer via the flow of pressurized gas through a port terminating at the single point. The bond-front propagates radially across the aligned oppositely oriented wafer surfaces at a set radial velocity rate bringing the two wafer surfaces into full atomic contact by controlling the gas pressure and/or controlling the velocity of the motion of the lower wafer up toward the upper wafer.
US08147625B2	Al-Mg-Si alloy suited for extrusion Aluminum alloy containing Mg and Si, in particular useful for extrusion purposes containing in wt %: Mg0.3-0.5 Si0.35-0.6 Mn0.02-0.08 Cr0.05 Zn0.15 Cu0.1 Fe0.08-0.28 and in addition grain refining elements up to 0.1 wt % and incidental impurities up to 0.15 wt %. The manganese (Mn), within the specified limits, has an additional positive effect on the extrudability of an AlMgSi alloy. In addition to promoting the transformation of the AlFeSi intermetallic phases, AlMnFeSi dispersoid particles are formed during homogenization. These particles are acting as nucleation sites for Mg2Si particles during cooling after homogenization. In a high quality billet the Mg2Si particles formed during cooling after homogenization should easily dissolve during the preheating and the extrusion operation before the material reach the die opening.
US08147612B2	Method for manufacturing gallium nitride crystal and gallium nitride wafer There is provided a method for fabricating a gallium nitride crystal with low dislocation density, high crystallinity, and resistance to cracking during polishing of sliced pieces by growing the gallium nitride crystal using a gallium nitride substrate including dislocation-concentrated regions or inverted-polarity regions as a seed crystal substrate. Growing a gallium nitride crystal 79 at a growth temperature higher than 1,100° C. and equal to or lower than 1,300° C. so as to bury dislocation-concentrated regions or inverted-polarity regions 17a reduces dislocations inherited from the dislocation-concentrated regions or inverted regions 17a, thus preventing new dislocations from occurring over the dislocation-concentrated regions or inverted-polarity regions 17a. This also increases the crystallinity of the gallium nitride crystal 79 and its resistance to cracking during the polishing.
US08147606B2	Wax compositions and its use A wax composition comprises at least three amide waxes A, B, and C, where amide wax A is the reaction product of alkylenediamine with linear fatty acids or with mixtures composed of fatty acids, amide wax B is the reaction product of alkylenediamine with 12-hydroxystearic acid, and amide wax C is the reaction product of alkylenediamine with 12-hydroxystearic acid and with linear fatty acids. The wax composition is suitable as a processing aid in engineering thermoplastics or for the preparation of solvent-based wax pastes or the preparation of wax micronizates for coatings or for the preparation of aqueous dispersions.
US08147597B2	Oxygen concentration system The present system is an adsorption system (100) for separating air into a concentrated gas component, which has an air supply, a compressor (115) for receiving and compressing the air supply, providing a compressed air supply, and molecular sieve material for separating the compressed air supply into a concentrated gas component. The adsorption system delivers at least 5 liters per minute (LPM) of concentrated gas component from the molecular sieve material in which the system has a specific total weight per LPM<9 lbs/LPM. Additionally, an output quantity of the concentrated gas is delivered by the adsorption system and a purging quantity of the concentrated gas is dispensed into a sieve chamber of the adsorption system undergoing a purge cycle. The purging quantity has a value equal to or less than the difference between the maximum quantity and the output quantity, and the purging quantity is controlled based on the output quantity.
US08147594B2	Air dryer for a brake system An air dryer includes a housing with an air inlet, an air outlet and a liquid drain outlet; and a membrane separator having surfaces extending between a first and second ends of the membrane. A first passage in the housing is connected to the air inlet and air outlet at it respective ends and extends between the first and second ends of the membrane separator along the surfaces of the membrane separator. A second passage in the housing is connected to the drain outlet and air outlet at it respective ends and extends between the first and second ends of the membrane along a surface of the membrane separator. A valve is connected between the second passage and the drain outlet for controlling the draining of the liquid and sweep air flow through the second passage. The dryer is to be inserted in a reservoir at its inlet or outlet. A coalescing filter may be provided in the housing in series with the membrane separator and the housing would include a second drain for the coalescing filter.
US08147593B2	Absorbing solution, method and device for absorbing CO2 or H2S or both An absorbing solution according to the present invention is an absorbing solution that absorbs CO2 or H2S in gas or both of CO2 and H2S. The absorbing solution is formed by adding desirably 1 to 20 weight percent of tertiary monoamine to a secondary-amine composite absorbent such as a mixture of secondary monoamine and secondary diamine. Consequently, it is possible to control degradation in absorbing solution amine due to oxygen or the like in gas. As a result, it is possible to realize a reduction in an absorption loss, prevention of malfunction, and a reduction in cost. This absorbing solution is suitably used in an apparatus for removing CO2 or H2S or both of CO2 and H2S.
US08147592B2	Using a metallocene to remove oxygen from a stream of gas A filter includes a metallocene for removing oxygen from a gas stream. The filter further includes a support for the metallocene.
US08147588B2	Lower reactivity adsorbent and higher oxygenate capacity for removal of oxygenates from olefin streams An improved adsorbent useful in removing contaminants from various hydrocarbon streams comprises a zeolite, an alumina and an added metal component provided in the adsorbent by initially contacting primarily the zeolite with the added metal. In a specific application, an adsorbent comprising sodium-impregnated zeolite Y and alumina is used to purify an ethylene stream in order to remove CO2, H2S, methanol, and other S- and O-containing compounds.
US08147584B2	Filter medium The present invention relates to a filter composed of a multi-ply filter medium, which comprises at least one non-woven stiffening layer, at least one filtration layer, at least one covering layer and where necessary at least one non-woven microfibre layer, the non-woven stiffening layer comprising fibers of synthetic polymers and the fibers being both partially oriented and oriented fibers.
US08147579B2	Dispatch critical fuel tank inerting system for aircraft An air inerting system for supplying nitrogen-enriched air to a fuel tank on a vehicle includes an air separation module. The air separation module has an inlet for receiving air to separate oxygen, and an outlet for delivering nitrogen-enriched air to a downstream fuel tank on a vehicle. Downstream parallel flow lines of the outlet are each provided with a flow control valve. The downstream parallel flow lines reconnect downstream of the flow control valves to provide a source of nitrogen-enriched air to the fuel tank. An air supply line upstream of the air separation module supplies air to at least a pair of upstream parallel lines. Each of the upstream parallel lines are provided with a shut-off valve. The upstream parallel lines reconnect downstream of the shut-off valves to supply air to a heat exchanger. Air downstream of the heat exchanger passes to the air separation module.
US08147577B2	Air recirculation system with filter flaps A filter body having a housing, a cavity for holding a filter media, intake ports each configured to receive an intake tube, and a plurality of intake port flaps configured for movement between a first position which restricts passage of a gas or liquid and a second position which allows passage of a gas of liquid. In one aspect, a filter body has flaps that have a magnet and the housing has an attracting material configured to attract the magnet in at least one of the flaps and configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter in which a portion of the housing comprises an attracting means is configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter having a housing configured to hold a filter media has a plurality of fluid passage holes and hole covers, in which the hole covers and an area adjacent to the holes on the filter housing each have an attracting material for holding the hole covers in a position.
US08147576B2	Filter element having serrated seal The invention relates to a filter element consisting of a filter medium (10) that is pleated in a zigzag manner and has a concentric shape, and a first end disk (11) and a second end disk (12) disposed on an opposite front, wherein the end disk (12) has a concentric opening (13) and extends substantially annularly across the pleats of the filter medium. The end disk (11) has a ring collar (14) extending radially toward the outside. Said ring collar (14) has a seal (15) that surrounds the ring collar at least partially, wherein the seal has an axially extending region, which carries radially peripheral sealing lips (17), and said radially peripheral sealing lips are supported in a groove (18) or in a housing wall (19) of a housing receiving the filter element.
US08147574B2	Material containing diamond and an intermetallic compound THIS INVENTION relates to a method of making a diamond containing material comprising diamond particles and a second phase containing an intermetallic compound comprising the steps of providing a reaction mass of reactants capable, on reaction, of producing carbon and an intermetallic compound and subjecting the reaction mass to diamond synthesis conditions. In an embodiment of the invention, the diamond containing material produced is polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and the reaction mass contains diamond particles in an amount sufficient to allow PCD to be produced. In a further embodiment of the invention, the diamond content in the diamond containing material produced does not exceed 70 volume %.
US08147573B2	Bonding structure and bonding method for cemented carbide element and diamond element, cutting tip and cutting element for drilling tool, and drilling tool A cutting tip for a drilling tool includes a cemented carbide cutting base, a diamond element supported by the cutting base, and a bonding layer formed between the cutting base and the diamond element in order to bond them. The bonding layer includes diffusion layers and in which one or two or more metals selected from a group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, W, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and Hf diffuses into at least one of the diamond or the cement carbide.
US08147572B2	Thermally stable diamond polycrystalline diamond constructions Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals. A metallic substrate is attached to the diamond body. A working surface is positioned along an outside portion of the diamond body, and the diamond body comprises a first region that is substantially free of a catalyst material, and a second region that includes the catalyst material. The diamond body first region extends from the working surface to depth of at least about 0.02 mm to a depth of less than about 0.09 mm. The diamond body includes diamond crystals having an average diamond grain size of greater than about 0.02 mm, and comprises at least 85 percent by volume diamond based on the total volume of the diamond body.
US08147570B1	Systems and methods for producing fuel compositions Systems for producing fuel compositions with predetermined desirable properties are disclosed. Feedback control can be employed to meter precise amounts of fuel composition components while monitoring fuel composition properties to obtain fuel compositions having specifically defined properties.
US08147569B2	Quaternary ammonium salt detergents for use in fuels A quaternary ammonium salt detergent made from the reaction product of the reaction of: (a) a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and a compound having an oxygen or nitrogen atom capable of condensing with said acylating agent and further having a tertiary amino group; and (b) a quaternizing agent suitable for converting the tertiary amino group to a quaternary nitrogen and the use of such quaternary ammonium salt detergents in a fuel composition to reduce intake valve deposits.
US08147567B2	Enhanced biodiesel fuel having improved low-temperature properties and methods of making same The present invention is generally directed to novel biodiesel fuel compositions having enhanced low-temperature properties. The present invention is additionally directed to methods (i.e., processes) for making such enhanced biodiesel fuels by improving the low-temperature properties of ester-based biodiesel fuels via in situ enhancement and/or additive enhancement.
US08147566B2	Fuel additive, additive-containing fuel compositions and method of manufacture The present invention relates to fuel additives, fuel compositions and methods of manufacture in which the additives are provided to impart desired properties to fuels. These properties include, without limitation, reduction of nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions from the exhaust stream of internal combustion engines using the fuels. Preferred embodiments of an additive form of the composition include a nitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of urea, cyanuric acid, triazine, ammonia and mixtures thereof, a carrier blend comprising an alkoxylated alcohol, a polyalkylene glycol ester and an alkanolamide and water. The additive may be provided in a concentrate form by addition of a solvent or may be provided as a final form fuel composition. A method of additive manufacture and is disclosed.
US08147557B2	Mobile bearing insert having offset dwell point A mobile tibial assembly includes a tibial tray and a tibial insert configured to move relative to the tibial tray. The tibial insert includes a platform having an upper bearing surface defining a dwell point of the upper bearing surface. The dwell point is spaced-apart from a center of the bearing surface.
US08147554B2	Intervertebral spacer Disclosed is an assembly and method for implant installation between adjacent vertebral bodies of a patient. The implant has a support body and a rotatable insert therein and the support body is curved for installation between adjacent vertebral bodies transforaminally. An installation instrument is also disclosed for removable attachment to implant and engagement with the rotatable insert to selectively permit rotation between the insert and the support body. The installation instrument extends along a longitudinal tool axis and when the installation instrument is in a first position the insert is rotationally fixed with respect to the support body and when the installation instrument is in a second position the support body may rotate with respect to the insert.
US08147553B2	Supplementation or replacement of a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc A degenerated nucleus pulposus located in a central core region of an intervertebral disc within the annulus fibrosus is supplemented or replaced by a method wherein an amount of a biocompatible material is introduced into the central core region by a process including the steps of 1) forming a channel through a vertebral body adjacent to said intervertebral disc, extending from an exterior surface of the vertebral body to the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 2) introducing an amount of a biocompatible material through the channel into the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 3) pressurizing the biocompatible material through the channel to a postsurgical pressure sufficient to alleviate symptoms caused by the degenerated nucleus pulposus; and 4) sealing the channel while maintaining the sufficient postsurgical pressure. After sealing the channel, a vertebroplasty may optionally be performed in the vertebra.
US08147552B2	Intervertebral implant having features for controlling angulation thereof An intervertebral implant includes a first plate having an inner surface, an outer surface, a ball shaped protuberance projecting from the inner surface and an annular groove surrounding the ball shaped protuberance. The implant includes a second plate having an inner surface, an outer surface, a curvate socket formed in the inner surface of the second plate and a raised rim surrounding the curvate socket. The first and second plates are assembled together so that the inner surfaces of the plates oppose one another and the ball shaped protuberance is disposed in the curvate socket and the annular groove aligned with the raised rim. The assembled first and second plates angulate and rotate relative to one another.
US08147551B2	Method for implanting an intervertebral disk prosthesis A cervical intervertebral disk prosthesis has two cover plates, at least one of which is provided with a wedge-shaped connection surface for connection to a vertebral body and which is wider than it is deep. The dorsal edge of the connection surface may be set back from the dorsolateral edge of the cover plate having the connection surface and be connected to the dorsal edge protruding above it via a rounding or bevel.
US08147550B2	Expandable articulating intervertebral implant with limited articulation An articulating expandable intervertebral implant is described for insertion between vertebrae of a human spine. The articulating expandable intervertebral implant includes an upper body that engages a first vertebra, a lower body that engages a second vertebra, and an insert. The inferior surface of the upper body may include a concave portion. The superior surface of the insert may include a convex portion. The insert may be positioned between the superior surface of the lower body and the concave portion of the inferior surface of the upper body. In some embodiments, an expansion member may engage the insert to increase a height of the intervertebral implant and/or allow or increase articulation of the upper body with respect to the insert. The insert may include one or more features designed to limit articulation of the upper body with respect to the insert.
US08147541B2	Methods and devices for delivery of prosthetic heart valves and other prosthetics Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.
US08147536B2	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 from 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.
US08147535B2	Bifurcation graft deployment catheter Disclosed is a deployment catheter for deploying a tubular endoluminal vascular prosthesis, useful in treating, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The deployment catheter includes a proximal tubular section and a distal tubular section which are axially movable in opposite directions to deploy a prosthesis. A central core extends throughout the proximal tubular section and into the distal tubular section. A reinforcing structure is carried by the central core, spanning the junction between the proximal tubular section and distal tubular section, to improve flexibility characteristics of the catheter. In one embodiment, the proximal tubular section and/or distal tubular section are rotationally linked to the central core.
US08147532B2	Determining patient-specific vapor treatment and delivery parameters Methods and systems for determining patient specific treatment parameters for delivering vapor to the lung to treat lung tissue. In some embodiments vapor is delivered to the lung to cause coagulative necrosis, inducing fibrosis and thereby reducing the volume of at least one segment of the lung. The delivery parameters can be adjusted depending on the desired degree of injury to be induced in the lung tissue.
US08147528B2	Laminoplasty methods and devices A vertebral implant is provided that includes a distraction member having a first end configured to pivotally couple to a first cut portion of a vertebra and a second end configured to mate with a base member configured to couple to a second cut portion of the vertebra. The distraction member can move relative to the base member to create a force effective to adjust a distance between the first and second cut portions of the vertebra.
US08147527B2	Adjustable occipital plate An occipital plate for use in an occipito-cervico-thoracic (OCT) construct is mounted to a patient's occipital bone. The occipital plate includes an elongate central section aligned with a midline of the base and a pair of angled sections that project away from the central section and include attachment assemblies for securing a rod to the occipital plate. The attachment assemblies have multi-adjustability features. At least a portion of the attachment assemblies is rotatable with respect to the base so that the rods may be coupled to the occipital plate at a variety of angles with respect to the midline. The angular adjustability may accommodate any misalignments in the rods. Additionally, the position of the attachment assemblies relative to the midline of the occipital plate is adjustable to thereby provide for medial-lateral adjustability when attaching the rods to the occipital plate as part of the OCT construct.
US08147526B2	Interspinous process spacer diagnostic parallel balloon catheter and methods of use An interspinous process spacer diagnostic parallel balloon catheter and method. The balloon catheter has a plurality of maim expandable members disposed one inside another, a distal expandable member and a proximal expandable member that all can be expanded from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration and than collapsed again to a collapsed configuration. The device can be used to determine whether a particular patient is a candidate for implantation of an interspinous process spacer to treat the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis and the size of such a spacer if indicated.
US08147522B2	Bone fixation method A tulip assembly configured to be coupled to a head of a bone fixation device. The steps of fixing include inserting the pedicle screw into a bone, the pedicle screw including a head portion, expanding a first inner member over the head portion of the pedicle screw after the pedicle screw is inserted into a bone, fixing an angle of the tulip assembly relative to the pedicle screw using the first inner member and a second inner member, the first and second inner members situated in an outer member of the tulip assembly and positionally locking a rod in the tulip assembly after the angle is fixed by rotating the second inner member and outer member relative to each other after the fixing step.
US08147520B2	Horizontally loaded dynamic stabilization and motion preservation spinal implantation system and method 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.
US08147517B2	Systems and methods for adjusting properties of a spinal implant A method for controlling properties of a medical implant includes locating the medical implant in an interspinous area between two spinal processes of a person. The medical implant is coupled to a container via a conduit. A fluid is received in an interior of the container in fluid communication with the conduit. The fluid flows from the container toward the implant having an interior configured to receive the fluid. A pressure sensor is coupled to the interior of the container and/or an interior of the conduit. An internal pressure is determined of the interior of the interior of the container and/or the interior of the conduit by the sensor. The flow of the fluid is regulated to the interior of the implant to regulate a volume of the implant based on the internal pressure and a medical condition of the person.
US08147516B2	Percutaneous spinal implants and methods A method includes positioning a medical device within a body between adjacent spinous processes, moving the medical device from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within the body using an actuator removably coupled to the medical device, and removing the actuator from the body while the medical device remains between the adjacent spinous processes.
US08147515B2	Medical holding apparatus and method of using medical holding apparatus A medical holding apparatus provided with an anchor member composed of a tying-up portion to be tied up to an intracorporeal tissue and a first connection portion; and a locking member composed of a holding portion for holding another intracorporeal tissue, a medical instrument or a drug and a second connection portion, in which the first connection portion and the second connection portion can be detachably connected to each other. A method of using the medical holding apparatus comprising steps of inserting the anchor member into a lumen of a cylindrical member; bringing the cylindrical member distal end close to a predetermined intracorporeal tissue surface; pushing the anchor member from the cylindrical member proximal end side so as to project the anchor member out of the cylindrical member distal end and tying up the anchor member to the intracorporeal tissue; holding another intracorporeal tissue, the medical instrument or the drug by the holding portion of the locking member; and connecting the second connection portion to the first connection portion by a magnetic force and the like.
US08147512B1	Dual closing guide for a surgical instrument A hand-operated surgical instrument with sequentially engaged tip closing guides. The instrument includes first and second arms having tips that close during a closure operation. A slotted tip closure guide on the arms engages first during the closure operation. A pin closure guide on the arms between the slotted closure guide and the tips engages during the closure operation after the engagement of the slotted closure guide. The sequential engagement of the guides provides precise approximation of the instrument tips and prevents “scissoring” of the tips.
US08147510B2	Implant system and method for bulking tissue A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction.
US08147508B2	Medical ultrasound system and handpiece and methods for making and tuning Several embodiments of medical ultrasound handpieces are described each including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system includes a medical ultrasound handpiece having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and includes an ultrasonically-vibratable medical-treatment instrument which is attachable to a distal end of the transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system has a handpiece including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and including a housing or housing component surrounding the transducer assembly. A method for tuning a medical ultrasound handpiece includes machining at least a distal non-threaded portion of an instrument-attachment stud of the transducer assembly to match a measured fundamental frequency to a desired fundamental frequency to within a predetermined limit. A method for making a medical ultrasound transducer assembly determines acceptable gains for gain stages of the transducer assembly.
US08147507B2	Rotational atherectomy device with fluid inflatable support elements and two torque transmitting coils A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable, flexible, hollow drive shaft having a fluid impermeable wall defining a fluid impermeable lumen of the drive shaft and, an abrasive element mounted to a distal end portion of the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from a distal support element formed at a distal end of the drive shaft, the distal support element being inflatable by pressurized fluid which flows in an antegrade direction through said lumen of the drive shaft and is at least partially re-directed into the distal fluid inflatable support element. The distal fluid inflatable support element has an outer wall comprising an outflow opening located such that said outflow opening faces an inner surface of a treated vessel during rotation of the drive shaft so that a flow of fluid through said outflow opening forms a layer of fluid between the outer wall of the rotating fluid inflated distal support element and a wall of the treated vessel to form a fluid bearing between the outer wall of the rotating fluid inflated distal support element and the wall of the treated vessel, the drive shaft being comprised of at least one fluid impermeable membrane and at least two torque transmitting coils, one of said coils extending distally beyond the distal end of the other coil and conveying torque to the abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft distal to and spaced away from a portion of the drive shaft formed from the fluid impermeable membrane and said torque transmitting coils.
US08147506B2	Method and clamp for gastric reduction surgery A method for gastric reduction surgery includes the step of applying at least one clamp to the stomach in a manner forming a gastric pouch. The clamp includes a clamp body shaped and dimensioned to create a gastric pouch with a standard size from approximately 15 cc to approximately 30 cc.
US08147505B2	Surgical instrument for manipulating surgical suture and methods of use A surgical instrument and method for manipulating surgical suture during minimally invasive surgical procedures. Surgical instrument includes an elongate body with a handle at the elongate body's proximal end. Elongate body also includes a distal portion, a longitudinal axis and an outer surface, and the distal portion includes at least one moveable wire. This wire moves so as to selectively capture and release a suture and suture purchase may be substantially obtained between the wire and the elongate body outer surface. The instrument also includes an actuation mechanism connecting the handle to the wire. The wire is moved via the actuation mechanism and a substantial component of the motion of the wire is eccentric rotation.
US08147500B2	Instrumentation kit for delivering viscous bone filler material A bone filler material delivery system comprising a longitudinal channel, wherein said channel incorporates a perforated segment at least partially along, at or substantially near its distal end, and wherein said channel is sealed at its distal end so the filler material may be delivered only by the lumen and through the perforated segment peripheral wall/s. Optionally, said system comprising an expandable-collapsible permeable bag capable of being inserted into a bone while in collapsed configuration and then to expand within the bone when filled with bone voids filler. The mesh structure is designed to allow such permeable bag to expand to a predetermined size or shape under certain pressures, and further allows exudation of said bone void filler through its walls. One satisfactory result is achieved by extracting the permeable bag out of treated body, thus promoting a flow of the bone void filler through its pores into the cancellous bone and/or cavity in the bone. The procedure described promotes height restoration of the bone while leaving only filler material inside the body, while introducing it in an enhanced controlled manner.
US08147494B2	Osteotomy procedure An osteotomy resection procedure for removing a wedge from a bone utilizing a localization device. The localization device being used to track reference points associated with the bone, track surgical instruments, perform calculations to determine a resection angle for the wedge, and assist a surgeon in performing the procedure.
US08147493B2	Bone-fixation device The invention relates to a trochanter stabilizing device (40), especially for fixing bone fragments in the region of the hip joint (11) or for fixing the greater trochanter (12), including A) bone stabilizing means (1) consisting of a central plate (2) with at least one fixing perforation (13) for receiving a bone fixing means (20); B) a longitude bone plate (30) with a bushing (31) arranged at an angle for receiving a fixing element (50) which can be introduced into the region of the hip joint (11) fixed thereto, whereby C) at least three peripheral arms (4) originate from the central plate (2), whereby D) each peripheral arm (4) is provided with at least one hole (5) for receiving a bone fixing means (20).
US08147492B2	System and method for guidance and implantation of implantable devices Systems and methods are provided for fixation of a fractured bone with an intramedullary bone fixation device. During an implantation procedure, the fixation device may be guided by a removable guidewire which is not coupled to the fixation device. The guidewire and device may be inserted into an intramedullary canal along a pathway which is not parallel to the intramedullary canal. The fixation device may be composite, formed of a support structure and a matrix material. The matrix material may be thermo-chemically activated, transformable from a deformable first thermo-chemical state to a hardened second thermo-chemical state. The fixation device may be radially expandable to deform to the shape of the intramedullary canal, to provide support to the fractured bone.
US08147491B2	Multi-angle clamp A clamp for an external fixation system includes a body having a bottom portion and semi-spherical top portion. The top portion has a threaded bore provided along a longitudinal axis: The clamp includes a clamp assembly having a base with a semi-spherical cavity and a lid positioned over the base to house at least one pin between the base and the lid. The base and the lid have a bore provided along a longitudinal axis thereof. A fastening member is provided that extends through the bore in the base and the lid of the clamp assembly and is secured within the threaded bore of the top portion of the body. The bores in the base and the lid have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the fastening member.
US08147490B2	Fixation device for stably interlinking at least two bone fragments of a broken bone and corresponding fixation element and kit A device to establish a connection of portions of a broken bone includes a base body adapted to receive a bone nail. A clamping holder has a receptacle to receive a fixation rod. A bearing element mounts the clamping holder on the base body for spherically displacement. A tensioning rod connection has a tensioning rod on which the base body, the clamping holder and the bearing element are arrangeable in a row for tensioning relative to each other. In a first connection state the tensioning rod connection is released so that the fixation rod and base body are adjustable relative to each other. In a second connection state there is sufficient closing tension in the tensioning rod connection to form a stable non-positive locking connection between the fixation rod and the base body. The clamping holder and the bearing element are in positive engagement in the first connection state with the tensioning rod passing through a through-opening of the clamping holder with sufficient play for spatial guiding in all directions.
US08147483B2	Device for cauterising tissue and uses thereof The present invention provides a device for cauterising tissue, the device arranged to be mounted to a biopsy and/or sampling instrument and including a conductive cauterising portion and means for heating the cauterising portion. The device may be mounted either permanently or releasably removable from the biopsy and/or sampling instrument.
US08147482B2	Electronic capsule for treating gastrointestinal disease The present invention discloses an ingestible capsule containing drug and a method for controlled administration of the drug in a mammal for treatment of a disease of the GI tract. The capsule has electronic control means for dispensing the drug substantially to the diseased tissue sites of the GI tract, according to a pre-determined drug release profile obtained prior to administration from the specific mammal.
US08147478B2	Coated sling material The present invention relates to a sling, methods of making and using a sling, and kits comprising a sling for treating urinary incontinence. The sling has multiple elongation properties that serve to improve the support of the urethra. The sling may comprise a coated material adapted for urethral suspension. The coated sling has properties that appear to enhance the sling elongation characteristics. The coated sling further includes properties that reduce its susceptibility to bacterial infections. The sling further includes properties to enhance the proper tensioning of the sling.
US08147477B2	Mixing tool The present invention provides devices and methods for mixing a formulation containing two or more constituents, such as a drug product and a diluent. The devices have a chamber for securing a container of the drug product. Various embodiments are presented. In one embodiment the device has two or more sides connected by a hinge, the two or more sides defining the chamber between them, and a handle for grasping and manipulating the device. In another embodiment the device has a housing with two or more side bars defining the chamber, the container being visible from outside the housing between the side bars and having a stopping element at the distal end, and a handle having two arms for grasping.
US08147475B2	Disposable wearing article A disposable wearing article is provided with a pair of liquid-barrier sheets on a body-side surface of the article. A dimension by which distal edges of distal zones of the barrier sheets are spaced from each other in a transverse direction is gradually enlarged from a rear end toward a front end of the article. An end sheet functioning to pull the distal zones closer to each other in the transverse direction is attached to the distal zones extending toward the rear end so as to extend between the distal zones.
US08147474B2	Absorbent article The present invention provides an absorbent article 1 that does not easily warp in a leg-surrounding portion. The absorbent article 1 includes an absorbing member 2 in an elongated shape arranged along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and a stretchable chassis 3 having a leg-surrounding portion 3a recessed inward in a width direction. At least a part of the chassis 3 is composed of a composite sheet 13 obtained by affixing a stretchable sheet 15 and a non-stretchable sheet 16 to each other by a plurality of adhesive portions 18. The leg-surrounding portion 3a has an intersection crossing an expansion and contraction direction of the chassis 3 at a predetermined angle. The plurality of adhesive portions 18 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the expansion and contraction direction.
US08147469B2	Layered adhesive construction with adhesive layers having different hydrocolloid composition A layered adhesive construction comprising a backing layer and a first and second layer of hydrocolloid adhesive, where the first and second layer of hydrocolloid adhesive have different composition, and the second layer of hydrocolloid adhesive is at least partly interposed between the first layer of hydrocolloid adhesive and the backing layer, the first and second adhesive layers consisting of a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase where the discontinuous phase of the first adhesive layer comprises a hydrocolloids providing a higher moisture absorption capacity and higher initial rate of absorption to the adhesive layer than the hydrocolloids in the discontinuous phase of the second adhesive layer, and the discontinuous phase of second layer of adhesive comprises hydrocolloids providing a higher cohesion following moisture absorption to the adhesive compared to the hydrocolloid in the discontinuous phase of the first adhesive layer.
US08147468B2	Reduced-pressure, linear-wound treatment systems A system for treating a linear wound on a patient has a closing dressing bolster for placing on the patient's epidermis over the linear wound, a sealing subsystem for providing a seal over the closing dressing bolster and the patient, and a reduced-pressure subsystem for delivering reduced pressure to the sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem and reduced pressure subsystem are operable to deliver reduced pressure to the closing dressing bolster. The closing dressing bolster is operable under reduced pressure to develop a inward closing. The closing dressing bolster may include one or more closing members on each side of a center wound area to create the inward closing when under reduced pressure. A compressive force may also be developed. Other systems and methods are presented.
US08147467B2	Noninvasive lacrimal canalicular occlusion device and method A device enables a patient to perform non-invasive punctal occlusion by applying firm pressure to the skin external to the lacrimal canaliculi during the administration of eyedrop medicine, for the purpose of prolonging the medicine retention time. The device of this invention may be adjusted to fit the nasal aspect of the orbital rims where the lacrimal canaliculi are located. The pressure to be applied on the lacrimal canaliculi is adjustable to meet the optimal pressure requirement. The device also has a visual reference attachment that provides visual referencing points for positioning the tip of the eyedrop bottle towards the eyes. This device enables a hands-free operation and does not interfere with the wearing of eyeglasses.
US08147465B2	Delivery needle apparatus with sleeve A delivery needle apparatus in which a sleeve is fitted over an exterior surface of a delivery needle and methods of manufacturing the same. An elongate medical device may be delivered through the interior of the delivery needle and out of an opening in the distal end of the delivery needle (i.e., the delivery opening). The sleeve may cover a proximal portion of the delivery opening and may align an elongate medical device during insertion and/or withdrawal through the delivery opening.
US08147459B2	Anchor instrumentation and methods Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor sleeve that receives a catheter (or other medical instrument) though a working channel of the anchor sleeve. The anchor sleeve may include a first actuator that controls the extension of one or more subcutaneous tines into the subcutaneous region under the skin. The anchor sleeve can also include a second actuator that can cause the anchor sleeve to lock onto an outer portion of the catheter (or other medical instrument) arrange in the working channel.
US08147458B2	Multi-seal trocar system A multi-seal trocar system includes a plurality of co-axial sealing elements adapted for forming a seal with either a large or small instrument. Small and large sealing elements are disposed in an in-line arrangement such that a-single port is provided for instrument insertion. A zero seal is disposed distally of the sealing elements to seal a working channel of the system and to prevent backflow when no instruments are inserted. The small sealing element is configured such that insertion of a large instrument automatically moves the small sealing element out of its path, thereby avoiding contact with the large instrument.
US08147455B2	Infusion apparatuses and methods of use An exemplary infusion system for accessing an implanted device is disclosed comprising an insertion assembly, a hub comprising a sealable path configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly, a flexible catheter attached to the hub and configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly, and an extension tube attached to the hub. The hub may comprise a manifold element configured to provide fluid communication between the flexible catheter and the extension tube. The hub may also comprise a septum configured to seal the sealable path upon removal of the insertion assembly from the flexible catheter. The extension tube may also be configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly. Exemplary methods of providing a fluid communication path to an implanted device are also disclosed.
US08147451B2	Reprogrammable fluid delivery system and method of use A fluid delivery system is provided for delivering fluid to a patient. The system comprises a reservoir for storing the fluid to be delivered to the patient and a fluid discharge device operatively coupled to the reservoir for delivering the fluid from the reservoir to the patient. A controller is configured to operate the fluid discharge device. An input device is in electronic communication with the controller and configured for setting at least one operating parameter of the system. The controller operates the fluid discharge device based on the at least one operating parameter and locks the system after the at least one operating parameter is set such that the at least one operating parameter is unable to be modified. A display is in electronic communication with the controller to at least periodically display a code for resetting the at least one operating parameter. The code is altered at least once during use. The controller is further configured to unlock the system upon receiving the code thereby allowing a user to reset the at least one operating parameter.
US08147449B2	Device for gastric feeding and drainage via an artificial stoma The invention describes a closure device for the provision of freshly created gastric feeding fistulas, the basis of the design of the device being an introverted balloon that allows a sealing and hemostatic axial traction movement on the fistula that is to be sealed, the concentric balloon ends which run transmurally through the stomach and abdominal wall being arranged in a special seal-promoting and hemostatic manner.
US08147448B2	High precision infusion pumps A system architecture for closed loop control of infusion devices is described. The architecture provides means to control the flow from an infusion device as well as in some embodiments the pressure of the delivery. A variety of infusion systems are described that use the closed loop control architecture. In some embodiments the closed loop control may be adapted to current commonly used infusion means such as a gravity feed intravenous system. Other embodiments describe infusion pump system that use biasing or drive mechanisms of springs, elastomers, rotary and linear motors.
US08147446B2	Detachable portable infusion device A portable therapeutic apparatus and a method for controlling the apparatus are provided. In one aspect the apparatus and the method can be implemented using a patch unit (100, 200) removably attachable to a cradle unit (20), said cradle unit removably attachable to the body of the patient; a position detector (1000) comprising a patch portion (900) and a cradle portion (800), said patch portion coupled to the patch unit, said cradle portion coupled to the cradle unit; a processor adapted for receiving a position indication signal from the at least one position detector, said position indication signal corresponding to a physical proximity of the patch portion to the cradle portion, and, wherein the portable therapeutic apparatus is adapted for at least one therapeutic function selected from the group consisting of delivering a therapeutic fluid into the body of the patient and sensing a bodily analyte.
US08147444B2	Methods of treating or preventing peritonitis with oxidative reductive potential water solution Provided is a method for treating or preventing peritonitis by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxidative reduction potential (ORP) water solution that is stable for at least about twenty-four hours. The ORP water solution administered in accordance with the invention can be combined with one or more suitable carriers and can be administered in conjunction with one or more additional therapeutic agents. Further provided is a method for preventing peritoneal hemorrhage, adhesions and abscesses.
US08147442B2	Method and apparatus for delivering an agent to the abdomen A method and apparatus for treating gas for delivery into a body cavity, body space or body surface of an animal. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. One or more agents are released into the gas stream that flows through the chamber so that the gas stream carries the agent to the animal. Also shown, for use with, or without, the chamber, is an agent chamber adapted to be coupled to at least one structure defining at least one fluid flow path extending at least a portion of the distance between an insufflation device and the body cavity, body space or body surface.
US08147431B2	Measuring member and device for determining the blood flow of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as for registrating the intestinal peristalsis A measuring member and a device to be used for determining the blood flow of the gastrointestinal tract, includes an intestinal probe, having its distal end provided with a flexible inflatable body and at least one pressure sensor mounted on this supporting body. After bringing the inflatable flexible body to predetermined pressure, the pressure sensor will abut the intestinal wall and the measured pressure development, which represents a measure for the blood flow of the gastrointestinal tract, is transformed into a graphical image with the help of the device and/or is transformed into actual values for the blood flow of the gastrointestinal tract. Further, the measuring member measures the development of the pressure within the inflatable flexible body, which represents a measure for the intestinal peristalsis.
US08147429B2	Pelvic floor function diagnostic and therapeutic station and uses thereof The instant invention provides a pelvic floor function diagnostic and therapeutic station, which includes a vaginal/ano-rectal plug and station. The important components of the station are a catheter holder with a pressure measuring (sleeve sensor or other alterative) to measure the constrictor function of the pelvic floor muscle, a vertical force transducer system to measure the elevator function of the pelvic floor muscle and a modular support table or a chair to hold the subject position. The diagnostic and therapeutic station thus allows for simultaneous measurement of the constrictor and elevator functions of the pelvic diaphragm. The station can also be used to treat impaired pelvic floor function via biofeedback therapy.
US08147426B2	Integrated diagnostic test system A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter. The meter may include a closure portion for selectively closing the opening of the container. The system may also provide mechanisms to disable a power source, an auto-on function of the meter, a diagnostic testing function of the meter, or other function of the meter when it has been determined that a triggering event has occurred. The system may further provide mechanisms to reconfigure the meter to perform a new function when it has been determined that the triggering event has occurred.
US08147422B2	Method for detecting hearing impairment and device thereof A method for detecting hearing impairment and a device thereof are provided. The device includes a sound collecting unit and analyzing unit. The sound collecting unit is used for receiving a voice signal from a subject based on the subject pronouncing a vowel. The analyzing unit is coupled to the sound collecting unit and is used for receiving the voice signal and performing a signal processing and a predetermined operation for the voice signal to provide the power of low-frequency oscillations of the voice fundamental frequency of the subject, wherein the hearing impairment of the subject is linear dependency with the low frequency oscillations.
US08147415B2	System and method for detection of pulmonary embolism Systems and methods provide for ambulatorily sensing pulmonary artery pressure from within a patient, and producing a pulmonary artery pressure measurement from the sensed pulmonary artery pressure. Power is ambulatorily provided within the patient to facilitate sensing of the pulmonary artery pressure and producing of the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. Acute pulmonary embolism is detected based on a change or rate of change in the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. An alert is preferably generated in response to detecting pulmonary embolism.
US08147414B2	Image guided catheter having remotely controlled surfaces-mounted and internal ultrasound transducers A remotely manipulatable ultrasound transducer element or transducer array permits an operator of an ultrasound system to be remotely located from a patient and yet remotely control the location of the element or array on a patient's body such as on the skin surface or within a body cavity. The transducer element or transducer array associated with motors and control circuits comprises an assembly within a housing for fixation to or within a human body. The transducer assembly may be fixed to a ring surrounding an image guided catheter and may rotate about the image guided catheter or move along its length to an anchoring position proximate the surface skin. Two embodiment systems for pericardial access may comprise surface and internal vision or ultrasound guidance systems that are wireless or wired one operating on suction and another on mechanical grasping of the pericardial lining.
US08147412B2	Ultrasound doppler dealiasing without zero insertion The present application provides a method for generating dealiased Doppler signals in a spectral Doppler system. The method comprises the steps of: filtering each of two quadrature components of obtained quadrature Doppler signals by using at least four filters in at least four parallel branches respectively so as to output eight signals, wherein the at least four filters for each quadrature component are equally divided into two groups, and outputs of each group of the filters are to be used for Doppler signals processing in one of forward and reverse directions, and coefficients of the different filters in each group can be interleaved with each other to form coefficients of a desired filter; interleaving and accumulating the output eight dealiased signals, according to direction and quadrature component of the output Doppler signals, to obtain forward and reverse dealiased Doppler signals F (t) and R (t).
US08147407B2	Sensor kits for sleep diagnostic testing System for storing pre-packaged sleep related sensors and facilitating effective, efficient, or error-free usage of the sleep related sensors for sleep diagnostic testing including a thoracic respiratory effort belt, an abdominal effort belt, an oxygen saturation sensor, and a nasal and oral airflow sensor, a receptacle for storing sleep-related sensors, and instruction for using the sleep-related sensors.
US08147405B2	Surgical access port with multilayered tortuous path seal A surgical access device includes a wound protector and an instrument seal. The instrument seal comprises a plurality of resilient membranes each having a plurality of parallel slits. The membranes are stacked relative one another to create a tortuous path preventing insufflatory gases from escaping through the instrument seal.
US08147399B2	Device and method for applying a biocompatible substance to a female stimulation device In one aspect, the invention provides a female stimulation system that includes a device body having an operating region and a body contacting surface, and means for controlling a vacuum produced by the device body when the device body is applied to a user. In addition, the female stimulation system includes an applicator adapted to apply a biocompatible substance to the body contacting surface. In one or more embodiments, the applicator may be a pad, form-fitted insert, or a capsule.
US08147394B2	Centrifugation method and chamber for washing and continuous separation of blood constituents Centrifugation method and chamber for washing and continuous separation of blood constituents. This chamber comprises at least one first intake channel for the blood, at least one second intake channel for a sterile washing solution, at least one first outlet channel for at least one constituent of this blood, and at least one second outlet channel for a fluid composed of said washing solution and of the other blood constituents. The second intake channel has its downstream end continued on its periphery by a circular deflector. The latter extends into the bottom of the chamber and is terminated along its inner cylindrical side wall by a ridge, which defines a passage of annular cross section for the flow of said sterile washing solution.
US08147393B2	Composite centrifuge rotor A centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a central hub and first and second bucket receiving spaces defined on diametrically opposed sides of the rotor body. A first pair of bucket supports is supported by the rotor body for pivotally supporting a swing bucket in the first bucket receiving space, and a second pair of bucket supports is supported by the rotor body for pivotally supporting a swing bucket in the second bucket receiving space. The rotor further includes reinforcing material wound around oppositely disposed ones of the first and second pairs of bucket supports.
US08147383B2	Vaulting pole with alignment deviation A vaulting pole apparatus having a predetermined angular displacement at an end of a vaulting pole, attributable to the vaulting pole being constructed with an inherent structural deviation located along and offset from its longitudinal axis. The vaulting pole may be constructed with a fixed structural deviation or with a removable structural deviation, wherein an end of the vaulting pole deviates or is offset from the vaulting pole's central longitudinal axis. Embodiments of this structural deviation may be fixed during vaulting by a vaulter athlete or may be adjustable by a vaulter athlete in real-time or near-real-time.
US08147379B2	Shift control device of automatic transmission A control device, in which a shift-up control is automatically executed when an engine's over revolution with a turbine speed for a shift gear set by a manual shift mode exceeding a preset limit speed A is executed, is configured such that a controller detects an engine's over revolution (Yes in step s2), and cancels the shift-up control (step s8) when detecting a closing change of an accelerator opening by a specified angle (Yes in step s5) during a period of time from an output timing of a shift-up command (step s4) to specified timing of an inertia phase start I (Yes in step s6).
US08147372B2	Automatic transmission An automatic transmission includes a first single-pinion planetary gear mechanism including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, and a first carrier that respectively correspond to first to third elements in a velocity diagram. A second single-pinion planetary gear mechanism includes a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and a second carrier that respectively correspond to fourth to sixth elements in a velocity diagram. The fourth element is connected to the first element to form a first connected body. A double-pinion third planetary gear mechanism includes a third sun gear, a third ring gear, and a third carrier that respectively correspond to seventh to ninth elements in a velocity diagram. The ninth element is connected to the third element to form a second connected body. The eighth element is connected to the fifth element to form a third connected body.
US08147365B2	Drive belt A drive belt includes an endless belt body made of an ethylene-α-olefin elastomer composition and a cord embedded in the belt body to form a spiral at a specified pitch in a widthwise direction of the belt. The drive belt has a bending stiffness not larger than 0.064 N·cm2 per a belt width of 4.8 mm and the belt body has a Wallace rubber hardness not smaller than 60°.
US08147363B2	Conical disk pair assembly with integrated torque sensor A conical disk assembly including a shaft carrying an axially movable disk and having a fixed disk rigidly connected to the shaft. A support ring having first ramp surfaces facing the axially movable disk is carried on the shaft, and a rotatable sensing piston having second ramp surfaces that face the first ramp surfaces is axially movable along the shaft. Rolling elements are positioned between the ramp surfaces, and when the ramp surfaces are rotated relative to each other, the rolling elements move the sensing piston axially along the shaft. A guide ring is rigidly operatively connected to the axially movable disk and includes guide surfaces associated with the ramp surfaces for radially supporting the rolling elements. The guide ring and the support ring are connected with each other in a non-rotatable and axially movable manner to facilitate assembly of the conical disk assembly.
US08147361B1	Broadhead A broadhead with expandable front pivot cutting blades has the cutting blades connected to the broadhead by low-friction rotary connections. The connections reduce frictional forces during outward rotation of the blades and permit locked blade deployment before the blades hit the target.
US08147360B2	Serrated blade for arrowhead A serrated blade for an arrowhead, a crossbow bolt and/or another suitable projectile. The blade has a first blade surface that intersects with a second blade surface to form at least one cutting edge. The blade also has a mixed serration section of at least one small serration and at least one large serration. The mixed serration section is positioned adjacent to at least one cutting edge. The serrated configuration of this invention allows the blade to cut in a saw-like manner as the blade passes in a forward direction through a target material.
US08147356B2	Basketball return apparatus A basketball return apparatus includes an L-shaped frame, a net, and a ball return mechanism. The frame has a back portion and a base portion. The back portion has an upper end adapted to mount on a rim support bracket of the basketball hoop and center and stabilize the frame with respect to the basketball hoop. The back portion has side members that connect to the upper end and extend generally vertically downward to connect to the base portion. The base portion defines an orifice through which shot basketballs can descend. The net is attached to the frame to form open funnel shaped enclosure with an open top end and an open bottom end. The enclosure directs basketballs downward therethrough to the base portion. The ball return mechanism is mounted to the frame below the orifice and net to direct the basketballs back to the shooter.
US08147353B2	Iron-type golf club A a golf club including a club head having a club head main body, a supporting member and a muscle back shell. The muscle back shell is coupled to the club head main body and the supporting member.
US08147352B2	Golf club having hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions A golf club or component thereof has a surface, wherein at least one area of the surface has a level of hydrophilicity which is less than the level of hydrophilicity in at least one surrounding portion, causing moisture to be preferentially attracted to the surrounding portion. In one aspect, the surface is a striking face and the surrounding portion is one or more grooves formed in the striking face. In another aspect, the surface is a grip and the surrounding portion is one or more channels formed in the grip. In some examples, hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces on golf club components repel water and, in some instances, also offer self-cleaning functionality.
US08147347B2	Golf practice mat A golf practice mat including a surface pattern formed by thermally deforming and allowing setting of the deformed mat surface.
US08147344B2	Amusement park ride with cable-suspended vehicles A ride system for moving a passenger vehicle through a dynamically-defined work space. The system includes a track structure that guides one or more motorized or driven carriers on the track structure. The system includes winches on the carrier(s) that are independently operable to set lengths of the vehicle supporting cables, which extend outward from the winches to the vehicle. During operation, the winch systems provide upper anchor points for suspending the passenger vehicle such that these anchor points are selectively positioned. The winches may be independently operated as the carrier(s) travels from a first position to a second position, such that the vehicle body pitches, rolls, or yaws and moves transversely relative to the track. The winches may be operated concurrently to drop or raise the vehicle to define the work space for the vehicle in the vertical direction. Passenger input may interactively control motion of the vehicle.
US08147339B1	Systems and methods of serving game video A multiplayer game is supported by a backend game server and a plurality of clients configured to communicate over a computing network such as the internet. Images for display on the clients are at least partially rendered by the backend game server and then delivered in an at least partially rendered form to the clients. At the clients the delivered images may be further rendered and are displayed to a player of the game. The displayed images optionally include images of real-world objects.
US08147337B2	Game system An ensemble game system for executing an ensemble game comprises a plurality of game apparatuses 10a through 10c communicable to each other. Each of the game apparatuses 10a through 10c outputs a sound of an own part in accordance with a play operation by the player during a first play period, and also transmits play data (rehearsal data) for specifying a play result of the own part during the first play period to the other game apparatuses. Play data for specifying play results of the parts other than the own part is received from the other game apparatuses and stored on a storage device. During a second play period subsequent to the first play period, each of the game apparatuses 10a through 10c outputs the sounds of the other parts using the play data of the other parts stored on the storage device, while outputting a sound of the own part in accordance with a play operation by the player.
US08147336B2	Competitive game system, method, apparatus and program which can be played via network A competitive game method which can be executed via a network is achieved irrespective of the type of the game. Terminal devices receive personal data from a center server, and respectively determine whether it will become a master terminal device in an initial game progress unit based on master determination rules. After the initial master terminal device is determined, a game is started. The master terminal device determines the next master terminal device when the initial game progress unit is completed. The master terminal device transmits a switching notification designating the next master terminal device by, for example, describing an IP address to the other terminal devices. The master terminal device further transmits game data which is necessary for continuing the game to the next master terminal device.
US08147334B2	Universal game server A trusted disaster tolerant system architecture supporting concurrently a number of distributed online gaming operations such as slip-scan lottery, video lottery, fixed odd betting terminals, internet gaming, and interactive TV. A personality front end resolves the peculiarities of the various client systems before submitting the relevant transactional payload to a trusted transactional cache. A universal game random generator may be used either at the central game server or at each individual gaming machine, thus conferring a significant trust to the entire estate of gaming machines fitted with the game random generator. An auditable trusted log allows to rapidly resolve any dispute. The instant-draw model and the differed-draw model are supported. The system may advantageously be used in casino environments.
US08147333B2	Handheld control device for a processor-controlled system An example system and method of providing an input to a processor-controlled system uses a handheld control device comprising an accelerometer. The example system and method involve determining magnitudes of outputs of the accelerometer for one or more axes based on movement of the handheld control device and controlling the processor-controlled system based at least in part on a combination of the determined magnitudes.
US08147331B2	Video game program, video game device, and video game method A video game player can control the movement of a moving object in a video game during a moving object dispatch operation by a character, thereby allowing the video game player to experience nervousness and a sense of realism when causing the character to dispatch the moving object. This video game program includes a first request receiving function, a operation display function, a second request receiving function, a moving object control function, and a moving object display function. In the video game implemented with this program, a dispatch request for dispatching the moving object is received from the controller in the second request receiving function when the dispatch operation of the character is displayed on the monitor. According to the timing at which the second request receiving function received the dispatch request, the movement of the moving object is controlled in the moving object control function.
US08147330B2	Game apparatus and storage medium having game program stored thereon A game apparatus determines whether or not a predetermined first condition is fulfilled. When the first condition is fulfilled, the game apparatus causes the second speaker to generate a sound and moves an object in a virtual game space. When a predetermined second condition regarding a position of the object is fulfilled as a result of the object being moved by the moving control means, the game apparatus causes the first speaker to generate a sound. The game apparatus causes a display device to display the game space.
US08147329B2	Game device, control method for the game device, and information storage medium To provide a game device capable of reducing stress felt by a player in a case of determining a moving destination position of a moving instruction object image. A display unit (84) displays a game screen containing the moving instruction object image and a moving target candidate image. A determining unit (an enemy unit selecting unit (76)) determines whether or not a moving destination candidate position accepted by a moving destination candidate accepting unit (74) and a position of the moving target candidate image satisfy predetermined positional conditions. A display control unit (82) performs display output associated with the moving target candidate image based on parameter information corresponding to the moving target candidate image and parameter information corresponding to the moving instruction object image in accordance with a result of the determination made by the determining unit.
US08147327B2	Method for updating a multiplayer game session on a mobile device A method for updating a game session comprises detecting a game event during a game session, sending an update request to a game data object server responsive to the game event, receiving a game data object from the game data server responsive to the update request, and updating the game session with the game data object. The update request preferably includes an event identifier associated with the game event and the identity of at least one game participant. Based on the player and event identified in the update request, the game data object server selects a corresponding game data object and sends the game data object to each of the players.
US08147317B2	Gaming system and method with wager variability A gaming machine that provides a wagering game, including a user interface in communication with a game controller, through the operation of which a player selects one of a plurality of wager options that determine a number of symbols to be active and inactive in the wagering game. For at least one said wager option at least one, but not all of the plurality of symbols that define a possible said winning combination are rendered inactive for forming the winning combination.
US08147315B2	Gaming apparatus with persistent game attributes A method is described of providing a game for use with a gaming machine that is arranged to select symbols, present the selected symbols on a display and award an award if a winning outcome occurs. The method comprises receiving identification data for a player and displaying representations of game play of the game, wherein at least one character is depicted as one or more graphic objects. At least one attribute of the character may be amended if a triggering event occurs during game play. The amended attribute may be stored for retrieval in a subsequent game session by the player, wherein the stored amended attribute is associated with the identification data for the player.
US08147311B2	Game state presenting device, game state presenting method, information recording medium, and program To suppress easy transmission of information on the hand of a player to another player through an audience when the audience can watch the status of a hand of each player of mah-jongg, a card game, or the like, in a game status presenting device (801), an identifier storing unit (802) stores an identifier of a hand of each player, a first correspondence-table acquisition unit (803) acquires a first correspondence table which associates an identifier with presentation information to be presented to a player, a second correspondence-table acquisition unit (804) acquires a second correspondence table which associates an identifier with presentation information to be presented to an audience, a player presentation unit (805) refers to an identifier stored in the identifier storing unit (802) as a hand of each player and the first correspondence table, and presents presentation information on the hand of the player to each player, and an audience presentation unit (806) refers to an identifier stored in the identifier storing unit (802) as hands of all players and the second correspondence table, and presents presentation information of the hands of all players to an audience.
US08147309B2	System and method for providing a table poker wagering game A system and method for facilitating play of a game of chance by multiple players at multiple locations using a virtual card deck are provided. The system may include a plurality of terminals at the multiple locations, the terminals receiving wagers from the plurality of players, the plurality of terminals issuing tickets to the plurality of players. Each ticket may include a respective player hand chosen from the virtual card deck and an identification code uniquely identifying the ticket. The system may include a plurality of displays at the multiple locations, the displays displaying a shared community hand chosen from the virtual card deck. The system may include a server in communication with the plurality of terminals and the plurality of displays. The server may select a set of removed cards from the virtual card deck prior to issuing tickets for the game. The server may receive an indication of each player's wager from a terminal and responsively providing a respective unique identification number and a respective player hand for inclusion on the ticket delivered to the player, each player hand chosen from the virtual card deck but not from the set of removed cards. The server may select the shared community hand from the set of removed cards and communicating the shared community hand to the plurality of displays for display. The server may determine if a ticket is a winning ticket in accordance with predetermined game rules, based on the player hand included on the ticket and the shared community hand.
US08147308B2	State save in game Embodiments related to conducting a wagering game according to the rules of a base game includes defining a finite set of game indicia. In some embodiments the player plays multiple sequential game hand by placing a wager, receiving game indicia from the finite set cumulatively excluding any game indicia previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the game indicia from the player and excluding the dealt game indicia from further play, and displaying at least the excluded game indicia or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded game indicia. In some embodiments the game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may include a manually triggered restoration or an automatic restoration event, that restores the excluded game indicia. Other embodiments are also described.
US08147306B2	Method for dynamic content generation in a role-playing game The invention provides a role-playing game environment wherein the nature of various NPCs within the game may be varied over time within the game. The goals of various NPCs within the game may be dynamically and automatically changed within the game. At certain in-game time periods, the game server may dynamically assign one or more new goals for some or all of the NPCs based on the current status of each NPC. When a player later interacts with a given NPC assist (or impede) that NPC in reaching its currently assigned goal, the method may dynamically determine a steps that the player's avatar may perform to assist (or impede) the goal. Thus, players cannot predict what will happen when they move through the game and reach a location at which they can interact with a given NPC, making the game-playing experience ever fresh and challenging.
US08147303B2	Harvested crop chopper remains and distribution arrangement for a combine The invention concerns a harvested crop chopper remains-and-distribution arrangement for a combine (10) with a straw chopper (60) and an impeller blower (80) arranged downstream of the straw chopper (60), that includes at least one impeller blade (82) arranged to rotate in a direction of rotation about an axis (84) for the distribution across a field of the harvested crop remains provided by the straw chopper (60). An axially outer region (104, 106,114) of the impeller blade (82) leading in the direction of rotation is curved or angled in the direction of rotation. The axial dimension of the axially outer region (106) of the impeller blade (82) increases toward the outside in the radial direction. The impeller blade (82) is provided with a region (104) adjacent to the axial outer region (106) of the impeller blade, whose axial dimension decreases toward the outside in the radial direction and that extends in the radial direction and that is flat or is curved in a concave shape towards the front in the radial direction and is flatter than the outer region (106).
US08147302B2	Multipoint air sampling system having common sensors to provide blended air quality parameter information for monitoring and building control A system for monitoring air quality conditions, comprising, a multi-point air monitoring system comprising, a plurality of sensors for collecting air quality data from a plurality of at least partially enclosed areas; one or more data processing units for processing one or more air quality parameters based on the collected air quality data; and one or more communication devices for communicating the data from the sensor to the processing unit; and a signal processing controller that generates one or more blended air quality parameter signals via the multi-point air monitoring system based at least in part on one or more of the processed air quality parameters representative of data from a plurality of the sensors.
US08147301B2	Air handling system for clean room A clean room air handling system is disclosed. The system includes an air handler adapted to receive an air flow, the air handler further provided with a cooling apparatus, and at least one supply fan for generating the air flow without a cooling apparatus directly associated therewith, and modulation means for operating said system.
US08147297B2	Surface grinding machine and grinding head therefor A surface grinding machine generally consisting of a drive means provided with an output shaft; a planetary disk mounted on the shaft; and at least two grinding head units mounted on the planetary disk, each including a housing mounted on the planetary disk, a shaft having a flange portion, journaled in the unit housing, resilient means interposed between the housing and the flange portion of the unit shaft and a disk provided with a grit surface disposed on an outer side of the flange portion of the unit shaft.
US08147296B2	Method and grinding machine for dressing of a grinding tool The invention relates to a method and machine for the dressing of a grinding tool (1), which has at least one tooth-shaped profile (2) with a first flank (3) and an opposing second flank (4). A disk-shaped dressing tool (5) used for dressing of the grinding tool (2) has a first abrasive area (6) and a second abrasive area (7). To allow a faster and thus more economical dressing of the grinding tool, the first abrasive area (6) contacts the first flank (3) and the second abrasive area (7) contacts the second flank (4) simultaneously, and the disc-shaped dressing tool (5) and/or the grinding tool (1) are pivoted relatively to another around an axis (A) being arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation (C) of the grinding tool (1), so that both flanks (3, 4) are dressed simultaneously.
US08147294B2	Capillary, capillary polishing method, and capillary polishing apparatus A tip of a capillary used for microinjection is polished on a plurality of sides by using a polishing plate having a surface roughened by dry etching. A first side of the tip is placed on the polishing plate at a predetermined angle and with a predetermined amount of pressing. The polishing plate is repeatedly moved at a predetermined speed by a predetermined distance such that the first side is polished. The capillary is then rotated around an axis thereof to obtain a second side of the tip, and the process of polishing is repeated for the second side.
US08147286B2	Personal safety device A safety device includes an elongate tubular member formed of a buoyant material having gripping surfaces disposed on distal and proximal ends thereof. The elongate tubular member is positionable between initial and second positions. First and second appendages are disposed in mechanical cooperation with the proximal and distal ends of the elongate tubular member. A tether assembly is operably associated with the elongate tubular member and includes one or more couplings and a tether for releasably fixing the elongate tubular member in one or more second positions.
US08147285B2	Marine vessel propulsion unit A marine vessel propulsion unit includes an engine, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a propeller, an intermediate shaft, and a first reduction gear mechanism. The drive shaft is arranged to be rotated by the engine. The rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to the propeller shaft. The propeller is arranged to be rotated together with the propeller shaft. The intermediate shaft is arranged on a central rotation axis of the propeller shaft or an extension of the central rotation axis. The intermediate shaft is arranged to transmit rotation between the drive shaft and the propeller shaft. The first reduction gear mechanism is arranged on a central rotation axis of the propeller shaft or the extension of the central rotation axis. The first reduction gear mechanism is arranged to decelerate the rotation of the intermediate shaft so as to transmit the decelerated rotation to the propeller shaft during both forward propulsion and backward propulsion.
US08147283B2	Steering apparatus for outboard motor A steering apparatus whereby the steering load is equal even when the left and right steering angles are large when an outboard motor is steered to the left and right via a swivel shaft. A connecting hole of a steering plate is provided at a position spaced from a center line of the steering plate so that equal angles are formed by a first straight line, joining the center of the swivel shaft and the connecting hole, and a second straight line, joining the connecting hole and a link hole formed in a steering rod.
US08147282B2	Marine vessel power generation system A marine vessel power generation system comprising a conventional machinery arrangement, such as an internal combustion engine (2) and a generator (3), a propulsion system, and a main switchboard (6). In order to provide an environmental friendly power generation system, when the marine vessel enters, leaves or is in port, said system is provided with an H2O operated power generation arrangement (8) for generating H2O from seawater in order to produce electrical energy.
US08147280B2	Battery post connector A battery monitoring system that may be used to measure/monitor any number of battery operating conditions, including those associated with a vehicle battery. The system may be configured to interconnect a battery post that receives energy from the battery and a cable that electrically connects the battery to a vehicle.
US08147277B1	Electrical connector with high speed and low speed transmission terminal groups An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a low-speed transmission terminal group including electrical terminals, a high-speed transmission terminal group including at least one outputting signal terminal and at least one receiving signal terminal, and a positioning body which has a fastening portion mounted under a rear of the insulating body and a positioning portion hanged behind the insulating body. Each of the terminals has a fastening strip, a contact portion and a soldering tail connected with two opposite ends of the fastening strip. The soldering tails of the outputting and receiving signal terminals protrude sideward to form eave boards broadening the outputting and receiving signal terminals for lowering the differential impedance of the high-speed transmission terminal group. The fastening strips are disposed in two opposite surfaces of the insulating body. The soldering tails and the eave boards stretch behind the insulating body to be positioned in the positioning portion.
US08147273B2	Connector for high electrical power applications A connector assembly includes a preassembly frame to which the ends of a number of high-voltage transmission lines are connected, whereupon the preassembly frame is mounted in an open-ended chamber contained in a connector housing. The frame includes a first end wall having openings that receive intermediate portions of the transmission lines, which first end wall carries a grounding plate having projections for engaging exposed portions of braided shielding layers of the transmission lines. The free ends of the transmission lines are provided with contact members that are supported by insulation sleeves in wall openings contained in a second end wall of the preassembly frame. A coding arrangement prevents the connector assembly from being connected to an unauthorized companion electrical device.
US08147264B2	Connector with flexible rib interface One or more saw tooth shaped flexible ribs in between a connector interface provide asymmetric sliding resistance and a one sided sealing effect. The asymmetric sliding resistance provides for low frictional engaging resistance and for a high disengaging resistance of the connector interface. The one sided sealing effect provides in conjunction with an interface cavity for back flow resistance into the cavity during disengagement movement in the interface and for a vacuum effect that assists in opposing the disengagement movement. The flexible ribs may be monolithically fabricated together with the entire housing of the respective connector.
US08147259B1	Fixing device of anti-theft signal connector The present invention relates to a fixing device of an anti-theft signal connector. The fixing device includes a connection seat, a container and a positioning plug. The connection seat is an axial metallic pipe. The connection seat includes a positioning plate which is located in a rear section of the connection seat and integrally formed with the connection seat. The container is axially disposed in a front section of the connection seat. The container has a receiving trough therein facing the positioning plate. The receiving trough is adapted to receive a resistance and a capacitor which are connected in series. The positioning plug is disposed in the front section of the connection seat, so that the container is positioned between the positioning plate and the positioning plug. Thereby, the positioning plate is integrally formed with the connection seat for the resistance and the capacitor received in the container to be steady fixed between the connection seat and the positioning plug. The resistance and the capacitor won't cause signal loss under static electricity.
US08147258B2	Adapter for accommodating electrical installation devices and for fixing to a conductor rail system The invention relates to an adapter for accommodating electrical installation devices and for fixing to a conductor rail system, comprising a housing which is made of plastics material and comprises an upper housing wall on which means for mounting an electrical installation device are provided, comprising feet for fixing to the conductor rail system by gripping, comprising a first contact member for connecting the electrical installation device, the first contact member extending at least substantially within the housing, and comprising a second contact member, electrically connected to the first contact member, for contacting a respective one of the conductor rails of a conductor rail system, characterised in that the housing comprises a guide recess, the second contact member being provided so as to be displaceable along said recess within the housing, in that the second contact member comprises a guide means and catch means, and in that catch recesses, with which the catch means of the second contact member can be brought into engagement, are provided in predetermined catch positions of the housing.
US08147254B2	Electrical connector mating guide An electrical connector with at least two connector portions. A first connector portion and a second connector portion may each be mountable on a respective surface, such as a printed circuit board. The first and second connector portions may each include a housing. The housing of the first connector portion may include a bore and an adjacent pin. The housing of the second connector portion may also include a bore and an adjacent pin. The pin of the first connector portion may be received in the bore of the second connector portion, and the pin of the second connector portion may be received in the bore of the first connector portion, when the two connector portions are mated to one another. In one embodiment, the first and second connector portions may be substantially identical to one another.
US08147252B1	Child spotter and associated use therefor An apparatus and a method of use to assist toddlers who are learning how to walk to be used with their parents/caregivers is herein disclosed. Although resembling a safety climbing harness, the apparatus is specifically designed to safely hold a child who is learning how to walk, climb, ascend steps, and perform other similar physical activities. A plurality of straps surrounds the child comfortably about the shoulder and waist area. These straps join together in a handle assembly located on the rear of the apparatus. This handle assembly is then held by the caregiver as the child walks, climbs stairs, or just generally explore their surroundings. The parent can completely support the child, prevent them from falling, and keep them from wandering off.
US08147248B2	Gesture training A system and method for training a user to perform a flick gesture is described. A flick gesture is a simple gesture that may be easily detected and is characterized by minimal interference with other applications or gestures.
US08147247B1	Personalized traffic safety instruction Systems and methods are described for creating and delivering courses of personalized traffic safety instruction. Instruction courses are generated based on combinations of identifying information and demographic information of a student, one or more citations issued to the student and State requirements for coursework required in traffic school, including courses associated with the one or more citations. The course of instruction includes required and elective materials and typically is configured to meet a minimum time requirement. Citations associated with the student can be retrieved from government databases and course requirements associated with citations can be obtained from Courts and State agencies. Systems are described whereby instruction is delivered to the student using a computer system.
US08147245B2	Acoustically activated dental instrument An acoustically activated dental instrument that comprises a working head attached to a shaft, the working head being covered with abrasive particles at its front end portion and having a spherical basic shape at its distal end, the outside of which is covered with abrasive particles. The working head is flattened at an upper side substantially up to a center plane of the spherical basic shape, and is flattened on the lower side opposite to the upper flattened side.
US08147244B2	Orthodontic tooth retention system An orthodontic retainer system includes retainer modules that are applied to adjacent teeth in a patient's mouth, and a method and apparatus for delivering the system. The retainer modules may be provided in the form of mutually attracted members, such as magnets, that are temporarily coupled on opposites sides of a delivery member for positioning and bonding to an adjacent pair of teeth. The delivery member may include pusher elements that contact the retainer modules for exerting a force against the modules to press same firmly against the teeth in order to enhance bonding between the modules and the teeth.
US08147242B2	Substrate supporting/transferring tray To provide a substrate supporting/transferring tray, which can be placed on a substrate supporting part arranged in a treatment chamber in which the heat treatment is performed to a substrate, especially on a substrate supporting part having a built-in heating means for heating the substrate, and on an upper side of which, the substrate is placed. At the time of heat-treating the substrate, the substrate can be more uniformly heated, and when the heat treatment is completed, the tray can be easily removed from the substrate supporting part without waiting for the temperature of the substrate to be reduced, and can transfer the substrate to other parts from the treatment chamber in which the heat treatment is performed. The substrate supporting/transferring tray, which has the disc-shaped substrate supporting part on an upper plane side, and is provided with a cylindrical side wall part extending from a periphery of the disc-shaped substrate supporting part to a lower side, and an annular part extending from a lower end side of the cylindrical side wall part to an outer side in a diameter direction.
US08147241B2	Method of object transfer for a heat treatment system Disclosed herein is method for use in a vertical heat treatment system which has an opening which is formed in a partition wall separating a housing-box transfer area from a treating-object transfer area (a wafer transfer area), and and through which an object to be treated is carried in the vertical heat treatment system to carry out a predetermined treatment. When the object to be treated is carried in via the opening of the partition wall, which separates the housing-box transfer area from the treating-object transfer area (wafer transfer area), to carry out a predetermined treatment, the structure of various mechanisms in the vicinity of the opening is simplified, and the space is saved.
US08147238B1	Mold having sliders Disclosed is a mold having sliders, comprising a fixed half, an angle pin, a slider pushing element, a moving half, a main block, a driving block and a sub-block. The angle pin comprises an angle pin body; the slider pushing element has a push face and a pull back face; the main block is installed on the moving half and driven by the angle pin body; the driving block is installed on the main block and has a driving face in accordance with the push face, and a push slope and a pull slope are formed at the other end; the sub-block is slidably installed on the main block and has a push out face in accordance with the push slope, the sub-block can be driven by the push slope and driven by the pull slope to be initialized. The present invention can simplify the complicated structure of a mold.
US08147234B2	Imprint apparatus and method for fine structure lithography An imprint apparatus for forming fine structure lithography comprises: a belt-like mold having a fine structure for imprint lithography formed on a surface of the belt-like mold; a cylindrical pressurizing mechanism including a pair of opposed rolls for pressurizing the belt-like mold against the surface of the imprinting object; and a supporting member for supporting the imprinting object at a position between the rolls of the cylindrical pressurizing mechanism. The belt-like mold, the imprinting object and the supporting member are configured to move to the cylindrical pressurizing mechanism in a mutually non-contact state, and then at the position between the rolls, be pressurized by the cylindrical pressurizing mechanism in a state where the imprinting object is positioned between the belt-like mold and the supporting member.
US08147233B2	Apparatus for highly controlled color distribution in mass produced concrete products An apparatus for highly controlled color composition and distribution within the face mix of semi-dry concrete mix paving stones.
US08147229B2	Motor-compressor unit mounting arrangement for compressors A method of assembling a compressor, including assembling, first as a subassembly external of the compressor housing, portions of the motor-compressor unit, including a crankcase, mount brackets, stator, outboard bearing assembly, and drive shaft. Thereafter, the motor-compressor unit subassembly is inserted into a first end of the housing, and the housing is shrink-fit around the subassembly. The mount brackets may then be welded to the interior surface of the housing. Once the mount brackets are welded to the housing, the remainder of the components of the motor-compressor unit, including the orbiting scroll member, the Oldham coupling, and the fixed scroll member, are then assembled to the motor-compressor unit subassembly and the housing through a second end of the housing opposite the first end, followed by welding the top and bottom caps to the housing.
US08147224B2	Air pump with a one-piece cylinder An air pump has a one-piece cylinder and a piston assembly. The one-piece cylinder has a body, a cap, a pedal and a base formed together by injection molding and welding process. The piston assembly is mounted in the one-piece cylinder and has a rod, a handle and a piston. The one-piece cylinder is structurally firm and provides excellent hermetic characteristics.
US08147222B2	Vacuum divider for differential pumping of a vacuum system A vacuum divider is positioned between rotor blades of a turbo-molecular pump and a vacuum manifold formed from multiple vacuum chambers. A first coupling aperture passes through the vacuum divider and allows gas to pass from a first of the multiple vacuum chambers to the turbo-molecular pump. A second coupling aperture passes through the vacuum divider and allows gas to pass from a second of the multiple vacuum chambers to the turbo-molecular pump.
US08147218B2	Pneumatic motorized multi-pump system Motorized single-machine multi-pump apparatus and closed-loop methodology interconnected with a gas pipeline at a natural gas production well, using pressurized gas flow and differential pressure to drive a pumping system regulated by pneumatic controls using self-generated clean, low-pressure instrument air. The apparatus is connected to the gas flow line and the outlet is connected back into the gas flow line at lower pressure, creating a differential pressure corresponding to the source of motive power for actuating a piston which is directly connected to a plurality of plungers. This plurality of plungers is alternately pushed into and pulled out of corresponding plunger-cylinders for creating an integral drive and pump system prerequisite for gas well site pumping operations. Instead of venting to the atmosphere, well gas is returned to the flow line whereupon only clean air from the self-generated instrument air circuit is vented into the atmosphere.
US08147214B2	Compressor Provided is a compressor having an enhanced capability of supplying oil to a thrust bearing and a radial bearing which are interposed between a center through-hole in a cylinder block and a driving shaft. To this end, the compressor 1 has an air bleed passage 31 which is configured to allow crank chamber 5 and intake chamber 7 to communicate with each other, including: a first space S1 in the center through-hole 14; a communicating part 41 for allowing the first space S1 and a second space S2 to communicate with each other; the second space S2 in the center through-hole 14; a penetrating passage 43 formed to pass through the driving shaft 10, thereby allowing the second space S2 and a third space S3 to communicate with each other; the third space S3; and a communicating passage 45 for allowing the third space S3 and an intake chamber 7 to communicate with each other.
US08147211B2	Method and system for monitoring a reciprocating compressor valve A method for monitoring a condition of at least one valve positioned with respect to at least one of a first chamber and a second chamber of a reciprocating compressor is provided. The method includes establishing a compressor operation cycle including a valve opening event, a valve closing event and/or a rod reversal event. A crank angle is determined at each of the valve opening event, the valve closing event and/or the rod reversal event during the compressor operation cycle using at least one of a static pressure input and a machine speed input. The method further include diagnosing a valve leak condition during the compressor operation cycle at the valve closing event, wherein the at least one valve is closed.
US08147210B2	Electric motor in an overflow capture vessel in a tank A hydraulic assembly has a pressure medium container which at least partially encloses an electric motor, and a hydraulic pump which is driven by the electric motor using a simple, compact, and quiet design in a manner such that the electric motor is situated in the pressure medium container and is cooled by pressure medium without using the electric motor fan, in that the pressure medium container includes a partition which subdivides a pressure medium container interior at least partially into an intake region and a return region, and which maintains a certain level of pressure medium in the return region, and the electric motor is located in the return region of the pressure medium container.
US08147209B2	Wind turbine blade A wind turbine comprising a wind turbine blade with high lift and/or low solidity is provided. The blade is directed towards pitch regulated wind turbines, which are operated at variable rotor speed and have blades longer than about 30 meters. The blade is for example advantageous in that it may provide reduced extreme and fatigue loads at the same or near the same power production.
US08147208B2	Axially segmented impeller An impeller with an axial inlet in relation to an impeller axis for pressurizing a fluid has: a nose section that has a nose section central hub and multiple nose vane sections, each nose vane section extending from a leading edge to a generally radial nose section interface plane; a tail section that has a tail section central hub and multiple tail vane sections, each tail vane section extending from a generally radial tail section interface plane to a vane tip; a coupling that joins the nose section central hub to the tail section central hub and aligns each one of the nose vane sections with a corresponding one of the tail vane sections with an axial gap between the radial nose section interface plane and the radial tail section interface plane.
US08147204B2	Aerodynamic interface component for fan blade A fan comprises a hub, a plurality of fan blades, and a plurality of interface components. Each interface component is configured to mount at the first end of a corresponding fan blade. Each interface component is further configured to simultaneously engage an outer surface of the hub and the first end of the fan blade. For instance, the outer surface of the hub may be curved, and a hub-engaging edge of each interface component may be complementarily curved to provide a substantially continuous fit between the hub-engaging edge of each interface component and the curved outer surface of the hub. Each interface component may further comprise a resilient member configured to resiliently bear against the first end of a corresponding fan blade. In addition, each interface component may further comprise a sleeve configured to extend along a portion of the length of a corresponding fan blade.
US08147202B2	Wind turbine, a hub for a wind turbine and use hereof The invention relates to a wind turbine including at least two blade units. Each blade unit has a pitch controlled wind turbine blade and at least one pitch bearing including at least one outer ring, at least one center ring and at least one inner ring. The wind turbine further includes a hub comprising a mount area for each of the blade units (31). The mount area comprises at least two concentric load transferring surfaces for attaching the blade unit, via the at least one pitch bearing.The invention further relates a hub and a use hereof.
US08147201B2	Kinetic hydro power triangular blade hub A rotor hub mounting arrangement for removably mounting a plurality of turbine rotor blades to the rotor hub in a compact and secure manner. The rotor hub includes an internal mounting assembly, preferably comprised of a series of interconnected mounting plates, positioned adjacent a series of foil shaped openings in the rotor hub into which the root end of turbine blades can be inserted and removably mounted to the internal mounting assembly.
US08147194B2	Turbine engine components A turbine engine component includes a shaft and two sets of hollow radial plates. The shaft includes an axial section forming a portion of a main passage having a substantially uniform diameter. The axial section has two ends and a center located substantially halfway between the two ends. The first set of hollow radial plates extends radially outwardly from the shaft at a first axial location between the center and a first end of the axial section. Each hollow radial plate is hollow and has an interior surface defining annular chambers surrounding and in flow communication with the main passage. The second set of hollow radial plates extends radially outwardly from the shaft at a second axial location between the center and a second end of the axial section. Each hollow radial plate has an interior surface defining annular chambers surrounding and in flow communication with the main passage.
US08147192B2	Dual stage turbine shroud A turbine shroud includes a shroud hanger having an arcuate panel from which three inner hooks extend inwardly, and from which two outer hooks extend outwardly therefrom. The two outer hooks effect a statically determinate configuration of the shroud.
US08147191B2	Damping device for turbomachine stator A turbomachine stator forming a stator vane ring or upstream guide vane element including a plurality of vanes placed radially between a first inner ring and a second outer ring is disclosed. The two rings are concentric and the second ring has a cylindrical outer surface portion. The stator is characterized in that, on the outer surface portion, at least one vibration-damping laminate is attached. The laminate includes at least one layer of viscoelastic material in contact with the surface portion and one counterlayer of rigid material.
US08147190B2	Guide vane having hooked fastener for a gas turbine A stator vane for a gas turbine includes a vane airfoil which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vane and which is delimited by a leading edge and a trailing edge, and also an outer platform, the inner side of which is exposed to the hot gas which flows through the gas turbine, and on which provision is made for a hook-like fastening element, projecting outwards in the region of the trailing edge, for fastening the stator vane on a casing of the gas turbine, which fastening element, on its side facing the trailing edge, has a locating slot above the trailing edge for the fixing of a heat shield which adjoins the outer platform of the stator vane in the flow direction of the hot gas. Provision is made on the outer platform of the stator vane between the locating slot and the trailing edge of a structure for reducing the thermal and mechanical stresses in the region of the transition between trailing edge and outer platform.
US08147189B2	Sectorized nozzle for a turbomachine A sectorized nozzle for a turbomachine, the nozzle being made up of cylindrical sectors and comprising two annular platforms interconnected by substantially radial vanes, together with an annular rail for supporting elements of abradable material, each inner platform having longitudinally-extending edges that are V-shaped, and each rail sector having, on at least one of its sides, means for bearing axially on corresponding means provided on an adjacent nozzle sector.
US08147188B2	Air cooled bucket for a turbine A bucket for a turbine is described. The bucket includes a dovetail portion configured to couple the bucket to a turbine wheel, the dovetail portion having a lower surface. The bucket also includes a shank portion that extends from the dovetail portion and an airfoil having a root and a tip portion, an airfoil shape, and a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z set forth in Table I. The bucket also includes a plurality of cooling passages. The plurality includes no more than five cooling passages that extend between the root and the tip portion of the airfoil. Each of the cooling passages exits the airfoil at the tip portion, the plurality of cooling passages are positioned in a camber line pattern.
US08147186B2	Centrifugal compressor A centrifugal compressor having a wide operating range, being economically efficient and high reliability in terms of a stable operation is provided. A centrifugal compressor including a partition wall for dividing a flow channel in the diffuser section and the volute section into a plurality of channels in the direction of circulation of the fluid so as to define a hub-side flow channel and a shroud-side flow channel; and a flow rate adjusting valve for lowering the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the shroud-side flow channel to increase the flow rate in the hub-side flow channel when the flow rate of the fluid compressed by an impeller is low and not lowering the flow rate of the fluid flowing the shroud-side flow channel to allow the fluid to flow both in the shroud-side flow channel and the hub-side flow channel when the flow rate of the fluid compressed by the impeller is high is employed.
US08147184B2	Air intake circuit arrangement for high pressure compressor of a turbine engine In a compressor stage including a movable bladed wheel having movable blades and a fixed bladed wheel having fixed blades, an air tapping circuit arrangement includes a movable wheel manifold designed to collect an air flow aspirated from the movable blades and a fixed wheel manifold designed to collect an air flow aspirated from the fixed blades. The movable wheel manifold is placed on the periphery of the compressor stage facing the movable wheel and the fixed wheel manifold is superposed on the movable wheel manifold.
US08147181B2	Device for inhibiting the flow of oil along a rotating shaft An oil control device inhibits the flow of oil along a shaft (8) rotating about an axis. The oil control device comprises an annular body (19) for rotation with said shaft (8) and includes a first face (30) extending generally radially from said axis. A second radially outer circumferential surface (40) is provided, extending generally axially. An oil slinging groove (32) extends into said body (19) and has a mouth (37) defined between a first circumferentially extending rim (38) and a second circumferentially extending rim (39). The second rim (39) is spaced both radially and axially from the first rim (38). The groove (32) is defined at least in part by a wall (34) which meets the first rim (38) at an acute angle to a radial plane. The groove (32) is also defined at least in part by a wall (35) which meets the second rim (39) at an acute angle to the direction of the axis.
US08147180B2	Axial flow turbine and stage structure thereof An axial flow turbine stage structure has: an annular diaphragm inner ring; an annular diaphragm outer ring arranged radially outside and coaxially with the diaphragm inner ring and separated from the diaphragm inner ring by an annular flow path interposed between them; stationary blades arranged peripherally at intervals in the annular flow path and rigidly secured to the diaphragm inner ring and the diaphragm outer ring; and moving blades rigidly secured to the outer periphery of a rotatable rotor and arranged peripherally at intervals respectively at axially downstream sides of the stationary blades. Through holes are formed in the diaphragm outer ring so as to allow axial upstream side and axially downstream side of the stationary blades to communicate with each other.
US08147176B2	Work machine and unloading system for unloading an agricultural product from a work machine An agricultural work machine includes a hopper configured to store an agricultural product during harvesting operations, and an unloading system configured to receive the agricultural product from the hopper and to unload the agricultural product from the work machine. The unloading system includes a turret rotatably attached to a portion of the work machine; a base conveyor belt system configured to convey the agricultural product away from the turret; a base support structure pivotably coupled to the turret, the base support structure being configured to support at least in part the base conveyor belt system; and a shock absorption system configured to absorb a shock load transmitted between the base support structure and the turret.
US08147174B2	Spade bit The drill bit comprises a cutting blade formed at one end of a shank. The cutting blade has a pair of cutting shoulders that extend inwardly from the outer sides of the blade toward the bit axis. A tip having converging sides that create a point extends from the shoulders. The cutting edge of each shoulder is beveled with respect to the plane of the face of the blade. A flute is provided on the leading portion of each blade face adjacent the cutting edges. Each flute is a smooth curve that creates a substantially uninterrupted recess on each face of the blade that facilitates chip removal, increases the drill rate and lowers the power required to drill a hole. A non-stick coating may be applied to the blade to further facilitate chip removal.
US08147173B2	Adapter for operating a keyhole saw on a driving machine An adapter for operating a keyhole saw (10) on a driving machine includes a driving section (17; 117) for absorbing torque and a threaded section (18; 118) screwed into a threaded hole (20) in the keyhole saw (10). A driving segment (16; 116) is offset radially relative to the adapter axis and is inserted in a form-fit manner into a receiving hole (21) present in the keyhole saw (10). The driving segment (16; 116) is located in an axially extending manner on the end of a driving element (12; 112) which includes the driving element section (17; 117). The threaded section (17; 117) is formed on a threaded mandrel (13; 113) which is situated in the driving element (12; 112) and is non-detachably connected thereto. The threaded mandrel (13; 113) is held in the driving element (12; 112) in a rotatable manner to be axially displaceable to a limited extent.
US08147171B2	Antirotation tool holder and cutting insert The present invention relates to embodiments of a cutting tool holder having at least one insert pocket, wherein at least one insert pocket comprises a side surface and at least one antirotation stop protruding from the side surface. The antirotation stop may comprise at least two substantially planar surfaces. In certain embodiments, the cutting tool holder may have a pocket which comprises a bottom surface and an antirotation stop having three substantially planar surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface. The antirotation stop may be integral to the tool holder or may be produced separately and attached, either permanently or temporarily, to the tool holder.
US08147170B2	Cutting insert and associated milling cutter A cutting insert used for cutting metal, especially for milling camshafts. The insert comprises at least one cutting edge that is formed by the intersection of a face with a flank. The cutting edges extend at an angle deviating from 90° relative to the cutting direction of the cutting insert in order to reduce the noise level during machining.
US08147169B1	Apparatus for extracting and delivering articles in amounts of uniform size Apparatus comprising an implement for extracting charges of uniform size of articles from a mass of the articles and delivering the charges to a receiver. The implement has a chamber for receiving the articles to form the charge. The chamber has a mouth through which articles are drawn into the chamber by applying a vacuum to the chamber. The implement then delivers and deposits the charge by releasing the vacuum. The chamber has a vent with an air permeable article barrier for access to a vacuum generator.
US08147168B2	Waste water electrical power generating system An electrical power generating system is connected to a sewer for conveying waste water to a sanitary treatment station. Waste water is propelled through the sewer line by pumping equipment which simultaneously pulverizes most large objects carried by the waste water. The waste water drives one or more water-operated turbines. The turbines are operatively connected to electrical power generators for producing electrical power and dispersing the power through an electrical power transmission system.
US08147166B2	Drainage element with laminated membrane material A strip of membrane material is laminated to a wider strip of netting and then the longitudinal edges of the strip of netting are seamed together into a sleeve for receiving aggregate to form an elongated tubular drainage element. The laminated peripheral portion of the resultant sleeve is used as the top of the drainage element to preclude fine material from entering the drainage element. Where a membrane is used to form the sleeve, holes or slits are placed in the peripheral portion of the sleeve that is to form the bottom of the drainage element. The seaming of the overlapped longitudinal edges of the membrane is effected using glue and a nozzle that blows air under pressure onto the seam to force the edges and glue to bond together.
US08147160B2	Ring binder mechanism with polymeric housing and actuator A ring binder mechanism includes a housing and a ring support supported by the housing for movement relative thereto. Each ring of a plurality of rings includes first and second ring members. The first ring member is mounted on the ring support for movement with the ring support relative to the housing between a closed position and an opened position. An actuator is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the housing for moving the rings from their closed position to their opened position. The actuator includes a lower arm having a contact surface engageable with a lower surface of the ring support when the rings are in their opened position and out of engagement with the ring support when the rings are in their closed position. The contact surface defines an angle between its outer surface and a horizontal plane between about 16 degrees and about 55 degrees.
US08147158B2	Travel multiplier mechanisms for writing instruments A writing instrument includes a travel multiplier mechanism that includes a cam member that pivots about a pivot axis in response to motion of a push button member. The cam member engages a sliding piston member in order to provide a travel multiplying effect such that a distance of travel of the sliding piston member exceeds a distance traveled by the push button member.
US08147155B2	Roll paper printer with positioning members A roll paper printer having a roll paper compartment in which roll paper is mounted so that it is freely rotatable inside the roll paper compartment with the compartment designed to prevent the roll paper from meandering from a given path of travel along which the paper roll is unwound. The design of the compartment prevents the edges of the paper from catching on steps between pairs of roll paper guides connected to or forming the sides of the roll paper compartment. Movable roll paper positioning plates 31 and 32 are urged toward each other by a tension spring 37 in the roll paper compartment 9 of the printer 1 located near the top of one pair of roll paper guides 28 and 29. The movable roll paper positioning plates 31 and 32 have roll paper positioning surfaces 31a and 32a which can contact the outside circumference part of the ends 10b and 10c of the roll paper 10. If the paper 10a shifts sideways when the paper 10a is pulled off the roll paper 10, the paper 10a contacts the roll paper positioning surfaces 31a and 32a but the force of the tension spring 37 prevents the paper 10a from shifting widthwise to the transportation direction and prevents the paper 10a from becoming biased to the transportation path.
US08147147B2	Hybrid fiber/copper connector system and method A junction box and hybrid fiber optic cable connector which permit repair of damaged fibers or copper conductors carried by a hybrid fiber/copper cable without requiring replacement of the entire cable assembly or retermination of the cable. A method of repairing a hybrid fiber/copper cable and connector.
US08147146B2	Wheel bearing device with rotation sensor An output cable 16c of a magnetic sensor 16a, which extends outward in the tangential direction of an arcuate sensor holding portion 15a formed on an annular core member 15 from a sensor unit mounted in the sensor holding portion 15a, is fixedly molded in a mold resin 17b which is fixed in a through hole 15c formed in the sensor holding portion 15a near the sensor unit 16. As a result, the output cable 16c is prevented, even if tensed, from coming out of the sensor unit 16.
US08147145B2	Journal bearing device An increase in the temperature of a sliding bearing can be suppressed, and it is possible to reduce the temperature of the bearing and prevent burning and damage. The bearing is divided in two and composed of a liner and a base metal. The liner is disposed on an inner circumferential side of the bearing, and the base metal is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the bearing. A lower liner of the bearing liner, which is located on a load-receiving side, has a cooling groove formed in an outer circumferential surface thereof and extending along a circumferential direction thereof. A lubricant is cooled in the cooling groove and supplied to reduce the temperature of a shaft-sliding surface of the bearing. The lubricant is supplied to the bearing, increases in temperature due to the cooling and has low viscosity.
US08147144B2	Connecting rod bearing for internal combustion engines A connecting rod bearing for internal combustion engines of a forced-feed lubrication type crank shaft is provided, consisting semicircular bearings. An inner surface of the semicircular bearings is provided with a circumferential groove formed on the inner surface within a maximum circumferential angle range of 45 degrees, measured from one circumferential end facing the same direction as a rotational direction of the crankpin toward a circumferential center region of the semicircular bearing, each of the semicircular bearings having two circumferential ends which are of butt ends brought into contact with those of a mating semicircular bearing. In an assembled state, an axial groove is formed on an inner surface of the semicircular bearings so as to extend along the butt end throughout a full length between both axial ends of the semicircular bearing, whereby the axial groove, as a lubricant-oil flow channel, is connected with the circumferential groove.
US08147143B2	Bump foil hydrodynamic thrust bearing A thrust bearing for a rotary machine includes first, second and third layers. The second layer includes a corrugated foil arranged between the first and third layers. The corrugated foil includes a wall having peaks engaging the first layer and valleys engaging the third layer. A depression is arranged in the wall between first and second peaks. The depression is spaced from the first and third layers. The first layer includes multiple arcuate top foils that are arranged adjacent to a thrust runner of a rotatable shaft. A corresponding number of arcuate corrugated foils may be used to support the top foils. The third layer, which is provided by an annular main plate, includes multiple arcuate spacers arranged circumferentially on the main plate. The spacers are generally aligned with a trailing edge of the top foils. The depressions decrease the stiffness of the bump foils. The spacers direct the axial load through the thrust bearing in a desired manner.
US08147140B2	Bag with flexible rim to facilitate structural support A bag having both a support system and a closure system is provided. The closure system of the bag provides structural support to the bag. In at least one embodiment, the bag includes at least one sheet of flexible material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container, an opening within the semi-enclosed container defined by a generally circular periphery of the semi-enclosed container at an unenclosed end of the at least one sheet of flexible material, and a flexible support rim disposed around the generally circular periphery of the semi-enclosed container at an unenclosed end. The support rim is sufficient to support the opening within the semi-enclosed container in an open position.
US08147135B2	Methods and systems for verifying sensor bond integrity Methods and systems are disclosed for determining an amount of bond between a structure and sensor. A method may include heating a sensor that is operably coupled to a measuring circuit and then measuring an output signal over time. The method may further include determining, from the output signal, a percentage of bond integrity remaining between the sensor and the structure. A system may include a measurement circuit having a sensor operably coupled to a sensing system. The sensing system may be configured for applying a thermal shock to the sensor and subsequently measuring an output signal of the measuring circuit. The sensing system may also be configured for determining, from the output signal, an amount of bond between the sensor and the structure.
US08147126B2	Covering structure of a mixer A covering structure of a mixer includes: a fixed ring connected to the head of a mixer; an upper ring; and a lower ring. The fixed ring is further surrounded by a protruding ring. The upper ring has a striding part on its inner wall to stride on the protruding ring. The upper ring further has at least two stopping parts at an interval. A concave part is formed between each pair of consecutive stopping parts. One end of the lower ring is formed with connecting parts whose number is the same as that of the stopping parts. Its other end is connected downward with a covering element. The connecting parts of the lower ring are inserted via the concave parts on the upper ring and above them. By rotating the lower ring, the connecting parts urge against the stopping parts to form a rotating ring that can rotate along the protruding ring.
US08147123B2	Apparatus with automatic balancing for mixing paint disposed in containers having different configurations An apparatus and method are provided for mixing paint disposed in either a conventional one gallon paint container or a square paint container having a body with a handle passage extending therethrough. The apparatus includes a square bucket for holding the container. A rocker is pivotably mounted to a side wall of the bucket and includes a pair of heads aligned over a pair of openings in the side wall. A floor of the bucket has a plurality of support structures extending upwardly therefrom. When the conventional one gallon paint container is disposed in the bucket, the container rests on the floor, the vertical axis of the container is offset from the central axis of the bucket, and both heads of the rocker are disposed against the container inside the bucket. When the square paint container is disposed in the bucket, the container is supported on top of the support structures so as to be elevated above the floor, the vertical axis of the container is collinear with the central axis of the bucket, and one of the heads of the rocker is disposed in the handle passage of the container.
US08147120B2	Disposable shaker A disposable shaker (1) made of synthetic material having a cup-like cover (3) and a cup-like base (2) which can be removably connected together and have or form the one or the other (2; 3) a container with a plurality of bins (4) which contain the ingredients for a desired cocktail and are closed by a membrane (6) which is tearable by means of tearing teeth (7) in one-piece with said cover (3) or base (2) inside thereof. In a preferred embodiment the shaker (1) is provided with unambiguous guiding manipulation means (20) for the membrane tearing stroke and shaker opening stroke after the mixing or shaking phase for the cocktail preparation.
US08147118B2	Apparatus for homogenizing powder The present invention relates to an apparatus for homogenizing powder, which includes a drive device and a homogenization unit. The drive device moves the homogenization unit back and forth in at least one horizontal direction. The homogenization unit has a multitude of essentially vertically arranged, rod-shaped elements which are immersed at least partly into a powder to be homogenized.
US08147113B2	Backlight device and flat display using it An FPC (31) on which LEDs (32) are mounted at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction is secured to a lower chassis (21b) used also as a heat-dissipating plate through an elastic heat conductive sheet (34). With a retaining plate (33) is overlapped on the mounting surface of the FPC (31), a screw (S) is inserted into the retaining plate (33) from the outside of a bezel (5) to fix the retaining plate. Furthermore, the FPC (31) is held between the retaining plate (33) and the lower chassis (21b).
US08147111B2	Light guide plate and backlight module A light guide plate including a body and a plurality of prism microstructures is provided. The body has a bottom surface, a light emitting surface opposite to the bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces. The light emitting surface has a central area and at least one peripheral area outside the central area. The prism microstructures are disposed on the light emitting surface and the bottom surface. The prism microstructure disposed on the light emitting surface includes a plurality of first prism microstructures in the central area and a plurality of second prism microstructures in the peripheral area. A top angle θ2 of the second prism microstructure is greater than a top angle θ1 of the first prism microstructure. A backlight module including the above-mentioned light guide plate is also provided.
US08147110B2	Light pipe assembly A light pipe assembly includes a lamp assembly and a light pipe. The lamp assembly has a housing that holds a light source configured to emit light. The light pipe is elongated between an attachment end and an opposing distal end. The attachment end is received in the housing of the lamp assembly. The light pipe receives light emitted by the light source. Additionally, the light pipe includes surface elements that are configured to permit the light to emanate from the light pipe between the attachment and distal ends. The surface elements are arranged in a pattern that provides a predetermined distribution of light emanating from the light pipe.
US08147109B2	Heat dissipation device of vehicle lamp and interposing element thereof A heat dissipation device of a vehicle lamp and an interposing element thereof are provided. The heat dissipation device is installed in a lamp room which is divided by the interposing element into a front partition and a rear partition. A heat sink is installed in the interposing elements. An air feeding fan is disposed in an air feeding channel of the interposing element, for drawing air in the front partition to the rear partition through the air feeding channel. Further, a back flow fan is disposed in the rear partition, for drawing air in the rear partition to the front partition through a back flow channel. Whereby, the air in the front partition is cooled down through an external air flow passing through the lamp cover. Then, the heat sink dissipates heat of the air flow with the relatively low temperature in the front partition to the rear partition.
US08147107B2	Headlight rotating device for vehicle A headlight rotating device includes a carrier pivotally and slidably supported in a housing for supporting a light device, a lever supported in the housing and coupled to the carrier for pivoting and sliding the carrier relative to the housing, and a motor is disposed in the housing and coupled to the lever for rotating the lever to pivot and slide the carrier relative to the housing and for rotating the headlight device of the vehicle in accordance with the movement of the vehicle's steering system and for suitably lighting the environment for the vehicle driver while turning the vehicle, the carrier is adjustable or movable forwardly or rearwardly relative to the housing.
US08147106B2	Automotive headlamp A headlamp in which light source units are tilted about predetermined tilting center axes by means of an aiming mechanism interposed between a lamp body and the light source units. The aiming mechanism includes a tilting fulcrum (a ball and socket joint), aiming screws which are rotatably supported on the lamp body, and nut members which thread fit on the screws and mounted on the light source units movably in forward and backward in response to the rotations of the screws, so as to tilt the light source units about the tilting center axes. A leaf spring slide portion brought into elastic engagement with a guide groove is made of a polyacetal resin which is superior in resistance to wear. A nut member main body having a screw thread fitting portion is made of a nylon resin which is superior in resistance to heat. There is no permanent set on the slide portion and a slide contact surface does not wear, and no looseness is generated in the screw thread fitting portion of the nut member main body. An accurate optical axis adjustment can be ensured.
US08147097B1	Angle-adjustable aroma-diffusing night lamp system An angle-adjustable aroma-diffusing night lamp system includes an electrical plug unit, a lamp socket unit, a collar coupled to a front coupling neck of the housing of the electrical plug unit and affixed to the housing of the lamp socket unit for allowing rotation of the lamp socket unit relative to the electrical lug unit within a predetermined angle, a spring-supported latch installed in the housing of the electrical plug unit to lock the electrical plug unit to the collar in one of a series of angular position, and a lampshade coupled to the lamp socket unit around the lamp bulb in the lamp socket unit and holding a fluid aroma substance for heating by the radiation heat from the lamp bulb into vapor.
US08147092B2	Illuminating device An illuminating device comprises a base, a light source and at least one first layer, wherein said light source is assembled on said base to emit a first color temperature light, while first layer is located on the base along the first light irradiation path. The first light is passed through the first layer to react with said first layer to form a second color temperature light for emission, wherein said first color temperature is ranged from 2800K to 20000K, while excitation wavelength range of said first layer is mainly beyond the wavelength of ultraviolet lights for further adjusting the second color temperature range.
US08147091B2	Linear solid-state lighting with shock protection switches A linear light-emitting diode (LED)-based solid-state device comprising at least two shock protection switches, at least one each at the two ends of the device, fully protects a person from possible electric shock during re-lamping with LED lamps.
US08147088B2	Focusing-type flashlight structure A focusing-type flashlight structure includes a hollow cylinder body for accommodating the power supply component and screwed with an exterior cap having the switch device at the rear side and having a buckle channel and a protrusion stop ring and forming the diameter expansion section; a light emitting device positioned between the buckle channel and the protrusion stop ring of the hollow cylinder body; a light transparent cover for sealing the front side of the hollow cylinder body and having a protrusion hook for clasping with the buckle channel to achieve the positioning; and a zooming device including a hollow tube having a first, second, and third ring section with converged diameters from the front to the rear in order, and a lens disposed between the first ring section of the hollow tube, and a light opening cover to achieve the positioning.
US08147084B2	Ear hook device with illumination function An ear hook device with illumination function is worn on a user's ear to provide illumination, so that the user can have their hands free to do more works. Furthermore, the ear hook device is further provided with a holding assembly which can hold the ear hook device and is then clipped to the user's pocket when the ear hook device is not in use, making it easier for the user to use and carry the ear hook device.
US08147082B2	Versatile safety reflectors A Safety reflector suitable as a road stud or hazard reflecting ornament able to utilize ambient light without solar panels batteries or diodes, in order to reflect light multi-dimensionally.
US08147078B2	Illumination apparatus and image pickup apparatus The illumination apparatus includes a light source, an optical member configured to at least transmit therethrough light from the light source, and a reflective member configured to include a reflective portion which extends closer to the optical member than the light source and reflects the light from the light source to cause the light to enter the optical member. A concave portion is formed, on a light entrance side surface of the optical member, in an outside area located outside a light entrance area where the light reflected by the reflective portion reaches. The concave portion includes a refractive surface refracting light, which is part of the light from the light source and enters the concave portion without being reflected by the reflective portion, toward an exit surface of the optical member.
US08147076B2	Beam-down type solar ray lighting device An object is to provide a solar ray lighting device which is capable of reducing the blocking and the shadowing of beams of light reflected by heliostats and which is capable of fixing firmly and stably a heavy and large-sized center reflector. In a beam-down type solar ray lighting device, at least three supporting blocks are assembled together to form a pyramidal shape. In addition, an outer circumferential edge of the center reflector is fixed to the supporting posts so that the outer circumferential edge of the center reflector can internally touch the supporting posts.
US08147074B2	Positioning interfaces for projection display devices Described herein are devices that provide projection-type video output in a portable and flexible design. The design includes a projection chamber, a base, and an interface that permits relative positioning between the projection chamber and base. The base maintains the position of the display device. The projection chamber includes components responsible for the production of images based on received video data and components responsible for the projection of those images. Relative pointing between the projection chamber and base allows the projection chamber to be pointed—and an output projected image to be positioned—with minimal effort.
US08147070B2	Projector A projector can form images of illumination system on respective optical paths at positions of corresponding liquid crystal display panels with respect to a light emission surface of a cross dichroic prism without relatively inverting the images and without increasing the number of lenses from the number of lenses included in a relay optical path structure in related art. Moreover, the projector can equalize the magnification of the images formed on the respective liquid crystal display panels by controlling relative image-forming conditions of the first and second optical paths in advance. Thus, deterioration of white balance and color unevenness of light projected by the projector can be reduced even when light emission distribution of a light source varies with elapse of time, for example.
US08147067B2	Laser projection system based on a luminescent screen A laser projection system includes at least one laser light source, a projection screen and a spatial light modulator for projecting a laser beam of the laser light source to form an image on the projection screen. The projection screen includes a luminescent layer which upon excitation by the laser beam emits blue light. The luminescent layer contains MSi6−aAlaN8−aOx+a:Eu2+ (with M=Sr, Ba,; 0≦x≦1; 0≦a≦1) as a luminescent material. With this material laser light of a laser diode emitting in the wavelength region of 405 nm can be converted to blue light of 450 nm with high efficiency. The proposed projection system, therefore, is suitable for RGB projection using laser diodes as laser light sources.
US08147062B2	Progressive-power lens An eye-side refractive surface 11 of a distance portion is concave and at least part of an eye-side refractive surface 3 of a near portion is a convex region 31 where one or both of principal meridians of the surface are convex. This provides a back surface progressive-power lens capable of solving disadvantages in terms of lens thickness, external appearance and the like in a back surface progressive-power lens in which the eye-side refractive surface is formed of a progressive-power surface.
US08147061B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus includes: a housing which constitutes an appearance of a recording apparatus body; and an electronic substrate which is vertically disposed along an inner side surface of the housing. Here, an air supply hole and an air exhaust hole are formed on a side surface portion of the housing corresponding to a lower portion and an upper portion of the electronic substrate so that an air-flow path for external air is formed in an installation region in which the electronic substrate is provided.
US08147056B2	Ink-jet recording apparatus preventing recording surface of recording medium and paper discharge roller from contamination With the width in the main scanning direction of the image region of which the recording width in the main scanning direction is the shortest of all of the image regions to be recorded on the recording surface of the recording medium as X1 in the main scanning direction, the width obtained by subtracting the width of the ink discharge orifice from the width between the ink discharge orifice closet to the discharge side, of the ink discharge orifices employed for recording of an image region and the roller as Y1 in the sub scanning direction, and the period necessary for completing another image region defined by the width X1 and the width Y1 as T1, the sub scanning of the recording medium is controlled such that the one image region comes into contact with the roller after the period T1 from the point of completion thereof.
US08147047B2	Liquid supply apparatuses and liquid containers A liquid supply apparatus includes a container mounting portion and a liquid container. The liquid container includes a case configured to store liquid therein, a first movable member positioned in the case, a second movable member positioned on the case, and a retainer configured to retain the second movable member in the first position. The first movable member and the second movable member include a pair of magnetic materials. When the second movable member moves from a first position to a second position, the first movable member is released from a fixed state in which the first movable member is immovably fixed to the case by a magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic materials.
US08147046B2	Refillable ink cartridge and protection member therefor In a refillable ink cartridge having an ink supply opening portion that is hermetically sealed with a sealing member, leakage of ink out of the cartridge due to a decrease in the sealing property of the sealing member is prevented. The sealing member, which is elastically deformable, is penetrated by a needle-shaped member when refilling the cartridge with ink via the ink supply opening portion. The ink supply opening portion is covered with a protection member including a projecting portion for hermetically sealing the ink supply opening portion outside the sealing member.
US08147045B2	Liquid applicator and liquid supply method to be used in liquid applicator A liquid applicator suitable for manufacturing probe arrays comprises a liquid ejection section having a plurality of sets of a liquid ejecting nozzle adapted to eject liquid onto a medium, a liquid containing section communicating with the liquid ejecting nozzle and a supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid containing section, a liquid supply section having a liquid supply member arranged therein to store liquid to be applied and adapted to supply liquid to the liquid ejection section by way of the supply ports, an information recording body arranged at the liquid ejection section and/or the liquid supply member of the liquid supply section and an information reading device adapted to read information recorded in the information recording body.
US08147043B2	Back pressure adjustment apparatus for liquid ejection head The back pressure adjustment apparatus for a liquid ejection head has: a container having a liquid accommodating chamber which is connected to the liquid ejection head and accommodates liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head, and a gas accommodating chamber which accommodates gas; a movable film which separates the liquid accommodating chamber and the gas accommodating chamber, and forms a portion of whole walls of the liquid accommodating chamber; and a pressure adjustment device which causes all or a portion of the movable film to deform so as to adjust pressure of the liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating chamber.
US08147041B2	Piezoelectric element and method for manufacturing the same, liquid-ejecting head and method for manufacturing the same, and liquid-ejecting apparatus A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric film containing lead (Pb), zirconium (Zr), and titanium (Ti). The piezoelectric film has a composition satisfying the relationship of Zr/(Ti+Zr)>Ti/(Ti+Zr) and has a polarization-electric field hysteresis loop having a Pm/2Pr of 1.95 or more and a Vc(−) of −1.75 V or more, wherein Pm denotes saturation polarization, Pr denotes remanent polarization, and Vc(−) denotes a negative coercive electric field intensity.
US08147037B2	Inkjet printhead and method of manufacturing the same Provided are an inkjet printhead and a method of manufacturing the same. The inkjet printhead includes a substrate which includes an ink feed passage, a chamber layer, which is disposed on the substrate and a plurality of ink chambers in which ink supplied from the ink feed passage is filled. It also includes a nozzle layer, which is disposed in the chamber layer and includes a plurality of nozzles through which the ink is ejected. The chamber layer and the nozzle layer are cured products of a first negative photoresist composition and a second negative photoresist composition. Each of the first negative photoresist composition and the second negative photoresist composition includes an epoxidized multifunctional bisphenol B novolak resin, a cationic optical initiator, and a solvent.
US08147033B2	Ink chambers for inkjet printer An inkjet printhead having arrays of nozzles wherein each of the arrays has a corresponding ink inlet. A mounting substrate includes a first face with first openings fluidly connected to corresponding ink inlets of the arrays. A second face opposed to the first face includes a plurality of second openings fluidly connected to openings of the first face. The ink outlets of the ink chambers are fluidly connected to corresponding second openings in the second face of the mounting substrate, an outer wall is disposed proximate to the plurality of inlet ports and a second outer wall is disposed opposite the first outer wall and distal to the plurality of inlet ports. Each ink chamber has a portion located proximate to the first outer wall and an outer chamber of the plurality of ink chambers has a portion located proximate to the second outer wall.
US08147019B2	Adjustment method of printing positions, a printing apparatus and a printing system By using an ink jet head, which has for each color two parallel columns of nozzles arranged side by side in the main scan direction and shifted from each other by one-half the pitch at which the nozzles are arranged in each column, odd-numbered rasters and even-numbered rasters making up an image are printed by the two nozzle columns. The registration between the odd- and even-numbered rasters is secured during the printing to produce an image with high print quality. For that purpose, the ink ejection timing between the two raster groups is shifted by a predetermined interval to form a plurality of adjustment patterns; the adjustment patterns printed are checked and, according to the check result, an adjustment value for the ink ejection timing between the two ink nozzle columns is entered, and the entered adjustment value is stored to be reflected on the actual printing operation. To facilitate the adjustment pattern check, the plurality of adjustment patterns have a dot distribution with a blue noise characteristic at a resolution at which the printing apparatus can print.
US08147017B2	System for anchoring the seal to a refrigerator A refrigerator, the construction of which provides for the use of a seal (70) inserted into the structure of the chamber (50) or into the door (60), which minimises the distance (D2) between the door and the structure of the chamber of the refrigerator in the closed position, increasing the thermal tightness of the refrigerator with the door closed and thereby increasing the efficiency of the refrigerator.
US08147011B2	Slide assembly A slide assembly includes a first slide member having a guiding base and a lock portion, a second slide member having a first slide segment and a second slide segment, a third slide member movably mounted on the second slide segment, an aid-sliding member slidably connected between the first slide member and the first slide segment, and a positioning device connected to the second slide member. The positioning device includes an elastic member and a positioning member which is movable by a force of the elastic member, so that two ends of the positioning member are respectively located corresponding to the guiding base and the third slide member. The positioning member is engaged with the lock portion when the second slide member is moved relative to the first slide member, and is disengaged from the lock portion when the third slide member is retracted relative to the second slide member.
US08147008B2	Interlock system for multi-door enclosures A multi-door enclosure includes an enclosure body, a primary door having an actuator and a secondary door. An interlock member having a holding section extends between the primary door and the secondary door. As the primary door closes, the actuator contacts the interlock member to translate the interlock member towards the secondary door until the holding section engages the secondary door.
US08147004B2	Vehicle wheel rim protector A wheel rim protective structure has a closed ring made of a semi-rigid durable plastic material. A plurality of spaced apart durable curved metal clips extend from the inner edge of the ring and are oriented to insert between the tire and rim. Each clip has a number of unidirectional barbs that facilitate installation but resist unwanted extraction by engaging the tire portion. Knurling on the opposite side provides more static friction against the wheel surface. The metal clips also provided a situs for a low profile fastener to allow other structures to be attached to the ring such as decorative panels, lights, flags streamers, or other decorative or counterbalancing structures. The ring and clips can be made from a unitary piece of injection molded material.
US08147003B2	Wheel ornamentation for use with a vehicle wheel A wheel ornamentation that can fit vehicle wheels having different offset dimensions. According to one embodiment, the wheel ornamentation is a two-piece wheel cover that includes center and outer components and an adjustable overlapping junction therebetween, where the adjustable overlapping junction may be partially concealed by an annular flange on one of the components. An adhesive portion may be disposed between overlapping axial ends of the components and can be modified during assembly of the ornamentation to a vehicle wheel.
US08146998B2	Chuck reducing device A vehicle head restraint includes a head restraint frame having at least one post for attaching the head restraint to a seat back. The head restraint is pivotable relative to post. The head restraint also includes a spring clip attached to the head restraint frame and a stop rigidly held relative to the post, such that the stop contacts the spring clip when the head restraint in positioned in an upright position.
US08146994B2	Recliner mechanism A tube recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat having a reclining seat back includes an inner tube extending in a lateral cross vehicle direction and having inboard and outboard ends, an outer tube positioned around the inner tube, and a cylindrical spacer positioned between the inner tube and the outer tube. The relative rotational position of the inner and outer tubes is configured to change via rotation of one of the inner and outer tubes. The spacer, inner tube, and outer tube are all concentrically positioned to thereby reduce friction between the inner and outer tubes during relative movement between the tubes.
US08146991B2	Transmission device for seat adjuster A transmission device for a vehicle component adjuster, such as a seat adjuster, may include a drive screw, a drive member and a load transfer member. The drive member engages the drive screw and has a first end with an outer periphery and an end surface. The load transfer member has a first portion disposed at least partially around the periphery of the drive member and a second portion configured to be positioned between the end surface and a support structure supporting the seat adjuster relative to a track arrangement or system. The load transfer member is configured to transfer an axial load applied to the drive member to the support structure.
US08146989B2	Child soothing device with a low frequency sound chamber A child soothing device includes a frame comprising a structural support, a housing coupled to the structural support and comprising a cover with an opening, and a speaker including a speaker driver and a speaker chamber. The speaker driver has a diaphragm disposed relative to the opening in the cover for external sound wave propagation via displacement of the diaphragm, and the speaker chamber has a volume defined by the housing and in communication with the diaphragm for internal sound wave propagation via the displacement of the diaphragm. The device further includes a partition within the housing to further define the volume of the speaker chamber. The volume may include a region obliquely oriented relative to the diaphragm to support a low frequency response of the speaker.
US08146988B2	Resettable seat with energy absorber A vehicle seat that strokes during an energy absorption process is able to reset. The seat can therefore stroke again, in the same stroking volume, for example during a secondary ground impact after a mine blast. An energy absorber associated with the seat is operative to absorb energy once during the first stroke and is also operative to absorb energy a second time when the seat strokes a second time.
US08146984B2	Protective vehicle cover A protective vehicle cover is shown for protecting an outer surface of a vehicle from hail and other falling objects. The cover includes a flexible blanket having a front side, a back side and a thickness therebetween. The blanket is made up of an outer fabric cover and a protective central region, the protective central region being made up of a layer of foam cushioning material covered with a layer of flexible plastic-type material which together provide a cushioning effect to protect the outer surface of the vehicle from hail and other falling objects; Fastening elements are provided for attaching the flexible blanket to the outer surface of the vehicle.
US08146982B2	Clamp mechanism for a cover assembly A protective cover assembly for covering a space defined by at least one wall. The protective cover assembly includes a plurality of rails coupled to one another to form a frame for securing a material over the space. At least one support bow spans the space to support the material. Clamp mechanisms are coupled to the ends of the support bow for securing the protective cover assembly over the space. The clamp mechanisms include a latch member for engaging the wall and a handle for biasing the latch member against the wall. A collar is coupled to a portion of the support bow for guiding the handle and the latch member between an operational position and a stowed position relative to the support bow.
US08146979B2	Seal moldings for vehicles A seal molding configured for minimizing a first perceivable gap having a first width between a vitreous element and a body panel of a vehicle includes a first portion configured for abutting the vitreous element and a second portion configured for abutting the body panel and including an elongated flexible segment and a protrusion projecting away from the segment. The second portion is configured for flexing toward the first portion to define an alternative gap having a second width that is smaller than the first width to thereby minimize the first perceivable gap between the vitreous element and the body panel. A vehicle includes a body panel, a vitreous element having an outer surface and spaced apart from the body panel to define the first perceivable gap, and the seal molding disposed between and in contact with the vitreous element and the body panel.
US08146977B2	Vehicular seating system A vehicular seating system includes a seat cushion pivotably attached to a support structure, with the said seat cushion having a stowed position and a deployed position. A base latch selectively secures the seat cushion in its deployed position. A seatback is hinged to the seat cushion, with the seatback having a folded position and an unfolded position. A base latch interlock is configured to permit the base latch to release only when the seatback is in its stowed, folded position.
US08146975B2	Bus stretcher conversion kit A framework for supporting stretchers and method of assembling includes a sub-frame having an adjustable length header bar assembly and adjustable height outer frame legs connected to opposing ends of the header bar assembly. A secondary stretcher support is positioned laterally interior of and parallel with each outer frame leg, each of the secondary stretcher support and outer frame leg including stretcher holders. Interframe connectors are transversely positioned between pairs of sub-frames and pairs of secondary stretcher supports. Stretcher handles seat in the stretcher holder and the secondary stretcher support. The framework is configured to fit within varying dimensions of a mass transit vehicle and can be a component of a vehicle conversion kit. The kit can further include tools for assembling the framework, assembly instructions, and a crate for storing and transporting at least the framework, supports, tools, and assembly instructions.
US08146972B2	Device for fetching die-cut cartonboard blanks The fetching device has an arm which captures die-cut blanks located in the magazine of an erecting machine for erecting these blanks to form boxes or the like. The extractor arm is provided with suckers and these suckers are supplied by circuits and. The circuits and are connected to each end of the arm and they are also provided with dispenser-type devive and, respectively, so that they can be active together or separately. The suckers are wholly or partly provided with multifunction three-way valves. These valves are able to allow as many suckers as possible to be selected and used for the operation of extracting each die-cut blank and to isolate the circuits from each other in order to deactivate any suckers which are to be shunted in order to erect said die-cut blanks, for example.
US08146968B1	Adaptive grip An adaptive grip for aiding users with limited hand use and dexterity to grasp everyday essential objects, comprising a finger grip, an anchor, and a clasping mechanism. The finger grip includes at least two rings for inserting fingers of the user and a vertical stem for coupling with the anchor which is positioned perpendicularly along the vertical stem. The clasping mechanism has a clip with rubber-lined curved teeth for grasping objects, a lever for loosening and tightening the clip around the object, and a horizontal shaft for securing the clasping mechanism to the anchor. The user can position and secure the anchor and clasping mechanism by a first and second thumb screw, respectively, to maintain a comfortable and easy to use adaptive grip.
US08146967B1	Animal defecate collection apparatus The animal defecate collection apparatus provides for hands-free animal feces collection, importantly using any existing flexible bag a user might choose. The apparatus further provides that two sides of any bag surround collected feces. Additionally, the apparatus provides for a user to stand erect in using the apparatus. An additional feature provides for the stalk sections to be easily disengaged so that the stalk length can be reduced to about ⅓ that of the assembled length. The apparatus further provides for a user to collect feces prior to its landing on a given surface, using a relatively wide surface area for collection. Closure of the tines and inner members are in an upward, inner movement, negating any possible contact with feces therebetween.
US08146964B2	Support mechanism and a latch mechanism A latch mechanism includes a latch bolt moveable between an open position, a first safety position and a closed position. The latch mechanism further includes a power closure system operable to move the latch bolt from the first safety position to the closed position. The power closure system has a transmission path including a drive lever rotatable about a drive lever axis and being engageable with a drive surface of a further transmission path component. The transmission path is operable to connect a power actuator to the latch bolt. The latch mechanism has a first position at which the latch bolt is in the first safety position, the drive lever axis is in a first drive lever axis position, and the drive lever is engaged with the drive surface of the further transmission path component, a second position at which the latch bolt is in the closed position, the drive lever axis is in the first drive lever axis position, and the drive lever is engaged with the drive surface of the further transmission path component, and a third position at which the latch bolt is in the open position, the drive lever axis is in a second drive lever axis position, and the drive lever is disengaged from the drive surface of the further transmission path component.
US08146958B2	Preconditioned air connector assembly for aircraft In certain embodiments, a preconditioned air connector has a hollow body configured to route a fluid therethrough and a hook member configured to mate with a cooperating element to draw the hollow body into fluid communication with a mating component. The preconditioned air connector also has a pivotable member actuatable along an arc tangential to the hollow body to direct axial translation of the hook member from a first position to a second position to draw the hollow body into fluid communication with the mating component. The pivotable member has an arcuate camming surface having a locking portion that secures the connector in a fully engaged position with respect to the mating component.
US08146957B2	Preconditioned air connector assembly for aircraft In certain embodiments, a PCA connector has a polyethylene body, wherein the polyethylene is durable, corrosion resistant, and exhibits excellent strength over a large range of temperature and moisture conditions. The polyethylene body may be described as a single structure with integral features, such as a bearing portion, a latch housing portion, a latch guide portion, and so forth. Thus, the number of parts is significantly reduced by the one-piece design of the body. In addition, the PCA connector may include a latching mechanism configured to secure the PCA connector to an aircraft. For example, the latching mechanism may include a pair of levers, which engage a pair of latches on opposite sides of the polyethylene body. In some embodiments, the levers may be rotated in opposite directions relative to one another to impart movement of the latches in the same direction, e.g., an axial direction. Also, some embodiments of the latching mechanism include a cam between the levers and the latches, respectively.
US08146955B2	Overmolded fitting connection with color indication A overmold fitting is coupled to a fluid conduit. The overmold fitting may include a first portion and a spaced apart second portion proximate a first end of the fluid conduit. The first portion may be an end ring and the second portion may be a retention ring. The overmold fitting may include a visual indicator to provide an indication of the fluid to be used with the fluid conduit.
US08146954B2	Quick plugging set of pneumatic tools A quick plugging set of pneumatic tools including a connector, a steel ball seat and a tailstock, wherein the steel ball seat and the ball head of the connector are integrated completely through stamping and covering by a friction ring coordinated with a holding groove with thin cladding at the outer end of the steel ball seat providing the connector with angle-adjustment feature; a prefabricated covering interpolation segment at the rear portion of the connector integrates with the tailstock, a corresponding ring groove is placed therein, and a bolt hole drilled on the side of the tailstock penetrating the ring groove; a pre-determined number of the steel balls are filled into the ring groove through the bolt hole to provide the connector with rotary movement thus allowing the quick plugging set of pneumatic tools to have arbitrary angle adjustment and flexible rotation.
US08146950B2	Diffractive color system A method in a diffractive color system that specifies visual color effects and/or target colors that are formed by mixing together two or more diffractively produced primary colors. The primary colors and the characteristics of the elementary gratings used in producing them are selected in such a manner that they produce the desired exact primary colors particularly in the application-specific lighting and by taking into account, when required, the color of the substrate material and/or other background separately. A diffractive color system implements the method. A diffractive component produces the mixed target color. A product contains one or more diffractive color effects.
US08146948B2	Structural air tank crossmember A motor vehicle frame having parallel frame rails and at least one cross member constructed from a tube. The tube is sealed at its opposite ends by first and second mounting plates to provide a sealed, closed space for the storage of fluids. The mounting plates directly abut the frame rails for attachment of the cross member to the vehicle frame.
US08146947B2	Spark generating device for scooter and removable spark generating cartridge A scooter having a spark generating device that is movable from a first position, in which the spark generating device does not contact the surface on which the scooter is being operated, and a second position, in which the spark generating device contacts the surface on which the scooter is being operated. The scooter includes a scooter body which rotatably supports the spark assembly. The spark assembly includes a spark portion which creates sparks when in frictional contact with a riding surface. The spark assembly also includes a foot actuation portion which is accessible to the user and allows the user to activate the spark assembly while riding. In one arrangement, the spark portion includes a removable cartridge with spark elements that emit sparks when in frictional contact with a riding surface.
US08146946B1	Restraint adjustment apparatus, method and system A method, system and apparatus for adjusting a restraining device. The method, system and apparatus can include a body foldably formed with a first segment, a second segment and a third segment. There may further be a first anchor and a second anchor disposed on an interior portion of the first segment, as well as a third anchor disposed on an interior portion of the second segment. Additionally, a backing material may be disposed on an interior portion of the third segment, on exterior portions of the first segment, the second segment and the third segment and extending beyond the exterior portion of the third segment and a coupling mechanism can be disposed on portions of the backing material.
US08146944B2	Adjustable tour pack assembly An adjustable assembly attaches to the rear storage compartment of a motorcycle and can be positioned in different locations so as to make the rear seating area larger or smaller as desired.
US08146942B2	Airbag bracket An airbag bracket has at least one airbag fastening section (31, 32, 41, 42) for fastening an airbag device to the airbag bracket (1) and has at least one instrument panel fastening section (11, 12, 13, 23, 24) for fastening an instrument panel to the airbag bracket. Thus, forces occurring during the triggering of the airbag device can be reliably absorbed. The airbag bracket (1) has at least one supporting fastening section (35, 45) for fastening the airbag bracket (1) to a supporting structure of a motor vehicle.
US08146941B2	Collapsible trailer A Collapsible Trailer is disclosed. Also disclosed is a trailer that is lightweight, but durable, and includes a set of detachable deck segments that can be assembled into a deck. The trailer further includes a suspension assembly that attaches to the deck once the deck is assembled or, alternatively, is permanently attached to one deck segment. The horizontal intra-deck segment support is provided by slidable rods that are extendable to bridge the intersection between a pair of adjacent segments. Each deck segment has a male edge and a female edge; the male edge can be inserted into the female edge to create an interlocking hinge-like structure to provide longitudinal stability along the special plane of the assembled deck. Furthermore, the deck and trailer can be assembled without the need for any tools or additional equipment. In all cases, the deck segments, when disassembled, stackable into a condensed deck stack.
US08146937B2	Twin-frame bicycle The present invention relates to a twin-frame bicycle, particularly to one that can be pedaled by two riders in side-by-side coordination so that the riders and the twin-frame bicycle will incline integrally without tumbling or overturning. At least one articulation mechanism is disposed between a primary bicycle body and an auxiliary bicycle body, wherein the articulation mechanism serves in synergy an articulation parallelogram, and a resilient tension mechanism having an elastic element is disposed between the primary bicycle body and the auxiliary bicycle body and counteracts the deformation of the articulation mechanism to maintain equilibrium.
US08146933B2	Vehicle damper attachment structure system and method An attachment structure system is disclosed for attaching a damper to a vehicle. The attachment structure system can include a stiffener body that has a central portion connected to a damper. The stiffener body can be connected to both the vehicle's frame and a vehicle body portion, such as the wheel housing, to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness from being transmitted to the driver of the vehicle, and to provide other structural and ride characteristic benefits to the vehicle.
US08146929B1	Skateboard with bearings A skateboard has a body that has a first end and a second end, a first mounting plate positioned adjacent the first end of the body with recesses formed therein, a second mounting plate positioned adjacent the second end of the body with recesses formed therein, a housing positioned within each of the recesses of the first and second mounting plates, and a ball-and-socket assembly resiliently positioned within an interior of each housing. A brake extends angularly downwardly from the first end of the body.
US08146924B2	Low-compression force metal gaskets A low-compression force metal gasket includes a coating layer containing a polymer material on at least a sealing surface of the gasket, and the coating layer satisfies the following conditions (1) to (3): (1) the layer comprises a resin, a rubber or a mixture thereof having an oxygen gas permeability coefficient at 25° C. of 10×10−12 to 0.1×10−12 (m2/s); (2) when the layer is compression deformed, the storage elastic modulus (E′) at 200° C. is in the range of 1.0×107 to 1.0×102 Pa; and (3) the coating layer has a thickness of 1 to 40 μm. The gasket provides a high seal at a low clamping force.
US08146923B2	Vacuum apparatus of rotary motion entry A vacuum apparatus of rotary motion entry is disclosed, which comprises: a shaft sleeve, disposed on a cavity wall of a vacuum system; a rotary shaft, ensheathed by the shaft sleeve; and a transmission set, connected to the rotary shaft for driving the same; wherein, the rotary shaft is disposed passing through a hole formed on the base of the shaft sleeve while there are a first bearing, a second bearing, a sealing ring and a shaft seal being arranged separately inside the hole. Moreover, the shaft seal has a flake-like lip flange formed extending toward the center of the hole, that is capable of being extended away from the vacuum system by the inserting of the rotary shaft into the hole, and thereby, enabling the lip flange to engage with the rotary shaft tightly by the atmospheric pressure and thus isolating the outside world from the vacuum system.
US08146922B2	Shaft isolation seal A seal assembly is for a compressor including a casing having first and second chambers and a shaft extending through the casing between the two chambers. The seal assembly includes a main body disposed about the shaft and between the two chambers and having a central axis, an inner surface spaced radially outwardly from the shaft to form a seal chamber. Annular sealing members are connected with the main body and extend radially from the body inner surface toward the shaft, the sealing members preventing flow between the first and second chambers through the seal chamber. A separator is coupled with the shaft adjacent to the main body and has separation passages fluidly connecting one of the two chambers with the seal chamber, each passage extending radially with respect to the shaft axis so as to direct liquids and solids contacting the passage inner surface away from the seal chamber.
US08146921B2	Beer pong arcade game method and apparatus A beer pong arcade game apparatus and methods of operation are described. Initially, a new round is started and out limit is set. For each shot, it is determined whether the player has successfully made the ball into one of the plurality of cups. If the user makes the ball into one of the cups, that cup is retracted below or flush with a surface. Alternatively, if the user fails to make the ball into one of the cups, the out limit is decremented. The game ends if the out limit reaches zero before the player manages to make all of the cups. However, if the player manages to make all cups before exceeding the out limit, then a new round is started with a new out limit and a new set of cups.
US08146918B2	Paper sorting apparatus and electronic device with paper sorting apparatus A paper sorting apparatus for an electronic device includes a chassis with a control module disposed therein, a paper transporting module accommodated in the chassis, and a plurality of paper trays attached to the chassis. The paper transporting module has a first end, that is pivotable, and a second end, that is attached to the control module. The control module is capable of rotating the second end about the first end and coupling the second end with one of the paper trays.
US08146917B2	Conveying device with roller separating unit A conveying device performs an appropriate initialization sequence at start of an operation thereof in response to a manipulation of a lever of a non-operational conveying mechanism thereof. The conveying device includes a pair of rollers configured to convey a sheet, a separating unit configured to separate one of the pair of rollers from another of the pair of rollers, a holding unit configured to retain a status representing whether a separation process is performed by the separating unit, a memory unit configured to store information representing a state of the conveying device at power-off, and a control unit configured to control the conveying device based on the status retained by the holding unit and the information stored by the memory unit.
US08146916B2	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus Positioning in the width direction of a sheet is performed by a skew correcting unit which is provided on a re-conveying path for reversing the sheet and conveying it again to an image forming unit and which has a reference surface that is come into contact with a side edge of the sheet and a plurality of diagonal feed units which obliquely convey the sheet so as to be come into contact with the reference surface. The pressures in nip portions of the other diagonal feed units excluding one of the plural diagonal feed units are reduced or cancelled by a reducing/cancelling unit according to a length in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet which is conveyed.
US08146914B2	Currency cassette pressure plate assembly An assembly includes a currency cassette, a pressure plate, and a plurality of gears rotatably connected to at least two opposite edges of the pressure plate. In an implementation, a plurality of substantially parallel racks are configured to engage a plurality of the gears.
US08146913B1	Removable media dam for a media tray of an image forming device A removable media dam structure for a media input tray. The removable media dam structure is mountable in a front wall of a media tray and may contain one or more rollers for feeding media from the media input tray. The removable media dam structure allows for different roller configurations and media contact surfaces to be used for different types of media to be fed from the media input tray. In one form the removable media dam structure is mountable by a user without the use of tools.
US08146908B2	Stapling unit, sheet finishing apparatus, and stapling method Certain embodiments provide a stapling unit including a stapler, a processing tray, a stapler moving mechanism, a sensor configured to scan sheets in a sheet width direction, and a controller configured to drive the stapler. The controller measures sheet width of the sheets according to an output of the sensor. The controller calculates a center position between other two sheet edges each orthogonal to a sheet edge where the stapler drives staples into stapling positions. The controller allocates the stapling positions in the two places with reference to the center position. The controller moves the stapler moving mechanism to the stapling positions.
US08146906B2	Sheet processing apparatus A sheet processing apparatus equipped with a saddle stitch stapler is provided with: a driver unit (1) configured to drive a staple; a clincher unit (2) configured to clinch the staple driven by the driver unit (1); a saddle portion (3) integrated with the clincher unit (2); and a guide portion (6) configured to guide the clincher unit (2) toward a predetermined position of the driver unit (1), when a center portion (11) of a bundle of sheets (10) is clamped between the clincher unit (2) and a staple striking portion (21) of the driver unit (1) after the center portion (11) of the bundle of sheets (10) is placed on the saddle portion (3).
US08146903B2	Booklet maker with spaced crease rollers Embodiments described herein include as apparatus for folding printed sheets. The apparatus including first crease roller and a second crease roller longitudinally aligned with the first crease roller. A spacing device separating the first and second crease rollers to form a nip space therebetween. A crease blade is disposed adjacent the nip space and adapted to urge the sheets toward the nip space.
US08146901B2	Modular robotic workpiece holder and method for using same The invention relates to a modular positioning robotic system and method of use of the positioning system. In general, the modular positioning robotic system is comprised of a controller module, a positioning module and a base that can be either a stationary base or drive module. The positioning module also allows for additional flexibility by allowing for designs with multiple allowable adjustments that can be changed for a change in turn diameter, length, width and weight of a fixture and part combination.
US08146899B2	Isolation system for a seat or the like, and vehicle incorporating same An isolation system for use in damping and isolating low frequency oscillations and shock loads between two members. An exemplary application is a seat isolation system for use with a vehicle such as a lawn mower. The seat isolation system may include two or more isolators interposed between a chassis of the vehicle, and a seat (e.g., operator's seat). The isolators may permit attenuation of shock or low frequency oscillation inputs via damping and isolation in both vertical and horizontal (fore-and-aft and side-to-side) directions. In some embodiments, the isolators include an elastomeric element that provides the seat with six degrees of freedom.
US08146896B2	Chemical precursor ampoule for vapor deposition processes An apparatus for generating a gaseous chemical precursor is provided and contains a canister having a sidewall, a top, and a bottom encompassing an interior volume therein, an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with the interior volume, and an inlet tube extending into the canister and having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the inlet end is coupled to the inlet port. The apparatus further contains a gas dispersion plate coupled to the outlet end of the inlet tube, wherein the gas dispersion plate is at an angle within a range from about 3° to about 80°, relative to a horizontal plane which is perpendicular to a vertical axis of the canister.
US08146895B2	Apparatus for mixing gasses and liquids An apparatus for mixing gas and liquid is disclosed. The apparatus may have a plurality of blades rotated about a common shaft. The blades may have a forward portion, which cuts through a liquid, and a trailing portion, which forms the leading part of a gas cavity. The gas cavity is in communication with a gas inlet and the bulk fluid. As the blades pass through a liquid, a reduced pressure zone is formed immediately behind the blade. The reduced pressure zone allows air to be aspirated from the gas inlet into the gas cavity adjacent to the blade. Gas in the gas cavity is sheared into discrete bubbles and transferred to the liquid by the action of the trailing blade wake currents.
US08146892B2	Waterfall decorative humidifier A waterfall decorative humidifier, including mainly a housing, a water exit on top of the housing, a water sub-receptacle in the lower portion of the housing, a water pump in the water sub-receptacle, and a fan in the housing; in which the water pump is connected with the water exit through a water pipe, and in which the housing is generally of the shape of a waterfall; wherein at least one shaft is provided on the housing, and a decoration is connected to the shaft directly or through a mechanism.
US08146891B2	Powered tool utilizing interchangeable driver assemblies for removal of various sized fasteners from a host material Powered tools and interchangeable driver assemblies for removal of fasteners from a host material are disclosed. The tool includes a housing having a chamber operatively associated with an actuator assembly. Interchangeable driver assemblies may be provided that include a plurality of interchangeable particularly configured drive pins and a plurality of interchangeable guide elements, each guide element selectively adapted for use with a different one of the drive pins. The guide element has an elongate central passage therethrough, is receivable by a mount releasably maintained at the housing adjacent the chamber, and may be configured for slidable retention thereat. In such case, the guide element is biased toward a fully extended position and is slidable between the fully extended position and a retracted position.
US08146890B2	Device for transporting planar SOFC stack A device, adapted for transporting a planar solid oxide fuel cell stack while the SOFC stack is sandwiched between a top plate and a bottom plate, which comprises: a plurality of load units, a lifting unit and a mobile seat. Each of the plural load devices is adapted for exerting a pressure on the SOFC stack. The lifting unit is composed of a joint portion and a plurality of cantilevers. In an exemplary, there is a fixing part arranged at the end of each cantilever while being enabled to connect to the SOFC stack by the bottom thereof. With the aforesaid device, the SOFC stack can be moved out of a high temperature furnace and then into a fuel cell control system smoothly while keeping one's balance without worrying the SOFC stack being damaged or tipping over by collision or losing balance.
US08146878B2	Vehicle seat sliding apparatus In a vehicle seat sliding apparatus of the type wherein rotating an operating lever causes a lock lever to allow an upper rail to slide along a lower rail, the operating member is supported by a supporting bracket fixed to the upper rail to rotate about a fulcrum which is in the form of a plate of the bracket. The operating lever is provided with a slit into which a spring is fitted for being urged. The bracket also holds the spring. To avoid an engagement between the plate and the slit when the operating lever passes during an assembly of the apparatus, the plate is configured to incline relative to the slit.
US08146877B2	Runner for a motor vehicle seat, and a method of manufacturing such a runner The vehicle seat runner has a first runner element receiving a vehicle seat element, and a complementary runner element fastened to the vehicle. A first fin wall and a second fin wall that are mutually parallel and that are spaced apart from each other are connected together via a base wall. Each fin wall has an inside face, the inside faces of the two fin walls facing each other. The inside faces are connected to each other in an additional connection region situated under the base wall.
US08146871B1	Portable sign stand A portable sign stand comprises a mast for supporting an article (preferably a sign) thereon and a plurality of support legs for supporting the mast. A heart plate assembly comprises a heart plate for pivotally receiving and attaching to top ends of each of the plurality of support legs and a center tube having a hollow interior for slidably receiving the inner mast. The center tube extends upwardly a predetermined distance from a top edge of the heart plate. This predetermined distance is at least two inches in order to protect a user's fingers in the event of an inadvertent or intentional dropping of the inner mast downwardly through the hollow interior of the center tube to its minimum height position. In the most preferred embodiments, the minimum predetermined distance is at least about four inches, because this distance permits an average user's hand to be entirely wrapped about the center tube without the risk of a pinch injury if the mast is suddenly dropped to its minimum height position.
US08146867B2	Modular spacecraft design architecture A spacecraft architecture and accompanying standard allows for the creation of a spacecraft using an assortment of modules that comply with the standard. The standard preferably includes both mechanical and electrical compatibility criteria. To assure physical/mechanical compatibility, the structure of each module is constrained to be compatible with any other compatible module. To minimize the interference among modules, the extent of each module in select dimensions is also constrained. To assure functional compatibility, a common communication format is used to interface with each module, and each public-function module is configured to respond to requests for function capabilities that it can provide to other functions. Each module is preferably designed to provide structural support to the assemblage of modules, and an anchor module is provided or defined for supporting the entire assemblage and coupling the assemblage to other structures, such as a launch vehicle.
US08146865B2	Leading edge for aircraft made of reinforced composite material The present invention relates to a leading edge (1) for aircraft made of composite material, characterized in that it comprises on its inner face a metallic-type reinforcement (2) firmly adhered to the mentioned inner face of the leading edge (1) arranged such that it confers the leading edge (1) with better capacity to adapt to deformability and greater absorption of energy due to impacts. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a leading edge (1) with a metallic reinforcement (2) for aircraft made of composite material.
US08146864B2	Locking device for sliding doors of aircraft, especially of helicopters A locking device having a door catch system for helicopter doors, which are embodied as sliding doors, which are to be additionally moved (flush-fitted) into the closed position at right angles to the plane of the door opening in response to their closing movement, consisting of a catch (15a), which is associated with the latch (13) and which is in active connected therewith, by which catch (15a) the sliding door is “caught” directly in front of its locked position in response to a manual closing process until the sliding door has been transferred into its final closed position via the latch (13).
US08146860B2	Aircraft fuselage with circular-arc-shaped exterior contour A fuselage section comprises an interior that forms a passenger cabin. In horizontal projection the fuselage section is geometrically defined by a first exterior skin region and a second exterior skin region, wherein the second exterior skin region faces the first exterior skin region. Both the first exterior skin region and the second exterior skin region in longitudinal direction of the passenger cabin comprise in horizontal projection a circular-arc-shaped contour of uniform radius of curvature.
US08146859B2	Aircraft module and aircraft including such a module An aircraft module comprising a unit that includes a horizontal working surface from which a vertical wall extends downward; a seat adjacent to the vertical wall; and at least one removable shelf that occupies several positions, and in one of these positions, referred to as working position, the at least one shelf extends horizontally from the horizontal working surface above the seat that is in folded-back position, so as to cover the entirety of the folded-back seat.
US08146856B2	Device for attaching an aircraft engine and aircraft comprising at least one such device An attachment device for an aircraft engine that includes a rigid structure and an attachment mechanism of the engine to the rigid structure. The attachment mechanism includes a device reacting to thrust forces generated by the engine, the reacting device including two link rods mechanically connected to a balance beam at a rear end by a first mechanical connection, a main fitting fixed to the rigid structure to which the balance beam is mechanically connected, and two additional fittings fixed to the rigid structure to which the link rods are mechanically connected with play. The mechanical connections between the balance beam and the main fitting and between the link rods and the additional fittings each include a pin orthogonal to a mid-plane of transmission of the forces.
US08146855B2	Unmanned air vehicle An unmanned air vehicle for military, land security and the like operations includes a fuselage provided with foldable wings having leading edge flaps and trailing edge ailerons which are operable during ascent from launch to control the flight pattern with the wings folded, the wings being deployed into an open unfolded position when appropriate. The vehicle is contained within a pod from which it is launched and a landing deck is provided to decelerate and arrest the vehicle upon its return to land.
US08146852B2	Rotation damper A rotation damper, particularly for damping the rotary movement of a belt retractor shaft of a vehicle safety belt, has a housing which delimits a working space filled with a damping medium, and an element which is rotatable relative to the housing. Several pins serving as resistance elements, which extend into the working space, are provided on the element.
US08146847B2	Powder based granules disintegrating and sizing device, and powder based granules disintegrating and sizing method A powder based granules disintegrating and sizing device, includes: a drive shaft that is inserted horizontally in the casing main body; a plurality of circular plates that are fixedly supported at intervals by the drive shaft; and a stator, the plate surface of the circular plate and the inclined surface of the stator configuring a gap portion A where a powder based granules accumulates, and a narrowest gap portion between the circumferential edge of the circular plate and the stator configuring a disintegrating and sizing portion B. The stator stretches over the entire circumference of the circular plate, a raw material feeding port is provided on a side wall in the vicinity of the drive shaft of the casing main body, and a cutout portion through which a raw material passes is formed on the plate surface of the circular plate.
US08146846B2	Wear liner for a brush cutter A wear liner for use with a brush cutter, the cutter having a cylindrical, rotatable, cutting drum carrying cutting teeth and a cover at least partially covering the drum to limit dispersal of cut material. The liner comprises a sheet of material which can be shaped to fit against the inner surface of the cover. The liner has holes on its sides for use in detachably connecting the liner with fastening means to the cover against the cover's inner surface. The liner has protective means mounted on its inner surface adjacent each hole to protect part of the fastening means located adjacent the inner surface of the liner, when the liner is mounted to the cover and the fastening means extend through the opening, from wear by material thrown by the cutter during its operation.The invention is also directed toward a brush cutter incorporating the liner.
US08146843B2	Waste food disposal unit A waste food disposer unit 10 for under sink application has a housing divided into a grinding chamber 12 and a motor chamber 15. The grinding chamber 12 has an inlet 16 for water and waste matter and an outlet 18 for water and shredded waste matter. A shredder ring 20 is disposed within the grinding chamber and has a plurality of cutting teeth 36 formed by slots 34 extending upwardly from a lower edge of the ring. A grinding disc 22 is disposed within the grinding chamber 12 and has a plurality of peripheral recesses 42 which co-acts with the cutting teeth 36 to shred the waste matter.
US08146842B2	Method and plant for drying and comminution of moist, mineral, raw materials Provided is a method for drying and comminution of moist, mineral raw materials, including at least one of chalk, marl or clay. The moist, mineral raw material is dried and comminuted in a drier crusher while simultaneously supplying hot gases from a kiln system to form a dried material. The dried material in suspended form is directed to a first separator in which the dried material is separated into a coarse fraction and into a fine fraction. The fine fraction is directed to a separation cyclone and then to the kiln system. The coarse fraction is directed to a dosage means. The dosage means directs a first portion of the coarse material to the drier crusher and a second portion of the coarse material to a separate grinding unit where any hard material components, including at least one of flint, sand or marble, are subjected to grinding to form a ground material. At least a portion of the ground material from the separate grinding unit is supplied to the drier crusher. Also provided is an apparatus for conducting the method.
US08146841B2	Production of clean glass particles from post-consumer waste Clean glass particles are produced from post-consumer mixed glass and like waste streams by a series of pulverizing, size- and material-based separation, ozonation, drying, sizing, and paper fluff removal steps.
US08146838B2	Handheld showerhead with mode control in handle A handheld showerhead has a showerhead portion including a plurality of spray nozzles and a handle portion including a fluid inlet that receives water flow from a water source and a fluid passage that transports the water flow from the fluid inlet to the showerhead portion in a first flow direction. A fluid conveyance structure positioned at least partially within the showerhead portion has a base with two or more inlet openings. A mode selector includes a control knob and a fluid chamber with a fluid inlet that receives the water flow from the handle portion in a second flow direction and a rotatable chamber wall that defines a chamber outlet in selective fluid communication with the fluid conveyance structure. Rotation of the control knob rotates the chamber wall to selectively align the chamber outlet with one of the inlet openings in the base of the fluid conveyance structure.
US08146835B2	Sealing plate for railway rail clip anchoring device and sleeper manufacturing method A sealing plate for use with a rail clip anchoring device having a head and a stem which extends from the head into a concrete sleeper when the anchoring device is in use, is adapted for extending over the underside of the head when the stem of the device is being set in a concrete sleeper, thereby to prevent ingress of concrete into the head of the device, and for being retained on the surface of the sleeper thereafter. A major face of the plate, which is uppermost when the sleeper is in use, is provided with at least one clip seat portion for receiving part of a rail clip. In a method of manufacturing a concrete sleeper with at least one embedded rail clip anchoring device, the floor of a mold, from which the sleeper is to be formed, is provided with an aperture through which the head of an anchoring device is inserted and before concrete is introduced into the mold the aperture is sealed off around its edges and around the underside of the head of the anchoring device by placing a sealing plate over the aperture on the floor of the mold, the plate overlapping and sealing around the edges of the aperture other than where the anchoring device is located and having a mating interface with the anchoring device such that a seal is formed therewith.
US08146831B2	Personalisation of portable data supports For personalizing a portable data carrier (1), a selection device (8) of the data carrier (1) analyzes commands (23) which the data carrier (1) receives from a personalization device (20) within the framework of a personalization method. If the commands (23) are recognized by the selection device (8) as belonging to a certain personalization method, the selection device (8) activates that personalization interface (9) of the data carrier (1) that supports said personalization method. The automatic selection of one of a plurality of personalization interfaces (9) installed on the data carrier (1) permits a flexible personalization of the data carrier (1) independently of any proprietary personalization methods.
US08146828B2	Method for producing a card-type data carrier, and data carrier produced according to this method For producing a card-type data carrier, an electronic module is inserted into a cutout of a semifinished product having at least one film. The cutout is produced such that an interspace remains between the periphery of the module and the cutout after the module has been inserted into the cutout. After the module has been inserted into the cutout, the at least one film is locally heated and densified around the module such that the at least one film closes the interspace. The film is preferably heated by means of a stamp, in particular of a sonotrode.
US08146826B2	Intelligent identification of multimedia content for synchronization An intelligent synchronization tool ensures access to desired content in a manner that automatically keeps the content current on the portable media device. A variation threshold or user-specified degree of content variation may be introduced among content downloaded to a user's mobile device to prevent the user from becoming bored. Furthermore, intelligent synchronization may automatically populate the portable media device with popular content to save a user time and/or use passive monitoring techniques to ascertain a user's preferences for subsequent population.
US08146825B1	Sterile implant tracking device and method An assembly and method for tracking implant devices within a sterile field, the assembly comprising a reader, a sterile medical drape and a computer in communication with the reader. The reader comprises a scanner, housing structure and an optional transparent sterile sheath.
US08146824B2	Floating trigger assembly in electro-optical reader A floating trigger assembly is mounted on a housing of an ergonomically triggered reader for electro-optically reading a target to initiate the reading when manually actuated by an operator. The trigger assembly includes a trigger support in the housing, and a floating trigger engageable by the operator exteriorly of the housing and mounted for initial translatory motion toward the trigger support upon initial actuation by the operator, and for turning motion about an axis after the floating trigger contacts the trigger support.
US08146820B2	Image reader having image sensor array The invention features a system and method to automatically focus an image reader using a single frame of image data. The method comprises exposing sequentially a plurality of rows of pixels in the image sensor. The method further comprising varying in incremental steps the focus of the image reader's optical system from a first setting where a distinct image of objects located at a first distance from the image reader is formed on the image sensor to a second setting where a distinct image of objects located at a second distance from the image reader is formed on the image sensor. As part of the method, the varying of the focus of the optical system occurs during the exposure of the plurality of rows of pixels.
US08146816B2	Multi-modal one-dimensional barcodes Techniques for creating a multi-modal one-dimensional (1D) barcode are provided. The techniques include obtaining N one-dimensional (1D) barcode images, wherein N 1D barcode images comprise two or more 1D barcode images, placing the N 1D barcode images with a horizontal displacement of 1/N barcode units, and combining the N 1D barcode images with the displacement to create a multi-modal 1D barcode. Techniques for decoding a multi-modal barcode are also provided herein.
US08146815B2	Bar code generator The present invention is directed to a bar code generator which improves a print quality of a bar code and further enhances reading precision thereof, as to both vertical and horizontal bar codes. In this bar code generator, bar width information is set independently for each of the vertical and horizontal bar codes, as a precondition for printing the vertical and horizontal bar codes, selectively. When the bar code is printed (S802), it is determined whether the bar code is vertical or horizontal (S803), and according to the result of the determination, the bar width information of the determined bar code orientation is read out for drawing an image of the bar code (S804, S805, and S806). The result being drawn is transmitted to the printer, and the bar code is printed.
US08146814B2	Remote crane bar code system In general terms, the present invention provides a method of automatically scanning an inventory field to allow the selection of a desired item for retrieval. A camera is positioned in the crane trolley located above the field. The camera continuously performs a scan of the field displaying an image to the operator of the items being scanned. This real-time image allows the operator to distinguish between items scanned in the field. The operator can subsequently choose the desired item triggering the camera system to automatically capture desired information from the item which is in turn communicated to an inventory control system. The camera system mitigates the requirement of a second individual to communicate information between the field and the operator.
US08146812B2	Imaging method and system for tracking devices A method and system of tracking devices uses imaging and optionally tags. Tracking is performed when the identification information associated with the devices are initially received and exposed towards a scanning bar in an enclosure. This scanning bar scans at one or more predetermined intervals the one or more devices in the enclosure of hardware. The system for tracking devices includes an enclosure capable of receiving one or more devices positioned to expose identification information related to each device and a scanning bar movably coupled to the enclosure that passes over each of the one or more devices and captures images of the identification information exposed by each of the one or more devices.
US08146809B2	Authentication system and terminal having function of setting identification information reading method In order to provide an authentication system and a terminal capable of saving user's trouble and allowing quick and accurate determination as to whether the user is a registered user or not, a data processing device capable of data communication with a plurality of image forming apparatuses decides an IC card standard used by an IC card reader connected to each image forming apparatus, and transmits a signal notifying the standard to the image forming apparatus having a corresponding identification ID. Based on the IC card standard decided by the data processing device, the image forming apparatus sets the IC card standard used by the IC card reader and determines whether or not the user is a registered user.
US08146807B2	Method and system for managing case based promises to pay A method of managing case based promises to pay includes displaying a customer hierarchy. The customer hierarchy displays (i) a customer level with customer level information and (ii) plural account levels with account level information for respective multiple accounts of a customer needing collection. Also included is displaying action now amounts for the customer on the customer level and on the account levels of the customer hierarchy; wherein the account level information is rolled up into the customer level information. The method further includes interacting with a user to select the action now amount for an upper level in the customer hierarchy, and dispersing a partitioned amount of the action now amount to levels which the customer can promise to pay, for levels which are hierarchically below the level of the selected action now amount in the customer hierarchy.
US08146806B2	Prepaid negative balance fee processing and fee diversion Systems and methods are provided for a prepaid credit card processing system wherein components or entities such as the acquirer, issuer, or prepaid card processing network can dynamically determine, at the time of the transaction, whether a credit card transaction will be allowed—even where the fee associated with the transaction would cause the balance to fall below zero.
US08146804B2	Cash transaction machine Provided is a cash transaction machine including: a medium storage portion; a medium transfer module transferring a paper medium in a sheet unit from the medium storage portion; a temporary stack portion including an upwardly and downwardly movable supporter being provided to be adjacent to an outlet of the medium transfer module to stack the paper medium; a carriage receiving the paper medium from the supporter; and a carriage transfer portion transferring the carriage to a medium outlet in a state where stacked paper media is pressed, wherein the carriage includes a holder being provided in parallel with a moving direction of the carriage to support a bottom surface of the stacked paper media. The cash transaction machine may be constructed to enable a stack of paper media to maintain its arranged state while the paper media is being transferred and to simplify a transferring structure of paper media.
US08146797B2	Insulated cup Cup (1) with an internal wall (2) and an external sleeve (5), the sleeve being formed from a blank (10) of corrugated material comprising a corrugated layer (6) and a Substrate layer (7) and being arranged such that the Substrate layer (7) faces towards the internal wall of the cup. A first end (12) of the blank (10) is overlapped at least partially by a second end (14) of the blank in an overlapping area (19). Further, the sleeve (5) is adhesively attached to the internal wall of the cup (1) at least by a first area (15) of adhesive being provided on an inner side of the sleeve on the first end of the blank and by a second area (17) of adhesive being provided on an inner side of the sleeve on the second end of the blank. The second area (17) of adhesive is provided at a distance from the overlapping edge (13) of the blank, thereby attaching each end of the blank (10) separately to the internal wall of the cup (1).
US08146796B2	Cardboard container for drinks and process therefor A cardboard container for drinks and a process for making it is provided. The container has a perimetral wall (2) and a bottom wall and includes elements (4) for supporting another such container (1) nested inside.
US08146793B2	Pins for transferring material A pin for allowing material having adhesive properties to adhere thereon, the pin comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end opposite to the distal end; and a first tapered portion disposed on the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the tapered portion tapering from a first circumference to a second smaller circumference in a direction toward the proximal end of the shaft.
US08146789B2	Hammer tacker A hammer tacker of the present invention includes a handle, a magazine, a striker, an actuator, a transmission mechanism and an abutting element. The handle is formed with a head at one end thereof and defines a receiving chamber therein. The magazine is disposed in the receiving chamber to receive nailing units. The striker is linear-slidably disposed in the head to strike the nailing units. The actuator is linear-slidably disposed on the head. The transmission mechanism connects the actuator with the striker for the actuator and the striker to move in opposite directions. The abutting element is pivoted on the actuator. And the actuator moves upward as the abutting element hits an object.
US08146788B2	Fastening tool with releasable work contact element A tool for driving fasteners includes a work contact element configured to move between a first position and a second position. The tool is prevented from driving fasteners when the work contact element is in the first position. The tool further includes an extension member rigidly connected to the work contact element in a releasable connection arrangement. The releasable connection arrangement is configured to maintain a rigid connection between the work contact element and the extension member during normal operation of the tool. The releasable connection arrangement is further configured to release the rigid connection between the work contact element and the extension member during high impact events that are not associated with normal operation of the tool.
US08146787B2	Carrying bag A carrying bag comprising a main compartment having a front panel, a back panel and two side panels; two side flaps attached to the back panel protruding laterally; and a carrying strap having a first end attached to the first side flap and a second end attached to the second side flap, wherein the first and second side flaps have a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration, the side flaps project upwards so that the carrying strap can function as a shoulder strap and in the second configuration, the side flaps can be folded and secured onto itself to project laterally and function as a waist strap.
US08146784B1	Garment display device A garment display device has first and second support arms connected to a base and operable to support a portion of a garment. Each support arm has a plurality of links interconnected by link pivot joints which provide for relative angular movement between adjoined links parallel to a common plane. Each link has a socket and a disk and has a flange disposed between the socket and disk for supporting a portion of the garment spanning between adjacent links. The flange overlaps a free end of the socket of the adjoining link to provide a smooth and aesthetic support for the garment over a range of positions of the support arm.
US08146781B2	Dispenser for viscous condiments A dispenser is provided for viscous condiments. The dispenser includes a tubular sidewall having opposite ends. One opposite end is open and can receive a plunger or piston therein for applying force to condiment contained within a compartment inside of the sidewall. The other end of the sidewall includes a dispenser valve assembly comprising a member secured to an inturned flange portion of the sidewall with the flange portion being generally normal to the sidewall. The dispenser valve assembly is suitably secured to the flange portion as by heat sealing to form a composite laminated structure that is resistant to the penetration of liquids from the condiments. A bead of hot melt can be provided to seal an exposed outer edge of the dispenser valve assembly and to seal the dispenser valve assembly to the sidewall. The dispenser valve assembly includes a valve plate having one or more selectively openable discharge openings formed therein that will open and close under the influence of pressure applied to the condiment within the dispenser.
US08146778B2	Ball feeding device A ball feeding device includes a mounting seat with a driving device. The driving device includes a driving shaft defining an axis of rotation. A discharge hole is provided in a top plate of the mounting seat. An annular guiding wall is formed on the top plate and surrounds the axis of rotation. A rotary unit is rotatably mounted on the top plate and includes tubes for containing balls. A blocking member is mounted in each tube. When the rotary unit is rotated, lower ends of the tubes are aligned with the discharge hole in sequence such that the balls in the tubes are fed into a pitching machine one by one. The blocking members hold or release the balls in the tubes under the action of the guiding wall such that the balls to be fed cannot contact with the top plate.
US08146777B2	Medicine feeding device There is provided a medicine feeding device which can apply uniform tension to wrapping paper wound in a roll state to wrap a medicine. The medicine feeding device comprises a tablet case which stores a medicine, and the wrapping paper wound in the roll state, wraps a medicine discharged from the tablet case in wrapping paper 72, and comprises a tension application mechanism 113 which applies predetermined tension to the continuously pulled-out wrapping paper. This tension application mechanism is constituted to freely move up-and-down, and to apply tension to the pulled-out wrapping paper by its own weight.
US08146776B2	Hand protection barrier dispenser A hand protection barrier dispenser for dispensing disposable sanitary barriers for temporarily covering the hand and providing complete hand protection is disclosed which dispenses the hand protection barriers in a manner so that they may easily be donned by a user thereof. The hand protection barrier operates to open each of the hand protection barriers as it is brought into position to be dispensed. The hand protection barrier dispenser allows only a single hand protection barrier to be dispensed at a time.
US08146766B2	Enhanced secure container A container of sheet plastic reveals when it has been opened after a clerk loaded it with food. The container has a base (12) and lid (14) that remain latched together until they are separated at an initial opening region (40) where the lid has a radially-outward projecting lid tab (44) and the base has a tear-away part (52) with a blocker (60) that blocks access to the lid tab. The blocker surrounds the radially outward edge and opposite sides of the tab. The blocker prevents access to the lid tab to lift it to open the container until the tear-away part (52) is torn along a tear line (81). The fact that the tear-away part is torn away, reveals that the container has been tampered with.
US08146765B2	Sealing cover for containers A sealing cover includes a cover coupling with a seal ring which has two blades to form a double sealing effect. Thus a container can be sealed by the cover more securely and the opening of the container can be maintained intact. The cover also has a coupling opening and a plurality of air vents. The coupling opening is coupled with an air permeable parasol valve which can release air to facilitate capping of the cover on the opening of the container. Through an air suction means the container can be vacuumed.
US08146762B2	Flexible container handling system A container for a flexible bag of liquid that supports the bag during transportation, storage and use in dispensing of the liquid. The container is made from two generally similar pans that form lower and upper parts of the container. Each pan includes a plurality of generally similar multiple projections that function to support the container on a surface as well as in a stable stacked formation.
US08146761B2	Intermodal container for transporting natural gas An apparatus and method for transporting compressed gases or similar materials. The apparatus includes an exterior housing dimensioned for intermodal transportation that contains a rack that holds pressure vessels. The apparatus may be loaded with pressure vessels and the vessels filled within the apparatus. The apparatus may be transferred between modes of transportation along a delivery route without unloading the vessels from the apparatus.
US08146759B2	Fully vented wide rim nursing bottle with canted vent tube A nursing bottle formed of a large volume container, incorporating a vent tube that extends to vent pressure at all times. The nursing bottle may have a cylindrical shape or other configuration that prevents formula placed therein from blocking the vent tube regardless of its angular disposition. The vent tube extends distally from the vent insert, operatively associated with a collar, that holds the vent structures and the nipple to the wide rimmed opening. In addition, the vent tube has a conical shape of decreasing diameter distally toward the center of the bottom to dissipate the pressure that may cause leakage from the bottle. Further, the vent insert has a major and minor seal that prevents leaks out of the collar and onto an infant.
US08146758B1	Compartmentalized baby bottle and associated method A compartmentalized baby bottle includes main and secondary interior compartments for housing and selectively introducing a soluble mix to a fluid, as needed by the caregiver. A plurality of conduits are formed along a bottom-most end of the main interior compartments for allowing the soluble mix to pass therethrough. A conduit-sealing mechanism is provided such that a care giver is permitted to selectively combine the mix and fluid together without prematurely exposing the mix. Advantageously, the conduit-sealing is selectively biased between open and closed positions for preventing the fluid and mix from undesirably mixing together until the care giver is ready to do same.
US08146755B2	Storage systems and methods of use of the same Storage systems and methods of use of the same are disclosed. The storage systems are configured to be connected to wall structures and to be modular in construction, so as to be able to use a plurality of horizontally disposed hang rails and/or a plurality of vertical standards, and/or modular storage components that are received on a hang rail or a vertical standard, or that may be connected directly to a wall structure.
US08146749B2	Plan sifter and drive for a plan sifter A plan sifter for sifting or sieving, flour-like or granular products, includes at least one compartment. Each sifting compartment has a dedicated drive, so that the base surface available can be better utilized, and the sifting capacity can be better adjusted to actual needs.
US08146743B2	Closure for clamshell package A clamshell style paper board container including a tab-and-slot closure to openably secured the top and bottom halves of the clamshell in a closed position. Unlike conventional designs where the tabs in the bottom half extend from the side walls toward the front of the container, the tabs in the bottom half extend from the front wall toward the sides of the container. Also, a punch in device that can be used to provide a steam hole and/or an indicator of package contents where the punch in device include four generally parallel fold lines extending between two generally parallel perforations. When the punch-in device is punched in by a user, one of the fold lines is moved from: (i) a folded state at a location at a corner between two walls of the container to; (ii) an unfolded state at a location displaced from the corned toward the interior of the container.
US08146738B2	Apparatus for accommodating exchangeable containers and metering media An apparatus for accommodating different exchangeable containers comprising at least two separated and closable internal spaces arranged on a common longitudinal axis. The apparatus is characterized in that the internal spaces are respectively closed by a functional lid.
US08146737B2	Beverage cup carrier A disposable beverage cup carrier is preferably made from molded pulp, plastic or other resilient material capable of withstanding the force of four filled beverage cups while carried by integral carrying handle and preventing collapsing of the carrier and resultant spillage of the hot or cold beverage. The beverage cup carrier has a top surface, generally square in shape, of sufficient diameter capable of accommodating a integral ergonomically carrying handle. The beverage cup carrier is capable of holding one to four cups of various sizes and shapes of beverage containers providing a safe and sturdy means during transportation preventing spillage. The integral carrying handle positioned in the center of the top surface allows the user to carry up to four beverage containers with one hand providing enhanced safety and allowing a free hand for purposes of opening the door of one's automobile. The larger surface area of the top surface to accommodate the carrying handle further provides more stability to the carrier. The beverage cup carrier is a unitary mold and is capable of nesting with a plurality of similar beverage cup carriers. The top surface is attached to a peripheral rim by a plurality of annular rib components. The peripheral rim having four rounded corners at which points are positioned sockets to receive the beverage cups. The sockets extending downwardly about five inches in depth from a bottom surface containing stabilizing components within an internal wall of the sockets to provide stability by exerting an external force against the beverage container during use.
US08146735B2	Distributed gas storage A gas storage system includes a tank, having a tank gas outlet, and a multitude of gas emitting entities encapsulated by the tank. The gas emitting entities are arranged for providing a gas volume, which when released from the gas emitting entities, is considerably larger than a volume of the gas emitting entities themselves. The gas emitting entities are freely contained in the tank. There are no gas conduits or electrical connections to the tank which has a sealable opening suitable for removal or insertion of the gas emitting entities. The latter have a respective gas release device, which is operable as a response on a stimulation signal. A volume surrounding the gas emitting entities inside the tank is the sole fluid connection between an opening of the gas release device and the tank gas outlet. Methods for storing and releasing gas are also presented.
US08146734B2	Belt unit and image forming apparatus A belt unit includes a first roller; a second roller; a belt extended with at least the first roller and the second roller; a first supporting member for supporting the first roller; a second supporting member disposed to be freely rotatable relative to the first supporting member for supporting the second roller; a switching member for switching the first supporting member and the second supporting member between a first state for applying tension to the belt and a second state for loosening the belt; and a regulating member for regulating the second supporting member to rotate.
US08146733B2	Idler roll seal A contact seal to prevent contamination from fouling a conveyor idler roll, the roll generally comprising a rotatable cylinder, at least one internal bearing assembly, and a fixed axle. A disc of thermoplastic polymer or similarly resilient material is adhesively attached preferentially to an outboard end cap of the idler roll to seal out contamination. A circular aperture through the disc allows the attached seal to rotate about the idler axle. At least one ring of felt or other porous material is adhesively attached to the disc circumferentially to the aperture to filter out contamination when the ring is in frictional contact with the roll end cap. The seal is preferentially divided along the longitudinal axis of the disc to form two interlocking semicircular half-pieces that are snapped together circumferentially about the idler axle so that no disassembly or modification of the idler is required to adhesively attach the seal.
US08146732B2	Drive head assembly for a fluid conveyor system The invention disclosed provides a drive head assembly for a fluid conveyor system that propels a fluid entraining conveyor through a well bore to carry fluids to the surface. The invention is comprised of a pair of synchronized follower wheels connected to a set of counter rotating sheaves. A fluid entraining conveyor is wrapped in a “figure-8” conveyor path around the sheaves in a plurality of coaxial grooves and around a distal sheave located in the fluid in the well bore. The coaxial grooves incorporate a unique shape which in conjunction with the wrap pattern provide improved tractive qualities and thus reduce tension in the conveyor and increase the durability of the conveyor. The conveyor can run at increased speeds and with no tension on the downward portion of the conveyor resulting in higher efficiency and less down time due to breakage.
US08146726B2	Positive clutch plate separator system A torque transmitting apparatus includes a cover portion generally defined by a first axis, and a flywheel coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith. The flywheel is restrained from axial movement relative to the cover portion. The apparatus also includes a pressure plate coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith, wherein the pressure plate is axially moveable relative to the cover portion. The apparatus also includes an intermediate plate coupled to the cover portion for rotation therewith. The intermediate plate is axially moveable relative to the cover portion and the pressure plate. The apparatus further includes a first clutch disk at least partially interposed between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate, a second clutch disk at least partially interposed between the flywheel and the intermediate plate, an axially acting biasing element for exerting an axial force between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate, and a support member extending through the biasing element.
US08146722B1	Travel assisting luggage system Disclosed is a travel assisting luggage system to carry articles and otherwise assist a person while traveling with the luggage system. The luggage system may include a frame, a container connected around the frame, an axle connected to the frame and to wheels, an entertainment center attached to a container side, a seat system connected to the frame, where the seat system may include a seat extension, a backrest, a support feet, a support feet housing, and a support plate. The luggage system additionally may include an organization system positioned within the container interior.
US08146715B2	Disk brake provided with an improved device for measuring the normal applied force A disk brake, in particular for a motor vehicle, is provided. The disk includes a rotatable brake disk, a brake caliper covering the brake disk, an actuator for applying an actuation force and a friction lining applicable to the brake disk by means of the actuation force, and a device for measuring the actual braking force. In order to obtain the more reliable and accurate actual braking force measurement, the device for measuring the actual braking force uses the elastic enlargement of the brake caliper in the form of a measuring parameter and comprises an element having a first end secured to the brake caliper and a second free end, wherein a gap is formed in the extension direction between the brake caliper and the element. The device for measuring the actual braking force produces a signal according to the actual measure gap width.
US08146711B2	Reduced gulp fluid reservoir An assembly includes a reservoir for holding a fluid, and a scavenge passage connected to the reservoir at a reservoir inlet. The scavenge passage returns the fluid from a delivery location to the reservoir. A bleed passage is connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the scavenge passage.
US08146709B2	Movable safety barrier system A movable safety barrier system includes a flexible barrier member having a barrier member length with first and second ends, and a width. The barrier member can have a construction that is flexible in both directions along the length and width of the barrier member. First and second end supports are provided which are capable of supporting respective first and second ends of the length of the barrier member when the barrier member is extended between the end supports. The end supports can allow the extended barrier member to move in a direction transverse to the width of the barrier member when desired.
US08146706B2	Air duct for vehicle air conditioning and air conditioner for vehicle An air duct for vehicle air conditioning, includes a duct body defining a passage, and a passage dividing wall for dividing an interior of the duct body into a first passage and a second passage. In the air duct, the width of the duct body in an arrangement direction of the first and second passages in a bending section is larger than the width of the duct body in upstream-side and downstream side straight sections adjacent to the bending section, so as to increase a passage length difference (L1−L2) between the first passage and the second passage. Accordingly, the air duct has a structure capable of reducing the duct width while obtaining a desired passage length difference between the first passage and the second passage.
US08146700B2	Skid steer loader and mounting method A mounting method for a skid steer loader is disclosed including coupling a first end portion of a component directly to a first wall of a skid steer loader frame. The method also includes coupling a second end portion of the component to an opposite wall of the skid steer loader frame by a mounting system that allows for dimensional differences between the component and the skid steer loader frame.
US08146698B2	Motorcycle including brake-by-wire system with flexibly supported pressure-generating unit In a brake system for a motorcycle in which the operation of a pressure-regulating unit interposed between fluid pressure-generating unit and a wheel brake so as to regulate an output fluid pressure of the fluid pressure-generating unit and to apply the regulated fluid pressure to the wheel brake is controlled by a control unit on the basis of a value detected by operating amount detector for detecting an operating amount of a brake operating element, to arrange the fluid pressure-generating unit in a location which is close to the pressure control unit disposed on the rear side of an engine body and in which an installation space is easy to secure. The fluid pressure-generating unit, laid out in plan view between a left-right pair of seat rails which constitute a part of a body frame and which support a riders' seat, is supported by the seat rails.
US08146697B2	Brake system for a motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating same A brake system for a motorcycle includes a pressure-regulating unit interposed between a fluid pressure-generating unit and a wheel brake. Operation of a pressure-regulating unit is managed and controlled by a control unit, based primarily on an applied force detected by an operating amount detector. The fluid pressure-generating unit is disposed between an engine body, mounted on a body frame, and an exhaust pipe which is connected to a front surface of a cylinder head of the engine body, and which extends downwardly from the cylinder head. The fluid pressure-generating unit is arranged on the body frame such that, during operation of the motorcycle, the fluid pressure-generating unit is substantially shielded and isolated from heat emitted by the engine body and the exhaust pipe.
US08146694B2	Swappable modulated battery packs system for electrically driven vehicle A system for swappable battery pack for electric vehicle is disclosed. Each battery pack units is comprising a battery compartment housing, a battery carrier rack which is slidable within the battery compartment housing via at least one linear actuator. The battery carrier rack also contains a plurality of modulated battery packs nested into its docking enclosures. In order to transfer or swap the modulated battery packs, the slidable battery carrier rack must projects out from its compartment in predetermined direction and distance and then the nested modulated battery packs can easily be detached from its docking enclosures.
US08146691B2	Travel drive system for work vehicle, work vehicle, and travel drive method A travel drive system for a work vehicle includes: an HST drive device comprising a hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover and a hydraulic motor connected to the hydraulic pump by a closed circuit; an electric motor driven by using electric power generated by drive of the prime mover; a first drive wheel driven by the HST drive device; a second drive wheel driven by the electric motor; a vehicle speed detector that detects a vehicle speed; and a control unit that distributes output of the prime mover to the HST drive device and to the electric motor such that, as the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detector increases, a proportion of a first power distributed to the HST drive device decreases and a proportion of a second power distributed to the electric motor increases.
US08146690B2	Method of controlling an auxiliary pump for a transmission A method of operating an auxiliary pump for an electrically variable transmission includes purging the auxiliary pump when an auxiliary pump temperature is below a minimum operating temperature and above a minimum purge temperature. The auxiliary pump fluid temperature and the minimum purge temperature are determined based upon the transmission fluid temperature and the ambient temperature.
US08146687B1	Polycrystalline diamond compact including at least one thermally-stable polycrystalline diamond body and applications therefor Embodiments of the invention relate to PDCs including at least one thermally-stable PCD body disposed at least partially within a substrate, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC comprises a substrate including a at least one substrate recess formed therein, and at least one thermally-stable PCD body including an upper surface, a back surface, and at least one lateral surface. The at least one thermally-stable PCD body is at least partially received by the at least one substrate recess. Other embodiments include applications utilizing the disclosed PDCs in various articles and apparatuses, such as rotary drill bits.
US08146684B2	Coring apparatus with sensors An apparatus and method obtains a sample from a subterranean formation. The coring apparatus includes an outer core barrel associated with a drill bit; an inner core barrel adapted to accept a core sample; and sensors adapted to provide data relating to downhole conditions. The sensors may be one or more sensors the output of which is indicative of entry of a core sample into the inner core barrel.
US08146682B2	Apparatus and methods of milling a restricted casing shoe A method of removing a restriction in a tubular located in a well includes providing a drilling assembly with a drill bit and a reamer, the reamer having a cutting structure for removing the restriction; drilling through a lower portion of the tubular; expanding the reamer at a location below the restriction; and urging the reamer back toward the restriction to remove the restriction.
US08146679B2	Valve-controlled downhole motor The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling downhole motors. One aspect of the invention provides a valve-controlled downhole motor including: a downhole motor and a spool valve. The downhole motor includes a sealed chamber having a first port and a second port, a stator received within the sealed chamber, and a rotor received within the stator. The spool valve includes a barrel and a spool received within the barrel. The barrel includes an inlet port, an exhaust port, a first feed port, a second feed port, a first return port, and a second return port. The inlet port is located in proximity to the first feed port and second port. The exhaust port is located in proximity to the first return port and the second return port. The spool includes a first gland and a second gland.
US08146675B2	Portable fire extinguishing apparatus and method A fire suppression device including a fire suppression agent generator. The device further includes trigger mechanism adapted to begin generation of the fire suppression agent from the fire suppression agent generator. A container at least partially surrounds the fire suppression agent generator and the trigger mechanism, the container includes a discharge port that directs fire suppression agent in at least two opposed directions. In one example, the discharge port extends substantially around a perimeter of the container.
US08146674B2	Apparatus for storing hazardous material Disclosed herein is an apparatus for storing hazardous material. The apparatus includes storage containers each of which stores a hazardous material storage box containing hazardous material. The hazardous material storage box is extracted from or retracted into the storage container by a transfer means. A fire sensor is provided in each storage container to detect a fire occurring in the storage container. A temperature sensor is provided in each storage container to sense a temperature in the storage container. An injection nozzle is provided in each storage container. The injection nozzle injects nitrogen into the storage container from a nitrogen supply unit when a fire is detected. An outlet pipe connection passage and a flexible outlet pipe connection tube are provided to exhaust gas from the storage containers. A collecting container is provided in the lower end of the apparatus to collect and store leakage liquid of hazardous material.
US08146670B2	Bi-directional annulus seal A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. A lock ring has grooves for locking the inner wellhead member to the outer wellhead member during installation. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its inner surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages the surface of the inner wellhead member, locking the seal assembly to the inner wellhead member.
US08146669B2	Multi-step heater deployment in a subsurface formation A method for installing a horizontal or inclined subsurface heater includes placing a heating section of a heater in a horizontal or inclined section of a wellbore with an installation tool. The tool is uncoupled from the heating section. A lead in section is mechanically and electrically coupled to the heating section of the heater. The lead-in section is located in an angled or vertical section of the wellbore.
US08146665B2	Apparatus and method for maintaining boost pressure to high-pressure pumps during wellbore servicing operations A wellbore services manifold trailer comprising a blender connector configured to couple to a blender, a boost pump coupled to the blender connector, a high-pressure pump suction connector coupled to the boost pump and configured to couple to a high-pressure pump, a high-pressure pump discharge connector configured to couple to the high-pressure pump, and a wellhead connector configured to couple to a wellhead is disclosed. A wellbore servicing method comprises receiving a fluid at a first pressure, increasing the pressure of the fluid to a second pressure greater than the first pressure, feeding the fluid to a high-pressure pump at the second pressure, receiving the fluid from the high-pressure pump at a third pressure greater than the second pressure, and feeding the fluid to a wellhead at the third pressure is also disclosed.
US08146664B2	Utilization of low BTU gas generated during in situ heating of organic-rich rock A method for utilizing gas produced from an in situ conversion process includes heating an organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation. The method may include producing a production fluid from the organic-rich rock formation where the production fluid has been at least partially generated as a result of pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons located in the organic-rich rock formation. The method may include obtaining a gas stream from the production fluid, where the gas stream comprises combustible hydrocarbon fluids. The method may include separating the gas stream into a first composition gas stream and a second composition gas stream, where the composition of the first composition gas stream is a low BTU gas stream maintained in a substantially constant condition and passing the first composition gas stream through a gas turbine to form a gas turbine exhaust stream, where the gas turbine is connected to an electrical generator.
US08146662B2	Well screen assembly with multi-gage wire wrapped layer A well screen assembly includes an elongate base pipe and a wire wrap layer. The wire wrap layer includes a wire wrapped around support ribs. The wire wrap layer has an axial end section wrapped at a first gage and an intermediate section wrapped at a second, larger gage. A mesh layer is provided around the wire wrap layer. An outer shroud is provided around the mesh layer, the outer shroud sealed to the wire wrap layer.
US08146660B2	Coiled tubing deployed single phase fluid sampling apparatus and method for use of same A coiled tubing deployed fluid sampler (50) for collecting a single phase fluid sample from a well. The fluid sampler (50) is actuated to establish fluid communication between an interior (56) and an exterior of the fluid sampler (50) such that a fluid sample is obtained from the well in a chamber (92) of the fluid sampler (50). The fluid pressure in the coiled tubing string is then increased, which pressurizes the fluid sample in the chamber (92). Thereafter, the coiled tubing and the fluid sampler (50) are retrieved to the surface with the pressurized fluid sample remaining above its saturation pressure during collection and retrieval to the surface.

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